Ekko had the gun in his hands, he usopected it closely, the girl was indeed smart, as she was when they were young.
"At least you know you're mistaken, but you don't mean it...at least not the part of being killed" His words hit her like a knife, Jinx eyes shoot open, she didn't dare to move, only stare at the ceiling hoping this would end, one way or another "When we fought at the bridge, you didn't care about what happened, you almost killed both of us, it was all for the objective, but now?" He chuckled "You´re scared, you don't want to do die, why?"
She took a shaky breath, a knot on her throat, tears started rolling out the corner of her eyes "I...there's no one behind me anymore..I've got my sister back..the voices are quiet...I'm..free, I want to live…" She said, trying to hold back the sobbs and keep her voice firm as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Then you do it like a woman, and don´t play no stupid games" He slid the gun back to her, a half smile on his lips, she jumped in the chair like he had just took the shoot, arching herself forward, panting heavily "You know I'm shitty at aiming, but one slip you make" He tapped the crutch against the table "I'll shove this in your skull, got it?"
"Yeah" Jinx sniffed and cleaned the tears with her hands "Got it little man"
Vi and Caytlin had just gotten out of the small improvised office, and Caytlin could feel how nervous Vi was, she just wished she could calm the girl's nerves down a bit, that's when her sharp eyes caught sight of something.
"Come on, let's see if you didn't get rusty on your crazy…structure jump abilities" She nudged VI's side and smiled, pointing up to a small passway, almost on the highest point of the giant tree.
"Now you're talking Cupcake" Vi smiled and messed her hair a bit, the girl chuckled and tried to stop her but as soon as she tried she heard footsteps and the hands of Vi disappeared , looking up she noticed Vi was already running.
"Hey! Not fair!"
"We don't really care for that down here cupcake"
Vi screamed as she kept running, jumping on the roots and holding onto a rope that made a swing for the kids, she climbed up to the highest branches and disappeared in the leaves.
Caytlin groaned and quickly started to try to climb it, thankfully enough she had enough skill from her times hunting over her family lands, she was actually very agile, but of course, she couldn't beat the girl whose life depended on that since her childhood.
After a minute Caytlin got to a branch and swung herself forward, falling with a thud on the metal floor, Vi was already there, leaning against the guardrail, some leaves stuck to her hair, she smiled at Caytlin.
"You got way better"
Caytlin took a breath in and laughed, slowly walking over to Vi, she gently got her hand to Vi´s hair to brush the leaves off "I will...never beat you...will I?"
"Maybe…" VI looked at her, simply admiring the features of the girl.
"What? You are staring" Caytlin pinched her cheek.
"Hey..Well I find interesting, you also been changing…"
"What do you mean?" She raised an eyebrow to Vi.
"The good piltover girl, now you´re walking with terrorist, didn´t move a finger when Jinx basically black mailed the council, you know she´s probably hidin a gun right?"
Caytlin listened to Vi carefully and chuckled "I realized the real world is not what I thought it was, so, sometimes...you need to" She finished brushing the leaves off Vi´s hair, her hand resting gently on her cheek "Allow yourself to...get to know new things…since once we are finished here I'll probably be stuck behind a desk" She finished trying to smile to Vi.
The pink haired girl gave a weak smile back, putting a hand over Caytlin's, she was so beautiful and delicate, even more from this close "That's something..I wanted to talk to you about, I don't want it to end, our..work together"
"N..Neither do I"
Vi could be though, but she would melt under Caytlin´s touch and voice, and there was no way she would be prepared, not when the fancy girl gathered her courage to actually move on, it were time like these that she learned on to see danger in advance, like then someone was lurking in the shadows to get her, she'd seen this look on Caytlin´s face once, when they were at the brothel, when she was talking with that masked girl, but this time, it was way more intense and Vi froze up.
Caitlyn blue eyes got her lost in a ocean, her hands so soft against her cheek, the few callus from the weapon training, and a spark running from her lips over her whole body, her lips were so soft and sweet, it didn't last more than a few seconds before Caytlin pulled back with a shy smile, her cheeks pink while she tried to look away.
Vi just stood there, her eyes wide and her face turning the same color as her hair.
"C..can you say something at least? This is nerve wrecking" Caytlin said with a light chuckle, rubbing her own arm.
"Caytlin I…" Vi´s heart was racing like never before, her head spinning more than when she took hits in prison fights, and of course she messed up "That was not what..I meant" What?! Her own head screamed That IS what I wanted!
"O-oh, th-that was not...I..I am sorry I...thought" Caytlin spun on her own heels and tried to run away, confused and feeling a knot on her throat already, completely embarrassed, but Vi got hold of her wrist.
"Caytlin, calm down...that was exactly what I wanted!" Vi chuckled nervously, pulling her back slowly and hugging the girl, she rested her chin on her shoulder "It...was nice..I got a bit freaked out..but, there´s another thing I need to ask, that's more urgent at the time…"
Caytlin bit her lower lip, trying to not freak out while she looked back, her eyes ran over Vi´s face with a sweet smile, the girl looked adorable flustered like that, what made her more at ease, then she noticed how one of Vi´s hand had left the body and reached for something inside her jacket, it was a container, just like the ones they have been carrying around with messages.
"Vi...is that.." She turned slowly to face Vi and her hand reached to the canister.
That's when their world stopped.
A gunshot, a sound so clear and familiar for both of them, filled the whole place, their eyes wide in shock, Vi as pale as her sister, Caytlin's stomach dropping completely, it didn't take half a second before they exchanged a look and both started running back down to the small room that Ekko took as an office.
Vi jumped by the branches, back down to the swing and slid down the rope, letting go from a few good meters from the ground, just enough to not break her legs. Caytlin came right behind her, a few seconds slower, she slid down the rope all the way to the ground, but quickly, neither caring for the pain in their hands or feet.
Vi was the first to get there, panting, cold sweat running by her body in worry, she couldn't lose her sister, not again, not after all of this, her body acted first, she kicked the door with a perfect muscular memory and it slammed against the wall open.
"Powder! What happened?"
"Could you not. Destroy. Any more of my doors?"
The scene there wasn't nearly close to any of the horrible scenarios Vi got in her head, neither on Caytlin´s one.
Jinx had her legs crossed like a kid, sitting on one of the armrests from the couch, going against physic to somehow maintain her balance there, with her pistol draw out and pointed to the other side of the room, following her aim, in midst the mess of tools and inventions, there was a robotic arm, a metal plate with a angry cartoon face draw on it and with a perfect hole in the center, the bullet was only stopped by the second metal plate fixed on the wall.
"And that's how it can penetrate armor" Jinx said seriously to Ekko and then turned to Vi with the biggest smile on her face "Hey sis! We´re fine, little man decided to give me another chance" She said happily.
"Stop calling me that!" He grunted.
"Oh y-" Jinx was ready to tease him, but her voice didn't come out, Vi had in a step gotten to her and warped her in a hug.
"I got worried as hell, what are you doing shooting indoors?"
Caytlin walked in, herself not noticing the smile she had, but feeling relieved that the crazy girl was alright.
"Ekko told me to"
"Ekko! What did I tell you about testing guns inside? What are we building the fire range for if not for that?" An unknown voice, quiet footsteps, sounded like an old dad speaking, the voice even seemed to come from a level below them.
All of them turned around to see who it was, and with a gasp of surprise they saw him, the founder of Piltover himself, Heimerdinger.
"Ugh...I'm sorry" Ekko groaned, scratching his neck and looking away.
"Professor? What are you doing here?" Caytlin was the first to talk after that.
"Hm?" He looked up "Oh if it is not the young Kiramman, what a pleasant surprise, I found this young boy with a bad injury in his leg while on the streets…after what happened in the council, I tried to come help citizens but..well it did not went as planned, so I stumbled on him and his firelights, I have been helping them with education since then"
"I see…I'm really sorry for what happened professor" Caytlin crouched down.
"Wait…it's actually the founder...What happened at the council?" Vi asked, taking a few steps forward to them.
Heimerdinger sighed and looked up to them to talk "The council decided that...I was to old and not able to follow the progress, I tried halting their advances on Hextech to give it..more time to develop"
"And..you were just kicked out?" Vi looked at him in pure disbelief.
Jinx whistled "Talk about being assholes"
"Jinx!" Caytlin glared at her.
"What?"
"The young one is right...despite my best interest on the security of people and contributions, they...were a bit...insensitive to say the least, but I hold no grudges against them on this unfortunate ending, I found a good new purpose here" He said with a smile, or what looked to be a smile under all the hair and fur.
"Actually...this might not be that unfortunate…" Vi said and quickly got a glare from Caytlin.
"Vi, I know you are not the most sensitive person but-"
"No! That's not what I meant, professor, with all respect, what if you could join another council? One that actually needs your help and guidance?"
His eyes looked up at her surprised "Me?..but..are you sure?"
"Of course, we need guidance to not make the same mistakes, we might be a bit more reckless but a science advisor would be essential, the offer is open"
"I..would gladly work with you" He said, giving his hand out, Vi took it and gently shook his hand.
"Now we're talking"
"I guess we deserve a party, to tell everyone here what happens now" Ekko slowly got up and walked up the stairs that reached the upper level of the tree.
"Easy old man" Vi teased him.
"Oh shut up" He groaned back.
Once again, they were all up on the small walkway on the big tree, Ekko gave a long whistle, that soon made others way over down there, the flying boards stopped, people came out from their homes and stood down there, all looking up, whispers and mumbling coming out from the mass of people.
They all walked to the railings, but Caytlin frowned, someone was missing there, but before she could say anything, Ekko hit his crutch against the metal floor a few times, the sound quickly made everyone quiet down.
"I have a few great news today, for all of us!" Ekko shouted "This girl here, is an enforcer, a representative sent directly by the council" He said pointing at Caytlin, and suddenly she felt a shiver running down her spine, she knew everybody there wanted her head right now "And you know our dear Vi, who decided to turn undercity upside down these last few days" He said it as Vi stepped forward waving, there as a bit of cheering "So, would you care to share the good news with us?"
Caytlin looked over to Vi, hoping she would talk, but then she realized everyone up there had their eyes on herself.
She gulped down dry and pulled courage from her guts to walk forward "I...In the name of Piltover I greet all of you, I am sure that most here doesn't approve out way of action or the way we neglected the undercity for so long, but I am here to tell all of you that this is over, as an official representative from the council, I bring a formal declaration, that the whole undercity and all of their citizens are now considered and recognized as an independent nation, ran by an official council, Ekko, was nominated as the head chief and we look forward to working with him, Piltover will do whatever it can to ensure medical, financial and humanitarian support for all of you, no longer any of you need to leave with the fear of being assaulted by enforcers, on the contrary, we are here to protect you, I hope all of you here and in all undercity can come to forgive and accept us, so our bonds can grow stronger in a united nation"
For a second, there was silence, disbelief and shock, in another there were screams, cheering and tears, anc Caytlin could see the looks in their faces, from the mothers that wouldn't need to hide their children anymore, from the men that wouldn't get beat up for walking a street at night, for all of those who couldn't get a work to put food on their tables.
"Nice" Vi rubbed her shoulder gently, Caytlin looks back to her with a warm smile, the tension going away slowly.
"Indeed rich girl" Ekko said as well "I hope you both stay to the night party, it won't be much, but, you know"
(…)
It went out in a blink, Caytlin sat with Ekko for a bit to register his name and the details of what his people needed more urgently.
She saw Vi walking around carrying tables and helping put chairs outside.
_Damn those muscles_ She thought to herself, biting her lower lip.
Ekko cleared his throat to call her attention, she was still sitting at the table, looking out the open window while he waited for her to write things down with a smug smile "Can you make this any less obvious?"
"Hm? Sorry what? I mean we were on-"
"Stop, don't even try, you're not concentrating on shit right now, go have some fun, we both need it after these days" He said, once more getting up slowly and taking his crutch "Whatever else you need from me, Vi will find me"
He just walked away, Caytlin sighed in agreement and gathered the stuff up, putting everything away, while organizing things in her back she brushed her hand against a closed canister, the one Vi had given to her, she opened it and took the paper out reading it.
From: The Nation of Zaun
To: Caytlyn Kirrman,
By this official letter, the newly formed council comes with it´s most sincere intentions, invite Caitlyn Kirrman to take on the position of head chief of security and logistic affairs, as well as direct line of communication with Piltover´s council;
Job description…
She froze completely, the words all seemed to be scrambled over on the paper, she jumped putting herself up and ran outside with the message in her hands, searching for Vi outside.
"Looking for someone?" Caitlyn let out a quiet suprise squeak as she quickly turned around seeing the pink haired girl, she got stunned for a second but quickly shoved the paper against Vi´s face basically.
"Yes! What is the meaning of this?"
Vi took a step back so it didn't literally hit her, frowning for a slight second before taking a look at the papers "Hm? What do you mean? It's exactly what´s there, I thought you could read better than me even"
"But..but..I.."
"What's wrong, don´t you want the job?...I mean..if you don´t you can simply refuse it"
"No!..I mean, no..it's just so sudden I..it's a great opportunity, but me? To operate down here?"
"Who better than someone that has seen both worlds?" Vi put a hand on her shoulder squeezing it light, she could feel the girl insecurity about being down here, how people would look at someone from the surface meddling with their business, but she knew Caitlyn would be the best one to help her, the one who could look past their differences, not any fancy snob idiot.
"I…am honored" The other girl said with a smile that made Vi´s heart melt completely.
"Well, then that's it, for now we have all members we need, but let's not bury our heads in more work, let's relax a bit cupcake"
Vi took an arm over Caitlyn's shoulders, gently pulling her close, she nodded, she put the paper away and walked with Vi.
The place was alive with chatter, childs playing, tables of food being set up, at one point they were sitting down with Ekko, it was the first time Caitlyn had food that wasn't so…refined so to say, but surprisingly it tasted very good, the night went on with laughs, now and then talk about how the would organize things, but eventually a question came back to Caitlyn´s head, she turned to Vi whispering.
"Vi..Jinx is not here" She finally remembered that fact, frowning slightly while speaking.
"I know…it wouldn't be comfortable to anyone down here to have someone that…caused so much sadness around right? She knows that…" Vi spoke with a sad smile and Caitlyn knew she shouldn't go deeper in the subject "She's here somewhere…just, having fun her own way I guess"
The girl nodded, as more that she knew that this was true, a feeling of sadness tightened her chest, she spent a few minutes spacing out until her eyes caught something, with so much training, she could spot targets from far away, up there, on the cracks that let the sunlight flow in, on the edge of the hole, now illuminated by the moon and the stars, she saw a lonely figure, dangling their feet over the edge, watching all the fun down there, for a second, not knowing why she felt sadness for someone who caused so much suffering, she thought about going over there, she sighed and made her head focus back on their talk.
(...)
"It must be fun down there" Jinx said to herself, or maybe Powder had said that to Jinx.
"Yeah but we can´t go right now right? I mean, they would just freak out and all that, like if I threw that down there.." She had a grenade in her hands, she kept pulling the pin out and putting it back in, maybe hoping that her hands would slip and it would explode.
"I mean…Vi love us right? We´re sisters again…then why..why, that girl…" She glared at Caitlyn and threw herself back, opening her arms and letting the grenade roll out..the pin still attached to it "Well she´s pretty…hot…kind…she´s still giving us the dirty look but…yeah I know I'm jealous…"
She turned to the side and curled herself hugging her legs.
"I guess…it would also be fun to be down there chatting…get hugs…well, we´ll have to wait, maybe if we keep ourselves without destroying things for a while, we could walk normally on the streets again…like we used to…"
She closed her eyes and sprawled herself over the ground again, opening them to look at the night sky.
"The sky is pretty here…wait…from who am I jealous right now?"