Each step Caitlyn took left a wet clack against the stone of Zaun, a sound that filled the already bustling sound of the Undercity. Well, once the Undercity now the "independent nation of Zaun". A title that bought more bloodshed that it was worth in Caitlyn's opinion. Ever since the attack on the Council there's been little to stop the war between Piltover and Zaun from spilling over to the citizens of both. With each passing day the conflict seemed to escalate with no clear end in sight. There were times when she felt that maybe she should have taken her mothers advice and worked the cushy jobs for the Enforcers. Casual tent duty and graveyard shifts with no real danger, maybe ones with less blood.
Caitlyn drags her boot against the slick ground, wiping the blood off the bottom of the sole. Next assignment? Definitely less blood she hoped.
The muffle voice of an Enforcer shakes Caitlyn from her stupor. "Sherriff. You might want to see this".
Caitlyn swings around already exasperated at the 'oh-so temporary' title, her head already in her hands: "Acting Sherriff, what is it, Erik?"
With a curt bow of acknowledgement, the Enforcer leads Caitlyn towards the reason of this expedition into the Undercity. 'Acting' Sheriff had its perks, one of which was the newfound authority she could throw around. Not that she did that liberally, but the days of corruption were hopefully not long for a thing of the past. If the position is still hers after this.
Jayce had tried cracking down on the Undercity, even going so far as going to war with it briefly with Vi. Vi, who up until now still hasn't shown her face in either city. Vi, who Jayce had 'unofficially' sanctioned to hunt and capture Jinx. The unofficial aspect being that after she was appointed to that position, they've heard neither head nor tails of the brawler. After the attack on the council the streets were buzzing with the call for war, but thankfully Jayce and the new 'Acting' Sheriff were able to come to a more delicate scenario. One that relied on sending Vi into the depths of Zaun in a desperate bid to track down and find her sister.
What was yet to be public knowledge was that Vi herself had either gone rogue or had completely dropped off the grid. Which is why this venture to the Undercity had been of paramount importance to Caitlyn.
"Body was reported by a tenant. Not to us obviously, but word got around before long. With all due respect, Sheriff, I'm glad she's on our side."
The body in question was one of a middle-aged man, though most of his face was barely recognizable beyond the basic humanoid features of a male. Caitlyn could tell at a glance that beneath the man's shirt was far worse than what they saw on his face. If this was Vi, and gods she hoped it wasn't, then this was her attempt at negotiations. Something that Caitlyn was still trying to hammer into her head required a bit more tact.
Caitlyn pressed her ear against the man's chest, feeling the ragged and wet rise and fall of breath. Thanks above for small miracles; whether the man could form coherent sentences after was another matter.
As much as she didn't wish to believe it the facts did point towards a certain pink haired brawler. Caitlyn grabbed the edge of the mans tattered and bloodied shirt. Feeling the fabric between her fingers she could feel the burned char that accompanied all Hextech weaponry.
"Vi, where are you?"
"What was that Sheriff?"
"Nothing. Prep an emergency medical team, Erik. We need to get this man topside as soon as possible."
As Caitlyn continued to look over the body of the man, the enforcer makes no move to follow through with the provided orders.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No ma'am, just...I think she got all she needed from him. She left him for a reason…"
"Pardon?"
"Councilor Tallis was pretty clear that Vi is welcome to make as big a mess as possible to catch Jinx. Who cares if we leave some street trash here?"
She crosses the distance between the two in an instant. Her face inches from the metallic mask of the enforcer who instinctively takes a step back. The heel of her boot once again slick with the now coagulated blood of the victim.
"Let me be clear, you have one superior officer, and that is me. What Jayce- Councilor Tallis chooses to allow Vi to do is above your paygrade. Listening to me is not, understand?"
"Y-yes ma'am. I mean no disrespect."
"None taken. Now call it in and remember that both you and Vi answer to me, not the other way around."
The words tasted bitter in her mouth. Maybe this is what it was like for Jayce to have his first real glimpse of authority. Everyone around you was filled with idiotic ideas and warped perceptions and you're the only sane one. That we're the progress Piltover needs.
Caitlyn takes a deep breath to steady herself. The thoughts melting through her as she centers herself.
"Those are the thoughts that killed a young boy."
We must be better. We are…I hope you are Vi.
