Thanks for checking this out. It's been a while since I've written anything so this might seem a little off. I'm out of practice. Basically, I've fallen in love with Arcane and I can't stop thinking about it. I've written a handful of unfinished things with the intention of eventually posting more. Gotta flush the ideas from my system before they eat me alive. Anyways, enjoy the story.
Progress Day
The lighting cast onto the stage seemed to harness the power of the sun and turned the crowd into a sea of dark shadows. It was progress day in Piltover. A day meant to acknowledge the ingenuity of their people and to celebrate the brightness of their future. And in light of recent events, it was also a time to renew hope. Though Caitlyn felt the future was tumultuous she did feel hopeful.
The attack on the council building had left so much destruction in its wake. Countless lives were lost. It was a thought she'd rather not revisit. In an attempt at recovery, new council members had been appointed and for the first time in three generations, there was no Kiramman included.
The newly formed council had been quick to begin making debate on issues of public safety and commerce. They skirted the issue of Zaun and all talks of its independence had been stalled. Surprisingly, no move had been made towards war. However, the undercity dwellers were under pressure by an increased enforcer presence and it was causing severe tension. Caitlyn believed someone on the council held special interest in Zaun and had ample influence to sway the other members from action.
Though many of their recent changes seemed half-hazard, it had produced an enticing option for Caitlyn. She was approached with the offer to become the Sheriff of Piltover. At first she was unsure. She felt unqualified. Inexperienced. It did occur to her that it was potentially a move of convenience. Undoubtedly they expected her, a Kiramman, to be compliant with council demands. Even Jayce, to a degree, likely believed he had the law in his pocket this way. They all individually had an agenda. Her distaste for outright playing politics was her reasoning for not accepting a position on council in the first place. But as Sheriff, Caitlyn believed she would be allowed a unique angle of opportunity.
Progress day marked the beginning of her journey in this position. Given the prominence of her family name and her newly acquired position, Caitlyn was asked to deliver the Progress Day speech. It was an unusual move for the council. She wasn't a scientist or engineer. She wouldn't be able to regale the crowd with tales of technological wonder or excite them with some new life-changing gadget. Though practiced in public speaking, she felt she didn't have the flare required to make this a thrilling experience.
But Piltover didn't need excitement.
It needed renewal.
Jayce's voice boomed from the center stage. "Allow me to introduce our esteemed guest, Sheriff Caitlyn Kiramman, here to deliver this year's words of inspiration!"
Suddenly butterflies did loops in her stomach when she was cued. Bravely stepping into the blinding lights, she made her way to center stage, giving Jayce a stern nod as she passed him.
"Thank you, Councillor Talis. It is an honour to be invited to deliver this year's progress day speech." She placed her hands on either side of the podium to stiffen her resolve.
"Progress day marks a special time in Piltover for all of us regardless of our proclivity towards science. It has always signified a commitment to our future and our interest in positive societal growth. Our home has always been a great land of innovation and opportunity. Our ingenuity as a people demands of all of us to always strive for more."
Low murmurs of agreement could be heard amongst the crowd. Caitlyn paused, looking at the shadows and drew in a deep breath.
"But on this progress day, it is my sincere regret to inform you that we have missed our mark." The tone suddenly changed to quiet discomfort. But she continued.
"We have ignorance in place of our brilliance. We have closed our doors to opportunity. In our complacency, a deep rooted corruption took hold. Our home became a safe-haven for depravity where the tyranny of drug lords and treacherous officials alike are allowed to excel. We allowed them to destabilize our society and create unrest with our neighbours."
"Our sense of security allowed us great feats of advancement on the backs of those who suffer from hunger, poverty and oppression. Resistance was met with bloodshed."
"We are overdue for change, Piltover. The price of progress can no longer be the lives of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters."
"As a citizen of Piltover, I call on each of you to share my goal to rediscover our compassion and rebuild our integrity. And as Sheriff, I invite you to support me while I restore our aim. My commitment will be unwavering."
"True progress is in our sights and I know what I am shooting for."
Feeling confident in her final message, she backed away from the podium and bowed to the crowd before turning to leave. The stunned silence of the crowd turned to uproarious applause as she made her exit stage right.
Jayce's furrowed brows and the stern set of his jaw made a clear statement of disapproval. "You didn't want to run that one by me?"
"Were our values so misaligned?"
Somewhat taken aback, Jayce followed as she continued to walk away. In truth, her nerves were already shot from having expended so much of her confidence on stage.
"Caitlyn, what the hell are you thinking?"
His tone sat poorly with her. Turning towards him she replied sharply. "I'm thinking that I may be learning who is standing on which side of the line. So if you're quite finished, Councilor, I may take my leave."
He threw his hands up and scoffed. "Yeah. We're done, Sheriff."
With a final challenging glare, Jayce turned back and headed to the stage. Caitlyn continued outside the auditorium.
Once outside the building she put her back to the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. Breathing deeply to steady her nerves, she replayed the entirety of what just happened in her mind. She had done it because it was the right thing to do. No regrets. This city and its governing body needed to know just where she stood on matters of justice. She wouldn't attempt to subtly dismantle the crime in this city, she would meet it head on. Caitlyn wanted them to know she was watching. She wanted them to scramble. But first, she needed to cleanse her own department of its severe criminal malfeasance.
I'll never sleep again. The thought crossed her mind. If the colossal nature of her task wasn't such a reality, she may have laughed at that.
"You probably didn't make too many friends with that one."
Surprise woke Caitlyn from her reverie and she found herself not too far from one of the only people she trusted anymore.
"Braving topside for me, Ekko? I'm flattered." She smiled genuinely at him. The young firelight had cleaned himself up for the event. He fit in well with his neatly done up shirt and well pressed slacks.
"Probably isn't a safer place in all of Piltover than with it's Sheriff. Well… Maybe not anymore."
She sighed and in reply said, "No. I probably didn't make any friends." She'd never had many anyway. She resisted the urge to ask the one thing constantly at the forefront of her mind these days. Instead, she decided to ask around the question.
"... Are you alone?"
Ekko smiled at Caitlyn's attempt to be covert. Certain that the new sheriff wouldn't have liked the answer she wanted or it's follow-up conversation, he opted to respond coyly. "Who me? Nah. My escort is over there." He pointed a short distance into a crowded pavilion where a jovial professor Heimerdinger had his hands full as he was being sought after by several academy students.
Caitlyn could feel the shock in her face as she asked, "You're here with the professor?"
"Yeah. We've been helping each other out. Nice guy. Kind of handy. Pretty smart too."
Caitlyn gave a small laugh and felt some tension ease. "Yes I've heard." Though Caitlyn felt Heimerdinger's wisdom would be of great use to her on the council, she was grateful that the firelights suddenly had such an influential presence on their side. Caitlyn's obvious silent anxiety unwinded itself slightly and Ekko decided it was better to see her laugh than to leave her distraught and alone with her thoughts behind the tall building. In a gentlemanly manner, he offered her an arm which she gladly accepted.
Together they walked and took the time to catch up on the things they had missed while separated. When the daylight began to wane, they had found themselves in a more private location away from the majority of Progress Day festivities. Leaning against a railing that separated them from a slow moving waterway, Ekko candidly asked, "Did you really mean what you said back there?"
She'd meant every word. Not sure how to express her sincerity though, she replied with a nod and said, "When you come up here, I don't want you to have to hide who you are."
Her response elicited a smile and than a gentle ribbing from her friend. "You're gonna get yourself canned, Kiramman."
"Hasn't stopped me before."
They both laughed and enjoyed each other's company while the sun dipped below the buildings in the background. It left Caitlyn with the simple notion that this is how it should be. She felt her determination strengthen and the path ahead seemed less bleak.