12:35 p.m.
As the Sheriff and Shen continued to walk down the hall, the little girl known as Lass continued her humming song about meeting the Kitsune.
Shen was the first to break the silence, "Ahri's room is right there Sheriff, third door on the left. Knock first before you enter, if I recall the conversation between your Enforcer and Defender, they mentioned something about having the Star Child throw something at them to get them to leave. I'm sure I don't have to ask you to not replicate that act. Ahri's in a state of constant recuperation, as well as help from our medical practices and the Star Child's magic."
After a moment of walking, Shen spoke again, "Basically what I'm saying is that it's taking three different types of healing, including her own, for her to even be able to remain conscious right now. That goes for you too little girl, Lass was it? Be on your best behavior, and try to keep your voice low." The little girl stopped her song and raised her eyes to meet the glance of the Surgeon, and nodded her head with a light giggle.
Caitlyn replied, "Do not worry Shen, you wo-", she was abruptly cut off by the sounds of objects crashing, and glass shattering. Caitlyn pulled Lass behind her, and Shen took up a posing stance all too familiar to the Sheriff. His body started to lightly glow and hum as he suddenly spoke up, "That came from Ahri's room! Quickly meet me in there if you will, Sheriff!" and in a swirl of white vapor, he was gone.
Wish I could just teleport to anyone I want, could've shot Jayce by now and been back to meet Ahri already , thought the Sheriff. Caitlyn turned to the girl, "Lass, I'm going to need you to sit here for a moment, ok?" The girl gave a salute with a smile and replied, "Yes Ma'am!" Huh, she's well mannered at least. With that thought, Caitlyn stormed down the hall, and immediately twisted the handle to the Kitsune's room, only to find it locked. She raised one foot to kick it, and as she drove her leg forward, the door was opened, and her foot blocked by a staff. "Sheriff! My goodness, calm down, it is ok, take a look!" answered Soraka still holding her staff in a defensive manner.
Caitlyn walked by her and saw what had made the commotion. Ahri had just woken up, all nine of her tails vibrantly awake and waving around. They had knocked down everything in their radius. "Hi Cait.." waved Ahri weakly. "Sorry about them..they needed to stretch." Caitlyn was giggling uncontrollably as she witnessed Shen wrapped up in two of them in the air. "Yes, well, I'd like to be put down now if you can, Ahri.." replied the Surgeon with a less than amused tone. Ahri gave a slight chuckle, "I can't. I still don't have the strength to really control them. It's my animal instinct. I felt a presence I wasn't used too around me, so my tails reacted to protect me. Give it a few minutes, they'll rela-" the Kitsune erupted into a coughing fit, and put one hand to her temple to hold it. "My head is killing me, oh man.."
Caitlyn walked to the other side of Ahri, three more tails swirling around the Sheriff, but not grabbing her, simply blocking her within range of the Kitsune. "I can still feel your essence from earlier, don't worry." replied Ahri. Caitlyn grabbed one of Ahri's hands in her own, and kneeled next to the fox. "How are you feeling Ahri, this is all our fault for not..somehow helping you before." Ahri waved her off, "It's..fine. The link I had made with Jinx was too deep. There was nothing you could have been able to do. I was her puppet so long as she remained conscious.." Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, "Conscious? What do you mean? Jinx remained conscious after you had collapsed."
Ahri shook her head, "Not that one..you were right with your guess before, Sheriff." Caitlyn's eyes widened. "I saw a bit of her memory before. It was a house, in Zaun. A fancier one, not the dumps. I saw Jinx..and another girl. And her parents..Something happened, the lights went out, there was..crashing and screaming..Next thing I knew, I was locked in a room, with Jinx. I could feel it..my essence was gone, and she was tapping into my very life force. I dove too deep, and she took advantage of that to basically just reverse the link on me." Ahri erupted in a fit of coughs once again, her tails finally letting go off Shen, and snuggling themselves around her body. "I'm cold, they're just comforting me, sorry." Caitlyn gave a small smile, "Stop saying sorry, please continue. You said my guess was right before?"
Ahri continued her story, "This Jinx..her eyes were glowing red. She said..she preferred to be called the Loose Canon. Next thing I knew, i was already beaten half to death and was being choked up against the wall. She mentioned she was going to go to the ..surface, I guess outside of her mind, and she was going to do..something bad. I could feel her, she was dark, and I felt a strong sense of dread. She wanted to hurt people.." Caitlyn could feel herself breaking into a cold sweat. We were all within range of her too. Whatever had happened, Vi didn't have her gauntlets and I didn't have my rifle. Whatever she did to Ahri, she easily could've...done a lot more than hurt us if the Loose Cannon was the one that came back with Ahri, thought Caitlyn, her eyes now staring into space, head lowered. She snapped back when Ahri continue to speak.
"I used what I had left of my essence, or maybe it was my life force, I couldn't tell. The return hit her square in the back, and she went down. From there I was able to free myself. I'm guessing what she did to me during the link, she made my body repeat the actions for real. Caitlyn, I have never met anyone who's been able to do that. Granted, I've never created that deep of a link before with anyone except partners-," This immediately produced a crimson shaded Caitlyn, but she maintained her posture and nodded her head. "Yes, yes, continue." Ahri scoffed, "My my you're an easy tease, aren't you?" Vladimir shade of red engulfed her face. "Ahri..PLEASE..continue the story.."
Ahri gave a giggle, "As I was saying, to sum it up, whoever or whatever that other side of her is, she was strong enough to overpower me and reverse the link. Something happened..in Jinx's life. She created an alter ego, to combat the trauma. Normal psychological hullabaloo you'd think but not this...this...I felt two separate people. It wasn't the same essence, split in two. It was two completely different, as if the Loose Cannon, became the second half of that body. Whatever the case is, where is she now?" Caitlyn replied, "I don't know. This little girl, Lass, came up to me and Shen a few minutes ago and had told us that Jinx not only directed her to me for help finding her family, but mentioned leaving Piltover. She's in disguise, so she has probably already taken the tram out of the city."
Ahri tightened the grip between her and Caitlyn's hands. "The moment you get word from anyone of where she is, tell them to be wary. The half inside of her that beat me down, she was unconscious when I broke the link. I have no way of knowing how long she'll stay out, but if she reemerges, the blocks I had to open up to even reach that deep might still be open. I basically penetrated her very mind, and I left a hole. If the JInx in control now, can't find a way to keep control..the Loose Cannon might fight her way out. Be that her alter ego, a second entity, or just a bipolar mood swing..she's a threat. I know you have dealt with this side before, when she rampages around blowing up anything in her way, but this time she's angry. She's targeting you and Vi for sure, maybe even me, and Jayce, and who knows who else.."
Caitlyn's stomach was churning, and her breathing became low but heavy.. I have to find my Enforcer and Defender. We cannot afford to be weaken our ranks and waste the time we have while Piltover is psycho-free for the time being. Why am I shaking?..Am I..afraid? I have always been aware that my life was threatened when chasing Jinx or any other criminal for that matter..is it just the thought of an angry Jinx? Or is it..that I know she might be the only person who has the will to actually ..make that threat reality?.., Caitlyn's thoughts were again interrupted as Ahri let go of her hand. Caitlyn blinked and looked at the Kitsune as she began talking once more. "Sorry, my hand went numb." Caitlyn replied, "Oh, no! Sorry, I must have been squeezing it too hard while..thinking, my apologies Ahri." Ahri waved it off, "It's fine. I'm tired, I want to sleep more, but first I have to talk to Soraka for a bit."
The Sheriff got to her feet and shifted herself back into her authoritative posture. "Very well, I have to find Vi and Jayce." Ahri grabbed the Sheriff's hand and gave it a quick kiss, "Thank you for coming to see me, Caitlyn. I know you are the Sheriff and all, but I know you also came out of worry and concern for me, despite two of your friends being in possibly danger." Caitlyn blushed, but smiled, "It's quite alright Ahri, they are fine. Vi will not harm Jayce, neither will Jayce harm her. He has a hard time even fighting you during a match." Ahri gave a slight giggle, "He uses the wrong head while he fights. Tell him to hide it better, or I'm going to aim right for it next time." Caitlyn cleared her throat quick and loudly, "WELL, yes. I'm off now."
Caitlyn turned to Soraka, "Thank you Star Child, for allowing me the visit, and for being there with us through that..ordeal." Soraka replied, "it is no issue, Sheriff. I do what I must, because I love what I do. That is to help, and to heal. I am quite fond of you and Ahri's company as well. Now shoo, be off. You are wasting too much time here." Caitlyn turned to leave, and stopped as she was passing Shen.
"Eye of Twilight.." Using his title to show him the respect he'd like and hopefully gain a bit of his favor back, Caitlyn continued to speak. "I require a favor. If you can, please reserve a room, and a stretcher for the next.." Caitlyn pulled out a pocket watch from the brim of her hat and checked it, "..12 hours." Shen gave a curious look, "I will, until we have the need to use it, Sheriff. I must ask what for though?" Caitlyn continued walking, and as she passed through the doorway, she said with a smirk, "For Jayce…"
A few minutes passed since the Sheriff left, after the Surgeon was done checking the medical equipment and cleaning up the mess made by Ahri's tails, he gave a slight bow and left the room to continue other duties. Soraka and Ahri gaze met, and The Star Child was the first to speak. "Are you positive what you have done is right?" Ahri gave a scoff, "So you saw me do it that easily, huh?" Soraka replied, "I could feel your body's life force get weaker. You have made your recovery time, despite all forms of healing being used, significantly longer. A few more weeks I would surmise." Ahri waved her off, "I know how much of a threat the bluette is, and you have already foreseen predictions in the stars or..whatever you do, about the destruction that could follow. I will of be no help, even if I hadn't given it to her. I felt her will when she was holding my hand. It is strong. I'm sure she can handle it, maybe even control it." Soraka replied, "Is this a permanent change?"
Ahri shook her head, "No, just an overcharge for her I would say. An ace in the sleeve. A wild card. It might help her, it might not. All I know is that it'll help her more than it'll help me right no-" Ahri erupted into one more fit of coughs, the final cough being such a heave, that the Kitsune spit up a little blood. "Well ...shit. I'm gonna….go to sleep now, Soraka..", Soraka was already chanting and slowly hovering her hands over Ahri's torso to ease the pain in her lungs. As the Nine Tailed Fox slowly drifted into unconsciousness, she gave the final statement, "Good..luck...P-ilt...over.."