It was practically witching hours in The City of Progress known as Piltover. Being one of the most bustling and advanced cities in the whole of Runeterra, the lively city was never truly quiet, and it never stopped moving. The same could be said for its overworked and underpaid defenders, the Piltover City's Police Department, the name might have alluded to some grandeur and massive scale of the building and the forces held within it. Yet, the police department only consisted of around 50 officers who protect the City of Progress.
The tiny station was mostly empty for the night, not many stayed around after dark. The lights were off, except for one lonely office, the office that belonged to a very diligent sheriff and her partner. It was no secret that the city's police force was severely understaffed and underfunded.
This was evident by the simple fact that the police force's leader, a blue-haired gunner, Caitlyn, and her pink-haired associate were still hard at work in their office, filling out a mountain of paperwork on a messy desk at such hours. Caitlyn had to get Vi to do it beside her since the pink-haired enforcer tended to "half-assed" it, a word Caitlyn begrudgingly had picked up from her partner. With VI being in the office, came the occasional grumbles, mumble, yawns, and the likes. Most of those being followed by the few and far between "Um-hm." from the other woman.
"AHH!" Vi exclaimed loudly, that time enough to earn a slow head turn and a raised eyebrow from Caitlyn.
"IT'S LITERALLY BEEN 3 HOURS! How can they make up this much work for my 3 GODDAMN CASES?! GUY GOT SHOT, SHOOTER RAN, I CAUGHT HIM! 3 LINES! THAT'S IT!" Vi practically exploded, her frustration getting the better of her. Evidently, Caitlyn only listened, and with yet another raised eyebrow, she stated plainly, in just a breath. "collateral." That one word was enough for Vi, she knew her way of enforcing the laws, chasing criminals through walls, buildings, and crushing anything in her way wasn't the most "conventional" or "accepted" way of policing. But it was hard to argue with results, Vi did have quite a high arrest count in the force.
"Hey, Cait it's like 2 already, and I don't wanna walk home at this state. Look at my hands! (VI said, flopping her hands at Caitlyn's general direction) They're all noodly. Can I just stay here for the night with you? I'll behave, promise!" VI said characteristically playful, knowing full well that the workaholic sheriff had every intention of working till morning, or at least until her body forces her to rest, but VI didn't want that for Caitlyn. She intended to get Caitlyn to actually rest at some point in the night.
Caitlyn knew it was too late to safely go anywhere at that time, something that had always irked her no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't keep the streets of the city safe at night. Additionally, she was prepared to spend the night at the office anyway. The only thing that actually surprised Caitlyn was the fact that VI had offered to stay with her. Caitlyn knew her partner's a great person, but she also knew that VI was quite reckless and somewhat childish. She just didn't expect VI to act so considerately, wanting to keep her company for the night. Or maybe the pink-haired enforcer was just lazy, wanting the sleep, regardless of where she would be sleeping. Both were equally valid in Caitlyn's mind
Even so, Caitlyn could not deny the fact that the pink-haired woman was incredibly witty, capable, and at times, charming, oh so very charming. And that was causing the razor-sharp sniper to feel a tad bit...unfocused at times.
"Quite a tired sweetheart I see. Sure, you know where the bathroom is, I keep the toothpaste in there, I do have some spare brushes here. And you can have the couch in the breakroom, there should be some blankets there." Caitlyn said, pulling out a toothbrush from her desk drawer and tossing it to VI.
"Just like that? I didn't expect you to agree that quickly, had this whole bit about how sleeping here might give me some paperwork-related inspirations or something like that. But if you insist, I can't refuse Cupcake. Though, can I sleep in here with you or nah?" VI said, her tone switching from faked bewilderment to playful flirting in an instant. Caitlyn, in response to her partner's seemingly unending yet oh-so-very-charming attempts at humor, rolled her eyes, a response that Vi had seen more times than she had broken through walls. Yet just when VI stood up from her seat, something she could never have expected happened.
"Aaaahh!" A scream escaped from the figure as it came crashing down on Vi's head, causing both Vi and it to hit the ground hard, with VI breaking most of the fall for it. "What in the fuck?" VI angrily exclaimed through her pain, followed by a short barrage of profanities carrying no malice. ViI rubbed the back of her head profusely, which took most of the fall for the unknown figure. After collecting herself, Vi felt a weight on her chest and stomach, the figure was that of a young girl with platinum hair and a tiny frame. Vi could make out that the being on top of her was unconscious but breathing, at least no one had thrown a corpse on top of her, for tonight that is.
Caitlyn nearly jumped at the loud crashing and cursing that had just befallen her. "Are you hurt?" She asked, almost out of reflex at that point. Whenever she saw Vi laying down after a crash, that's the first thing she would ask, it had been like that ever since they first started working together. It had been the question that Caitlyn used to check on her partner.
"I'm good." VI gave her usual answer. "This one's out cold, though," VI stated plainly, now pulling herself back up, picking up and laying the unconscious girl on Caitlyn's couch. That was when both VI and Caitlyn had better look at the girl. She had long platinum white hair, pale skin, and a tiny frame. They also noted that this girl was likely wearing her bedtime get-up since she had no pants on, only a pair of odd-colored socks, and a blue hoodie that looked to be far too big for someone of her stature.
"Guess she was heading to bed when this happened," Vi stated while looking up and down the stranger girl, still rubbing her head to try and ease the pain. Caitlyn only nodded in agreement, her mind working on a myriad of theories as to how this stranger fell on Vi's head. Runeterra is a strange place, after all, stories about void portals opening up and letting out unspeakable horrors on unsuspecting towns were abundant. Could this girl possibly be some sort of void creature herself? Caitlyn could not know for sure, the girl did seem harmless enough, but you could never know for sure, and that was enough for Caitlyn to be cautious of her.
"Well, we can't do anything without her waking up first. She doesn't look dangerous. Do whatever you were doing before, I'll watch her." Caitlyn stated in her usual calm, professional demeanor. VI silently agreed and left for the bathroom, she'd always been impressed with how Caitlyn could calmly figure out and deal with literally anything, no matter how unusual the situation may be.
"How'd you think she got here, anyway?" VI asked after coming out of the bathroom, not expecting any real answers from her partner, more so to just ease the tense silence in the room. "I'm not too sure, she doesn't look like she came from here. Judging by her attire, it seems that she was taken while asleep or at least getting to it. The smooth, pale skin, well-groomed hair, and slender fingers suggest she does not work or spend time in the Sun too much, which could mean that she might be in the upper-echelon of whatever world she came from, or at least she's cared for quite well." Caitlyn breaks down, her observation and deduction mind coming working sharp even after the long process of monotonous paperwork.
"So ya saying we might have someone's little princess on our hands?" VI blurted, plain and simple, to which Caitlyn simply nodded lightly. As they continued observing the girl in question, both of them couldn't help but notice a feeling of tension in their chest and a slight singe in the back of their throat. The feeling was not intense, yet it was prominent like a sore thumb, it stuck out to them. There was also a faint scent that VI was able to pick up but could not identify it was a pleasant scent to be sure, yet VI felt a sense of unease about it as if it was compelling her to feel a certain way.
"I'm getting something to drink, you want anything Cait?" VI asked Caitlyn, also trying to excuse herself. To which Caitlyn lightly shook her head. Exiting the room and making her way to the station's kitchen area, away from that scent VI instantly felt relieved. Pouring herself a glass of water, she would have gone for coffee but Caitlyn had said something about late-night coffee being unhealthy and so on. VI never really cared for that, but if Caitlyn said not to do something, VI would probably not do it.
When VI came back, she brought Caitlyn and their "guest" some water, to which Caitlyn nodded and thanked her, then it's back to waiting. But VI was never a patient person, to begin with, so she had to expedite the process a bit. VI moved towards the unconscious girl, nudging her on the side while calling to her. This action proved unnecessary since the girl snapped back to consciousness when VI was just about to poke her.
Her eyes opened wide, looking straight into VI's, the girl leaped up, her eyes darting around the room in frantic motions. VI had backed away almost instantaneously when the girl opened her eyes Caitlyn had jolted from her chair.
"Wha...What is this place? Who are you?" The girl finally spoke, her voice was meek, shaky, and frantic. VI could tell that this girl could burst into tears at any moment. And she had to stop that.
"Ssshhh...Just calm down cupcake, you're in a police station, we're just police officers, you're fine, you're safe." VI held out her hands to the smaller girl, making sure to keep her voice as soft as she could muster, trying her damndest not to startle the girl any more than she already was.
"She's right, you're safe here, and there's nothing to be worried about. Please have some water." Caitlyn added, offering the glass to the frightened girl. She took the glass and took a sip, keeping her eyes planted on the duo as she did.
"Well, my name's Caitlyn and this is my partner, VI. It's her that broke most of the fall for you. Now can you tell us your name, please?" Caitlyn gently asked, moving slightly towards the girl while Vi just raised her hand at Caitlyn's introduction. Caitlyn made an effort to remain on the girl's level, she could easily tell this girl was very on edge, and on-edged people tended to do stupid things.
"I…I'm Sumi, ma'am. And thank you for saving me, miss." The girl stood up, then bowed to both VI and Caitlyn, which caused the Piltover's Finest duo to be slightly taken aback.
"You're...welcome, I guess? All I really did was sat there, so it's nothing really." VI collected herself, waving dismissively as she did.
"So, miss Sumi is it? Can you tell us why or how you're here?" Caitlyn cleared her throat, asking their "guest" for the night, her tone returning to its normal, professional self.
"Um...I don't really know how I even got here. One minute I was in my bed, and then I was falling, then I…" Sumi was mid-sentence before she noticed just cool her legs felt, which compelled her to look down, realizing her lack-of-pantsness in front of 2 strangers.
That was probably the first time both women had ever seen someone blush that hard and that fast, Sumi instantly pulled down her hoodie to try and cover her exposed bottom half, which proved effective since the shirt looked far too big for her. She stammered, her words barely qualify as actual words, more similarly to noises that of a nervous comic.
None of which helped with her intense blush. VI tried to hold in her giggle yet couldn't. The intense blush contradicting the girl's pale complexion, her desperate attempt to cover herself, her darting eyes, and her stuttering babble. All these things combined to create a unique sight, which VI found to be quite humorous, giggling to herself quietly. Well as quietly as Vi could ever really be.
"VI, can you be dear and grab an extra pair of pants we have in the locker room for our guest here?" Caitlyn stated, her fingers rubbing her weary eyelids, seemingly aware of VI's "silent" giggle.
"Sure thing, Cupcake!" VI said, hurrying to the locker rooms.
After certain incidents regarding VI that some have labeled "indecent public exposure", which sounded much worse than what they actually were. VI would always charge headfirst into any situation, and sometimes, those situations might consist of explosions, nothing her blast shield couldn't handle. But the problem is that while the blast shield protected her from most of the damage, and VI can shrug off the rest, her clothes couldn't. There had been times when VI would bust through a wall, explosions would happen, she would neutralize whatever threats were in there…then walked out half-naked, body covered in ash, soot, and some other debris.
Having seen her partner's "assets" so many times, and probably wanting to prevent others from getting the same view as her. Caitlyn had to make sure to have extra clothes on hand for VI at the station just in case. Or it could just be the countless complaint letters and criticism from the media, the mayor, the general that finally got Caitlyn to cover VI up better. Even Caitlyn can't really tell.
"It wouldn't be so bad if she didn't celebrate her arrests right after. Just jumping up and down and up and down and…And those moving up and down and…" Caitlyn thought to herself, her thoughts trailing off into some, less than savory places. She shook her head, trying to push those thoughts to the far back of her mind.
An awkward silence ensued as Caitlyn was left alone with the white-haired girl, she was able to pick up a faint scent of something. Some sort of perfume perhaps, maybe it was this girl's. Whatever it is, it's quite pleasant, Caitlyn even felt a bit calmer just by catching a scent of it.
"Got them 'ere, Cupcake!" VI exclaimed as she came back into the room, with a few pairs of uniform pants, jeans, and sweat pants in her arms. "I didn't know your size, so I picked some I thought might fit you. Here!" VI turned to the smaller girl, tossing some pairs next to her.
"Thank you, ma'am!" Sumi exclaimed, grabbing the clothes before turning to Caitlyn. Caitlyn, seemingly understood what the girl wanted, gestured to her office restroom.
Sumi quickly nodded and ran into the room, after 2 minutes of VI just giving Caitlyn that "so this is happening" look and Caitlyn reciprocating, Sumi emerged from the small room, now wearing a pair of grey sweat pants. Caitlyn had noticed that the other articles of clothing tossed to her were neatly folded and resting in her arms. She once again thanked them, then took a seat back on Caitlyn's couch.
"Now that's that is dealt with, Sumi, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?" the sheriff, in the most soothing voice her partner had ever heard her use, said to the white-haired girl.
"Yes, ma'am. I was laying in my bed, just scrolling through my feed. When suddenly, I fell, there was nothing around me, just darkness, then I remember hitting something really hard. Then I woke up here." Sumi said, her voice still meek, and her face still flushed red.
Caitlyn had noticed that she kept fidgeting and gripping her hands while talking. Whoever this girl might be, she's very nervous. Maybe something to hide? Or perhaps this girl was just a nervous wreck? What was a feed and what did this girl mean when she said she was "scrolling" through it? The sheriff quickly pondered these possibilities, turning to her partner and signaling VI to lean on her a bit. Caitlyn was tired, but she was also curious, curious enough to ignore sleep, just for now at least.
The three sat and talked for half an hour. In this time, VI and Caitlyn had learned that Sumi had a sister, and she believed that if she had been misplaced here, her sister would come for her soon enough. VI and Caitlyn were rather taken aback at the faith that this girl had in her sister, just a while ago, she was lost in a world she didn't understand. And now she was casually chatting about how her sister would definitely find her, and take her home.
"Well, until then, you are more than welcomed to stay with us. It's far too late now for a lady, such as yourself, to be traveling anywhere. We'll talk more tomorrow." Caitlyn spoke. "If you don't mind, you can rest in the breakroom, with officer VI here." She added, gesturing to her partner.
"Hey! I won't mind. Hell, you can even get the couch, floor's fine for me!" VI chimed in as Caitlyn's offer to Sumi. Sumi blushed at both Caitlyn's offer and VI's enthusiasm. "Th...Thank you both so much." She said faintly, her face flushed red once more.
But just at they were about the head in for the night, a loud shriek could be heard, it sounded so violent, so incredibly horrific that it made Sumi visibly jumped. As she knew that there was not a soul to be seen on the streets at the time, VI gave Caitlyn a look, to which Caitlyn simply nodded. "We have to go! Sumi, you won't do something regrettable if we leave you here, right?" VI asked, her tone playful. "y..yes, ma'am." Sumi timidly replied.
"Good girl! And you don't have to call me ma'am, y'know? Just VI's fine." VI said, hastily grabbed her jacket, and equipping her gauntlets. Caitlyn also grabbed her jacket, loaded her trusty rifle, and they both headed out of the station, towards the direction the scream came from.