VI & CAITLYN
Vi's clothing and uncouth style, in contrast with the ambience, plus the mood of the moment, made her realize she definitely didn't belong there, at the large lobby of the once Council Chambers where the caskets of the five fallen Councillors where in display, under guard of multiple strategically positioned enforcers, as few amongst the crowd in Piltover were allowed to pass through to pay their respects to the once powerful heads of Piltover which she met only once. Perhaps with the exception of Caitlyn's mother Cassandra, which she did meet twice, taking into count when Caitlyn brought Vi over to her place.
Candles and flowers were distributed along the room and close to the coffins, where above each lied a large image, more like a painting, of each Councillor in their prior glory, which did hurt Vi as much a bit as did that mural honoring all the fallen back in Ekko's sanctuary. One thing she noticed was that, except for Cassandra, which looked still presentable and rested in the eternal sleep, and the dark-skinned one called Shoola, the other caskets were all closed. Clearly her sister's rocket did more damage than expected, Cassandra being the lucky one.
Damage to the Councillors. Damage to Piltover. Damage to Zaun's hope for a future.
Caitlyn herself stood before her laid down mother, composed, eyes closed, the tears already having ran their course on that faithful day. For Vi to know she was at least getting that chance. To give the goodbyes. It was better to do it now, so they could get on with it, to brave the harsh days ahead. The acting Sheriff took her mother's hand and lowered her head to it, practically bowing.
As Vi approached Caitlyn, she could hear some indescribable words whispered, words Vi couldn't hear due to the soft organ music at the back. Vi knew that maybe they were words not meant to be heard by anyone else. "Hey.", she called, softly.
Caitlyn went back on her feet, shutting her eyes, small tears falling on her cheeks. She took a big breath and wiped the tears off. "At least that will be done with...", she said, as she then noticed some people coming besides her.
Her father, Tobias, being accompanied by one of the manor's serfs. One whom was almost breaking down in tears, still too weak to keep himself on his feet, even more given the events early in the morning.
"I'll be at the corner-", Vi said.
"Stay.", Caitlyn ordered, as Tobias simply gave empty glances towards Vi, then at Caitlyn, before returning his focus down to Cassandra's resting body. Caitlyn then joined besides Vi, taking her away so Tobias could have his final moments with his once wife.
"He could at least have that.", Vi let out, a tear falling out. "I couldn't even give mine a goodbye, I had to mourn them from within a stone box..."
"We did what we could, Vi.", Caitlyn mulled over. "It has to be on him, now."
"And the last thing I did before getting there was-", Vi continued.
"Vi.", Caitlyn interrupted. "Focus, please."
Vi stared at Caitlyn, not getting the message, but as the Sheriff subtly nodded towards the crowd, Vi looked at it, noticing the one sight that should've been expected, but the one they definitely didn't want amongst the crowd.
The blade-legged hag from the Precinct, Camille, no doubt attending the funeral, but evidently not out of her kind heart if she had any, observing the caskets from a distance, but particularly Vi and Caitlyn.
Vi let out a sigh of frustration, wiping her tears. Caitlyn had a point, now wasn't the time for letting some things out, but at least it was good she could be there with the acting Sheriff, even if it wouldn't last long. "Doesn't look like scissorlegs' here for the funeral.", she murmured.
"My thought exactly.", Caitlyn said. "Shelley's taking a bit too long..."
"Sheriff Kiramman, Vi.", a voice called from close to them, they turned to their right, to realize Mel Medarda close to them. "Good you could come at least. My condolences, this time."
"Thank you, Councillor.", Caitlyn said, a bit lost in words, briefly looking at her mother's casket where Tobias was now leaving, accompanied by the serf. "Well, it's the minimum of a decency."
"Yes, but Jay-", Mel started, before stopping to correct herself. "Councillor Talis has grown a bit restless though, with yesternight's break-in. Any news from-"
"Sheriff.", a new voice joined them, Shelley approaching them in a hurry, before she noticed the very important figure before her. "Councillor Medarda?"
"It's okay, go ahead.", Mel said, nodding.
Shelley turned to both Vi and Caitlyn. "We just a got a new lead, you'd be interested in.", she said.
"Viktor?", Mel asked.
Vi and Caitlyn exchanged glances and nodded, before returning their eyes to the Councillor. "Sort of.", Vi said.
"Yes, but, best keep Jayce off until we confirm it.", Caitlyn immediately followed, a bit rashly, and that caught Mel's attention. "As you said, he's-"
"I get it.", Mel nodded. "But you also better get something, anything on Jinx, and quick."
"Believe me, we're trying.", Vi said, and Caitlyn nodded.
"Trying isn't enough, it's that...", Mel started, almost snapping before stopping, eyes darting around at the crowd, eventually noticing Camille in the midst. "Piltover's safety isn't the only thing at play here..."
"So it seems...", Caitlyn said, eyes darting briefly to Camille, clearly interested in that meeting. "We'd best go, now."
Mel nodded, as the acting Sheriff and fellow enforcer left the crowd, rather in hasted steps, followed by Shelley. Camille noticed that. No doubt it had to be related more to the academy's break-in than... the operation. At least it had to be, for at least Malt didn't come in a hurry, yet, informing either the Sheriff or the Noxian were up to something. Regardless, Camille just couldn't afford to warn the collaborators, not when she had to be seen there.
As planned.
She then took notice of Mel, now being briefed by an enforcer, no doubt related to the procession towards the graveyard, and thus Mel left to rejoice Jayce, whom was also addressing another crowd, as well, as the enforcers started organizing to pick the caskets and hold them aloft.
This was it, and excluding this recent development, it was all going accordingly.
As planned.
Only the matter of the execution was mostly out of Camille's hands this time, but she had to accept that, for a lady never gets her hands dirty.
As the popular adage went... the die was cast.
Camille and most of the crowd left the chambers, accompanying the caskets being carried at the open passage way to the wagons, all the while outside enforcers, especially a few organized in a cerimonial band of a few drums and a bagpipe, organized in ranks as did the members of a few other fellow Houses, those that didn't participate in politics that much. The acting Sheriff and the enforcer girl were gone by then.
As the caskets were loaded at the wagons, the drums roared once and then the bagpipe started the funeral march song. As the lead enforcer aimed the sidearm upwards and fired a round, holstering back his weapon, the march started, as did the wagons carrying the caskets, rolling forward. Crowds were gathered at both sides of the way, respecting the cordon of the enforcers, whom were saluting as the wagons passed by. Above, a blimp hovered slowly, firing off smoke charges from on-board light cannons on it's flight, as part of the Departure Salvo, saved for the most prominent figures in Piltover.
Camille kept her walking, even if standing out as she was amongst the walking nobles, amongst them Mel Medarda and Jayce Talis, for over twenty-six minutes as they reached the subtle hills overlooking New Piltover, where the cemetery and House Mausoleums were. She reached for her pocket watch and opened it, staring at it for a while.
"Hey, what's that!?"
The alarmed sight caught Camille and everyone else's attention as, within the city they left behind, a large plume of olive-green smoke blooming right in the middle of the city. A plume that caught the attention of everyone, especially Jayce and Mel, whom beheld it in horror.
"ENFORCERS!", Jayce roared in alarm as he started running the opposite way as did Mel follow right behind him, and so did the closest enforcers, uncaring of the funeral in progress. Everyone else was left behind.
Camille closed her pocket watch, after over thirty seconds, put it back and started walking rather hurriedly and then running as well after a minute.
Afar, by the coast close to the Sungate Docks, at the massive Noxian flagship, the plume of smoke could also be seen by the onboard Noxian mariners.
One in particular was beholding the scene as well.
"Turn us around and dock us back.", General Ambessa ordered.
As planned.