Click. "Go!" Vi ordered.
Ekko's and Jinx's hands flew over the hodge podge of components and scrap in front of them. "Don't cry when yours crashes and burns, Little Man." She is off to a strong start. I think.
"Jinx, I brought flight to Zaun. You'll be cannibalizing a crow in minutes." His build did look sturdier.
Vi smiled as she thought of an idea and listened to the two's soft trash talk as they transformed the trash. A couple more minutes past. "Just a few seconds left," she warned.
"I could've made more than one," Jinx boasted but rechecked the points of connection.
"I just hope mine doesn't soar into the Armadillo Territory Field. Would be a shame to lose by flying too high," Ekko countered.
Buzz. "That's time. Prepare to activate your flying machines." The couple extended their hands as Vi reset Ekko's pocket watch.
Click. "Now." Jinx's machine hovered, but was descending below like an ancient yordle. Ekko's machine was gaining height but was unbalanced and wobbled around the room. Jinx got under hers and tried to blow it upwards. Ekko was dashing around the room trying to clear obstacles it might hit.
Vi kept her eye on the devices as the timekeeper/referee. Jinx tried to bring a fan under it, but Vi ruled against it. Ekko's machine was swinging around like an inebriated pit fighter and just hit a shelf. That sent it tumbling down as Jinx was just off the ground. Double thunk.
Four eyes looked intently at Vi. "Hmm… my ruling is…"
The four eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare!" they said in unison.
"A tie." She received jeers and boos from the competitors. "But I would like to play too." She handed Ekko the watch, turned to the workbench, and got to work.
Jinx and Ekko looked at each other. "You can try, but this isn't really your field, Vi," Ekko said.
"Yeah, you're tops at a lot, but as everyone says 'Fat Hands can't make a flying device.'"
"Done," Vi said with triumph; she turned around with a paper plane. Jinx rolled her eyes, but Ekko was gracious enough to start the stopwatch as Vi flicked it. The plane glided out the door. "I can't live in the shadow of you two geniuses."
Smiling, Jinx began to sing.
"We three, we're all alone
Living in a memory
My echo, my shadow, and me"
They went to the walkway to watch the intrepid plane be helped up with a breeze briefly but was headed down to the ground. It appeared determined to evade the branches, but had a couple of close calls.
"We three, we're not a crowd
We're not even company
My–"
"Ekko! Caitlyn is back!" Jinx shouted.
Ekko startled, then sighed. "I thought I was safe when she sang 'echo' in the first verse. She does that to me Vi. Vi?"
Vi had leapt over the ledge and was hopping down the branches at near freefall speed.
She reached the ground as the plane landed. "Cupcake!" she exclaimed sweetly and hugged Caitlyn close.
Caitlyn was surprised by the vigor of Vi's greeting, but returned the embrace. "Glad you're back here safe. I hope Jinx and Ekko have told you off for trying to get yourself killed taking on Silco's organization alone." She put her left hand on the small of Vi's back.
"Not my best decision." Vi brought her right hand to the nape of Cait's neck.
"How many chemtanks did you fight, anyway?" Cait asked as she separated but they moved their hands on each other's forearms.
"It was eight," Jinx answered and jumped off Ekko's hoverboard with him. "Which will be tough for anyone to beat even if we were still fighting Silco."
Caitlyn switched to Sheriff mode, standing almost at attention. "Speaking of not fighting," Caitlyn began. She summarized her version of events since they'd last seen each other. Vi beamed to learn Caitlyn had risen to Sheriff. Jinx patted off her hands that the Council was in the dustbin of history like the chembarons. Ekko smiled that Jayce was the senior sheriff, since he had helped with the Armadillo and would likely collaborate on developing hex crystals into hex gemstones. They all took the attack on Cassandra in stride since they didn't know her or Elora. She finished.
They headed to the informal dining area. Ekko cleared his throat, "And did they have a preference for the place or time of the conference?"
Cait nodded and turned around to drink from a cup that Vi had run ahead and got for her. "They want it Topside and they want it soon. No later than tomorrow night, soon. Heimerdinger is worried about a counter-coup from those loyal to the Council. Elora's retreat creates an outside threat too. We're also concerned about infighting in Zaun."
Cait, Jinx, and Ekko all looked at Vi. "What? It worked out, didn't it?" she countered.
Ekko ran a hand through his hair. "Well, today is too soon for what I have to do and probably the same for Silco. Let's offer tomorrow morning for now. I don't want it in the Council room… the Academy. That will still appeal to Topper vanity and a sense of gravitas to it."
Jinx chuckled. "Good parallel to where we had the Zaun peace meeting."
Caitlyn tilted her head. "I missed it. Where was that?"
"Nevermind," Vi said. "Can you stay for a bit and at least a bite before going to Silco's?"
Caitlyn shrugged. "Yes, that should not be a problem. What is available right now?"
Vi glared at her younger sister over Cait's shoulder as she made a heart shape with her fingers and was banging it against her chest while making her best doe eyes. Ekko was biting his lip.
"Nothing too heavy. Fish, bread, vegetable soup."
Cait made an approving face. "Sounds more than sufficient. Vi, is there–"
Jinx had turned around and had her arms crossed over so her hands looked like someone was making out with her as she had her head cocked and wobbling a little. Ekko was no help as he had half-turned away and brought his hand to his mouth.
Vi quickly extended her hand to lightly touch Cait's cheek before she looked back. "I'm… just glad to see you back. Let's go eat. I'm sure JINX and EKKO have other things to do right now."
Vi took Cait's hand and brought her to the table. She overheard her sister say to Ekko, "Me? As what–an insult to the Pilties?"
She led them to their plates and they found a semi-secluded area. "Your mother is definitely healing well? Did you mention me to her?"
Her thumb tapped against her trigger finger. "The physician said she seems fine. They keep her to make sure the shimmer does have adverse effects. I… was imprecise about you with her. I think we are closer now and I tried to put you in a positive light, but she is not an egalitarian."
Vi ate and listened. "It is hard–balancing what family thinks is best and what you think is best. I know you have a lot right now and you've told me she isn't the most emotionally available woman, but I would try having a heart-to-heart talk with her."
Cait smiled with the warmth of the Sun. "Giving me more work to do?"
"If you want, I could go to your mom and tell her what's what," Vi proposed.
"Didn't I just scold you about running into danger?"
"While I was away you were part of holding off an enforcer army and then couping their government. You may be right, but be safe too. I… I don't want to lose you," Vi confessed.
Cait listened. She focused on Vi and her alone. "I understand. You won't."
Vi was entranced by Cait's brilliant blue eyes. "Cupcake. You have some food on your lips. Let me get it for you."
Cait stayed like a statue and kept her gaze on Vi as she leaned in slowly. "Vi, I haven't eaten anything yet."
Vi chuckled. "You are a great detective."
Cait closed the distance. It was lightning. Their lips danced like ballerinas for a few heart-racing moments. They pulled back simultaneously then kissed again, this time with more passion and eagerness.
"It'd be fun, but something with more oomph. Maybe leave the city and go to the nearest cliffs over the sea. Pack some food and make it a proper–" Jinx paused as she and Ekko turned the corner and found Cait and Vi pretending to just be eating their food. "Date."
"You, feeling good, Vi? You looked a little red," Ekko instigated in a mischievous voice.
"Hmm. Oh, yeah, yeah," she replied while keeping her head down.
"You too, Cait? Food sitting okay?" Jinx asked.
Cait gave a thumbs up and acted like she was chewing several mouthfuls.
"Oh, Vi, you okay going with Caitlyn? You aren't a favorite at the Last Drop, but they definitely won't mess with her if you're there," Ekko offered in mercy.
"I guess. You, uh, okay with that?"
"Yeah, sure. Why not?"
Ekko and Jinx walked away with snickers as Vi and Cait took each others' hands. "We really need to talk to your mother about things soon. Or I might have to cage two chirping love birds."