Caitlyn had stepped out of the council chambers for only a few minutes while they were on break, but she wasn't entirely surprised to find that Vi had left her usual seat to lean next to Ximena Talis, a big grin on her face as the older woman spoke animatedly. Their unlikely friendship had started via their connection through Caitlyn, but most definitely developed on its own into something that Caitlyn couldn't help but smile at.

As de facto leader of her house, Ximena had been sitting in Jayce's chair rather unwillingly for months. It was not a well-kept secret - she genuinely wanted to help, but she was not the sort that wanted to spend the rest of her life at the table. Caitlyn admired that about her, maybe even a bit jealous of her desire to take a backseat.

Not everyone was meant for politics.

Vi had glanced up at her as she reentered the chambers, waving her over. The grin on her face was far too excited about the conversation to be about anything Council related, and she felt a sort of unease as she approached. "She was just about to tell me about Jayce asking you to be his date for a University event," Vi recapped with a grin.

"Oh, no." This would not be the first story that Ximena had shared with Vi about her son, and unfortunately, Caitlyn featured in many of them for various embarrassing reasons.

Ximena had a warm smile on her face, bordering on a smirk as she took in Caitlyn's expression. It was a smirk she was very familiar with, one of many traits Jayce had inherited from his mother. "He was so worried about it, too. He didn't want Caitlyn to take it the wrong way, but he also couldn't bear to show up to another one of those events alone."

Caitlyn hid her face with one hand, sighing. "It was mortifying. He brought flowers and everything, asked my parents for permission first."

"The flowers were for your mother, if I remember correctly, not for you."

She sighed again, ignoring Vi's snickering. "Still, he knew what it was going to look like, and he did it anyways."

Vi was looking between the two of them expectantly before coughing quietly. "So, how was the party?"

Caitlyn sniffed, crossing her arms. "Boring. I definitely understood why he wanted someone he actually liked to talk to there," she responded. She didn't think that she needed to mention the awkward slow dance they were all but forced to do, truly only made awkward because Jayce found it necessary to tease her about it the entire time.

Ximena's gaze was distant for a long moment before looking over at Vi. "You know, I never could justify having another child, but it didn't matter, not when the universe brought Caitlyn into his life. There's little more special than found family."

Caitlyn felt her throat tighten, and Vi's hand wrapping around her forearm was almost too comforting. "Think we're about to start again," Vi said quietly as she glanced around the room.

Ximena hummed quietly before looking at Caitlyn, gaze pointed. "Would you mind if I stop by this afternoon?"

"That'd be cool," Vi answered immediately, oblivious to the fact that it was not Vi that was being asked. Caitlyn nodded in agreement anyways.

The three of them walked back to the Kiramman estate together, a much longer trek when they were joined by a third person. Caitlyn tried to stay engaged in the conversation - more childhood stories, this time from Vi - but kept worrying her lip. She had known Ximena for well over a decade, and she could see the weight the woman was carrying on her shoulders.

Vi was first through the door, pointing down the hall. "I'll go get some drinks, okay?"

"That would be wonderful," Ximena agreed, smiling as she watched Vi hustle off to the kitchen. She let Caitlyn guide her into the parlor, chuckling to herself. "I really like her. She has a spark to her that you don't see often."

"I'm quite fond of her as well," she replied wryly as she sat down on the center sofa seat, patting the spot next to her for Ximena. She could feel some of the lightness ebb away from her as she placed her hand on her elder's shoulder. "How are you, really?"

"I'm alright, dear," Ximena responded, reaching up to pat her hand. She still had a smile on her face, unfazed by the question. "When Jayce's father passed, I had to have a lot of hard conversations. It's hard to believe how many of them I have now had twice."

"I'm sorry." The words weren't enough, didn't properly express her feelings, but they were the first ones out of Caitlyn's mouth.

Her head bobbed a few times, an optimistic shine in her eyes. "Life moves on, even if our hearts and minds aren't ready for it." Her hand was still slowly patting Caitlyn's. "He thought the world of you, you know."

She had to look away at that, aware that her eye was stinging. "He was as good as a brother to me. I miss him, terribly."

Vi finally rejoined them, carefully carrying three glasses. She was biting her lip as she focused, and it was rather endearing, certainly enough to lighten Caitlyn's heavy heart for a moment. She glanced between Caitlyn and Ximena as she passed out the drinks, squinting. "Do you want me to go, or-"

"No, stay, you won't bother me," Ximena responded with a smile. Vi nodded, sitting down next to Caitlyn. "I appreciate the council's decision to have me in Jayce's stead, but we both know it's only a matter of time before someone more suitable can step in."

Caitlyn nodded understandably. "We'll have you for as long as you'll let us, Ximena," she responded, taking a drink.

"And, if I may be so bold, I think you should consider it as well."

She swallowed too hastily, coughing. "What?"

Ximena had a little twinkle in her eye as she spoke. "I've known you since you were young, Caitlyn. I know that chair is not where you want to be."

She would be lying if the words weren't ringing true, even as she shook her head dismissively. "Sometimes it's not about what we want, but what we can bring to the table. There's so much that still needs to be done, rebuilding Piltover, building a better relationship with Zaun…"

Ximena was watching her calmly, far too strategic. She had certainly been planning this conversation for a while. "And being a councilor is the only way for you to help?"

"No, I-I know that, but a Kiramman has been on the council for as long as Piltover's been established," she shot back, feeling her cheeks flush out of frustration.

"And you've never been one for breaking tradition, how silly of me."

She could feel her partner shaking slightly, trying to hold back a laugh. "Vi, shush," Caitlyn hissed.

Now Vi no longer tried to stay quiet, laughing earnestly. "What? She's right," Vi said confidently, eyes flitting over to Ximena's approving expression. "You've been fighting against every institution for as long as I've known you."

"No, you two are not allowed to team up against me," she shot back, trying to ignore the snickering next to her.

"All I ask is you consider it," Ximena said, taking a casual sip. Her gaze shifted to Vi, and she tilted her glass for a moment. "And you should pester her on it as well."

Vi's grin was all too eager as she lifted her own glass. "Yes, ma'am."

"You're both unbelievable," Caitlyn muttered, shaking her head.