🎶: Earned It - The Weeknd

The symphony orchestra's melody played softly in the background, a warm, rich undercurrent to the buzz of conversation and laughter filling the Konte ballroom. Caitlyn stood near one of the grand windows, the delicate hem of her midnight-blue gown catching the light as she shifted slightly. She held a glass of champagne, its effervescence reflecting the soft golden glow of the chandeliers above, but her piercing blue eyes were distant, scanning the crowd absently.

She wasn't sure why she had expected Riven to appear by her side immediately. The Konte family had an army of dignitaries, investors, and VIPs to entertain tonight, her own parents included. For all her earlier gestures—the dress, the note—Riven had other priorities here. Caitlyn told herself that was fine, that she wasn't the sort to need constant reassurance. Still, the flicker of disappointment lingered. What did I expect? That she'd drop everything the moment I walked in?

Her gaze wandered over the sea of glittering guests, looking for any sign of Riven's striking presence. It's better this way,she reasoned, sipping her champagne. Less complicated. But even as she tried to settle herself with that thought, something changed—a subtle shift in the air. It was hard to place at first, just a feeling that made the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise.

Someone was approaching.

At first, Caitlyn didn't react, assuming it was just another guest passing by, but then she felt it—a deliberate pause, a presence close enough to command her attention. Slowly, she turned her head, expecting perhaps a waiter or even her parents. But what she saw left her momentarily stunned.

Vi.

Gone was the usual casual edge of ripped jeans and leather jackets. Instead, Vi wore a perfectly tailored black suit, its sharp lines complementing her athletic frame. Her burgundy-red hair was swept back with casual precision, a few strands framing her sharp features. Her magnetically beautiful sharp blue eyes were fixed on Caitlyn with a look that sent her heart racing.

Caitlyn blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. What is she doing here?

"Evening, Cupcake," Vi drawled, her voice low and warm, a teasing edge tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Vi," Caitlyn managed quietly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Vi tilted her head slightly, the smirk widening. "Figured I'd give you a surprise. How am I doing so far?"

Caitlyn's cheeks warmed, but she refused to give Vi the satisfaction of an immediate response. Instead, she lifted her chin slightly, her blue eyes narrowing as if to assess her. "Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance."

"Had to," Vi replied smoothly, her gaze sweeping briefly over Caitlyn's gown before returning to meet her eyes. "Didn't want you thinking I didn't know how to clean up when it counts."

Caitlyn's lips twitched, threatening to curve into a smile despite herself. Damn her. Always this confident. Always this infuriating. "So you dressed up just to impress me, is that it?"

Vi chuckled softly, her voice low and warm beneath the hum of the music. "What can I say? I like making an impression."

Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, trying to suppress the faint warmth spreading across her cheeks. "And are you always this relentless?" she asked, her tone measured but with a hint of sharpness.

Vi tilted her head, her smirk growing as her eyes swept over Caitlyn with an appreciative, lingering gaze. "Only when I'm standing across from someone who looks like they walked out of a dream."

Caitlyn felt the words hit her like a lightning bolt, stunning her into a heartbeat of silence. She fought to keep her expression composed, but Vi's quiet confidence was maddeningly disarming. "Flattery doesn't work on me," she managed, though her voice betrayed the slightest tremor.

"Who said I was flattering you?" Vi countered, her smirk softening into something a shade more sincere. She stepped just a fraction closer, her sharp blue eyes locking onto Caitlyn's. "I mean it. You're... dazzling tonight. Kind of hard to look anywhere else."

Caitlyn's breath caught for a moment, her heart stumbling in a way she didn't appreciate. "I—I wasn't expecting you to be here," she admitted, her tone steadier than she felt.
Vi leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as though appraising her. "Yeah, I figured. Thought it might be fun to see how you react when I show up somewhere unexpected."

"Oh, you find this amusing, do you?" Caitlyn replied, her voice edged with faint exasperation, though the glimmer in her eyes betrayed her interest.

Vi's grin widened, unapologetic. "Maybe a little. But mostly, I just wanted to see if I could get you to smile." She nodded toward Caitlyn's lips, her voice dipping. "Looks like I'm doing alright so far."

Caitlyn shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to regain her footing in the conversation. "I'm surprised you're here at all," she said, her voice measured. "But I suppose Lux would have convinced you to come. Where is she, anyway? I assumed she'd be your date."

For the first time that evening, Vi's smirk faltered, replaced by something quieter, more intense. Her sharp blue eyes softened, and the teasing edge in her demeanor melted away as she looked at Caitlyn. The shift was almost imperceptible, but it was enough to make Caitlyn's heart skip. "Lux?" Vi said, her tone carrying the faintest hint of amusement. "She's great and all, but…" Her voice trailed off as her gaze locked onto Caitlyn's, her expression unreadable but undeniably magnetic.

She stepped closer, leaning in just slightly, enough that the space between them felt charged.

"I'm not here for Lux," Vi said softly, her voice a low murmur beneath the symphony's melody. Her eyes, smoldering with an intensity Caitlyn hadn't expected, swept over her face with unguarded affection. "I'm here because... I couldn't imagine not being where you are tonight."

Caitlyn felt her breath catch, her usual sharp wit abandoning her as Vi's words hung between them. There was no teasing in her tone now, no playful smirk or half-hearted quip. Just raw honesty that left her momentarily speechless. The weight of Vi's gaze was almost too much, and yet, she couldn't look away.

"You—" Caitlyn started, but her voice faltered, her thoughts tangling as she tried to process what she was hearing. Caitlyn swallowed, her voice finally finding its way back to her. "You have a habit of catching me off guard," she admitted, her tone quieter now, the vulnerability in her words matching the moment.

Vi chuckled softly, her smirk returning but tempered with warmth. "Maybe I just like seeing you like this. Speechless."

Caitlyn's lips quirked into the faintest smile, her cheeks tinged with warmth. "You're insufferable," she said, though her voice lacked the bite she intended.

Vi grinned, stepping back just enough to give her space but keeping her gaze steady. "And yet, you keep letting me surprise you."

Before Caitlyn could respond, her mother's voice cut through the moment, polite but unmistakably sharp. "Caitlyn, are you going to introduce us?" Caitlyn turned, startled to find her mother and father standing just behind her. Cassandra's sharp gaze flicked over Vi, her expression carefully neutral.

"Mother, Father," Caitlyn began, her voice steady despite the rush of nerves she felt. "This is Violet Kane. She is a… friend from the university."

Vi stepped forward, extending a hand to Cassandra first. "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kiramman," she said, her voice calm and respectful, though her sharp blue eyes held their usual confidence. "And you as well, Mr. Kiramman," she added, turning to Tobias. "I've heard a lot about your family."

Cassandra accepted Vi's hand after a brief hesitation, her grip firm but controlled as she assessed the young woman before her. Her sharp gaze swept over Vi's tailored suit, the understated chain at her chest, and the quiet poise in her stance. "A pleasure, Miss Kane," Cassandra replied smoothly, though there was a wary undertone to her voice. "Kane… I assume you're related to Vander Kane?"

Vi's smirk softened into something warmer. "Yes, ma'am. He's my guardian."

The name seemed to register with Cassandra, her expression shifting slightly as she exchanged a brief glance with Tobias. "Ah, the Vander Kane," she said, her tone neutral but laden with subtext. "I've heard he's well-regarded in certain circles."

Vi's posture didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something proud in her expression. "He is. Vander's one of the best people I know."

Tobias chimed in, his tone more amiable. "Vander's reputation precedes him. He's always been a figure of respect and integrity, even when navigating… unconventional paths."

Before the conversation could delve further, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment. Caitlyn's attention shifted behind Vi as a small group made their way through the crowd. Powder arrived first, practically skipping in her light blue dress, her wide eyes immediately catching on Caitlyn.

"Vi!" Powder called brightly, throwing her arms around her sister's waist before glancing curiously at Caitlyn. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she asked, "Who's this?"

Caitlyn blinked, momentarily at a loss. Powder's energy was both endearing and disarming, and her question was so blunt that Caitlyn struggled to find a response.

Vi smirked faintly, resting a hand on Powder's shoulder. "This is Caitlyn," she said simply, her tone holding an edge of pride that Caitlyn couldn't miss.

Powder tilted her head, her wide blue eyes studying Caitlyn like she was a puzzle to be solved. "Caitlyn?" she repeated, her voice laced with curiosity. "Are you, like, someone fancy? You look really fancy."

Caitlyn couldn't help but smile, though she felt her cheeks warming under Powder's scrutiny. "I'm Caitlyn Kiramman," she said, extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Powder's expression lit up with recognition. "Wait—Kiramman? Like, the Kiramman family? Wow." She turned to Vi, her voice dropping to an exaggerated whisper. "Vi, why didn't you tell me you knew someone so important?"

Vi's posture stiffened for just a moment, her sharp blue eyes darting to Caitlyn's parents—especially Cassandra Kiramman, whose carefully neutral expression made Vi feel like she was under a microscope. She forced an easy smirk, though it didn't reach her eyes as naturally as usual. "Didn't think it'd come up," Vi replied, her tone lighter than the weight she suddenly felt.

Powder, oblivious to the shift in Vi's demeanor, continued. "Seriously, Vi! You could've warned me! I would've—"

"Powder," Vi cut in smoothly, her tone a touch firmer. She glanced at Caitlyn and then back to her sister, her smirk softening. "Let's maybe not make this weird, yeah?"

Before Powder could protest, Vander's deep voice rolled in like a steady anchor. "Alright, Powder, let's not overwhelm the lady," he said, stepping forward with a calm, steady presence. His warm eyes settled on Caitlyn, and he offered her a polite nod. "Miss Kiramman, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Vander."

"Likewise," Caitlyn replied, her smile polite but curious.

Vander turned to Cassandra and Tobias, his tone shifting into something more formal yet approachable. "Mr. and Mrs. Kiramman, I'm glad to finally meet you both. I've heard a lot about your work in Piltover."

Cassandra's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded, her tone polite but edged with caution. "The pleasure is ours… Vander, was it?"

"That's right," Vander replied with a small smile. "And this group here—" He gestured behind him as Ekko, Mylo, and Claggor shuffled closer, looking vaguely out of place in their mismatched formalwear. "—is my family. We're here as guests for our brilliant inventors tonight, thanks to an invite from the Konte family."

Ekko stepped forward next, extending a hand with practiced charm. "I am Ekko. Inventor and co-lead on the project my partner and I are working on for the Konte family's innovation competition. It's an honor to meet you."

Tobias Kiramman, who had been quietly observing, shook Ekko's hand with a faint smile. "An inventor, you say? Impressive. So young, and already you have such a clear vision for the future."

Ekko grinned, gesturing toward Powder with pride. "And this is Powder, my co-inventor and the creative genius behind some of our most ambitious ideas. I look forward to your success."

Powder gave a small, slightly awkward bow, her cheeks tinged pink as she offered a sheepish smile. "Hi… it's really nice to meet you."

As introductions carried on, Vi hovered slightly to the side, doing her best not to appear awkward under Cassandra's sharp gaze. She adjusted the cuffs of her suit jacket, glancing occasionally at Caitlyn, who offered her a subtle, reassuring smile that steadied her nerves.

Powder, however, wasn't done. She leaned toward Caitlyn, her voice a little too loud. "So how do you and Vi know each other? She never talks about people she likes—"

"Powder!" Vi's voice cut through, a mix of warning and embarrassment as she stepped in quickly. Her cheeks warmed under Cassandra's curious look. "We're schoolmates," she said quickly, glancing at Caitlyn for confirmation. "We met at university."

"Yes, we've gathered that," Cassandra asked, her tone carefully measured as she studied Vi. "What is it you study, Violet?"

Vi straightened a little, her hands brushing over the lapels of her jacket. "Uh, engineering and mechanics, Mrs. Kiramman," she said, her voice steady but lacking its usual casual confidence.

Caitlyn's sharp blue eyes flicked between Vi and her mother, catching the subtle stiffness in Vi's posture, the careful tone of her voice. It was a stark contrast to the effortlessly brash and bold Vi she had come to know. Caitlyn realized that Vi wasn't just trying to make a good impression; she was trying not to falter under her mother's unrelenting scrutiny.

She's holding back, Caitlyn thought, watching Vi tread carefully. Violet Kane, who would stare down anyone with sharp wit and sharper words, was here choosing her words with care, standing a little too still, too aware of every move. Because this mattered to her.

Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts, calm but with an edge. "A promising field," Cassandra said, her gaze unwavering. "Though one with its challenges. Piltover can be… demanding of those who seek to rise in it."

Caitlyn took a slow breath, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the subtle interrogation veiled as polite conversation. She stepped forward slightly, aligning herself closer to Vi as if to shield her from the weight of her mother's words. "Mother," she said, her voice calm but firm, "this is not an interrogation. It's a celebration."

Cassandra's sharp gaze shifted to her daughter, her brows raising slightly at the uncharacteristic interruption. Caitlyn met her mother's eyes evenly, her tone softening just enough to keep the moment from turning tense. "Tonight is about the incredible work of people like Powder and Ekko," she continued, gesturing subtly toward the younger inventors. "And about the people who support them—people like Vander and Vi."

Tobias, ever the peacekeeper, gave a faint smile and nodded. "Caitlyn's right," he said, stepping in to diffuse the moment. "It's clear this group has a bond that's brought them here tonight. That's something to celebrate in itself."

Cassandra's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. Instead, she inclined her head slightly toward Vi. "Of course. I only meant to understand more about those who have brought us here this evening."

Vi's sharp blue eyes softened, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. Caitlyn had stepped in for her—not in a way that felt patronizing, but in a way that reminded her she wasn't alone in this room full of strangers.

ŕ­¨ END OF MINI CHAPTER ŕ­§