Chapter 394: An Eager Caitlyn and a Stunned Vi
The final bell tolled, signaling the end of the shift at the Piltover Police Department. Before the sound had even faded, Caitlyn Kiramman was a blur of motion. She bypassed her colleagues without so much as a parting glance, making a beeline for her partner. Vi, mid-sip from a metal cup and poring over schematics for a new motorcycle part, barely had time to register what was happening before Caitlyn grabbed her by the arm and practically dragged her toward the exit.
The remaining officers exchanged bewildered looks. One, turning to greet his night-shift replacement, simply shook his head. "Sheriff Kiramman and Enforcer Vi... they've been on another level these past two days."
A chorus of murmurs and nods followed in their wake.
Vi stumbled out onto the front steps of the precinct, still clutching her cup. "Whoa, Cupcake, hold on!" she protested, digging her heels in. "My cup! Let me at least put my cup down!"
"It's just a cup! I'll buy you a new one tomorrow if it's that important," Caitlyn retorted, not slowing her pace in the slightest. "Besides, you haven't lost it. You can just leave it at my place for now."
Vi sighed, shaking her head as she was pulled along. "You've really lost it this time, Cait..." Her complaint was cut short as she spotted a familiar figure approaching. "Well, well. If it isn't Mr. Jayce Talis himself. The Defender of Tomorrow, the Hero of Piltover."
The tall, impeccably dressed man was indeed Jayce. Vi couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for him. 'Poor guy,'she thought.'He has no idea that Caitlyn's head is completely full of that "bad man" she won't shut up about.' It wasn't clear if her interest was romantic or purely professional, but one thing was certain: Caitlyn had zero bandwidth for courtship right now. Her every conversation for days had circled back to the mysterious restaurant owner and someone she called the "Queen of Hell."
On paper, everyone in Piltover thought Caitlyn and Jayce were the perfect couple, and they got along well enough. But Jayce was walking into a one-sided conversation, and he didn't even know it.
Jayce caught the sarcastic edge in Vi's tone but chose to ignore it with a practiced smile. He was a gentleman, after all, and he knew Vi's personality. If she didn't like someone, she wouldn't bother with sarcasm; she'd just lead with her fists. Her teasing was, in its own way, a sign of familiarity.
Jayce's smile widened. "Vi, it's been a while. I heard about your bike. A real shame. I just wrapped up a year-long research project, and the first thing I hear is that tragic news. Do you need any help with the repairs?"
Vi calmly took a sip from her cup. "Nah, don't trouble yourself. Cupcake here said she's getting me a new one. Besides, I like to do my own mods. You know that, Dr. Talis."
Jayce nodded, his expression earnest. "I'm always pleased to see Piltover's finest taking a hands-on approach to engineering. Your focus might be singular, but your passion for practical application is commendable."
Before Vi could come up with a retort, Caitlyn cut in, her voice impatient. "Jayce, was there something you needed? Vi and I are in a hurry."
Jayce turned his attention fully to her. "Ah, yes! Caitlyn, do you remember our promise? I said once my research was finished, we'd go to the opera. There's a performance tonight."
Caitlyn blinked, genuinely confused. "When did we...?"
"Ah... about a year ago," Jayce admitted, a little sheepishly. "My apologies, Caitlyn. You know how it is. This research... it's going to bring a better tomorrow for all of Piltover."
Caitlyn let out a soft sigh. "I know, Jayce, I know. But I'm afraid I can't tonight. Vi and I have something important to take care of. Perhaps another time."
"What is it you're doing?" he pressed, concerned. "It's getting late. Do you need a ride? Or backup? You know the Mercury Hammer is always at your disposal."
At this, a flicker of annoyance crossed Caitlyn's face. She shook her head, her tone firm. "No, Jayce. The two of us are more than enough. This isn't something that requires your... involvement."
"Very well," Jayce said, looking a bit deflated. "I'll see you around, then."
Without warning, Vi tossed her metal cup to Jayce, who caught it out of reflex. "Hey, Doc! Do me a favor and put this back on my desk, would ya? Thanks!" she yelled over her shoulder as Caitlyn started dragging her away again. "Cait, stop pulling! We've got time! Hey! Slow down!"
Jayce was left standing there, holding the cup. A faint smile touched his lips. "Truly dedicated, fighting for law and order," he murmured to himself. "But I've rarely seen Caitlyn this... agitated. I wonder what's going on."
Just then, a man in a white lab coat came running up to him, breathless. "Dr. Talis! The experiment's taken an unexpected turn!"
Jayce's focus snapped back to his work. He took off at a run, then abruptly stopped after a few paces. He jogged back, thrust the cup into the researcher's hands, and ordered, "Put this on Enforcer Vi's desk."
With that, any trace of the charming gentleman vanished. He sprinted back toward his lab, not knowing how long this next phase of the experiment would take. The researcher, left holding the cup, blinked in confusion before wandering into the police station. "What was that all about...?" he muttered.
Despite her profession, Caitlyn was a Kiramman—a scion of one of Piltover's most influential and wealthy founding houses. Her family home was, naturally, a mansion. She didn't bother changing out of her uniform, simply splashing her face with water in a powder room before finding Vi. Her partner had already made herself at home, lounging on a plush sofa and peeling an orange.
"Vi," Caitlyn said, her brow furrowed. "Are you really planning on wearing your gauntlets for this?"
Vi waved a dismissive hand, popping a segment of the fruit into her mouth. "First off, Cupcake, I still don't believe any of this is real. Second, I'd like to see that guy try to confiscate my gauntlets. There's no external switch; no one can take them off but me. Third," she gestured with the orange peel, "you brought your rifle, didn't you? And finally, where'd you get these oranges? They're amazing."
"If you like them so much, I'll have a crate sent over," Caitlyn said, a touch of irritation in her voice. "I brought my rifle in case we get called back for an emergency. It's standard procedure. But fine... do as you please. I have to admit, though, I'm morbidly curious to see what you look like without those things on."
"Heh. You're lucky I'm not your husband, Cupcake," Vi smirked. "Or I'd have to teach you a lesson about that mouth of yours."
Caitlyn just waved her off. "Come on, to my room. And stop juggling that orange! You're going to crush it with those things."
Vi, of course, paid her no mind and continued to toss the fruit from one massive metal hand to the other. Caitlyn sighed but didn't press the issue.
When they reached her bedroom, Caitlyn paused at the threshold, one hand on the doorknob, the other gripping her rifle. She could feel Vi leaning against the doorframe behind her, an amused, expectant look on her face, as if waiting for a show to begin.
"Hey, Cupcake," Vi drawled. "You've been standing there long enough to brew a pot of tea. What's the hold-up?"
Caitlyn exhaled slowly. "I'm centering myself. Okay. I'm going to focus on the restaurant now. Vi, please, don't interrupt me."
"Hey, I haven't said a word!"
Caitlyn closed her eyes, building the image in her mind. She whispered the details under her breath, a low mantra. "That infuriating chef, Ren... the strange patrons... the impossible food..."
"Cai... Caitlyn! Caitlyn!"
Vi's voice, suddenly sharp and strained, cut through her concentration.
Caitlyn's eyes snapped open. She spun around, her frustration boiling over. "Vi! I told you not to disturb me! What could possibly be so important?!"
Vi didn't answer. Instead, she put a heavy hand on Caitlyn's shoulder and physically turned her back around to face the door. Her other hand was raised, a single finger pointing, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Caitlyn... you better tell me you installed some kind of fancy light in this door, or I'm about to be seriously freaked out."
Caitlyn's gaze followed Vi's finger. Her bedroom door, a simple, solid piece of wood moments ago, was now emanating a soft, internal luminescence. The grain of the wood was traced with gentle, pulsing light. For a moment, she just stared, dumbfounded. Then, a massive grin split her face and she practically jumped into the air. "Vi! That's it! That's the door! The glowing door! We're going in!"
Without another moment's hesitation, Caitlyn yanked the door open. Beyond the threshold wasn't her bedroom, but a passage filled with a soft, welcoming white light.
Vi stared into the impossible space, her voice a stunned whisper. "Unbelievable... Caitlyn... you're not actually crazy."
"Of course not!" Caitlyn shot back, her voice ringing with triumph as she stepped through the portal.
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