❈ third shot (closed)

[bulleting]

Who: Arcane cast (mostly closed prompts, but maybe something open at some point)
Where: Around Aldrip
What: catch-all for the cast threads for July
Warnings: nothing for now, maybe violence and death later in the month

Comments

Cait/Vi/Ekko - closed

[bulleting]

[When Caitlyn offered for Ekko to stay with them, she really hadn't minded. They had the space in their home, and she knew Ekko was an old friend of Vi's, even if she didn't know the in-depth history between them.

It was nice, to see Vi interact with someone she clearly cared about, especially when that someone didn't utterly hate her.

He had been with them a few weeks, doing his own thing, trying to adjust in his own way, when Vi invited him to Lupin bar to drink with them that night. Caitlyn had her own things to attend to earlier in the day, given she still had her private detective jobs to see about, but she arrived to Lupin at last, settling into the booth next to Vi, who was already sitting opposite of Ekko. It seemed like they had already gotten the party started, which was fine with her. She would never be able to out drink Vi, so it was probably for the best if Vi had already started. And if Ekko was anything like Vi, he would outdrink her too.]

[howyouseit]

[It was a pleasant surprise when Caitlyn had initially offered him residence in hers and Vi's humble abode though he hadn't quite expected the turn of events that would unfold before his eyes over the coming weeks. At first he thought the pair were simply good friends but after prompting them about where he might sleep given there only being two bedrooms, he was swiftly bestowed one instead of just couch surfing causing questions to arise in the back of his mind. Then came their morning routine of eating breakfast most days all together with Vi nonchalantly whispering sweet nothings in her ear causing her counterpart to fluster rather easily on top of the little 'cupcake' nickname ushered forth on occasion. After that it hadn't taken him much longer to realize they were more than just 'friends'. Not that he cared mind you, in fact quite the opposite for he was glad his longtime friend could find companionship after the terrible hand life had dealt her back home in Runeterra.

Tonight he and Vi had made their way to one of the bars established by a fellow Chosen by the name of Lupin, a quiet basement bar that Ekko found himself quickly growing fond of. The pair of them had already started to indulge themselves with shots of fine whiskey followed up by a hearty beer each of their own choice. He opted for a strong stout, dark in color with a thick, rich flavor that was both filling and delicious as they continued to converse away merrily.]

So honestly, Vi...How long have you and Caitlyn...Y'know been a 'thing'?

[Getting a little bit of liquid courage in him the boy savior felt more confident talking about the elephant in the room as her counterpart waltzed up to join them on cue. Booze was one of the few vices that allowed him to let his regularly guarded persona down, enjoying the nice buzz he had going already.]

Right on time, Caitlyn! I was just discussing my curiosities with Vi here.

[grappler]

[she really liked Ekko being back again. even though he'd been here before... it hadn't been for so long. so when he came, and stayed, and stayed with them, it felt like almost some sort of normalcy. it was so incredibly nice to hang out with Ekko, actually catch up instead of getting whisked away in the nonsense that was all that stuff back home.

even though Vi was the owner of Lupin, she wasn't proud. she still had the cheap shit for beer, with another shot being placed next to her by one of her employees when Ekko asks his question.

she almost snorts her beer out of her nose in response. she coughs, pounding her chest as she tries to regain some of her composure.]

Thing? What do you mean... 'thing'? Me and Cait... we're not a thing.

[she starts to sputter again when the other part of the subject matter walks up... lgkhdfgd]

[bulleting]

[It became immediately evident that something happened here. Vi looks awkward, Ekko looks amused, and.. oh. What did she just walk up to?

Thank god her favorite fruity drink was dropped off not long after she sat, since the staff saw her walking in. She was going to need this tonight, wasn't she?]

Oh? What curiosities? [...she's doing to regret asking, isn't she?]

[howyouseit]

[Being all together like this made Ekko feel less anxious about what could possibly be happening back home even if it were true that time was seemingly at a stand still for them whilst here in Aldrip and would be as if nothing changed when they returned. Vi and Caitlyn both had made him feel welcomed in their residence and was very thankful for their kindness shown unto him, feeling a bit overwhelmed when he first arrived here if truth be told. He finally was starting to settle into things now though as the boy savior kept himself busy with menial tasks on top of searching meticulously for incite into their captors of this 'Council' who watched over their every move from the shadows.

The look on Vi's face when he puts forth the question at large countered by the choking cough that follows causes him to grin fiendishly in utter delight. That alone was enough to basically confirm is already growing suspicions as she tried to back pedal on his inquiry.]

Sorry but that kind of response doesn't make your argument very convincing, Vi.

[A burst of laughter erupting from deep within his chest as he tips back another long swig from his beer with a satisfied hum before turning his attention towards Caitlyn now.]

Well you see I was asking your "friend" what the deal is between you two...

[grappler]

Shut up!

[Vi groans and takes the shot that had been set in front of her, slapping the small glass down on the table because she's clearly not drunk enough for any of this.]

What do you even know, huh? You stay at our place for a couple weeks and think you know everything??

[she's not actually mad, but a flustered kind of mad that Ekko would probably recognize. it's not usually something she lets happen that often, but Caitlyn was always a sensitive subject for her.

mostly because she had no fucking clue what to say about her.]

[bulleting]

Oh. Oh.

[YEP SHE SURE GOT HERE AT THE WORST TIME POSSIBLE!! Vi's denial isn't unexpected, either, because she's done the same exact thing, multiple times.

It's not like they both don't know that there's something there. Of course there is. There was something there, even before they got trapped in this world together.

But putting a label on something that's only going to end, when she inevitably goes home, while Vi stays behind with Jinx? That would only get them more hurt, so it's been easier to just have fun with each other than to put words into what it is. Because words equal emotions, and more emotions involved means more heartbreak.

Even if Caitlyn knows it'll hurt like hell, either way.

She's just. Going to pick up her drink and sip it and let Vi handle this one.]

[howyouseit]

[And here Ekko thought Caitlyn was the more forthcoming of the pair when it came to stuff like this but given her silence as she merely sips back her drink perhaps he was mistaken. Tipping back the last bit of his beer with a satisfied sigh the boy shakes his head, furrowing his brows with a perplexed look stricken over his features. Well this just suddenly got a lot more awkward than he was expecting but wasn't about to back down after Vi lashes out at him, used to his counterpart losing her shit when things didn't go as planned.]

Well...For starters I've seen the way you look at each other everyday and I don't know many friends who just up and offer someone a room when there is only two in the whole house.

[He wasn't going to say the most obvious indication of their relationship out loud in fear of being knocked the fuck out by Vi right here and now but walls only soundproof so much and neither of them were exactly 'quiet' if you catch his drift. Again not as if he truly cared but he didn't know why they were so afraid to admit it aloud! Flagging down the bartender with a hand in the air he quickly asks for another shot of whiskey himself along with another beer because he was entirely too sober still for this as well.]

[grappler]

[there's a long silence as Vi doesn't know what the fuck to say. for once in her life, she doesn't know what the fuck to say. everyone else had just let it go at the point where she'd clearly just let it get super awkward.

but she knew Ekko wasn't like that. especially since he'd probably give her shit for it.

well. it was going to come either way.

her hand grips at the cup her beer's in, and she breathes in through her nose for a moment.]

It...

[again. for the first time in her life, she thinks about her words carefully.]

We don't... know if we have forever with it. You know as well as I do that we don't know what we're going back to. So it's easier to just. Keep it like this.

[and Vi has problems with emotional attachments, anyway. she'd lost so many close to her... the only person that she had, without problem, been able to contact after getting out of jail was the boy sitting across from her.

she would never admit it, but she's scared of losing it all.]

gnosia event

[bulleting]

[As soon as Caitlyn got the notification that she was one of the infected, she hid. She didn't want to risk hurting anyone, especially Vi, so she decided making herself scarce would be best. Surely if she hid and waited it out, things would settle down and go back to normal, right?

But the bloodlust that came with it was nothing like she'd ever felt before. It was insatiable, and while the first few days were at least somewhat manageable, it only got worse. Especially after the sun went down.

The dreams didn't help, either. Plaguing her of memories from home, reminding her of what she was probably going to lose, and most importantly, of who was behind in all. Which left one name on her mind.

Jinx.

The rage she felt in watching in horror, again so helpless to do anything was what drew her out of hiding. But she only had one thing on her mind. One thing that was driving her, that she had always buried deeply and refused to let it come to the surface.

Revenge.

It's not immediate, but Caitlyn finally hones in on her prey. As soon as she lays eyes on her, she recognizes that she's Gnosia, too, but she doesn't even care. Jinx is the reason for her pain, and her bloodlust is beyond her control now.]

Jinx. I've been wondering where you slunk off to.

cw: nsfw

[opheliac]

[ jinx had been in this lovely waltz with bloodlust way before this infection outbreak had started. the discovery of silco partaking in sexual endeavors with a mysterious chosen helped fuel the flame for her. it wasn't that she was against her father dipping in pleasurable activities, but it was because the chosen were not to be fully trusted. she had seen and heard her fair share through via network of them flinging malicious remarks, and their murderous nature. after all, they are all criminals.

attachment or not, the act of sex is a powerful and unpredictable tool — where bodies entwine to become one, that often leads the souls to join into a bond that can not be broken unless tragedy strikes. knowing that humans (especially the people here) are passionate creatures by nature, jinx knows that the bud can still possibly flourish between her father and his mystery mate.

if it happened to her, and her sister, why not her father? he is no exception to fall blind and be enticed to what started off as an innocent play to something more. however, there's still a fifty percent chance that this equation will have a different answer, and she is completely wrong. only time can tell. but as an obnoxious boy savior had once said, "people change."

and it annoyed her that it had to be among these people, someone she has to live her days with them, and not some floozy. it's bad enough that her sister is with an enforcer, and she has to stomach it, but now she is expected to do the same with her father? jinx may have a big appetite, but she is still a small girl. can't she just live without having someone shoving their love or sex or whatever being in her face? or telling her about it? do the people here not understand how it feels to be the only one in this damned city that had their heartbroken and not have anyone to relate to?

but the real culprit of her problems lie on the enforcer. perhaps it was her wicked spell that allured her father into craving a touch that her daughterly love can no longer satisfy. that woman wanted to put her away since the beginning of everything, wanting to end her and her father, her and her sister, it had always been her fault why she kept losing in every turn no matter how hard she tried to be civil and kind. ]

[ jinx had been feeling hot, and wanting to express her anguish on anything or anyone. because how long does she have to keep feeling this intense emotion until she can feel happiness like everyone else? she doesn't want to feel angry all the time. she wants to smile, laugh, and feel joy. and yet... it's always pain that ties her to stomach. and it's that damn enforcer's fault.

so when she hears that disgusting posh voice, jinx can only smirk deviously in delight. because finally... finally, she will put an end to all of this torture. the blueberry haired girl spins around with her fingers grip tight on her trusty machine gun's handle, her pinks sparkle in glee. ]

Well, well, well, well ♪ — If it isn't my favorite police person!! You're looking as ugly as ever. What's the occassion?

[bulleting]

[Caitlyn's fist tighten as Jinx's singsong tone hits her ears, and she scoffs at the derogatory remarks-- none of it's new, but she doesn't have her usual filters to not be so bothered by it.]

Do you ever shut up?

[She wished she would just shut up, for once! She was so tired of all the rude comments, the nasty jokes, the mean spirited jabs-- all of it, was so annoying, so uncalled for!

If anyone should be awful, it should be her, not Jinx! Caitlyn might have drawn Vi's attention, but at least she was still alive. Caitlyn avoided her, even now, to protect her. But Jinx? Jinx took everything away from her. She tried to take Vi away, she killed her mother, her bestfriend, and ruined everything! Jinx was the reason her and Vi couldn't be together in the end, either. Because Vi couldn't leave her sister behind, she was going to leave her.

But not if Caitlyn ends this now. Then Vi can be hers, and only hers, and everything will be the way it was supposed to be.]

It's funny, when I realized I had this power, I tried to fight it. But now, I realize it's the answer to all my problems.

[opheliac]

Hmm, and what power is that? Drinking tea without spilling it all over yourself like an idiot? Y'know, I make one heck of coffee if you're interesting! One ugly mug. But first...

[ her slender fingers curl around the trigger, and she weaves the heavy machinery to aim square middle of the topsider's torso. ]

Hands up, Enforcer! You're under a-roast! HA, HA, HA!!

[ with a sharp tug, the machine gun's barrel spins to life — slow for a millisecond, then speeds as her firearm roars with the bullets gliding freely at it's opponent. ]

[bulleting]

[Caitlyn puts her hands up, but not for Jinx's demands. Her hands lift, but press forward just as the gun speeds up and the bullets fire in her direction. She could feel them, even before Jinx fired. It's something she's practiced, controlling bullets mid-flight, so it feels almost easy, stopping them in their path. They hover in front of her hands, before they drop worthlessly to the ground.

Most of them, anyway. She's still relatively new to this, and the amount of bullets at one time pushes at her limits. A few push through the boundaries of what she can manage, and she winces as she feels the burn in her arms and legs. It's mostly just grazes, but she refuses to lose focus, lest the onslaught of bullets truly make their mark. At least the clip wouldn't last forever.]

1/3

[opheliac]

[ if caitlyn ever had a dream about wiping her devious smile off jinx's face, that dream has finally come true to her as her enthusiastic flare fizzles out. her mouth hangs open in disbelief and her eyes widen as if she might have seen a ghost. the blueberry haired girl exchange glances from the bullets that rest by the woman's feet to her own weapon. ]

Wooah... you saw that, Pow-Pow? She stopped you from singing.

[ she tugs the machinery close to her body, inspecting the barrel and the nozzle. ]

Guess I can't use you for shooting...

2/3

[opheliac]

[ her awe evaporates quickly as it came, and the loose cannon comically shrugs her shoulders before exclaiming: ]

WHELP!

3/3

[opheliac]

New game! — BATTER UP!!

[ in post-haste, jinx sheds the machine gun off her frame and grabs a hold of the weapon with both of her hands, curling around the nozzle. the butt of it, she positions it over her shoulder then shimmer speeds to caitlyn, essentially now using the object as a massive bat than its actual purpose. when she's only a few inches away from her, jinx hikes it above her head -- winding herself up to swing at the enforcer's head. will it happen? will it not? will someone come and save her? roll the dice and find out! ]

[bulleting]

[Even with her new found powers, Caitlyn can't compete with the speed boost that Jinx got from Shimmer. As she speeds forward, Caitlyn barely has time to step back, and even then, Jinx is looming over her ready to strike with the butt of the gun.

She throws her hands above her, not touching the gun, but putting as much force as she can into pushing the gun away. Jinx's strength may still win out, or maybe it will unbalance her, she wasn't sure. But she was going to fight back as hard as she could.

And she still had her Gnosia power, just waiting to be let loose...]

[opheliac]

[ finally the stars are aligned for jinx. after months and months of daydreaming of striking caitlyn (ever since the tea party) is now becoming a reality. and how embarrassing it must be for the enforcer that she literally whacked her with the exact same move from then, but just in a different angle?

for a police officer, they really don't learn their lesson. the loose cannon crackles in pure joy when her weapon connects with the woman's face, her eyes glowing in excitement over the blood spattering in all different directions. maybe one kick to the head next once the lady is down will be enough to knock her out extra cold. ]

[bulleting]

[The gun makes contact and Caitlyn is thrown back off her feet. It's no surprise, really. Caitlyn doesn't have the actual strength to fight back when it comes to physical attacks, especially when Jinx has Shimmer to make her that much stronger.

It's unfair, just like it always is with Jinx.

Caitlyn growls under her breath as she pulls herself up to a crouching position, using one of her hands to wipe away some of the blood from her face. It doesn't really help, just smears it, and makes her look all that more deranged in the moment.

She pushed her hand forward first, feeling for the metal pole she sensed near them. She made it rip from the ground, and threw it at Jinx. It was just a diversion, just to distract Jinx long enough for her to get back to her feet. But now that she was up, she closed her eyes, feeling the Gnosia power rising inside her. All it took was pulling on the thread, pointing at Jinx, and suddenly time stopped. Finally, her problem would be no more.]

gnosia event - closed to vi

[bulleting]

[It was honestly disappointing when she failed to end Jinx. It would have been so satisfying, to get rid of such an annoying pest, but of course Ekko and Vi had to show up and save the little weasel. Ekko being a Guardian Angel had been an unfortunate surprise, too. But now she knew to watch out for him, lest he stop her from taking out the other monsters she was after.

She thought that was all she needed to worry about, until Claude got her with one of his poisoned arrows. It was completely unexpected, of course. At first, she thought nothing of the attack, thinking it was just a failed attempt to take her out, but in the hours that followed, she felt worse and worse as the poison flooded her system.

She was getting weaker by the minute, so she knew she needed a healer, she just didn't know what healers could be trusted. Claude was clearly against the Gnosia, and even if she found another Gnosia healer, they couldn't necessarily be trusted either. She was just going to have to wing it and make her way back into the city from where she had been hiding out at the docks, and hope she could find someone to fix her before the poisoning took a turn for the worst.]

[grappler]

[Vi had been looking for Caitlyn ever since she ran off. she had some medicine for her after the poisoned arrow, as well as enough energy to take the gnosia out of her. it had just been a temporary thing, so that Caitlyn wouldn't hurt anyone... but now she's lost track of her.

her stomach twists as she thinks about how she might be too late. that Caitlyn might be too sick somewhere.

but then she catches a glimpse of dark blue hair, and her eyes go wide as she runs towards the source of it.]

Cait!! Wait!!

[even if it might mean she'd get herself in trouble, she wanted the other woman to stop for a minute.]

[bulleting]

[Godsdammit. Of course Vi was searching for her. Of course. She really couldn't let this go, could she? She wasn't Gnosia, so she was irrelevant. Any feelings that were there were so deep she couldn't feel them. The only emotion keeping her running was anger. Anger towards Jinx, and any other Gnosia out here killing innocents for fun.

When she heard Vi call her name, she ducked into an alley way, trying to lose her. It's a lost cause, probably. There aren't many people out on the streets anymore with the raging infection spread across the city. Vi had speed on her side, too. Caitlyn was normally faster than this, but with the poison spreading through her now, she was doing good to be up on her feet still.]

[grappler]

[Caitlyn isn't really good at the subtle arts of the streets at least, which in a time like this is great actually.

she's able to close the distance between her, not really moving for stealth because she knows she's faster, especially right now.

when she gets to the alleyway, she stops, catching her breath.]

Cait. I'm... I'm going to help you, okay? Just stop running.

[bulleting]

[It's true, Vi is smoother when it comes to the streets. It might not be Zaun that they're slinking through, but Vi still had the upper hand.

That doesn't mean Caitlyn doesn't try. She knows these streets. She's learned them, between her private detective work, but also from keeping an eye on Silco.

Still-- Vi is gaining on her, and she growls frustratedly under her breath.]

I don't need your help! [It would be easy to play into the fact that she's sick and ask for help, but Vi is dangerous. She knows that Caitlyn is Gnosia, and can do something about that. She couldn't risk letting her catch her.]