expiationlogs | ❈ third shot (closed)

[Vi snorts loudly as Ekko finally breaks the small tension in between the three of them. she gives Cait's hand a squeeze back before she grabs at her drink and takes a good gulp too.]

Surprised you're not laughing. Me? Tagging around with a Piltie? Not sure if a younger me would be impressed that she's such a hottie or mad because she's one of the high families. But she's pretty okay, I guess. I'll keep her around.

[she throws her legs up towards the other chair on the other side so that she can have her legs up... but mostly so that she can try to kick Ekko under the table. after that, she tries to nudge at Caitlyn a little bit to make sure she knew she was just joking.]

She knows, or else she wouldn't be here.

[I love her so much, she wants to say to Ekko. But even now, the words don't seem to want to form. They're too real, too serious, for something that can only be temporary. Oil and water. It wouldn't work, not really-- no matter how much she wanted. Because either Vi chooses Jinx over her, or she chooses Piltover over Vi. And it sucks, no matter how it plays out. As much as she hates it, love doesn't actually trump everything.

The tension is breaking, at least. Ekko makes Vi laugh, and Vi's throwing teases her way. She forces a smile, giving Vi a nudge in return.]

Meanwhile I'm the family disappointment, so I doubt anyone would be surprised to see me with Zaunites. [She remembers all too well that look on her mother's face when she saw the "stray" she picked up. But she doesn't care. Her mother was wrong about the Undercity. They all were.]

I could tell. Even when we first went to the Undercity, I knew you had a good heart. I'm glad I was right about you. [It certainly had been a risk, to break her out of jail. And here they were, something she never expected.]

[Each of their actions speak for themselves even if they don't openly voice their true emotions held for one another, Ekko smiling coyly to himself as Vi takes a swipe at him with a foot. Both their sentiments cause the boy to chuckle unabashedly as he loosens up a bit further, shaking his head in both their directions.]

I was shocked at first when I found out you had teamed up with a top sider back home but now I can see why. She's probably the first Piltie I'd ever think about trusting myself as well, no offense.

[He was still certainly weary of his Piltover counterparts after everything they've subjected Zaun and more intimately his fellow Firelights by the corrupt Enforcers in Silco's pocket. Maybe now with Marcus dead things could change for the better, especially if Caitlyn found herself in a position of power given everything she had done to smooth things out between the opposed forces. Not to mention the most recent predicament with Jinx opting to fire upon the Council with her newfound weaponry capable of mass destruction thanks in due part to the gemstone causing uncertainty between their nations.

Moving to look across to the Piltie, Ekko shakes his head firmly at the self doubt cast upon herself sighing solemnly.]

That's not true, Caitlyn. Your parents should be proud of what you have achieved and in due time will come to realize everything you've been striving to do will be worth it to bring peace between our people.

[a muscle twitched on Vi's face, close to her mouth. for what expression, even she didn't know. guilt? sadness? amusement, that Caitlyn's parents would ever be accepting of her?

mostly it's guilt and sadness, because at least one of them was about to be dead at home. she didn't like to think about it, but...]

We probably shouldn't... talk about anyone on the Council right now.

[her voice is quiet, and she motions for another round for the three of them. even for Caitlyn, whether she's ready or not.]

That's an even worse subject than everything else.

[She appreciates that both of them are trying to spare her feelings. While it's something she tries not to think about too often, she's learning to accept whatever fate is in store for her family at home, she can't run from it forever.]

It was a joke, mostly. But my mother could be an arrogant arse, gods rest her soul. She hated that I joined the Enforcers. She hated that I didn't "live up to the Kiramman family's name." But, for what it's worth, I know she was still proud of me. And she would have loved you too, Vi, if she got the chance to know you the way I do.

[It was her mother that paved the way for her to even speak to the Council about everything. Her mother had her back, even if she didn't fully understand her.

Maybe she would still get the chance to. Or maybe she wouldn't. Caitlyn really couldn't be sure of what the future held for them when they finally got home, if they got home, but she wasn't as scared to face it as she used to be.

But even so, Caitlyn definitely appreciates the new drink being dropped off in front of her, and takes the next shot with the rest of them. Look at her, not even coughing quite as much as she used to! True character development, here.]

The neighbors, however? They can go fuck themselves. [...yeah, she's been hanging around Vi for too long. And is maybe feeling the affects of the alcohol she's been drinking, the lightweight that she is.]

[Ekko hadn't exactly realized the cord he might have struck after Vi brought it up causing him to wince a bit with a solemn nod in understanding. He wouldn't apologize to bring further anguish and instead tried to simply move away from the subject entirely as they continued on. At least Caitlyn was being a good sport about it as the other tipped back the newly bestowed shot and takes it all in stride. A bit of a smirk graced his lips followed along by a hushed bit of laughter at the latter sentiment from the top sider.]

Wooha- Never thought I'd hear the day when you would swear, Caitlyn.

[Turning towards his big sister figure the boy nudges an elbow against his counterpart's arm as the grin over his features widens immensely, playfully teasing Vi a little bit further before he takes up the newfound drink provided for him in hand.]

What the hell have you done to her, Vi?

[Tipping back his glass to take a hearty swig from his beer with a satisfied hum, already starting to feel the effects of the alcohol kicking in as well given the fact he'd never really gotten drunk before coming here to Aldrip. He didn't hate it mind you but when your life was a constant struggle for survival numbing your senses with booze wasn't exactly the greatest idea when you needed to be on high alert most of the time.]

[she's... going to let the rest of the stuff go. because she really just doesn't want to keep dwelling on the subject, especially since they're drinking. who knew how a deep and upsetting conversation that could be, and alcohol only loosens emotions.

Vi grins as she twitches her eyebrows at Ekko.]

I've done a lot of things to her.

[of course... she had to go there. but then she shrugs, knocking back her shot own shot.]

You know I've always been the best sort of influence. People look at me and go "wow I wanna be her".

Just because I'm a Piltie doesn't mean I don't swear! [Good thing they changed the subject a bit, cause Caitlyn really was ready to rant about how uptight and annoying some of the rich Piltover families were.

She's laughing, too, and nudging Vi again.] I'm positive I swore a few times, back when we first met. I'm not a complete prude.

[It was probably a mistake to take a sip of her drink when Vi opened her mouth, cause-- yep, she about chokes as it goes down, thanks to that comment. She recovers quick enough, even if her cheeks have flushed.]

You certainly know how to leave a mark on people. [Did she just go there too? Vi, what have you done to her?]

[If Ekko wanted to be a smart ass per the norm he would have immediately piped up. "I know. The walls are pretty thin in your place, I can hear you two at night you weren't very subtle about keeping it a secret." Which would have resulted in a firm smack to the back of the head from his older sibling figure or perhaps worse if she was feeling particularly sour about it. Not that he minded or anything it was their place and he was merely a guest staying in their household for the time being. Eventually he would look for his own place here in Aldrip but for now was quite content to live under their roof with people he could genuinely trust.]

Oh for sure, Vi. You are the shining beacon of what a role model should be.

[Sarcasm much? The shit eating grin saying it all as he tips back the new shot in front of him with a satisfied hum, starting to enjoy the taste now as he grows more accustom to it. He'd never been much of a drinker until coming here, Vi's influence rubbing off again on him just like his youthfulness, practicing boxing moves together with Powder when she wasn't with them.

Upon hearing Caitlyn's response the boy cannot help but shake his head modestly with a roll of his eyes before coughs loudly almost choking on his beer in kind. By Janna she really was taking after Vi with every passing moment!]

So this is what it feels like being a third wheel, huh?

[Vi just grins at both of Ekko's comments. it felt so nice, having someone to talk to here with no baggage. it was just... Ekko. they'd pretty much picked up right where they had left off at home.]

You started it.

[aaand since he's going to say something about it.]

So. How much have you seen Jinx?

[two can play at this game!!]

Jinx? [It comes out as a question, because Caitlyn is definitely missing something here.

Of course, she barely knows the history between all of them. Vi rarely tells her anything, and she doesn't push, because she knows it's a lot. Whatever happened was traumatic, and Caitlyn doesn't want to cause any harm if she can help it.

But given context clues, it's fairly easy to put two and two together. Ekko and Jinx had to be nearly the same age. Childhood friends that grew up together. Maybe even first crushes? It was just something she had never considered before now, since the few times she's spoken to Ekko about Jinx, it was usually with anger, what with her working for Silco.]

Oh. Oh.

[So that is how it's going to be, Vi?! Cue the slack jawed expression as he almost drops his mug of beer, slamming it down unceremoniously before his head immediately snaps towards his big sister. Giving her a look of pure contempt, Ekko clears his throat before flipping her the bird and sticking out his tongue. Seems like her sister's childish demeanor had already rubbed off on him a bit.]

None of your damn business, Vi!

[Clearly evident that he'd been spending at least some time with her as a shade of flush forms over his cheeks, shoving his face back into his glass as he looks to drain it trying to remain calm. Perhaps she knew about Ekko and Jinx's feelings towards each other but that didn't mean Caitlyn had any idea!]

[Vi doesn't even flinch with Ekko's outburst, and she elbows Caitlyn in the side as she glances from her to him.]

He had such a crush on her. She did too, but she wasn't as obvious about it.

[but then she shrugs loosely as she glances back over at him, still unbothered by his reaction. if anything, she just looks really smug.]

That's what you get for bringing up my private life, Ekko. Don't dish it if you can't take it.

[Well, if her gift of deduction hadn't made it obvious, Ekko's reactions to Vi sure did. Interesting.]

Oh really? Well? Have you seen her, Ekko?

[She would be surprised if he hadn't. That didn't necessarily mean anything was going to happen between them, but she wouldn't be mad if Jinx had something else to distract her. Anything to help her forget how much she seemed to hate Caitlyn. All the better if it was a good influence on Jinx, too.]

[Little did both of them know exactly how much time they had been spending together and the lengths to which their bond has developed, Ekko likely to keep that to himself given how explicitly Jinx had made it to keep things under wraps. However; When provoked by both Vi and Caitlyn countered by the alcohol coursing through his veins it was very hard to keep his composure. Rolling his eyes as they continue to poke fun at him, tipping his glass of ale back with a satisfied hum to drain its remaining contents before giving them both a stern glare.]

Maybe, maybe not. Even if I did you think I am going to tell you two lovebirds?

[The last thing he needed was to be condescended for his choice in women even she was Vi's sister. Flagging down the bartender, Ekko raised his empty glass high in the air as he asks for another. If he had to endure this kind of mockery from not one but both of them the boy needed to be way more drunk. Thankfully it was only a drunken stumble back to their humble abode from here.]

[Vi can't help but laugh softly as Ekko gets even more disgruntled about the whole thing, and she shakes her head.]

You don't have to tell me, between you and her you'll tell me everything I need to know without saying anything.

[Jinx is also one of those that's easy to read when it comes to things like this, now that she's getting more used to her.

which... she never thought she'd be able to do again, so it's a comforting thought.]

That is a rather telling response.

[She's one to talk. Her and Vi have apparently been very readable from the beginning, but Ekko and Jinx? Yeah, she didn't see that coming. While Ekko hadn't seethed of hatred quite the same about Jinx as he did for Silco, there was still anger and frustration-- which she understood, completely. But Jinx had changed since being here. Being away from Zaun and Piltover had been good for her.

While the whole self improvement deal the Council claimed was definitely bullshit, it was kind of nice to see some people were having some growth while being here.]

❈ third shot (closed)

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