Chapter Text
The Ionian origins of the Kiramman family have never been more noticeable than when it came time for Lunar Revel. From an outsider’s perspective, the estate would exude a certain charm during this time of the year that many high houses only hope to emulate. A sense of cultural depth, as if it made one more substantial than just the parts of their name or the wealth they’ve accumulated within the small confines of a city-state like Piltover. This, perhaps, was why the Kiramman name was so enchanting. The celebration had a way of imbuing it with a mythic quality to an already exceptional reputation.
It is in this foreign holiday, under Tobias’s guidance, that the estate would be transformed each year into a vibrant celebration, adorned with a cascade of red lanterns, banners, and intricate floral arrangements. The air around the house would be filled with a flurry of activities in preparation for the change of the year and then ended with an intimate reunion dinner shared with only their closest friends and family. Each detail of the festivities always reflected a careful blend of heritage and modernity, a testament to Tobias’s enduring influence since his marriage to the late-Councillor.
Caitlyn, while not entirely attuned to her Ionian roots, found herself drawn to the Lunar Revel festivities in a way she couldn’t quite explain. Each year felt like peeling back another layer of her father’s heritage, offering glimpses of a culture that she's only read from books or the occasional visits to Ionia. As she scrutinised the details of the decorations in the main hall - her eye catching every fold in the banners and the angle of the lanterns - she caught the faint sound of small, padded footsteps approaching her.
She immediately could tell it was Charlotte, whose gait at this age was unmistakable. It bore all the energy of someone who was always teetering on the edge of erupting into a full account of their day.
Caitlyn smiled faintly, straightening a petal on one of the floral arrangements as the sound drew closer. “Charlotte,” she said, her tone warm but still focused on her task, “shouldn’t you be getting ready for Winterfest?”
Her daughter came into view, clearly not dressed for an opera, but her expression was bubbling with the urgency of whatever she was about to say. “Mummy, can my friends come over for the Lunar Revel dinner?” Charlotte blurted out, the words tumbling out in one breath, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Caitlyn took one glance at her daughter before being drawn back to the ice sculpture of a snake that had sat majestically in the middle of the room. “Urm... you’ll need to ask your grandfather,” Caitlyn responded, though still slightly distracted as she leaned forward, inspecting the frozen serpent with her brows furrowed in concentration.
Before Charlotte could press the issue, a familiar voice carried down from the staircase. “And what are their names?” Tobias asked as he descended with a hearty smile that softened his typically composed demeanor.
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, fidgeting slightly before answering. “Lili, Alys, and... Declan,” she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper at the last name.
“Declan, eh?” Tobias repeated, casting a questionable look toward Caitlyn. Her posture had reflexively stiffened at the mention of the names - or, more accurately, one name in particular.
“He’s a boy from Kickball, Grandpa,” Charlotte clarified quickly, her cheeks tinged a shade of pink.
“Ah, I see,” Tobias mused before finally reaching the foot of the staircase. “Of course you can. Lunar Revel is all about bringing people together. The more the merrier!”
Charlotte’s face lit up with joy at her grandfather’s approval. “Really, Grandpa? Thank you!” she exclaimed, bounding over to give him a quick, enthusiastic hug. Then, turning to Caitlyn with barely contained excitement, she added, “Mummy, you’ll send the invites, won’t you?”
Caitlyn opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Charlotte had already darted off, her excitement carrying her up the hallways.
Left behind, Tobias and Caitlyn exchanged a look. His expression was amused, hers more guarded.
“A boy huh?” Tobias teased, raising an eyebrow.
Caitlyn shook her head, stepping away from the sculpture. “I’ve been trying not to dwell on it,” she murmured dejectedly. “Vi thinks it’s nothing to be worried about.”
“Well, she’s not wrong,” Tobias agreed. “I remember when you were Charlotte’s age.”
Caitlyn snapped her head toward him, an instinct to defend herself. But she refrained at the last minute. “H- How did you and Mother even dealt with all that?” Caitlyn asked, her curiosity cutting through her usual composure.
Tobias chuckled, the kind of laugh that carried years of fond memories. “Ah, for your mother, it was one less thing she could control. She knew full well you only did what you did, to provoke her.”
Caitlyn blinked, startled by his certainty. “I- what? I was not-" She hesitated, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she quickly averted her gaze. “Okay, maybe I was... a little.”
“A little?” Tobias raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Caitlyn, you once brought two girls to the same garden party, just to see if your mother would snap. It was more than a little.”
Caitlyn shot him a look, mortified. “I can’t believe you remember that!”
“Oh, I remember everything,” Tobias said with a twinkle in his eye. “But Charlotte’s not doing it to provoke anyone, and she’s young. She still has plenty of time to navigate her feelings. A boy from kickball isn’t going to change her overnight.”
Caitlyn considered his words with a thoughtful glimpse. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Parenting rarely is,” Tobias shrugged as he stood beside Caitlyn. He then gestured toward the intricate ice sculpture. "Do you like it? I thought we’d do something different this year.”
Caitlyn turned her attention back to the snake, its structure kept perpetually cool through a mechanism at the base. “It’s a little... elaborate, don’t you think?”
Tobias gave her a sidelong glance, his lips curving into a sly smile. “Elaborate? I’d call it distinguished. Besides, it’s not every day we host a Lunar Revel dinner. Why not make it memorable?”
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, tilting her head as she studied the sculpture again. “Memorable is one thing, but I’m not sure Vi will appreciate the pomp. You know how she feels about... all this.”
“Violet's preferences aside, this isn’t just for her. It’s for the children, the guests, the spirit of the occasion. Also, it’s good to remind people that the Kirammans know how to celebrate.”
Caitlyn shot her father a discerning glance, appraising him carefully. “You've changed. Is there something you're not telling me? Something from your travels?”
Tobias’s smile lingered, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise at Caitlyn’s question. Then with an air of casualness, he waved her off. “You know how things are when you’ve been away for so long, you gain a little perspective. Besides, I'm not here for Snowdown. The least I can do for the girls is to be here for Lunar Revel.”
“I suppose I can’t argue with that,” Caitlyn gave in, though her suspicion still lingered.
After examining the rest of the decorations, Tobias scanned the room before settling his eyes back on Caitlyn. “Speaking of Violet, where’s that wife of yours?”
“Believe it or not, she’s in the kitchen making dumplings,” Caitlyn said with a noticeable tinge of pride in her eye as she smiled. “Ever since her first Lunar Revel, she's been very insistent on learning it. And now, she has herself convinced that she's the next dumpling master!”
“Ah, embracing the art of your Ionian roots. My mother would have loved her,” Tobias remarked with a nod of approval.
Caitlyn smirked. “Wait until she realises neither of us actually knows how to fold a dumpling properly.”
Tobias scoffed, feigning indignation. “I’ll have you know, I’m quite skilled at it. I just haven’t done it since being part of your mother’s family!”
“Well, you might get your chance,” Caitlyn teased. “Vi’s been causing quite an uproar in the kitchen with the cooks. They’re all down there right now racing who can fold the most dumplings.”
“If it comes to that, I might show her a thing or two,” Tobias professed with a hearty laugh. “It’ll be good for her to know she’s not the only one capable of tackling a challenge.”
Caitlyn rolled her eye but couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine, I’ll bite. Let’s say you do manage to impress the whole cooking staff. What then? Are you going to start making dumplings every year?”
“Perhaps,” Tobias shrugged casually. “Or I’ll retire on a high note, leaving Violet to carry on the tradition.”
“Convenient,” Caitlyn replied dryly, though her amusement was evident.
“Isn’t it?” Tobias replied with a wink. “Now, why don’t we head to the kitchen and see if your wife’s dumpling-folding crusade needs rescuing?”
Caitlyn glanced at the clock, her lips pressing into a small, amused smile. “Well, we do have to pull her away at some point,” she pointed out, motioning toward the timepiece. “Or we’ll miss the opening act of the Winterfest.”
“Well then,” Tobias said, gesturing toward the hallway. “Shall we?”
As they made their way downstairs to the kitchen in the lower floors, Caitlyn and Tobias watched quietly at the scene before them. Vi, standing in the centre of the commotion had her apron on, hair loosely tied back into a knot, and a determined expression on her face. She was moving with surprising effort, folding dumplings with an impressive finesse while exchanging playful banter with the cooks around her. Even Lavender had joined in on the fun, sitting atop one of the counters as she pounded on a lump of dough with a small rolling pin.
“I’m telling you, this is the perfect fold,” Vi declared, holding up a dumpling with dramatic flair. “Symmetrical, compact, and sealed tighter than the Clockwork Vaults. Beat that!”
One of the cooks, Luc, an older man with a mischievous smile, laughed. “That's good! But speed matters too. Let’s see how many you can fold before the next pot comes to a boil.”
“You’re on!” Vi grinned, leaning over her workstation and redoubling her efforts, the sound of dough being pinched and filled echoing through the bustling kitchen.
Caitlyn leaned slightly toward her father, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I feel like I should step in,” Caitlyn murmured. “Before our cooks decide they might prefer work somewhere with a little less... competition.”
“Well, she’s certainly brought the place to life,” he stated, his gaze fixed on Vi as she worked with infectious energy. “Reminds me of my own childhood, back when the whole family would gather to do this. We'd all be folding while everyone talked over one another in our own Ionian tongue.”
Her comment earned a hearty laugh from Luc, who had paused mid-fold to grin at her. “Ah, Lady Caitlyn, you must join us!” he said, gesturing toward the table. “Surely someone with true Ionian heritage can show us how it’s done properly.”
“Oh, I’m quite alright, Luc. I think my Ionian heritage stands little chance against a highly determined Zaunite, as it turns out,” she replied smoothly, earning a round of chuckles from the staff around.
“And Monsieur Kiramman?” Luc pressed, his eyes twinkling as he turned his attention to Tobias.
Tobias shook his head with a resigned smile. “Oh, I could show you a thing or two,” he said, stepping closer to the preparations. “But my daughter is right, Violet here has enough enthusiasm to rival all of Ionia. I won't stand a chance.”
Caitlyn turned to her father, fixing him with a pointed look that unmistakably said, Didn’t you just say you’d challenge her earlier?
Tobias, either oblivious or deliberately ignoring her silent reprimand, gave a small shrug, his smile widening as if to dismiss the notion entirely. Without a word, he wandered off, his attention shifting to the other dishes being prepped for the evening’s grand dinner.
Caitlyn shook her head, her focus shifting as she approached Vi. Stepping closer, she rested a hand gently on her shoulder, leaning ever so slightly to observe the concentrated effort in front of her. Vi glanced up briefly, grinning. “You should at least give it a try,” she said, her tone light but encouraging. “It is part of your dad’s tradition, you know.”
“As tempting as that might sound,” Caitlyn hummed as her thumb brushed a stray streak of flour from Vi’s cheek. “I wanted to make sure that you hadn't forgotten that we have a Winterfest to attend... for my dad?”
“Yes! They’re doing a Lunar Revel special,” Tobias interjected from across the kitchen, where he had been inspecting the dumplings as they were being pulled out from the steamer with a satisfied nod. “It’s being led by Ray Chen himself at the Medarda Opera House.”
Vi shook her head with a smile, finishing the fold on one last dumpling. “I didn’t forget,” she said, setting it down with a flourish and a satisfied smirk. Turning fully to Caitlyn, she leaned slightly against the counter. “We still have time. So, why don’t you let me show you how it’s done while you’re here?”
Before Caitlyn could formulate an excuse, Vi had pulled her by the hand and maneuvered her in front of the counter. In one fluid motion, Caitlyn found herself gently pinned between the workstation and Vi’s hips, her protests halting mid-breath as she registered the sudden movement.
“Wait, Vi-!” Caitlyn yelped, her cheeks flushing faintly as she stumbled slightly. Vi’s arms came to rest casually on either side of her, effectively trapping her with little effort.
From across the room, Tobias chuckled, his tone amused as he watched the scene unfold. “Well, that’s certainly one way to teach her,” he quipped, crossing his arms as a knowing grin tugged at his lips.
Vi smiled, entirely unfazed by Caitlyn’s embarrassment. “Relax, Cupcake,” she said, taking Caitlyn’s hand and guiding it forward. With a small plop, she dropped a round of dough into Caitlyn’s palm. “I’ll make it easy for you. First, flatten it. Just like that.”
With Vi’s hands guiding hers, Caitlyn hesitated for a moment, glancing briefly at her before pressing the dough flat. Her movements were tentative but precise as the weight of Vi’s hands steadied her own.
“Good,” Vi murmured, her breath warm against Caitlyn’s cheek as she reached for a small bowl of water, dipping a finger and brushing it around the dough’s edges. “Now, scoop the filling. Not too much, okay? You’re making dumplings, not pillows.”
As Caitlyn awkwardly tried to fold the dough around the filling, Vi chuckled and adjusted her hands. “No, no, like this,” she said, demonstrating with her own. “Pinch, fold, pinch, fold. Simple!”
Caitlyn sighed, her jaw setting in determination. “Fine, let me try again.”
Vi stepped back slightly, crossing her arms as she watched Caitlyn mirror her earlier movements. Each fold of the dumpling was more deliberate than the last, her fingers moving with a mix of concentration and tentative precision. A smile tugged at Vi’s lips as she took in the sight, clearly enjoying seeing Caitlyn like a fish out of water, but still laser-focused to get the task done right.
“You know, maybe you should join our friendly competition next year.” She nodded toward Luc, who was watching the exchange with an amused grin.
Caitlyn held out the folded dumpling triumphantly, examining it closely with an eye before turning her smirk toward Vi. "We'll see about that," she quipped as she placed her sole dumpling carefully on the tray with the rest. She quickly grabbed a nearby kitchen towel and wiped her hands on them with deliberate finality, a visible indication that she was done folding dumplings for the day.
“Only one dumpling, huh?” Vi mused, her eyes flicking to Caitlyn’s perfectly folded creation as she pulled off her apron. “Guess that makes you undefeated in the one-and-done category.”
Caitlyn tossed the towel aside, meeting Vi’s teasing tone with a smirk of her own. “Quality over quantity, darling. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“Oh, who said I didn’t?” Vi shot back smoothly, her hand resting on the edge of the counter as she leaned in closer. Her grin widened, her gaze locking firmly onto Caitlyn’s eye with every bit of intent behind her words - that Caitlyn had been the quality over the quantity,
Caitlyn’s smirk faltered for just a heartbeat, the weight of Vi’s silent declaration and the intensity of her stare sparking up a warmth rising in her cheeks. It was a good thing for her that Lavender had chosen that exact moment to interrupt the silence.
“Mama!” the young child had called out from her corner of the room, her voice brimming with excitement as she brought the rolling pin down with a dramatic thwack onto a lump of dough, her tiny hands covered in flour.
Caitlyn seized the interruption like a lifeline, breaking eye contact with Vi so quickly it almost seemed deliberate. “Excuse me,” she said briskly, turning to walk off toward her daughter, a faint cough escaping her as if to mask her flustered state.
As she quickly crossed the room to Lavender, the young infant beamed up at her mother with a toothy grin. “I'm helping!” she declared, her small hands gripped the rolling pin as she brought it over her head and down again with another exaggerated hit onto the dough. The flour puffed into the air, speckling dust all over herself.
“Indeed you are, my love,” Caitlyn smiled, brushing off some of the flour from Lavender’s hair. “Time to get you cleaned up and dressed, hmm? We can’t have you looking like an actual dumpling for Winterfest, can we?”
With that, Caitlyn scooped Lavender into her arms, holding her close despite the little girl's squirming protests as she darted out of the kitchen in somewhat of a hurry. She avoided glancing back, unwilling to risk catching her father's knowing smile or the inevitable smugness radiating from Vi behind her.
-
Caitlyn watched the performance in front of her with a resounding... boredom. It wasn’t that she disliked Ray Chen’s music – quite the opposite. In fact, she had most of his songs memorised by heart due to the endless violin recitals that she was put on as a young girl. But opera, with its drawn-out performance and heavy dramatics, was far from conducive for her. Instead of focusing on the stage, she found herself contemplating in a dozen different directions, untethered from the melody unfolding before her.
As they got into the second act, Caitlyn sighed, her eye slowly drifted to her family beside her. They were all completely enamoured by the performances, their faces each reflecting awe and admiration. Even Lavender, whose usual restlessness had miraculously dissipated, sat uncannily still and quiet as she absent-mindedly clutched her stuffed fox watching the scene. Caitlyn supposed if there was to be any silver lining to her misery, it would be the rare sight of seeing her youngest behave for longer than a breath.
After a sharp crescendo into a long falsetto, Caitlyn reached out to brush a hand along Vi’s arms.
“Hey,” she whispered, but just loud enough to carry over the two seats between them, where their children sat. “I’m going to take a walk.”
Vi looked up, carefully studying Caitlyn for a moment before giving a small nod. With that Caitlyn left the box seats and into the hallway as the muffled sound of the Orchestra followed her as she walked out.
The hallway was brightly lit, a quiet contrast to the rich, resonating music within. There were ornate decorations lining the walls, tapestries and gilded sconces that only seemed to heighten the venue’s grandeur. It was every inch a place that reflected its owner – beautiful, yet opulent.
It wasn’t long before Caitlyn had found herself walking toward the large window at the end of the hallway when she recognised a figure leaning casually against the wall.
“Councillor Sevika,” Caitlyn greeted evenly, though the faintest hint of a wry smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a fan of the performing arts.”
Sevika shrugged, her usual stoic expression giving nothing away. “Not that I had a choice. Councillors are highly recommended to attend Winterfest.”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, her smile inching closer to the surface. “Ah, mandatory appreciation. Nothing like enforced culture to bring out the best in people.”
There was a heavy pause as Caitlyn's joke landed onto nothing but the blank stare on Sevika’s face. Though, after a beat, the other woman’s posture shifted to something more purposeful.
“Actually, it’s good that I ran into you Kiramman,” Sevika added, “There’ve been updates on that special request you made.”
Caitlyn’s eye sharpened, the casual one-sided banter evaporating. She gave a brief nod and gestured for Sevika to follow her. Together, they navigated the quieter hallways, climbing a series of stairs until they reached a secluded perch high above the stage. Below them, the performers moved like clockwork beneath the ropes and sets suspended precariously in the air.
“This is what you topsiders call entertainment, huh?” Sevika scoffed as she peered over the railing, unimpressed. “Pretty boring stuff if you asked me. Made me wish that Jinx's bomb took me out.”
Caitlyn furrowed her brow, unsure how to respond. Ultimately, she decided not to spare Sevika a reaction, going straight to the topic instead. “So,” she said, turning to her, her voice low and clipped. “What do you have?”
As Caitlyn observed Sevika, the smirk that had initially curled on the woman’s lips slowly faded, replaced by a sharper, more calculating expression. With an almost listless motion, Sevika leaned against the railing, pulling a cigarette from her pocket. The flick of her lighter was smooth and practiced, the small flame briefly illuminating her face before she took a slow drag, her gaze fixed intently on Caitlyn.
“My team’s been tracking the artifacts you flagged from the Ferros’ properties,” Sevika began, exhaling a thin plume of smoke into the dimly lit air. “They’ve changed hands a lot in the Undercity. The thief’s been selling it as whole pieces to vendors or broken down as scraps for the tinkerers. Basically, anyone with a coin probably has one. I wouldn’t be surprised if even the Firelights or the Commune have a few pieces of their own.”
Great!
Caitlyn pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing a groan. This wasn’t good. Seizing stolen items in the Undercity was always a delicate and dangerous task, especially with the deep-seated animosity between enforcers and Zaunites. Now it was only made harder knowing how far they have spread. She could already imagine Vi's frustration when she has to break the news to her later.
“And that’s not all,” Sevika continued. “We’ve tracked their movements as far as the Fringes, but after that... nothing. My guess? The person whose been hawking off all these artifacts is a topsider.”
“A topsider?” Caitlyn echoed, the gears in her mind turning at a dizzying pace.
“Yeah. Surprised? I guess even Pilties know how to steal. Who would've guessed?” Sevika retorted bitterly.
“No, that’s not-” Caitlyn faltered, then regrouped. “We’ve suspected it might be someone from Piltover, but we just haven’t been able to account for their movements. The Fringes isn’t exactly... friendly territory for enforcers.”
“That's an understatement,” Sevika said with a dry laugh, taking another drag from her cigarette then tapping the ash to the platform they were on. “So, what’s your plan, Commander?”
Caitlyn straightened, her mind already forming a strategy. “Keep tracking their movements. I’ll mobilise my people in the Fringes to pick up the trail if it leads topside. Hopefully we can wrap this all up before Progress Day.”
Sevika gave a curt nod, stubbing out her cigarette on the railing as she straightened out. “Got it. I’ll send word as soon as we get a lead.” She then turned to leave, but not without a brief glance over her shoulders. “Enjoy the show.”
Caitlyn let out a faint, humourless laugh. “Oh, I’m having the time of my life,” she huffed over to Sevika’s retreating figure until she was alone with the faint echoes of the orchestra below and of her thoughts racing with the weight of the situation.
-
She didn’t need to look up to know who it was; few people carried such a presence. Bracing herself, she halted mid-step, her path now blocked by Camille Ferros herself.
“Commander Kiramman,” Camille greeted, her tone smooth but laced with a calculated insincerity. “How fortunate to cross paths with you. At Winterfest, of all places.”
“Camille,” Caitlyn replied steadily, folding her hands neatly in front of her. “Enjoying the show?”
Camille’s lips twitched, though it wasn’t quite a smile. “I didn’t come for small talk. I’m here to ask about the progress of your investigation into the thefts.”
Caitlyn held her gaze, unflinching. “There are a few leads that we’re working on.”
“And the stolen artifacts?” Camille pressed, her sharp gaze boring into Caitlyn. “I trust you’ll ensure their safe return?”
“My enforcers and I will do our level best to account for every item,” Caitlyn replied with all the level of practiced calm.
Camille leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a razor-sharp edge. “Might I remind you, Commander, whose family still holds a seat on the council?”
Caitlyn met her intensity with unflappable poise. For once she was grateful for the decorum that her mother, as a politician, had meticulously instilled in her. “I’m well aware, Camille. Rest assured, this matter is being treated with the utmost priority. You have my word.”
Camille studied her for a moment, as though assessing whether Caitlyn’s resolve matched her words. Then, with a faint hum of approval - or perhaps dismissal - she straightened, the mechanical limbs at her sides clicking softly.
“See that it is,” Camille said, her words hanging like a thinly veiled threat. Without another glance, she turned on her heels and disappeared down the hallway, her steel taps fading into the ambient hum of the surrounding chatter.
Caitlyn exhaled quietly, clenching her teeth as she calculated the implications of Camille’s warnings. The enforcer reforms, the resource allocations, the steps toward reshaping the relationship between Piltover and the Undercity could all depend on Ferros’ vote in the council – one which could crumble if Camille decided to turn against her. But she didn’t have the virtue of time to dwell on those thoughts, not when her family was just on the other side of the wall, probably waiting for her.
Composing herself, Caitlyn shook her head as she continued her path toward her box. Before she had reached, her attention was quickly drawn to Vi standing just outside. She paused, watching her engaged in what seemed to be an animated conversation with a woman Caitlyn didn’t recognise. From a distance, the exchange appeared harmless - polite smiles, a few casual gestures - but Caitlyn’s sharp eye caught the subtle details others might have missed.
The way the woman leaned just a little too close, the fleeting glint in her eyes, and the soft, almost hesitant touch on Vi’s arm before she stepped back, her cheeks noticeably flushed. It wasn’t overt, but it was subtle enough to send a sharp prickle of irritation in Caitlyn’s chest, adding only to the mounting stress of her previous two conversations as her gaze narrowed in on them.
The woman left quickly, offering Vi a parting smile as she disappeared down the corridor. Vi stood there for a moment, oblivious to Caitlyn’s watchful gaze, before turning back toward the door, her expression relaxed and entirely unbothered.
Caitlyn pressed her lips, her grip tightening slightly on the edge of the doorway. She took a steadying breath, schooling her features back into neutrality before stepping forward.
“Having fun, are we?” Caitlyn asked lightly, her voice nonchalant but carrying a mild sting.
Vi looked up, startled at first, but then her face broke into an easy grin. “Oh, hey. I was just going to look for you. How was your walk?”
Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, choosing to ignore the question. “Who... was that?”
Vi shrugged, clearly unconcerned. “Her? She was one of the volunteers who helped out at the commune awhile back. She works as an attendant here now.”
“Hmm,” Caitlyn hummed in acknowledgment, though her sharp gaze lingered on Vi for a moment longer. “I see.”
Vi tilted her head, her grin turning slightly mischievous. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Caitlyn rolled her eye. “Me? Jealous? Hardly,” she replied, brushing past her with a small huff, her posture just a touch too stiff to sell her indifference completely.
“Right, right,” Vi nodded, her expression deceptively unassuming. “Of course you’re not jealous. Why would you be, with all the flirting you already do for the both of us.”
Caitlyn froze mid-step, turning back to Vi with an arched eyebrow and a skeptical look. “Excuse me, what is that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come on, Cait. I don't know how you don't notice. Every time you see a girl, you just can't help yourself!” Vi smirked, as she leaned casually against one of the walls. “The way you tilt your head ever so slightly, give that little smile, and suddenly the whole room is hanging on your every word.”
“That’s not true,” Caitlyn countered, her tone defensive but her cheeks faintly reddening.
“Oh, it’s not?” Vi teased, her grin widening. “Remember the fruit seller you made nice with during market patrol? She still sends us free peaches every week. Every. Single. Week.”
“I was just being polite.” Caitlyn replied, brushing off the example with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Vi laughed, shaking her head. “Polite? Cait, you have people practically eating from the palm of your hands. And you? Completely clueless.”
“That’s absurd,” she said flatly, though the faint flush creeping up her neck betrayed her. “You’re exaggerating.”
Vi straightened up, her expression mock-serious now. “Oh, exaggerating huh? How about that bartender at The Count's Arms, you asked her what her favorite wine was, and she just kept pouring us free drinks after that.”
“That’s enough,” Caitlyn interrupted, holding up a hand, her cheeks now fully pink. “You’re making it sound like I’m some kind of...”
“Flirt?” Vi supplied helpfully, her shit-eating grin fully on display, loud and unrepentant.
Caitlyn tapped her forehead, muttering under her breath, “This is unbelievable.”
Vi’s grin only widened as she took a step closer, watching Caitlyn unravel with a growing sense of amusement. Leaning in, her voice dipped into a low, teasing lilt that carried an air of smug satisfaction. “Worked on me, didn’t it?”
Caitlyn froze, momentarily caught off guard, her blush deepening as she turned to face Vi. “I- You- That’s completely irrelevant.”
“Is it though?” Vi replied, still grinning knowingly as she crossed her arms. “Because I distinctly remember someone walking into the cell with that same smile-and-head-tilt combo. And, well, here we are.”
Caitlyn heaved, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You know that was not my intention when I went down into that bunker.”
Before Vi could fire back another retort, the door to the box opened, and Tobias stepped out, cradling Lavender in his arms. The little girl looked thoroughly pleased with herself, despite her slightly flushed cheeks.
“Oh, there you two are,” Tobias said, his tone light but tinged with amusement. He adjusted Lavender on his hip as she clung to him contentedly. “This one’s got a little too excited about the music and has decided to show her appreciation... in her diapers."
Caitlyn and Vi exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting in a moment of unspoken amusement. The tension from their earlier exchange evaporating instantly as they both shared a small laugh at their own antics, before turning their attention to their youngest.
“Well, at least she’s consistent in her timings,” Vi quipped, grinning as she glanced at Lavender, who gave a gurgling giggle in return.
Caitlyn stepped forward, holding out her hands. “It’s alright, I’ll take her,” she said, her tone gentle as she addressed both Vi and Tobias. “You all go ahead and enjoy the closing act.”
“You sure?” Tobias asked, though he was already gently passing Lavender into Caitlyn’s arms.
“Oh, I am quite sure,” Caitlyn replied reassuringly, if not a little relieved at the excuse to take a longer break from the performance. “We’ll take a little walk, won’t we, darling?” she cooed, brushing a hand over Lavender’s wild violet hair.
“Good luck,” Tobias said with a chuckle, giving Lavender a quick kiss on the forehead before retreating back into the box.
Vi leaned in and placed her own kiss on Caitlyn’s cheek. “Try not to say yes to any wedding proposals while I’m away.”
Caitlyn rolled her eye. “Oh, please. If anyone’s at risk of unsolicited proposals tonight, it’s you,” she shot back, shifting Lavender slightly in her arms.
“You may have a point,” Vi admitted smugly. “But don’t think I’m above crashing a wedding if I have to.”
Caitlyn laughed softly, shaking her head as she started down the hallway. “Just focus on making sure Charlotte doesn’t talk you into anything ridiculous before curtain call. I’ll handle the diapers... and any proposals.”
-
As the sun dipped over the skyline, the Kiramman estate came alive with revelry. Dancers draped in lion costumes leaped and pranced around the main hall, their movements easily mesmerising the children as they all watched with a wide-eyed wonder, their giggles blending in with the heavy drums and the sharp banging of the gong. The parents, aside from Caitlyn and Vi, also watched entranced as the Ionian festivities unfolded before them.
Caitlyn, holding Lavender securely on her hips, rolled an orange between her fingers. “Go ahead, Lovie,” she encouraged, lifting up the fruit toward her daughter. “Feed the lion.”
Lavender hesitated at first, but then her tiny hand clutched the orange tightly before stretching it out to place it in the lion’s gaping mouth. The dancer inside the costume moved with a theatrical flair, making the lion “chomp” energetically.
Her bright blue eyes widened in awe as the lion swayed and chewed, then after a dramatic pause, returned the orange – now perfectly peeled. She erupted in giggles, gripping the orange in both hands before gleefully holding it back to Caitlyn.
Nearby, Vi grinned at the sight before turning to Charlotte. “Alright, Muffin. It’s your turn.” She crouched, scooping Charlotte up just enough to reach the Lion’s mouth without any trouble.
Charlotte thrusted her orange forward with confidence. “Here you go, Mr Lion,” she declared, her voice carrying above the cymbals.
The lion snatched the orange with an exaggerated bite as Charlotte watched intently. The same act unfolded before her eyes, with the orange being swallowed, and then peeled when it returned to her small hands.
Charlotte squealed with delight, spinning in Vi’s arms. “Did you see that, Mommy? It was like magic!”
Vi laughed, setting Charlotte back down on the ground. “It sure is,” she said, ruffling her daughter’s dark hair affectionately.
The lion then moved on to the other children, and the activities continued from there with the Kirammans pulling out all the stops for the festive celebration - from paper cutting, mystic knotting to shadow puppets regaling the tales of the Mythmakers. Once everything ended, everyone was guided to the family dining room for the much-anticipated dinner. The table was a masterpiece of decor, adorned with red and gold accents, glistening porcelain, and crystal glassware.
As they all sat around, the sound of chatter and clinking glasses filled the room. Charlotte's friend Alys, her small face framed by neatly tied braids, looked up at Tobias with curiosity shining in her eyes.
“Mr. Kiramman, what is Lunar Revel exactly?” she asked, her voice cutting through the hum of conversation.
Tobias set down his glass, smiling warmly at the inquisitive child. “Well, Lunar Revel is a celebration in Ionia to mark the first day of spring.”
Alys tilted her head, her brow furrowed. “But... it’s not the first day of spring,” she pointed out, glancing out the window at the crisp winter evening.
“You’re absolutely right,” Tobias said with a nod, clearly delighted by her sharp observation. “Here in Piltover, it isn’t. But Ionia follows a different calendar, one that’s based on both the phases of the sun and the moon. By that calendar, today marks the start of spring in Ionia.”
Alys’s eyes widened slightly as she absorbed this new information. “Oh... that’s kind of cool,” she said thoughtfully.
“It is,” Tobias agreed, leaning back in his chair. “It reminds us that different places see the world in different ways. And sometimes, those differences are worth celebrating.”
Charlotte chimed in, her voice eager. “And that’s why we have the lions and the lanterns and the dumplings! To celebrate how they do it in Ionia!”
On the other end of the room, the footmen moved gracefully around the table, serving steaming dishes of aromatic delicacies. A platter of perfectly folded dumplings was set before Caitlyn, its glistening golden edges were cooked to perfection. She reached in deftly with her chopsticks, selecting one from the neatly stacked pile before placing it on Lavender's plate.
“Here you go, Lovie,” Caitlyn said softly as she handed the child her fork.
Lavender’s blue eyes lit up as she dug in enthusiastically, her small hands clumsily working the utensil but managing to spear the dumpling. Caitlyn's gaze lingered for a moment as she watched her daughter's messy, but spirited success. Satisfied with her efforts, Caitlyn turned back to the platter, her chopsticks primed to retrieve another dumpling. As her chopsticks glided effortlessly, another pair entered the fold, plucking a perfectly folded dumpling and setting it carefully on Caitlyn’s plate.
Caitlyn blinked, her gaze shifting from the dumpling to the familiar hand holding the chopsticks. She looked up to meet Vi’s eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Have you been practicing?” she asked, gesturing toward the chopsticks. “You’ve come a long way from How do I hold these again?”
Vi leaned back slightly, her grin as lopsided as ever. Without breaking eye contact, she popped a dumpling into her mouth. “What can I say? I’ve got a good teacher.”
Caitlyn rolled her eye, scoffing lightly, though there was a faint glimmer of pride as she shook her head. That pride, however, quickly faded when her attention drifted to Charlotte, just a few seats away. As it turned out, the young girl had been quietly observing her parents, and now, with a focused expression, she mimicked the gesture, carefully placing a dumpling onto Declan’s plate.
Her smile faltered instantly, the corners of her mouth stiffening as her gaze locked onto the exchange. From Declan’s polite thank-you and Charlotte’s soft giggle, Caitlyn felt her fingers clenching around her chopstick, the delicate jade bending slightly under her grip as an undercurrent of tension gripped at her throat.
Before she could process her reaction, a sharp thud hit her shin under the table.
“Ow!” she yelped, her voice carrying louder than she intended.
The entire table turned to look at her in unison, the hum of conversation silenced in an instant. Caitlyn shot a sharp glare beside her, her gaze locking onto Vi, who wore an expression that was equal parts guilty and amused.
Tobias, sitting at the other end of the table, arched an eyebrow. “Everything alright, Caitlyn?”
“Yes, perfectly fine,” Caitlyn replied tightly, forcing a smile as she resisted the urge to kick Vi back under the table.
As the buzz of chatter and the clinking of plates filled the room once more, Priya leaned in slightly toward Caitlyn, her smile hopeful.
“Charlotte and Declan seem to be getting along nicely,” Priya suggested, her voice carried a casual lilt as she spoke, the words slipping into the air with ease, almost conversational. “Maybe... you might want to consider a playdate?”
Caitlyn froze for a fraction of a second, her hand hovering over her glass. “Uh... well,” she began, her tone measured but betraying her underlying panic. “We’d need to check Charlotte’s schedule. She’s got so many things. School, kickball, piano lessons...” she trailed, listing each item off as if constructing an impenetrable wall of obligations.
“Sure, I think a playdate sounds great,” Vi interjected smoothly, her grin wide and disarming as she cut through Caitlyn’s deflection without a moment’s hesitation.
Caitlyn slowly turned her head toward Vi, fixing her with a sharp look with one eyebrow arching in an unspoken challenge. “Does it?” she asked, her tone low and edged with warning, though her voice remained impeccably polite.
“Just let us know when he’s free,” Vi assured Priya with a casual shrug, her hand instinctively resting atop Caitlyn’s. “I’m sure we can find time for Charlotte.”
Priya’s smile widened, clearly pleased by the response. “Wonderful! I’ll check with Declan’s schedule and get back to you.”
Caitlyn’s gaze flickered to her hand, where Vi’s thumb brushed against her knuckles in that infuriatingly confident way. She resigned softly, the conversation had already slipped out of her control. She cast one last glance at Vi, whose self-satisfied grin was impossible to ignore before letting the matter drop.
Instead, Caitlyn refocused her attention back to Lavender, her eye widening as she spotted her youngest mid-mission. The little girl was half sprawled across the table, her tiny arm outstretched and her fingers wiggling with quiet determination as she tried to reach the platter of dumplings just out of her grasp.
“Lovie!” Caitlyn scolded gently, suppressing a chuckle as she reached out to steady the precariously balanced child. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
Lavender looked up at her mother unabashedly, almost proud. “I want dumpling, Mama,” she explained, her tone matter-of-fact as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Caitlyn exhaled softly as she carefully guided Lavender back to her seat. “You know,” she began, picking up a dumpling with her chopsticks and placing it carefully on Lavender’s plate, “there are easier ways to get what you want, Lovie. All you have to do is ask.”
Lavender beamed, clutching her fork eagerly. “Thank you, Mama!” she chirped happily as she began to dig into the dumpling with gusto.
Vi, who had been watching the interaction with a smirk, leaned back in her chair, her tone playfully accusatory. “Playing favorites, Cait?”
Caitlyn cast a glance at her wife, arching a single eyebrow with a cool air of indifference. “If I’m going to lose one child to a playdate,” she said dryly, a subtle smirk playing on her lips, “I might as well ensure the other stays firmly on my side.”