Caitlyn and Vi Shorts and Fluff

Alternate Timeline: Caitvi Stays for Dinner

.....continued Part 3 of 5...

We descended the stairs hand in hand then I showed her to the correct seat and sat down still trying to remain calm. I grinned a little and nodded at my parents. My dad returned the smile but mother was quite skeptical and stoic.

"So Caitlyn, you and your friend seem close... how long have you known each other?" Mother asked. Vi about spit out her drink but swallowed hard instead.

"Oh uh, we know each other well, yes." I tried to bury any further questions like that.
"Hmm, and what is it that you do exactly Vi?" She interrogated further.

"I uh, well... I try to keep some semblance of order in The Lanes Ma'am." She was sounding more sophisticated and calm with each new word that escaped her fascinating mouth.

"I see." Mother tapped her spoon lightly on her tea cup.

"Well our Caitlyn has also chosen to maintain the law and keep order." Father grinned, giving Vi some kind of peace offering.

"Yes well, I've seen a little more of the Undercity lately. It's so much more than we ever imagined. Brilliant truly. Though sadly there's a lot of people still struggling - more than I ever knew." I spoke up.

"Indeed, yes that has been a growing problem." Mother agreed surprisingly.

"That's been accelerated because of the shimmer rings the last oh maybe year or so. My crew and I try to break up their shipments and interrupt their distribution as often as we can. But their supply has been increasing so much we can't keep up. We have established a small safe zone in the Lanes... There is enough of us so we can keep shimmer out of our neighborhood for now at least."

"You have a crew?" I whispered aside over to Vi.

"Hmm are any of your raids sanctioned?" Mother asked skeptically.

"Ha of course not we don't have the time or the resources to get through that red tape." Vi sort of irritated now but trying to stay civil.

"Hmm and what of this crew of yours? is Vander involved?" Mother questioned further.

"I don't think that's really relevant Cassandra." Father interrupted. "What is troubling is this growing shimmer problem." he nodded.

"Yes it is a concern."

"Ha a concern?" Vi mumbled under her breath looking away. She started chewing her lip.

"Use your words Vi." Mother demanded loudly. Vi threw her fists into her lap instead.

"Mother!" I retorted. Then reached for Vi's clenched hand under the table. "It's more than just a concern. It's people's lives we're talking about. There's so much suffering, addiction, and death not to mention homelessness and famine because of everything happening down there. You're turning a blind eye on your people. They are your people too aren't they?!"

"Caitlyn honestly... well — I ..." Mother swirled her spoon in her tea cup and looked down at the table. Speechless? This was new even for her.
Vi relaxed some and opened to hold my hand. She exhaled audibly. "Ma'am there's a lot more to it than that. Vander and I are just one little bit of hope down there. Between the history, health hazards and now shimmer not to mention a host of other things we're plagued with an endless number of issues and the Council has done nothing." Vi said almost calmly but she was clearly still angry.

My mother pursed her lips and shook her head for just one quick movement. She stared into Vi's eyes for a moment trying to read her then calmly stated, "Thank you for your candor Vi." Mother set down her tea and let out a deep breath. "Perhaps a larger discussion is in order. I'll look into it." I was shocked she actually said anything or didn't have Vi escorted out. She listened? What was going on in her head?

All of us sat in silence for a minute. The meal came and Vi unceremoniously dug in. I let out a little laugh under my breath. She smiled a back at me looking up from hunching over her plate. We watched each other out of the corner of our eyes trying not to laugh or say much more. You could feel the tension in the air lift a little.
Though my mother was still watching the two of us knowingly.

My father suddenly broke the silence, "Hmm so what have you two been up to the last couple of days? Caitlyn you haven't been around have you?"

I nearly spit out my food, too embarrassed to answer. My face must have said it all because mother cringed and my father just raised his eyebrows amused. Vi finally spat out a little information. "Oh we were at the Freedom Festival last night and lost track of time sorry about that. She stayed at my place today as we were pretty tired from partying..." Oh. My. Gosh, 'thank you' I mouthed from behind my hand as I turned to her.

"Oh how was it? I could see the fireworks from here!" My father said excitedly.

"Oh Tobias really, they said they were partying... Caitlyn you ought to be more careful. You shouldn't be out in such a crowd by yourself." Mother spat.

"Oh come on Cassie we were young once, besides it doesn't look like she was alone." He motioned to Vi.

I about died again, trying to hide my face in my hands. Vi let out a half-muffled laugh. 
"Nope not alone" Vi smirked, "perfectly safe."
"Ok well that was a lovely meal thank you." I stood up quickly trying not to show my red face any longer and turned away from the table. "Vi we should be going. See you two in the morning." I waved over my shoulder and grabbed for Vi's hand.

"Oh right, uh thank you so much! I don't know the last time I had such a good meal. Councilor. Mr. Kirraman." Vi tried to politely leave stepping closer towards me but I nearly ran up the stairs. She turned fast and followed right on my heels.
We both collapsed once we returned to my room laughing and trying to rid myself of my severely heated cheeks.

"You were very politically correct. Oh my Gods thanks for that." I just shook my head at her still breathing hard from laughing and running away. Trying a d failing to fan my face off.

"I didn't know I had it in me. That was uh interesting." Vi unbuttoned the very top of her shirt, also winded and wanting to be more comfortable.

"Look Vi I'm sorry my mother was so dismissive."
"Are you kidding? That was nothing. Also, she kind of seemed to believe us, you think she will actually speak to the council about Zaun?"

"Huh you're right, yes she's a woman of her word. I'm not sure what if anything we can expect from that though." We agreed in a small hum.

"Look Cupcake I better get going. My family will wonder where the hell I've been unless Enzo told them already." She reached for my upper arms then pulled me into a light hug. "It's been real."
"Yes it has." I held her tighter and gave her an extended goodnight kiss before letting go.

"So how is this going to work Vi?"

"Ha I have no idea. We're not exactly living in the same realms..."

"No I suppose not. But I think we want a lot of the same things... We should see what we can do in Zaun. Maybe you and your crew could help me get the better of these Chem Barons before it gets more out of hand."

"Hmm I think we could probably do that. We could use the added support."

"Let's try to meet every other night this
week. Is that alright? Maybe we can both make some headway on this case while it's hot."

"Hmm, you're hot Cupcake." She laughed and kissed my cheek again, now escaping half-way out the window.

"You know you could use the front door right?" I called out after her.

"Nah this is so much more fun... I'll come back in a couple nights ok. Later Cait!"