Smoke And Mirrors

The van

How can you stay so strong? How do you handle this?

There was no denial. Vi couldn't help making those thoughts as she stared up at Caitlyn, who was standing in front of the entire Police Department of Piltover, speaking with a voice that betrayed no turmoil, no stress, only determination which was radiating miles away, straight over the police officers. All gathered in the amphitheatre, they listened to their superior with respect and awe, holding back their breathes. Even Vi was taken aback by Caitlyn's strength. After all, didn't she loose her mother to those Black Rose bastard? Didn't she cry her eyes out in her arms that faithful night?

But she couldn't afford to show weakness in front of her men. What sort of boss would she be if she did? She needed to be inspiring and trustworthy, and that's exactly what she was trying to do. Her piercing blue eyes eyed each of her officers carefully as she spoke, and occasionally she would stop on Vi for more time than necessary, only a few seconds more. Everyone was so hypnotized by her speech that didn't notice, however.

"We are going through difficult times" Caitlyn concluded "Now that innocent citizens' lives are at stake, the city is crying out for us. Piltover needs us more than ever before. With that said, I'm officially announcing my plans for increasing security around the city. As it comes to the center..."

She went on, explaining briefly her orders while she motioned at the locations she mentioned it on the huge hexetech map of Piltover that was standing right next to her. The amount of officers on the streets was doubled, even in the most isolated places in Piltover. The city was slowing becoming a fort. A new investigation elite team was established to investigate over Mr Fitzwilliam's mysterious disappearance and the Black Rose attacks.

Shit's getting real, Vi thought.

"I must warn you" Caitlyn made a small pause "Whoever is threatening our city to turn it into a ghost city won't hesitate to kill, torture and turn you into monsters that can service their purposes. C isn't trying to mock anymore. He's trying to gain power and he won't hesitate to take lives if it comes to that. Be careful of who you trust. C has infiltrated the Town Hall and there's no doubt he's going to test your faith. But always remember what your duty is and who you are"

Caitlyn gave a quick look over her audience and her eyes stopped on Vi, who returned the look.

"Thank you for your patience. You're all dismissed"

As if the phrase on its own freed them off their paralysis, the police officers bursted into clapping and cheering, most of them standing up. Vi was one of them. Encouragement and faith was all the Sherrif of Piltover needed and deserved. Her eyes never left Caitlyn's as she cheered for her alongside her colleagues. She could swear she saw an imperceptible smile appearing on the sherrif's lips, but it could be just part of her wide fantasy.

~•~•~•~•~•~

It felt good being back in the fields, back in the action. Now with the support of the entire department, their investigations would become ten times easier. Vi was glad she was back in the game officially and openly, but she was still concerned about Caitlyn. She had took the huge decision to reveal her father's dissapearance, which would inevitably cause the public to panic again, if they hadn't already. Despite knowing the consequences, Caitlyn didn't keep it back. It would be revealed sooner or later anyways.

So right now, Vi was on patrol with several of her colleagues. Caitlyn for some odd reason had assighned her to do so instead of helping out with the investigation, and she couldn't really wrap her finger around it. Didn't she think she was a capable of being a decent investigator? No way. She had proven herself a lot of times in the past few months. Then what? Why was she here patrolling?