Part 1 of 5
It turned into a wild night in Zaun. I decided to go with a couple girlfriends against my better judgement to the Zaunite's Annual Freedom Festival. The streets were alive with food and vendors and music of every kind. Some people brawled for bets in makeshift rings. And others set up street shows to make money off the boisterous crowds.
We were actually having a pretty good night considering I was a bit out of my element. I still clearly looked like a Piltie but down here no one knew who I was, which was freeing. Being the heir to one of the richest families in Piltover always hung over my head. On top of that my mother was one of the councilors. I was usually forced into so much political nonsense I just wanted to escape it all. This was definitely a good distraction, at least for tonight.
We came to the Last Drop, they were serving drinks outside tonight and a few of Vander's kids were amusing the crowd. A couple drinks down and I was more relaxed. My friends wandered off to watch the various shows. But someone caught my eye - I let them go on without me.
This woman had drawn quite the crowd, besting some pretty impressive men at arm wrestling of all things. Man after man and many women trying to overcome this reigning champion. She was fiery. Her hair stunningly dark red swept to one side - the other side cleanly shaved. Her smile was mesmerizing. She talked a pretty slick game then took her unsuspecting opponents down in a quick second. Her reflexes were almost as stunning as her muscles. I didn't realize I had been staring for so long. The crowd started to disperse getting discouraged. She looked around a little disappointed more people hadn't stepped up to challenge her. I had been standing in the back but as others left it was apparent I was still staring.
"Hey there Cupcake, you want a try?" She called out.
I was still taking in her muscles, totally checking her out. I didn't even realize she was talking to me.
"Hey..." she waved and walked closer. "You doing ok over here or?"
"Oh, oh my gods sorry, I was just, uh..."
"Ha like what you see?" She smirked still walking closer.
"Ha, oh no... I mean I was just lost in thought."
"Oh really? Well looks like the shows over. Hey, you want to grab a drink?"
"Hmm actually I think I see what you were doing there. Mind if I give it a go?"
"You want to try me? Ha alright, you sure?"
"Hmm..." I pulled out a good handful of coins. "Yes I think I would like a try."
"Damn ok Cupcake. But I do have to warn you I'm undefeated. You sure you want to bet that much?"
"Oh well if I win we'll call it even no need to pay up. And if you win how about you take this and buy me that drink?"
"Alright princess that's more than fair."
She showed me back to the table. By now we were the only ones around. I had actually seen a few different ways she had beat previous opponents and I never lose so I thought what the hell.
"Ok best 2 out of 3?" I wagered.
"Sure. So what do I call you Cupcake?"
"Hmm funny. it's Caitlyn. And you are?"
"Vi, just Vi."
"Well nice to meet you Vi."
"Let's do this. Ready?" She grabbed my hand firmly rolling her fingers into a tight grip. Honestly that had me a bit flustered.
"Ready." I gulped.
"Ok. 1, 2, 3-"
She threw my hand quickly to the table. Just as I thought. I blinked then smirked.
"Twice more?" I asked.
"Heh, you sure?" She looked me up and down quickly.
"I'm always sure of what I want." I bit my lip a little ready to best her. I snatched her hand holding it firmly and moving my thumb a little out of a normal hold.
She blinked then smirked. This time I counted. "1, 2.." I rose a little out of the stool now showing my height. "3."
She tried to whip her wrist quickly to the table again but this time I had countered my weight against hers - I was a good deal taller than her and adjusted my feet to hold the position. I could tell she was stronger than me but a large part of this game was positioning and skill over strength and she knew that. She smiled leaning into my rigid stance. "How long do you think you can keep that up Cupcake?"
"Hmm? Oh this? I hold my riffle steady for hours so... hours?" I smirked and held steady.
A minute went by and I still hadn't budged. "Alright alright, I give up." She released her grip letting me push her arm easily over.
"Hmm does that count? You didn't have to give up." I questioned.
"Hey I'm not threw with you yet." Vi winked.
We both snickered.
"Ya know you could give up and just have that drink with me." She smirked.
"And not make you work for it? I think not."
We both smiled a little and watched the other intently.
"Shall we?" I asked.
"Hmm how about we up the stakes a little more. You lose and I still buy you that drink, but you also stay with me for a little while longer. I swear we'll only do what you say is ok. No funny business. I'd just like to show you something more than all this. I'm nothing if not completely honest. What do you say?"
"Ha that doesn't seem very fair. Also I don't actually know you Vi..." I looked around realizing the Last Drop was owned by the unofficial mayor of Zaun. "You're one of Vander's kids aren't you?"
"I am. One that's most like him too." She rubbed her hands pulling at her bandages a bit.
"Hmm, alright my mother seems to respect him. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt Vi, but don't make me regret it. Why the hell not." Why do I feel like I've already lost and I somehow wasn't worried about it in the least. I stood up and tried to loosen myself up for this last round.
"Oh if I do manage to win you take me on a real date." I managed to throw out as I slowly placed my elbow on the lowered table. I knew with her seated and me leaning so far over her vantage point was staring right at my bust on display.
She blushed a little and didn't bring her eyes up to meet mine like other times. She cleared her throat, "alright, you're on Cupcake."
She reached over to grasp our hands finally removing her gaze looking down at the table. She held on lightly then brought her gaze to our hands together. She slowly wrapped each finger around mine then held on tight. "1, 2, 3."
Instead of pulling my hand down to the side of the table this time she slowly turned her wrist pulling my hand towards her body. My knuckles nearly grazing her. She rose from her stool slightly now focusing on my face. She smirked and brought our hands to her chest with one last pull nearly pulling me over the table. She let go and all I could do was stare.
"That was-"
"Not cheating, there's no rules here Cait." She brushed her hands together then reached over to shake mine "good game, thanks for the fun."
"But... well, yes that was pretty fun," I may have blushed a little fixing my hair behind my ear.
"Come on I'll get you that drink. Then I have just one thing to show you after sunset."
"Sunset? That's a few hours from now still..."
"Oh is it? Damn sorry hard to tell down here. Well maybe there's a few other things I could show you." She threw her hands up shrugging. "Come on how often are you here in Zaun?"
"Hmm... I could find a reason to visit." I teased and followed her to the bar.
We stayed in and around the Last Drop for a while. I got to see a little more of her personality and she let some of that show she had put on outside fade away.
A blue haired girl wandered by after a while with this other boy about her age in toe. "Hey sis who's this?" She asked Vi.
"Oh Powder this is Caitlyn. Caitlyn my sister."
"Oh nice to meet you." I waved but she looked back at Vi.
"So who is she?" Powder wanted answers.
"Uh just a friend Pow-Pow, don't worry about it. Hey she says she's a pretty good shot we should take her to the range sometime-"
"Oh really?" Powder's eyes widened. "What's your record?" She sneered a little.
"Oh well, I hit the 3500 meter last year in the Piltover competition."
"Uh what?! That's not possible," Powder blinked. "Is it?"
"Hmm maybe I'll show you some time," I grinned. I reached to my pack and quickly unfolded my riffle showing it to her.
"Damn... sis I think she's legit... See you around Caitlyn." She waved and rushed away with the boy.
"Bye!" I smiled back. "She seems nice." I looked over at Vi who was shaking her head a little smirking.
"No, she never likes my friends, I think you impressed her. Or something..."
"Hmm what about you Vi? Um do you shoot?"
"Oh hell no, I use these." She held her fists at the ready. Then took a sip.
"Hmm so you're good with your hands." I implied smirking.
Pfff - she sprayed a bit of her drink out of her mouth and coughed. Then we both laughed.
"You're pretty funny Caitlyn I like you - Uh that - I like that."
"Heh, I like you too Vi."
"You want to get out of here? I keep my promises -only if you want to."
"Hmm yes I'm a girl of my word also."
She stood up and reached for my hand, "oh Cupcake you're no girl, you're sweet but there's something else to you isn't there," she grinned. "Come on, you've never seen Zaun like this..."
She led me up the back stairs to the roof of the bar. The streets were still loud with people and music and now all the lights of every neon sign were filling up the view.
"Wow this is pretty cool."
"Oh this is nothing. Try to keep up." Vi smirked and lunged to the roof that was more than a good jump away.
"Oh that's not really... is this safe?"
"Come on Cupcake you've got what almost a foot on me? If I can make it you totally can."
"Hey, that's... hmm an apt observation." I mumbled.
"Come on I won't let you fall, just take a running leap."
"Oh fine..." I took that leap of faith and wouldn't you know I landed on the next roof but did not stick the landing fumbling forward. Vi stepped up to catch me by the arms. I let out a nervous laugh and she just smiled back. There was something about her smile that kept getting me. So much kindness and passion. I wanted to learn more about her.
"I knew you could make it. Let's keep going we don't want to miss it..."
"Miss what?" I called after her but she just kept jumping and dashing along the tops of the roofs. Every jump looking over her shoulder to see where I was. She was crazy fast and nimble. I'm a really fit person but there was no way I could compete with that agility. I could see how she uses her speed to beat her opponents.
She started to slow as we reached some higher water towers on the outskirts of town.
"Up for a little climb?"
"Vi where are we going?" I huffed out.
"Just up this tower, that's it I promise."
"Really, you promise?"
"I do."
"Oh alright fine."
It didn't take long to climb. Even though I was clearly fine Vi scaled to the top first then turned around to reach for my hand to pull me up. She smiled and I returned the gesture. Our hands met again and then I felt a little spark in my stomach sizzle through me. Huh this is new. I chalked it up to being extremely high up and maybe a little winded.
We walked up a little ways to the center of the tower and sat beside each other.
"Whoa, that is a brilliant view." I said amazed at the site. Those butterflies started up again. We were overlooking most of Zaun lit up flashing in the night. The faint view of Piltover in the distance silhouetted in fog across the river.
"Yeah it's one of my favorites. I don't make the time to head over here enough. It's not the same to be up here alone. Thanks for giving me an excuse Cupcake." Vi nudged my shoulder with hers and smirked.
"It's really something else. Thank you for showing me. I had no idea our cities could be so beautiful."
"Hmm I had no idea I'd meet someone like you. I'm glad I stuck it out tonight. I was just going to be pouring drinks but Mylo got this hair brained idea to make some extra cash."
"Oh right did I pay you for your win?"
"Oh gods no I don't want your money."
"But you won fair, and well mostly fair."
"Ha you're kidding right? You and I both totally cheated. I can't believe a Piltover Princess would use her body in such a way to get what she wants." She tried not to laugh but we both started cracking up at the thought.
"I know, ok I may have been a little drunk. And I didn't mind if you looked anyway so." I was maybe still a little tipsy and my stomach was starting to get this intense feeling again. I reached up and squeezed Vi's bicep briefly as I finished speaking while still laughing.
She just turned slightly and smiled at me until I mostly stopped awkwardly giggling.
"Well anyway it was a fun night, besides I'm the one that made you practically touch my boobs." We both couldn't stop the hysterics now. Tears started welling up in my eyes from laughing so much.
"Oh my gosh stop I can't take all this, ah I can't breathe." I pleaded. We grew nearly quiet again. You could still hear the music thumping a ways away in the distance. A familiar song played that I had really came to like.
Vi tried to break the silence a little, "Oh yeah I like this song."
"Hmm yes me too!"
You could make out parts of the lyrics and we both began to sing along:
"... I've been on my own for long enough
Maybe you can show me how to love, maybe
...You don't even have to do too much
You can turn me on with just a touch, baby...
Vi had started to stand and dance a little she reached for me to join her.
... I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the lights
No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch
I said, ooh, I'm drowning in the night
Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust..."
The chorus repeated again and again. We just danced fast and sang along and smiled. Then something burst close above us. Fireworks!
Whoa they were really close (must have been shooting off from just a few buildings away).
"Oh my God!" My eyes lit up in excitement but also the blast had been so loud and startled me I impulsively grabbed Vi's arm with a little "Ah!" I laughed happily.
She reached holding tight to my hand still grasping her arm and sat us down then laid back so we could watch the show better.
The lights lit up our faces and illuminated our huge smiles. We giggled and awed at the sight. We kept glancing back and forth at one another between large explosions. Small pieces of embers dropped down on and around us quickly going out. Was it so crazy to feel so energized and happy with someone you just met? This was one of the best nights I had ever had.
I rested my head near her shoulder and looked on for a minute more as she reached entangling our fingers in each other's hands. This was crazy and wonderful.
Finally near the end of the show she turned to look at me better and our eyes met. I just held that gaze for minute. We had gotten really close. I drew a breathe then planted a not so quick kiss on that charming smile. She reached up holding my face gently with her strong hand now gentle as we continued through the fireworks blasting.
The show faded away, even though it was so vibrant and loud all I could focus on was her taste and that smile. This was going to be a crazy adventure I thought, and I was so happy to start it with her.
.......
The fireworks stopped to the sound of us out of breath and my hand touching her back under her shirt. We both giggled. She laid back down beside me catching her breathe. Holding my hand again, It was ecstasy.
We spent a few more hours together slowly making our way back across the buildings to the bridges. Somehow the world had stopped spinning for just that one night.
We got to the west bridge where others were walking home and she paused to let me cross. I stopped, but was still holding her hand. She rushed to give me a giant hug. "Thanks for everything Cait. When will I see you again?"
"Oh right. Well you're not going to make me walk home all alone are you?" I smiled back at her pulling back out of her embrace a little.
"Ha, um that would be terribly unsafe wouldn't it." Vi teased trying to replicate my accent a little.
I didn't want to let her go. And though I knew I'd make it home fine. This seemed like a great excuse.
"So you coming?" I leaned in to steal another kiss.
"I did say we would do only what you wanted to huh. I guess if the lady insists, why the hell not." She grinned.
I tried not to get too excited but I couldn't help it. We made a few detours to duck into an ally for a quick kiss then continued on this crazy escapade. I've never been this impulsive before especially not with someone I just met. But there was something about her, I could tell she had a good heart and it helped that she was incredibly attractive and funny.
As we neared my house I didn't want her to see the imposing front facade and gates and bring up that whole can of worms. So I took her around back to the guest house that currently wasn't occupied.
"Are we breaking in?" She whispered expectedly.
"Oh well not exactly it is still my family's house just can't wake my parents."
"You have more than one house? Damn you are a princess."
"Hmm you'll just have to find out." I tried to pry open the window but Vi needed to help a little. We snuck inside trying to keep as quiet as we could until we got in. The sun's glow started to shine just behind the mountains.
We woke several hours later. My head was on her shoulder again. She stroked my hair then gave my cheek a little kiss.
"Hi beautiful." Vi said softly.
She was breathtaking even after all the adrenaline and excitement of the night had worn off.
"Mmmm Hi." Was all I could manage to get out along with a massive red smile. I tried to hide a little under the sheets.
"Hey where are you going?" She teased.
"I don't know I've never done this before."
"What? Slept with someone?"
"Not with someone I just met." I got more red. "And definitely never broke into the guest house."
"Wait this is just a little guest house? No way."
"Hmm yes well look out the window. that's my room up there." I pointed to the 3rd floor corner across the field.
"Umm is this illegal or something?" She laughed running her fingers down my arm.
"Oh gods no but that's a good question I suppose.... Sorry. I know a little about you but I failed to mention who I am." I said.
"Well Cupcake why don't you tell me over breakfast?"
"Really? You don't have to or want to go?"
"Hell no! You're fascinating Caitlyn. I want to know all about you."
"Hmm good answer." I kissed her longer and insisted we stay there a while more before finding a real meal.
/////// to be continued.
*Song by The Weekend "Blinding Lights"