[Caitlyn can't argue with the fact that she's been rather focused lately. How could she be anything else, when there's so much work needing to be done? After weeks of nothing but sitting on her bedroom floor pouring through file after file, Vi finally demanded that she get out of the house for a while. The country estate was Caitlyn's idea. If she was going to get out of the house, it would be nice to give Vi a taste of the woodlands outside Piltover. She's not sure Vi has ever even seen the forest before.
Living in the city has always been enjoyable. The constant thrum of activity, the people coming from everywhere and going everywhere. But there's a certain peace out here, no one for miles and miles but a few servants, no sounds but the crackling of the fire and the soft rustle of wind outside, dampened by the falling snow.
At Vi's insistence, she barely brought any work with her. But a handful of folders did make the journey with them. She couldn't completely abandon her responsibilities, after all. Even for a few days. She's currently curled up on the sofa, reading through some paperwork on a case, when she glances up through the window, to the hunting cabin set a little ways off. It's visible only because it's up on a hill, and the moon is shining brightly through the gathering clouds.
At first, she thinks the moonlight's playing tricks on her, that it's a shadow cast by a tree blowing in the wind. But no, there's someone walking towards the cabin. Not the groundskeeper - she would recognize the groundskeeper's distinctive hunched walk anywhere. And the kennelmaster has no business being up by the hunting cabin. Especially tonight, with the temperature rapidly dropping and the snow starting to come down faster.
[ For once, Vi's allowed herself to be distracted from the stressors of what was anything but an easy-going life. While moving from one fancy estate to another hadn't been her initial intention, it had been difficult to argue against the sort of vistas that Caitlyn was describing.
Initially, she had only agreed to appease Caitlyn, but she's caught herself enjoying the sunsets through the window and exploring a few rooms she probably shouldn't. The change has probably been more refreshing for her than it has Caitlyn, and it's been difficult at times not to just race off into the wilderness and see if she can climb the highest tree. Even with the snow and ice occasionally slipping her up, she's up to the challenge. It's only been a thin scattering of snow so far (but that's beautiful enough in the moonlight). Zaun's geography coupled with the humidity and smog meant that Vi had never grown used to trekking over thick snow, and she's eager to master it. She definitely didn't have the clothes for it before the rushed shopping trip had at least left her sporting a thicker jacket and some gloves.
She's already lost the gloves.
Which is fine, because she's forcing herself to stay inside more than she normally might. At least until Caitlyn finishes the paperwork she'd insisted on bringing, she wants to stay nearby. Part of that may have to do with her discomfort whenever she's spotted by one of the sparse servants that putter around the grounds. Without Caitlyn, she feels like a trespasser, and they look at her like one.
It just feels safer, and easier, in Caitlyn's presence, so she doesn't feel too much like complaining. She'd be enjoying the view out of the window right now, if she wasn't too busy quietly opening a drawer nearby to snoop. She's brushing aside some letters when Caitlyn suddenly speaks and causes her to stiffen so quickly that she nearly jumps. ]
I wasn't—
[ Oh, it's something else. The drawer is quickly shoved closed so that she can dart over to the window that Caitlyn's peering out of, propping a knee up on the arm rest of the sofa while she squints through the glass. When her breath just fogs it up, she backs up a touch and rubs at it with her sleeve in irritation. By the time her sight can adjust to the moonlight and the falling snow, there's nothing. ]
Ugh, I can't see. You sure it wasn't some wild animal?
[The drawer closing has Caitlyn's head turning sharply towards Vi, surprised by the noise. But immediately she's turning back to the window, not really caring that Vi was nosing around. If anything, she finds it rather endearing. She'd happily show Vi anything she wants, were Vi to ask, but she's content to let Vi snoop in the meantime.
By the time Vi's finished wiping the fog off the glass, it's clear that whatever - whoever - Caitlyn saw is gone. A moment later, she's on her feet and reaching for the rifle hung over the mantlepiece. It's an older one, but it's kept clean and in good functioning condition.]
Not unless a wild animal has learned to walk upright on two feet.
[She checks the gun over quickly, to make sure it is, indeed, ready for use, then grabs a box of ammunition off the shelf.]
Come on, let's investigate. [She says it as though going out into the freezing cold and snow to see who's poking around an isolated cabin the woods is the clear and obvious course of action. Yes, it's absolutely frigid outside. Yes, the snow is starting to fall faster. But there's something potentially criminal, something potentially dangerous afoot, and Caitlyn's hardly going to allow things like temperature and precipitation to keep her sitting here in front of the fire twiddling her thumbs.]
[ It's late, it's cold, and this isn't Vi's territory. Going out after an unknown menace is risky.
She's eager for it, especially since she already knows there's no talking Caitlyn out of it. Vi can understand. This is Caitlyn's space, and someone's invaded it. Maybe she's more restless than she's let on.
Vi's already disappeared down the hall, waiting at the door to toss Caitlyn her coat and gloves. She should find some new gloves to put on herself, but there's not exactly time to waste. A twinge of regret for losing her own, but she'll be fine.
There's a part of her that wonders if it's someone from the undercity with a specific goal in mind. Maybe that part of her hopes for it. That would mean Vi and Caitlyn were followed, wouldn't it? ]
[Caitlyn makes a quick detour to the cabinet where the keys are stored, pulling out the key to the hunting cabin as well as a key to the front door of the main estate. By the time she's done, Vi's already disappeared, and she hurries to catch up to her by the door. She catches her coat and gloves from Vi, setting the rifle down to pull them both on.]
Not to my knowledge, no. We're far enough from the city that not many people even live out here. [There are a few other noble houses with country estates out here, but she's not aware of any villages or lone forest-dwellers. She's not sure there's even room for anyone to live, so much of the land is owned by wealthy Piltovans.] So who's traveled all the way out here on a night like this to sneak into the hunting cabin?
[A mystery she's eager to get on with solving.
She glancies worriedly at Vi's hands.]
We'll have to buy you some new gloves when we get-- [She catches herself almost saying 'home.' Is the Kiramman manor 'home' to Vi? She blushes at the realization that she would very much like it to be. But that's not up to her, is it?] --back to Piltover.
[In lieu of stewing in her sudden embarassment, she briskly - maybe a little too briskly - opens the door and steps out into the freezing night.]
[The window is open, awaiting Vi's arrival. Caitlyn has neatly laid out a few very basic medical supplies: bandages, a cloth and antiseptic to clean the wound, and a splint, the last of those borrowed from her father's supplies without his knowledge. And Caitlyn is currently leaning out the window, lower lip caught between her teeth as she frowns up and down the street, looking for a telltale glimpse of red hair.]
[ The injury isn't that bad in general, if not fucking annoying. Just the pinky, so she's barely slowed down on her way up. The extra blockades are the most annoying thing of all but as expected she's at the windowsill before the hour grows too late.
Not walking down the damn street though, she's not that bold in the current climate. Instead she manages to sneak up the side of the building from the shadows, pausing to lean against the wall and perk an eyebrow at the sight. ]
Take it easy there, cupcake. You'll get plenty more chances to bite that lip.
How did you-- [Of course Vi was able to sneak up on her. She should have known Vi wouldn't come strolling down the street, which to Caitlyn seems the easiest and most obvious way to reach the mansion.
She pulls back into the room and moves to fetch her supplies.]
[ Only a little too enthused in response to the impatience.
She's parkoured around the undercity with life-threatening injuries, so a sprained pinky doesn't even register in how she vaults up and over the windowsill. She'll even shut the window very gently. ]
[Caitlyn picks up the cloth and antiseptic, carefully and deftly tipping the bottle into the cloth to wet it before turning to Vi.]
This may sting a bit. [Despite the warning, she's exceptionally gentle as she reaches for Vi's injured hand, fingertips feather-light against the other woman's skin.] Did he give you any leads at all for your trouble? [Yes, Caitlyn wants to make certain that Vi is alright and her finger will heal properly. And no, she hasn't forgotten the rather brazen innuendo that she is working up the courage to follow up on. But when there's a mystery afoot it's difficult to prioritize anything other than solving it.]
[ If it stings (it does!) she doesn't show it. Really, this is a pretty light injury. Nothing that should mess up her grip so long as she's not too stupid about it.
The way Cait handles her is like she thinks she'll break the finger just by looking at it, but then Vi's nothing short of a little awkward around that kind of gentleness aimed in her direction. Not like she needs (or deserves) it.
Dealing with a fucked up fingers went a lot differently in prison... ]
I recognized the colors he had on. There was a "gang" [ air quotes, whoops sorry, she can hold still ] that used to hang around a trashed orphanage outside of the Lanes. Half of those punks were barely older than Powder at the time. I don't know if it's even still there, I mean it was barely standing...but seems as good a place as any to check out.
[A futile attempt is made to stop Vi air-quoting with her injured hand, but Caitlyn quickly gives that up in favor of setting down the cloth and retrieving the bandage and splint. With careful, precise movements, not wanting to cause any pain more than necessary, she straightens the finger and arranges the split against it before beginning to wrap the bandage around it.]
We can go down there straight away. [She's swept up in the excitement of a lead!] We can ask some of the locals if they know the whereabouts other gang members, perhaps try to find their leader. If they're using an old orphanage as a base, it'll be even easier, I can take the leader into custody. Not for more than a day, without any evidence of a crime, but enough time to ask a few questions. [Asking the locals about gang activity will get results, right? And walking into a gang hideout with a pair of handcuffs is also a great idea, surely they would respect her authority and come along quietly.] I wonder if it's something they've cooked up or whether they've been hired by someone else. It shouldn't be too difficult to determine where the money's coming from, if that's the case.
[As she finishes bandaging Vi's finger, she reaches up to brush a lock hair out of Vi's face, checking for a bruise or other obvious injury.] Did he hit you anywhere else?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@faceblocker
Living in the city has always been enjoyable. The constant thrum of activity, the people coming from everywhere and going everywhere. But there's a certain peace out here, no one for miles and miles but a few servants, no sounds but the crackling of the fire and the soft rustle of wind outside, dampened by the falling snow.
At Vi's insistence, she barely brought any work with her. But a handful of folders did make the journey with them. She couldn't completely abandon her responsibilities, after all. Even for a few days. She's currently curled up on the sofa, reading through some paperwork on a case, when she glances up through the window, to the hunting cabin set a little ways off. It's visible only because it's up on a hill, and the moon is shining brightly through the gathering clouds.
At first, she thinks the moonlight's playing tricks on her, that it's a shadow cast by a tree blowing in the wind. But no, there's someone walking towards the cabin. Not the groundskeeper - she would recognize the groundskeeper's distinctive hunched walk anywhere. And the kennelmaster has no business being up by the hunting cabin. Especially tonight, with the temperature rapidly dropping and the snow starting to come down faster.
She gestures to grab Vi's attention.]
I think there might be trouble.
no subject
Initially, she had only agreed to appease Caitlyn, but she's caught herself enjoying the sunsets through the window and exploring a few rooms she probably shouldn't. The change has probably been more refreshing for her than it has Caitlyn, and it's been difficult at times not to just race off into the wilderness and see if she can climb the highest tree. Even with the snow and ice occasionally slipping her up, she's up to the challenge. It's only been a thin scattering of snow so far (but that's beautiful enough in the moonlight). Zaun's geography coupled with the humidity and smog meant that Vi had never grown used to trekking over thick snow, and she's eager to master it. She definitely didn't have the clothes for it before the rushed shopping trip had at least left her sporting a thicker jacket and some gloves.
She's already lost the gloves.
Which is fine, because she's forcing herself to stay inside more than she normally might. At least until Caitlyn finishes the paperwork she'd insisted on bringing, she wants to stay nearby. Part of that may have to do with her discomfort whenever she's spotted by one of the sparse servants that putter around the grounds. Without Caitlyn, she feels like a trespasser, and they look at her like one.
It just feels safer, and easier, in Caitlyn's presence, so she doesn't feel too much like complaining. She'd be enjoying the view out of the window right now, if she wasn't too busy quietly opening a drawer nearby to snoop. She's brushing aside some letters when Caitlyn suddenly speaks and causes her to stiffen so quickly that she nearly jumps. ]
I wasn't—
[ Oh, it's something else. The drawer is quickly shoved closed so that she can dart over to the window that Caitlyn's peering out of, propping a knee up on the arm rest of the sofa while she squints through the glass. When her breath just fogs it up, she backs up a touch and rubs at it with her sleeve in irritation. By the time her sight can adjust to the moonlight and the falling snow, there's nothing. ]
Ugh, I can't see. You sure it wasn't some wild animal?
no subject
By the time Vi's finished wiping the fog off the glass, it's clear that whatever - whoever - Caitlyn saw is gone. A moment later, she's on her feet and reaching for the rifle hung over the mantlepiece. It's an older one, but it's kept clean and in good functioning condition.]
Not unless a wild animal has learned to walk upright on two feet.
[She checks the gun over quickly, to make sure it is, indeed, ready for use, then grabs a box of ammunition off the shelf.]
Come on, let's investigate. [She says it as though going out into the freezing cold and snow to see who's poking around an isolated cabin the woods is the clear and obvious course of action. Yes, it's absolutely frigid outside. Yes, the snow is starting to fall faster. But there's something potentially criminal, something potentially dangerous afoot, and Caitlyn's hardly going to allow things like temperature and precipitation to keep her sitting here in front of the fire twiddling her thumbs.]
no subject
She's eager for it, especially since she already knows there's no talking Caitlyn out of it. Vi can understand. This is Caitlyn's space, and someone's invaded it. Maybe she's more restless than she's let on.
Vi's already disappeared down the hall, waiting at the door to toss Caitlyn her coat and gloves. She should find some new gloves to put on herself, but there's not exactly time to waste. A twinge of regret for losing her own, but she'll be fine.
There's a part of her that wonders if it's someone from the undercity with a specific goal in mind. Maybe that part of her hopes for it. That would mean Vi and Caitlyn were followed, wouldn't it? ]
Has this place been robbed before?
no subject
Not to my knowledge, no. We're far enough from the city that not many people even live out here. [There are a few other noble houses with country estates out here, but she's not aware of any villages or lone forest-dwellers. She's not sure there's even room for anyone to live, so much of the land is owned by wealthy Piltovans.] So who's traveled all the way out here on a night like this to sneak into the hunting cabin?
[A mystery she's eager to get on with solving.
She glancies worriedly at Vi's hands.]
We'll have to buy you some new gloves when we get-- [She catches herself almost saying 'home.' Is the Kiramman manor 'home' to Vi? She blushes at the realization that she would very much like it to be. But that's not up to her, is it?] --back to Piltover.
[In lieu of stewing in her sudden embarassment, she briskly - maybe a little too briskly - opens the door and steps out into the freezing night.]
tfln overflow; @faceblocker
no subject
Not walking down the damn street though, she's not that bold in the current climate. Instead she manages to sneak up the side of the building from the shadows, pausing to lean against the wall and perk an eyebrow at the sight. ]
Take it easy there, cupcake. You'll get plenty more chances to bite that lip.
no subject
She pulls back into the room and moves to fetch her supplies.]
Hurry up.
no subject
[ Only a little too enthused in response to the impatience.
She's parkoured around the undercity with life-threatening injuries, so a sprained pinky doesn't even register in how she vaults up and over the windowsill. She'll even shut the window very gently. ]
no subject
This may sting a bit. [Despite the warning, she's exceptionally gentle as she reaches for Vi's injured hand, fingertips feather-light against the other woman's skin.] Did he give you any leads at all for your trouble? [Yes, Caitlyn wants to make certain that Vi is alright and her finger will heal properly. And no, she hasn't forgotten the rather brazen innuendo that she is working up the courage to follow up on. But when there's a mystery afoot it's difficult to prioritize anything other than solving it.]
no subject
The way Cait handles her is like she thinks she'll break the finger just by looking at it, but then Vi's nothing short of a little awkward around that kind of gentleness aimed in her direction. Not like she needs (or deserves) it.
Dealing with a fucked up fingers went a lot differently in prison... ]
I recognized the colors he had on. There was a "gang" [ air quotes, whoops sorry, she can hold still ] that used to hang around a trashed orphanage outside of the Lanes. Half of those punks were barely older than Powder at the time. I don't know if it's even still there, I mean it was barely standing...but seems as good a place as any to check out.
no subject
We can go down there straight away. [She's swept up in the excitement of a lead!] We can ask some of the locals if they know the whereabouts other gang members, perhaps try to find their leader. If they're using an old orphanage as a base, it'll be even easier, I can take the leader into custody. Not for more than a day, without any evidence of a crime, but enough time to ask a few questions. [Asking the locals about gang activity will get results, right? And walking into a gang hideout with a pair of handcuffs is also a great idea, surely they would respect her authority and come along quietly.] I wonder if it's something they've cooked up or whether they've been hired by someone else. It shouldn't be too difficult to determine where the money's coming from, if that's the case.
[As she finishes bandaging Vi's finger, she reaches up to brush a lock hair out of Vi's face, checking for a bruise or other obvious injury.] Did he hit you anywhere else?