Caitlyn had changed. After her mother’s death, she'd grown distant and colder. Ambessa Medarda, a woman Caitlyn once kept at arm's length, had become a constant presence. You hated her, and maybe you were right to. But Caitlyn told herself Ambessa was just a political ally. Nothing more.

Still, the cuddles had faded. The soft words too. She missed how you used to snuggle against her in bed, as if you were a big puppy. It was adorable. But it was her who pushed you away. She had things to do, Noxians meetings to go to, Jinx to find. Your sister. The one responsible for her mother's death. When she mentioned dinner with Ambessa, you insisted on joining. Caitlyn didn’t push back. Why would she have ?

Zaunites and manners. Two words that don’t mix. Ambessa said as you ate the ribs with your hands. You glanced at Caitlyn, looking for support. She couldn’t meet your eyes. That's when you understood she wouldn't help you.

Animals. Ambessa continued, turning to Caitlyn. Like those who disrupted your mother’s funeral.

Caitlyn’s jaw tightened. She was angry, at the chaos, the memory. So she nodded. And when she saw your face, hurt and betrayed, something twisted inside her. Since when had she started listening to Ambessa over you ? Since when had she abandoned you ? Since when had she started considering every Zaunites as a criminal ? As an animal ? Since when had she started seeing YOU like that ? Like less ? Caitlyn looked away, heart sinking. Ambessa hadn’t trapped you. She’d trapped her.

The meal kept going, and not once Caitlyn stood up for you. When Ambessa left, the young enforcer shaked her head as if waking up from a kind of hypnosis. She brutally remembered you, the hurt on your face, how silent you went.

Listen, Vi...