Vander | Hound of the Underground (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cantilevers) wrote2024-12-20 06:57 pm
cantilevers) wrote2024-12-20 06:57 pm
Inbox (Etraya)
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Yes. Of course. [Of course she'll treat Vi as her equal. Respect her, care for her, everything she can to make Vi happy. All she wants is the opportunity to do so, and someone who'll do the same for her.]
I suppose there isn't much more to say, without Vi. Should she make an appearance here, we'll... I'm sure we'll be speaking again on the matter. [She's grateful, at least, that he's open to the idea, that he hasn't dismissed her out of hand or become angry or judged her harshly. She's glad he doesn't care about money or social status. She'd glad Vi has someone, even if long dead, who cares for her well-being and happiness before anything else.] And I'm glad I've had the chance to get to know you. Even if the circumstances are far from ideal.
[She realises she hasn't tried the tea yet, so she fishes out the steep ball and takes a sip.]
I suppose there isn't much more to say, without Vi. Should she make an appearance here, we'll... I'm sure we'll be speaking again on the matter. [She's grateful, at least, that he's open to the idea, that he hasn't dismissed her out of hand or become angry or judged her harshly. She's glad he doesn't care about money or social status. She'd glad Vi has someone, even if long dead, who cares for her well-being and happiness before anything else.] And I'm glad I've had the chance to get to know you. Even if the circumstances are far from ideal.
[She realises she hasn't tried the tea yet, so she fishes out the steep ball and takes a sip.]
She is the master of her own affections and destiny, yes. [He did miss her, more than he could express in words. Since the day Vi had been born, Vander had been attached to her. He had helped raise her from day one, babysat while Felicia and Connol were working the mine shifts.] As long as she's happy wherever she is, that's all that matters to me. She deserves that... life hasn't been easy for her.
[It had obviously been worse in part after he had died. Jail then facing off against the undercity and then whatever other threats had come up. Powder was different, not Jinx, the Lanes was taken over by Chem-barons and Silco. He'd seen what that man had transformed into after all.
He forced the corner of his lip to a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. That's why he closed them as he offered a little shrug.] Well, glad I could help. I expect the road is going to be rather bumpy given who else is here and the complicated agendas. You and Jayce sticking together is the best course for you both in the game of sides.
[It had obviously been worse in part after he had died. Jail then facing off against the undercity and then whatever other threats had come up. Powder was different, not Jinx, the Lanes was taken over by Chem-barons and Silco. He'd seen what that man had transformed into after all.
He forced the corner of his lip to a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. That's why he closed them as he offered a little shrug.] Well, glad I could help. I expect the road is going to be rather bumpy given who else is here and the complicated agendas. You and Jayce sticking together is the best course for you both in the game of sides.
[There's a weight behind all of this that Caitlyn doesn't entirely understand, restrained as Vi had been in sharing her past. She'd told Caitlyn of Powder, the girl Jinx once had been, and something of their life together, but little enough beyond that. From the way Vander speaks, from the sorrow in that smile to the words he says — life hasn't been easy for her — she knows there's more.
And she doesn't want to pry. Vi will, or won't, tell Caitlyn more when she's ready. But there is one thing that's bothering her, something that her too-inquisitive mind keeps catching on, ever since she realised Vander's identity.]
May I ask... Vi told me her parents were killed by enforcers. Was she talking about you?
[She'd understand if he won't tell her. But she feels the need to ask nonetheless.]
And she doesn't want to pry. Vi will, or won't, tell Caitlyn more when she's ready. But there is one thing that's bothering her, something that her too-inquisitive mind keeps catching on, ever since she realised Vander's identity.]
May I ask... Vi told me her parents were killed by enforcers. Was she talking about you?
[She'd understand if he won't tell her. But she feels the need to ask nonetheless.]
[Vander's expression remained cordial but became overly formal. Yet, he made certain to soften his body language otherwise, as if this topic of the conversation didn't particularly bother him. The truth was complicated and full of old regrets, and if he allowed himself to think on the subject - the memory of them dead on the bridge - he knew he would let something slip. He had once built a peace on the foundation of their corpses along with everyone else who had paid the ultimate price.
He flexed his right hand casually, and he made a point of meeting Caitlyn's gaze. He doubted there was time to delve into the complexity of undercity family dynamics on their little adventures.]
No. I adopted her and Powder after they were killed. Two boys whose parents died that day too.
He flexed his right hand casually, and he made a point of meeting Caitlyn's gaze. He doubted there was time to delve into the complexity of undercity family dynamics on their little adventures.]
No. I adopted her and Powder after they were killed. Two boys whose parents died that day too.
[Knowing she's asked something personal, and painful, Caitlyn simply watches, listens, meets his eyes while he speaks. Both parents killed, adopted by someone who loved her only for him to die too, and then years spent in prison... Caitlyn feels an almost physical pain in her chest at everything Vi has been through.
A thought of her own mother steals into her head, but she shuts it away, deep in some storage vault in her mind where she won't need to contend with it.]
She's lucky to have had you.
A thought of her own mother steals into her head, but she shuts it away, deep in some storage vault in her mind where she won't need to contend with it.]
She's lucky to have had you.
[He had always wondered if the Day of Ash had sent any kind of ripple through Piltover, but he supposed that aside from congratulating their fine officers, burying their dead, it had likely passed without much legendary status as it had in the undercity. He supposed putting down a group of unstart trenchers was common enough in Piltover. He'd pulled some fairly ballsy stunts in Piltover before then, all leading to nothing more than a crack down in the Lanes and beyond.
If Vander hadn't taken them across the bridge that day, if it hadn't gotten out of hand, Vi's parents would still be alive. A lot of people would still be alive. He would never consider himself any kind of hero due to the costs, and it was the least he could do to take in some of his children left orphaned because of some of his own actions.
That was the price of leadership. People died. Good people, bad people, just people.]
Well, I've known her and Powder since they were born. They deserved a family, and I did what I could.
If Vander hadn't taken them across the bridge that day, if it hadn't gotten out of hand, Vi's parents would still be alive. A lot of people would still be alive. He would never consider himself any kind of hero due to the costs, and it was the least he could do to take in some of his children left orphaned because of some of his own actions.
That was the price of leadership. People died. Good people, bad people, just people.]
Well, I've known her and Powder since they were born. They deserved a family, and I did what I could.
Don't like here either. Lacks style, lacks everything. Eery, like they're watching us through the walls. Hope they don't like monkeys.
(but he gets an invitation, a gentle pat to the bed next to her, and a crayon that she picks right after to give him. it's easier to talk if she can focus on something else.)
(but he gets an invitation, a gentle pat to the bed next to her, and a crayon that she picks right after to give him. it's easier to talk if she can focus on something else.)
[In the city of iron and glass, white was not a colour that was easily found. Everything had a film of grime or grit on it. This amount of constant white was an eyesore, and even now, he wasn't used to it despite having lived in the apartments since leaving the Kiramman mansion.
He slowly made his way over to the bed at her offer, awkwardly sitting on the edge of it like it might buckle under his weight. His bed was considerably larger, actually able to accommodate his height and width. That was a rare thing.]
It's hard to tell what they like and don't like. The fact there's not currency, no obvious crime, nothing to do but wait and fill the time... [He trailed off, taking the crayon that she offered and turning it over in his hands. How many time had he lay on the floor with her just scribbling and telling her silly stories with made up voices?] It's uncomfortable.
He slowly made his way over to the bed at her offer, awkwardly sitting on the edge of it like it might buckle under his weight. His bed was considerably larger, actually able to accommodate his height and width. That was a rare thing.]
It's hard to tell what they like and don't like. The fact there's not currency, no obvious crime, nothing to do but wait and fill the time... [He trailed off, taking the crayon that she offered and turning it over in his hands. How many time had he lay on the floor with her just scribbling and telling her silly stories with made up voices?] It's uncomfortable.
(it's the tidiness that does it for her. nothing that she was ever around was this clean, this lackluster, missing the brightness of neon blue and pink that decorate all the spaces where she can be found. it's easily irritating, and it pushes her need to fill the space to the point that, very soon, the ceiling might too be drawn on.
once he sits, she can feel the bed sink with his weight - if anything, it's entertaining, and if he breaks her bed, at least she can say it's got some personality to it now.)
... Yeah. And there's a lot of people, and I don't know what to do with that-- and the freaking robots. They're weird, too.
once he sits, she can feel the bed sink with his weight - if anything, it's entertaining, and if he breaks her bed, at least she can say it's got some personality to it now.)
... Yeah. And there's a lot of people, and I don't know what to do with that-- and the freaking robots. They're weird, too.
[When she'd first met Vander, he had spoken of his children being killed. Knowing that Vi and Jinx are alive, she assumes he must have been referring to the two boys, unless there were others. Vi's never mentioned adopted brothers killed years ago, and all of this only raises more questions that Caitlyn is burning to know the answers to, but she still won't pry.
Instead of asking anything further, she sets the tea down so that she can move towards Vander, drop to her knees next to him on the floor, and wrap him in a tight, brief hug.]
Instead of asking anything further, she sets the tea down so that she can move towards Vander, drop to her knees next to him on the floor, and wrap him in a tight, brief hug.]
[The robots, yes. Vander had never been exposed to robots. Yes, they had machines, but he couldn't say that any of them were sentient or even able to speak. Speakers were as close as they could come to that, and in such a case, it required a human voice on the other side. He was curious but wary of them, but he was also confident that he could break them if they became aggressive.]
Have you taken one of the robots apart yet?
[He turned his other hand over and scrubbed the tip of the crayon across his nail.]
People I can handle just fine. [People allowed him to throw himself into a sense of normal again, to build connections, alliances, friendships all the while hiding how deeply pained he was with his previous life burning down around him. He needed a sense of normal to hold things together.]
Have you taken one of the robots apart yet?
[He turned his other hand over and scrubbed the tip of the crayon across his nail.]
People I can handle just fine. [People allowed him to throw himself into a sense of normal again, to build connections, alliances, friendships all the while hiding how deeply pained he was with his previous life burning down around him. He needed a sense of normal to hold things together.]
[The death of his boys was still extremely fresh, but he pushed down the grief until he was alone. That kind of vulnerability was not meant for the public eye, and he did have plenty of time on his hands it seemed. He would eventually fill the time, but for now, it was a welcomed distraction to talk about Violet and the trials and tribulations of a cross-city relationship.
He knew that Caitlyn had questions, and he appreciated that she was restrained enough to not pepper him with particular sore subjects. The Day of Ash remained a point that upended everything.
He watched her set the tea aside and move, expecting that she had completed the reason she was here and would be off. He stilled when she came to the floor next to him, watching her and offering a soft 'oof' at her hug, though there was no way she could wrap even those long arms around his shoulders.]
...thank you? To what do I owe the affection?
He knew that Caitlyn had questions, and he appreciated that she was restrained enough to not pepper him with particular sore subjects. The Day of Ash remained a point that upended everything.
He watched her set the tea aside and move, expecting that she had completed the reason she was here and would be off. He stilled when she came to the floor next to him, watching her and offering a soft 'oof' at her hug, though there was no way she could wrap even those long arms around his shoulders.]
...thank you? To what do I owe the affection?
[She pulls out of the hug a little awkwardly, her eyes glancing away and then back at him as she tries to think of how to answer that question.]
I...
[She hadn't known what to say, really. I'm sorry your sons were killed and you were also killed seems insufficient, the sort of formula one is meant to follow that lends a veneer of insincerity no matter how sincerely one might mean it.
I'm sorry your family lost so much, and I'm sorry you didn't get to watch your daughter grow up into the brilliant woman she's become, and I'm sorry she's lost so much too seems like too much, or not enough, an over-expression of emotions that still somehow fails to capture how deeply sorrowful Caitlyn is about all of this.
Apparently I've lost a family member too, and if I allow myself to think about it for even a moment, I fear the tenuous grip I have on my emotions may shatter, and I don't know if you feel the same but I can't imagine you feel much differently is too vulnerable, though no less honest.
A hug can say all of those things more easily, and more honestly, and more sincerely, than the words.]
I thought... You might like one. A hug.
I...
[She hadn't known what to say, really. I'm sorry your sons were killed and you were also killed seems insufficient, the sort of formula one is meant to follow that lends a veneer of insincerity no matter how sincerely one might mean it.
I'm sorry your family lost so much, and I'm sorry you didn't get to watch your daughter grow up into the brilliant woman she's become, and I'm sorry she's lost so much too seems like too much, or not enough, an over-expression of emotions that still somehow fails to capture how deeply sorrowful Caitlyn is about all of this.
Apparently I've lost a family member too, and if I allow myself to think about it for even a moment, I fear the tenuous grip I have on my emotions may shatter, and I don't know if you feel the same but I can't imagine you feel much differently is too vulnerable, though no less honest.
A hug can say all of those things more easily, and more honestly, and more sincerely, than the words.]
I thought... You might like one. A hug.
[Vander watched, and the substance of her message came through in her body language. Sometimes words cluttered up the space between two people, and he wondered where this empathy had come from in her. They had only just met recently, but it didn't particularly surprise him that Caitlyn would offer a comfort that was considered weakness in the undercity between strangers.
He reached out and set a hand on her shoulder, providing a little squeeze of support. She had gone out of her way to keep him safe when there was no reason for her to until she had realized he was Vi's father.]
Thanks, Caitlyn. I probably needed one.
[His arm slid around her shoulders to pull her back in for another smaller hug.] You're a good person. Got a good heart.
He reached out and set a hand on her shoulder, providing a little squeeze of support. She had gone out of her way to keep him safe when there was no reason for her to until she had realized he was Vi's father.]
Thanks, Caitlyn. I probably needed one.
[His arm slid around her shoulders to pull her back in for another smaller hug.] You're a good person. Got a good heart.
[As soon as he pulls her into another hug, she flings her arms around his neck as though he were her own father. She doesn't hold on for long, but she does hold on tightly.
When she pulls away again, she ducks her head for a split second to make absolutely certain that her expression is under control and there's nothing too vulnerable in her eyes or on her face and that she isn't about to start crying over how terrible so much of this is.]
I should get going. If there's nothing else.
[She picks up the tea and walks towards the kitchen counter to set it down.]
Thank you for the tea.
When she pulls away again, she ducks her head for a split second to make absolutely certain that her expression is under control and there's nothing too vulnerable in her eyes or on her face and that she isn't about to start crying over how terrible so much of this is.]
I should get going. If there's nothing else.
[She picks up the tea and walks towards the kitchen counter to set it down.]
Thank you for the tea.
[Vander found a small smile when Caitlyn's arms locked around his neck, and he held her a little more tightly in response. It didn't last long, and he found it enough to chase away the lingering pain that threatened to be overwhelming until he could be alone again. He could see why Vi would probably like Caitlyn; someday he did hope to see them together and understand their dynamic better.
He nodded to her indications to leave. He hesitated for a moment before plunging back in as she went to the kitchen, waiting for her to emerge again.]
If what they said at the meeting was true about the future, know that I'll do what I can to support you. That kind of lose digs deep, so... if you ever want to talk, you now know where I'm staying.
[She was the only one to know where he was living at present.]
He nodded to her indications to leave. He hesitated for a moment before plunging back in as she went to the kitchen, waiting for her to emerge again.]
If what they said at the meeting was true about the future, know that I'll do what I can to support you. That kind of lose digs deep, so... if you ever want to talk, you now know where I'm staying.
[She was the only one to know where he was living at present.]
[There's a tremble in her lower lip that she can't quite suppress and a heat in her eyes that threatens to spill over into tears but she can't—
For a long moment, she stares down at the mug. And then she takes a breath, swipes beneath one eye to catch a stray drop of moisture in a gesture she hopes is subtle enough not to notice, and forces her mind back to Vi. This whole meeting was meant to be about Vi, and here she is, thinking about— about things she doesn't want to dwell on. There may be trials in the future she shares with Vi, if Jinx is to be believed, but Vi will live, and whatever trials they have to endure, Caitlyn is confident they'll get through them. She thinks of the glint in Vi's eyes, her crooked smile, the notch in her brow, her strong yet gentle arms, her freckles and her tattoos and the sweep of her hair, and she takes another breath, and turns back to Vander.]
I do.
[She's grateful for the offer, but that sort of talk has never come easily to her.]
And you're welcome in my home, of course. If you want to come by.
[For now, she decides to take her leave.]
For a long moment, she stares down at the mug. And then she takes a breath, swipes beneath one eye to catch a stray drop of moisture in a gesture she hopes is subtle enough not to notice, and forces her mind back to Vi. This whole meeting was meant to be about Vi, and here she is, thinking about— about things she doesn't want to dwell on. There may be trials in the future she shares with Vi, if Jinx is to be believed, but Vi will live, and whatever trials they have to endure, Caitlyn is confident they'll get through them. She thinks of the glint in Vi's eyes, her crooked smile, the notch in her brow, her strong yet gentle arms, her freckles and her tattoos and the sweep of her hair, and she takes another breath, and turns back to Vander.]
I do.
[She's grateful for the offer, but that sort of talk has never come easily to her.]
And you're welcome in my home, of course. If you want to come by.
[For now, she decides to take her leave.]
... No, not yet. I don't want MiSs AuRoRa to fail us on our school assignment of saving the damn world. I'm waiting until some idiot doesn't think of that and does it so I can look at what is left behind.
(this might be the thing she has taken the most serious in her entire life, it's this place. it exacerbates her fear of failure, surely, brings out some horrible memories and self-doubt, but she is trying. most of everything.)
(this might be the thing she has taken the most serious in her entire life, it's this place. it exacerbates her fear of failure, surely, brings out some horrible memories and self-doubt, but she is trying. most of everything.)
Ah, so you're all in on the world-saving aspect of this still. I'm not certain everyone is, but I do want to believe everyone can be brought around. [He continued to scribble on his fingernail, scuffing it up with colour.] I'll so whatever is necessary.
[He gently moved out an elbow, nudging her in the side. Sometimes he thought she spent a bit too much time in her head.]
I'll let you know if I come across a broken down robot, save it for you.
[He gently moved out an elbow, nudging her in the side. Sometimes he thought she spent a bit too much time in her head.]
I'll let you know if I come across a broken down robot, save it for you.
You can say you don't think Silco's gonna do it, like you know everyone else anyway.
(all so stupidly "good" — there is no way golden boy and dictator for the cause would let runeterra crumble, and well. if jinx's on board, the zaunites might be too. she just has to play her cards right.)
Like we got any choice, anyway. If it were a few weeks ago, I'd say let it all burn, bite it off, explode it into a billion tiny minuscule itsy-bitsy pieces of little nothings, but I guess I can't do that anymore.
(not when isha is a part of it. she couldn't not fight for her, it'd be suffocating; yet he is right that she spends too long in her own thoughts, her own paranoia and her own doubts. the nudge snaps her out, a groan only because it's age appropriate when your dad is being nice.)
Just follow a nerd. You met any yet?
(all so stupidly "good" — there is no way golden boy and dictator for the cause would let runeterra crumble, and well. if jinx's on board, the zaunites might be too. she just has to play her cards right.)
Like we got any choice, anyway. If it were a few weeks ago, I'd say let it all burn, bite it off, explode it into a billion tiny minuscule itsy-bitsy pieces of little nothings, but I guess I can't do that anymore.
(not when isha is a part of it. she couldn't not fight for her, it'd be suffocating; yet he is right that she spends too long in her own thoughts, her own paranoia and her own doubts. the nudge snaps her out, a groan only because it's age appropriate when your dad is being nice.)
Just follow a nerd. You met any yet?
I know Silco won't do it.
[There was no thinking about it. He knew. At least at the present time, what he had seen at the big group meeting had shown him that the other man had no intention of playing along with the apparent reason that they had been brought here. After all, Silco had Jinx here and the man was dead, so he had nothing to lose by playing along.
Vander suspected the other man might be forced on board if Jinx demanded it; he'd seen the way that Silco acted towards the bluenette at that meeting.]
No, I suppose you can't. Being responsible for another person means we no longer get to think just for ourselves anymore.
[Usually. Some parents or even friends had that instinct. It was fine. It took all types.]
Jayce is a nerd.
[There was no thinking about it. He knew. At least at the present time, what he had seen at the big group meeting had shown him that the other man had no intention of playing along with the apparent reason that they had been brought here. After all, Silco had Jinx here and the man was dead, so he had nothing to lose by playing along.
Vander suspected the other man might be forced on board if Jinx demanded it; he'd seen the way that Silco acted towards the bluenette at that meeting.]
No, I suppose you can't. Being responsible for another person means we no longer get to think just for ourselves anymore.
[Usually. Some parents or even friends had that instinct. It was fine. It took all types.]
Jayce is a nerd.
He will, Vander. He wouldn't lie to me again.
(what was the first time? he's not telling him. there's that realization that whatever she gives either will be used against each other, against her, is she thinking this too much? thinking this too little? a growl punctuates the thought, because she doesn't want to voice it. instead, the wall is a much better focus for her brain, and that's where she goes.
it definitely makes it all harder.)
I don't like him. What part of 'give me Jinx's head' did you miss?
(what was the first time? he's not telling him. there's that realization that whatever she gives either will be used against each other, against her, is she thinking this too much? thinking this too little? a growl punctuates the thought, because she doesn't want to voice it. instead, the wall is a much better focus for her brain, and that's where she goes.
it definitely makes it all harder.)
I don't like him. What part of 'give me Jinx's head' did you miss?
Alright. If you can convince him of the value of it.
[There was a story there about the lying, but Vander wisely filed the information away to inquire about at a later date. It seemed to be a sore spot for her, and he could understand that given how close the two had appeared to be with each other during the meeting.
He reached out to stroke a hand over her shoulder meant to be comforting and encouraging.]
That's valid. However, if we can't find a path together despite those kinds of demands, this is never going to work. Besides, do you know how many people have said that to me over the years? [He scratched his beard, appearing sheepish.] Of course, I did punch them or someone they were close to unconscious so... [Or worse. So, so much worse. Death was a final solution.]
[There was a story there about the lying, but Vander wisely filed the information away to inquire about at a later date. It seemed to be a sore spot for her, and he could understand that given how close the two had appeared to be with each other during the meeting.
He reached out to stroke a hand over her shoulder meant to be comforting and encouraging.]
That's valid. However, if we can't find a path together despite those kinds of demands, this is never going to work. Besides, do you know how many people have said that to me over the years? [He scratched his beard, appearing sheepish.] Of course, I did punch them or someone they were close to unconscious so... [Or worse. So, so much worse. Death was a final solution.]
[Immediately following on from this.]
Has she told you what she's done?
[She sounds calmer than she came across earlier, but there's a hardness beneath the calm.]
Has she told you what she's done?
[She sounds calmer than she came across earlier, but there's a hardness beneath the calm.]
[He sighed heavily.]
What I heard was at our worldly gathering. She and I have spoken briefly.
What I heard was at our worldly gathering. She and I have spoken briefly.
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