Chapter Text
"You know, it was easier to keep track of this when you just snuck Violet in. At least then I didn't have to worry about what to ask the cook to make for breakfast the day after".
Her mother says, lounging in Cait's plush armchair, a touch of amusement clear in her voice.
Caitlyn freezes, one foot still in mid-air, over the banister.
“Mother!”.
“Please get inside, both of you, before someone sees you half-hanging out the window and gets the wrong idea”.
Cait slowly clambers in, the other girl not far behind.
“We all have an early morning tomorrow. Please escort your guest out. And, Caitlyn? Do it properly, from the main door”.
Caitlyn's date looks mortified. Even in the dark, her blush is still noticeable.
“Councillor, I am so sorry”.
“My daughter's lack of manners and foresight is no fault of yours, miss. I have arranged transport for you, should you live too far to get home on foot. They wait for you at the next intersection, due east. I wish you a pleasant night. Caitlyn, you have fifteen minutes to say bye”.
With that, Cassandra deems the conversation to be over, goes back to sipping her tea. The message to Cait is clear: “Go now, before I decide to completely obliterate your ego in front of an audience”.
This walk of shame is one of the worst things that ever happened to her. She's angry at her mother, angry at herself and still angry at Vi too. That mule-headed idiot!
To make matters worse, her conquest is still trying to save the night, adding to Cait's irritation.
At the gate to Kiramman mansion, she looks at her expectantly.
“When can I see you again?”. She asks, taking one of Cait's hands in her own.
Not for the first time, Caitlyn notices just how wrong the grip feels. The hands touching her are always too small, too cold, too smooth. She grits her teeth.
“I'll reach out to you. Get home safe”.
The other leans in for a kiss, but all Cait gives her is a stiff hug instead.
As she gets back in, she can feel the beginnings of a headache brewing. Fantastic.
To add insult to injury, Cassandra has been waiting for her in the foyer.
“My office”. Is all she says.
Cait has half a mind to ignore her and just make a run for her bedroom.
But that would only make things worse. And she doesn't want to give her mother the satisfaction.
She braces for the umpteenth lecture, hoping it will be a brief one.
“This is going to be the first and only time you will get this warning. This has been going on for entirely too long. Embarrass yourself like this again, and you will be permanently moving residence to the enforcer barracks, even after your training is done. Have I made myself clear?”.
“Embarrass myself? And here I thought you cared only about the family's reputation”.
“I care about your reputation as well. Bring however many girls you want, but do it properly. I shouldn't have had to find out you were sneaking out of the barracks from Grayson. Especially if you have been breaking curfew to come here with whoever it is you have charmed on that particular day! The sheriff can't show favoritism, even for us. Keep going with this attitude and she will be forced to discharge you!”.
“If you knew, why wait for me and humiliate me in front of my… in front of her?”. She wants to say “girlfriend” or at least “date” but can't bring herself to.
“Caitlyn, you are allowed to have girls over as long as you are granted leave. There is no need for you to come in through the window like a thief. It's my job to fret, but you're more than old enough to have a paramour or two”.
“As if you wouldn't scrutinise them all to hell and back”.
“Did I scrutinise Vi?”.
“Can we please not bring her up? This has nothing to do with her!”.
“Is that why all those girls look either like a Piltovan carbon copy of her or look decidedly nothing like her?” Cassandra asks “You're miserable, she's miserable too, according to Vander. Please go talk to her. I'm sure this can be sorted out” she adds on, her tone softer.
“Like you sorted things out with Grayson?!”.
As soon as those words leave her mouth, Cait regrets speaking them into existence. She knows the situation between her parents and the sheriff is complicated. Objectively, much more complicated than her current… Disagreement with Violet.
Cassandra steps back, almost as if she'd been struck, looks away for a moment before schooling in her features. Her face is a mask of stern coolness.
“Mum I-”.
“It's late, go to bed. We can settle this at a later date”.
The next morning, Caitlyn wakes up to a message on her nightstand and an empty house.
“To cadet C. Kiramman.
I will be waiting for you in my office at 08:00 sharp to discuss disciplinary action. Do not be late.
Sheriff Grayson”.
Well, shit.