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Caitlyn knew she couldn't bring her back to Stillwater.
Despite all the things that told her this was a bad idea, it just had to be done.
Vi had gone with her to the wreckage, found and saved her mother seconds before it would have been too late. Sure, Vi had broken her collarbone and was lucky not to have broken any part of her shoulder from catching that rubble with the gauntlets, but that just made her love her more.
Her mother would make a full recovery, she was already commanding the rebuilding efforts from her bed in the manor.
Caitlyn went upstairs with Violet’s first meal in her new home.
She opened the door, just to get a half filled chamber pot thrown at her, smearing itself all over her front.
She simply closed the door, locked it, and turned around, dumping Violet’s soup into the chamber pot, which she had caught before it hit the floor.
She handed it off to a maid and stepped into the gilded shower, leaving her clothes on the floor.
Love was supposed to be magical.
Her mother had done the same with her father once upon a time, taking a noble boy from Ionia back to Piltover when she was her age. It had worked out with them, her dad confessing that Cassandra taking him was what made him finally admit to himself that he loved her.
She was just recreating that magic.
Violet would be enchanted by it eventually, but for now, she’d be introduced to her new world of finery and reliable flush toilets gradually.
Caitlyn changed into a pajama set and slipped into bed. She'd left Violet with a few snacks when she had her brought into the isolated tower suite, so she would be fine for the night. Zaun girls made due all the time, she'd just bring her an extra portion tomorrow.
Caitlyn got up early the next morning, getting dressed and immediately going up to feed Violet. She had to be hungry.
This time, Violet was still asleep, and didn't wake up as Caitlyn left a fresh chamber pot by the door, along with a jug of water, soup, and a bowl, rag, and bar of soap to wash up with. The soap smelled like hers of course. Her mother always told her that the important part was that they were always thinking of her.
___
Vi listened for Caitlyn to walk downstairs before getting up. “Bat crazy piltie brat.” She muttered, getting up and seeing what had been left for her.
“Yay, new shit bucket.” She sassed, putting it as far away from her bed as possible, against the locked door that, despite her efforts to kick down, she still hadn't managed to open. Same with the main door, though that one was made of hollow metal. She doubted her ability to escape whatever this place was. The only window was two long, narrow panes that were stuck open to let in a breeze. She washed her hands, then ate while the soup was still warm, and drank the water too. She didn't have to fight anyone over it anymore, but she still refused to have any more food taken from her.
Even if the stuff they gave her made her sick, both the half molded stuff in Stillwater and the heavy, rich stuff that made her stomach turn. She had to fight to keep every morsel down.
Vi vomited, all that horribly heavy food coming back up.
She heard someone run back up the stairs, her captor opening the door and crouching down next to her.
“Oh, sweet Violet, catch something from that disgusting place? I know, I'm gutting it from the inside out, my mother signed off on it.” Caitlyn rubbed her back, ignoring Vi’s attempts at getting away from her. “I know, I know, get it all out. There you go. I'm going to get you all cleaned up once that tummy clears.”
Vi tried to sit up, but Caitlyn stopped her. “Let me go run you a bath, let it all out.”
___
Caitlyn unlocked the bathroom door, walking over to the shallow tub. She filled it with warm water, drizzling in a little liquid soap for bubbles. She came back to see Violet drowsy, whatever stomach illness she had taking all the fight out of her.
“Now you can sit up.” She whispered, slinging Violet’s good arm over her shoulder. “There we go.” Violet stumbled alongside her into the bathroom.
Caitlyn had already taken her leather vest to be cleaned and repaired, but the rest of her clothes were a complete loss. Her leather boots were ripped through and full of holes, and the rest of her clothes was a prison outfit. Caitlyn counted herself lucky that she thought to bring some shears. She sat Violet on the toilet, and took them out of her belt.
Violet shrunk away, chest heaving as she tried to gather up her strength.
“Shhh, let me help, these rags are almost melted to the skin.” She cut down the center, then the shoulders, leaving Vi just in a disgusting fabric wrapping around her chest. She cut through those too, Vi hissing in pain as the strips were pulled away from irritated skin.
“I'm going to have to cut through your pants too.” Caitlyn informed her apologetically.
Violet huffed, but gave into Caitlyn’s nursing.
Caitlyn finished stripping her. “I'll examine you for any issues while I help wash you. Father should be in later this evening to check on anything I find, along with your knife wound and the broken bones. I'm going to be quick, I know you are very uncomfortable with touch right now.”
“Stop.” Violet whispered, her words slightly slurred.
“I have no idea what lies under all that dirt. A skin infection could kill you in this state.” Caitlyn informed her, moving her into the bath with a bit of a struggle.
She tried to be fast, knowing Violet would only be limp for so long before she tried again. Her limbs jerked a few times, but Caitlyn easily dodged them, getting soaking wet in the process. She combed through her hair, surprised not to see lice, fleas, or ticks.
She helped her out of the bath, drying her and getting her into bed with a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I'm going to replace those wire loops with gold and diamonds, just as soon as you behave.” She said, cautiously tracing a finger down Violet's crooked nose.
Tobias knocked. Caitlyn reluctantly got up and opened the door for him.
Tobias smiled at Violet. “Good, you got her cleaned up. I'll check her for bugs. I have some cream for her skin and a couple nightgowns.” He shut the door behind him, dropping his doctor’s bag he had for home visits. “Head first, then I will pull back the blanket as I need to.”
He combed through her hair, humming softly. “Looks good.” He washed his hands, then picked up a flashlight and a tongue depressor. “Let me see those teeth.” He hummed as he looked. “She definitely needs a dental appointment. Missing two teeth on the bottom, a molar on both sides. There's a few cracked ones and at least two visible cavities and what remains of an abscess that somehow cleared up on its own. Other than that, no swelling or irritation.” He poured her a glass of water. “Drink that for me.”
Violet glared at the cup like it would eat her, but gulped it down.
“Looks ok. Could you sit up? I need to listen to your heart and lungs real quick.”
Violet hugged the blanket against her chest as she followed his instructions.
“A little bit of congestion from the smog, but that's expected. Heart is strong.” He took a breath.
He pointed to her lower body. “Can I look real quick? I won't touch, just pull up the blanket to check for anything we missed.”
Violet squeezed her eyes shut. “Fine.”
Tobias was good on his word, carefully pulling the blanket back. “Oh. Caitlyn, did you notice this?” He pointed to patches of irritated skin along Violet’s thighs and crotch.
“No, I thought it was just from peeling off her clothes.”
“Does it hurt when you pee?”
“What? No!” Violet looked confused.
“How about your monthly bleeding, is it consistent? Does anything other than blood come out of it?”
Violet shook her head.
“Good, ok. Everything looks ok, some irritation that's basically all over your body from being covered in dirt for so long, and it's worse where the fabric rubbed. Regular baths and time should help, tell Cait if it doesn't. Your shoulder looks ok, and so do your stitches. I'm going to disinfect your knife wound again, and you are going to stay in bed for the rest of the day, just like last time.” He wet a piece of cotton batting with alcohol, Violet's nose wrinkling adorably at the smell.
—
Vi hissed as Tobias first wiped the area down with a wet cloth with water before quickly putting the alcohol soaked cotton on top of it.
Vi screamed, her vision going black.
She woke up to a horrible lemon smell, Tobias holding a container of salt under her nose.
“Good, we got you back.” Tobias squeezed her hands. “You passed out for about thirty seconds. I got everything cleaned up before getting you awake.”
“What is that smell?”
“It's smelling salts, Violet. Helps in waking someone from a faint.” Caitlyn fussed with Vi's blanket, checking her temperature with the back of her hand.
“Alright, let's secure that arm. Caitlyn?”
Vi leaned away from Caitlyn as she sat on the floor, running her fingers through Vi’s choppy pink hair.
Tobias bound Vi’s injured arm to her chest with a sling, sparing her shoulder the weight.
“I will come up here every day to help you, I promise.” Caitlyn muttered, putting on a soft smile that Vi immediately hated.
Vi decided that it has to be insincere, though Caitlyn's actions said otherwise.
Vi pulled at the sling, trying to get it off. Tobias frowned and stopped her.
“You shouldn't do that, you'll hurt yourself more. Here. Stay still, I don't want to hold you down with a bad shoulder.”
Vi tried one more time to sit up before giving in. The pain of her newly clean wound was begging her to rest, and she let Tobias empty a dropper of bitter liquid into the back of her throat.
Thankfully, they left after Vi gave in, leaving her in the dark for the night.
___
Caitlyn and Tobias crept upstairs the following morning to give Violet her medicine, Caitlyn’s sweet charge falling asleep with her mouth open.
It made it easier for Tobias to get the dropper into the back of her throat, it was just unfortunate that Violet choked on the top of it as Tobias took it out of her mouth.
Violet’s eyes sprung open. “You drugged me!” she yelled.
“It was the second dose of the medicine you got before, nothing new.” Caitlyn soothed.
“You still made me sleep!” Violet shot back.
“No, you were just tired. There's no sedatives or sleep aids in here, just medicine to keep infection away. You were already half asleep anyway, the bath and your stomach upset robbed you of most of your energy. This should help you feel better. I'm putting you on a broth diet for the next day or so, and we will see how your body copes. If it doesn't get better, I'll have to give you something to settle your stomach.”
“What would you give me?” Violet appeared to be trying to act tough, but her eyes betrayed her worry.
“Supplements to prevent infections, and encourage appetite. Nothing too harsh, just some encouragement. Can I feel your belly?”
Violet tilted her head, confused. “Why?”
“To feel for masses and blockages, and any clotting issues from your wound.”
“I thought you said that it didn't hit any organs.”
“It didn't, but there is a risk of blood clotting inside your abdominal cavity.”
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” Tobias pressed firmly down on her stomach, a faint rush of nausea welling up at the edge of Vi’s senses. “Feels good. Eat up, then get some rest.” They left, having to leave for work.
____
Around noon, Cassandra stepped in with a second tray, setting it down on the nightstand on top of the first one, Vi having choked down the food it contained after Tobias and Caitlyn left.
“Caitlyn always had a flair for the dramatic, shoving you in the tower suite instead of the family wing. Let me see what we are working with.” She cupped Vi’s cheek, scratching at the faded face tattoo and examining her earrings. “They don't look that bad, for a hack job. Let me see, are they even?” She brushed Vi's hair away from her head. “The hair will have to grow back out into a proper pixie cut, but that will require a barber. Though your other piercings look fine. I’ll be swapping them out for something of quality.” She pulled a velvet pouch out of her breast pocket. “I picked simple things, try not to lose them.” She bent open the old wire loops in Vi's ears and nose, throwing them away and slipping simple, small gold hoops through each piercing. “There. I'm sure there's some pretty pieces I could scrounge up for that nose, but it will have to stretch to a standard size first. Anyway, that's all I'm here for.”
“Wait, why would you let her do this?” Vi asked, hissing in pain from her stomach and shoulder as she sat up and tried to reach for the older woman.
“She's head over heels. Anyway, you seem to be a girl that's able to count her blessings well enough. She'll keep you wanting for nothing for the rest of your life, pay for your sister's housing in a facility with a less grisly reputation.”
“They want to throw her in Stillwater?”
Cassandra sighed. “Only the short sighted ones. Anyone who slowed down and thought about it for more than a minute can see that the poor girl is horribly ill. We do have a place in the countryside that I donate to regularly. An institution for those who have severed themselves from reality. A life sentence, but one of a quiet, drugged mind and round the clock care. You could even visit.”
“I- fine. But I get to see her. If you manage to take her alive. I will play along with… whatever this is, and-”
“You will not play along with anything. You will be grateful and build a life here. Pick up a hobby other than destroying your hands and getting your nose smashed in. I have your lunch, and I think I will help you this time.” She scooped up the first spoonful of soup. “Open.”
Vi obeyed, not wanting to test Cassandra’s severe tone. The soup was much thinner than the day before, bland, but filling.
“Good.” Cassandra carefully fed her the rest of the bowl, and refilled her water jug. “Make sure to drink water. You need it.”
Vi nodded, Cassandra leaving her to stare at a wall until either Caitlyn or Tobias got back.
A maid was the next person she saw. “Mr. Tobias is stuck in surgery, and Ms. Caitlyn is down with a migraine. I'm Felicia, I have some books and dinner. I was also given permission to stay, if you'd like some company, or to read them to you if you’d rather listen. I could also see about getting you a record player, if you'd prefer that.”
“Hand them over.” Vi gruffed, having no patience for pleasantries.
“Alright, Caitlyn had me take the bigger print books, so they're a bit heavy. Tobias collects them, since his eyes get tired after work. There's a couple classics here, you can pick one out and I will put the rest away… oh. Caitlyn must have had the shelves ripped out. No matter, they should be fine on the nightstand, I'll just take these trays. Need anything else? Blankets, pillows?”
“No. Can I just read alone?”
“Of course. This must be quite the change for you. My name is Felicia.”
“That was my mom's name.” Vi said, gaining a little more interest in the maid.
“I assume she's in Janna’s embrace?”
“Yes, she and Da were miners. Death caught up to them, and I guess I’m all that's left beside my sister.”
Felicia nodded. “I'm an orphan too. My folks passed when I was an early teen. I work to keep my mind off them. They were my whole world, but luckily, this job means I’m not entirely alone. Met all my friends through this place. Hope you can become one of them. I’m sorry you're stuck here.”
“I'm sorry you're stuck working in this gilded dump.”
“Maybe not forever. There's always death after a long life. I take comfort in that.” She had pulled out a flask as soon as Vi accepted her offer.
Vi reached for it. “Could I have-”
“Just a little bit, I only have a couple sips left.”
Vi drank, the diluted bitter taste a small comfort. “You cut this shit with water?” She asked.
“Yeah, it makes it easier to wash out the smell. And keeps me from getting too tipsy, especially with all the stairs.”
“Well shit, that makes too much sense, you know. Gotta work to eat and all.” Vi muttered.
“And to drink.” Felicia smiled. “You’d best brush your teeth before you forget. The Kirammans likely want you sober.”
“You're right, you should head back now. Nice to talk to someone who's not crazy.”
“I wish I could do something, but Caitlyn made it clear that if all this doesn't pan out, she will send you back to Stillwater. Personally, I say she's too chicken to actually do it. She's been pining for you since she first brought you home. But, I wouldn't push my luck.”
Vi frowned. “What?” Vi stood up, towering over the maid. “She actually said that? That she would send me back to that torture chamber they call a prison if I don't measure up to that mythical woman in her head?”
“Violet, please. I know what I told you was scary, but you are still healing from a stab wound and broken bones, I'm concerned that you might hurt yourself. I’ll leave now, let you cool off. I’ll try to check on you in a couple of days when I can. I’m sorry for upsetting you.” Felicia got up, keeping Vi in her sights as she opened the door and locked it before heading back downstairs.
Vi swore, and brushed her teeth, getting back to bed. She lost her only tentative ally in this place before she could even confirm that she could trust her.
At least Felicia left the books.
They were still stacked on her nightstand, a healthy range of titles, all expensive looking with painted hardcovers and ribbon bookmarks.
VI was honestly afraid to touch them, their condition so pristine, definitely flipped through but still possessing no scuffs, stains or yellowing. They smelled dry and clean, kept from mildew and dust and the grime that covered everything in Zaun.
She decided to wash her hands before bringing up the courage to open one, to be guaranteed a whole book with no missing pages made into blunts or cigarettes or insect damage cutting channels through the spine and margins. They were all in the condition it was meant to be read in. She dried her hands and picked up a classic - a collection of Janna’s rites, the main holy book that was all myths and morals. It was a small, plain book, as all of Janna's tales are mandated to be, but it was much more finely made then one in the tiny temple a few doors down from the Last Drop. The priests always offered to walk the brothel workers who were lucky enough to live outside their work home as an act of service. Some even paid for repairs on the vent systems.
Something about the souls of miners that died in the collapses and workers that died building the pipes of the ventilation system being trapped inside.
She read by the hex lights dangling from the ceiling until she physically couldn't keep her eyes open.
The next time she woke up, she wasn't alone. She was swaddled by a thick blanket, her arms pinned at her sides and her legs wrapped together. An arm was slung over her shoulders. She turned her head to see Caitlyn sleeping next to her. Caitlyn woke up as Vi tried to escape her fluffy prison.
“Hi. How are you feeling?” Caitlyn whispered.
“Get off me.” Vi hissed.
Caitlyn sat up, brushing her hair out of her face. “It's ok, I’m going to get us breakfast. Go back to sleep, you need it.”
“Get away from me.”
“I'm sorry, you must not be feeling well again. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
True to her word, Caitlyn returned with more bland food.
Vi made a face at the beige plate, digging in anyway once she grabbed a fork. Caitlyn frowned, picking at her own plate. “I asked the kitchen to make me the same breakfast you got, just so I know what you are feeling. It's not bad. Bland, but filling. What do you think?”
Vi stayed silent.
“Alright then. Are you in any pain? Anything I could help you with while I'm here?”
Vi continued to stay silent, scraping her plate and setting it aside for Caitlyn to take back to the kitchen.
“Hmm. You're quiet today.”
Vi refused to look her in the eyes.
“That's alright. I’ll bring these downstairs, I will be back for lunch. Unless you want me to stay?”
Vi kept up her silence.
“Alright. Get some rest, I will be back in a few hours.” She collected the dishes and paused at the door. “Love you already.” She said, walking downstairs before Violet could ask what that meant for her.
But, the sinking feeling in her gut told her that Caitlyn meant it, that she wasn't getting out of this place without following her lead. She soothed herself with the thought that Caitlyn was a Pilitie, and would eventually get bored of her and leave her out on the streets.
_____
Caitlyn has not intended to confess so soon after taking Violet in. She was unprepared, the house was unprepared, and her parents had barely met the girl.
However, there was a positive in all this. Now that she had impulsively broken the ice, she could dote on Violet the way she wanted since she realized her feelings for her. Starting with a bouquet of violets. Not roses, that was for the wedding, but Caitlyn was sure the florists could arrange something.
She entered the store, it being close enough to the store’s opening that she and the employees were the only ones inside. “Hi, I need a small bouquet for an old acquaintance of mine that's fallen ill.”
“Of course, would you like something from our catalog or something custom?”
“Custom. Violets, tied with a burgundy ribbon. I’ll put in my own card, and pick it up in about an hour.”
“Of course. We will put it on your family's monthly payment.”
“That is acceptable. Thank you, have a good day.”
Caitlyn walked about half a block to a fancy department store that she liked. Violet needed more clothes other than the plain ones suitable for the sickbed, but she knew it would be a while before Violet would be ready to be out in polite society. She picked up a few sets of skirts and blouses, sizing up from what she thought Violet would be. Everything would be tailored to her later. She picked up some casual menswear as well, knowing that Violet would need some clothes that could be ruined as she and Caitlyn worked out the wrinkles in their relationship. She remembered the chamber pot incident, and wasn't naive enough to think Violet wouldn't lash out again. At least, she now has access to a proper bathroom, with all the amenities she should come to expect as Caitlyn brought her into her new life.
Caitlyn couldn't lie and say that she wasn't excited to start that life with her. She swung back and picked up the flowers, purchasing a cheap metal vase to keep them in. She wasn't going to risk glass with Violet.
She went right to Violet’s room when she got home, surprised to find her reading in bed.
She ignored Caitlyn as she walked in and set up the flowers. “There, don't they look lovely in the window?”
Vi scowled. “Flowers like that are useless once picked. They just shrivel up and lose their color.”
“Would you have preferred I brought you a flower pot instead?”
“I would prefer you to let me go.” Violet snapped.
“That's enough of that talk.” Caitlyn warned. “I brought you clothes for you to try on. Most will probably be a bit big, as I intend to get them tailored once you have settled in. Go try them on, sort them into stuff you want to keep and get fitted and things you want me to return.”
Vi tried them on, rejecting some things and reluctantly explaining how she would like the things she wanted to keep to be altered.
Caitlyn made notes and pinned a few problem areas. “Well, this was quite helpful, thank you for your cooperation.”
“I needed something more substantial than the same damn pajamas every day.”
“And I delivered it once it was necessary. You would have overworked yourself and refused to rest if given proper clothes. How are you feeling, you're not quite ready for your next dose, but there's other remedies I could have brought up if-”
“I'm fine. Please, I want to go back to sleep.”
Caitlyn smiled, taking the clothes. “Alright. My father should be bringing up your dinner later. See you tomorrow.”
Days bled into weeks, and Vi finally cracked under the quiet of it all. She couldn't stay here, couldn't be trapped mostly alone again outside of mealtimes, reminding herself of being in the basement of Stillwater, but worse, since here, she could see the sky, saw people daily who made small talk but never listened.
Caitlyn was the next person she saw, bringing up breakfast.
“Caitlyn? Hey, um, I'm ready.” Vi said, creeping towards her. “To stay, I mean. I don't want to leave you now.” She lied.
“Oh! Of course, come on, we can eat in one of the dining rooms, I'll have the staff bring your things down to your new bedroom.”
Vi trailed after Caitlyn like a kicked hound, sitting across from her at a small round table, Caitlyn setting her breakfast before her.
Staff came by with a plate of breakfast for Caitlyn.
“You'll stay in my wing of the manor. You're not to go downstairs for now, but maybe I could take you to the gardens when the weather turns warm again.” Caitlyn said, excitement in her voice. “Maybe mom will let you be my date for the summer ball, but that would require you to get a new suit, and I used most of my wages on your clothes and it's only a few weeks away, I wouldn't get paid enough in time. But, society hasn't seen anything I've bought you yet, so we could be frugal and just buy you some new accessories instead.”
Vi resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Caitlyn’s idea of frugality.
They finished eating, Caitlyn taking her further into the manor. She stopped in front of a big wooden door. “Everything behind this door is ours now.” She declared, pushing it open.
Vi recognized the hallway, being the one that led to Caitlyn's room.
“This is the sitting room, that's the main bathroom. You know which one is my bedroom, across from that is my office, and this one next to my room is yours.” She opened it, showing Vi the room lit with a large stained glass window, elaborate wrought iron bars shutting her inside and likely keeping her from breaking the glass.
The bed was made up in Kiramman purple, a white canopy over the bed. There was a door in the corner.
Caitlyn followed her gaze. “Oh. That's our shared bathroom, you can walk through it to get into mine, but you can keep your side locked if you'd like. Again, there's a second bathroom across the hall.”
Vi took a breath, looking around. There was more wealth and stability in the few rooms she'd seen that day in most of Zaun. Just having solid walls and windows was more than most of her home city could dream of. But, she wasn't going to tell Caitlyn that. She didn't want to see her pity again.
“I'll leave you to explore, I want to see my father before he leaves for work.
“I was thinking about getting her something to care for.” Caitlyn asked, sitting on the couch next to her father.
Tobias pondered his daughter’s statement. “You aren't thinking of grandchildren already?”
“No, no no, maybe we call the breeder and get her a puppy? One of the trained ones, like Lady.” Lady was Caitlyn’s childhood hunting dog, a dog that was supposed to give Caitlyn a sense of responsibility, but in reality, became more of a loyal nanny dog.
“Hm, well, she would have to get comfortable with the dogs eventually. We'll start her with a little girl, but she has to settle in a little more. I'll put a deposit down for one of the six to nine week olds. But, Vi must be on good behavior all the time before I would trust her with a dog. It's been what, two years now since we've had one?”
“Three. We are overdue for another pet.”
Tobias chuckled. “Not counting the poor girl you're trying to tame upstairs.”
“Father! That's a cruel joke. A little accurate, I'm afraid.”
Tobias looked worried. “It's not going well?”
“She's adapting. Just not overly receptive to me yet. There's a part of me that wants to take a step back.”
“You've laid a good foundation. It took me months to settle down with your mother. To be fair, I didn't want to leave Ionia, but I couldn't deny that I always loved her, even when I didn't like her methods of affection. She'll come around.”
Another two weeks passed by, and Caitlyn went to the train station to pick up the new edition to her family.
The puppy was a beautiful example of the breed, a purebred doberman with the perfect temperament for a gentle companion.
She went upstairs, skipping the notion of tying a bow around its neck or finding a pretty box to gift it to Vi.
She knocked on Vi's bedroom door.
“Vi, I have a gift.”
Vi opened the door, her eyes widening at the dog.
“Oh. This is for me?”
Caitlyn nodded, giddy with excitement. “Here!”
Vi took it, the dog licking her chin.
“You can't keep me forever, not even by giving me-” Vi uncurled the dog, checking its sex. “Her.”
“That's true, but you'll never be able to escape my love, Vi. I know you have a hard time accepting my love. I know the prospect of being mine scares you. But I owe it to you. I owe it to you to be the best owner you could ever ask for. And I'm truly trying my best here.” Caitlyn kissed Vi’s forehead, leaving her with the puppy in her arms.
Despite herself, she stroked the dog's soft fur.
Violet blinked, and she was being brought to fancy parties and that summer ball Caitlyn talked about, no longer making a break for it at every opportunity.
A month passed, and Vi’s hard fought resolve crumbled.
She started to reciprocate Caitlyn's bedtime cuddles, letting her stay longer and longer until they slept through the night. Caitlyn was ever the lady, not making a grab for Vi’s waistband or the straps of her bra. Vi was suspicious of that. It made no sense to her, keeping her for this long, putting so much money into keeping her alive, and not forcing repayment at any point in time.
The puppy grew into an awkward, leggy animal, sweet as could be. She begged for attention at every opportunity, following Vi around as her resolve to get out of there broke further and further.
Eventually, Vi woke up one morning and realized she didn't want to leave, and part of her ached at the realization. But, was there truly anything better?