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An excited young Caitlyn Kiramman peered over the banister of the grand staircase of the Kiramman manor as the front door swung open.
Her mother had invited fellow council member and Piltover Academy Professor, Cecil Heimerdinger, as well as his esteemed pupil, Dr. Corin Reveck, for tea. But Caitlyn wasn't bouncing on the balls of her feet to see the academy's alchemist or her mother's long-time colleague. No, Caitlyn tapped her fingers along the polished golden railing in anticipation of a young girl—Dr. Reveck's daughter.
Orianna Reveck was a few years Caitlyn's junior, but she didn't mind. Caitlyn didn't have many children her age to play with, plus she thought Orianna had a brilliant mind, so her visits were treasured occurrences. And today was an especially exciting visit for Caitlyn had just received a brand new rifle for her birthday the previous week. It was of the folding variety and the moment the collapsing mechanism was demonstrated to her, she knew she had to show Orianna.
Three silhouettes filed through the open doorway, details filling in as they escaped the high sun of the afternoon. First, a wild-haired yordle whose high-pitched voice was already echoing in the furnished halls of the manor. Then, a young girl with her golden hair half-affixed in a bun was ushered in by a tall, lean man. Dr. Reveck caught Caitlyn's gaze and nodded a hello, guiding his daughter gently in her direction.
Not wanting to spare a moment longer, Caitlyn rushed down the stairs, taking them two at a time, only skidding to a stop when her feet planted on the large area rug of the massive entry room. Without so much as a greeting, she took the young girl by the hand and started to pull her through the vast home until she heard her mother call to her as she passed by the parlor room.
"Caitlyn? Caitlyn, where are you off to so quickly?"
Caitlyn backtracked to the doorway, Orianna still in hand. "To the gardens, mother. I wish to show Orianna the present Jayce gifted me."
"Very well. And Caity—"
She had already started her exit, but impatiently returned to appease Cassandra.
"Yes, mother?"
"This time be sure to return without stains on your shirt or leaves in your hair." Cassandra's eyes narrowed in warning.
"Yes, mother." Caitlyn responded sheepishly, waiting in the doorway in case her mother had additional direction.
"You may run along now," Cassandra dismissed, turning her attention to the two men who trailed into the room.
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Caitlyn laid her unloaded rifle on the garden table for Orianna to inspect after showing her how the collapsing mechanism worked. The other girl's light blue eyes scanned the wooden stock with its gold filigree. The sun's rays reflected off the silver barrel, refracting across Orianna's cheeks, making her already impossibly white freckles disappear against her pale, paperlike skin.
As the younger girl picked up the rifle to take a closer look, Caitlyn bit her lower lip in expectation, her tooth gap on full display.
Orianna investigated the machinery with a careful eye before looking up at Caitlyn. "This is exquisite craftsmanship. Who did you say designed this?"
"Jayce Talis; my parents are his patron. He's a terrific inventor—I think you'd really like him!"
The two fell silent again as Orianna alternated between poking and prodding at the rifle and wiping her fingerprints off with the sleeve of her gray cardigan.
"What do you suppose they're discussing?" Caitlyn nodded her head in the direction of the manor. "In there."
Without looking away from the rifle, Orianna replied. "Some sort of life-saving draught." Her eyes glanced up then and Caitlyn wasn't sure if Orianna was looking at her or through her. "Professor Heimerdinger says it comes at too great a cost, though."
Caitlyn couldn't suppress the gasp that escaped her. "Who would agree to such an unspeakable act?"
"Papa says some people would sacrifice nearly anything for love."