[ the slap hurts much more than in the physical sense. the shock has her arms going loose, just long enough for powder to bully her way out and away from her. stupid; it’s an insult meant solely for herself. a hard brush off shouldn’t catch her off guard so easily. she’s not dealing with her pint-sized little sis anymore. powder nearly angled her gun at her a second time, just a few minutes ago, so she’s different. she’s more voilital and headstrong. more… violent?

no. powder is still powder, still the sweet girl underneath all of this. vi just has to coax her back to equilibrium. unfortunately, vi herself isn’t starting at equilibrium. she’s off-kilter and spiraling, trying her hardest to keep a handle on the situation, but when she doesn’t even follow what she’s being accused of…? the confusion grows and the frustration with it.

so her voice pitches higher, snapping right back. ]

I’m not acting! I don’t know what you’re talking about.

[ at least accuse her of something she’s actually done. yell at her about seven years ago, vi deserves that. she’s spent long days and long nights at stillwater beating herself up about that; she knows she fucked up, okay? but ekko? and caitlyn? and this imaginary trip to piltover? vi scoffs in the following beat. ]

You don’t know what you’re talking about either. No one can turn me against you. Not even you.

[ she allows powder the space. vi doesn’t step forward or grab for powder again, despite how potent the desire to do so is. instead, she makes a show of planting her feet firmly into the ground until sand bunches higher against the sides of her boots. ]

So try pushing me away all you like, it won’t work. I’m not leaving.