hobby. Their version of a cell phone game.
—Lillith of Endings, “The Violent Stones”
Violet was in a fairly good mood. She didn’t cough a single time as she walked through the open air. That may have been her calling keeping her safe, or it may have been the green heart powering the barrier. Either way, her lungs were clear, and it was because of something she’d done. Walking through Roseville without choking felt almost as good as the knowledge that she was going to leave it behind soon. She wondered what Chromatic would be like, exactly. She’d read about it a lot, and she’d seen the silly school uniforms in pictures. She didn’t mind any of that. She dressed herself up to mold expectations regardless. A uniform would just make that easier.
The real question was how she was going to progress while attending. She hadn’t thought about every angle when she’d shown Stephanie her degree, so everyone would know she was a degree six. That was an incredible jump from zero, but she could explain that with the green heart. It would be strange if a scout didn’t advance that much from stopping a nest several categories above her from forming. It just meant she wouldn’t have much wiggle room to fake advancement. She could display a lower degree than she had, at least for a while. This way, she could fake steady advancement. It wouldn’t work forever. Her tools would change color with her category, and displaying herself as red when her talent manifested with orange crystal would only give the game away.
She hadn’t realized how desperate the country was for new lancers. She also hadn’t realized Roseville would be required to send Chromatic students regardless. She’d thought she’d need to prove herself to get in. Desperate or not, they were usually discerning enough to not waste resources on just anyone. It was possible she could have sold them on a lower degree. But it was too late for regrets. She needed to look forward. And that meant figuring out how to keep advancing long term.
She wasn’t ready to admit to herself what part of her mind had already accepted. The reason she wanted to be a lancer in the first place. The reason she’d agreed to go to the academy, even before she had a concrete plan. The fact that, if it came down to it, she would kill again. And not just Stephanie. That she had been certain of the moment she found the woman alive. Part of her knew she’d kill again even after that. An even smaller part didn’t particularly care who. She’d volunteered for the academy because she knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, that she’d have no trouble feeding her calling.
But she wasn’t ready to face that. She had an idea based on her calling description and previous experiences with Alex. She thought she could feed her calling another way. And she was about to find out. Once she’d made it past all the covert pointing and murmuring from passersby, walked the five-minute trip through the little mountain town, and arrived at Alex’s door, she stitched a smile to her face and knocked. The wood felt warm against her knuckles with each sharp rap. She could hardly feel her injuries. For some reason, her heart was beating faster than usual. She was genuinely looking forward to speaking to Alex for the first time in a long time.
It was Caitlyn, however, who opened the door. Wide eyes hung from her head like anchors from a ship. She had Violet wrapped in a hug before either could utter a single word. “Violet, I was so glad to hear you made it back!” Violet blinked, failing to return the gesture.
“T-That sort of hurts, Miss Jiron,” Violet protested. Caitlyn recoiled like she’d touched a hot stove, freeing Violet immediately.
“Oh, God, of course it does. I forgot you were injured. I’m so sorry, are you alright?” she asked.
I sure got really fucking popular with a lot of people who either didn’t care about me, or really fucking hated me. Funny how that works, Violet thought. “It’s good to see you too, Miss Jiron,” Violet answered, clasping her hands together and rocking on her feet.
“I tried so hard to stop them from sending you out there. I did. I fought with everything I had to keep you and Alex together,” the older woman insisted. Violet shrugged as she smiled.
“Oh, I never had a doubt in my mind. You’ve always been so kind. I never doubted you for a moment,” Violet reassured. Maybe she would kill Caitlyn someday. The thought was pleasant, even if she had no intention of following through on it. “Is Alex home? I was told he stayed home from school today. I’d love to talk to him.”
“Right, I shouldn’t keep you. Of course you want to talk to Alex. He’s in his room. You can head right back, if you like. Are you hungry? Did you want a drink?” Violet internally rolled her eyes. This was a woman who’d desperately wanted Violet and Alex to break up. It was irritating, watching her capitulate like she was. Violet realized she was a higher degree than the woman now. It made sense for a person to be afraid of someone they’d openly despised when that person ended up so much stronger than them. Especially when they’d tried to have the person in question killed. Violet wasn’t sure she was actually stronger, since her attributes favored perception and dexterity above all else. She was faster, anyway. It didn’t matter. Violet had a different kind of revenge planned.
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“Uh, maybe in a bit?” Violet answered. “I think Alex and I are going to be talking for a while, if that’s alright.”
Caitlyn nodded. “Right. Just…” Violet tilted her head at the slight red in Caitlyn’s cheeks. Again, she suppressed a groan.
Is she really worried about something so fucking juvenile? Who even cares about that shit anymore? Violet thought. “Don’t worry, ma’am. We’re just talking, I promise! He got a little upset at me before I left, and I think he wanted to apologize when he came by my place this morning. That’s all!”
Caitlyn relaxed a little. “R–Right. Well, let me know when you do want something,” the older woman agreed. Violet offered a cutesy wave.
“Of course! I’ll try not to be too long,” Violet said, happy to free herself from that exchange. She knew the home well and found herself at Alex’s open door in short order. She knocked lightly anyway, being careful not to startle him as she entered. Alex was on his bed, reading a book Violet had recommended. He looked past the edge and dropped it as he saw his girlfriend walking in. Violet sat at the edge of the bed as he scrambled for the bouquet he’d brought that morning.
Violet wore a pitying smile as he finally held it out to her. “Violet, I’m so glad you made it back! I’ve been worried sick! I tried to visit before you left, but the lancers wouldn’t let me. I hear you have a calling now, too! I’m so happy for you! I’ve been picking these since you left; they remind me of you,” Alex rambled. Violet brushed her hair behind her ear, running her hand up the left side of her head to fidget with her sidetail.
“That’s so sweet, Alex. It really is, but… I’m allergic to violets, remember?” she replied apologetically. Alex’s face fell immediately, and Violet felt clarity flow into her calling as he deflated. “Oh, but… it’s alright! I won’t have to touch them to look at them, right? And you’ll probably remember next time! I can take them, if it’s really important to you!” Alex shook his head.
“No, it’s my fault. I can’t believe I didn’t remember that. I feel like an idiot, I’ll throw them out,” he replied quickly. The conversation stalled after that, an awkward air descending on the room. Violet glanced at him, failing to maintain eye contact as she gripped her skirt with both hands. She glanced at the book he’d been reading, locking onto it as a way to move the conversation forward.
“Oh, Turbidity and Tutelage! You finally got around to it, huh? How do you like it?” she asked. Alex lit up at this, happy to have a common point to connect with his girlfriend on, especially after messing up with the flowers.
“Yeah!” he agreed eagerly, “I really like Arlo! I feel like I’d get along with him. Linh is really relatable, too. I like the different themes of abuse, and the world-building almost feels more vivid than real life.” Violet nodded knowingly.
“I thought you might. I really liked it, too, when I was a kid,” Violet beamed. Alex’s smile fell, just a little.
“When you were a kid?” he asked. Violet shrugged.
“Well, yeah. I’ve outgrown the ‘school-life’ trope a bit. It’s really targeted at a younger audience, I think. But I’m glad you liked it!” Violet responded. Alex began to deflate again, but Violet didn’t let him regain balance of any kind. “But I really need to stop stalling. Alex, we need to talk. About what happened at the town hall. About what… about what was said.”
Alex shook his head. “I know what you said, but I don’t mind! I know you—”
“You were hurting me,” Violet interrupted, “and you put me on the spot at an already stressful moment, Alex. You really pushed me. Pushed me into saying something harsh. I know how hard it is for you to challenge your mom. I shouldn’t have acted like it was entirely your fault.” Alex blanched.
“Wait, but no! Mom didn’t—” Alex started, but Violet cut him off again.
“It was a lot to ask. But you know what? The truth is, Alex. I do love you. I am in love with you,” she finished. Alex froze.
“R–Really?” he asked. Violet nodded, just a hint of pink in her cheeks. “Violet, I’m so happy to hear that. I love you too, and I really think—” again, Violet cut him off.
“I just wish we had more time, you know? It would be hard, but I think we could have worked through what happened. I really always thought we’d end up married someday, you know?” she said. Alex’s eyes widened.
“W–What do you mean?” he asked. “We can! We can still work it out!” Violet shook her head.
“I’m a scout, Alex. That’s my calling. Out there in the mist. There is only one way forward for me, and it’s one the world needs. I need to go to Chromatic. I already told my parents, and the council likely knows by now. I can’t… I can’t stay here. As much as I love you, I have to do this,” Violet explained. “We need to break up. I think today should be goodbye.” Alex froze for a long moment. Violet let water build in her eyes as they locked onto his, then she closed them. She let the moment grow heavy. It stretched for eternity until Alex whispered in response.
"Then I’m going with you.”
Violet offered a look of shock and appreciation. She presented protests and worries for his mother. She made him assure her that he was certain. That it was what he wanted. That she wasn’t pressuring him to do anything. The entire time, she pictured Caitlyn. She could feel it working a little. The clarity building up and feeding her calling. She’d just decided a man’s life, and quite possibly his death, with only a few words. And Caitlyn would pay for sacrificing her. The old woman would not be keeping her son out of danger, and Violet wouldn’t be traveling exclusively with practical strangers.
When she left a few hours later, Alex was thoroughly convinced that he’d had to persuade Violet. She also carried a single flower, stolen from the bouquet when Alex wasn’t looking. She held it to her nose and smelled it as she walked back home, a genuine grin splitting her face the entire way.
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Here are the current goals and rewards, as well as how close we were to each at 11:10 CST the day this chapter was published.
Click Description to learn more about each!
6k - 15k Bonus Chapter – 3,000 Followers
100 / 3,000
Description
Starting at 3,000 followers, I will write a bonus chapter between 6k - 15k in length every 2k followers. This may be a side character, this may be an AU, or anything else. Who decides? You do! When a milestone is reached, I will ask for suggestions and put up a poll of the most popular ones!
Webtoon Chapter – 6,000 Followers
100 / 6,000
Description
This is also a bonus chapter, but I will have it commissioned as a fully illustrated webtoon!
Spin-Off Novel – 15,000 Followers
100 / 15,000
Description
I will write a novel of at least 120k words focusing on Kiera, one of the prominent side characters. This spin off will remain on Royal Road as long as I am, no matter what.
Visual Novel – 20,000 Followers
100 / 20,000
Description
I will commission art for and develop a full length (and free to play) Cruel Violet visual novel. (This is something I know how to do, ftr.)