between a parent and their child.
A connection which can never truly break.
It can perhaps be denied, but only briefly.
A child will always remember their parents eventually.
That’s what my therapist says, so that little shit I raised
has got to stop screening my calls eventually.
—Unknown Father, Pre-Crystallization
Violet was almost irritated with how easy it was to get herself sent away—now that the city council had an excuse. She had actually done a lot for the city. A green heart would keep Roseville safe long after Violet had left it, and preventing a green nest had likely saved every life in the city. The council had been more than pleased with her when she returned alive. They’d become entirely obsequious—even Caitlyn.
But this wasn’t a result of gratitude. The gratitude did exist, and was perhaps responsible for the change in Violet’s public perception in some small measure. But it was the rapid six-degree jump that really owned the shift. It wasn’t just that this was a higher degree than many council members had reached themselves. Roseville was a small town, and there were few opportunities for many to feed their calling. This was what kept Violet’s parents there. Such a small pond was easy to earn prestige in. So many council members were red as well, with degrees as low as four.
No, what bothered them was that a single event had launched Violet to her sixth degree in red. They didn’t know how gruesome the event had been, but even without understanding the cost, they knew it was possible for her to repeat it. Worse, they knew she had a reason to hate them. They hadn’t been there when she’d killed Derek. As far as Stephanie would report, Violet had no idea what they had tried to do. But they couldn’t know for certain that she hadn’t put the pieces together, or that she never would. She had the potential to grow stronger than any yellow lancer who might be assigned to Roseville; she could possibly do it quickly, and she had reason to hold a grudge. Whether they feared for their safety or their power, they knew Violet could one day take both from them—if she remained in town.
They wanted her gone, just as they always had. They’d found new reasons, and a more pleasant way to dispose of her, but they still wanted her gone. Whether wasting resources or reminding them of their guilt, she remained an irritation. This bothered Violet, not because she wanted to be liked. She’d seen these people when they looked down on her. Her memory was too good to put any value in their high opinion of her. Rather, she felt that they were the irritation. Her plans to leave were a result of her rejecting them. But with the mandated recruitment, her choice had been lost in the rumors. And somehow, they’d convinced themselves they were the ones responsible. That they were getting what they wanted, and they were in control.
It itched.
In the week between her return and departure, she’d found herself more and more easily annoyed. This made her amiable shroud harder to maintain every day. And every day, her obnoxious parents pulled at it with their sudden burst of love and interest in her life. Neither her brother nor sister had made any attempt to contact her. No tearful goodbyes or any interest at all. She much preferred that. It was exactly as it had always been. Indifference. Her parents, on the other hand… They had years of goodwill to make up for, and they were trying to fit it into a single week. Her persona of “kind” had apparently been mistaken for “stupid,” and they clearly thought enough attention would make up for the years of apathy.
“Make sure to send us a letter with every train!” Scarlett insisted. Violet beamed.
“Of course, Mom! I’ll do my best—if they’ll let me. I know space is limited, so I wouldn’t want to bother the Lancers too often. But whenever there is spare room and time, I’ll make sure to send updates with them!” Violet promised.
“Honestly, it’s unacceptable that we aren’t part of the crystal network yet. This would be so much easier on all of us if we just had working phones. It will be a shame to move to such limited contact, just because Roseville is considered ‘low priority.’”
Sure, Indigo. The capital needs to build and defend a network of crystal towers across the country so we can talk on the phone. That makes sense. I’m sure that’s what stopped you from giving a shit before, too. Right? No network between your office and the fucking living room. Violet had to suppress yet another beleaguered sigh. She’d tried to convince them she could go to the train station alone, but she couldn’t push hard enough without ruining her carefully-cultivated image. So she only had to suffer their bullshit for a few more minutes. She just had to remember that once she got out of the car, she was free of them. At least until she came back, when she knew she would be in full control.
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“You know, you don’t have to show up at the station so early,” Scarlett mused. “The train will hardly leave without you. We can at least stop and get some breakfast before dropping you off.” One last attempt to form a positive memory with Violet. Before she potentially surpassed their category and started wearing wide enough coattails for passengers.
“Oh, she doesn’t need to be babied, sweetheart. She’s just excited for the next chapter in her life. She’s eager to get started! Even if it’s a bit early, shouldn’t we let her get to it?” Violet caught the glare Scarlett shot at Indigo, if only as a glimpse in the rearview mirror. Clearly, her father was more sold on the progress they had made with their daughter. They had offered her a full week of attention after all. Violet was impressed with his confidence—and grateful for his assistance. She very much did not want to stop for breakfast. She’d sooner eat another ration of so-called omelet than spend another hour with either of them.
“Dad’s right,” Violet smiled. “Besides, I may be early, but the new students passing through here from other cities will already be there. I want to start getting to know them before the train is surrounded by mist. It’ll be easier to connect to them while everyone is safe, don’t you think?”
“Right? I think that’s a very intelligent and grown-up thing to do. And it will give you a head start at Chromatic!” her father agreed. Scarlett’s hands tightened around the wheel. Indigo was obviously bored of entertaining Violet, believing they had more than ingratiated themselves to their formerly-ignored daughter. Meanwhile, Scarlett was clearly skeptical that they had done nearly enough. Violet had done all she could to encourage the first perception, but it was a hard sell. It worked on her father only because—even as he was trying to prove he cared—he largely ignored her. He took the presented friendliness at face value and relaxed whenever she responded well to less effort. Violet suspected the real difference was in her parents’ estimation of her potential. She didn’t know either well enough to know if her father was more gullible, but it was clear he suspected the potential benefits—or dangers—were less significant than Scarlett did.
“Certainly, but you’ll already have Alex and Chase there, won’t you? You’ll be starting off with friends. Don’t you think it’ll be worth it to spend a little more time with family first?” Scarlett pushed. Violet flinched.
“Chase?” she asked, ignoring the attempted persuasion. She’d known Alex would be following her. She’d made certain of it. But, unlike when she’d been sent into the mist, there had been no town hall announcing the third. Violet suspected this was because all three had volunteered, and no show would be needed to prevent them from fleeing or hiding. But it meant the names weren’t publicly announced. She was surprised at the idea of Chase volunteering as a lancer. “Isn’t his calling ‘Statistician?’’ That seems like a strange choice.”
“Ah, yes, but there are lancer positions that don’t involve combat, and we are just as short on those. Besides, a high category is a high category. Just because he has no good talents for hunting hedron doesn’t mean he’ll never have the strength to do it. A cyan Statistician with a titanium club will do more damage than a yellow Knight, after all. And he wanted to go with his friend. It saved the council from picking someone, in any case,” Indigo explained.
Violet idly wondered how her parents had learned all of this, but supposed they were wealthy enough—at least for Roseville—that they could learn whatever they needed to. She was mildly amused, actually. Shelly, Chase’s girlfriend, would be furious. The girl barely registered in Violet’s memories, but some part of her still found it funny. She’d set out to upset Caitlyn’s life, but had fucked up another irritating couple’s plans without even trying. It felt… good.
“Well, here we are,” Scarlett sighed. “There is still time, if you want one last break.” Violet shook her head.
“No thanks, Mom. This last week has been really great, it has! I don’t know why we never connected so well before. But the past is the past, and it’s time for me to face my future. Thanks so much, both of you. But… I’m ready,” Violet replied. She unbuckled as she did, stepping out of the car. Her parents did too, meeting her around the front to say goodbye. She offered both a single hug, leaning into her supposed appreciation for her family, and getting both out of the way at once. As she pulled away, Scarlett caught her by the shoulder and scanned through her eyes. It was a long, uncomfortable moment, and Violet felt nearly naked as her mother examined her.
“I know,” Scarlett said. “I know, we have had an… interesting relationship, over the past sixteen years. Just… remember. Whatever happened in the past, we will help you. If you need help, let us know, and we will offer it.” There was no affection in her voice. It was not an attempt to convince Violet she was loved or cherished in any way. She was offering her daughter a deal. In her last moments with her youngest child, she had given up on fostering a bond she had ignored for so long. Perhaps she’d never planned to, and was simply trying to display the contrast. The difference between indifference and attention, so Violet might know what was being offered. That being, if she remembered her parents when she was a higher category, her parents would go to great lengths to remember her.
Violet tilted her head. “Of course, Mom. Dad. I’ll always remember my family,” Violet answered. Indigo smiled, and Scarlett nodded in appreciation. It was the best they were going to get. Only time would tell if Violet would actually follow through on the promise. And, of course, neither knew the truth. Neither would imagine that Violet had spent every night reliving the moment she held a man’s life in her hands. Neither would suspect she had to convince herself to only do it one more time, for Stephanie. Neither knew how dangerous it would truly be, to be remembered by their daughter. She would remember them. Just as she promised.
None of the three actually wanted to prolong the goodbye, and Violet was freed fairly quickly. Freed to explore the ill-visited train platform. Passengers rarely used the trains. It was mostly for lancers and supplies. This was obvious, as the platform was largely occupied by workers and too-empty crates. The train was the only interesting thing there. It was protected by a yellow heart, it looked like. Clear tubes running along each car glowed bright yellow, crystal building around them and creeping across the black surface of the train like freezer burn.
It had clearly arrived recently, heat still radiating from it as a few workers waited to be allowed on. She could feel their anticipation, as whatever supplies were being delivered still waited on board. She began walking toward what looked like a passenger car, flexing her smile to ensure it was flawless when she met those already aboard. Before she made it, however, a hand landed on her shoulder.
“Please, can we talk?” Caitlyn pleaded.
Here are the current goals and rewards, as well as how close we were to each at 11:00 AM CST the day this chapter was published.
Click Description to learn more about each!
6k - 15k Bonus Chapter – 3,000 Followers
138 / 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
138 / 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
138 / 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
138 / 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.)