Book 2: Chapter 20 - Just a Normal Teenaged Girl

Go for her throat! Keep her from singing!
—Josiah Eleison, “Harmony”

She’d made it to orange, and she’d given her therapist a little treat, like he was an obedient dog. Violet’s responsibilities for the day had been taken care of. There was no pressure to keep up, breathing down her neck. Jade had been handled, and no one had yet approached her from the Asher family. So she didn’t need to fulfill her side of the deal with the headmaster. She was going to do everything possible to refrain from being useful in that regard, anyway.

It was the first day she could use to just… enjoy herself. She’d made new friends. People who’d never pitied her. Some even looked up to her, or at least respected her as more than an equal. That was a new experience for her. Even Alex, the only person who’d ever considered her superior in any way, had felt sorry for her at the same time. On some level, she was certain her new friends would have been the same, if they’d known her as a white. But they hadn’t. She had friends, and she wasn’t at a disadvantage with them. She wanted to actually spend time with them. To do something with peers just because it was fun, and for no other reason.

She’d always wanted that, and she was furious that she was forced to kill just for a chance at it. That every person in that ruined world had left her with violence as her only option. She wondered if she’d enjoy it less, if everyone around her hadn’t enjoyed forcing it on her so much. If people weren’t so impressed with themselves and apathetic to what happened to her. She was almost certain she would. But as it was, well. Who wouldn’t enjoy taking power back from countless masses who’d stolen it from them? They’d made her the type of person who took pleasure in their domination. Every single one of them, either on purpose or through willful ignorance. 

But for the first day in her entire life, none of that mattered. It was true that none of them were without some guilt. And none of them cared that Violet would be captured and killed just for a calling she didn’t choose. None of them would have cared if she’d never left category white. None of them would have noticed if she’d been ignored and treated as disposable. They wouldn’t have cared even a little if she’d been killed by that moose outside of Roseville. All of that was true, and she wouldn’t forget it any time soon. But she didn’t want to find herself in a new kind of isolation.

The new friends she’d made… they were like her. They were funny, and pleasant to be around. They didn’t really care about her. Not on any real level. But they liked her. They were as apathetic and complacent as the rest. They wouldn’t bat an eye if she were carted off and killed for having a Nightshade calling. She certainly hadn’t heard any of them protesting the treatment of people like her. But that just made them no worse than her, and her no worse than them. In a way, she was exactly on even footing with everyone. And for the time being, it would be fun to experience a normal friendship.

So that was, at last, what she was on her way to do. Aubrey, Kiera, and Violet were all on the train to the orange district. The lowest category district which the entire group could legally enter. It also had a karaoke bar with private rooms, and Kassie was a regular.

“Does it have to be karaoke?” Aubrey complained. 

“Hush, Aubrey. Karaoke sounds fun! I saw it in an anime once, and I’ve always wanted to try it!” Kiera replied.

“But I suck at singing! It’s gonna be so embarrassing!” Aubrey whined.

“So do I, it’s alright! That’s part of the fun,” Violet replied cheerfully. 

Aubrey blushed and looked down at her feet. “Yeah, but you’re a lot more confident than I am,” she murmured.

“But only half as hot, and that’ll make up the difference, don’t you think?” Violet asked.

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. You’re a real ugly one,” she joked.

“Hideous,” Kiera agreed. “It’s like sharing a room with a rotting squid.”

“Alright, hold on. I said half as hot. Half as hot, but still hot. I will not stand for this slander from you, Kiera,” Violet said.

“You should see her when I wake her up too early. By which I mean, early enough to make it to class with clothes on and clean underwear. I’m telling you. You think hedron are scary?” Kiera continued.

“No, I believe you. An early morning Violet visage does sound like some shit that’ll haunt your nightmares,” Aubrey agreed.

“You guys are just being mean. I’ll have you know I am highly sought after, and only rarely bullied in cafeterias,” Violet responded.

“Oh yeah, I heard about that. Chase being an asshole again, is the basic rumor,” Kiera said.

“Oh, good, rumors are spreading. Just what I wanted,” Violet groaned.

“The rumors mostly paint you in a pretty positive light, if that helps,” Aubrey cut in.

“Mostly?” Violet asked.

Aubrey winced. “All the reasonable ones, I mean. Basically, the whole dorm is pissed at Chase on your behalf,” she clarified.

“What are the other ones?” Violet pressed.

“Uh… that doesn’t really matter,” Aubrey replied.

“A few people believed him and think you are an easy lay for higher categories. We heard some kids saying they were gonna take a crack at you,” Kiera answered honestly.

“Ah,” Violet responded. “Well, to be fair, I have had exactly one boyfriend, so I can see how they would get that impression.”

“People will say that about anything with legs. Those rumors only spread because you were visible for a moment. They didn’t have shit to do with you as a person,” Aubrey assured.

“No, that does sound like a lot of boyfriends. Please, teach me your ways,” Kiera replied, clapping her hands together in a mock begging motion.

“Why, so you can land Guy before Kassie does?” Violet asked.

Kiera turned bright red. “Hey! It’s absolutely fucking like that! But don’t call me on it! Let a girl have some dignity!”

“You called me a rotting squid, though?” Violet replied. 

“Yeah, but a rotting squid that’s half as hot as Aubrey! That’s basically a compliment,” Kiera retorted.

“Why do I feel like I caught a stray bullet there?” Aubrey asked.

“Kiera is just a bully who hates when women relax or get enough sleep. Don’t mind her,” Violet said.

“I’ll try to forgive her, but it’ll be hard,” Aubrey replied.

“Seriously, though. We can play wingwomen for you,” Violet said. “Why you like that idiot is beyond me, but we’ll set you two up on a duet tonight.”

“He is an idiot, yeah,” Kiera agreed solemnly. “Fun, though. And he’s a lot less insecure than most dudes. Plus he fucking… well. We’ve got some history. From back home.”

“Do you?” Aubrey asked. “I honestly don’t remember you two spending much time around each other.”

“No, but he helped me out when it mattered most. He’s honestly the reason I’m here. Underneath all that goofy bullshit, he’s a really solid…” she trailed off, then sighed.

“... Guy?” Aubrey asked.

“Yes,” Kiera groaned. “I hate when he tricks me into that, and he wasn’t even here to do it. Fuck.”

“That also means he wasn’t here to hear it, if that helps,” Violet offered.

“Very slightly,” Kiera said. “The point is, he’s worth my investment. He is also, unfortunately, a teenage boy. And Kassie has some… advantages, with that demographic. Not to mention Ajia. Guy’s the type to love a partner with multiple configurations, so to speak. He’ll definitely want to ask her out at some point. And then there is the badass with the inexplicable scythe who saved all our lives and somehow looks hot while covered in hedron blood.”

“Eh, my midriff was showing. It had nothing to do with the blood, I’m sure. Besides, I have the dead boyfriend debuff. He wouldn’t dare to hit on me,” Violet responded.

“Dark…” Aubrey mumbled.

“But I’m allowed,” Violet answered. “Anyway, all of that aside. You definitely have more ears than any of us. That’s gotta give you an advantage.”

“Oh, my God, Violet! Shut the fuck up!” Kiera groaned, moving her hands to her crystal ears in embarrassment.

“Actually, I meant to ask about that. Why did you have a scythe? What exactly is your calling expecting you to scout?” Aubrey asked.

“Oh, it was the easiest weapon I could think of to use the bat’s momentum against it. Strength is a weakness for me, after all. And it’s close to a glaive. Which I guess is storm-related?” Violet answered.

“Thanks, that totally explains the grim reaper look. Storms,” Kiera joked.

“Well, the tool itself is handy for its actual purpose. Cutting through tall grass. I just made the handle longer, that’s all. I have a pretty broad version of Tools of the Trade. I can make barrels for water, too,” Violet said.

“The fuck do you need a crystal barrel of water for?” Kiera asked.

“Camping, bestie,” Violet answered with a smile. 

Aubrey looked like she had another question, but the train arrived at its station before she could say anything. It stopped a bit more abruptly than any of them expected, and all three slid and nearly tumbled into each other on the shared seat. That was distraction enough that the scythe conversation came to an early end.

“I guess we know what the handholds above the seats are for, Christ,” Kiera complained. But she stood and brushed herself off. Then, she immediately flicked her tail in irritation. “Wait, why aren’t the damn doors opening?”

“Oh, because this particular train stops in multiple districts. It just needs to scan our empathy rings to make sure we’re not too high a category to enter the orange district,” Violet explained. “It’s no big deal. Have you not left campus yet?”

“Oh, well, shit. I guess that makes sense. Nah, I haven’t. No reason to yet. So it just reads our category and lets us through?” Kiera asked.

“No, it records everything. Name, time, what district you went to. A bunch of stuff. It’s a bit unpleasant to think about, to be honest. But with all the different talents people have, and with the size of the city, it’s the only way to keep everyone safe,” Aubrey answered.

Kiera shuddered. “Gross. I hate the idea of someone tracking me everywhere I go. There’s no way to not give it my name?” she asked.

“Not that I know of, sorry,” Violet answered. Kiera sighed, then placed her hand on the black surface next to the door. Her ring activated, and a voice spoke. 

“Welcome to the orange district, Miss Kiera Mulberry! I see this is your first time visiting. If you would like to view a map, a list of attractions and important locations, or anything else, please stop by the visitors center just outside the station!” the robotic voice explained. The door didn’t open for her until the speech was done.

“I hated that. And it took so long! Do they really have time to give everyone a whole fucking spiel?” Kiera asked. 

“That's why there are multiple trains and tracks,” Aubrey answered. “First of all, the spiel only happens the first time you enter any of the districts. Violet and I have both already heard ours. I’m surprised you’ve stayed on campus this whole time, actually. Anyway, since they have to verify every passenger who exits, they try to keep trains lightly crowded. And don’t worry as much about how long it takes the doors to open.”

“Ugh. And you wonder why I’m happy on campus. Well, whatever. It’s scanned me now. See you guys out there,” she said, then stepped through the exit.

“Ladies first,” Violet said, gesturing toward the door. 

Aubrey scoffed. “You’re the one in a skirt, but sure, whatever,” she agreed. Violet waited a moment after Aubrey left the train, then scanned her own ring. She’d just have to hope the others didn’t notice the extra few seconds it would take for the doors to open.

The rest of the trip to the karaoke bar was largely uneventful, and mostly consisted of Kiera complaining about places with only one color everywhere. She reportedly liked orange as a color well enough, but was growing weary of it quickly. They arrived at their destination with little trouble. After a brief discussion with a bored man behind the counter, they were directed to a private room. There, they found the other team already chatting with Guy.

“What the fuck is that hat?” Kiera asked as soon as she walked in. “Where did you even get it? Who made that? What is the merit of its existence?”

“I found someone with a talent for making clothes and requested it,” Guy answered.

“I like it,” Kassie said. “It’s very helpful and informative. Makes sure no one gets lost.”

Kiera narrowed her eyes at Kassie. Aubrey looked at the hat like she was certain she must be misreading it. AJ shuffled through a binder full of songs, and Zach leaned over his shoulder. Dustin was notably absent. Violet actually grinned as she read the text on Guy’s baseball cap.

It was a simple, white hat, and the text was bolded and curved over an arrow that pointed down. “My boobs are down there,” she read out loud. She then looked down at his chest. “Ah. I’d been wondering where those were.”

“Come on,” Kassie interrupted with a laugh. “Let's all pick our songs. Aubrey, AJ wants to do a duet with you if that’s like, cool?” she asked. 

Aubrey let out an exasperated sigh, but nodded. “At least someone will cover up my voice,” she said. 

Violet walked past Guy on her way to a table that sat between two benches. She grabbed the hat from his head, circled him, and put it on Kiera. “Looks better on her, though.” Before either Guy or Kiera could react, Violet made it to the table and picked up another binder. She started flipping through it, looking for a song she knew. 

“Violet…” Kiera growled. “I don’t usually kill people without a good reason, but this might just qualify.”

“Oh?” Guy asked. “I think you look nice in it. Uh… caption notwithstanding.”

“I don’t know any of these songs,” Violet complained, completely ignoring the threat. “Well, I did just make red recently. I’ll program this one in, as a celebration.”

“Violeeet,” Kiera complained.

Violet just winked at her, then reached for the tablet to add “The Red Means I Love You” to the song queue.