Violet smiled kindly under Charlotte's stare. She had made too many mistakes; she knew that. She hadn't gathered enough data before boarding the train for one. The way the monsters ignored her, shied away from her even, had been a pleasant surprise. One that allowed her to wait longer than she planned before suggesting the solution to the loud girl. The thought of simply letting the beasts kill everyone else tempted her. She'd have loved to watch the girl with the perfect weapon against them dying pointlessly, all because she was so conditioned not to use her abilities on other people.

But the thought made her hungry. Like watching someone else eat your favorite meal before you can even taste it. The more clear it became that the bat swarm would kill everyone but her, the more it bothered her. This impromptu experiment had made it clear; inaction would not be enough. She had to participate in death to get that rush of adrenaline. That burst of spiritual growth like cold water on a hot day. It did, unfortunately, present a few problems. Violet did predict odd looks and a few questions when she was completely unharmed after the battle. She had gotten more than a few back home when she emerged from the mist, covered only in another man's blood.

She even considered using the talons of the bat creatures to injure herself to avoid suspicion. It would only have been pain and, with the help of the crystal apparatus Daniel was currently hooked up to, spiritual energy would have healed her. She decided against it, initially because she simply couldn't guarantee none of the still-conscious students with her wouldn't look over their shoulder. She wanted fewer questions, not more. She had a new reason now. The same reason she was smiling at the suspicious Charlotte.

"Why didn't you help him, Violet?" Charlotte asked and Violet couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish.

"Sorry, I was a little out of sorts. I didn't think of it..." Violet trailed off. I cleaned his wounds though!" She excitedly added after a moment. That was actually true. Another of Violet's mistakes was choosing 'Surgeon' as her displayed calling. When she chose it, she had half a dozen great reasons. It would explain her ability's effects, people trusted doctors, and they usually became quite powerful and respected, among other things. She figured she could explain away any wounds on corpses if she was the one examining them. The part that left her chuckling nervously was the minor detail she hadn't considered. She didn't know anything about surgery.

People only advance their spirits through actions related to their calling. There was no way she could have made it to the ninth degree without even knowing a little field medicine. But, as she said, it didn't occur to her. She didn't care if people got the medical attention they needed, so actually being able to provide it was a blind spot to her. It was a stupid mistake. More than stupid. But she wasn't worried about it. That's what she had decided this trip was for. Stupid mistakes.

"Out of sorts," Charlie repeated, disbelief evident in her voice. "You were a bit out of sorts. I just met you, Violet. But you haven't been 'out of sorts' since getting on this train. You rode into the mist with a smile. You watched us fighting for our lives with a calm serenity. Even when you told Keely to hit us with her scream, you sounded cheerful. Now, I don't know what that's about, but it's awfully hard to believe that you forgot to follow your calling because you were 'out of sorts.'"

Violet tilted her head in consideration. "I should have panicked more. It would be better if I behaved more frantically. I thought an exclusively sugary demeanor would put people at ease. I see it's done the opposite." She observed. To Violet, this comment was something like a dictation of notes. Something to remember the next time she was in a similar situation. But Charlie took it as a question.

"No, that's not what I'm saying. You were trying to comfort us with that whole act? Jesus, Violet. That's not going to put anyone at ease! You almost seemed to be having fun! I mean I guess everyone deals with fear differently but..." Charlotte paused, realization washing over her expression. "Oh. You were doing it for yourself too. It was the only way to keep it together at all, is that right?" She asked. Violet almost laughed, and her mouth half opened, her eyes widening slightly at the misunderstanding. Charlotte thought this was surprise, and shook her head. "Look, I get it. But people are counting on you out there. We have another Waystation tonight and the rejuvenation table will only heal Daniel so much before we get there. Had you stopped him from losing so much blood, he would heal faster. We need you focused out there, and on more than... your creepy optimism."

"I see. So we could be another man down at the next waystation? Why don't we skip that one and refuel at the station after next?" Violet asked and Charlotte sighed.

"Not an option. I used most of our reserves making it to all of your towns without a full team. Waystations are usually safer once you have a full group for them, and usually the ones on this route are low-risk. I planned to stop at every single one on the way back. We also had to use some of the gathered energy to heal everyone's injuries from the bats and the scream. If we miss the next station, we are dead in the water," she replied, failing to keep the anxiety from her voice.

"I... see," Violet said, putting one finger to her mouth in thought. "I'll keep that in mind. How is Daniel, by the way?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" Charlotte answered before letting out a frustrated breath. "He's beat up pretty bad. Got the worst of it out there. Must have got every monster you managed to avoid. But hey, he advanced his spirit while he was out there. He and Keely both. When he wakes up, he'll be a ninth degree like you. So that's something." At that, Violet furrowed her brow. That meant his ability would be able to read her actual attributes when he woke up. Suddenly, Violet was glad she hadn't known how to provide medical care. She needed the extra time to enact her plans before he called her out.

"I see. Well, thanks for keeping us safe out there, Charlie," Violet smiled. "It's good to know we have such a reliable walker looking out for us." Charlotte rubbed the back of her neck.

"I should be the one thanking you. You saved us out there, getting Keely to let out a wide-area scream like that. I won't lie. You weirded me out, more than a little. And I still have some questions I'd like you to answer about all that. But I should thank you first," she said, conflicted emotions coloring her tone.

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Violet shrugged and smiled. "Thank Keely for that; she's the real hero here," she dismissed.

"I think I will. I want to go talk to the rest now. I'd like if you joined me. I'm sure they have questions for you too," Charlie suggested but Violet shook her head.

"I'd like some privacy for a while, if that's alright," Violet declined. Charlotte gave her an appraising look.

"If you say so... I'd better get going then," she responded. She started making her way to the door between cars before looking back at the smiling Violet. She obviously remained more than a little suspicious, but stress and necessity protected Violet from further scrutiny until they reached safety in the next few days. Violet's smile changed when the girl left. Not in a way you would immediately notice if you watched her, but slowly. Until, without being able to identify any particular change, she looked like an entirely different animal. It was a mistake to hold off on interrogating her. It was a mistake to leave her alone. But, however inadequate Violet's chipper act had been in the situation, it had worked enough. Enough that even great suspicion failed to warn Charlotte of the depth of the danger involved.

'So. Worry and panic can be more comforting than a smile can they?' Violet pondered. 'How very interesting.' She then turned on her heel and went about her business. If Daniel was going to wake up, she needed to move before he saw her. He may not use his ability on her right away, but it wasn't impossible. She wanted it to be too late by the time he did. She made one stop to eat and prepare some tea. After only one other stop, she went to the room Alex was staying in. Using a thick coil of rope she had packed for just such an occasion, she secured him to the steel bedframe. When she was confident he would be unable to move and had been sufficiently gagged, she leaned forward and smacked his cheek a few times. On the fourth and hardest slap, he finally jerked awake.

"Mmmmm, mmmmmmmm," he protested, his eyes widening when he saw her.

"You know, it's strange," Violet said, leaning back in a steel chair and crossing her legs. "I was certain you would write off my changes as another eccentricity. We've known each other for years, after all. Last time I changed, that's exactly what you did. So when you marked me as a monster, nearly immediately, I was taken aback. It wasn't until a moment ago that I realized my lie had been true. You actually were reacting because of your panic over leaving your dear mother behind and becoming a mist walker, weren't you? But that's the funny thing. Somehow, in your hyper-stressed state, you managed to get it exactly right. How did you do that?"

"MMMmmm, mmmm mm mmmmm!" he responded and Violet leaned forward.

"Hmm. You know, that is not very helpful Alex. Come on, just tell me! Was it some ability you have, or was it just something on my face?" Violet continued. Well. It's no matter. You were always going to be something of a wildcard, weren't you? I wouldn't be worried about your mother though, sweetheart. I paid her a visit before we left. She's hanging in there, pinky promise." Violet extended one hand, offering her Pinky. Alex's eyes bulged and he strained against the ropes. The hollow bars of the bed frame actually started to bend. "Oh my, I keep forgetting about the strength spiritual energy can grant. It's rather new to me, after all. I wouldn't bother though. See, I may have been a bit dishonest about my attributes earlier. Let me show you."

Violet stood and Alex's panicked eyes tracked her as she walked across the room and pressed her left hand to the wall. Like branches on a tree, her true attributes etched themselves into the surface.

Violet Asher

Ninth Degree

Calling: Ripper

Strength: 26

Dexterity: 61

Charisma: 29

Vitality: 6

Mentality: 0

Bloodlust: 91

Abilities

Obfuscate:

Manipulate the output of your empathy glove. Special attributes can be hidden, standard attributes can be changed, while ability names and descriptions can be altered. This ability can hide itself.

Erase Evidence:

Perfectly clean an area or object of no more than five square meters, removing any evidence you were ever there. Use 'Erase Evidence' to avoid leaving any trace of your actions.

Notes:

Violet Asher has the special attribute: 'Bloodlust'. This attribute affects the growth of her other attributes, especially 'Mentality'. Other effects are currently unknown.

Alex's eyes widened even further and he renewed his struggle, his body lifting entirely from the bed, only making contact where his ankles and wrists were tied. Violet crossed the small room again and sat on the mattress next to him, pushing his body down with one hand.

"Woah there, cowboy. Or, I'm sorry, it was lumberjack, wasn't it? Well, it doesn't matter. I'm nearly as strong as you, and my hands aren't tied. 'But people will find us eventually! You can't do this!' Is that what you are thinking? Don't worry sugar, I know. It was quite the brain buster, I'll tell you. How was I going to kill you, and Daniel, and get away with it? I held back for so long back home. To avoid a pattern of death everywhere I go. Made it all the way to our departure without hurting a single fly. It's not an easy task, ignoring your calling once you find it. I'm sure you know that. Anyway, two suspicious deaths on this train would have been hard to explain. People would have started making connections eventually," Violet rambled, patting Alex's chest as if with affection."

"But don't worry. I was way underprepared for this trip. I just can't figure out how you people think. Did you know screaming in fear can be more comforting than a smile? It's very strange. And I don't know why, but monsters seem to ignore me entirely. Now there is no doubt there will be too much scrutiny on me if people start dying in the academy. 'So why are you so cheerful ViVi, isn't this bad for you?' Good question Alex, thank you for asking, although I am a little uncomfortable with the nickname, we just don't have that kind of relationship, you know? Anyway, to answer your question, I decided to treat this as something of a trial run.

"I tried some things. I found out what works, and what doesn't. 'Surgeon' is a terrible lie, by the way. Charlotte had the audacity to expect medical expertise out of me!" Violet paused. "Oh, that was one of the things that clued you in too, wasn't it? Well, I suppose anything would have. Maybe 'Librarian' would have been better since you've only ever seen me read. Well, it doesn't matter. The point is, this trip is a bust." Violet pouted down at the terrified man. "So I thought, you know what? Let's throw it out and give it another go. See, two people being murdered would be suspicious, if they weren't killed by monsters. But an accident with a sole survivor? Well. That's not so strange, is it?"

Violet wrapped her hand around Alex's throat, blue-painted nails drawing blood as she gripped. "So I'm not worried about them finding your body. By the time they do, it will be too late. I am the only one making it back to the academy alive. It's almost too simple a solution when you think about it." Her fingers tore into Alex's throat as she choked the life out of him. The last thing he ever saw was the calm, unwavering smile of the girl he had spent his life mocking.