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February 5 - February 5, 2025
“Why put that little combat addendum in there if you planned on just taking the punishment yourself?” Idun asks through strain, like she’s exerting herself to keep her control. Violet’s lips twitch. “To ensure you came after me the second you read it. You predictably couldn’t resist.”
“Sit down, Arion. Don’t draw this out and make it more fun for her, please,” Violet says in such a whisper that I barely hear it. “Stay neutral.”
“I’m January Violet Carmine. I’m half Neopry. Half Portocale. I’m all gypsy with all my gypsy pride. And I’m the only person in the room who can say that last part. I’m here to remind you of just how far you’ve all fallen.”
“I’m January Violet Carmine, and I’m here to ensure that no alphas are gaming the system for petty, pathetic, or vindictive reasoning, as they wield life and death in their hands, while forgetting how to care about the infections who have to die,” she says as she spits out another wad of blood. “And I can keep the peace, because I can take whatever you’ve got, Idun.”
“I’m January Violet Carmine,” Violet says with a wince, as she carelessly shoves her shoulder back into its socket with a loud crunch. “For fun, I try new potions that occasionally blow off a limb or two. Once I burnt myself up. Took a couple of days to heal. I heal faster than average, because I was designed as a cosmic fuck-you to—”
“Forty-eight Simpletons have endured a hundred times as much as you’re all cringing at today. Which is why I’m here. It’s my turn. Because I’m what stands between her petty, deranged tantrums and all of you,” she goes on, which has Nadine darting a glance at all of us.
“I’m January Violet Carmine. I’m paying my dues to the Neopry community today by keeping my sanctuary safe, after opening it a mere week ago, even though I have the backing of five of the six families,” Violet goes on, fucking gutting me, as her eyes water a little in our direction. Her eyes go back to Idun’s quickly. “Because what I’m building is bigger than anything you can ever tear down.”
“I’m January Violet Carmine, and like all the Simpletons you’ve mocked, ridiculed, found to be a nuisance, and loathed for simply being weak, I’m here because I’m giving you a fair chance to care, after having a thousand years of an Idun-free world to thaw your scarred, cold hearts.”
“I was born to stand in your way, just because I fucking can. And now everyone’s going to know that you’re not my problem. But I just became the only problem you’re allowed to have, because you, the big, scary, all-powerful alpha can’t even make me scream while I’m still just a pup.”
“If I hadn’t fallen in love with you that first day you spotted me, as Vance drugged you and painted your toes, I would have fallen for you the day you threw yourself at my feet and freely gave me your throat—without one ounce of regard to the personal cost to yourself—to break a curse that has tormented me for centuries,” he says on a quiet breath, eyes intently on mine.
“To say I love you is quite the understatement.
