[Y/N] - Your Name
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
I
["Talking"]
["SCREAMING"]
["Whispering"]
["Thinking"]

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

His head was held low.

Glancing towards the ground, the boy remained there, not paying attention to everything around him. It felt weird, and it made him feel anxious to stay alone inside this place. The shaking gently moved his body from side-to-side as he remained there, merely glancing down at the floor and never moving. As if he was a mere chalk statue, the boy didn't move a single muscle, even as the train stopped, he remained.

It wouldn't be long until the entire machine came to a halt, and the doors opened. Still, Y/N remained there, sitting at his spot without any sort of issues, and remaining quiet. His head held low could only watch as a single figure stepped inside the place, and sat in the opposite seat in front of him. He couldn't see much other than the person's legs, and the fact that he was wearing a pair of black, leather and military-style boots.

Y/N soon heard the unmistakable sound of a match being lit, and used to lit a cigarette. He couldn't see much, but for some reason, the smell of this one was stronger than any of the others. Rapidly raising his head as his interest peaked, Y/N could finally take a glimpse at the man who stood in front of him. A large, towering figure of a monster who hid in the skin of a young man, seemingly in his mid 20's.

He was much taller than any other figure that Y/N had ever set his eyes on, and wore dog tags loosely hanging by his neck. Y/N rapidly picked his sketchbook, and began writing, noting down something alongside as he continued to stare towards the man's cigarette. For some reason, unlike all the others he had ever been around, he could feel the smell of this one. And while he didn't particularly enjoy it, it was interesting.

???: ["... Can I help you with something, kid?"] The man asked, glancing down at the young Kriegsman ["What's up? You want one, too? Not sure if a kid like you can handle it"]

Y/N: ["Having one of those may contribute to my research"] Y/N said, stopping his noting against the notepad in his hands ["I would be thankful if I could experience the taste of one"]

???: ["Heh. Whatever you say, kiddo. Knock yourself out"]

The other man chuckled, having a large smile as he reached for his pack of cigarettes inside his pant's pockets. And as he removed one, and passed it to Y/N, the boy gently picked it within his hands. Looking at it up and down, to the point of closely inspecting, and even smelling the cigarette. It wouldn't be long until the man in front of him lit another match, and approached it to the cigarette that Y/N was holding.

Calmly, the Kriegsman approached it to his nose and took a slight sniff on it. With a humming, he held the cigarette with his lips, and began once more noting down against his notepad. And so, he took a quick drag out of it, and his eyes instantly went wide. His entire body, for a moment, shook as the rush of adrenaline once more pumped against his veins. To the point where, for a single instant, he saw it all again.

The various bodies of dead men, both friendlies and enemies, all around him. He stood on top of a mountain of corpses, welding with him a weapon on each hand. On his right was a firearm, and its bayonet dripped with the warm blood of those around him. On his left was a steel shovel, stuck inside the split head of yet another one of the various soldiers that stood dead all around, who had their last moments in agony.

As quickly as it came, however, it was gone. Y/N found his eyes dropping, and his body, for a mere instant, going cold before he rapidly awakened once more. His lips parted, allowing the cigarette to drop down from his lips, and towards the ground beneath him. His eyes, still wide, were once more narrowed as he rapidly dashed down. Just as the cigarette was about to hit the ground, a hand picked it up.

Glancing up, Y/N saw the man who suddenly stood there, leaning from his seat to reach for the cigarette. His gigantic body stature made it easy for him to reach it, and calmly pick it up and chuckle. Taking a single drag from his own cigarette, the man gently handed the one he had between his fingers back to Y/N. Who picked it up once more, and hummed as he stared it all around before putting it in his lips once more.

Y/N: ["Interesting. It seems like it causes a short span of sudden adrenaline followed by a just-as-quick rush of slight exhaustion"] The boy hummed, noting down the various notes against his notepad, and the man remained there, observing ["Although that raises the question, thanks to my training and upbringing, I could not be affected by smells of mere cigarettes... Why is this different now?"]

???: ["These aren't normal cigarettes. They're custom made for me. The regular ones weren't cutting it anymore"] The man said, leaning back as he took a drag from his cigarette, instantly reducing all of it to mere dust with a single pull ["Previously I had to smoke 10 Packs a day to have the effect of a single one of these. Much more practical~"] He chuckled, allowing a large cloud of smoke to leave from his lips and nostrils.

Y/N: ["I take it that you're in the brink of death, then?"]

???: ["Does it look like it?"] The man asked with a calm chuckle as he shook his head ["Say, you're not from around here, are you?"] His sudden question prompted Y/N to glance up towards him ["Neither am I. I'm here just for... A simple work"]

Y/N: ["I hail from the country of Krieg. Located within the Imperium of Man"] Y/N said, glancing up towards the man, who slightly-smirked ["Former Commissar of the 993rd Death Korps Infantry Regiment"] Y/N watched as the man slightly laughed, shaking his head for a small moment ["Currently placed within the care of Malakim Phoros in the Lamenters Chapter of-"]

???: ["You've been through a lot, haven't you, kid?"]

Y/N gasped, and his eyes went wide. For no reason, his entire body once more shook from the man's simple words. He didn't understand why, but the stranger's kind smile and gentle expression made his consciousness shake. Sacrificial, patient, kind, humble, honest, forgiving, faithful, caring and selfless. He could feel all of it coming from the man's large smile that showed no sign of any sort of malice behind it.

For some reason, Y/N could feel that this man would move mountains and split oceans to protect him. It was weird. Y/N didn't know how to react as his face became warm, and his cheeks turned red. He felt as if he could throw himself from a cliff, and this man would jump right in, and would take the fall simply to protect him. Almost as if he was willing to spit on God's face and punch the Devil in the throat, all for Y/N.

Y/N's eyes trembled as he glanced down to the ground once more, and gently grasped his own chest as his eyes narrowed with tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He wasn't sure why, and as all the possibilities ran all around his head, he rapidly resorted to his notepad. He couldn't find anything in it to describe why his entire body felt this way. Why did he feel so safe, as if the man would protect him from Hell itself.

???: ["You can learn a lot about someone by looking at their eyes, you know?"] The man suddenly spoke, once more causing Y/N to look up at him ["I don't know much about you, kid, but take care..."] Calmly, the man stood up, cracking his neck from side-to-side ["My stop's the one that's coming up. My wife's waiting for me"]

The man calmly turned around, and began walking away as he hummed with himself a catchy, but unknown tune. Y/N remained there, watching as he went away. His body acting on its own as he dashed ahead from his seat, and towards the man, who calmly turned around just as Y/N was going to reach for him. Glancing down at him, his eyes hidden beneath a pair of dark sunglasses, the man raised his eyebrow in silence.

Y/N: ["Who... Who are you?"]

???: ["Hm? Me? Heh... I'm no one special"]

Y/N slowly glanced up towards the man, and took in further details about him. His stature was not only gigantic, but it also was extremely built. He was a monstrously muscular person, with an overwhelmingly well-defined, bulky frame with high vascularity. Not only that, but even through his shirt, Y/N could see his muscles bulging through, ready to rip the fabric at the smallest, sudden movement of him.

Along with it, his teeth were sharp, and his face held within himself a weird, and sudden tone of malice. As if the very concepts of good and evil manifested within a single man, the towering figure chuckled. Reaching ahead, he removed a pair of dark and round sunglasses, allowing his eyes to slightly move down, and face Y/N. The boy, looking up at him, could feel nothing but awe at the man's extremely-sharp build.

Along with that, his medium, black-colored hair fell on his face with thin, spiky-like strands. It wouldn't be long until Y/N also noticed countless scars all around the man's body. Various of them all around his large arms that were as big as Y/N's own chest. Some of them even around his neck and his face. Alongside it, he also had thick, various layers of eye bags that made the area around his eyes completely dark.

Eyes that Y/N noted to be different in color.

???: ["I'm just a husband, and father of three kids"]

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Iris: ["What?! A personal request?!"]

Exhilaration, elation, animation, enthusiasm, eagerness, anticipation. Many words could be used in the excited gasp that had just left the mouth of the young woman. The girl, with wide eyes, leaned ahead as she harshly stood up from the sofa she previously sat on top of. In front of her, the black-haired woman and the red-haired man stood, the two of them with happy smiles on their faces as they proudly nodded.

To the side, the young doll-like girl gently picked up the dirty cups around the room, not muttering a single word. And not very far away from them, the soldier with cold eyes also stood. This time around, he was standing to the side, gently dusting the various books on the shelf that stood by the end of the corridor. It wouldn't be long until he turned around, keeping the same emotionless face that the boy always had.

Although, thanks to the various marks that stood all around his ragged and burnt body, it seemed almost as if he was always mad or extremely judgemental. In truth, however, one could tell by his eyes many things, much like that man had done all those years ago. It wouldn't be long until he gently moved down the stairs, and walked near Iris, keeping the same ice-cold eyes that seemed to pierce people's souls.

One wouldn't know at first glance, but they'd understand why he looks like he does thanks to his past. A place where the unenlightened masses, they cannot make the judgment call. They gave up free will forever, their voices weren't heard at all. Displaying obedience while never stepping out of line, and blindly swear allegiance. They let their country control their mind. They let their country control their soul.

Living in ignorance and purchasing their happiness when blood and sweat is the real cost. Thinking ceases, the truth is lost. They didn't worry, afterall, they were told exactly what to do. They were giving the lives they needed. The righteous will succeed. The fires of greed burned the weak, So they made freedom obsolete. All of it, both them and all of their rules, all of them made the whole fabric of society.

Collective consciousness controlled as you will see.

Cattleya: ["I'm happy for you, Iris!"]

Hodgins: ["You will be making a house call to Kalazy"]

Iris: ["Kalazy? ... Hey, that's my hometown!"] The girl said with clear excitement in her voice ["So, who's the client?"]

Hodgins: ["A woman in her forties by the name of Sara Florent"] He calmly replied, soon glancing down towards the girl ["Do you perhaps know who she is?"]

Iris: ["Hum... Can't say that I do"]

Cattleya: ["Right, so! To commemorate Iris' first request, let us all go out for lunch today~!"]

It wouldn't be long until Violet, who walked around the place and had approached everyone alongside Y/N had the silver tray snatched from her hands. Forcefully, said tray was shoved against Hodgins chest by Cattleya, which left both him and Violet confused. And so, as the mature woman reached for Violet's wrist, and pulled her alongside Iris and Erica, the girl had left through the door, closing it behind her.

Y/N and Hodgins, who stood alongside each other in the room, exchanged a quick glance before the younger boy shrugged his arms. It wouldn't be long until Iris, who walked in front of Violet and Erica, right in the middle of the stairs, smugly smirked. Closing her eyes with both hands on the sides of her hips, she swayed her waist from side-to-side. Still had the smuggest-possible smirk in her lips that one could imagine.

Iris: ["My hometown's way out in the country, and I'm the only one from there"] The girl smugly said, keeping her eyes closed as she still walked down the stairs ["The client must've heard about me from someone. Not that I mind..."] Opening her eyes, she glanced down and gently held her golden necklace in her fingers ["I get to go home and show this off~"] Throwing her face up with a wide smile, she continued ["Man, my friends and family won't leave me alone~!"]

Erica: ["... Try not to get yourself carried away"] She said, putting an end to Iris' smug act ["Behave in a manner befitting a Doll of C.H Postal-"]

Iris: ["I know, I know. I get it!"]

Violet: ["This is one of those cases where you say that you get it..."] Violet gently spoke, having no sort of malice in her voice whatsoever ["But in truth, you didn't understand, or didn't get anything, isn't it?"]

Iris: ["Excuse you?! What did you just say-"]

Disaster struck.

As Iris turned around to angrily-confront Violet about what the doll-like girl had just said, she missed her step. From beneath her, her heel gave out, and she stumbled backwards upon losing her balance. Slowly, Cattleya turned around to see the whole commotion as she fell. Violet training kicked in, and a mere instant later, the blonde girl had already dashed ahead and reached forward to try and grasp Iris as she fell.

Before everything went dark.

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[マスクの後ろの兵士]
-≽ [𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐤] ≼-
Chapter 4: [You Won't Be a Tools, but People Worth of That Name]
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Cattleya: ["Nothing but letters canvassing votes lately"]

The only thing within the cramped space within the just-as-cramped room that echoed was the sound of Cattleya's pen scribbling back and forth. Her eyes narrowing as she continued to work, she had already gotten used to the dark-orange palette that the sun going down brought within itself. It wouldn't be long until the girl that stood in front of her gently glanced down at the mature woman as she gave out a long yawn.

Standing straight, she stretched her arms upwards as her fingers interlocked. Her eyes closing for a moment as she moaned with her lips closed, they soon widened into a large smile. Exhaling in slight pleasure and relief, the black-haired woman's purple-colored eyes opened, and she gently smiled once more before speaking again.

Cattleya: ["Well, it is the first post-war election, and the Lords are making all kinds of moves"] She said, soon going back to scribbling as Erica stood not very far away ["I wish Y/N was here to deal with this. He writes these serious letters much better and faster"] With a slight sigh, her lips nonetheless parted into a large, and beautiful smile ["So the common candidates must be getting desperate"]

Cattleya followed Erica's glance and one of the many windows that stood towering above the two, flooding the room with its golden-orange rays of glorious sunshine. She glanced away and in the distance, slowly, but surely, she could see the rays of sun moving down and disappearing from view as the Sun shyly-hid itself behind the large mountains in the distance. Glancing down, the woman heard Erica's words.

Erica: ["... Will those two be alright?"]

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Iris: ["Of all the rotten luck..."]

The woman sighed in annoyance as she still faced the same quick-passing scenario she always saw before. The various mountains and hills passed by alongside the giant cliff in which the train harshly moved through the tracks. Her eyes slightly-narrowed in annoyance as she continued to face out the window as the night once more took over, and she stood in the small, but still cozy and comfortable room.

She faced Violet, who sat right in front of her on a sofa that was facing the one that Iris sat on. At Violet's side, as usual, stood Y/N, who faced the Cedar Brown-haired girl. Iris glancing out the window gently shot a glance towards Violet and Y/N, noticing how the boy remained immovable as usual, and glancing to nowhere in particular.

Iris: ["I lost the perfect opportunity to show off my awesome typing skills..."]

Violet: ["No need to worry. I'll type in your stead"]

Iris: ["No, that's not the point..."]

The girl sighed once more with her sadd tone seemingly-increasing. Nonetheless, Y/N, who sat in front of the girl and at Violet's side, slowly also glanced out the window. His eyes, for a moment, dashed all around as he hummed, and slowly, the boy slid the window open. Iris watched in curiosity as he reached ahead, trying to snatch into his hand an owl from one of the branches in the not-so-far-away trees.

Violet, however, calmly pulled the boy back before he had the chance to do so, just as a tree passed where his head was just now. Slowly, he merely stood up and tried once more, and this time, however, he managed to snatch something. As he felt the fluffiness in his fingers, he glanced down towards the understandably-confused and frightened raccoon in his hands, just as Violet glanced down at a map in her hands.

Violet: ["Kazaly is a village midway up the mountains, and its principal industries are dairy farming and agriculture, yes?"] It wouldn't be long until Iris faced Violet, keeping the same bored and somewhat-saddened expression on her face ["It's a fairly-new settlement, so it has no other features or specialties to speak of"]

Iris: ["... Well, excuse us for not having nothing going on"]

Y/N: ["It isn't a bad thing"] The man said, much Iris' surprise ["Anything of value will be fought over in the eye of the storm"] He calmly replied, gently setting down the raccoon in his lap, who seemed to be too frightened to fight back ["In North Leidenschaftlich and Central Imperium, the rich iron and copper reserves led to its invasion by the Gardariki Empire"]

Iris: ["Yeah, that's what kicked off the war..."] She said before turning to face the window one more time ["My uncle was full of bluster, yelling that he'd enlist, but my aunt was against it"] Soon, with her smile returning, her yellow eyes focused towards Violet and Y/N once more ["In the end, he never did. Thanks to that he never got hurt-"]

It wouldn't be long until she had gained a happy expression that suddenly and rapidly disappeared. It did so once she focused ahead, noticing Violet's gloved hands, and Y/N's skin as he calmly played around with the raccoon, and sketched it in his notepad. She remembered the metallic clinking of Violet's prosthetic hands and arms moving around, as well her calibrating and tightening them around what remained.

She also glanced towards Y/N and his burnt skin. The ragged, dry, and destroyed tissue that was colored in a dark-purple color. The tendons showing around his neck, and even parts of the bones visible around the area of his jaw. Some of it was peeling away, quite literally, falling apart just like it was: A rotten piece of dead skin. Slowly, Iris glanced away with a regretful and saddened expression clear against her face.

Iris: ["... Sorry"]

Violet: ["What was that apology for, exactly?"]

Iris: ["Well, you both did get hurt..."]

Violet: ["But why would you feel responsible for our injuries?"]

Iris: ["I don't, but-..."]

Y/N: ["An apology is the act of asking for forgiveness when you feel responsible for a wrongdoing"] Gently scratching the raccoon's belly, Y/N turned to face Iris with his always-present neutral expression ["You haven't caused any wrongdoing or misbehaving towards Violet or I, so-"]

Iris: ["Ugh, all right, all right! I get it... From the very moment that I met these two..."] Iris thought as she glanced away from them both, and once more faced the window ["I could never wrap my head around Violet Evergarden or Y/N L/N..."]

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It was a beautiful day outside.

Birds were singing, and flowers were blooming. Gently shaking with the breeze of the wind that slightly blew them back and forth, the beautiful flowers and the tall grass shook. Gently resting among the various trees, and in the middle of a dirt road among the tall, tall mountains, a single, small train station stood. Hidden in plain sight within a small, calm, and quiet village. From within it, three familiar figures stepped out of it.

Iris took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, keeping that same bummed and disappointed expression in her face. Y/N, gently leaning down, set down the raccoon that instantly took off running away as the former-Commissar tapped away at his clothes. At their side, Violet, with her usual expressionless face stood, glancing back towards Iris at the older girl's lips gently parted, and she spoke up with a low tone.

Iris: ["Yeah, it really is sticky here compared to Leiden"] She said, soon turning around to face Violet and Y/N ["Aren't you two hot in those clothes?"]

Violet: ["It is not a problem"]

Y/N: ["We are used to temperature swings"]

Iris: ["Hum... Are you now?"]

Y/N glanced towards Iris as the girl remained with an unexcited and bored tone that was also mixed with one of sadness and somewhat disappointment. Gently stepping down the small steps from the station, Iris missed the looks that Y/N and Violet gently shared. However, as the yellow-eyed girl began to step down the little rows of stairs, she failed to notice a puddle of mud beneath her heel before it was way too late.

As the mud was gently shot up, staining the girl's heel, she stood there, showing no sign of emotion in her face, somewhat resembling Y/N. The boy, stepping at her side, glanced down towards the girl's heel, and gently hummed inside his head as he looked towards her bummed face. And so, as her eyebrows gently began to tremble, the yellow-eyed girl glanced to the side once she heard an ever-approaching voice.

Man: ["Iris! Welcome back!"]

Iris' Mother: ["Welcome back, Iris~!"]

Man (2): ["I'm so glad you could make it back!"]

Iris: ["Mom, dad!"] The girl exclaimed in surprise ["Oh... Aunt and uncle too!"]

As she approached them, Y/N followed close behind alongside Violet. As the large carriage dragged ahead by a large buffalo came to a stop, Y/N took a moment to analyze everyone inside. He noticed how five people were inside, including a young girl and two mature women as well as a mature man, and a young boy. As they approached, their eyes suddenly darted towards Violet, who looked up at them.

Her expression was soft and calm. As if they were looking towards a porcelain doll that held no expression or complaints to any sort of problem. She was beyond just beautiful and adorable, as one could easily feel attracted towards her, and for the right reasons. Her lips seemed as soft and as well-kept as her flowing blonde hair. Her blue eyes that reminded people of the sea were wide, and beyond extremely eye-catching.

The boy at her side was a complete contrast.

Though his eyes were beautiful, and hooking, his face seemed as if he was through hell and back. One wouldn't be too far off from the truth as he gently looked towards them showing no expression on his face. His pieces of rugged skin were held together by various clasps and piercings. Yet, one could see them falling to the ground, giving him a scary and somewhat disgusting appearance to look at.

Iris' Mother: ["Uh... Iris, what's with your arm?!"] The woman asked in surprise ["What happened to it?"]

Iris: ["Oh, it was a flight- A slight miscalculation"] The girl, however, stopped talking and glanced away ["I overworked myself, and ended up getting hurt"]

Violet: ["That statement is not factual"]

Iris: ["I get a lot personal requests, you see...!"]

Violet: ["Nor is that one"]

Iris: ["Ow! Ouch! Crap, it started hurting again!"]

Y/N: ["It might be Compartment syndrome. Excessive swelling of the injured arm can cut off the blood supply to part of the arm, causing pain and numbness"] The boy said, gently stepping ahead, and carefully grasping Iris' arm between his hands, and humming ["Bone infection. If a part of your broken bone protrudes through your skin, it can be exposed to germs that can cause infection"]

Man: ["Geez. Work must be getting rough lately, huh?"] The man asked, smiling after a slight face of confusion ["Specially for a star Auto-Memoir Doll such as yourself"]

Violet: ["... "Star"?"]

Iris: ["Geez dad, tone it down a bit"]

Man (2): ["But... If you're hurt, how are you going to ghostwrite?"]

Iris: ["Oh, that? That's why she's here"] The girl said, turning to face Violet and Y/N ["And that's my Boss, and her personal doctor"]

Violet: ["... If a client requests it, we will go anywhere. Representing the Auto-Memoir Doll service..."]

Violet: ["I am Violet Evergarden"]

If his skin wasn't the way it was, one would see Y/N's cheeks lightly dusting themselves into a reddish-pink color. His eyes slightly widened for a moment as he felt the gentle breeze blowing through him and everyone else, gently shaking Violet's red ribbons and her hair, much like the grass and the flowers all around themselves. Everyone in the place, and including Iris, had eyes wide in surprise and admiration.

The people inside the carriage were also surprised by Violet, her presentation, and her beauty. Understandably, they found themselves somewhat shocked by the girl with Doll features that stood in front of them. As if her introduction was little more than something she had trained to do for centuries, she remained in a normal pose, having her head staring towards them in silence. Silence that wouldn't last too much.

Girl: ["... Like a Doll toy?"]

Boy: ["Nah. "Doll" is their job title"]

Man: ["... Well, that took my breath away for a second"] The man said with a surprised tone and a large smile ["Well, that's a Doll from the city to you, I guess"]

Y/N: ["It may also be Asthma"]

Iris: ["Eh? Oi! I'm dressed as a Doll too"]

Man: ["Oh, uh... You look good, Iris"] The man replied while opening a large smile on his face ["The very image of a career woman"]

Iris: ["Man, what the hell, jeez... Oh, right. Do you know Sara Florent?"] She sighed with a slightly-annoyed tone before returning to her somewhat-happy tone ["She's the client who asked for me here. She's supposed to be here to meet me"]

Iris' Mother: ["Oh... That was your late great-grandma's name. The request was from me"] The woman said with a happy smile, although Iris' expression showed the contrary ["I figured I could see you by requesting a ghostwriting"]

Iris' expression changed extremely-quickly. Going from somewhat-calm and collected to gritting her teeth, and her body trembling as she clutched her fists. Y/N noticed the slight change, and gently looked at the girl from head to toe, watching as she stepped ahead. As she did, however, the boy gently held her by the wrist, keeping a grip firm enough to keep her in place, but not strong enough to end up accidentally hurting her.

Iris: ["T - THAT'S MESSED U-"]

Y/N: ["That makes your contract and your request invalid"] The boy suddenly said, surprising Iris, and gently pulling her back ["Not only the contract states that we don't accept requests made under anonymity or pseudonyms, but I do not like being lied to"] Pulling her until she stood behind him, Y/N stepped ahead with his firm posture, and unshakable eyes that glared ahead ["Iris might be a bit over her head, and not very disciplined, but she's a great asset to our company. Making it so that an injured Doll travels so long for nothing is rude"] Gently, the man bowed down, crossing an arm over his chest before he stood up, dismissing Iris' surprised and widened eyes ["If that's all, we'll be taking our leave. Have a pleasant day"]

It wouldn't be long until the man turned around, keeping both hands behind his back as he began to walk back inside the station, and up the small stairs. Violet didn't take long to follow the boy, and did so without a single word as she gently moved up the stairs. As usual, the blonde-haired girl had no sort of emotion in her face, and instead, she followed Y/N with Iris turning around to face her with wide and surprised eyes.

Iris: ["O - Oi! Wait a moment there!"]

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Violet: ["If you make a new request, I can accept it here and now"]

The girl said with a gentle expression as the boy stood by the side. Now, far away from the train station, the three Dolls stood inside a house, the same one that Iris herself grew up on. It wouldn't be long until the girl turned to the side, as she laid on the sofa with a hand behind the back of her head, facing Violet and Y/N. The girl stood in front of her mother, keeping a calm and gentle expression, seemingly-unlike Y/N.

The man stood by the side, having his arms crossed and leaning with his back against a wall, and keeping a somewhat-serious face. It wasn't long before Violet, who stood near a table with Iris' Aunt and Mother gently leaned down, picking up a sheet of paper. As she did so, glancing ahead, the blonde-haired girl remained with her soft and gentle expression. All of it, not showing any sort of expression or emotion.

Violet: ["Please, write your legal name on the form"] The girl said, gently picking up the sheet of paper ["What kind of invitations would you like me to write?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Invitation for Iris' birthday party"]

Iris: ["... Wait! Mine?!"]

Iris' Mother: ["Your birthday's the day after tomorrow, remember?"]

Iris: ["Hum... Man, I totally forgot..."]

The girl had stood up with a surprised expression that suddenly turned into a somewhat-thoughtful one. And so, it wouldn't be long until she hummed, and nodded her head accordingly as she remembered her birthday. As she suddenly stood up, it wouldn't be long until she noticed something in the wall. A portrait of a quite-large family, a frame and a black-and-white picture of seven pictures, four girls and 3 boys.

Iris' Mother: ["We're going to throw a huge party, and invite a lot of people"]

Violet: ["If it's for the day after tomorrow, I must start immediately to make it in time"] The girl said, turning to face the woman and the man that sat at her side ["I'll need some time for the various deliveries, too. Y/N and I might be able to make it in time"]

Gently opening a black-colored box that stood on the table in front of her, Violet revealed her steel typewriter. It wouldn't be long until she calmly calibrated the machine to the correct setting, and gently reached ahead and removed her leather gloves. At her side, Y/N gently took them within his hand, and neatly folded both in a mere instant, setting it aside on the side of the table before calmly sitting down.

At Violet's prosthetic hands, Iris' family's eyes went wide as they watched the metallic steel of the girl's hand gently clattering about thanks to it gently moving. They all gasped in surprise, and the two children dashed ahead, leaping from their seats as they approached. Instantly, without missing an instant, Y/N reached ahead, holding both back by their hands as they reached ahead to try and touch Violet's hands.

Girl: ["It's so pretty~!"]

Boy: ["What happened to you?!"]

Woman (2): ["Oi! Stop that at once!"]

Violet: ["There's no need for concern"] The girl said with a gentle expression ["Do you have a list of the guests?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Here it is~!"]

Iris: ["Let me have a look at it..."]

As the woman gently slid a paper ahead towards Violet on top of the table, Iris stood up. The yellow-girl reached ahead, grasping the paper between her fingers and glancing down. With a small hum, her eyes scanned the letters written all around the sheet as she hummed. It wouldn't be long, however, until her eyes gently narrowed in a mixture of disappointment and somewhat annoyance at various of the many names.

Iris: ["Is it just me, or are there a lot of guys in this list?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Weeeeell.... You're all grown up now"]

Iris: ["... And?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Don't think it's time that you got married?"]

Y/N glanced between Iris and her mother, and as he calmly sat Violet's side, the boy hummed in a low tone. Low enough that only Violet could hear, and notice as he became somewhat-tense, and his eyes narrowed. Still darting between the young girl and her mother as Iris kept a somewhat-disappointed face that also had a tone of anger and sadness mixed into it, which prompted Y/N to calmly ready himself.

Iris: ["What is that supposed to mean?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Well, you're our only daughter"] The woman said with a wide smile ["We want you to come back home and settle down"] She continued, which prompted Iris' eyes to narrow and her teeth to grit ["Quiet your Doll work and come live with us-"]

Iris: ["THIS IS WHY YOU CALLED ME BACK?!"]

Iris: ["THIS IS WHY YOU LIED TO ME?!"]

Iris' Mother: ["T... Tsc! You've been lying to us, too! We know you're not "Leiden's most-popular Doll"] The woman groaned in annoyance as did Iris while picking up the sheet of paper and turning to Violet ["Either way, we're throwing this party. Violet, please address the envelopes too"]

Violet: ["Roger that"]

It wouldn't be long until Violet began writing. Leaning back against the sofa where he sat, Y/N hummed with himself. His eyes darting all over the room in such a subtle manner that no one could notice, he crossed his arms. Having some of his face hidden away by the collars of his trenchcoat, the man glanced towards Iris, who stood up straight. He noticed that she still had that same face of clear anger and annoyance.

Her eyes darted towards the list of guests, and inspected it thoroughly in a clear manner once more. Her eyes trembled in a slight manner once they focused on a singular name that stood out for her between the others. It wouldn't be long until the girl narrowed her eyes once more as they shined with the sun hitting the window. Humming inside her mind, the yellow-haired girl narrowed her eyes at the name.

She knew it.

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Iris: ["See this "Emonn Snow"? Don't send him an invite"]

It wasn't long until the shenanigans back in the main room had happened. And at the moment, Violet, Iris, and Y/N stood together inside a room upstairs. Said room was lit by the setting sun that peered through a window where Violet sat near with her typewriter near her. Glancing up the blonde-haired girl noticed Iris standing there with her finger planted against the name that she had just told Violet not to send an invite.

On the other side of the table, Y/N hummed as he leaned ahead, peering over the table, Iris, and Violet as he stared towards the letter. Violet, glancing up towards Iris, showed no emotion on her face, and yet, it's easy to tell that the girl was understandably-confused. Nonetheless, she glanced between the paper with the guest list and Iris, as the girl continued to look down towards her, unamused.

Violet: ["Even though he's on the list?"]

Iris: ["... Yeah"]

Y/N: ["Why's that?"]

Iris: ["Tsc. It doesn't matter why..."]

Violet: ["Your parents selected this guest list"] Violet said, keeping her blue eyes towards Iris ["I don't believe you have the right to remove any names from it"]

Iris: ["This request was for me"] She interrupted, raising her index finger ["You're here to help me out. Got that?"]

Y/N: ["You may wish to calm down. Stress is not good for your health"]

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The night fell once more.

The Sun, hiding itself beneath the various mountains in the distance, allowed the Moon to bathe the world in its light reflected by the Sun itself. Nonetheless, Violet and Y/N always stood side-by-side, or not very far away from each other as they continued their deliveries. It wouldn't be long until the boy, who was putting a letter inside a mail box, stopped as he felt that something wasn't right. And so, he rapidly turned around.

Pulling a revolver from his waist, the boy aimed it ahead. Narrowing his eyes and glancing from side-to-side, the shiver in his spine slowly died as he glanced all around. He couldn't see anything save for a black-colored mist rolling throughout the road, and going into the distance. With another hum, he slowly turned around, putting down his revolver, and back into his waist as he heard a very, very familiar voice.

Violet: ["I'm finished with my share"]

Y/N: ["... Yeah, I'm done with mine, too"] He replied, turning to face Violet ["Shall us head back? Standing in this dew during the night might not do us good"] He said, fixing his trenchcoat around his body to hide away his gun ["They may not have anything special, so I won't be able to make the healthiest of dinners..."]

Violet: ["It's alright, you don't have to... Is something wrong?"]

Y/N: ["I thought I had sensed something wrong, but the perimeter is clear. No enemy contact"] He replied, stepping towards Violet, and glancing down at the girl while in front of her ["And I am aware that I'm not required to cook you a healthy dinner. I merely wish to do so"]

Violet: ["... And besides, I'm not sure why, but..."]

Violet: ["This scenario by itself strikes as something special..."]

Y/N slowly turned to face the scenario alongside Violet. Looking at it with his cold, emotionless eyes, he felt the breeze gently shake his hair. Blowing past him with no issues as it also gently moved Violet's long, blonde hair. The two of them remained, emotionless and motionless as statues, never breaking the gaze towards the moon. A cold shiver gently ran along their spines, but used to the cold, they didn't mind it a bit.

It wouldn't be long until Y/N felt some of the warmth disappear in two areas of his upper body. As he still stared towards the door in a calming, quiet manner, he felt the cold disappear from both his palm, and the upper area of his hand as well as his fingers. Alongside it, it wouldn't be long until the same warmth enveloped his right shoulder. It all prompted him to slowly, but surely, glance towards the blonde girl.

Violet gently laid her head on his shoulder as she held his hand.

Gently, the boy's eyes would watch as her blonde hair gently flowed with the wind. It wasn't long before he also noticed her bright-blue eyes still staring towards the moon in a calming silence. In response to such, Y/N turned back to watching the moon, and felt the breeze that gently blew his hair and trenchcoat. Closing his eyes as his fingers gently coiled around Violet's hand, and his head was gently laid down on top of her's.

They didn't speak. In fact, they didn't share a single sound. The only thing one could hear around the two was the echoing sounds of the night animals. Besides it, the only noise that echoed was that of the gentle breeze. There, no one could notice their eyes closing, and their hands gently squeezing the other. It was a strange, but comforting and welcome feeling. One of calmness, relaxation, and for the first time, comfort.

In the midst of the cold, breezy night, the two of them both experienced a feeling. Violet experienced it for the first time, as Y/N was reminded of that duo-eyed stranger from so long ago. Nonetheless, the feeling of warmth, even though physically on their hands and fingers, raised from within them like never before. A sense of security and safety that brings about stillness, almost as if nothing and no one could harm them.

At last, they felt at peace.

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The moon was long replaced with the sun.

Alongside it, the cold was replaced with its warmth, followed by the sound being replaced by the cheerful voices and talks of various people. People who, among various trees that were decorated with flags, and tables on a beautiful scenery backyard that were filled with various sorts of food, cheered together. As some of the drunk men danced with each other without a care, the women talked with each other.

The kids, all around their parents, or by themselves, played and cheered. Either with the classic playful chase where one ran after the others with a bug, or completely imaginary sword duels. Some of which, the familiar black-haired boy was aiding the kids, either whenever they would get themselves bruised, or merely by tipping them on how to actually fight with a blade. Though he wasn't very good, he tried his best.

He always preferred the shovels anyways.

Iris' mother would welcome all the guests, and while some of them were frightened or shocked by the appearance of the former Kriegsman, most found him to be quite the amusing one. Nonetheless, as everyone gathered around, Iris' mother would always welcome them with a polite smile and greeting, carrying with her steel cups filled with wine. Y/N could've sworn that he even saw some of the kids drinking from said cups.

Speaking of the birthday girl, currently she stood among her friends. With a small, polite and quite genuine smile, she wore different robes than her usual ones. This time around carrying with her a red-colored dress which left her shoulders and its blades exposed with a beautiful, purple-colored collar. It held various details, and even a small gargement on the side of her head in the shape of an iris flower. Ironic.

Girl: ["Happy birthday, Iris~!"] One of her various friends said with a happy smile ["Is your arm ok? What happened?"]

Iris: ["Oh, this? Nothing much, hahah..."] She said with a nervous smile and chuckle ["No need to worry yourself with it"]

Girl 2: ["You became a Doll in Leiden, did you not?"] One of them asked with sparkle in her eyes ["That's soooo cooool~!"]

Iris: ["Well, I... Yeah..."]

Y/N had to admit that it was a while before he saw Iris smile like that. Looking between her friends with a genuine smile forming on her lips. Her eyes closed in appreciation of their words as well as the recognition that she was getting. Such a scene made Y/N, who stood by the side with his arms crossed, to warmly-welcome the change of pace from the usual Iris. However, as usual, all things must one day come to a quick end.

Iris' Mother: ["Iris!"]

The sudden voice of her mother made the girl snap out of her slight trance. Glancing to the side, and once more gaining her slightly-saddened gaze, she turned to face the older woman. Y/N, still in the distance leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, hummed to himself, noticing the intent in the woman's eyes. Doing so, he readied himself, not to attack, as he unfortunately couldn't legally do so, but to act if needed.

Iris' Mother: ["Do you have a moment, dear?"]

Iris: ["Oh... Yeah, sure thing, I guess"] She said, giving a forced smile to her friends ["I'll talk to you two later, alright?"]

Iris' Mother: ["Sorry to interrupt your girl talk, sweetie, but, do you remember him?"] She said as the two girls moved away, and she glanced to the side where she saw a young, black-haired boy [" It's Montgomery. I hear he passed the teacher's license exam"]

Y/N: ["Seems like in the middle of nowhere even an underpaid profession is impressive"]

Iris' Mother: ["And apparently, Hans is training to be a shoe craftsman!"] Oblivious to her daughter's uninterest, she glanced at another boy ["That and- Emmon!"]

Hearing the name that came out of her mother's name, Iris' eyes widened and in turn, Y/N's own also narrowed. He glanced ahead, noticing a tall figure of a spiky-haired man with brown hair and equally-colored eyes approaching. He was young, maybe just a bit older than Iris herself was, and was also tall. Sure, not nearly as tall as the stranger that one Y/N once met, but he was still about a head taller than Y/N himself.

Emonn: ["I apologize for being late, Ms. Cannary"] The man said, and soon glanced towards Iris ["And happy birthday, Iris"]

The man said, and glanced towards the short-haired girl. On doing so, however, Iris would look beyond just conflicted. With wide eyes and an agape mouth of shock, and clear sadeness present in her eyes. Humming, the black-haired boy remained underneath the shade caused by the tree, watching as the scene played out. Emonn and Iris' Mother would notice the girl's eyes trembling, and were also shocked.

With some sweat running down her face, and being clearly-conflicted, Iris would watch as both Emonn and her mother lost the glow in their eyes. The two seemed almost like Iris herself, unsure and confused as they glanced down towards the ground. Iris slowly peered over towards Emonn, but she was quick to glance away with a red-colored blush spreading across her face, and her eyes narrowing a bit.

Iris: ["... Why are you here?"]

Emonn: ["Uh... Because I got an invite"]

Such words caused Iris' eyes to widen, and her to rapidly turn around to face the boy in the distance. He stood there, leaning against the tree with crossed arms and narrowed eyes. Eyes that seemed to almost glow underneath the shade caused by his hair and the leaves, but noticing Iris' gaze, all he did was shake his head to both sides. And so, he glanced away, and Iris noticed his eyes landed on a familiar girl.

Without a word, Iris began to approach said familiar face. Y/N sighed, rubbing his forehead, and shoved both hands inside of his pocket, and also stepped ahead. Keeping his posture straight, he walked at the same rhythm of Iris, but seemed to be somewhat faster than the girl, as he stood by Violet's side, prompting the blonde to glance over him before she glanced up towards Iris, who had only one thing to say.

Iris: ["You sent himr one?!"]

Violet: ["I checked with your mother, and she said I should send one"]

Y/N: ["We tried to argue that it went against your feelings and wishes"] The man said, glancing down towards Violet and Iris ["But she insisted, and wouldn't take no for an answer. We chose not to upset her even further"] The man continued, never once losing the cold stare his eyes had ["Or else, it could've been worse. For the three of us, and our entire company"]

It wouldn't be long until the girl slowly set her back straight after glaring down towards Violet. Slowly, with her entire body shaking in a mixture of what Y/N figured to be anxiety, sadness, regret, and anger, she glared over her shoulder. A glare so cold that it made Y/N's emerald-colored eyes seem like the middle of the summer from just how purely-angered Iris were in comparison to the boy's own stone-cold eyes.

Her teeth gritting, and her fists clenching, Iris' eyes slowly formed tears as they clenched. Y/N remained there, and sighed as he lowered his head, prompting Violet to glance up at his closed eyes. And almost as if she could feel her daughter's stare burning a hole through her skull, Iris' Mother turned to face the girl. At the same time, Iris' face went from a mixture of sadness and anger, to pure sorrow and melancholy.

Much as Y/N expected, she ran away.

Dashing past everyone with her head down, and running as fast as she could, Iris moved through the crowd. The cheerful talk and the drunken babblering of everyone was interrupted by a door slamming so hard that it seemed to almost make the entire house fall. A slam so furious and filled with emotion that it made some of the door, quite literally, crack around some of its spots, specially the door handle and middle.

Even though there weren't many people to begin with, Y/N counting 27 including himself and Violet, everyone was silenced. With a sigh, the boy pulled up a chair at Violet's side, and leaned forward to rest his elbows against his knuckles, and interlock his fingers to rest his nose on top of them. Almost as if he looked ahead in a cold, analytical manner, sitting against the blonde's side, she couldn't help but ask.

Violet: ["... Was it something we did?"]

Y/N: ["You may rest assured, we have nothing to do with what happened. We made a choice, the right one"] The boy said, closing his eyes for a moment as whispers and murmurs echoed around them ["Our company is at the brink of failure and bankruptcy. We can't afford to upset customers, no matter the sacrifice"] Continuing, he calmly turned to gaze towards Violet, and crossed his arms as he looked at her ["That, and whatever is going on does not concern personal feelings. Carrying such to one's duty is foolish"]

Violet: ["But I still can't help to feel that-"]

Y/N: ["I guarantee, Violet, we had nothing to do with that. relationship troubles, depression, anxiety, and aggression..."] Y/N listed out of nowhere, his eyes moving right from Violet towards Iris' Mother as they narrowed ["Among other negative outcomes, some of those are the examples for children without positive parenting"]

With a tired sigh, the boy stood up, dusting his clothes as he watched Iris' Mother alongside her husband apologize to everyone, and politely say that the party was over, the boy stepped ahead. He gave a few, mere steps forward before he stopped, turning to face Violet, who sat there, much like an immovable doll with her porcelain skin, and glanced at him, almost as if she was waiting for him to tell her what to do.

Y/N: ["Come on. Let us go talk to Iris"]

◁━━━━━━━━◈ - - - ◈━━━━━━━━▷

Iris: ["You both did by sending him an invite..."]

It wouldn't be long until the previous events, just a couple of minutes, in fact. Most of it because Y/N and Violet awaited for Iris to stop crying before entering the room. And even so took quite a while with her telling them to go away, but finally giving in once Y/N threatened to kick the door down. Iris wouldn't want a repeat of what happened before, and finally gave in, now sitting at her bed and looking out of the window.

Violet: ["How is that related to your sudden downturn in condition?"]

With ashamed gazes, and quite the trembling ones, Iris' parents dismissed themselves from the crowd, apologizing for the sudden turn of events that the day had taken. All the while, Iris watched from the window, noticing how the glorious rays of golden sunshine were replaced by orange-colored ones with such a blood-red light. Nonetheless, Y/N and Violet remained in the room with the boy leaning on the wall.

Iris: ["I told you both not to send him one..."]

Stripped from the sandals she wore with the red dress, or even the heels that she was used to wearing, Iris sat against the bed with her knees against her chest, and both arms wrapped around her legs. Her tone was low in a whisper-like tone, almost as if she was on the verge of crying her eyes out to the two former soldiers that stood in the same room as her. Nonetheless, Violet and Y/N seemed to remain unshaken.

Violet: ["We were only carrying out our orders"]

Iris: ["I didn't want to see him again..."]

Y/N: ["And why is that? We won't understand unless you give us a reason"]

Iris, finally snapping, jumped out of her bed. Though she wouldn't try to attack, of course, she still looked towards Violet, and in turn, towards Y/N who stood leaning on the wall behind the blonde. Remaining there with her cold and emotionless gaze, Violet watched as Iris' eyes that were filled with tears spilled out various of the same crystal-clear tears around, flowing out of her eyes to all directions, all of it at once.

Iris: ["Because he rejected me!"]

Violet: ["... Do you mean that you made advances towards him, but he turned you down?"]

Y/N, still leaning against the wall, mentally sighed. Uncrossing his arms and stepping ahead, he watched as Iris' eyes turned into one of surprise at Violet's words. Rapidly, however, they narrowed once more, and her teeth gritted yet again. And as Violet continued to speak, the boy stepped ahead, reaching forward and putting a hand against the blonde's shoulder. That is, however, not before more words left her mouth.

Violet: ["You showed your affection for him, but he pushed you away-"]

Iris: ["... Yeah... THAT'S RIGHT!"]

Violet was clearly surprised at Iris snapping, but Y/N couldn't say the same for himself. Now actually sighing with a breath of somewhat-annoyance escaping his lips, he watched as Iris fell down to her knees, and finally broke. Her tears flowed out of her eyes non stop as she sobbed against her own hands after her legs had given up on her, and she couldn't help but kneel down while she continued to break into tears.

Y/N gave a calm, and gentle squeeze against Violet's shoulder, prompting the girl to glance up towards him. With a reassuring nod, as well as a gentle head pat, Y/N stepped ahead, and moved past Violet. Instantly, the girl watched as he kneeled down in front of Iris, and glanced over his shoulder towards Violet. And yet one more time, he gave her a calm nod of reassurance, as if to say that he had it all under control.

Violet, following the advice of her superior and close friend, stepped out of the room. Turning on her heels and closing the door behind her as she still heard Iris bawling her eyes out, Violet walked out of the upstairs floor. And as she did so, hearing the silent noise of the pouring rain, her boots clicked against the ground while she stepped down the stairs. And as she did so, she could hear Iris' Mother speaking up.

Iris' Mother: ["I can't believe Iris..."]

It wouldn't be long until they heard footsteps coming down the stairs as Iris' Mother sat alongside the rest of her family in front of a small table. Turning around they saw the leather boots of Violet calmly stepping down the stairs. Alongside the clicks of her heels and the sound of the ever-pouring rain banging against the roof, the two of them could also hear the nonstop crying upstairs along with Y/N's muffled voice.

Iris' Mother: ["Oh,Violet... How was Iris?"]

Violet: ["She's crying, but Dr. L/N is taking care of her..."]

Iris' Mother: ["Eh? Crying? Why's that?"] With genuine confusion on her voice, she leaned ahead ["Did something happen to her?"]

Violet remained quiet. Not speaking a single word or muttering a single sound, the blonde-haired girl remained quiet. No one could hear a single thing as the rain grew each time more and more on the outside. Pouring down with anger and nonstop banging against the roof of the small, modest house. As the dark clouds covered the dark skies of the night, they continued to cry down its tears in the form of raindrops.

Nonetheless, as the night went on, not much happened nonetheless. The quiet banging of the roof outside brought the Kriegsman a weird sense of calmness. And as he sat on the steps of the house outside without his cloak, shirt, or his boots, the man continued to feel the heavy impact on the areas of his body that weren't burnt. Everywhere else, there was no cold, no warth, nothing but the endless nothingness.

Inside the place, Violet looked at him from the window, sitting inside the living room as she looked with her gaze fixated against Y/N's back. And on the upstairs, Iris Mother walked forward towards the closed room of the yellow-eyed girl who there stood for the past various others. Taking in a deep breath, the mature woman reached ahead and knocked three times on the door before her lips parted and she spoke up.

Iris' Mother: ["Iris? Are okay, Iris...?"] The woman spoke up, causing the girl inside the room to groan ["Cheer up, dear... We'll find someone better-"]

Iris: ["You're still going about that?! It's your own fault for throwing that stupid party!"]

Iris: ["I NEVER SHOULD'VE COME BACK!"]

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Y/N's eyes glanced down at the cigarette hung in his lips as it was suddenly snapped in half. His eyes remained cold, emotionless, merely glancing down at the ashes that dropped to the ground. Nonetheless, he sighed, and was about to reach for another one, hoping they weren't soaked, on the right pocket of his pants. Before he could do so, however, he felt the drops of rain against his back suddenly cease in a moment.

Glancing up, emerald met blue as his eyes and Violet's eyes locked. The blonde girl, still wearing her iconic dress, glanced down at him as she held an umbrella to cover the boy from the rain. They didn't share a word, a single movement, or even a subtle hum or sound. Instead, the two of them remained there, stopped, quiet, not moving a single inch. That is, until Y/N slowly put himself and picked the umbrella from Violet.

Y/N: ["You should head inside, Ms. Evergarden... You may catch a cold"]

Violet: ["... But I want to stay with you"]

Seeing the crystal raindrops fall, and the beauty of it all, Y/N saw in her eyes the sun coming to shine through. To make rainbows in his mind when he thought of her. There, the two of them still remained, with Y/N holding the umbrella over both him and Violet. The drops falling from his wet hair and face as he glanced down at her, and the girl glanced at him. The two of them remained quiet, motionless, serene like statues.

The girl said, but Y/N didn't reply in words. His eyes seemed soft. The icy-cold stare of a murder vanishing as they became half-lidded. From his jaw and face water droplets slid down to the ground. Wasted water's all that is, and it doesn't make no flowers grow. Good things might come to those who wait, not for those who wait too late

Y/N: ["... Just the two of us?"]

Violet: ["You and I..."]

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Her face dropped into one of sadness.

With a surprised gasp escaping her lips thanks to the aggressive and harsh words that had left the mouth of her daughter, Iris' Mother's eyes were shut. Her bravado from before disappeared as the two of them remained in front of each other. Iris' eyes widened at the sight of her mother changing so much and so out of nowhere. However, she didn't soften up, and instead, her eyes narrowed, and she glared away-

Violet: ["Food for you"]

Y/N: ["Some salmon with fresh avocados, sweet potatoes and walnuts for healthy skin"]

Their steps seemed to come out of nowhere much like their sudden appearance. Violet looked ahead towards the girl and pushed past her, and inside the room with the black-haired Kriegsman following right behind her. And as Violet reached the room to put down the small piece of wood with the various foods in them, Iris stepped ahead and her mouth opened. It wouldn't be long before she began to angrily talk.

Iris: ["You told them?!"]

Violet: ["Told them about what?"]

Iris: ["About Emmon! Why would you do that?!"]

Violet: ["It didn't seem like classified information"] She calmly replied without a change of tone in her voice ["And they were all worried about you"]

Iris: ["That doesn't mean... I- You..!!"] The girl gritted her teeth, groaning in clear annoyance and anger ["You really don't understand how people feel at all, do you?"]

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Y/N: ["What does it mean to "feel"?"]

The boy sat by himself, bleeding from the various wounds of blunt objects, sharp objects, and bullet holes all around his body. All around him, the Lamenters Chapter of Space Marines all over the battlefield. For some miracle, no lives were lost from their side, but many were critically-injured, and likely wouldn't make it. But as the various others helped around, the white-haired girl kneeled in front of him, surprised.

Chiara blinked once, and then twice as if her brain was trying to process the words that had left the boy's mouth. As for him, he stared at her with a blank, vacant stare that lacked any sort of emotion or feeling. And as she kneeled there with a bandage halfway-wrapped around his fully-wounded arm, the girl looked up at him with her mouth agape in shock. Narrowing her eyes as if to ask if the boy was joking...

Chiara: ["By the Emperor that was a serious question..."]

Y/N: ["I do not know the meaning of such expression or action"]

Chiara: ["Uhhh... Right, so... Ah, by the Emperor, I'm trained to deal with physical wounds not psychological ones... Right"] The girl continued her work, wrapping the bandage around the wounded arm of Y/N, who sat there, awaiting ["Feeling is when you... Feel something, I guess? Whenever you're touching something, or someone, smelling something, or someone and you like, react to it?"]

Y/N: ["So a technical term which means a generalized bodily consciousness of a physiological sensation?"]

Chiara: ["Well, that's one way to put it, I suppose... But that has no feeling"] The girl said, looking up at Y/N before rapidly glancing back down to his wounds ["Say, for example, if I were to ask you "What is a bandage?" what would you say?"]

Y/N: ["A strip of material used to bind a wound or to protect an injured part of the body?"]

Chiara: ["See what I mean?! There's no emotion there! No feeling!"] The girl said, spreading her arms open as if she had explained something grand ["You have to feel it. Like feeling pain, or anguish, or sadness, confusion!"] Reaching ahead, she grasped his cheeks with her hands, pulling him close ["You have to understand what emotions are! How others feel!"]

Y/N: ["... How other people feel... ?"]

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Violet: ["... I'm sorry"]

Violet said, but even if Y/N couldn't find a single change in her tone of voice, the girl's head being lowered, as well as the surprise on Iris' and Iris' Mother's face told him everything that he needed to know. Glancing down towards Violet, the boy sighed internally and his eyes once more softed watching the blonde-haired girl's hands being brought together. And so, with that same tone, she began to talk once more.

Violet: ["I thought I'd come to understand them a little..."] She said, narrowing her eyes a little bit as she continued to glance down ["But people's emotions are extremely complicated and delicate"] Violet continued, and under Y/N's warm and calm gaze, she felt his hand lay against her head ["Not everyone puts their feelings into words. People can be contrary, or at times, untruthful"] Glancing away from the girl, Y/N sighed internally once more, closing his eyes as he did so ["I can't decipher them accurately. It's proving all-too difficult for me... I'm truly sorry"]

The girl bowed down, and Y/N retracted his hand. Putting it back inside his pocket, he glanced up towards the ceiling for a moment. He would close his eyes, but he knew that on doing so, those memories would just flood him once more. There wasn't time for that, not now, not never, so his eyes remained open, putting anything and everything under his watchful gaze. And amidst all of it, Iris glanced away too.

Iris: ["... You don't need to apologize. I know that you had good intentions"] She said on a much softer voice, her eyes also dropping in sadness a bit ["It's not like I understand everything about how people feel either"]

Violet: ["... Really?"]

Iris: ["Uh...? Yeah, really..."]

For a moment, the blonde girl seemed visibly and clearly-surprised, much to Y/N's slight surprise. Nonetheless, he calmly touched Violet's shoulder once Iris' Mother walked away. Nodding his head towards the bed, and earning a nod from Violet, the boy stepped ahead and closed the door to block off the violent, cold winds. And as he did so, Iris sat on her bed, and as she did, Violet lit a small oil lamp inside the room.

Iris: ["Emonn and I have known each other since we were kids..."] Sitting at her bed with her head down, the girl muttered ["He was always so sweet and kind to me... I had a crush on him since forever"] Still with her head down, the girl continued, sighing as she closed her eyes ["And I've convinced myself that the feeling was mutual"] The visions continued to reply in her mind, prompting her fist to clench and her teeth to grit ["I've always wondered why he wouldn't make the first move... So right before we graduated school, I told him"] Iris continued, slowly opening her eyes as Y/N remained leaning against the wall with his arms crossed

Iris: ["I told him "I love you"..."]

Seeing the surprised look on the eyes of Violet, Y/N glanced to the side for a moment, and his eyes closed. In that single instant, in less than a fraction of a second, everything seemed to reply in his mind. Their smiles, their cheerful laughter no matter the odds, and somehow, the will to continue pushing further. Out of instinct, he reached upwards and silently grasped the area of his chest where his heart resided.

He grasped it each time stronger and stronger, feeling the urge and the pain building up within himself. A pain which he couldn't understand. There was nothing wrong with his heart, so why did it ache? Why did those memories bring him so much pain? Why did everything seem like a good alternative to make this pain stop? Everything, no matter what, that could bring this pain to an end seemed as if it was a good idea.

Even death. Even if it is by his own hands.

Nonetheless, Y/N's gritted teeth slowly parted and his hand was released from his chest as his silent pain seemed to disappear. Slowly his head was raised once more as it focused against Iris, and he remained there with his arms crossed and serious face. To the other two it was almost as if nothing had happened, almost as if Y/N, standing there, was just a menacing statue and a soldier made to rip and tear.

As always. None of them noticed his lonesome pain.

Iris: ["But... He only saw me as an old friend. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die"] As the memories also poured into the girl's mind, she continued ["I couldn't stay here after that. Writing was never my strong suit, but I worked hard at it"] Bringing her knees close to her chest, Iris shoved her face between them, sighing ["Left for Leiden, and became a Doll there..."]

Violet: ["... It seems like "I love you" requires a lot of courage to say"] Violet's eyes also dropped alongside her head, surprising Iris ["So much so that you want to run away when it isn't reciprocated"] She continued, her voice lowering each time more and more into a calm whisper ["I wonder... Did the Major also feel like this?"]

Iris: ["Eh? ... "The Major"?"]

Y/N: ["Our commanding officer. He was the one who wrote to The Godemperor of Mankind, asking for my honorable dispatch"] Y/N explained, calmly stepping ahead and standing side-by-side with Violet as he looked towards Iris ["He said he loved us as his own family... But we still wish to know what that means"]

Violet: ["It's why I became a Doll... To understand what "I love you" means"]

For Iris, Y/N and Violet were always an enigma, but somehow, for some reason, she understood them, at least a little. People who came into their lives when they knew nothing outside of the army and showed them love. And now, they both tried to understand its true meaning, and what it represents. Somehow, Iris could see the two of them, who were so different, yet the same, a monster, and an innocent little girl.

Two sides of the same coin.

And as the night progressed, not much changed, and from that point on, very few words were exchanged. However, the three of them remained in the same room, not sharing a single word. Iris sat at her own bed while Y/N sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. Somewhere a few hours after the whole ordeal, Violet had joined him, and had scooted closer, standing very close to Y/N to preserve their body heat.

Iris herself remained awake, and in the same position, even against Y/N's own wishes to fix her posture, and its dangers. He found it revolting that she refused to follow his advice even when he mentioned that it may cause back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders and a potbelly. And such also included Violet from time-to-time, but at the moment, it meant mostly to you, the Reader. Fix your posture.

Nonetheless, Iris slowly glanced to the side and there, she saw Violet's briefcase that contained her writing machine. Glancing towards the blonde-haired girl once more, Iris seemed to gain an eye, watching as Violet and Y/N remained close to each other. The girl watched as the boy continued to scribble something on his notepad. Nonetheless, Iris glanced towards the briefcase again, and she began to speak.

Iris: ["Say, Auto Memoir Doll... Would you write some letters for me?"]

Violet: ["What type of letters?"]

Iris: ["Apology letters for everyone who attended the party"] Iris said, raising her head to glance towards Violet, who nodded as they sat on the small table ["Make them thoughtful and heartfelt, alright?"]

Violet: ["Do you wish for me to also write one to Emonn?"]

Iris: ["Ugh... Talk about rubbing salt into the wound"] Iris muttered as she sighed, but continued anyways ["But yeah, send him one too"]

Y/N: ["Wordplay: Rubbing salt into wounds causes pain. Violet's comment made you feel hurt. Amusing on two levels"]

Violet: ["And what about one towards your parents?"] Violet's question made Iris jump in a sudden surprise ["Why don't you try telling them how you feel?"] She continued, prompting Iris to glance away in awkwardness ["A letter may help you express your feelings. If you're having trouble speaking from the heart, a letter can help you do it"]

Iris's eyes widened at Violet's words, and in response, the blonde-haired girl continued with her serene, expressionless stare. Glancing past her, Iris saw Y/N, who remained leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He gave her a nod, one of confidence as if he was telling her to trust Violet. Iris' eyes, slowly trembling a little bit, returned to Violet, who remained there with her soft, porcelain-like expression.

It wasn't much longer until, in the room by the side, Iris' Mother's eyes trembled a bit as they were closed. Slowly waking up, the woman blinked to get used to regaining her sight hours after closing her eyes. Nonetheless, she gasped loudly when she heard a small noise and saw a letter being slipped under the door. Confused, she picked it up and sat down on her bed, lighting an oil lamp like the one in Iris' room.

By her side, her husband, and Iris' Father, held the oil lamp so that they could read the letter. They laid side-by-side, still under the covers, as their eyes scanned letter to letter of the dark, black ink. Their expressions were soft, but they became even softer once they continued to read further and further into the letter. It wasn't signed, but they could easily tell that it came from Iris. In fact, they could almost hear her voice.

"Dear Dad and Mom, I'm sorry for ruining the party. I'll send an apology to all invitees"

At the same time that they were reading the piece of paper, in the nearby room, Y/N sat down against Iris bed, watching as the girl in question talked. And as she did, Violet's quick fingers moved beautifully across the keyboard. As if they were swimming through a crystal-clear sea, they dashed back and forth with absolutely no issue. In a matter of seconds, more and more letters were being written in there.

"Also, thank you for making a personal request for me. In truth, it was my first"

Iris' smile widened as she continued to talk, and Violet remained writing her letters. Her eyes closed for a moment as she chuckled, hearing the soft clicks of metal meeting metal as Violet's prosthetics and the typewriter clicked against the other. Nearby, Y/N stood sitting on the bed, observing Violet, and how flawlessly she typed, as well as her soft complexion, and her blue eyes that seemed like precious gems.

"It made me really happy. Work is a handful at times, but I chose this path for myself"

Iris' mind once more seemed to flash as she remembered the events of months ago. Seeing Cattleya sitting and typing for a client as Iris carried a massive stack of paper in her arms. She remembers looking at the mature woman, admiring her. So much, in fact, that she had lost herself in her mind, and before she knew it, the stack of papers began to slide. And in just a fraction of a second, all of them came crashing down.

"So I'll give it my best shot. I'm sorry for making you worry so much over the years"

"But I ask that you give me a little more time and watch over me..."

Once more, the memories came flooding her mind, and before she knew it, Iris had entered an automatic mode. Just talking, but only her mouth and words were there, as her mind was lost, remembering the various nights where she didn't sleep, and instead, studied and practiced her job. Nights where she would fall asleep face-first in the typewriter, only for Y/N to put a blanket over her so she wouldn't get cold.

"From the future most popular Doll in Leiden in her first-ever letter to her family"

She remembered waking up the next day with marks all over her face, and having Y/N greet her with a warm cup of coffee. Many, many scolds from him that she shouldn't sleep there, but all of them would fall on deaf ears, much to his own annoyance. Weirdly enough, none of those scolds would come in the form of lack of good sleep, but Y/N never understood how or why Iris found that position to be comfortable.

"One that will be remembered for years to come..."

◁━━━━━━━━◈ - - - ◈━━━━━━━━▷

Once more, the sky changed.

The moon was replaced with the bright-glowing sun, as well as the beautiful blue scenario. Once more, birds were singing and flowers were blooming, and alongside it, the train was urging its passengers to come. Said passengers included the same trio that arrived at the place just two days ago. Funnily enough, much like before, Iris also found herself out of luck as she approached the steps in front of the small station.

She froze, not moving a single muscle as she felt her heels wetten, as well as hearing the splashing sound of the mud puddle where she had just now stepped on. However, unlike the previous time, she didn't frown or sighed in disappointment. Instead, this time around, she gained a small, but warm smile across her lips. Soon, a voice spoke up and caught the attention of Iris, Violet, and Y/N, who all stood side-to-side.

Iris' Father: ["Sure you haven't forgotten anything?"]

Iris: ["Yeah, pretty sure. Y/N made me check three times"]

Iris' Mother: ["If you ever need anything, let us know at once"] She said, opening a warm and gentle smile to Iris ["And also... Thank you for that letter"]

Iris: ["Uhm... Well, Violet's the one who typed it out"]

Violet: ["That's right. I'll send you the invoice later"]

Iris: ["E - Eh?! You're going to charge me?!"]

Y/N: ["Ghostwriting is her job. A job well done deserves payment"] He calmly stated, keeping both hands inside his pockets ["It's in the law. Even if it means being paid minimum"]

Iris: ["W - Wait! Hang on! What if I buy you lunch for three days?!"]

Violet: ["That isn't enough to cover the fee"]

Iris: ["At least give me an employee's discount!"]

As Iris' Mother and Father watched with sweet and warm smiles as the three continued to talk with each other, Iris being visibly-more agitated and somewhat disturbed than the other two, they heard another loud, distinctive sound. That is of the train once more violently-blowing its steam, and cutting their conversation short. Calmly, Y/N turned around to face the machine and hummed before he spoke up.

Y/N: ["The train's about to leave"]

Iris: ["Well, then, let's go! Dad, mom it was great seeing-"]

Iris' Father: ["Iris"]

The man interrupted the young girl as he kept both hands behind his back, much like he ever since arrived at the station alongside them. From there he pulled a small pot plant wrapped in a beautiful, green-colored paper. On it were blue-colored irises with a yellow-colored top, and much to Iris' own surprise, he calmly handed it to her. Gently taking it into her hands, the young girl glanced down at the various flowers.

Iris' Father: ["Happy birthday"]

Iris' Mother: ["Take care, dear..."]

Iris looked towards them with wide, surprised eyes. Eyes that softened up once she slowly glanced away from them, and pulled up the flower pot that was just gifted to her. Covering her face with it, she failed to shield away her red-colored cheeks that were blushing from her embarrassment. Hearing the train loudly chooing once more, Y/N reached ahead, and gently put a hand on Iris' shoulder, and gave her a calm nod.

Iris: ["... Thank you"]

Were the words that the girl just muttered to her parents. It wouldn't be long until Violet and Iris found themselves inside the train alongside Y/N. The boy gently loaded their baggage on the top shelves from the train right above the seats. Seats that were red in color, and Iris found herself once more sitting near the window, right in front of Violet. This time around, however, the blonde girl glanced down instead of ahead.

Violet: ["Did that letter... Did it help your feelings get through to your parents?"]

Iris: ["Couldn't you tell by looking at them...? It was a fine letter"] She said, glancing away with some sweat running down her face, opposite to Violet's surprised expression ["The words you wrote got through them quite easily. It was a fine letter, alright?"]

Violet: ["I... Wrote... A good letter?"]

Y/N: ["It was short, sweet, and conveyed a lot of emotions without using many words. You did a fine job"] He said, referring to things opposite to what the writer of this fanfic does ["You've managed to deliver them quickly, as well as not taking long to write them... Good job"] And he continues. Nonetheless, he soon glanced towards Iris ["... Irises, right? Who would've guessed.. Hey, Violet... Take a look"]

Y/N calmly spoke up, tapping the girl's shoulder before pointing ahead towards the distance. There, Violet could see many, many irises, an entire camp that stretched far into the horizon wherever she looked. Almost as if she was staring at the sea from the beautiful blue color as the flowers were in full bloom. Gently swaying with a calm breeze that shook them from side-to-side, showing off a very calming beauty.

One could see the various, seemingly-endless flowers just standing there, and from their mere sight, one would have their breath taken away. Surprised by how gorgeous such a simple sight was, Violet's eyes also widened, showing off their blue that matched the one from the irises. Standing behind her, Y/N also glanced ahead, and seemed to be sketching something within his notepad as his pen rapidly moved.

Iris: ["I was born when these flowers were in full bloom..."] Iris said, glancing down at the flowers in her hands with a smile ["Heh... It helps to explain why I was named this way"]

Violet: ["... Named ...?"]

◁━━━━━━━━◈ - - - ◈━━━━━━━━▷

Gilbert: ["So... What are your names?"]

The man spoke, glancing down at the two children in front of him. One of them, a younger Violet, remained quiet. She wore a dark-green uniform, and her hair was visibly longer, as she was younger, she was understandably shorter. By her side, the other boy stood, with his facial features intact, as if nothing had happened. Clear, porcelain skin, and flowing, ashy-blonde hair that gently swayed with the breeze.

He stood with both hands behind his backs, and his gas mask loosely hanging from his neck. His eyes were the same tone of emerald, but were also much, much colder. He wore a uniform that was mostly dark, consisting of a large chest-plate as well as a large coat that was hanging by his shoulders paired with pants of the same color, and a saber standing in its sheet. And of course, as a Death Korp of Krieg, his shovel.

The girl remained quiet, not muttering a single sound, or moving a mere inch of her body. Instead, she just glanced up towards the man, who remained also still, looking down at the two of them. Unlike her, however, the taller figure of the boy with narrowed eyes that seemed ready to jump ahead and cut someone in half with his bare hands spoke. A low voice that was low as a whisper, but echoed like thunder.

Commissar 9849-0599: ["Commissar 9849-0599... Otherwise referred to as Silencer"]

Gilbert: ["Hum, I see... Then, may I give you two names?"]

Commissar 9849-0599: ["Such is not necessary. I am a mere tool, and I will expire soon"]

Gilbert remained there, but soon kneeled down to stare at them from down. He hummed, holding his chin, and his attention was caught by a passing butterfly. It wasn't long before he glanced to the side, seeing there, in the distance, a lonesome Violet flower gently swaying with the breeze that seemed to stand out to him with a glow. His eyes widened for a moment, and he soon glanced up towards them again.

The young girl remained there, looking down at him with her emotionless, but soft look. The boy, however, even without any burns seemed to glare at him with anger, and the intent to kill. As if he could smell his fear, and was delighted on hearing his screams, but Gilbert wasn't fazed. He slowly stood up, dusting himself away with a large smile present in his face, and reached ahead to hold the shoulder of the two.

Gilbert: ["Violet... You will be named Violet. And you will be called Y/N. Fine names"]

The man said, opening his smile even further to look at the two of them. Closing his eyes with a soft look, his lips parted even more than before, showing off a gentle gaze like that of a father staring against his children. Showing himself to be proud of them, and to demonstrate the lovable nature of a true father and caretaker, whether said father was related to them by blood or not. His eyes opened, and he continued.

Gilbert: ["You Won't Be a Tools, but People Worth of That Name..."]

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

[Published in - 06/18/22]
[Word Count - 14.545~]

Sorry about the wait, my PC stopped working.
Still trying to get this bitch to work properly.