"The universe is big, its vast and complicated, and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles."

~The Doctor ~

Dear Major Gilbert,

Violet twirls Olivia's parasol as she makes her way down the old country road. Her assignment is about a mile's off, a small isolated cotage in the woods.

No one has been able to tell her about her client. Even the President has been tightlipped, despite the company policy insuring that they must have included their name when requesting her services.

Do you have any news? Are you doing well? Where are you right now? Are you having any difficulties?

Violet is still suprised that people would go out of their way to request her specificially. She is better with emotions, both others and her own, but she is hardly the best.

Still, she would complete this assignment to the best of her abilities. Even if she isn't quite sure what her assignment is.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter, many seasons have come and gone, but the one with you isn't coming around at all.

After all, that is the vow she'd made to herself, and to Major. That she would live, that she would live freely and nothing is more freeing than this job of hers.

At first, I couldn't understand. I couldn't understand anything about how you felt.

The chance to convey the deepest wishes of those around her, to deliver their hearts, to be a part of a sacrad duty, one that moves mountains not with swords, but words, this is her wish.

For in this world without the Major-no, without the Major beside her-this has become her mission. One she does not follow because she was ordered to-

But within this new life you gave me, I've begun to feel the same way as you, if only a little, through ghostwriting and through the people I've met along the way.

-rather because she chooses to. Like the Major once wished, Violet has finally settled on the thing she wants. And while it is not the dresses or accessories he suggested, it is still something all her own.

Violet stops in front of the cottage, prepared to make her introduction, and wonders what the Major would think if he could see her now. No salutes in camouflage, but rather a curtsey in flowing silks.

I believe that you are still alive somewhere. So I shall live, live, live and live some more, though there's no telling what life might have in store.

She lifts her head and stops, just for a moment, just a breath, and then she's back. Back to her introduction, with nothing to show for her mistep but the twinkle in her eye.

Part of her wonders if she is broken, truly a doll as so many have called her. For, shouldn't her reaction be larger? But, then, part of her has always expected this-and so the suprise barely registers. How can the truth she's known in her very bones suprise her?

And if I can ever see you again, I want to let you know that the phrase "I love you"?

"Major Gilbert?"

I understand it a little bit now.

"Hello, Violet. No, sorry, it should be-

Sincerely,

"-welcome home."

Violet Evergarden

I have returned

ただいま