*Erza's POV*
Erza followed the master into his office, the weight of the letter she was caring for him seeming to increase noticeably with each step. Topaz had told her that the letter would fill him in on everything that she and Kaze had told them. But Erza knew it was more than that. There was something in that letter that Topaz had intended to be for only the master's eyes.
It was wrong to want to know what it said. But Erza couldn't help herself. She hoped the master would give her some clue.
"So how did it go?" he asked, sending into his chair causally.
Erza explained everything that had happened. The master listened attentively, giving nothing away about his true thoughts on the matter. "And Topaz gave me this," she finished, reaching into her pocket and retrieving the letter. "It's for you."
"Ah," the master nodded, "thank you." he took the letter and tucked it carefully away. Erza knew she should have expected as much. She tried to put it out of her mind. It was none of her business.
She knew that having told him everything, and that in giving him the letter, that the conversation was over. But neither one of them moved to leave.
"Was there something else?" the master asked.
Erza sighed. There was no point in beating around the bush now. "Why did you send Natsu?"
The master seemed to be expecting this, he adjusted in his chair slowly. "This entire situation is delicate." he said "But Violet's relationships with the rest of the guild are even more so. If we want her to stay, we must start with the things that drew her in in the first place."
"And that's Natsu." Erza sighed. She had seen the way Violet looked at him before everything had happened. She knew it wasn't uncommon for the younger members of the guild to consider him an older sibling of sorts. Is that what he could have become for her? Is that what he could be if they could get things back on track.
"Violet chose to desert her previous guild on the premise that she didn't want to kill Natsu." the master said, "if we can mend their relationship now, perhaps we can also strengthen her conviction that Justice Valkyrie was a toxic place."
"Wait," Erza said, "You're not worried that she's going back to them are you."
The master looked up at her, but said nothing. A silver ran down Erza's back. It wasn't even something she had considered before. But she saw now that the master was right. Violet ran to confront. To familiarity. And as long as she was estranged with the rest of the Fairy Tail, the only place she could consider as her own was the same place that had already taken so much from her.
"It would be best if Violet finds a home here before her previous guild realizes something went wrong." the master said, and Erza knew the conversation was over.
"Right." she took a deep breath, trying to quiet her mind. "I'll leave you to that letter then." she stood and exited the office, not quite sure if she was glad to leave or not.
Erza entered the main room of the guild hall just in time to see Violet and August stand from a small table against the back all and walk toward a cluster of tables where several members were talking in loud voices.
Violet looked up at Erza, her eyes narrowing. Erza knew the girl must be reading her aura, and felt suddenly exposed. She forced herself to relax. Silvertoung magic was a part of who Violet was. She probably won't even know how to interact with the world without it. There was no need to feel like she was stepping over any bounders. Erza had to convince himself of it.
Whatever Violet saw in her must have been encouraging, as she said something to August who nodded, and then they broke away from each other , August joining Gajeel and the others and Violet walking toward Erza.
Erza moved closer to the bar and took a seat, gesturing for Violet to join her. Carefully, the girl positioned herself on the stool to her right, looking uneasy.
"You looked like you wanted to talk with me," Erza said, knowing that Violet was often uncomfortable being the first to speak.
"I wanted to thank you." Violet amended slowly, "for talking to the master for me."
Erza blinked. She had thought nothing of it, not to mention she had to give him the letter, though she supposed Violet didn't know about that.
"It was no problem."
At this Violet shifted, making a practiced tilt forward so her hair would shield her face. She was hiding something.
"Well I appreciate it anyway." Violet said quietly.
"You didn't want to talk to him did you," Erza realized.
Violet seemed to shrink, her eyes fixed on the counter in front of her. "That obvious huh?"
"Why don't you like him?" Erza already had her suspicions, but she wanted to hear Violet say it. She seemed to have opened up at least a little bit since she had first returned to the guild hall with Natsu, perhaps a little push would be all she needed this time.
But Violet seemed uncomfortable. "I just don't." she said.
Well at least she wasn't denying it. They sat in silence for a while before Erza realized she had something for Violet. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a drawstring velvet bag. "Topaz gave me your money." she said, sliding it across the counter to Violet.
She picked it up carefully, pulling it down into her lap. "Did you already split it up?"
"No actually."
Violet looked at her then, just for a moment before shrinking back.
"We talked about it…" Erza said, "and we thought that we could give it all to you and August."
Violet opened her mouth to protest, then froze for a moment, thinking better of whatever she had planned to say. "Thank you."
Erza sat with her in silence for another minute or so. She figured if Violet was too uncomfortable she always could leave, so in the meantime did her best to enjoy the girl's company.
"Erza?"
"Yes?"
Violet took a deep breath, preparing each word with care. "I was thinking...do you know where I could buy some new clothes?"
It definitely hadn't been the type of question that Erza had been expecting, but she recovered quickly. "I know lots of places." she said. Thought probably not as many as Lucy. Why wasn't Violet asking her? "Is that what you're going to do with the money?"
"Some of it I think." Violet said. "Everything I have, it's just practical stuff, things that make sense on the job. I think...maybe if I got something that made me feel confident...I don't know."
"I think it's a great idea." Erza said, suddenly understanding why Violet had come to her and not Lucy. she wasn't looking for clothes per say, but a means of projecting confidence. An armor of sorts. Erza knew better than anyone that it wasn't a solution in itself, but if pretty clothing could help Violet become comfortable enough to come out of her shell… "I can help you shop if you want."
"That's okay." Violet said, "I think it's something I need to do alone… if I can," added quickly.
"I'm sure the master can come up with something." Erza said. If it was clear she was making an effort to distance herself from Justice Valkyrie , he would be more than happy to let her go. But then, as far as Erza knew, there was no set uniform at her guild. There had to be something else, another reason that she wanted a change in wardrobe.
"But you already know why." Violet said quietly.
Erza looked down, she was clearly frustrated. "Pardon?"
Violet looked mortified, but she pushed on anyway. "I overheard you and Grey on the train." she blurted. "I wasn't sleeping until after you left. I know you know about the scars."
Erza blinked.
"Violet, I knew about the scars before Grey brought them up. They're nothing to be ashamed of-"
"Grey said that too." Violet said. She was staring at the counter in front of her, hands curling around themselves in her lap. "But he didn't mean it. He was angry and I don't know why. And you are too. Deep down."
Erza opened her mouth to protest, but Violet wasn't done.
"Maybe this clothes thing was a bad idea," she said, "maybe it's better to keep them hidden."
So that was the real reason behind it then. To stop being ashamed of the scars. Not only to distance herself from her previous guild, but to stop hiding her affiliation.
"Violet, Grey and I might be angry, but it's not at you."
She stiffened, and Erza knew she was using magic to confirm what she heard. It made Erza's heartache to think that she might have thought otherwise. It was as though...no. Violet didn't want her pity. That much was clear.
"You should get the clothes." Erza said, "if you need any help, let me know."
Violet nodded slowly, still processing what she had been told.
"Hey Vi!" Erza looked behind her to see August calling her from behind.
Violet turned thankfully toward him. "The master gave us permission to go back to the apartment," he said, stepping closer, "you still have to keep your lacrama so they can track you, but other than that we're free to go."
"That's great." Violet said, but it was distracted.
August's eyes darted over to Erza, finding an understanding that only came with years of knowing Violet.
"It's getting late," he said, almost coldly, "I think we should head back now."
Violet dropped off her stool immediately, mumbling a farewell to Erza before joining August and walking out of the guild hall.
