*Violet's POV*
A silver ran up my spine as I realized that the presence on the other side of the door wasn't going away anytime soon. But there was nothing I could do about it as the communication lacrima on the master's desk lit up, revealing the inside of what I recognized to be Takashi's office. I couldn't allow myself to be distracted now. I had to put on my game face and lie like my life depended on it. Because it did.
"August," Takashi appeared on the other end of the lacrama. "I was wondering when you would call." His smile was breathtaking.
"Good to see you too." August said dryly.
I did my best to configure my face to fit what it usually was around Takashi. It wasn't too hard really, to get back into that mindset. His silver hair... Glittering eyes that hinted of mischief. He was still beautiful to me.
"Why the long face Augest?" Takashi asked, "You should be in high spirits. especially you Violet, I do wish you congratulations on your one hundredth kill. August has told me that the Salamander made it a good one."
I tried to ignore the way the master recoiled when she learned that Natsu would have been my hundredth.
"Unfortunately I cannot accept your praise." I said, appearing as disappointed as I could manage. A part of me was glad that I couldn't read Takashi now. I couldn't be distracted. And of course with the lacrama being the only thing connecting us there was no way for him to reach out and read me.
"Why not?" Takashi's eyes flashed dangerously, looking from August to me. It had been a good call for me to be the one to tell Takashi. He trusted me more, as I was usually unable to lie in his presence. And August could always play it like reporting something false on their last meeting was a source of hurt pride now that the "truth" had been uncovered.
I looked at the ground, shaking my head slowly, tapping into my fear of discovery to sell the lie.
August looked at me briefly, and my slivertongue told me he was feeling real concern before continuing with the bad news in my stead.
"The Salamander isn't dead." he said grimly.
Straight to the point. Despite the severity of the declaration, I knew Takashi would appreciate the lack of preamble.
"He's what?"
"It's was my fault." I squeaked out, "I can't believe I was so stupid...It was just...a long battle, and I was tired and the plan...it was getting late…" I stopped talking and shook my head. Playing it up was starting to extend past the acting. Assuming I had been capable of killing Natsu, what I was saying now would very well have been the truth. I had to keep my emotions in check. I already had enough to deal with without pulling imaginary ones into the mix.
"I'm so sorry." I sobbed. And the tears that felt real, thought in my mind it wasn't Takashi who I was confessing to, but the master who was sitting just behind the projection. My eyes grazed past his grim expression on their way to the floor.
But he wasn't the only one who had a reaction to my outburst. Outside the door, whoever was spying on us also recoiled. I forced my attention back to Takashi and August. Now wasn't the time to be worrying about some tactless fairy. I only had one chance to convince Takashi that we had yet to turn traitor.
"He must have only been inquired after the battle." August said. "He showed up at the guild hall only hours after you last contacted me."
"And you didn't think it would be important to tell me that sooner?" Takashi said. I flinched at his tone, but it also gave me hope, if he was angry that we hadn't told him...did that mean he believed us? I did a quick read of August, he seemed to think so, though the master was still on high alert, as well as whoever was listening at the door.
"We were lucky that you thought to give Vi that mask." August said, "Natsu has no idea it was here, but the Fairies are searching everywhere for the man in the mask."
"So it wasn't safe to try anything suspicious." Takashi sighed.
August nodded. "We haven't failed yet though. our cover hasn't been blown, and if anything this has helped us gain more trust. In their fear the fairies are turning to each other, getting closer to anyone who bears their mark. That trust will be their downfall soon enough."
"Indeed." Takashi said. "Very well."
I looked up at him, he was nodding slowly, as if deciding something. "It's possible the order to hurry things along was a rash one, but it appears to have worked in your favor regardless."
So he really did believe us. I did another scan. August was trying to keep himself from smiling. The master had finally relaxed.
"Keep to your original plan," Takashi said, "You are doing well."
I puffed my chest out with what I hoped seemed like pride.
"This does put a bit of a damper on what I originally wanted to talk about," Takashi said thoughtfully, "but I believe some of it still applies."
"What is it?" August asked.
Takashi stared at him for a long time before turning his gaze to me. I forced myself not to look away. Takashi and I were friends. We trusted another.
"Actually I wanted to talk to Violet alone if that was okay."
My heart sank. Under normal circumstances I would have jumped at the opportunity for his attention. And even now, I was unafraid of spewing our lies alone. But I wouldn't really be alone. Whatever Takashi was going to say to me, he was going to say in front of the master, and August to.
August was surprised to say the least, but it faded when he realized the same thing I did, he wasn't going to leave the room, but simply wait in the corner as the master was currently doing. Even the presence on the other side of the door was holding their breath.
I swallowed, knowing that the silence had gone on too long already.. "I would love to." I said, further assurance to August that I would be okay.
"I guess I'll head to my room." August said, moving past me and pressing himself against the wall. "Call me if you need anything." and he inched around to the other side of the room, standing behind the master and watching me. I took a deep breath.
Immediately, Takashi's demeanor changed, he seemed to become less stiff, more comfortable now that it was just me. My fears started to confirm themselves. This little talk wasn't going to be a professional one.
I forced my body to mirror Takashi's, relaxing in the presence of a perceived friend.
"What's up?" I asked, thought my voice quivered a bit against my will.
"Violet…" the name that had once seemed smooth and beautiful on his tongue sent silver down my back.
I swallowed hard, trying my best not to make eye contact with August or the master on the other side of the room. This was not going to be pleasant.
