Tony got to his feet and stared down at Violet, ignoring Claw for the moment.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded.
"Dad didn't leave us," Violet said softly, then amended it, "At least, not the way we thought."
Tony swung around to face the Tiger. "This is a sick joke. Why would you say something like that to Violet?"
Claw signed something rapidly, crossed his arms, and stared at Tony.
Tony glanced at Katie and Violet. "Translation?"
Violet looked away, but Katie got to her feet and set her mug down. She walked to stand next to Tony, angling herself so that she could see Claw's hands but be able to talk to Tony.
"Are you sure that's what you want to say?" she asked Claw.
Claw nodded once, firmly.
Katie sighed. "He said… he said that he didn't leave Violet or any of you by choice, but apparently you did."
Tony's head snapped from Violet back to the tiger. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Claw slowly uncrossed his arms and began signing again, and as he did so, Katie translated.
"I was tricked into this existence, put into a cage and experimented on. I stayed away to spare you all what I had become," Katie said. "I had the one comfort of knowing that you were there to help your mother and sister, but you left both your younger sister and mother alone."
"It wasn't like that," Tony snarled, "but you wouldn't know that, because you weren't there. Wait," he said, crossing his arms. "What am I saying? We don't even know for sure that you are who you claim to be."
"How can I prove it to you in a way that you would accept?" Katie said in Claw's stead.
"Fine," Tony all but snapped out. "What did you get me for my tenth birthday?"
Claw paused for a moment then signed.
"We got you a remote controlled car that you, despite our warnings, took out and drove in the street and promptly into a storm drain," Katie said.
Tony jerked as if he'd been struck.
"It is Dad," Violet said again, bringing her arms around to hug her middle. "He knew about the science kit that he'd left me under the tree."
"So, you ended up here," Tony said slowly, looking at Claw again, "like this."
Claw nodded.
"And you couldn't write a letter?" Tony demanded. "Have someone make an anonymous call to let us know you were alive?"
Violet let out a breath and got to her feet.
The men stopped, turning to her.
"It occurs to me," Violet said softly, "that I am not really needed here. Katie, I'm sorry to leave you here to translate, but I've already been through all this and don't need a replay."
"I'm fine, Vee," Katie said. "Go get some rest. I have people to cover for me in the morning, so I can get a little extra sleep, so don't worry about me."
"Thanks," Violet said wearily before walking back to the hallway.
"Vi," Tony called out running after her. "What the hell, Vi? You're going to drop this bomb on me and leave?"
"Yeah," Violet said, huffing out a breath. "I think I am." She turned to see her brother right behind her, claw having stopped at the doorway and a confused Katie hanging out in the doorway.
"I am going home. To sleep," Violet said. "I don't really feel up to rehashing all this family drama right now." She turned to Tony, "I wanted to tell you about dad before I chickened out. Again. And now I have. Honestly, I'm still trying to deal with it myself, which is why I didn't tell you anything sooner. That being said," she said firmly, looking from their father to Tony as the elevator doors slid open behind her. "I have one thing I want you both to add to your conversation." She turned and sent them both an irritated look, "Before you start throwing accusations around, I would like to point out that you both left with no contact. Oh, you both had your reasons, and I know that here," she pointed to her head, then moved to point to her heart, "but it still hurts here. For years, there was no word, no phone calls, no letters. From either of you. So you guys go ahead and talk. I need to go."
She slapped at the button that would take her back to the uppermost floor.
A large hand slid between the doors just before they shut and Talon slid inside. "I am under orders to get you home safely," he said with a smile. "Well done in there, by the way. They'll work it out better without having to worry about your feelings now, and deal with their own individual issues."
"Thanks," Violet said, sagging against the wall of the elevator. "I didn't drive here, and I don't have a car. You?"
"I have something better," Talon said with a toothy smile. "Tell me," he said slowly as the doors opened once more, "are you afraid of heights?"