Butterflies Volume II

Chapter 37

Violet had refused to tag along with Annie to meet Robert Singer despite her offer. Although their teams; Annie's huge team and Lola, had been working together, Violet hadn't bothered as much as they perhaps would have liked to engage with the public facing side. Annie had tried to de-escalate  the riots, spoken to her fans directly, all Violet had done was publish whatever Lola told her to. And Annie was trying, trying to include Violet in her own activism, but it was also evident her distaste for Billy was seeping through and the only reason their teams were partnering was because it made the most sense to the public.

Yet Annie did convince Violet to come to her charity that day, which certainly surprised her people. They greeted Annie warmly, though they turned shocked when they saw Violet trailing after her. Violet smirked, knowing just how awful she really would have been if she was part of the Seven. Annie had the training, she was friendly, she was giving. All Violet could do was nod at the greeting strangers, shaking off her jacket. Annie was stretching out her palm, trying to show Violet that there was a clean road that was enjoyable to be on. But there were too many people in that building, and Violet was out of place.

But she saw Lola, sighing as they walked over. She sat with Kiara and Colin, Annie's right hands, waiting for their arrival. Lola gleamed seeing Violet there, after the conversation they had all just had. Perhaps it was time to coddle and protect little Violet Henry.

"Hey guy, let's call in Stacey and Mark," Annie said as she dumped her jacket on the stairs Colin sat on, "we need to get an announcement ready."

Their faces were uncomfortable, as though there was something they had been waiting to share. As Violet turned to Lola, she suddenly drooped also, already being privy.

"What?" Annie questioned as Colin stood up.

Colin led them through to the back entrance. They passed the bustling groups of people, all sharing the same sentiments when they realised where they were heading. So much gold and blue, but the occasional bits of purple dotted the space, and Violet wasn't sure how she felt being so close to those who supported her. Those who didn't know, didn't understand. How would they think if they knew how she really felt? Could they read her mind from her out of place expression?

What Colin led them to stumped both of them. Music played, and when a school bus crossed their path, it revealed a huge stage being prepared by Vought news. Truthbomb, Firecracker's show had been given a production upgrade, despite how she pissed her pants the last time they saw her. How quickly Vought throws money at whatever can give them double back.

"What are they doing?" Annie wondered.

"The Children's Freedom Fighter" was scrolled across a huge sign being lifted up the stage. It was being set up across from a children's charity. Annie's charity. Violet scoffed, it was comical, the side with the most convictions against children trying to protect them.

"That bitch," Annie said, and it caused Violet to smile.

It enraged her, and it was about time Violet saw just how angry she could get. Unsure with what Vought truly had planned, they had to get to work. Send the children away first, actually protect them. Violet gave her offering, letting them buy whatever they wanted off of her card... As she always could get more money. It was a little thing she could do, awkwardly waving the children along as they got excited.

It wasn't long until Firecracker's stage was set and she was beginning the show, inviting the public on the stage to sit behind her and react. Then anyone watching at home would match their expressions, completely ignorant to what they were going to get angry about. And for a show that was intended to calling out the truth and protecting children, there was a theatrical explosion at the beginning, and such an expensive set. Violet watched the screen in the corner of her eye, Lola already sat watching intensely. It was foolish to suggest that it was just Firecracker going off on a spiel.