Violet Evergarden Vol. 2: Still Useful In The New World

Chapter 5: Strange Girl...

Violet had helped the embarrassed shopkeeper out of her awkward predicament. Right now, they assisted one another in restacking the books that had fallen from the shelf in the back room. Mrs. Bellalarkie stood on a mini step ladder and arranged the books that Violet would hand to her. 

'This might take a while,' Violet thought. 'Oh, well.'

Violet handed the the shop-keeper book after book. The back room floor was a mess. Books were sprawled all over. Some had opened on the way down. Some had crumpled their pages on other books. Most fell down in a domino effect bringing other books down with them. So, it just ended up as a big, wide mess.

"I'm grateful for the assist, customer," the shopkeeper thanked as she put two books on the shelf.

"You are most welcome, Miss Bellalarkie," she accepted her thanks as she scooped up three more books.

"Oh, please. Miss Bellalarkie was my mother. Just call me Eva," she cheerily replied.

"Okay, then, Eva," Violet said. 

As Eva took the three books from Violet's hands...

"So, what are you here to buy, my customer?" 

Violet remembered the map.

"Ahhh...yes. I want to buy a map for directions. This city is too huge. I can't even find the train station."

"Why didn't you say so?" she asked. "We do keep maps in the shop for sale, but..."

Eva motioned for Violet to come closer. Violet leaned in just a little bit.

"...the maps suck," she whispered. "You wouldn't be able to tell your left from your right with those pieces of crap. I suggest you don't buy them from me. Like ever. They're just a scam by Crestfall's Tourism and Travel Agency to extort money from newcomers."

"I-I'll keep that in mind, Eva."

For the first time since she came to this kingdom. Someone, actually bothered to help her out. Maybe Eva would help her change her views on the people of Crestfall. Well, maybe.

"So, you work here by yourself?" asked the Doll.

"Mmmhmmm! I own it, I run it, I manage it!" she said instantly almost as if she was reading from a list.

The young Eva pushed another book into the empty space.

"You see, books are my everything. They are my artform. I like buying them. And I like selling them. I like everything about books."

"That's nice. I like writing letters," Violet replied.

"Oh real..." she suddenly stopped.

Eva, because of how busy she was stacking books, noticed only now, the revolvers strapped at her customer's holster. Eva felt sweat drip down her face. Why would such a young girl carry such deadly weapons?

"Um, I didn't notice you had guns," Eva realized.

Violet who was glancing through a book, heard the question a little bit late. Therefore, Violet gave a slow reaction.

"Huh?...Oh! Sorry...hehe...they're my protection," she explained patting her revolver with her left hand.

Eva started to get suspicious. 

"Um, what did you say your name was, dear customer?" Eva asked with a slightly uneasy face.

Violet realized that she hadn't properly introduced herself.

"Pardon me. I forgot to tell you my name..." she apologized. "It's Violet."

Eva's eyes widened.