Once again, Violet goes to Solaire Enterprises and enters the lobby. She notices things are about the same as before. Rebecca is wearing a pretty floral dress and has very light makeup on. She is extremely stylish. She sits at her desk seemingly bored and watching something on her phone. Violet goes up to Rebecca, greeting her. "Hey Rebecca! How are you doing?"
Rebecca looks up with a smile, "oh hello Miss Violet, welcome back." On the desk, a placard with her full name, Rebecca Sienna Wright, can be seen.
Violet nods, "Thank you Rebecca, I’m gonna head up to Hinata’s office if you don’t mind?"
Rebecca nods and presses the buzzer on her desk.
R: Hey Hinata, Violet's here.
H: Send her up!
R: You got it.
H: Thanks Miss Wright!
The usual elevator in the lobby opens up. "Have fun out there Violet."
Thank you Rebecca. Same to you!" Violet heads into the elevator, waving as it closes. Rebecca returns to watching YouTube.
----
The elevator arrives with no sound whatsoever. As Violet steps out, she can see the office hasn't changed much at all, aside from the amount of figurines increasing. The potted sunflowers still face the window and there is a telescope near the window. Hinata, who is wearing a casual jacket and jeans, waves to Violet. "Oh hey Vi!"
"Hey Hinata! How are you doing this fine evening?" Violet says as she walks over to the telescope.
"I'm well, just taking it easy. Honestly kind of bored." She notices Violet walking towards the telescope. "Do you like astronomy?"
"I dabble into it now and then. It’s nice to look at the stars now and then and just kinda take it in, ya know?" Violet says as she looks though the telescope. The fact that they're in an apocalypse and thus most lights are off makes for some great skywatching. Violet doesn't really see anything special, but the telescope does seem pointed towards the moon. She looks a bit offput by it so she repositions the telescope away from the moon. "Did some redecorating I see?" Violet asks Hinata.
"Not really. I just went out and got more figurines. I figured Toby would want me to," Hinata sighs.
"Are you holding up alright?"
Hinata shrugs, "I've never really had family before. My entire family are Luna, Toby, and Jane. Toby and Jane are gone from this world. So I'm doing alright in terms of living my life the best I can. But I'm lonely."
"I'm sorry to hear. Well if you need any company I'm here, and I'm sure [the kiss] are willing to help out too."
Hinata nods and tears up a little bit, "Thank you. I want to get in touch with [the kiss]. They seem like good people, but I dunno. I'm nervous. I've never really fought before, as I’m sure you could tell."
Violet shakes her head, "But you are a good fighter! But you know what they say, there is always room for improvement. For everyone. I think you should reach out. I think it would help you out."
ALAIS - For reference, Violet and Hinata were paired together in a fighting tournament. They got knocked out of the tournament in the very first match. Although to be fair, they got paired with Cole and a guy named Oleander, who ended up nearly winning the whole thing if it weren't for his untimely death in the finals of the tournament.
Hinata nods. "I think I will, thank you Violet. I hope they're able to accept you again as well."
Violet looks saddened by the comment. "Yeah, I hope so too. I hope so too."
Hinata senses the sadness in Violet’s language and tries to change the subject. "Uh so! Wanna watch anime or something together? Get us off the sad topics?"
They proceed to watch anime together for a while. After many episodes are finished, Hinata falls asleep on the couch. Violet wraps a blanket on her, then takes this opportunity to continue her investigation. She notices that on Hinata's desk, an untitled thick leather-bound book sits. It appears well-loved and worn. She opens it up and reads.
The book appears to be a diary of sorts, one kept by Toby Crescent Wright. It's rather large and doesn't seem to have a table of contents. The first page makes its intentions quite clear.
---
To Hinata,
I am sorry we never could return. There is nothing that will ever allow me to forgive myself and Jane for leaving you. Even as I write this years later, I refuse to forget you Hinata. I always though of you as a close friend, even a daughter. As reconciliation for my mistakes, I'm leaving you this. A diary of my past.
I am not exactly the person you think I am.
In any case, read if you wish. Or don't. It is fully up to you.
Regards,
ADMIN ~ Toby Crescent Wright
---
Violet looks surprised in realizing Toby was an ADMIN all along, and his diary is in her hands. The phrase 'Curiosity kills the cat' goes through her mind, but she reads on, choosing one of the later pages. It doesn’t seem feasible to read the whole thing before Hinata wakes up.
---
NOW LOADING - One Moment Please
|
July 27, 2009: I don't understand why Jane is pushing me to go through with this. It's not like this level of humiliation will be worth it in the long run. But she is the queen bee of this relationship, so I guess there's nothing I can do. But why her? Why do I need to do this? Luna is innocent. She does not deserve to have to go through the heartbreak of losing another friend. Maybe she'll be smart enough to understand. ...okay Jane. I'll do it. For the better of our world, I will do it. Not for my sake. I still love you Jane. With all of my heart. Just... gotta find a new place to live now. |
Violet flips to a further page. She notices quite a few of the pages were ripped out rather messily. It’s unclear why. Nearer to the end of the book, she finds a somewhat recent entry.
---
NOW LOADING - One Moment Please
|
June 20, 2022 It's her birthday once more. I have been trying to contact her for her regular maintenance so we could have a chat in private. I am unable to speak my mind most times about her physiology, but I always feel as though I'm safer around Luna. Just the aura she gives off. I don't understand why. She was designed to be the savior of our World, even despite their intentions. You know what no. In case she ever finds this diary, I am not the ADMIN of Solaire. Solaire is nothing more than the public face for the real creators. HER real creators. Hinata, Luna, if you ever find this, I have been keeping something from you. Something that may change the way you look at Jane and I forever. I can only hint at what it is however, otherwise I may perish. Look to Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, and Antman. |
---
Hinata appears to be tossing and turning in her sleep. Judging by the fact that she's swiping at the air, she seems to be experiencing a bad dream. Violet takes note of that as she closes the book and walks over to Hinata, sitting down as she pats her head, hoping to help calm down her nightmare. "It’s okay Hinata. I’m here," Violet says in a calm, soothing voice.
Hinata wakes up with a blush on her face. "Oh,, uhhey vi,, thanks.. that dream was awful," she yawns.
"Want to talk about it? We don't have to if you want to."
"heh? oh you mean the dream? uhm.." she takes a deep breath, seems she not fully awake, "sure. i was standing outside next to lulu under an eclipse when i heard bell sounds and i saw a lot of fire and death,,, luna was so strong and pretty, i love her so much,, she kept by my side to keep me safe.. i saw the full moon peering over at us wuth disgust. we flipped it off." she chuckles, "and then thats when i woke up."
"Well at least it does not sound too bad," Violet chuckles a bit too.
ALAIS - What dream. Were you. Listening to???
Hinata dozes back off.
Violet smiles as she heads towards the elevator. The June 20, 2022 diary page sticks out to her like a sore thumb. Maybe something that she should research.
Upon reaching the lobby, Rebecca does not seem to be there. Perhaps she’s taking a break. That said, a white-cloaked individual stands in the lobby. They have Solaire Enterprises’ logo on the left side of their chest and seem to exude some kind of weird energy. Violet walks up to the person and says, "Good evening." The person stays silent and turns around to ignore Violet. On their back is a black circle with a white crescent moon shape on it. Violet notices the moon and mutters to herself, "Alright, I guess that's not the correct approach." Violet faces the figure again as her eyes are changed to a deep blood red and glares at them, "Do you want to drop dead right fucking now or do you want to keep your miserable life intact?!"
The individual turns around. On closer inspection, Violet notices the person is wearing a white mask that seems to hide all facial features. Think like a shy-guy mask. "Drop dead?? Look, I just want to be left alone ma'am." Its voice is feminine.
"Be left alone? Then leave Hinata alone! Because if you touch a hair on her head, I will make your body a mutilated corpse for display for all of Solaire to see!" While she speaks, her skin seems to take on a hue of red.
"I wasn't even here for Lady Hinata! I have an appointment with someone else." The person sounds terrified and is shaking. Liquid drips from their cloak and spatters on the floor.
"Explain the logo on your back then? It has been shown repeatedly that you and your group have bad intentions toward Hinata and Luna. Tell me, who do you have an appointment with!"
The person stays silent in defiance.
"I see. I don’t think I made myself clear enough." Violet, in a quick motion, twists the person’s arm behind their back as she summons a knife. She points it at their back so they know they are at knife-point. "Now would you like to say who your appointment is with, or would you like to be paralyzed for the rest of your life?"
"...I cannot, otherwise I will die. But seeing how I'm either going to die or become paralyzed for life... uhm. I'll just be honest. Jan called me here." The individual is crying now, tears dripping through the bottom of the mask.
“Lead me where you are meeting. Now.” She still keeps them at knife point.
"I have no idea. Ms Wright was to lead me there." it chokes out. "I'm new here, you have to believe meeeee!"
Violet releases them. “Well then. I have all the time in the world to wait for Rebecca.”
Speak of the devil’s name and she shall respond. Rebecca walks out of the adjacent hallway and sees a very very red Violet and Jan's 3:30 appointment. "What in the fuck," she looks terrified, "Did you get a sunburn Violet?"
Violet returns to her usual gray color. "No I can just change my skin color. Nothing to worry about."
Krystal - What the fuck do you MEAN 'nothing to worry about' Violet?? She literally WATCHED YOU THREATEN THEM!
The cloaked being shakes their head fearfully, as if saying, 'be very worried about it.'
Rebecca nods to the grunt. "So what's all this then? I was in my room watching TV and then I see from the corner of my eye on the surveillance system that Violet has a knife to them. Oh right your appointment." The grunt disappears in a flash of light after Rebecca presses a button on her console.
"Rebecca. Take me to them. Please. For the Many Gods Above out there please. I will explain everything just please." Violet pleads.
"I cannot." Rebecca shakes her head sadly, then leans in close. "They'll kill me," she whispers.
"Dang it," Violet sighs. "Fine. But if you have anything you can tell me without getting hurt that would be wonderful." Violet turns to leave, but then turns back around, "Please don’t tell Hinata about this please. I don’t want her to worry."
Rebecca nods. She writes something down in a Solaire Enterprises informational pamphlet and gives it to Violet. "Have a good day Miss Violet."
"Thank you Rebecca." Violet leaves. As soon as she makes it outside, she reads the pamphlet which has a lot of information on Solaire. There's information on their past and current products in a predictably professional tone. It talks about the portal technology they developed, which led to the creation of Portal Bags, basically portable bags of holding. And then it goes into how they evolved the portals to expand into other similar products, ones they call their 'Portable Portal' line of products. It appears the entirety of Solaire’s Meridian branch is one example of such a product, as the building itself is a Portable Portal Prototype.(PPP)
It also details some of Jan’s philanthropy work, especially in the realm of creating food and sustainable water using their genetics efforts. Absolutely nothing about the LUNA project or Project H is mentioned within the pamphlet.
On the last page, in red ink, is a phrase:
Avengers #1 - 1963, Hinata's Office - Rebecca Sienna Wright.
---
Some time later, Violet heads to Twitter to ask about Avengers #1.
V: Hey @LadyHinata4U? Can you look at your comics? Specifically the first Avengers comic?
H: Heh?
...
...
I don't think I have that.
V: Can you check please?
H: I cannot.
V: Everything alright? Why can’t you?
H: ...I am sorry. Certain things need to stay secret. I am aware you read through his diary.
V: I’m sorry. I just wish to help figure all this out. For the sake of you all.
H: 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭!
I am sorry Violet, but that is my answer. If you can tell me who Toby truly is, then I can show you. Consider this my own mental lock. Until then, this line of questioning is over.