Violet POV:

"Great heavens, darling. Did you get into a fight with All Might himself?" Midas asked with slight surprise, inspecting my bloodied hand with concern.

I sniffled up the last residues of my earlier breakdown, not bothering to crack jokes or even pretend to put on a brave face as I looked to my hand without care.

"That's quite the compliment...considering it was only my strength that played a part." I said raspily, feeling my parched throat on the verge of crying once more.

Midas must have noticed as he instantly grabbed an unused porcelain cup from his desk, taking the decorative pitcher before pouring a glossy stream of fresh water into it.

The sound of the water trickling filled our quiet, peaceful space, with my body slumped back into my comfortable chair and my hand dripping blood without rest.

It was dripping the entire way here. I'm sure my face paled awhile ago from blood loss if my muddled mind was anything to judge by.

With the cup filled, Midas swiftly came out from around his desk and handed it to me, giving me a sweet, sad smile as he did so.

Nodding with thanks, I let my eyes fall closed with peace as the cool water hit my lips, soothing my strained throat and my dehydrated mouth.

I didn't realize how thirsty I was until the cup had been emptied, watching Midas instantly refill it back to the brim with cool water.

"Would you like to talk about it, dear? About....him?" Midas asked me quietly after a few more moments, having guessed the reason for my chaotic visit so accurately on the first try.

Apparently it was obvious to everyone how much Dabi affected my life. It just wasn't enough for the man himself. Isn't that funny?

Letting out a sigh and feeling fresh tears already welling in my throat, I quickly shook my head with denial, taking another sip of water. The last thing I want is another breakdown. Midas is really the last person in the world I haven't made an ass out of myself in front of. I'd like to keep it that way.

"I don't think there's anything left to say, concerning the matter." I croaked out.

Midas didn't speak for a moment as he let me mourn my relationship-or whatever it was that Dabi and I had, pouring one more refill of water into my second emptied cup.

"Well, if it's any consolation...." He murmured after a few moments, keeping his empathetic eyes to my glass. "He didn't deserve you. I mean it."

I couldn't help but let out a sad chuckle for the words. Even coming from Midas, they hit my ears emptily and without truth.

"That's kind of you to say." I smiled weakly, sniffling up the remainder of my tears as I took another sip from the cup.

After all, it's just something people say to comfort another person after a breakup. The sentence itself doesn't ever truly bring any ease to the person themselves.

But....

It's the thought that counts, I guess. And, when it comes to my relationship with Dabi, I haven't been able to tell most people about it-and the one person I did tell...I ended up almost kissing him this weekend.

Even if the statement felt empty to my heart, it was better than nothing.

It made me realize that, for the first time, I came to Midas today as a broken person. With the intention to feel better. I came to get escape from my life. From my situation. Even though I didn't technically run away again, I did in a way.

It's how I am. How I've always been. When one source of comfort in my life goes away, I immediately need to find another one to replace it. Otherwise, I panic. First, it was my mom. When she left, it was Touya. When he died, it was Akio. Then Dabi.

And, now.....Dabi's gone.

But, there's Midas.

The jeweled man himself smiled at me brightly to cheer up my obviously down-in-the-dumps attitude, resting his hands atop his desk casually.

"One day, you'll believe it. Trust me." He reassured, giving a small click to his tongue as he tried to turn my mood around. "And, anyways. Did you see what poor Dobby was wearing to the event last night? A black suit? Usually such a classic. But, on him it just looked so last season. Yuck."

I snorted softly at his prissy way of insulting, feeling my weary muscles sparking back to life just a bit at the humorous words.

And, while the thought of confiding and trusting a man such as Midas was something that would have made my stomach lurch with fear all those months ago, I feel everything starting to change the more I get to know him.

It's hard for me to imagine him as such a vile person like the media portrays. Someone who's supposed to be on the opposing side of Endeavor. Hell, I've witnessed Midas kill people before my very eyes, and I still can't picture it.

Because he's so nice to me. One of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. He understands me. Never judges me and always knows what to say.

So, quite honestly, I didn't feel the need to pretend around him anymore. To pretend I've got everything under control when I don't. I've become comfortable enough around Midas by now to scoot past formalities and be honest about how I currently feel.

Not only that, but I want to be honest. I want him to know something's wrong. I feel alone. I feel lost. I'm at the point where I'll take guidance from anyone who's willing to give it. And, at this point, that's not very many people in my life.

No one, actually. No one else.

Not to mention, there's not much lying I could do anyways when you look at my current state. The makeup from last night is still crusted sloppily under my eyes, my skin sunken and pale to match my dull gaze. Don't even get me started on my hair, and the clothes I'm wearing are so crinkled, it looks as if I fished them out of a dumpster. I smell...

And, most of all, my hand is still dripping buckets of blood onto the pristine rug of Midas' office floor, serving as a reminder of what I'd done to myself in my moments of insanity-insanity that only took place a mere hour ago at the Todoroki home.

"I'm sorry about your rug." I said raspily, lethargically moving my bleeding hand from hanging over my chair to placing it atop the table.

But, my pathetic intentions were void as all I did was spread the mess even worse, with Midas pressing his lips together in understanding patience as my blood was now seeping all over the oak table.

"Oh, not to worry about such trivial things. It was only a present from the Queen of England. Who is she in the grand scheme of things, am I right." He waved off casually, more concerned with my cut up hand than his expensive rug.

Comfortable silence consumed our space as Midas waited for me to elaborate on what exactly had me so down about Dabi today, yet for once I said nothing, feeling too tired to speak.

Gathering up enough pep for both of us, he clapped his hands together, shooting me a beaming smile as he briskly walked around his grand office with a purpose.

"Ah, yes! Well. Not to worry. Not to worryyy. We can turn this whole day around-they don't call me doctor for nothing!" He chirped out, whistling happily to himself as he rummaged through his cupboards in the corner.

His positive tone helped ease the pain inside my heart, feeling my cracked lips finally manage to smile a bit as I turned to look at him.

"Hm? You mean...you're a doctor, too?" I asked tiredly, wiping away some of the stained makeup with the back of my uninjured hand now.

Midas chuckled heartily at my words, pulling out a decorative little wood box from his cupboards before coming back over to my sitting area.

He gently set the box atop the glass table next to me, looking to my presence with a smile as he slowly kneeled beside my chair.

In the past, he wouldn't usually come very close to me to ensure he wasn't invading my personal space. But, I imagine that ever since I hugged him, he took it as his cue that we were getting closer.

He wasn't wrong.

"I am now." He mused, speaking just a bit softer now that he was closer in my vicinity. "After all, who needs eight years of medical school, pumping coins and identity into capitalism, when you have these..."

Turning his attention to the box now, Midas opened the top of it, pulling out a small rag, along with a set of gauze and rubbing alcohol.

I didn't see what was supposed to be so great about these average medical supplies...until they revealed something brighter. Something better.

Underneath these items was a tiny little jewel, resting beautifully at the bottom of the box. It was a soft pink color, glowing brightly into my eyes in a way that had my troubles already melting away.

Without permission, I couldn't help myself when I reached my clean hand into the box, carefully curling my fingers around the jewel before pulling it out.

Midas didn't say a word as he watched me hold the beauty in the soft light of the window, not seeming upset I did such a thing out of turn. If anything, he seemed rather pleased as he watched me admire it.

"It's gorgeous." I whispered truthfully, slowly moving it back and forth in the palm of my hand so the light would catch on it.

Midas watched my reactions closely, brows furrowing up into genuine flattery, lips twitching with a soft smile of humility.

"Well, it's yours, so I'm glad you think so." He said softly, causing me to turn my eyes to him with a new shine.

"Wait-really?" I asked too excitedly, earning a laugh from him as he gently plucked the item out of my hand and set it back on the table.

"Yes-or, it will be. As soon as I clean the wound, I'll use this to bring everything back to normal. There won't even be a scar left on your skin by the time I'm finished. Don't you worry." He reassured as if I was a child, carefully taking my injured hand in both of his fresh ones.

I grimaced with slight embarrassment as he did so, watching the blood of my hand spill heavily onto his clean skin.

"Ack. Jeez. I'm sorry." I muttered, hearing him shush me softly.

He kept my hand elevated for a moment as he spread the rag flat on the table, gently lowering my hand atop it.

"It tends to happens when you sever multiple veins in your hand." He whispered sweetly, placing his full focus on my injuries.

I smiled softly as his words relaxed me, feeling a small sigh of relief slip past my lips at the small bit of light still illuminating my dark life.

It only makes me want to depend on Midas more. It only brings me closer to him and further away from everyone else.

I need this. This light. For, without him, all I have left...is darkness.

I need....

Him.

Inspecting the wound, Midas furrowed his brows and pursed his lips, looking to me warily before he would start touching it.

"It may hurt to touch. You've cut yourself fairly deep. If you were sent to the hospital, you'd need a lot of stitches." He cautioned with a humorous amount of concern, making me chuckle.

It felt nice to receive such warmth. Conversations and concern like this has always come few and far between, living under Endeavor's roof for so long. I tend to cling to the sources that give it.

"It's alright. I've mustered up a fairly high pain tolerance over the years." I shrugged, waiting for him to proceed and clean the gory wound.

Except, he continued to hesitate, brows knitted into, what almost looked to be stress. Stress that he would hurt me somehow.

It surprised me.

"Well......perhaps....hmm-we could do something to distract you? A little game, maybe?" He suggested warmly as my hand began to soak the rag underneath in blood.

I shrugged in lazy agreement, a bit curious as to what he had in mind.

"Sure. Why not."

While I've always known Midas as a caring person, he doesn't usually make such efforts to my safety. After all, the man's put my life in danger many times before. Fragile is the last thing he seems to think of me.

Regardless, he seemed elated that I agreed to participate in his fun, looking up at me with childlike excitement from his spot on the floor.

With an exuberant amount of animation, he held up a blood coated finger, raising his brows in anticipation before he spoke.

"First, close your eyes."

With caution to the wind and full trust in the man, I closed my eyes without hesitation, feeling him gently position my injured hand on the rag.

"Good. Now, we're going to think of three things, you understand? And, by the time you get to the last thing, your hand will be healed. Simple enough?" He asked patiently, causing me to smile and nod as I kept my eyes closed.

"I can do that. I usually love to think." I said raspily, hearing the cleaning supplies rustling around on the table now.

"Excellent. Then, let's start." Midas said with soft excitement, asking his first question as he poured a generous amount of rubbing alcohol onto my open wound. "What's something you can hear?-your favorite sound, actually?"

As I'd told him earlier, I had a relatively high pain tolerance. Which is why I only barely grimaced at the burning sting coming from my hand.

But, for an answer I couldn't pinpoint, he seemed to have his own reasons for wanting to play this game. If it made him happy, I'd oblige.

"Hmmm. My favorite sound? That's a little hard." I said with thought, feeling him taking a gauze pad to my hand and start cleaning the blood. "Uhh. The sound of music."

"Wonderful." Midas encouraged warmly, continuing to run the cotton over my wound as he quickly kept the game going. "Now, something you can taste-but, let's make it your favorite food."

I pursed my lips in thought and kept my eyes closed as Midas poured more alcohol onto my hand, feeling the corners of my mouth breaking into a smile.

"Heh. Sweets. I love sweets." I chuckled, able to hear his smile through the tone of his voice.

"Do you now? My goodness. I bet your parents didn't appreciate such a dentist bill when you were a child, no?" He asked, causing both of us to laugh a little harder at the words.

"Oh, you're right about that. It drove my mom crazy!" I exclaimed, feeling the warm glow of the jewel rest atop my wound now. "She would catch me before school, first thing in the morning-stuffing three cupcakes into my mouth at one time."

Midas shook his head in amusement to my words, before the glow of the jewel shone a little hotter with intensity to my hand.

"Three! One just wasn't enough for you, hm?" He mused happily, causing me to forget the sources of my pain as a victorious grin of childhood flashed across my face.

"There were three different flavors in one package, so of course not!"

"Touché, my dear." Midas agreed. "You're not the only one who loves the sweet stuff around here. Ever had sugar in your cereal? Try it when you're in the mood for a treat."

My jaw dropped in pleasant surprise to the little tidbit about Midas, causing my eyes to instinctively open to look at him before-

"Ah, ah! No peeking." He reprimanded playfully, causing me to close my eyes again and respond.

"You have sugar with your cereal-wait-you eat cereal, in general? Man. You surprise me everyday, sir."

He hummed lightly to my words, voice going a bit nostalgic as he continued to clean my hand.

"It's been some time since those days. A memory of the past is all." He said a little quieter, happy tone laced with bits of sadness.

He continued the game before it became noticeable, asking his final question.

"One more. Your favorite thing to look at."

My memories worked before my mind could catch up, with the visions of the sweet, sweet past playing behind my closed lids like a movie.

The good days. The times taken for granted, though I never realized it at the time.

I'd give anything to go back. Even my own life.

It was during the last few months of Touya's life.

We made it a habit to watch the sunset atop Sekoto Hill. It was always at my request, but he always obliged begrudgingly. Hell, sometimes, he'd even knock on my door if I forgot, saying I'd miss it if I kept my nose in the book any longer. His defense was that he didn't want to hear me complain about missing it later, so 'might as well go see it now.'

But, the more I think about the memories and the sunset, the more I realized I focused less on the actual sky itself and more on the person next to me.

Because the truth was-the truth is...he was always my favorite to look at.

Of course...

In the context of the conversation. Here with Midas. It's easiest to say...

"The sunsets are my favorite. I love them....so much." I practically whispered, letting the corners of my lips curl into a sweet smile at the memories.

Memories that have come to hurt. But, still memories, nonetheless. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Memories of the past are starting to become the only things that make me happy. Without them...

I believe I'd go crazy.

Midas hummed in acknowledgment to my point, before I felt the warm jewel being removed from my skin.

"Three, two, one, and-viola. The wound is gone! Open your eyes for a nice surprise!" He chuckled, with the rhymes rolling off his tongue like he's said them many times before.

I giggled to his clownery, letting my eyes peek open before they widened in full surprise to see the wound was truly a thing of the past.

Instantly, I lifted my hand from the table and gripped it in my other, feeling no remnants of pain with my own touch as I inspected the thing with disbelief.

"Wowww. Very impressive!" I exclaimed, giving him a small nod. "Thank you."

He waved me off bashfully, hesitating for a moment before he decided to go through with pulling one more thing from the box.

It was a bandaid. A tiny bandaid.

"Don't thank me yet. We still need...just....one..last..thing...." He muttered almost to himself, carefully opening the bandaid before attempting to put it on my hand.

I pulled my hand back in amusement before he could, shaking the uninjured thing around with proof.

"I don't think I need that. You did so well, there's not a drop of blood left!" I said with the intention of a compliment, watching his happiness deflate every so slightly.

Huh?

He nodded in understanding, keeping the respectful smile on his face as he hesitated to put the bandaid down on the table.

"Oh. Right. Yes, of course." He reassured quietly, not hiding his disappointments well enough.

I looked to him with my own grin falling, realizing my words may have upset him a little.

Trying to fix the fleeting moment, I quickly put my healed hand within his sights now, causing him to look up at me with question.

"By all means." I nodded brightly, gesturing for him to place the bandaid atop my hand.

Midas' smile slowly came back, eyes shining with touched emotion as he looked back to my hand and slowly placed the bandaid atop it.

A sigh of satisfaction came from his mouth as he did so, sitting back on his haunches to admire his own work, before standing up to clear away the bloody first aid materials.

"There. Good as new." He coaxed happily, brushing past my spot with his usual quick steps to throw away the dirtied items.

"I'll say." I murmured, holding my hand up in the early evening sun. "I think it looks even better than before."

Midas hummed in acknowledgment to my words, having already tossed the first aid items away as he was rummaging back on his desk for something else now.

"Oh. That's just the collagen, my dear. I've been eating more of it, therefore it shows up in the jewels. It gives a nice afterglow, don't you think?" He chirped out distractedly, causing me to laugh as he came back over.

He always seems to have an answer for everything.

Too distracted with my hand to pay attention to what he was doing, it wasn't until I felt an item come around me from behind that I jumped slightly, looking down at my neck to see...

"Ahhh. A new necklace?" I said in surprise, peering at the pretty, new jewel resting on my chest as Midas chained the back of it around my neck.

That was rather quick. The first time he gave me a necklace, he gave me the option of wearing it and asked first. Now, he just....put it on at his own leisure.

It can't be bad, when it looks so beautiful.

I smiled softly and ignored the alarm bells going off in my head as I caressed the jewel, with admiration and elation numbing all else.

The excitement of it quickly turned into realization as to why I was getting such a thing, unable to ask as he beat me to the punch.

"The maid found the remains of your first one in the hallway after the party. It had "Dobby" written all over it." He said with a disgusted scrunch of his nose, waving off his annoyances as he came to my front and assessed the new jewel on my neck.

I couldn't help but do the same, looking down to the jewelry before taking the heavy gem in my hand.

This jewel was darker in color than the first one he gave me, with streaks of magenta, and red, and onxy swirled in a breathtaking pattern.

He noticed me studying it with such focus, justifying my curiosities quickly.

"Well, I didn't want to give you the same exact colors as last time. That would be rather tacky." He said with a sheepish chuckle. "Not to mention, it goes perfectly well with my next gift for you."

"There's more?" I said with wide eyes, letting the jewel hang freely from my neck now.

Midas smiled at my excitement as he walked to the standing rack of clothes he had near the window.

"Indeed there is, you little infomercial." He said, pulling a nice looking item off the rack.

He pried it from the hanger carefully, holding it up in his hands so I could get a clear view of it.

It was a jacket. A black jacket, but not just any kind. Of course, knowing Midas, it was probably a designer of some sort. But, what really stood out to me...was the chains of gold and onxy jewels that rested near both sides of the hem...looking eerily similar to the material Tsuyo wears everyday.

"An upgrade for you." Midas smiled. "I know how much you like the jewels. Now, you can wear them all the time and activate them at your own wishes. Just a little party favor from last night."

Ignoring the continuing warning signs going off in my head, I grinned happily and took the jacket without a second thought, wasting no time shrugging the midnight black item around my shoulders.

A big contrast to my usual attire of bright colors and memes. But, sometimes, change is necessary for one to grow.

"Wowwww." I ooo'ed and aww'ed, standing up in my chair and holding my arms out wide for the full effect. "It's beautiful."

"It's just a jacket." Midas shrugged, gesturing to my presence grandly. "What makes it stunning is the person wearing it."

I chuckled awkwardly to his words, bringing my arms back down to my sides as I looked to him warmly.

"Thank you. For everything."

Once again, he waved me off kindly, coming to take a seat at his desk now and finally relax.

"The pleasure's all mine. You know I enjoy your company." He complimented, looking to my new set of jewels with hints of impatience. "Anyways, go ahead! Give them a try-if you want to."

Feeling excitement sparking back up in my veins at the thoughts of getting to use the jewels again, I nodded and looked down at the necklace, pursing my lips in slight confusion.

As I said, these colors are different than what I'm used to.

"Uhhh. How do I activate these ones?" I asked, inspecting the new jewels curiously.

And, as comfortable and trusting as I am towards Midas, perhaps the feeling isn't as mutual as what he displays on the surface.

"These are different jewels you're wearing, and they have different powers, yes. But, your favorite amplifying ones are still laced throughout. Why don't you give those a try." He suggested, avoiding the topic of what the other jewels on my frame actually do.

But, of course....being too excited to use the jewels again, I didn't care.

Instead, I had no trouble powering up the amplifying gems in the necklace, using the bit of happiness Midas was giving me as a base to amplifying the pleasant emotion into something instantly better.

Within milliseconds, the pain of my battered heart had been glazed over with sugary sweet goodness, my veins buzzing with that familiar high and my head at peace as the hurt in my life suddenly didn't matter.

This is what I've been waiting for.

A heavy sigh of relief fell past my lips as I let the effects amplify stronger, letting my eyes close as I collapsed back into my chair with indulgence.

Forgetting Midas was even present for a short time, I kept my eyes closed and began to giggle at nothing, holding the jeweled necklace between my fingers as I dared to try and amplify the effects even stronger.

Usually, I try to be careful about how much power I use. After all, I haven't forgotten Tsuyo's warning of how the jewels can eat you alive if you aren't careful.

But, the more I use them, the more it's not enough. It's as if my body is building a tolerance to the power, making me crave a higher dose.

My eyes widened in surprise as a strong wave of dopamine hit my receptors, with happiness and satisfaction concentrating my veins at a more intense, giddy rate now.

I giggled again as I relished in such joy, feeling the addictive need to amplify to an even higher extreme...

Before I felt the necklace power down to a reasonable rate against my will.

My eyes slowly creaked open as my sanity and clarity came back, seeing Midas' eyes glowing with his quirk to show he was the one who turned down the effects.

"Careful, darling." He warned gently, adjusting the jewel so I only felt a coherent buzz of happiness now. "You'll have plenty of time to experiment with the jewels later. Just don't let that beautiful brain of yours turn to jelly. Or, you'll end up like those good-for-nothing heroes from the party last night."

Feeling relaxed and at peace, I settled back into my chair and nodded with half lidded eyes, looking to the window blissfully.

"It certainly was a memorable night." I said truthfully, feeling the painful memories unable to penetrate my happy bubble.

A million things happened and every one of them ended horribly. But, right now, I couldn't care less.

Midas nodded in agreement to my words, swiping one of his fancy trademark cigars from his desk along with a lighter.

"Indeed it was." He said, placing the cigar between his teeth before lighting it. "Besides the Dobby thing, how was the party otherwise? Did you have fun, dear?"

With the jewels concentrated in my system, Midas was less careful about throwing the subject of Dabi around that time, knowing the conversation wouldn't affect me negatively.

And it didn't.

I also felt rather honest.

"Well, he took up a lot of my time. Mentally. So, it's hard to say." I admitted, watching Midas take a deep inhale of his cigar.

He gathered a mouthful of smoke, before puffing an ethereal blue substance from his mouth, settling back into his own comfy chair as he looked to the ceiling.

"Yes, but perhaps this new chapter without him might not be all that bad. From what I saw....you did appear....rather..friendly with another." He hinted with amusement, lips curling slightly as he looked to me knowingly.

I felt my cheeks going red at what he knew, my heart stirring a bit as thoughts of Akio crossed my mind once more.

Mostly regret and guilt. Especially, since he's not returning my messages.

Taking matters into my own hands, I upped the effects of the amplifying jewels just a little more to cope with the feelings, pursing my lips with honesty.

"Yeahhh. I made a lot of mistakes last night." I admitted, not feeling totally upset about that in such a state. "I shouldn't have done that."

Midas took another puff of his cigar and spun around slightly in his chair, causing a puff of blue smoke to swirl around his head with the movement.

"A normal reaction for your heartbreak. Everything after it will seem like a mistake for quite awhile. Doesn't mean it actually is one." He alluded, coming back in his chair to face me once more. "It will pass, and it takes time. No one is perfect."

I felt my body melting into my chair as I took in Midas' words, laughing softly as the thoughts fell from my mouth without a second thought.

"I think some people come rather close though." I said, looking to him with reference.

Midas looked to me with flattery. A part of me wanted to notice how his look didn't appear as warm now that I was under the influence of the jewels. But, the bigger part of me didn't care.

"You truly believe so?" He asked knowingly, before I felt the amplifying effects of admiration intensify in my system.

And, it wasn't due to my own actions.

Suddenly, I felt tears of admiration well in my eyes, leaning forward in my seat as I looked to Midas with a starry gaze.

"I do." I said truly, giving him my deepest bow of respect. "You were....the only one to contact me this morning. The only one to check up on me at such a dark time. I can't thank you enough."

The effects of admiration faded from my system at Midas' will now, leaving me to settle back in my chair with the ease I had before as he feigned surprise.

"I was? Well, that doesn't seem right." He scoffed slightly for my favor, giving his head a shake of disdain.

"What do you mean?" I asked with brows furrowed, watching Midas puff another cloud of pretty smoke as he pushed his own opinions onto me.

"Friends, and the ones who truly care for you, should be checking on you quite regularly. If they can't even do that in your time of need....sounds like you need new friends." He shrugged, once again not appearing as warm or caring as he usually does when I'm sober-jewel sober?

But, so long as I wear this necklace and this jacket, any doubts in my head telling me to run are muted as the buzz of jewels remains in my system, making me do something I truly wasn't expecting. Especially of my own accord.

I agreed with him.

"Yeah." I said a bit dazedly as I reflected on the truth he was painting. "Maybe you're right."

He smiled a bit darkly and nodded with encouragement, inspecting his cigar as he followed up subtly on the topic.

"Though.....the Todoroki children. Perhaps, if not now, they could be a good asset to you later. I wouldn't cut them off just yet." He guided plainly, eyes no longer holding such an innocent, beaming glow-but, a rather selfish one instead.

His words of the Todoroki siblings brought back the reminders of his earlier intentions, grounding me in reality and making curiosity break through the jewels barrier.

"Oh, yes. The Todorokis. I remember your expressed interest in them from earlier. What is it you want with them exactly?" I asked, suddenly feeling my head too cloudy for the conversation at hand.

Midas' smile didn't reach his eyes when he gave it this time, placing his cigar in the ashtray, before slowly standing up from his chair.

"I'm glad you asked, darling. Let's take a walk. There's something I'd like to speak about."

****

The exterior perimeter of Midas' mansion was just as beautiful as the interior. Perhaps, it even rivaled such beauty at this particular time of day.

With the evening not quite on the horizon yet, the sun still shone in the deep blue sky. But, instead of beating down on us uncomfortably, the rays were soft. Pillowy clouds painted the horizon, sitting above grassy hills and trees that seemed to extend the remote location for miles.

The weather was perfect. There wasn't a flower out of place. The birds were chirping. Little bugs started to creep and flutter along the trimmed bushes, showing that the harsh winter may be succumbing to spring once again.

Heaven on earth is the best way to describe the place. It's also the best way to describe Midas himself, I've come to find.

But, even with that in mind, my own sub-conscious apparently didn't think the same.

Because, as the jeweled man and I walked side by side in comfortable silence for a moment to enjoy the fleeting day, my shoulders felt tensed for a reason I couldn't explain. My throat dry and my senses almost humorously alert for such a peaceful setting.

Deep down, I know there's reason why Midas called me out here for a 'walk.' The fresh air and flowers were merely meant to be a distraction for whatever he wanted to say.

Whatever he wanted to say....about The Todoroki family.

I don't know whether to thank them or curse them, as it's only because of the Todorokis that I haven't lost all sense of reality to Midas' wishes yet. I feel my weak mind would have done so a long time by now, had it not been for them.

They're the only family I have left. Even if I don't feel I fit in most days, I love them and I know they love me. I already failed to save one of them and it tore me apart. I would rather sacrifice my own life than repeat the same exact mistake a second time.

No. I'm not so far lost yet to forget that. To forget my goals of protecting them. Because, as much as I've found myself becoming fond of Midas, I can't ever forget how deep my true loyalties lie.

The Todoroki family took me in. They saved my life. I vowed long ago to return the favor however I could.

With that in mind, I opted to leave my jeweled necklace and jacket inside Midas' office, wanting to ensure my wits wouldn't find any unnecessary distractions or persuasions within their temptation.

And, anyways, Midas didn't seem to mind when I requested I leave the items, quickly setting aside a space atop his desk for me to place them.

'Of course! They're yours, darling! You don't need to ask such things, or wear them when you don't want to. Gifts are for your own leisure.' He encouraged with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

It only made me feel less guarded. It made me feel as if I truly had the choice to wear them.

But...

Did I really?

How much of the beauty is real....and how much is just an illusion?

Now that the jewels are off, I don't know what to think. I don't feel as easily persuaded, but I also don't feel as many doubts about him as I did before either.

I feel like I'm caught in the middle, with the future events of my life being the deciding factors for which direction I'll be pulled in. It's a little scary to know that about myself.

For now though...

It's the Todorokis. It has been for the last ten years.

"Mm. I do love a nice walk before dinner time." Midas mused after a few moments of silence, keeping his relaxed eyes to the soft, ethereal clouds. "The sun's always at the perfect peak during this hour. Not too bright. Not too soft. Just right. What do you think, darling?"

At his words, I looked up to the sky with him, easily able to see things through his filter of purity.

"It is very pretty." I commended simply, feeling the gentle breeze kiss the tip of my nose.

My response was sweet, yet curt. Without the jewels and the fate of my friends, I suddenly don't feel as chatty as I did with him earlier.

If Midas noticed this, he didn't comment on it. Instead, he hummed in acknowledgment to my words, letting us walk the stony pathway to his garden with another moment of peace. The path extended for miles, and at this leisurely pace, it would surely take us some time to get there.

He was clearly in no hurry though.

"You know..." He sighed contently after a few heartbeats of time, taking a deep breath of fresh air. "It's very nice to have...such a trusted person I can confide in about my dreams, Violet. Of course, Tsuyo has always been this person. But, having a second person-having you....it just feels...better."

My ears perked up to his statement, brows furrowing with just a bit of curiosity.

Honestly, I found it to be a little surprising. A little contradicting for the type of man Midas claims to be...

I never thought him the type to compare his two friends so freely. Perhaps I was wrong?

"Oh?" I asked with feigned innocence. "How so?"

Letting his words become looser, he shrugged and kept his gaze to the sky, using the lax position to counteract such bold words.

"Because I think you have the capability to understand me better, Violet. Tsuyo-my goodness, I do adore them. But....they're....hmmm. Their...level of thinking....it doesn't always align with mine sometimes, and it makes me frustrated. To be expected, of course. It's very difficult to confide in someone...with a lower intelligence than one's self."

I felt my gaze going a bit blank as I tried to absorb the words-words that painted Midas in a slightly different light than just a few seconds ago.

It almost sounds like he's....venting about Tsuyo. Expressing annoyance with their recent performances lately.

From the time I met him, the jeweled man never once implied he wasn't fully in support of Tsuyo. Heck, Tsuyo never told me they weren't in support of Midas. Sure, they gave me some warning signs, but I've never seen them actually openly rebel against Midas' wishes.

Perhaps, this is something they do in private?

....fight?

Regardless, this is the first time I've ever heard Midas hint he feels negative thoughts about his trusted advisor. I never would have guessed on the surface he thought that, meaning he was incredibly good at hiding it.

Perhaps, Midas has always thought this of them, but never had anyone else to confide in about it? Perhaps he trusts me enough to do so...

I don't know how I feel about that. About becoming his most trusted.

From what I've seen of the person Tsuyo became, it seems a rather lonely, sad place to be.

Unease began to settle in my stomach at what I was getting myself into, forced to hide the look behind a pair of neutral, blank eyes.

Even though I came to the mansion today of my own accord, suddenly things feel a little more eery.

Suddenly, I wish I wasn't alone here with him.

It also makes me wonder...

...what Midas truly thinks about me, if he's so willing to speak bad about the person closest to him.

Unable to form a response, the space between us went silent. It wasn't the peaceful silence from a few moments ago, but now something awkward and filled with expectation.

Was he expecting me to agree? I don't know. But, I don't feel comfortable doing that. Especially with the way Tsuyo's been to me since I arrived, always sticking their neck out for my safety.

Sensing my slight discomfort, Midas didn't let it build for very long, tactfully reassuring me with flattery a few moments later.

"With you, though. Oh, I don't feel I need to dumb things down or justify the end goals. Your intelligence is absolutely stunning, dear. It's one of the first things I noticed about you, along with that striking purple hair, of course. You understand me in a way no one else has in a very long time." He complimented, letting the corners of his lips curl into a sweet smile.

The look on his face, combined with his words, were enough to put me at a little ease. I didn't realize just how much my shoulders had tensed up instinctively until they relaxed.

Before I knew it, a soft smile graced my own face as I looked to the pretty stone path, admitting a little too freely that-to a point....

"I feel the same about you."

"You do?" Midas asked beamingly, finally tearing his wide eyed gaze from the sky to me now.

I chuckled slightly to his returning, innocent excitement, feeling more comfort easing back into our space.

This is the man I've come to know after all. The kind one. The bright one. I've never really seen any other side. It becomes noticeably uncomfortable when he lets small pieces of something else slip.

His eyes remained on me, but I kept mine to the ground as I spoke.

"Yeah. I don't feel like I'm rambling when I talk to you. You don't roll your eyes or tell me to shut up like others do. I...I don't know....it's just a conversation that someone else finally understands." I admitted honestly, letting my peaceful gaze fall closed as another breeze blew through us.

It's the truth. One of the reasons I've grown to admire Midas so much is because of his brain. He doesn't blink an eye to my odd persona or studious efforts. In fact, he welcomes this part of me-this big part of my personality, and feeds it with philosophy and beautiful wonder.

There aren't many people like that in the world. Not any I've met anyways. It's nice to see someone else's mind connect with mine on such a relatable level.

With his hands folded behind his back, Midas nodded, speaking softly to match the fading sunlight in the sky.

"I couldn't agree more."

The simple reassurance was enough to make my heart bloom again. It was knowing I wasn't alone in my thoughts. That maybe I wasn't as weird and awkward as everyone thought.

Midas admitted he's just like me, and he said it with pride, not shame. You see how successful he is...

Lips curling with happiness, it gave me the courage to lift my eyes from the ground and look forward instead, instinctively folding my own hands behind my back now as we walked.

With a mirrored stroll and smile, the two of us lazily trailed along the path, with the sound of the birds chirping and the garden water fountains illuminating our space.

Voice sweet as honey and smooth in tone, Midas only spoke once the sounds of nature had taken a pause. His words flowed clear and slow, giving the illusion that he wasn't truly here, but merely a peaceful voiceover instead.

"Part of understanding beauty is the ability to be honest and realistic-not just about one's goals, but also the world we live in." He informed, looking ahead to the purple hyacinth tree we now approached. "You're not perfect, my dear. I don't expect you to be. I'm not either."

Following his lead, I walked behind him to the decorative, arched bridge that rested directly under the gigantic, ancient tree, hearing the soft rustle of a creek below our space.

With the water running and now being completely under the blanket of low hanging vines of the tree, the area around us felt magical, consuming the space with faint fairy purples and sweet scents.

I reached my hand out in awe and caressed the flowers that rested at every angle, watching Midas do the same with full appreciation.

Seeing a bruised petal on one of the bushels, he pouted his lips slightly and carefully plucked it, holding the fragile item with admiration as he brought it down and showed me.

"There isn't an ounce of perfection in this world. Even the prettiest flowers have bruises. See?" He whispered as we remained under the tree, gently stroking the bruised flower in his palm. "But, some flowers come closer to perfect than others, depending on their environment. When they get enough sunlight...and water....and love...they have no other choice than to grow into something beautiful."

I watched silently as Midas cradled the injured petal, unable to hold it for much longer as the soft breeze whisked it away.

He smiled warmly as it did so, watching it float off longingly, before reaching his hands back up to touch the vines of purple flowers above our heads.

"People aren't much different. Of course, we also need sunlight, and water, and love. But, the fragility of the human spirit needs even more than just that to grow." He explained, walking just a few steps ahead of me. "We also need guidance. We need to be surrounded by other pretty flowers, per say, so we don't know anything different. So we have no choice, other than to strive and be the same. That's the only way people can adapt. The only way they can accept change."

His eyes locked on the bushels of purple flowers blanketed above us, steps faltering to a stop before we would leave the blissful cover of the tree.

He didn't want to go, that much was obvious. A million thoughts flashed behind his gaze as he stared at the flowers with reminisce, face looking blank as he whispered.

"That's all it is. A concentration of good to dilute the bad, until it eventually disappears altogether. Removing the ugly from this world, so it can't hurt anyone else." He said a bit somberly, switching his vacant gaze over to me now. "These are my goals, Violet, and they've never wavered. Not once."

I watched him with silence as he stared at the flowers, with the jewel necklace around his neck threatening to spark to life...

Are these flowers something important to him?

There are a lot of things about this man that can't be explained. The 'Dressery' was one. The way he looks at these particular flowers are another.

Hesitating for just a few more moments, Midas finally continued our walk out from under the hyacinth tree, not looking back at it even once as he spoke with a slightly lower voice now. "This disgusting world is in need of a savior. A true symbol of beauty they can look upon to know what it actually means...to be right."

His more serious, resentful tone caused hints of concern to lace through my veins, giving me the cruel reminder that this man is still technically supposed to be my enemy.

He may have good intentions, but his vision is warped. Lost, even.

And there must be a reason as to how it became this way. How he became so distorted.

"How...how do you plan to do that?" I asked raspily, peering up to his face as we crossed over the threshold of the bridge and back on the stony path.

His gaze wasn't as bright anymore, but more emotionless. Eyes dulled of their artificial spark as he showed more than he meant to.

"Simple. I believe it's time to take things further, and for this, I can't do it alone. We can't do it alone. We need more resources for our cause, otherwise it will fail miserably. This is why...I want the Todoroki kids." He stated clearly, keeping his stone cold gaze forward.

Me, on the other hand, I felt my heart jump up my throat at the words, with dread and wonder setting heavy in my stomach. Between his vague hints and his dark tone, it was enough to give me massive amounts of anxiety and think of every worst case scenario.

I refuse to let anything happen to them. No matter what he believes...no matter what he throws at me...

I will protect the Todorokis with my life.

Without knowledge of my opposing thoughts, Midas continued before I could reply, seeming more lost in his own head with each passing word.

"As I said, no one is perfect and those children certainly were not." He said blankly, not caring enough to appreciate the pretty butterfly fluttering in his headspace. "Fuyumi has no business making excuses for the man her father is. Yet, Natsuo's held his own hatreds for far too long. Shouto doesn't seem to possess any manners, due to a thorough lack of parenting over the years. Yes. They definitely have a lot of problems..."

I grimaced slightly at the small bits of description to their characters. Even if I don't agree with whatever Midas will say next, it doesn't mean the Todoroki kids aren't flawed. We all are. That's what makes us human.

It's our way of dealing with these flaws....where Midas and I disagree.

"But, their good overshadowed their bad, and that's what my cause is all about. Concentrating the good to dilute the bad." He continued, seeming as if he was trying to reassure himself of his decisions. "They might not be there now, but I'm in desperate need of more confidants I trust. In the future, they have the potential to be the epitome of my standard, along with you and Tsuyo. They have the potential...to become the symbol."

And, while Midas talked a passionate game of morality just now with the flower analogy, his eyes darkened just a bit more as the true intentions of his interest in the Todoroki kids came to light, the greedy words slipping past his lips before he could stop them.

"They're the only ones who have the potential...to get rid of Endeavor and this finite 'symbol of peace'...altogether."

And that...is where things went south...

"Huh?!" I blurted out in shock, snapping Midas out of his own darkening thoughts.

He blinked slightly to clear away the malice that had pooled without his consent, looking to me a little softer but still void of a smile.

"Well-I saw it firsthand last night, Violet. If that man has one weakness to anything in this world, it's his kids. Regardless of the father he is or was, he loves them in a weird....sort of distorted way. It would tear him apart and ruin him for good...if they turned on him-uprooted the dear society he works so hard to protect. If they did it all for me." He justified, trying to conceal the hints of a smirk creeping on his lips. "He doesn't deserve those kids. He doesn't deserve to be a father."

Seeing me paying close attention, he quickly cleared the malicious look from his face, letting his usual warmth return to a smile as he dropped the bomb.

"You see, Violet. I only want to recruit the Todoroki kids for my cause, the same way I recruited you."

Panic shot into my veins fully, now that his intentions had been revealed, with corrupted images of such a dark future blaring in my brain like an alarm.

It was honestly worse than I thought!

Not only does he want them for his cause, but he wants them to be a persuaded focal point of it.

"W..What....What did you just say!?" I exclaimed breathlessly, stopping our walk as Midas was already getting lost in his head again.

So much so, he didn't even realized I'd stopped walking yet.

"Now, of course, they may need a bit more persuading in the beginning. After all, they'd be taken from their home and turned against their own father-and everything else they ever knew. It might be a sore spot at first. But, I believe if I put them in a room with their favorite jewels for a few days, their minds could be persuaded-" He rambled, causing me to speak a little too boldly.

"Stop! You can't do that!!"

Upon hearing my surprising, passionate denial...Midas' steps faltered now, realizing I stopped walking a few moments ago as he slowly turned around to face me.

He inhaled deeply and kept the artificial smile on his face, swallowing whatever he was truly feeling at the moment as all he said was...

"You seem displeased."

His voice was neutral. Not warm. Not cold. Just mid-line and it didn't make me feel any better. He hasn't ever shown a neutral side.

All I've known from him is kindness and encouragement. Usually, he offers me to speak my mind when we disagree. This time, it didn't seem like he wanted a second opinion though.

Regardless, I need to try and give him one. I refuse to let the Todorokis be put in danger, due to my own fears of this man.

I just need to tread carefully. I need to change his mind.

"Well...." I trailed off when I realized he was waiting for an answer, trying to introduce a new approach to him. "It's just-w...why them? Wouldn't you rather have someone more powerful? Like a..another hero or something?"

Sure, the act of taking anyone hostage is bad. But, a qualified, trained hero is more likely to survive and be able to escape, compared to the Todorokis. Natsuo and Fuyumi don't know how to fight. Shouto is still just a hero in training.

Not to mention, as selfish as it is to say...a random hero in danger is much different than my loved ones being in danger. The risks aren't as high.

Though, it seems my idea was too good to be true.

Midas' shoulders slumped slightly at my words, seeming as if I disappointed him very early in his proposal of the idea.

That's a bad sign.

It just makes me think...all that stuff he said earlier...about how him and Tsuyo don't always see eye to eye...

Was this one of the things they didn't agree on? It sure seems like it from Midas' already impatient reaction. It's the reaction of someone who's already been turned down once, looking for support once more, only to be turned down again.

"Most heroes are too far stuck in the current society's ideals to be swayed so easily." He explained a bit rushed, gesturing with his hands to make his point. "That's what they fight so hard to protect. Of course, I could bribe the scummy ones, but that would just contradict everything I'm trying to do. I don't want any more soldiers. I have enough of those. What I'm looking for now...is followers. Ones who truly believe in my cause and want to be on the side of good change."

There's just one problem with his logic. The Todorokis wouldn't be on his side of change once they understood what he was truly trying to do. If anything, they'd fight it and only inflict more harm and fatal danger upon themselves.

Unless Midas plans to torture and alter their entire identities, like Tsuyo....there's no way they would agree to this.

Maybe he does plan to torture them this way...

I opened my mouth to speak with protest, unable to get a word in as Midas spoke first.

"It would work rather well, I believe. Shouto is young and naive enough to be persuaded with the right words. Natsuo already seemed taken with the place when he was here for the party. Fuyumi may need some work, but I believe it won't be much of a problem." He reassured naively, speaking about my friends as if they were pawns and not people.

It only makes my unease with the situation rise, especially when it's obvious how set he is in these ideas.

From the way he speaks of it, it sounds like he's had this plan in mind for a bit of time now. He's had enough time to become confident in it, past the stage of being able to be persuaded towards something else.

And, if I don't at least hear him out and pretend I'm onboard, I risk losing Midas' trust. He'd proceed with the plan to get the Todoroki kids anyways. Only then, I wouldn't be apart of it.

I wouldn't be able to save them. At all.

Remember. Tread carefully. If you don't, everyone will die.

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I cleared my throat and decided to take a different approach, knowing Midas will only shut down if I push any more protest.

"W..What...what would you want them to do when they get here exactly?" I inquired with a raspy voice, feeling my stomach bubbling with nausea.

Lucky for me, my concern was mistaken as agreement. Midas' eyes softened a bit now as he walked back over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders with reassurance.

There we go. Let your guard down again. Tell me everything.

"Well, I'm not trying to get rid of society altogether. If I did that, then I'd have no one left to guide." He chuckled. "I'm simply trying to change it into something better. But, how can people know what's better if they've never seen evidence of it?"

To my questioning silence, he removed his hands from my shoulders and walked backwards a few steps, spreading his arms out grandly to emphasize his point.

"I want to mold the Todoroki kids into this 'evidence,' so to say-groom them into this new standard of society that makes the rest of the world want to follow, too. You've heard of 'Symbol of Peace.' I say screw that. I want them to be the symbol of beauty, the symbol of my cause, just like you and Tsuyo. As the family of the number one hero, they have the potential to influence millions of people in this country to my side, like no one else ever could. Especially, when we bring Endeavor's disgusting parenting tactics to their eyes."

"No one would ever trust the number one hero again after hearing such scandal. The man would become an outcast and only his children would win the support and sympathy of the public. They would tell of the man who saved them from such a horrible home life-that's me-and then it would bring in the attention and admiration of the people to my side, wanting to know more about such a brave, heroic man and what he stands for. The more people the Todoroki children influence with such praise, the more of a rebellion it causes in the public." He continued.

"The more willing society is to accept my changes. The harder time the heroes have in putting a stop to it. Even more so when people see all three Todorokis have pledged such loyalty to me. The world will be curious as to what could be so good about my way of living, and then? Well, I'll just show them myself." He explained, with his tone of voice becoming more passionate by the second.

But, even so...

He's mentioned Endeavor multiple different times during this conversation. Despite what he likes to believe, how much of this idea is about bringing the Todoroki kids to his side, than getting revenge on Endeavor for escaping his original plans of execution?

After all, the gem-ification of the number one hero was supposed to be his big moment. It was supposed to be the demonstration that changed the world and brought everyone to their knees. He had success in the palm of his hand, and it was all ripped out from under him in a mere few hours. It made a fool of him and hurt his pride.

Thanks to me helping the number one escape.

Midas doesn't like to fail. His mistakes don't go unnoticed by himself. He won't ever get an opportunity to capture Endeavor so vulnerably again and he knows it. The Todoroki kids are only the next best thing. Most definitely part of a bigger vision that he's not telling me about right now.

He shrugged a bit dryly to my silence and lack of excitement for his plans, deciding to sweeten the odds with something I hadn't been aware of before.

Like I said, he always has a bigger vision he never shares until it's too late.

"In the spirit of being honest with you, Violet, I will say-this was not my original intention. Before meeting the Todoroki children, I planned to take them hostage and hold them for ransom as a way to bring Endeavor back to me. I then planned to gem-ify the entire family in front of the whole country." He admitted with passive aggressive nonchalant, causing my eyes to widen.

He said it as if he was just being honest. But, in a way....it almost sounds like a threat, considering I'm clearly not as onboard about this idea as he was.

It's almost like he's saying this scenario could still happen. That he can do what he pleases at any time. He doesn't need my permission.

In his eyes, I should just be lucky enough that he chose me as a person to confide in about the things he already plans to do.

I realize now....he didn't take me on this walk tonight, looking for another opinion or solution to this cause...

He took me with the expectation of agreement and support. Something that Tsuyo clearly didn't give him, so now he turns to me for validation.

I'd been slightly scared into silence at the underlying threats to my friends, only now realizing just how dangerous this situation had already become right under my nose.

At the moment, I don't know how I plan to get everyone out of this. It's worse than the Endeavor kidnapping. Not only are the Todorokis kids extremely more vulnerable, but there are more of them, meaning escape will be harder.

My silence only pleased Midas, with him giving a content smile as he pulled back the threat slightly.

"But, it dawned on me....how immoral and ugly this would be when I've never met the Todorokis myself. I knew absolutely nothing about them until last night, unlike Endeavor. I've never given them a chance. What kind of a man would I be, hurting the innocent?" He asked rhetorically, giving a small, empathetic click of his tongue.

I didn't answer. Because what kind of answer can I give when he's done this exact thing, time and time again.

Only, this time is different, as selfish as it is to say. Because now his plans are coming too close to home. The only home I have.

"And I'm glad I did, because I became quite taken with them at the party. They changed my mind and gave me the idea of recruitment instead. That was the whole reason I threw the party and wanted to meet them. To see if they had the ability to meet my standard." He smiled warmly. "It's like when you remodel a house. Some houses are easier to remodel because, while their interior may be flawed, their foundation and structure are stunning. With a little help, the house can look beautiful, inside and out."

But, his short lived warmth was quick to die down with the sun in the sky. His vacant look coming back with his next words.

"But, of course. One meeting doesn't show all. I'm not so naive as to think so. Manners and small talk are a common thing in society, after all. No. I need to be absolutely sure they have what it takes to mirror my cause. I need to know them truly. I need to see them at their worst to know what their true colors are." He alluded, causing my face to visibly stir with panic.

I tried to correct the look a few seconds too late as Midas clearly saw it, seeming to let my worries slide as it gave him a chance to convince me.

"Relax, my dear. I'm only referring to a simple series of tests. You got one when you came here. Bringing Endeavor to me, remember? Tsuyo also had one of their own, long ago...."

"It's only out of fairness and equality that I give them one, too." He shrugged, before my tongue couldn't stay silent any longer.

"But, they aren't heroes." I protested as politely as I could. "They...they don't know how to fight or protect themselves from what dangers you'd give them."

Any excuse to get them out of this situation, I'll use it.

But, as I said earlier, Midas has an answer for everything. That makes things incredibly difficult.

"Which is why I intend to give them a different test than what I gave you." He answered patiently, narrowing his eyes at me with a bit of warning for my consistent protests. "It's going to be the ultimate test of beauty under pressure. The test of illusion and torture-thinking all hope has been lost. Where one is in actual, life threatening danger. How one would act in their 'final moments' says a lot about a person's true nature."

With the sunset finally streaking across the sky, it painted Midas' background, with the deep colors of orange making his presence look just a bit distorted as he spoke his next orders.

"Here is your next mission, Violet. You will deliver the Todoroki kids here by force, and bring them to me so we can begin this new age of purification."

A/N: how we feeling?? Please don't forget to vote. Read ahead on Patreon if you'd like.

See ya next week!