Noise from the cosy crowd in the restaurant met Violet's entry along with the gentle heat. It was a quaint and soft place with a white tile floor and wood-panelled walls. Far from the extravagant place Hisoka took her their first meeting.

Cold and hot mixed turns throbbing through her ankles. Frowning, Violet glanced down. The fresh bandages she laid after interacting with Hisoka were still dry and clear, but she felt her wound leaking.

I don't know how long the layers will last. I need to rest. I'm tired, but this cannot wait.

"Would you like a table?" a young man with two-toned hair, clearly bleached blonde at the top and dark brown beneath, asked from the server booth. He wore the blue and white apron uniform with black dress trousers that was the style of the restaurant, The Blue Dragon.

"I'm meeting someone here." Violet raised her index finger, asking him to wait while she searched her phone for the text from Gon. Neither of the twelve-year-old fighters had arrived, as indicated by the quiet of the establishment. She sighed. "I only know him by name. Sensei Wing?"

The seating server hummed, pursing his thin lips together. "Let me look at the reservation list." His oval jaw remained relaxed as he focused on the task. He shuffled through the papers, but Violet arranged the meeting less than an hour prior; she knew there would be no prearrangement.

Silk slipped between her fingers as she picked and dug at the fabric of her designer dress. Her closet was dwindling in clothing options. Only a single tee and jeans remained, both inappropriate for a restaurant. She dawned the dress from Hisoka with warring emotions.

I need to tell someone, and Gon and Killua are inexperienced and young. I need an adult. She sighed and crossed her arms, digging her thumbnail into the side of her arm while biting her lip. If I were still part of the hunter unit, I could ask Sammy for help. Although her sister Maggie may have been a better option, but—stop! 

The image of beautiful almond eyes and the russet-brown, diamond-shaped jaw of Sammy Walker appeared in Violet's mind. She was a longtime friend and tech division huntress in a separate unit from Violet. 

Shaking her head, she thought, Don't think of things I cannot change. Now is not the time.

A gentleman with unruly black hair, an untidy white shirt, and glasses smiled while approaching her and the bistro worker. A boy younger than Gon and Killua followed a few paces behind. He had chestnut brown hair and milk chocolate eyes and stood quiet and respectfully, still wearing his white fighting dojo uniform. Violet recalled the boy competing on the lower floors of Heaven's Arena and questioned the poor policy of no age limit on fights.

"Are you Violet James? Gon and Killua's friend?"

"Yes." She nodded and asked, "Sensei Wing, I presume?"

He nodded and smiled. "This is Zushi, one of my other students. He trains with Gon and Killua under my guidance."

Violet smiled and nodded politely to the boy, who bowed in respect. Wing led them both back to a table. A menu was in the middle of the table. She sipped at the water glass filled by her place setting, giving her hands something to do.

"The other two should arrive shortly," announced Wing. "What is it you wished to speak to me about? Gon mentioned you sounded strained?"

"Well..." Violet considered the options and chewed lightly at the inside of her lip. "It's about Gon's upcoming fight with Hisoka. But I'd rather wait until he arrives. However, as his teacher, I thought it best you be present."

Wing's shoulders tensed as he straightened. He quickly relaxed, but a high sitting position and frown remained. "Zushi?" He smiled at the boy beside him. "Would you mind fetching God and Killua? It could help hasten their pace."

Zushi nodded and stood before bowing and taking his leave. They both followed his path with their eyes before Wing spoke.

"What do you know of the upcoming fight?"

"Hisoka paid me a very unwelcome visit a few hours ago. I was given an ultimatum. I agree to fight him on the two-hundredth floor, or he will kill Gon in their match."

"Not good," he mused aloud, bringing a hand to his lips. Silence spread for several seconds as he held the pensive posture.

"My concern is after I fight him. There is a chance he'll still kill Gon in their fight, even if I agree." Violet frowned when Wing raised his brows. "I don't think Gon will back down from this fight. I was hoping there might be more you could do on that front?"

Wing looked taken aback, but soft eyes blossomed swiftly, and a kind smile spread across his lips. "If I understand correctly, you've already decided to fight Hisoka?"

"I- I don't really have a choice. But—"

Wing raised a hand. "You do have a choice. You could walk away from Heaven's Arena now. Why stay? Why help a boy you hardly even know?"

Frozen, Violet blinked. She hadn't anticipated that kind of questioning. "I don't mean to answer a question with a question. Why does my motivation really matter?"

"I've seen your fights. You're cold, calculating and, at times, brutal. You seem to regularly sit on the edge of losing control and have lost it in one fight."

Violet prickled at the mention of her hundred and fiftieth-floor fight. Her hackles raised as a tight line replaced the softness of her lips. Who are you to judge my motivations?

"Yet, here you are trying to help another? Helping by putting yourself at a disadvantage?" asked Wing before continuing, "It doesn't particularly fit. So, I do, as his teacher, have to question the underlying reasons."

Wing's body language was relaxed and inviting, but the statement angered Violet—enraged even. Bloodlust slipped before she reigned it back. That confrontation with Hisoka already has me on edge. I don't need the once-over by a goody-goody hero-type. Your kind makes me sick. She looked away and controlled herself, but it didn't change the sting of the underlying accusations.

When she returned to Wing, she was met with a hardened expression, all softness and kind demeanour void in his harsh eyes and frowning lips.

"I'm not looking for anything from anyone. You least of all." Violet matched the severe expression. "I just wanted to give everyone a heads up as Gon is more likely to accept your guidance. You're his teacher, are you not? Or was I mistaken thinking you knew what you were doing?"

The backhanded insult was ill-suited to the situation, and she knew it, but her emotions were running wild, disregarding all reason. If the response perturbed Wing, he didn't show it.

"I only wanted to know which was the real Violet. The one fighting in the ring that's a stone toss from a monster or the girl trying to help. However, your bloodlust has all but confirmed that answer."

Violet scowled. "People are never one thing. No one is all good, and no one is all evil. Not that I believe in such crap. There is no such thing." She continued upon seeing Wing's confused expression. "Good and evil are made up human devices to control and scapegoat people. If there are 'evil' people, it's both a construct and a society's failure. The people who helped create the person and the structures that failed them are responsible." Violet crossed her arms. "It's hardly fair for you to watch a few of my fights and decide who I am as a person."

Wing broke the intensity by focusing on the water and scanning the menu momentarily.

Deep down, Violet believed her rant to describe Hisoka's situation perfectly. Although, I can think of one exception, and it isn't Hisoka. And the other is truly evil. Hisoka at least stopped when he felt my tension tonight. She wondered what brutal past designed such grotesque responses in Hisoka. Who is behind your creepy, terrifying mask, Hisoka? A question for another time, though.

They both turned at the sound of the three boys entering the restaurant. They were undoubtedly twelve-year-old boys—loud. 

Waving them over, Wing said, "I think it best Gon hear this from you." His look softened but remained more guarded than when he first greeted her.

"Hey! You'll buy us anything we want, right?" Killua pushed the boundaries of Violet's kindness.

She laughed and nodded. "Sure, whatever you like, boys." Given how they ate, Violet knew the cost would be four times what was necessary.

"Sweet!" Gon and Killua yelled in unison.

"You too, Zushi. Whatever you like." Violet smiled and nodded to the quiet youth.

"Thank you, Miss James!"

He's kind and respectful. The perfect addition to the group. He might reign in the other two. It will give them a better balance.

When everyone had their orders, Gon asked, "How are your injuries, Violet?"

"All but my ankles have fully healed. They were the worst affected but on their way now," she answered with a soft smile and rested her chin in her hand with her elbow against the table.

"You're still wearing the bandages?" Killua questioned.

She frowned. "I re-opened the wounds a few hours ago. I thought it best to keep them in place." The split second of concern on Wing's expression didn't go unnoticed. Who would get a visit from Hisoka and not be injured in some way?

"Did you injure them because Hisoka attacked you when he visited a few hours ago?" Wing asked.

Violet glared but slowly nodded.

"Violet. I think you should let Gon know why Hisoka visited." Wing turned to the boys in response to their raging expressions. "If you cannot control yourselves, we must leave and do this elsewhere."

Both nodded with sour expressions. Violet explained the short version of the ultimatum Hisoka demanded, leaving out the explicit details of the attack.

"My concern is that he'll still kill you even when I fight him." She looked at Gon. "I would ideally fight him after you, so if anything happens in your fight, I could refuse. However, Hisoka has made it clear—I must fight first."

"Again, this brings up the point that you could walk away now." Violet glared, not seeing how this line of questioning was relevant. "It's obvious you've decided, but what are your chances of surviving your fight with Hisoka?"

Yeah, I don't think he could be my Nen teacher. I might murder him from frustration alone.

"What is anyone's chance against him? Snowball's chance in hell, I'd guess," Violet responded. "But I won't shy away from a fight. It would be pathetic if I ran, leaving Gon to take on the burden. It doesn't help that I have little idea what I'm doing with Nen."

"What do you know, Violet?" Wing questioned, almost quietly.

"Basics and a bit beyond. I've never been formally trained, so I doubt my technique is anything to marvel at either," she admitted.

Wing frowned. "If you've never been trained, how do you know it?"

Humming, Violet squinted her eyes and considered Wing for a minute. Wait. Is he not saying Nen on purpose? Didn't the boys mention something about not being able to discuss it with non-hunters? Maybe that's why. She relaxed her expression before answering, "I lost many memories at eighteen. Most things before that, including the traumatic event that caused the injuries, are blank. Maybe I had training, but I've been using bare basics for a while."

"I assume you don't know what kind of user you are?" Wing asked.

Violet paused and looked at Wing. "There are types?"

"Yeah! We can test and see which one you are!" Gon exclaimed excitedly while the other two youths smiled and nodded.

"No," Wing said firmly. "She needs proper teaching in the basics first. She might not even be able to perform the water test at this stage."

Gee, thanks for the confidence. That pretty much confirms he won't teach me.

"You can teach her, can't you, Sensei Wing?" Gon pleaded.

Wing stayed quiet long enough that Violet's hope sprung to life like flowers in a spring field. The moment was fleeting as winter snow retook the growth, frosting it in despair once more.

"No. I don't think it would be a good idea or possible."

Killua stood, pounding his palms on the table. Arched brows and a scowl coloured his expression. "She doesn't stand a chance against Hisoka! She needs help! It's not like she doesn't know the basics!"

And that fully confirms it. Violet sighed.

Wing glared. "I cannot train her. There is no changing my mind on this poin—"

"It's fine. I'm not without other skills. I will figure something out. Gon's fought him before and survived, right? I should be fine. Focus on your fight, not mine." Violet provided a reassuring smile.

She didn't want to hear Wing's reasons; he already made the decision clear. The boys relented but didn't look happy about it as their scowls and deep frowns set in on their faces.

"Work with Wing," said Violet. "I'm going to head out. I'll give the restaurant my account to change. Offer still stands, anything you want, boys."

Violet departed the restaurant without touching her food. Her mood plummeted with rising nerves and tension across her chest. Her ankles screamed with heat and pain, failing to aid the overall disposition.