It was December 19th, Violet’s birthday.

Nobody but her, Vander, and you actually knew.

Vi didn’t want to make a big deal of it, didn’t want the extra attention.

Plus, money in the Undercity was always tight, no matter what.

Since Vi’s birthday was close to Christmas, she just took her few gifts- which were usually a pocket knife or a new shirt or something like that- and pretended people knew and cared about her birthday.

But, this year, Vi got an actual gift.

Her birthday had started out the way it always did, with Vander putting everyone else to bed and bringing out a cupcake for her with a little candle.

But, you followed him with a small package wrapped in brown paper.

You placed it in her lap, sitting close to her as you whispered “Happy Birthday,” into her shoulder.

Vi unwrapped it, confusion painting her features.

It was a small book, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and a chord necklace with a small piece of amethyst.

“Wh- A book? Where did you get the money-?” Vi stuttered, pushing them back into Vander’s hands.

“Violet, it’s a gift! You love reading,” you pointed out, plopping yourself on the arm of the chair with a soft frown on your face.

“It’s too expensive, I can’t take this!”

Vi was doing the math in her head, that was at least two, maybe three months of wages.

What about you?

But you just assured her she could take it, and so, finally, she did.

You helped put the necklace on her, she blew out her candle, and then tried to give you and Vander each half, only to be refused.