Violet Evergarden strolled through the gathered crowd, weaving gracefully in and around other festival-goers waiting in line or meandering about. Much like her own little group. President Hodgins, Iris, Erica, Benedict, and finally Violet herself all followed Cattleya as she confidently cut a path through the crowd. As she went, Violet couldn’t help but let her eyes wander over the various stalls and the people who browsed their goods. Based on the number of people present, it looked as though everyone in Leiden was out today for the airshow. Families, couples, friends, all here for the show. Which was no surprise, since the weather was nearly perfect. The sun shone down with only a few clouds dotted high above and the warm temperature contrasted wonderfully with the cool breeze rolling in off the ocean.

Cattleya once they made it to an open area, causing each person to halt one after the other. Now that she gathered everyone, she turned her attention to Violet and offered a warm smile. “Are you excited, Violet? It’s your first time coming to this, right?”

Looking over, Violet nodded in Cattleya’s direction, her hands clasped neatly in front of her usual white dress and blue jacket combination. “That’s right, I’m very interested in seeing all the letters. Everyone looks to be enjoying themselves as well.”

As if to prove her observation true, a rambunctious group of children ran through the square with little regard for anyone else. A few split the small group of friends, running between the gaps where they stood. One small boy made the mistake of bumping into President Hodgins, which earned him a vigorous rebuke even as he kept going. The scene caused the barest hint of a smile to creep onto Violet’s face as she turned to watch the children fade into the crowd.

After they disappeared out of sight, she closed her eyes and tilted her head up slightly while the voices of her friends filled her ears. President Hodgins still mumbled his annoyance under his breath. Cattleya had turned to chastise Benedict for trying to sneak off before grabbing his collar and dragging him back to the circle. Iris and Erica spoke about the fury of writing that had taken place over the past few weeks, which provoked Violet’s own memories of the numerous requests that had come prior to the festival. It felt like between all the C.H. Postal Dolls, they had written a letter for just about every person in the city. In reality, it was nowhere near that much; however, whatever the true number, she was still excited to see the result of their hard work.

The low hum of the crowd also washed over her, but Violet was listening for one sound in particular. And after a few moments, she perked up at the familiar buzz of an aircraft’s engine as it cut through the din. So quiet at first that she had to strain to hear it. Over the next few minutes, it grew in intensity until it sounded like it was almost overhead. Oh, it must be time! She opened her light blue eyes then and craned her neck further to search for the source of the noise high above. It didn’t take her long to find the red biplane that flew towards the heart of the city, though. For a second, memories of a past life flashed through her mind. Of planes bringing death and destruction, not joy and excitement. Of cloudy skies, and muddy, pock-marked plains bisected with trenches. Thankfully, it was only fleeting, and it passed as quickly as it had come.

Now in position, the aircraft opened its belly and dropped the thousands of letters it carried in a display that looked reminiscent of heavy snow. Except, instead of snowflakes, this shower comprised envelopes with messages just as unique. In them, people spoke of their hopes, dreams, even regrets. Letters to loved ones, or ones they hope to love. Things both said and unsaid, all drifting in the gentle wind on their descent. As she watched, Violet reached up to wrap a gloved hand around the broach on her dress. The one she’d chosen as a gift from the Major to match his emerald green eyes. Her letter was up there somewhere, floating down with all the others. Her first letter. Even as she looked on, her eyes became distant, and she recalled each strike of the keys as she’d typed it.

To my beloved Major Gilbert, how are you? Where are you right now? I hope all is well. I hope you are well. Many seasons have passed since we parted. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Year after year. At first, I did not understand. I did not understand any of your feelings. But, since then, I started learning about emotions from this new life you have provided me. Through the people I’ve met, through writing letters for others. So, now I can tell you I know what the words “I love you” mean. Though I may not know what lies ahead, I promise I will not waste this gift. I will obey your last order and live my life as best I can.

Through his gift, and the acceptance of his loss, Violet had grown to understand love with its intricacies and nuances. At least a little more, she hoped. However, it still felt like there was something absent. Something large. A part hidden outside her reach like a puzzle that was missing its last piece. Sure, you could tell what the final picture was, perhaps even imagine the remaining details yourself, but it wasn’t whole. Not yet.

“It’s a real shame no one will read these letters,” Iris started, causing Violet to drop her gaze and bring her mind back to the present. “We spent sooo much time writing them…”

Even if Violet believed all letters deserved to be read, there was something cathartic about being able to express your thoughts on paper. Even if you didn’t hand it over right away. A first step towards getting out whatever you were feeling.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We can know the contents of at least one.” Once again, Cattleya spoke up, but this time she held a single sheet of paper between her thumb and pointer finger. Waiving it back towards the middle of the group for them all to see.

“Cattleya…” A deep sigh from President Hodgins accompanied her name. Which he immediately followed by bringing a hand to his temple to massage either side with his thumb and middle finger. “We cannot read our customers’ correspondence, even if it’s just us around.” With that, he extended a hand in her direction, clearly intending for her to give it over.

In response, a particularly impish grin spread on her lips, and she drew the paper closer to her body. “Oh, this isn’t a letter from one of our customers,” Cattleya countered while shaking her head. “No. This is your letter, Claudia.”

His eyes went wide then as realization suddenly spread across his face and he began to move towards where Cattleya stood. However, Benedict stepped forward and grabbed the President from behind before he could take more than a step.

“Damn it! Get off me!” Though President Hodgins shouted, Benedict did no such thing. And even if he was smaller and less trained, he nevertheless kept hold long enough for Cattleya to start reading. “To my future daughter…” Before continuing, her eyes lifted from the paper and focused on President Hodgins for a second before a small smile kicked up on her lips. “Claudia, that’s adorable. I never knew you wanted a daughter.”

“How?” The single word was all he got out from between clenched teeth, even as he struggled to break free of the hands that restrained him.

“It was sitting right there on top of your trash. You really should empty it more often, you know. Now, where were we?” Cattleya’s eyes dropped once more so she could continue reading the message for all to hear. After a few lines, President Hodgins gave up trying to break free and simply settled on his knees in front of Benedict. His head hung low, with eyes on the ground.

Violet watched this unfold without a reaction either way, as it seemed very much on par for those involved. It wasn’t until one of the last lines that something stirred within her. “Papa hopes you fall in love with someone who loves you back with all their heart…”

The letter ended soon after, but Violet’s mind drifted back toward those words as she played them over and over in her mind. For whatever reason, they stood out vividly to her. Maybe it had to do with her incomplete picture of love? Her one missing piece? Before long, Erica interrupted her musings by reaching up and placing a hand on her shoulder. Turning her head, Violet saw the shorter girl looking up, head tilted inquisitively.

“Are you hungry? The food coming from all these tents smells delicious. Let’s go grab something to eat.”

“Yes, that sounds lovely.” Nodding in response, Violet cast one more glance at a sulking President Hodgins. Cattleya knelt beside him, attempting to console him after what she’d done, but was thus far unsuccessful. It was probably best to leave the pair to makeup and find them later. So she turned and followed Erica to the nearest row of stalls, Iris and Benedict in tow.