Pride Stories: Nothing but Violet

Nothing but Violet

Rio had invited Violet to her home in California. Near the peak of summer. At the cusp of a month-long celebration, she was told about only from reputation. Pride month.

The changeling looked around for the demigod as she exited the airport. She hoped she was in the right place. This was her first time flying on an airplane alone, and she was nervous.

“Violet!” Rio called out from the crowd. Wearing the same ‘lowkey’ outfit that she used when going around in highly public places. A headdress with a face mask, a blue shirt from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and jeans. Coming with a big hug for Violet.

Violet waved, trying to make her way through the crowd toward her friend. The crowd, however, had other plans. It was too thick for the small, shy Fae to move through without being forceful, something that was difficult for the young lady.

Rio forced her way in with her inherited strength and height going through the crowd with the ease of a knife through butter.

“Hello,” the changeling said once they were finally together. “Sorry, it took so long.”

“Yeah. Managed to finish some classes early and decided to spend some of that home.” Rio said as she squeezed the Fae girl.

“Are you doing okay?” Violet asked as she followed the path Rio was cutting.

“The break…is nice. I needed a break from missions and magic in general. Hard to remember I am half human until I rested and slept for two days.” Rio admitted.

“Good,” the changeling responded, “So… why did you want me here? The message sounded urgent.”

“Well duh. We are hitting up the biggest gathering of Queer women on this side of the world,” Rio proclaimed.

“Queer? As in strange?”

“As in not straight or fully romantic,” Rio tried to simplify. 

“But I am straight? Right? I don’t think they’ll want me there,” the changeling responded.

“..Vi…buddy. Pal, you pass by the hottest people in the Caribbean with no reaction regularly and are the only person who can talk to the children of sex gods without a reaction. Do you know what Ace is?”

“Like the card?”

“...No. As in the thought of sex does nothing for you.” Rio walked with Violet and tried to go to a more secluded place.

“That’s not… I don’t want things,”  Violet tried to explain.

“Well if that is the case. Then you’re ace. Sorry to break the idea to you but being celibate is a conscious act. If involuntary you’re either bombing on the dating or not interested in it,” Rio explained.

“Is that a problem?” the changeling asked.

“No. But you need to feel what you feel. Bottling it just makes people…weird over time.” Rio tried to formulate it in real time. She didn’t expect to work someone through their coming out during an airport visit. 

“But I don’t feel anything?” Violet stated.

“That is on the spectrum of queerness. No romance or sexuality is still not straight…and you got to admit that you relate to the feeling of people trying to force you into hetero boxes.” Rio gave her the ‘come one’ look.

The changeling shrugged. “Ma and Da just cared about me getting my chores done and not act the maggot. And it’s not like anyone else wanted to hang out with me.”

“And the fact you keep passing by the most handsome and beautiful people in the Caribbean?” Rio poked her.

“Why would they care about someone like me?”

“Not the question but confirmed my suspicions,” Rio said as she hailed a cab.

The changeling blushed, falling silent.

“If nothing else, we are going to have some fun…after making an appearance at Mom’s party first,” Rio said.

“Okay,” Violet responded before pausing and asking, “...What exactly do people do at ‘Pride’?”

“Mostly just feel pride in what we are and try to make each other feel better. Unless you’re a company then it’s a time to shell pride-themed merch and try to use it to make people think you’re not homophobic,” Rio said as they entered the cab.

“Oh,” the changeling said, “Where are we going now?”

“First home for an appearance and then getting you some clothes, with an appearance at the parade to end things off,” Rio said with excited hands.

“You don’t need to get me anything,” Violet protested, “You’ve given me so much already! I couldn’t possibly–”

“-arguing, trust me you’re doing me a favor with this. I need an excuse. It’s going to be a lot of celebrities acting like they care about being tolerant and just getting brownie points at a fancy party.” 

“If you’re sure,” the changeling relented. “Do I need to change for the party?”

“Nah, trust me they won’t be looking at you. The magic that prevents mortal sight works weirdly with celebrities. They’ll probably either not notice you or see you as a cosplayer. No in-between.” 

“I didn’t think I was dressed that strangely,” Violet muttered, looking down at her simple, modest light blue dress.

“It’s a Hollywood party. If you’re not wearing a designer brand’s advertisement piece you might as well be naked. So yeah they will ignore you. Are you going to try anything with shapeshifting? I heard you were making progress on that. Have some fun with it yet?” Rio asked when they arrived a few blocks away from Rio’s home.

“I, uh, still don’t have that much control over it. I can give it a lash if you want though,” the changeling offered, though she didn’t seem too enthusiastic about the idea.

“Just go with what is comfortable if you don’t want to. Most of the girls where I am taking you just like to show off what they can do.” Rio said as they went back into her palatial home. The living paradox of a modest mansion in conjunction with the large homes around it. Four stories tall with several cars parked around the block. Some celebrities that even Violet could name. Mostly people she recalled Ma and Da talking about when she was young. The changeling followed Rio around like a shy puppy, unsure of what to do.

Rio led her through the back entrance avoiding the eyes of the celebrities but not escaping the eyes of one person. 

“Rio, Vi! Darlings.” An excited older woman with a face similar to Rio's in a stylish dark blue dress opened up for a hug.

“Hello Mrs. Victoria,” the changeling said, making no move to resist as the older woman embraced her. “I hope you are doing well?”

“Could be better. Got cast in those Dreamland comic book movies. People are throwing a fit because my character used to be white.” Vivian Victoria shrugged.

“I’m sorry to hear that. If there is anything I can do to help, I would be happy to,” Violet responded.

“Unless you can magic the racism out of the internet…can she do that?” she asked Rio. 

“Nah, Mama. Not even that Algo-rythm guy can do that.” Violet vaguely remembered that name as one of the few embodiments to work with Moreno. Well, less work with and more took their offerings and didn’t betray them.

“I’m sorry,” the changeling responded, head bowed.

“Nothing new dear. Hell, I've gotten several death threats for this party alone. More when I supported Black Lives Matter during the pandemic,” Vivian said as she called a plate of appetizers toward her. “Please say you will stay with me a while for the party.”

“Going to the party on the magic side of things Dad’s hosting,” Rio said as she tried to nudge Violet up to her room.

“I’m sorry,” The Fae said as the demigod dragged her away. “I probably wouldn’t be very good company anyway.”

“Rio Angelou Queenie Victoria, Ya’ll better not be throwing me to the wolves,” Vivian chastised as her old accent poked its way into her voice.

“Rio, should we maybe–”

“-We can make a quick appearance and then sneak off,” Rio said quickly. “...It’s been a while since I could speak with Dad.” 

“Okay,” the changeling nodded. “What do you want me to do?”

“Just let me worry about getting some of my clothes to fit your twig of a frame. And worry about nothing else but how hard you’re going to party.”

Violet trailed behind her friend obediently following Rio up to what she assumed to be the demigod’s room.

Rio guided her and Violet saw a messy pile of clothes all around the corners and several posters of anime plastered on the walls. Several figures on the shelf and a beefed-up computer at a desk with several files and documents of what she gleamed to be instructions but the words and diagrams confused her.

The changeling looked at the room from where stood, the same place Rio had let go of her to dive into the closet, mind focused on her task. “Can I do anything to help?” she called out.

“No, Just let me raid the closest, I think I got some clothes from my high school days that will fit you without looking big on you.”

“Okay,” Violet nodded, falling into silence.

Rio tore through the closet with speeds and precision, first to pick out the right sizes, and then sorting them by complementary colors and styles. From Anime punk to Soul-punk.

Violet allowed the demigod to hold the outfits up to her to check the size, standing so still she almost appeared to be a life-size doll.

“Okay we can go with pastel colors or a black, grey, and purple ensemble,” Rio explained laying out the outfits.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” was the changeling’s predictable response.

“Come on,” Rio whined. “It’s pride month. Pick whatever makes you feel the most…you?” Rio asked pointing between the outfits.

“I… don’t know,” Violet responded, looking between the two.

“...Do you want me to choose?” Rio offered, realizing that it would be the second coming before she could choose for herself.

“If you don’t mind?” the girl responded quietly.

Rio picked out the black, grey, white, and purple outfit.  

The outfit in question was a pleated black and purple plaid skirt, a scoop-neck white shirt with a gray cardigan, long white socks with a purple stripe near the top, and black flats. The changeling stepped out of the closet once she had changed outfits, looking nervously toward the demigod for her reaction.

“Violet you look amazing!” Rio compliments the Fae girl.

The changeling’s cheeks turned red at the compliment. “Thank you.”

“Okay. Let me throw something together.” Rio went into the closet space, coming out with a more flamboyant outfit with rainbow coloring on the shirt and cut-off jean shorts. She used her power over liquids to infuse her dreads with rainbow colors.

“You look, class,” Violet told her.

“Thanks. Took me years to get that trick right and make it look good,” Rio said before grimacing. “Now let’s deal with the brown-nosing party and then the fun one.”

The changeling nodded, following behind her friend.

They did as they were asked and stayed only for an hour. Stayed near Vivian as she spoke with various celebrities on the silver and small screen, mixed with some musicians in between. Rio made sure that Violet kept to her and that no talent recruiters got close to her.

Violet was confused at the request but easily agreed.

After making their appearances for the party they left the house behind and headed toward the bay. Rio leads Violet to the magical entrance of the mystic side of San Francisco, Yelamu. A hidden tunnel near an abandoned theater with no guards posted. Leading into a mix of Spanish Catholic and native society filled with bay homes and smaller churches.

The changeling looked around curiously as her friend dragged her along. “Where are we going now?”

“Mortal San Fran is fine enough but the really place I wanted to show is on the magical side. Trust me, you will like it.”

“You said something about your father,” Violet recalled. 

“Yeah, he’s hosting me and my LGBT divine sisters this year.” Violet vaguely remembered that Rio mentioned she had thousands of siblings. Nearly all the rivers and lakes of the old world were related to her. 

“Really?” the changeling asked as she looked around.

“Yeah…Dad has been dealing with some stuff lately. Some bull from Olympus because some other Titan kids have been discovered and suddenly they think that my father is responsible.” 

“Why would he be?”

“Because my cousin is an ass and my father is a quiet, gentle giant who let my other cousin get part of his domain to prevent a war,” Rio said with bitter hissing. 

“I’m sorry,” the changeling said quietly.

Rio saw the effect of her words on Violet. 

“It’s not your fault,” Rio said, leading her by the hand. “Not the time for talks like that.” Rio began leading her past the festive. Getting whiplash from the salacious costume of nearby parades and the more traditional and modest grab of some watching priests and practitioners.

“Okay,” the changeling said, allowing her friend to drag her along.

Rio took her near one of the docks where the column and paper-walled buildings gave the strange fusion of Greek and Japanese architecture. Along with the looming shadow of a giant figure with crab claws in his long hair standing in the bay and towering over the city. 

Violet looked nervously at the figure.

“I don’t think you've seen Papa’s real form before have you?” Rio asked.

“That’s your father?” The Fae asked.

“He’s a Titan, how big did you think he would be?” Rio questioned as they walked further into his shadow over the entire harbor. 

Violet shrugged. “I’m not that familiar with mythology,” she explained, “Homeschooled, remember?”

“Fair. So just know the only bigger ones were Atlas or Chronos. Dad used to joke the reason Greece is so lumpy is because they kept taking naps on the ground and sunk into the ground.”

“Really?”

“Probably not but he did use Olympus as a nap couch before they built temples on it,” Rio said with pride as they walked next to the bay while an entire crowd of blue-tinted women with aquatic features were standing around in various cultural dresses in pride colors. All extremely beautiful, an androgynous kind that drew people in and reminded Violet of clear waters and calming rivers.

“Are these your sisters?” The changeling asked.

“Nereids. Some rivers, some deep water shoals, even a few that moved into water parks,” Rio said causally. “Technically I am the river of victory for Haiti.” 

“That’s interesting,” Violet told the demigod, moving slightly behind her as they approached the looming figure of Rio’s father.

“How’s Dad?” Rio asked one of her sisters. “Watching the bay. Making sure no asshole god tries anything,” The Nereids explained as she pointed to how Oceanus looked out into the sea, watching and waiting.

“Who would want to do something?” the changeling asked, concerned.

“Jackass gods. Ones who think they can ‘fix’ the people here. Some think LGBT people are embodiment plots to corrupt traditional values.”

“Right…” Violet responded. “So… what do you want to do?”

“Hey is Erne here?” Rio asked. Her sister pointed to another sister who looked slightly different, with Celtic tattoos and red hair waiting around with a bracelet of black, white, and purple.

“Who’s Erne?” The changeling asked as Rio pulled her towards the person.

“My sister from Ireland. An old river.” 

“Says the toddler,” the girl called back while smoking a cigarette. “Who’s the Fae? New girlfriend?” 

“I–I’m Violet. A friend,” she said, holding out her hand.

The Nereids shook it but were less than enthused until she saw the outfit.

“Yeah you know me enough,” Rio said, noticing the look.

“Fine, fine I’ll let her in. But only if she wants,” Erne said.

“Let me in where?” Violet asked, looking between the siblings.

“Erne.” Rio put a hand on her hip waiting.

“All right, all right but we are invited only from our group…I’ll make an exception but Rio you leave after twenty minutes.” Erne gave Rio a knowing glare.

The changeling watched the conversation, still confused but waiting for the others to finish and explain.

“Follow me, we don’t like to be followed…Always gods skulking around during festivals,” Erne explained as they made their way to an indistinct building.

Violet obediently fell into step behind the spirit, weaving her way through the crowd.

Rio and Erne lifted the steel door with their great strength and inside was a hidden club. A very quiet one with games, some books, and low-Temp simple music playing with several creatures sitting around and enjoying the serene quiet that was interrupted by their arrival.

The changeling blushed as everyone looked at the group, stepping slightly behind Rio in an attempt to shield herself from all the eyes.

The people went back to their hobbies and their own business. 

“Well enjoy, you’re among similar folk Lass,” Ernie said.

“Thank you,” Violet called out quietly before looking at Rio, unsure what to do. 

“Just…do what you want. This is a safe place.” She pointed to a poster with the words, ain’t nothing but fun when all your friends are Aces in the hole.

“I – I don’t know?” the changeling admitted quietly.

“Being ace means that sex and physical stuff of the lovely Dovey mush is not for us. Nearly everyone, not Rio, here is ace, aromantic, or some combination in between. No expectation of romance or sexual looks. Just vibes. So vibe or go to the nap couches,” Erne pointed up to a collection of couches and hammocks for people to rest in floating above the bar.

Violet nodded, moving towards the couches as instructed.

“Why is she ‘zoning out’?” Erne asked her sister.

“She tends to do what people ask,” Rio told her.

“Ahh…so she is empty.”

The sisters watched as the changeling found a place to settle, trying not to disturb the others as she did so.

No one bothered her and vice versa while Rio sat at the bar with simple drinks.

It didn’t take long for her to do nothing for her anxiety to spike. She tried to stomp down her nervous energy as her eyes darted around, looking for some way to be useful.

There was not, the bar was well-staffed, and the people were polite and not throwing a fuss. Nothing was out of order or needed help.

The changeling closed her eyes, trying to nap as Erne suggested, but from her fidgeting anyone watching could tell it wasn’t working. 

Rio stretched her body upward, paying for a lot of water and liquid. Her top half stretched while the body between her top and bottom was clear blue water.

“You don’t want the nap?” Rio asked.

“I uh guess I’m not tired right now,” the changeling admitted.

“What do you want?” Rio asked though she knew she would not get a straight answer.

“I– don’t know,” Violet admitted.

“It’s…alright. Do you want to stay? They are going to have trivia night? Erne hasn’t met another Fae for years,” Rio offered.

“If they want me, I wouldn’t mind staying. I probably won’t be that good at trivia, though.”

“It’s not like they are gambling money on it,” Rio assured her after helping her get off the couch. “Look I’m going to skulk the lesbian bars, I’ll be back later,” Rio promised her.

“Okay,” the changeling nodded, though she seemed slightly nervous at being left alone.

“Erne?” 

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” The river spirit agreed, as Rio reminded Violet about her phone number.

“I’ll be fine,” Violet tried to assure her through the nerves, pulling out her phone and showing Rio her contact.

“Okay. Have fun,” Rio said as she went through a hidden pipe. Becoming water and leaking through it.

The changeling fell into an awkward silence as her friend left, trying to figure out what to do now.

“You like board games?” Erne asked.

“I’ve never tried any before.”

“Well…we have a monopoly. Sorry. Twister?” 

“I’ll try whatever you want to do,” Violet nodded.

“...you need some self-confidence,” Erne said. “Here, some Boggle.” The river spirit gave Violet the game box.

“Okay,” the changeling nodded, opening up the box and pulling out the instructions.

Erne played with Violet along with a Greek demigod, Annie, and a Japanese Yokai, Kiri, interested in the newcomer and the game. Getting used to the rules and making up some for the confusing bits.

Violet played the game, answering questions when they were asked, but otherwise staying silent. At one point her Fae type came up, “I’m a changeling,” she said, blushing.

“Oh like Yokai?” The wayward spirits transformed themselves from celebrities to several anime figures.

“Not a common thing in my Pantheon. Shapeshifting was mostly a god thing,” Annie said.

“Not quite,” Violet admitted. “Sometimes the Fae will take a human and when they do, they leave a changeling in its place. The changeling is supposed to be an exact copy of the human it replaced. But somehow my mortal parents figured it out.”

“Ah,” The two women said. 

“Did ya touch a holy symbol and burn? Maybe early powers?” Erne asked.

Violet shook her head. “There are various ways to tell if a child is a changeling. Odd behaviors, they act too young or too old for their age, have a hard time socializing with people…” she shrugged, “at least that’s what my parents said.”

“So…being neurodivergent?” Annie asked. “You know a lot of men try to say the bastard children they have with other women were from Zeus taking their forms.”

“That’s what Rio keeps telling me,” The changeling said. “Regardless, the Fae recently took me back. Hopefully, they returned the real Violet to her parents, but I don’t know.”

“Damn. What do you do now then?” Erne asked. “I mean even Rio is getting out of the hero game.”

“I work for Moreno,” Violet explained. “I try to be helpful and not make a mess of things.”

“Yeah but what do you want to do?” Kiri asked.

“Be helpful?” The changeling responded, confused by the question.

“No, what about aspirations and passions? Or do you have passion as a caregiver?” Erne clarified.

“I don’t want things?” Violet tried to explain.

“Yeah, but you feel good when doing certain things right?” 

The Fae shrugged. “I guess?”

“Then I guess that you enjoy taking care of others?” 

The changeling nodded.

“Good enough.” Erne praised as she got herself a drink and some juice for Violet.

“Thank you,” Violet said, taking the drink gratefully.

“Eh, people like us need to watch out for each other. Sure the Abrahamic might praise you for not wanting sex but they still demand children. And most of the other places have caveats like the Hunters of Artemis. Forgive me if I don’t want to spend eternity as the prize hound in the mud of Greece.” Erne stuck out her tongue along with Kiri.

“Could be worse, could lie and go to a nunnery,” The demigod added.

Violet shrugged, “As long as I’m not bothering anybody, I don’t care,” she admitted.

“Ya see that’s how they get most of us. They tell us we should be glad enough that they tolerate our existence in the abstract but get weird when we are in front of them. It’s why half the groups of us are weirdos in the woods or the convents far away from population centers. Excuses to get rid of us so they don’t need to think about it,” Annie yammered while sipping on wine.

“You’re right,” the changeling nodded, “that isn’t fair.”

“That’s why we have pride, that’s why we have places like this. Spend too long in a world that was clearly built against you…you need to detox. To be reminded that you are valid and not alone,” Erne emphasized as she gestured to the others simply playing games, sleeping, and enjoying each other’s company.

“That is good,” Violet said thoughtfully.

“There we are, didn’t even need to prompt you for that. You can have original thought,” Erne teased.

“It’s not that I can’t,” the changeling said, blushing, “It’s that they’re usually bad.”

“That it’s about yourself or are you going to admit to some hidden murders? A bit gauche for a first meeting but glass houses in my case,” The Yokai joked.

“Just that usually when I try to do anything to help I make the mess bigger.” 

“Like when?” 

“Like when I let a half-Fae friend of mine on to the farm and scared my parents, putting everyone in danger,” the changeling said nervously.

“You mean someone tried to stand up to them for you and they blamed you?” Kiri asked.

“Of course they were worried. The Fae stole their child.”

“Then blame the people that switched you, not the kid who did nothing but live.”

Violet stared silently at her drink, face crimson.

“You do…realize that right lassie?” Erne asked.

The continued silence was answered enough for the spirit.

“Would you like to see the fireworks?” Annie tried to change the topic.

“Sure,” The changeling nodded, looking gratefully at the demigod.

She and the other asexual members of the club went in line to the roof of the building, taking seats and preparing snacks as a massive countdown started in the town. Sharing popcorn, hotdogs, and rainbow cakes.

The changeling accepted the food that was offered to her, settling down on one of the blankets spread on the ground.

They waited and gossiped until the countdown reached zero and a barrage of fireworks lit up the sky in a flurry of colors. 

The initial showing is orbs and simple shapes of color before moving to more complicated shapes. From the flags of orientations to caricatures of several gods that were friends of Pride.

Violet stared in awe at the display, fascinated by the show.

The images grew more and more complex, showing great figures such as Sappho of Lesbos, Julie Daubhy, and Emily Bronte. With cheers and applause going on in the air with great jubilations and displays of magical power added to the sky.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she muttered.

“See what happens when you go out on a limb? Fun things happen.” Erne raised a glass. “To another year of living. And to reject the notion of our un-existence.”

“To pride and truth!” The others raised glasses of fizzy drinks. Alcohol of wine and beer, and some juice mixed with water.

Violet raised her glass, a faint smile on her lips.

“To the next year and many more!”

The changeling echoed the sentence along with the rest, staring into the night sky.

After some more partying, a mix of games, and trivia night, Erne helped Violet back, though it was mostly her bracing the drunk water spirit toward the collection of her sister with a very content Rio with two women under her arms. Both giggling.

“Rio?” The changeling called to her friend.

Rio snapped back to reality and let go of the woman and went straight to Violet. 

“Sorry, sorry. Got…wrapped up. Had a good time.” Rio tried to shoo the women away and change the subject.

“I’m–I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” the changeling replied, “Sorry if I interrupted.”

“Nah…it’d probably be awkward trying to get them in my room and also walk you home.” Rio rubbed the back of her neck. “But either way, you showed Erne a good time.” 

“You better-beli-beli.” Erne had trouble keeping her composure. 

“I don’t know about that…” Violet blushed. “I just kinda followed her around.”

“Nonsense, you managed to get her back here without vomiting.” She heard a strong voice and noticed the giant figure was gone. Replaced by the still large, but human-proportioned Oceanus in a fine Italian silk suit with a tie that was the same color of a cool water river. 

“It wasn’t that hard,” she muttered, hiding her face behind her hair.

Rio pushed it back. “Come on. Dad is heading home with me for once.”

Oceanus rolled his eyes. 

“I think you’re the only one of my daughters that can still stand the idea of being escorted home by me,” he chuckled.

“What should we do about her?” Violet motioned to the water spirit leaning against her.

A group of Rio’s sisters were already picking her up and bringing her to the water. 

“They will take her home. It’s how they managed to avoid Zeus and Poseidon for so long. Harder to isolate them when they are in packs like schools of minnows,” Oceanus joked as they began their walk.

“Unfortunately, they have to worry about that,” The changeling said.

“Well…it’s how our pantheon works. The least I can do is make sure they are safe in my power,” Oceanus said as they made their way toward the hidden entrance and exit to the mortal realm.

“You are very kind,” Violet observed, before glancing back towards her friend.

Oceanus shrugged.

“I was always protective of my daughters. The fact that I can share that benefit with others is part of what a god should do. Or Titan in my case.” He gave a warm smile.

“You’re lucky to have such caring parents,” The changeling said to Rio. 

“When comparing to the others in Moreno… Yeah.” Rio hugged her father. “Thank you, Poppa.”

Violet watched the two with a smile on her face, returning to her usual place following silently in the background as the father-daughter pair talked. 

She came back to a brisk walk toward Victoria’s home. Empty of celebrities and filled with well-deserved quiet. And a restful end to a wonderful day.