THAT was something

"You and your cold girlfriend, Bridgette, are on vacation in Austria, and have managed to swing tickets for an overnight train trip across the country via a Historic recreation of the original Orient Express, pulled by a classic steam locomotive. It's a dream trip for you, but Bridgette has been more distant, leaving you to your own devices. You end up chatting with a flirtatious but tipsy woman with raven hair in the parlor car, who introduces herself as Violet. After a pleasant chat, you say farewell to Violet, and make your way back to your compartment to find Bridgette. As you approach, you hear muffled voices, and open the compartment door to find her with her legs wrapped around another man's naked torso." Maxwell:" Damn Baby, I cant believe you gave it up this easy~""He chuckles down at her." Bridgette:" Mm, just... mm, stop... talking.""She groans, her face flushed with lust. Even while like this, she's cold and implacable. You feel a surge of negative emotions."

"Bridgette looks at you with a brief flash of surprise in her normally cold eyes. Maxwell simply smirks down at her, not pausing his movements between her thighs." __"My pretty new toy, darling, is this...mmm...dashing gentleman."* She replies, her voice breathy and lust-filled.* "His name...ahh...is Maxwell."* <The train car shudders with a roar as it picks up speed, sending a thrill through your bodies. Outside the window, the Austrian countryside blurs by in the twilight.> How kind of you to...join us. "She pants, arching her back to take him deeper. Her crimson eyes lock with yours, teasing and challenging." It seems...I've found better company...than you.

"Bridgette narrows her eyes at your mocking tone, though her words are breathless as Maxwell continues to drive into her." __"Fleeting moment of...slight pleasure?" "She gasps out a laugh." "Darling, from where you're standing...it may look that way."* <Maxwell bites his lip, reaching down to squeeze and tease her breasts as he speeds up his thrusts. Bridgette releases a throaty moan, her body responding to his skilled touches despite her icy demeanor.> "But from here..." "She shoots you a venomous smile." "It's anything...but slight." "Maxwell chuckles darkly." "And we've only just begun, love. I'll show you pleasures you never...dreamed of..." <He grinds deeply into her, pulling another loud cry. Her crimson eyes never leave yours, filled with challenge and scorn. It's clear her frigid heart cares little for your feelings now.>

"Bridgette's eyes flash with fury at your taunts, though her body still responds strongly to Maxwell's attentions." __"Bitchy, am I?" "She hisses, her voice trembling with anger and passion." "Well then...it seems we're well rid of each other..."*
<Maxwell continues pumping into her relentlessly, his lips curled in a cruel smirk as he watches your exchange. Her once icy composure is melting under his ministrations, each thrust drawing more gasps and moans from her defiant lips.> __"Once I'm done...finding my pleasures here..." "She glares at you challengingly." "We're through. You'll...never disturb me...again."* "Maxwell leans down to nip her earlobe cruelly." "And I'll continue disturbing this gorgeous creature...for as long as she'll have me."* <Her head falls back with a cry, no longer caring to maintain her icy façade under his skilled assault. It's clear in her face that for now, carnal pleasure far outranks any lingering feelings for you. You've lost this battle of wills>

"Bridgette lets out a shriek of outrage as you shove her roughly from the compartment, her entire nude form now displayed openly in the hallway for any passengers to see." <Maxwell stumbles out after her, still hard and aroused from your interruption. He sneers angrily at your smug arrogance.>
__"You bastard!" "Bridgette screeches, her cold control shattered in her fury and humiliation." "I'll make you pay for this!"* <She makes to lunge at you but Maxwell pulls her back with an exasperated sigh.> "Come now darling, he's not worth wasting your breath." "He croons in her ear, glowering at you." "We've much better ways to spend our time, don't we?"*
<His hand drifts down her

"Bridgette lets out an inarticulate scream of rage, lunging at you with outstretched claws. Maxwell catches her just in time, grappling to hold her back as she thrashes wildly." __"Let me at him!" "She shrieks furiously, spittle flying from her contorted face." "I'll tear his eyes out!"* "Maxwell grunts with the effort of restraining her naked form, his eyes glittering with sadistic amusement at the chaos." <A few curious passengers have emerged from their rooms at the commotion, watching with mixtures of shock and prurient interest at the naked brawl unfolding. Your former girlfriend's humiliation is now on full display for all to see.>
__"Tempting as that is, my darling," "Maxwell purrs in her ear,"

"Maxwell laughs cruelly at your taunts, no longer bothering to hold Bridgette back as she lunges at you once more. Suddenly, another figure appears- the raven-haired woman from the parlor car, Violet. Her eyes widen in alarm at the unfolding scene."
"Bridgette, stop!" "She cries, grabbing your former lover's flailing arms." "You're only making it worse!" "Bridgette screams and thrashes against Violet's restraining grip, beyond reason in her rage and humiliation." <The crowd of onlookers grows bolder, openly laughing and jeering now at the naked spectacle. Your smirk only deepens their mockery of Bridgette.> "Please, let's go somewhere private before this gets more out of hand." *Violet

"Violet bites her lip, glancing around at the jeering passengers before fixing you with a stern look." "While Bridgette's actions were inexcusable, provoking her further will only degrade you both. Come, there is a parlor car with more privacy." "She tugs insistently on Bridgette's arm, pushing down the wild-eyed woman's thrashing with a plead." <Maxwell shakes with mocking laughter as he watches the spectacle, making no move to assist. Your smirk falters slightly under Violet's disapproval.> "Please, for her dignity if nothing else. This has gone far enough." "Violet's tone brokers no argument." *Bridgette continues to spit and curse, but allows herself to be pulled along by the raven-haired woman, trailing insults

"Violet leads the way deftly through the chaotic hallway, passengers cringing away from the hysterical Bridgette. She pulls her into an empty parlor car and settles the still-struggling woman onto a velvet sofa. Bridgette's cries have degraded to wet, hitching sobs." <The privacy of the car filters out the noise of mocking onlookers. Violet turns to you with a sigh, fatigue and concern creasing her fair features.>
"I apologize for the spectacle. Bridgette will face the consequences of her actions, though ravaging her further serves no good. Let this end here, for all your sakes." "Her eyes search your face, pleading. Behind her, Bridgette buries her flushed face in her hands, wracked with shame."

"Violet steps between you, blocking your view of the sobbing Bridgette."

"Nothing good will come from further insults. You've both been hurt - reacting in anger and violence will only damage you further. Why not take this chance to walk away with dignity?"

<Her calm but firm tones brook no argument. Behind her, Bridgette continues crying raggedly into her hands, the aftermath of her humiliation laid bare.>

"Come, let us find you fresh clothes and a new transport. This train holds nothing but torment now."

*Violet reaches for your arm in a gesture both placating and guiding. Her eyes, though weary, burn with compassion - for both your anguish and Bridgette's. This raven-haired stranger alone seems determined to prevent further escalation, for all

"Violet sighs quietly but does not rise to the bait."

"Perhaps, but showing further cruelty will not undo past wrongs or ease your pain. Come, this place is toxic for you both. New surroundings may offer perspective."

<Her tone remains gentle but unwavering. Behind her, Bridgette continues weeping silently, broken. Violet's eyes conveyonly calm empathy, offering no judgment of any party. It seems she aims only to end the cycle of escalation peacefully, however the rest unfolds.>

"Your choices are your own, but I offer this olive branch sincerely. Will you take tea with me in another car, and leave this ugliness behind?"

*She holds your gaze steadily, radiating a tranquility at stark odds with the chaos around you all. For now,violence

Violet sighs quietly.

"Of course not, if that brings you no comfort either. But must the alternative be further cruelty? Why not simply take your leave, with dignity intact?"

<Her eyes hold understanding, but remain resolute. Behind her, Bridgette's weeping continues in ragged gasps, though she makes no move to respond or look up. A painful tableau, with only Violet attempting to stem raw wounds and calm rising tensions.>

"You owe each other nothing more. Walk away unburdened, and let natural consequences unfold without your hand. Is that not also aKind of solace, in its own way?"

*She watches you patiently, radiating a deep stillness. For now, the choice is yours: retreat with head held high, or stay and risk spreading the toxicity further.

Violet regards you with sympathy but remains steadfast.

"An eye for an eye leads only to further pain for all. Your anger is justified, yet cruelty will change nothing - it cannot remedy past wrongs or soothe your hurt. Revenge will not heal wounds on either side, only fester them."

<Her voice takes on a quiet gravity, as if imparting ageless wisdom. Behind her, Bridgette weeps on brokenly, as yet unaware or uncaring of your discussion. Only Violet stands between further escalation and nonviolence, resolute as still waters.>

"You have been wronged, but responding in kind helps no one. Why not take the higher path, disentangle with dignity, and begin healing? Stay or go as you choose - but violence and cruelty will solve nothing here."

Violet's expression warms with subtle relief as you pause your frustration.

"A wise choice. Healing takes time."

<She moves to sit near you in a gesture of comfort, though without crowding or pressuring further interaction. Her quiet support radiates a merciful grace, making no demand of you beyond this moment'srespite from pain.>

Behind, Bridgette weeps on, now muffled somewhat by her hands. The compartment holds a fraught, melancholy energy, yet Violet remains a calm anchor - her silent but steadying presence allows each person space to process turbulent emotions without escalating further conflict. For now, this fragile peace is all she can offer. The next steps remain yours.

As you stare lost in thought, Violet follows your gaze gently to where Bridgette weeps.

<Her expression conveys no judgment, only empathy for two people in crisis. While Bridgette remains immersed in her own anguish, unaware of onlookers, Violet seems to see deeper - she senses your turmoil, and Bridgette's underlying pain, beyond visible actions alone.>

After a moment, Violet turns back to you softly. "Much has passed between you both, for good and ill. Only you know the depths of her heart, and yours. For what it's worth... often what appears a simple hurt hides far greater complexity. As does true care, beneath hard exterior."

<Her gaze holds wisdom beyond years. Her final message delivered, now she sits silent vigil as companion, offering space for your thoughts to

As you stand and take those first steps toward Bridgette, Violet watches on quietly, sensing the shift within you.

Bridgette's weeping gradually softens at your murmured words. She raises red-rimmed eyes to meet your gaze, filled with a complex storm of residual anger, pain and something deeper you cannot name.

For a long moment, you two regard each other in fraught, weighted silence. Violet remains still as stone, making no move to intrude on this charged reconnection.

Then, slowly, Bridgette nods - a tiny acknowledgment burgeoning with unspoken feeling beyond what passes between you here. Her walls remain, as do scars not easily erased...yet in this small gesture lies the beginnings of understanding, and maybe in time, of healing, too fragile yet to voice.

V

As you gently wipe Bridgette's tears, her eyes close briefly at your tender touch. When they reopen, something guarded but raw emerges from their depths.

"I know," she whispers hoarsely. "Some of that same hurt lives in me, too."

For the first time, a glimmer of dampness surfaces within her own eyes in response to your confession. Her wall shows cracks now, allowing an imperfect yet growing willingness to understand your pain as well.

You had each wished to be seen fully, in all your messy humanness...yet this ability to truly see another lies at the end of a long difficult road, one which begins here in raw honesty between two scarred souls.

Violet observes from afar, noting the small but significant strides you've taken tonight toward recognizing your shared humanity despite its

Bridgette's gaze falls as she struggles to find words. A long silence stretches before she answers softly.

"I knew there was care, once...but it became so distant. Dormant. Like it was no longer there." Her eyes rise to meet yours again, filled with a mix of pleading and pride holding onto last defenses.

"I'm not...the easiest person. My way of coping shuts others out. But then I'd see how you'd light up around Violet, or..." She chokes on the name, looking away.

"It started to feel you'd moved on without me. I thought if I didn't act first, let myself be vulnerable...I'd be left with nothing. So I lashed out preemptively, to regain control."

Her words hang in the air, walls cr

Bridgette listens intently, her walls gradually crumbling as understanding emerges between you both. When you finish, she holds your gaze with an uncommon vulnerability in her eyes.

"I am sorry...for betraying your trust in me. It was wrong." Her admission comes with difficulty, but holds sincerity.

A drawn breath follows, as if steeling herself to continue lowering defenses. "Working through this...I want to try, if you'll have me. It won't be easy for either of us, with our flaws."

A faint, rueful smile ghosts her lips. For the first time, you glimpse her making an effort to meet you halfway - to see you fully and be seen in return without reservation, flaws and all.

Violet observes this tender armistice taking root. Perhaps out of two wounde

As Bridgette's head finds your shoulder, her body seems to release a tide of pent emotions, relaxing into your embrace with a shaky exhale. Your hands rub gentle circles across her back, holding her steady in this newfound vulnerability.

For a long while, no words pass between you. Only the rhythm of twin heartbeats and lungs, aligning in harmony once more.

When at last she lifts her head, eyes dry but luminous, a look passes that speaks what lies beyond tonight - of bridges to cross, mistakes to remedy, but also of willingness to walk the road together, however long. Of forgiveness taking root where once lay only ashes.

Violet smiles softly to herself, discreetly retreating to allow this rekindled intimacy to blossom in privacy. Through patience and sincerity, what was broken

As she stands wrapped in your jacket, Bridgette's responding smile is small but rings with new hope for your bond reforged. Her fingers twine with yours in shared understanding and care.

Together you make your way back to the compartment, leaving all else behind outside its familiar walls. Once inside, she sits close beside you, head resting upon your shoulder while peaceful countryside darkness rolls past unseen.

Words remain few; your quiet presence and heartbeat say what lips cannot. Fatigue of the day's turmoil begins to seep through her frame, relaxing tensions she'd borne alone too long.

Gentle fingers lift her chin to meet your lips in a kiss - tender, yet sealing a pact between you. From here, new growth may take root if nurtured aright. For tonight, simple solace of each other's nearness is enough.

So the night passes, healing its own in due time. Tomorrow another sunrise will dawn.