A Gift for Shy Violet

   A Rainbow Brite Christmas Story
  by Robert Teague

Copyright 1999 by Robert Teague  This story is written solely for the
entertainment of Rainbow Brite fans, and no copyright infringement
is intended. This story may be reproduced, providing no changes are
made, except by me. Revised 2/4/2000.

Author's note: This story was inspired by Cyanne's Christmas story,
"Patty's Blue Ribbons", and takes place at the same time. I advise
the reader to read that story first. The question of what the other
female Color Kids do for boyfriends was never addressed in the series,
so I'm trying my hand at it.

Shy Violet quietly closed the door to her Keep, not wishing
to disturb Patty and Buddy, who were standing by the Christmas tree,
apparently exchanging gifts. She had caught a glimpse of a deep blue
ball orniment and some new hair ribbons. There was very definately
something more than just a close friendship going on there.
She sat back down at her desk, intending to make some more
notes about her current project, but found it had lost its appeal
for now. She closed the file, then the word processor, then closed
down the computer for the night. She finished off her mug of cocoa
and went upstairs to her bedroom. Getting into bed, she put her
glasses on the night stand and lay down on her back, putting her
hands behind her head. With the lights off, the only illumination
came from the moon, shining in through the windows. She stared
up into the darkness, thinking.
Everyone in Rainbowland had been discreetly watching
Buddy and Patty ever since they had "discovered" each other. They
were slower to move than Red and Lala had been, but they were
inching toward a romance.
She wasn't jealous of Patty; Buddy didn't interest her as
more than a friend any more than Red did. But she was envious of
what they had found with each other. She wished, not for the first
time, that she had a boyfriend too.
Since the two male Color Kids were taken, who did that leave
that she knew? Krys and Brian. Krys had an attitude problem, and
while Brian was sweet, he wasn't interested in science. Her favorite
Sprite IQ was a good friend and companion; intelligent and
knowledgable, but not what she needed.
But it was so hard. Few people knew about or visited
Rainbowland, and her own shyness complicated matters.  She always
wondered what a new person would think of her, since she was proud
of her knowledge and intelligence, and unwilling to act like someone
she wasn't and hide it.
Maybe she should go visit Orin on Spectra for advice. The
old Sprite was the wisest person she knew. Yes, that was an idea.
She would go see him the day after tomorrow. A course of action
decided, she fell asleep.

The next morning was Christmas Day. Rainbowland had adopted
the Earthly holiday, mostly because it was a time of color and joy.
Everyone ate breakfast, talking excitedly. They all loved
to give and receive gifts. Patty and Red were not there, having
gone to Earth early in the morning to make sure of the Christmas
colors.
After breakfast, they gathered around the tree, and Rainbow
passed out the gifts. Cards weren't necessary--the gifts were wrapped
in paper that was the recipient's color.
Violet could tell what her gifts were just by the shapes of
the packages: books. She made a big deal out of each one, of course,
since she knew getting them had meant trips away from Rainbowland.
The gifts she had given seemed to be appreciated, as well. The look
of happiness on her friends faces as they opened them was a great
reward. She was glad Christmas was now part of Rainbowland's culture.
She took a minute to examine the orniment Buddy had given
Patty. The blue was endlessly deep, the changing hues and shades
mesmerizing. It was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen.
She shook her head in amazement. That Buddy had artistic talent was a
complete surprise. Never, in all the time she'd known him, had he
ever given the slightest indication of interest in art.
"It must be the influence of his relationship with Patty,"
she thought, and in the midst of her friends and family, suddenly
felt very alone.
She became aware that the other Color Kids had started
warming up their voices to go caroling.
Violet excused herself, got her coat and cap, and left the
Color Castle.
Watching her go, Tickled Pink turned to Rainbow Brite.
"What's wrong with Shy Violet?" she asked.
"I think she's lonely," answered Rainbow.
"Lonely? But she's with us," said Pink.
"Yes, but sometimes, that's not enough," was the answer.

Outside, Stormy had started snow falling about daybreak, and
it was now several inches deep. A hush was over the land; the only
sounds were the hiss of a light wind, and the crackle of snow.
She crossed the moat, and walked slowly toward Violet Valley.
Sounds of merrymaking came faintly from the Sprite houses she passed.
She went on until she could see and hear nothing that wasn't a natural
sight or sound.
Alone, she stood in the cold and snow, and wondered about her
own feelings. She was lonely, but somehow the idea of being with anyone,
even her close friends, was unappealing.
Suddenly, up ahead, she heard the sound of someone walking
through the snow. It was coming from around a spur of rock that jutted
up from the edge of the Valley. It wasn't a Sprite because the stride
was too long. The other Kids were out caroling in the Sprite village
by now. Could it be Murky, up to something? She decided she'd better
find out.
Walking as carefully and quietly as she could, she crept up
to the rock, and peered around the corner.
For a second, she thought a mirror had been set up there. A
face framed with violet hair and glasses was looking back at her. Then
she realized the face was that of a boy!
"OH!" they said in unison, and stepped back from each other,
blushing furiously.
Violet looked over the newcomer, and he did the same. He was
dressed in a violet outfit with white trim that looked much like Red's,
but without the cape and flash. Several pouches were attached to his
belt, and she could see gadgets and antennae sticking out. In one
hand, he was holding a small sensor device.
It took several tries before she found her voice.
"H-hello, and w-welcome to Rainbowland," she said.
The boy blushed even deeper, if that were possible, and
suddenly realized his mouth was hanging open, and closed it with a snap.
"H-h-hello, I-I-I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said, "I'm
prospecting on this planet, looking for a source of the mineral called
Color Crystal." He held out his hand, revealing several small pieces
of red, blue, and yellow crystal. "I seem to have been successful in
my quest."
"Yes, this world contains the primary source of Color Crystal
within a twenty-three parsec radius. Unfortunately for your quest,
it's already been claimed," she answered.
His face fell. "Oh, I'm sorry for trespassing. I'll leave,
now." He turned and walked away, putting away his device.
She stood and watched him leave, her shyness making her voice
stick in her throat.
"What should I do?" she asked herself.
She tried to call to him, but couldn't make a sound. He
disappeared around the rock, and was gone. She stood, snow falling
around her, and sadness welling up inside.
Suddenly came the sound of rocks falling, and a wail of fear.
She took off in that direction. There was a steep, rocky crevasse
up ahead, and the path skirted the edge of it. Following the
stranger's trail, she came to the point where he had slipped. She
looked down through the snow. There he was, just getting up and
looking around.
"Hello?" she called, "Are you okay?"
He looked up at her and adjusted his glasses. "I'm fine,
but I seem to be trapped. Could I possibly trouble you further, and
request assistance?"
She looked around, but the snow had covered anything that
might be useful in getting him out.
"I'll go get a rope," she called, "Expect my return in
approximately ten minutes."
"Thank you," he replied.

She ran back to the last Sprite house she had passed, and
knocked. When they opened the door, she explained what happened.
The Sprites got a rope, and came with her to help. She threw down
the end, and he tied it around himself. With the help of the Sprites,
she got him back up on the path.
"Thank you all so much," he said to both her and the
Sprites, "I knew that cliff was there, but slipped on some ice."
He put out his hand. "I'm Amethyst, a Color Kid in charge
of violet Starsprinkles at home."
Hesitating for just a second, she took it. "I'm Shy Violet.
I too am a Color Kid, in charge of the violet Starsprinkles here."
"What an amazing coincidence," he commented, wiping off the
snow that clung to his clothes.
"Yes, I calculate the odds as...three point five to the
exponent twelve against," she said.
"Mmmm...I concur with that assessment," he answered.
Suddenly he shivered.
"Come with me to the Color Castle, and I'll get you some
hot food and drink," she said.
"Very well, I find your offer irresistable," he answered,
"Which way do we go?"
They headed back down the path, and when the got back to
the house, the violet Sprites who had helped with the rescue bid
them goodbye, and went home.
The two violet Color Kids walked along, ignoring the cold
and snow, getting better aquainted.
As they came within sight of the Color Castle, Amethyst
suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Are there others there?" he asked.
"Yes, we have a full compliment of Color Kids," she answered.
He blushed and looked down. "I-I can't," he said.
Violet took his arm. "I know it's hard," she said, "I have
the same problem. Please. I know the others will want to meet another
Color Kid. And I want Canary Yellow to look you over. She's our
doctor. You'll be very welcome."
He adjusted his glasses again. "Topaz is our yellow Color
Kid, and he's our doctor too."
He stood for a minute, thinking. Finally he looked at her,
and seeing the worried expression on her face, felt his fear of
meeting new people melt away.
"Very well, let's go in," he said, "I don't imagine it's
really very different from Opal Hall at home."
She smiled, and they finished the walk arm in arm.

The others were, indeed, very keen to meet another Color
Kid, and made him welcome.
Canary checked him over, and except for a scrape or two,
found him fit.
Amethyst told them all about his home. He and his friends
did the same thing as the Color Kids of Rainbowland for a part of
the galaxy many light years away. All the Kids there were named
for gemstones, and their leader was called Fire Opal.
No, he answered, when he was asked, their supply of Color
Crystal wasn't running out; he had decided not to wait until it
did to find a new supply. So he had been on many planets looking.
He was fascinated by the Christmas holiday and decorations,
and they had to explain all about it. He promised to tell the others
about it when he got home.
Amethyst agreed to stay for several days, taking the rare
opportunity to meet other Color Kids, and get a bit of rest.
That evening, Patty and Red got home, very tired. But when
they heard about him, they had to meet this new Color Kid.
Still later, Patty and Buddy met by the tree so she could
give him her gift. It was a private moment, and Violet didn't want to
disturb them by walking through, but she waited impatiently for them
to finish and go to their respective Keeps so she could take Amethyst
and show him her laboratory and projects. They hadn't had a chance to
go, before.

The next day found the violet Kids at the Color Console,
discussing the various innovations they each had made to make the
job easier. Amethyst and Violet had really hit it off, and found in
each other a kindred spirit.

Watching Violet with her new friend, Tickled Pink sidled
over to Rainbow and spoke to her in a low voice.
"Doesn't Violet look happy now?" she asked.
Rainbow smiled. "Yes, she does. I'd have to say that she's
gotten a gift she really wanted."

The End