Around the same time, some distance away from Dreichel's Plaza and within one of its neighboring districts...
On one of the rooftops of one of the taller buildings, two blurry figures quickly descended downward, and landed on top of it with ease. Their feet were quiet, trying not to cause too much noise as the night was underway. If one had a close look, both of these figures appeared to be men. One was really bulky and packed with dense muscle, while the other was quite tall. They both wore similar outfits. A stylish black jacket with a hint of green. The bulky man currently wore a set of violet, spec-type shades over his eyes, hiding them away. As for the tall man, even though he had just jumped onto the rooftop, he had a casual look in his eyes.
The moment he spoke, he had quite an accent to it. It was as if he had come from the countryside.
"So this is where our little princess had run off to eh?", The tall man said, only to glance at the vermillion-clad castle in the distance. "I can't even imagine Fie wearin' a dress. How about we sneak in and grab a pic of her? I'm sure the Boss would love it, haha!"
"You know we cannot butt into such an event that is currently happening inside Valflame Palace, as interesting a sight as that would be. To say the least, it looks like Sylphid has already regrouped with Phoenix. I was already informed the two are attending the dance tonight.", The second man said, keeping a calm look in his eyes.
"Tch, lucky them. Bein' able to strut their stuff with those fancy-dancy Nobles and such. There's no way I could put up with that. Honestly Fie likely can't either, heh.", The first man said, chuckling again. As to where his dialect came from, it looks like it came from the east. Perhaps from Calvard, or its surrounding countries. Not all the way from the east.
That's right, these two just so happened to be Xeno and Leo, with Xeno being the newest addition to Zephyr! It has not been long since he was picked up by Rutger. Similar to Fie, whom Rutger also picked up, but quite the opposite at the same time, as Xeno actually attempted to assassinate Rutger. But instead of going down in battle, the Jaeger King spared Xeno's life, and instead, brought him into Zephyr. Naoto hasn't even met Xeno yet. In due time, he will. Perhaps even during the course of tonight's events?
And yet, during that short amount of time, Xeno rose the ranks, and became a Jaeger Captain. Both Xeno and Leo were Captains of Zephyr, leading their respective squads in their Jaeger duties.
"I would share the same opinion. This type of event is hard on Sylphid. But Phoenix is there, so we don't have to worry about what happens to her. I doubt the two will have time to regroup with us though.", Leo said, nodding his head at Xeno.
"Looks like it. I doubt those Nobles would want Jaegers like us crashin' their party, would they?", A third voice spoke out, only to have a third shadow swoop down, and arrived beside Xeno and Leo. He was just as imposing as Leo was.
"You made it, Boss.", Xeno said, greeting the guy. Who else could this third person be but the Jaeger King, Rutger Claussell?
After the events that transpired at Nemeth Island where the Jaeger King dueled against Naoto, Naoto's journey eventually led him to become a Jaeger, and joined Zephyr, where he trained alongside Fie for a period of time. That eventually led to the gigantic war between the four Jaeger corps. The Northern Jaegers, Zephyr, the Red Constellation, and Nidhoggr. But during that time, Naoto did not cross paths with Rutger. He stayed behind in the capital, working alongside some of the squads of the Northern Jaegers to repel their enemies.
This means Naoto has not seen Rutger since his time spent training in Zephyr. Just like with Xeno and Leo, Naoto holds the title of Jaeger Captain, though he doesn't like to flaunt it. It's not like he has a personal squad he can use at his beck and call like other Captains do. But Rutger wouldn't be against Naoto having such a thing, should he request it.
Because of that, the Jaeger King couldn't help but grow curious, wondering how Naoto has been lately.
"I sure did. Might as well see what Erebonia's capital has to offer lately. But man, I haven't been here in a long time. You weren't with us at the time, Xeno. This was long, long ago.", Rutger said, greeting his subordinates.
"Or so I've heard. You were in the capital about ten years ago, yeah?", Xeno asked with interest in his eyes.
"Pretty much. Even crossed paths with Phoenix back when he was just a tiny brat, heh.", Rutger said, chuckling. "I am rather curious to see how he's faring now. At the very least, it looks like Fie's been doin' well under his care.", Rutger responded, nodding his head.
"Haha, ain't that the truth. But are you sure you don't wanna sneak into the palace, Boss? Picture the little princess in a dress. How can we not enjoy such a scene!?", Xeno complained, and glanced back toward Valflame Palace.
"No one's stoppin you, Xeno. If you wanna crash the party, then crash the party. Just don't go diggin' your own grave by doin' so. There's a whole bunch of Nobles inside Valflame Palace now. I won't pull you out of jail if you happen to get caught.", Rutger said, shrugging his shoulders. Then, he looked toward Leo. "You up for hittin' the slots with me, Leo?"
"I don't see why not. Even Jaegers like us can have some fun when we don't have anything happening right now. But with how things are turning out right now, our next interest lies in Crossbell City, most likely.", Leo said.
"You referrin' to that up-and-comin' mafia group, yeah? What'd they call themselves again?", Rutger asked.
"Apparently they call themselves Revache, Boss. A buddin' mafia group tryin' to make a name for themselves in the criminal underworld. Sounds like they've been recruitin' mafiosos left and right to join up with 'em. Their offers even enticed Killing Bear to leave us. That bastard.", Xeno said, then sighed. He shook his head in disappointment.
"It is truly a shame that Killing Bear left Zephyr, but it's not like we lost much as a whole. Phoenix has put in plenty of work as one of our Captains, and has been doing a fine job since we've won that North Ambria contract. I do wonder, when our next contract comes, will Phoenix be interested in partaking in it?", Leo asked, unsure.
"Who knows at this point. It looks like it ain't just the mafia who are the only ones tryin' to cause a ruckus in the City of Sin right now. One of the Eastern Quarter's most notorious gangs is lookin' to sink their fangs into the place too. Heiyue, if I recall their name.", Rutger mused, wondering how the current undercurrent within Crossbell City was faring. "I wouldn't be surprised if either one decides to hire a Jaeger corp like ours. If there's a contract to be had, let's try and grab it."
Hearing that, Xeno grinned at Rutger.
"You say that Boss, but we exhausted most of our funds by gamblin' away at the casinos as of late, no?", Xeno asked with a wide grin on his face. "We've been hittin' red."
All Rutger did was cross his arms over each other, and met Xeno's energy. Then, he approached Xeno, and Rutger's face turned even a wider grin than Xeno's was.
"Which is exactly why you'll be joinin' us in hittin' those slots, yeah?", Rutger asked, grinning.
"But I wanted to see the little princess wearin' a dress...", Xeno retorted, and sighed.
"Haha.", Leo laughed. "You know when the Boss is like this, you cannot refuse him, Xeno. Considering Phoenix's background, there will likely be more chances in the future. This won't be the only time."
"Bummer.", Xeno replied, sighing. "Guess we've got to get our priorities straight.", Xeno continued, feeling his defeat at hand.
"Hahaha.", Rutger laughed, easing the tension. "We'll see if we can get Phoenix and Fie to hang out with us after that dance thing of theirs is over. The new year's fast approachin'. We gotta have some fun right? Let's just ignore we're in the red.", Rutger continued. "First round of drinks are on me boys. Though if you do decide to sneak into Valflame Palace, I won't be there to babysit ya. You're on your own."
As Rutger said that, his gaze shifted toward one of the other many districts scattered across the vermillion capital Heimdallr. It was true, the new year was fast approaching. A cause worthy enough for celebration, no matter what one's occupation held! S1200 is almost here!
Once S1200 begins, it will only be two years until Trails in the Sky takes place. That is, what takes place after the initial beginning of 1st's Prologue. That part has already happened. What comes next is when Estelle and Joshua officially take their Bracer Exam under Scherazard's guidance. While the canon will begin before long, it is not stopping other people, such as Zephyr, from having fun during the festive atmosphere.
Even though Rutger had said that, Xeno just looked at him.
"Like I said, with what Mira to spend, Boss?", Xeno asked, rolling his eyes.
"We'll figure it out. That's the life of us Jaegers, ain't it? Live the life, and get paid while slappin' some faces along the way. Can't get much better than that, haha!", Rutger said, laughing again. After that, he crouched down, and proceeded to jump off the rooftop the three were currently on with ease.
"Guess Boss didn't deny it outright, so I may get to see our little princess in a dress after all, heh.", Xeno said. "Guess we'll be hittin' up a pub first. Let's go."
"Mmm.", Leo simply nodded. Xeno quickly took after Rutger, which left behind Leo. Leonidas is his full name. For some reason, Leo stayed behind, and began to speak, acting like he wasn't alone. "Still, I did not think Heiyue's very own xiongshou would greet us on such a fine evening. You best stay out of harm's way as well. If something happens to Phoenix, don't say that we, of Zephyr, did not warn you. I would hate it if we end up crossing swords."
After Leo said that, he too did a large leap, and headed after Xeno and Rutger. Nothing happened at first, but the veil of the darky night soon vanished, and a distortion nearby suddenly appeared.
"...", A masked, cloaked figure arrived, not finding words to respond to that. All the figure did was turn their head toward Valflame Palace to the north. "To think Zephyr would be lurking around here in the capital. It seems they have some connection to the palace, or perhaps someone in there..."
That's right, this cloaked figure was Yin, who just happened to meet the Taito trio earlier in the night! She likely sensed Rutger lurking about, and while the two didn't directly meet just now, Rutger was not a fool. Yin knew Rutger wasn't there to cause a scene, so Yin didn't act. Instead, Yin continued to speak.
"Still, Master doesn't have that much longer to live. Maybe I should take Zephyr's advice and relax for once? The new year is almost here. Ideally, I should be back in Calvard...", Yin continued, wondering what to do right now.
Only a moment or two before a resolute look appeared beneath Yin's mask. Quick a quick twirl, the cloak and the mask vanished. What replaced that was a pretty girl, revealing their person entirely. She was still growing, but had already partially taken up the mantle of Yin, a long line of assassins from Calvard's Eastern Quarter. Right now, this girl appeared to be around the same age as Sherryl. So young, but she has already taken up the way of the sword, in her own way.
This girl just so happens to be the finalist Sherryl Sky fought against a couple years ago back at the martial arts tournament. Rixia Mao!
With her Yin's attire now gone for the evening, Rixia wondered what she should do all the way out here in Heimdallr, Erebonia to celebrate the coming of the new year. She was very, very far away from home.