Around the same time.
Crossbell City.
Administrative District.
"As always, thanks for the hard work you two do. Be careful out there in the cold on your way home, Elie! You two, Guy!", An upbeat, female voice said. The voice came from a girl who sat behind what appeared to be the main counter inside the Mayor's Office. The reception desk.
The girl continued to wave their hand as she saw two departing figures exit the building.
From there, the two people entered the cold wintry night in Crossbell City.
Unlike other cities, Crossbell City did not see much snow, thanks to the unique topography that surrounded it. Despite not having any snowfall, that didn't stop the cold air from drifting inward.
Thankfully, it was a clear sky, and the stars were out, shining brightly. The wind was mild, making the weather bearable.
Even though the weather was bearable tonight, a cold breath of air escaped from one of the person's lips, which belonged to that of a lush, silver-haired girl.
The girl's hair was strikingly similar to the hair Aurelia Le Guin had, and unbeknownst to many, this girl happened to be her distant cousin! That's why their hair bore a striking resemblance. Who else could this girl be but Elie MacDowell, the Mayor's Granddaughter?
Elie currently donned a sister's uniform of the Septian Church. The uniform didn't belong to just any section within the Church, but to that of the Gralsritter! On top of that, she had her personal orbal gun next to it, secured into a holster. That meant Elie knew how to use both. A templar sword, and an orbal pistol. A dual-wielder!
Elie wasn't alone either. A short, brown-haired man, who wore a flashy jacket with the CPD's logo etched on it, could be seen next to her.
This man was in his early twenties now, while Elie had just turned thirteen years old earlier in the year. She was the same age as Naoto, and her feelings for him have begun to bloom. Unlike the other girls who like Naoto, Elie can rightfully claim the "Childhood Friend" spot, as she was there at the Osborne Villa during the early years!
The only other girl who may contest being a childhood friend is Emma Millstein, as she too was there from time to time. But Emma was less frequent than the amount of time Elie had spent when she played with Naoto. It likely won't be long until Elie's Favorability reaches 100% too.
And now, Elie has a newfound sense of duty for what she wants to do with her life. By being both a sister of the Septian Church, and working alongside her Grandfather and the CPD respectively!
In regards to the man beside Elie, who else could he be but Guy Bannings, the older brother of one of the Trailsverse's protagonists, Lloyd Bannings?
Guy was last seen back in Calvard with Lloyd to spend some quality time with their relatives, their Aunt and Uncle.
Unfortunately, Lloyd's parents, and likewise, Guy's parents, succumbed to a tragic airship accident, and passed away while Lloyd was still young. This was the very same accident that took Ian Grimwood's family away from him. In response to that, it caused Ian to start the Azure-Zero Project.
But now was not the time for sorrow. That was long, long ago in the past. Guy and his family celebrated his promotion into the First Division of the CPD. The very same one Alex Dudley manages while handling large and complex cases. Guy's actions during the DG Cult Extermination a little while ago played a big role in that.
After the celebration, Lloyd decided to remain in Calvard to live with his family, and have Guy return to his duties in Crossbell City. It wouldn't be long until Lloyd enrolls at the Crossbell Police Academy situated in Knox Forest to become a Detective himself. In due time.
When Guy returned to Crossbell City, it did not take long at all for him to find Elie. At the time, he hadn't a clue Elie had already started to help out the CPD, working as a part-timer, albeit not in any official capacity. It would be equivalent to that of an intern, since Elie was still thirteen right now. Regardless, doing this helped pass the time, since Elie now had multiple facets to relate to.
And unlike before where Elie only assisted with the office work, she now partakes in the CPD's field work too. That includes helping the Bracer Guild with their Monster Extermination Requests! Elie knew how to do it all, since she is now proficient in combat.
With all of this now under Guy's belt, he couldn't help but do a second take, spending a moment to observe Elie.
"Seriously, Elie. You've been a great help for all that you have done for us in the CPD lately. I'm really grateful.", Guy said, giving his earnest thanks. "Just don't push yourself, alright? Your participation in every field exercise we do isn't mandatory."
Guy scratched his head a little bit, feeling guilty. No matter where Guy went to, he dragged Elie along. Including all of the CPD's combat exercises they did!
The First Division hasn't seen much action lately. For the most part, it's just been petty crimes here and there under the scope of the rising mafia group that recently made its way into Crossbell City. They call themselves Revache.
To say the least, Crossbell City has been in an awkward period of peace, even though it was dubbed "The City of Sin'" personally by Olivier Lenheim himself.
Even with that, Elie's lips curved upward into a smile. With the cold air drifting around, her cheeks turned a little rosy. While the weather was calm, it was quite a cold night.
"Hehehe.", Elie responded, giggling. "You don't need to thank me, Guy. Everything that I have done until now is something I like doing. And I have fun doing it. If I stop now, I feel I would turn rusty. You can drop those formalities too, Guy. We've been on several field exercises by now, have we not? We're past being acquaintances. I consider you one of my few friends."
"Fair enough.", Guy said, nodding his head. "And yet, I feel if I start doing that, Cecile will chew my ass out. She...can be quite persuasive at times, if you catch my drift. Regardless, that strict attitude of hers is part of why I fell in love with her."
"Isn't that a good thing?", Elie responded, and smiled. "Cecile is such a wonderful girl to be around, even with the few interactions I have had with her. You're such a lucky guy, aren't you? It's nice to see you two are finally tying the knot!"
"Hey now. Aren't you jumping the line here? It took me enough courage to present Cecile with that ring. I'm just happy she accepted.", Guy said, feeling a hint of embarrassment.
"Hey now. Aren't you jumping the line? It took me enough courage to present Cecile with that ring. I'm just happy she accepted.", Guy said.
"Still, how about I treat you for a meal one of these nights once Cecile has a day off? Consider it repayment for all that you've done for me this last while, Guy. And I won't say no for an answer.", Elie happily said. She has felt guilty for everything Guy had done for her as of late, showing Elie the ropes and all within the CPD. Elie has yet to repay that favor.
"I am not one to turn down a free meal, especially if it is coming from the MacDowell Estate. I'm sure Cecile would love that. We just need to see when her next day off is.", Guy responded. "Thanks to those shenanigans that took place a couple months ago at the hospital from a certain prince, her schedule has been quite hectic as of late."
"That...", Elie paused, realizing who it was Guy was referring to. Guy didn't expect this reaction from Elie, so he raised his eyebrows, showing interest.
"Oh? Would this perhaps be someone you know, Elie?", Guy asked, smirking. "I did not think you would be one to be in contact with royalty."
"We...just happened to spend a little time together when we were really young. It's nothing big.", Elie said, darting her eyes the other way. Guy wasn't sure whether it was the cold night, but he saw Elie's cheeks turn a darker shade of red.
"Just a "little time", eh? I beg to differ.", Guy said, smirking at Elie now. This was a first for Guy. He hadn't seen Elie react like this before, so he couldn't help but do a bit of teasing.
"A little time is just a little time!", Elie harrumphed, despite feeling embarrassed. "Enough with that. Liberl's Crown Prince did cause quite the ruckus then, but thankfully, it looks like it's beginning to quiet down. I'm sure we just need a little bit more before Cecile can finally take some time off.", Elie said, quickly changing the topic.
"So you say.", Guy said, still grinning. "Boy, Cecile is going to have a hoot seeing you like this, Elie. I'm sure she'll love the details. Tell me, do you like him?"
"If you bring it up one more time I won't talk to you for the rest of the evening.", Elie shot back, ignoring Guy outright.
Even though Elie was reacting this way, she couldn't help but crack a smile. She had finally caught a whiff of Naoto's trail!
It has been a while since Elie and Naoto crossed paths with each other. Not since Naoto ventured into the Calvardian waters to the north while on that orbal boat, fast tracking to Nemeth Island.
While it may have just been a brief moment in time when that happened, to Elie, it felt like an eternity. By the time Elie blinked her eyes, Naoto was already gone. But she knew she couldn't dwell on that forever. Elie knew Naoto wasn't one to act out of indecisiveness.
Because of that, Elie soon turned her head, and began looking toward the future. To what Elie wanted to do. Because of that, she now found her current position in the present.
Unbeknownst to Guy, let alone anyone else, Elie had a little secret up her sleeve. And no, it isn't the fact she is now amongst the ranks of the Septian Church. Nothing of the sort.
In the Games, Kloe enrolled at Jenis Royal Academy in May of S1201. She is already a student there by the time Estelle and Joshua become Junior Bracers, making their way toward Ruan. It is December of S1199, so there isn't even two years left before this takes place.
And with Naoto added into the mix, the two will soon begin their school studies! It's just that they presently don't know that Elie will enroll alongside them!
And on top of all that, even Elie doesn't know that Emma also plans to become a student at Jenis Royal Academy. It will be the four of them! Until then, Emma will continue her training, and it is unknown whether or not Naoto will do the Vermillion Trials before that, or during Trails in the Sky.
Imagine having not one, but two singularities taking place at the same time. The Liber Ark, and the Infernal Castle!
With that said, Elie is filled with anticipation of what is to come in the next couple of years. All she has to do now is play the waiting game, and continue her work with Guy, and both her swordsmanship, and marksmanship.
The night soon began to pass. With each passing moment, Guy and Elie saw that it was growing colder and colder around them. Thankfully, where they were heading to next wasn't that far away. The Crossbell Police Department was but a few minute walk from the Mayor's Office. People commonly refer to this as the CPD.
"Haha.", Guy laughed, seeing Elie not paying any more attention to him. "I'll let the topic be for now. Just don't be surprised if you see Cecile ask about it. For now, let's go turn in our progress. We've arrived. Jill and Noel should still be at the counter."
"Yeah. Let's head on in.", Elie said, returning to her usual self. She nodded her head.
It did not take long for Guy and Elie to reach the door. Guy opened it, and Elie stepped inside first, with him following. The moment they did, they were blasted with a warm blast of hot air. Thanks to the ongoing improvements of orbal technology, the CPD had heating units installed. They were warming up with each passing moment.
Further inside, Elie's eyes soon saw the counter where the CPD welcomes guests and detectives alike. It was also the same place where they hand out missions, or when someone returns to deliver a status report. Down the line, this terminal would soon connect to the SSS Building, offering Quests and Monster Exterminations.
Until then, it was only used by the CPD, and any news-related programs that may get delivered by the Crossbell News Service.
Now that Guy and Elie entered the CPD, the two walked straight toward the counter. They soon saw two girls furiously typing away. It took them a good moment to pause their work. One appeared to be sixteen years old, which was the age recognized when people could begin working, while most don't actually work until they turn eighteen.
And yet, the girl beside the first girl seemed younger. She was thirteen, and was still in the Crossbell Police Academy, so her being here wasn't of any official capacity. And in that regard, she was just like Elie, doing intern work.
But one shouldn't underestimate this girl, even though she was still young. Her intellect with her marksmanship would eventually be picked up by her future superiors, and for the time being, they assigned this girl as a temporary receptionist.
It would still be a couple years before this girl joins the Crossbell Guardian Force, or CGF for short. The sixteen-year old girl beside her was already part of it.
On the right just so happens to be Noel Seeker, the older sibling of the Seeker siblings! Fran Seeker, Noel's younger sister, was still lazing around at home under the care of their mother, residing in East Street. Unfortunately, their father died while on duty ten years prior, so it was just the three of them now.
And to the left of Noel was none other than Jillian Sky.
Sherryl Sky's older sister by four years! Jillian turned sixteen this year, while Sherryl is twelve.
That's right, unlike others who were kidnapped into the DG Cult, Sherryl's family is alive and kicking.