Guy and Elie approached Noel and Jillian. Seeing the two arrive, their eyes lit up, feeling a sense of relief while the two took a pause in their work. Despite the ongoing peace, it looks like it was a long day for them.
"You two sure took your sweet time. It's almost time to close up for the evening. Welcome back, Guy, Elie.", Jillian said, welcoming the two. "Are you here to turn your report in for the day?"
"You know it.", Guy answered. "There's nothing much going on right now apart from a rowdy Monster or two wandering too far away from their nest. While the Bracer Guild can handle this for the most part, if we let them do all the work, we'll get rusty, haha!"
"Right? It's just been one petty crime after another. I can't help but feel those mafiosos are up to no good. I say that, but they haven't exactly broken any serious laws in that back alley of theirs. We can't issue any warrants yet.", Noel responded, and sighed. "They just sit around in jail for a day or two at most before posting bail."
"At the very least, it is slow enough where we can divert some of our energy to assist the Bracer Guild when they need help.", A voice said, which called out to the four. Before long, two more figures appeared, walking up to them. One had a lit cigarette in his mouth. After saying that, his eyes landed on Guy and Elie. "Good work out there today you two."
"Well, well. If it isn't Sergei.", Guy said, and smiled. "I thought you already left for the night."
As Guy welcomed Sergei, he took a puff of smoke before speaking.
"Nah. Decided to help Jill and Noel here to finish some paperwork since work is slow. Dudley and I are going to hit up Long Lao in East Street to celebrate the coming new year. You four a comin' with us, and I'm not taking no for an answer.", Sergei said, keeping a calm and collected look in his eyes.
The moment Sergei said that, a wave of surprise reached them. To the second man beside Sergei, he was Alex Dudley, Guy's senior and another member of the First Division. Sergei used to be part of the First Division too, but earlier in the year, as a result of Arios MacLaine retiring from the CPD to become a Bracer, Sergei used this momentum to retire from the CPD as well, but not going on the same path Arios did. Instead, Sergei initiated a transfer back to Crossbell Police Academy, assuming the role of a teacher.
Sergei still drops by the CPD to assist with their work, very similar to how Elie is handling hers.
Dudley is typically a stern person, strictly following the CPD's codes and rules. Despite that, he had a relaxed look in his eyes. An expression that wasn't seen often. He nodded his head, agreeing with what Sergei said.
"It is the least we can do to celebrate this moment of peace we have. It is the coming of the new year. And not just any new year. Our next decade is at hand. Even I know when it is a good time to stop work.", Dudley said, remaining calm. "And just like what Sergei said, we will not be taking no for an answer. For those who can drink, you will not leave until you're drunk. Am I clear?"
"Loud and clear!", Guy said, doing a salute gesture. "Now that is a nice attitude to have. Most of the gang is here, and Long Lao is definitely a good spot to hit up."
Even though Sergei, Dudley, and Guy had a falling out in their work, it's not like that hindered the friendship the three shared.
"Would you look at that? This is shaping up to be quite the little gathering, isn't it? Is there room for perhaps three more?", A woman's voice said, calling out to the six people. This voice drew their attention to the door.
One of the three people arriving at the CPD was a dark, blue-haired woman who wore glasses, and was dressed in a high-ranking uniform of the CGF. She was Sonya Baelz. When playing through Zero and Azure, it requires quite a bit of effort to eventually learn that Sonya used to be Sergei's wife. Thanks to their long work hours in both the CPD and CGF respectively, the two split apart. It wasn't on bad terms, the two still like to be around each other. During this, Sergei picked up a bad habit of smoking, and one would see Sonya tease him about it every so often.
Next to Sonya was a man who had long, navy-blue hair. He had a blade sheathed that was placed on his waist. The blade this man wore was much longer than the templar sword Elie had on her waist. He had a long, collared jacket over his body, which protected him from the cold.
This man was Arios MacLaine! An ex-cop who has recently joined Crossbell City's Bracer Guild, becoming its newest Bracer. He's been climbing its ranks, and would eventually be known as an A-Rank Bracer.
As for the person who was beside Sonya and Arios, it was a man who Elie had only encountered once or twice at most since her return to Crossbell City. A man whose workload was much, much larger than those who worked at the First Division, and often holed himself up in his office in West Street. He goes by the name Grizzly Grim, and was none other than Ian Grimwood!
Even Guy raised his eyebrows, watching Ian standing beside Sonya and Arios.
"Now this is a sight for sore eyes. I did not think I would get to see both Arios and Ian beside one another in a single night. This almost never happens.", Guy said, welcoming the three.
"I'm of the same opinion. I did send you all an invitation, but I did not think any of you would have enough free time tonight. That includes you, Sonya.", Sergei said, also welcoming the three into the CPD.
"It is enough cause for celebration. I tried to squeeze it in my books. Both Arios and Ian here are of a similar line of thinking.", Sonya said as she pushed the frames of her glasses upward with her fingers.
"Yes. It is as Commander Baelz says. We have enough time to spare at the Bracer Guild, thanks to the assistance the CPD has been giving us lately. I would have invited the rest of the Bracers, but they're doing their own thing. So you only have me.", Arios said, keeping his expression neutral.
Unlike the rest of the Bracers, Arios was much, much busier. His assignments have been taking him to Remiferia, dealing with the aftermath of the attempted attacks against the Bartholomeus Family. The very same event that placed Lifthrasir von Bartholomeus into house arrest. As the situation was trying to be taken under control by Prince Albert, he reached out to the Bracer Guild to help keep the peace so Remiferia's people wouldn't get troubled. Because of that, Prince Albert could focus on House Bartholomeus.
By now, the damage control and infighting is mostly over. The house arrest is still in effect as what took place was equivalent to that of a civil war. But the rest had to be dealt with by House Bartholomeus. Bracers could no longer step in. Arios's role came to an end, so he was able to make his way back to Crossbell City. From there, he managed to join the current gathering here at the CPD.
"Likewise.", Ian said with a nod of his head. "And to think we'd even catch the Mayor's Granddaughter. Have you been well, Miss Elie?"
"Yes. Thank you for asking, Mr. Grimwood. It has been quite fulfilling as of late. And as the saying goes, more the merrier! I can't believe the new year is almost here.", Elie happily responded.
"I know, right?", Noel said. "Let's get that report of yours entered into the system so we can get this show on the road. Long Lao isn't too far away---?", Noel attempted to say, causing the group to look at her. And yet, before Noel could finish her words, the group suddenly heard the orbal phone sound off behind them. RING. RING. RING.
"A message at this time of night?", Noel said, frowning. "And we were just about to wrap up our work for the evening..."
Before Noel could even reach for the orbal phone, the terminal suddenly lit up, causing everyone to shift their eyes toward it. As Noel and Jillian had paused their work, the terminal was black. Even Jillian blinked her eyes seeing the terminal light up with a sudden news flash.
"Urgent news from the CNS?", Noel questioned, wondering what was going on. "I don't know whether this is good or not..."
"Only one way to find out. This doesn't happen often. Most of what is posted by the CNS targets the locals, let alone here at the CPD.", Sergei said, also wondering what was going on.
"Shall we watch the news before heading to Long Lao, then? I am quite interested.", Ian said, suggesting that.
Once that was said, the ten people looked at each other, before they all nodded in agreement. Huddling around the orbal terminal, it didn't take long for a photograph to appear on it. Guy's eyebrows raised, quick to spot something on it.
"Hey, isn't this the guy who was causing trouble at the hospital a couple months ago, and you know, the one who gave us that precious intel from back then?", Guy asked, watching on with interest.
"That certainly seems to be the case. A sudden alliance between nations who were at each other's throats not even a decade ago. Looks like things are taking a rather interesting turn in our western neighbor, isn't it?", Sergei mused, watching the news flash. "Sure is a way to celebrate the new year. A marriage drenched in blood..."
Even Dudley's gaze remained serious, letting his own thoughts spin. His eyes remained on the violet-haired boy dressed in a vermillion-clad tuxedo, waving his hand for the camera. Princess Alfin was standing next to him with her crimson dress on. 'To think this guy really is a noble prince. Let alone being the Crown Prince of Liberl. Just how in Aidios's name did he acquire that information?'
As for Elie, she remained quiet the moment she saw the ever-so familiar violet-haired boy appear on the screen. Her thoughts became a mess, but within that, she could recognize who he was. This change didn't go unnoticed either. Ian Grimwood, who took another glance at Elie, saw that her complexion suddenly turned pale.
"Are you alright, Miss Elie? You're acting as if you just saw a ghost.", Ian asked, causing everyone's eyes to wander back toward Elie. Guy also saw this, and recalled what happened during their walk over here. Guy wondered if she was surprised to see the guy in question on the news, but realized it was talking about a marriage proposal shared between Erebonia and Liberl.
'This isn't going to get awkward, will it?', Guy thought, not saying that aloud. He kept his expression calm. That allowed Elie to calm down.
"I-I'm fine. I'm just as surprised as you all are. If anything, this might lead toward something better, will it not? Weren't Liberl and Erebonia at war with one another not too long ago? Even Erebonia is the one proposing this marriage. Perhaps this is part of the terms of the Non-Aggression Pact Erebonia's Chancellor has been drafting.", Elie said, quick to change the subject.
"What you say has truth to it, Miss Elie. This may be considered a blessing between the two countries. It is not every day we get to see this, but its not like the concept is that foreign. What nobles do is beyond our capacity.", Sonya mused, wondering how things will go from here.
"Hehe.", Noel giggled, taking another look at Princess Alfin. "So this is what Erebonia's Treasure looks like in person. It's every man's dream to get engaged to such a pretty girl, even though the marriage itself won't happen for a while."
Noel's eyes turned toward the news flash again. Her eyes wandered for a moment before they landed on one particular girl in the back of the photograph. She appeared to be a couple years older than Princess Alfin, and was wearing a light, purple-colored dress that highlighted her lilac-colored hair. Noel turned silent. She even rubbed her eyes, and did a second take. She bore a striking resemblance to a certain someone!
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?", Noel said. "Maybe I worked too long today..."
"Is something the matter, Noel?", Jillian asked, since it was odd for Noel to behave like this.
"I'm not sure...", Noel said, and pondered. Her eyes remained on the girl in the photograph. "There's this girl behind the Crown Prince who looks quite similar to you, Jill. She has the exact same hair color as you do. It isn't that common of a color, so I was quite surprised to see it."
"There's a girl whose hair looks exactly like mine?", Jillian murmured, revealing a frown. "Let me have a look."
Sliding their chairs around, Jillian approached the terminal. That allowed her to get a good look at the photograph presented to them. Quickly finding Noel's trace, sure enough, she spotted the girl Noel referred to just now.
The moment Jillian's eyes fell upon the lilac-haired girl, Jillian felt her heartbeat begin to race. She turned silent. A look of disbelief appeared in her eyes and the rest of the group saw this. With each passing moment, the girl seemed to bear a striking resemblance to Jillian.
"T-T-There's no way it really is her...right?", Jillian uttered, gulping down a deep breath of air. Jillian lost her composure, and her breath turned haggard. Even Noel became surprised. Let alone Elie, Jillian had it much worse!
"Jill? Are you alright?", Noel attempted to ask...