A Gamer Into Trails

Giliath still appreciates your power stones even on days chapters aren't posted!

*****

Click.

After sharing a couple moments with Tio letting our bodies warm up with the hot lemonade, we soon heard the CPD's door open. A sole figure walked out, a lilac-haired girl dressed in a one piece black skirt with a cute beret over her head.

"Looks like you two are having fun.", Sherryl said, catching Tio and I drinking some hot lemonade, and enjoying the brisk air going about. She tried to remain cheerful, but bitterness struck against my heart. Her eyes told an entirely different story. They were pretty red, and a bit puffy.

"You let it all out, didn't you, Sherryl?", Tio asked with a worried look.

"Hehe, is it that obvious?", Sherryl tried to retort, only to wipe another tear away from her eye. "It is much better now, at least. Big sis is now expecting you, Master. Thank you for your patience.", Sherryl said.

"I guess we'll head on in then. I'm glad we're able to enter the CPD like this. You're done with your drink, right Tio?", I asked Tio. Her cheeks were a bit rosier now, thanks to being heated up by the lemonade.

"Mmm. It was delicious.", Tio happily nodded.

Reaching down, I grabbed Tio's empty can, adding it to mine. I walked a few feet away, reaching the nearest recycle bin, and tossed the two cans inside. I glanced toward my right again, and the bench that was occupied by the two pink-haired twins with Juna standing next to them, who were also enjoying some hot drinks, were no longer there. It would seem they have departed from the Administrative District, likely heading someplace else to have fun.

Still, it was nice to meet another person belonging to the Trailsverse. Juna Crawford. She would become one of the playable characters once the third entry of the Cold Steel games started.

Right now though, she appeared to be just a ten year old girl, very similar to Sherryl here.

There wasn't anything keeping us waiting, so Tio and I followed Sherryl inside the CPD, closing the door behind us.

"Welcome to the CPD!", A cheerful voice of a girl called out to us, which drew our attention. Manning the counter with an orbal computer situated behind her, I saw someone I didn't expect to see so soon. Moreover, she was quite young. She almost seemed...my age?

Why is someone as young as her working behind the counter of the Crossbell Police Department?

I took a moment to observe the girl who greeted us. She had an officer's uniform she wore during Zero. It included a black blouse and skirt, as well as black leggings. her shoes were a part of the combination, and were studded with metal. Even a black beret was nestled on top of her head. The only thing that wasn't black in this uniform was the tie she wore, and her undershirt, being reddish-pink.

She too, would become a playable character by the time Azure struck, as well as the later games. Noel Seeker, an officer-in-training.

"Are they just letting anyone enter the CPD nowadays?", I scoffed, revealing a frown.

I could see a second girl left of Noel, who was also in the same uniform, scratch her cheek, appearing embarrassed. But contrary to this girl's appearance, her eyes told a different story. Just like Sherryl, this girl's eyes were even more red and puffy. But since we were currently being welcomed, she was quick to return to her professional demeanor.

Unlike Noel though, I could have sworn this figure was even younger than her. But perhaps I was mistaken? She looks far older than Noel, appearing to be sixteen or seventeen years old. Maybe in this version of Trailsverse with me coming into this world, they bumped her age up? At least she appeared proper compared to Noel, an actual police offer.

"I do apologize for my partner's appearance, Your Highness. Noel is taking practical studies during her last year at the academy and got assigned as my assistant. I'm the one who manages most things here.", The second girl replied, feeling embarrassed.

"You don't need to apologize for me, Jill!", Noel exclaimed, revealing a frown in complaint. Hearing that caused me to smile.

"Haha! I was only kidding. I had a feeling that was the case here. You must be Jillian.", I responded, observing the older girl sporting the same lilac-haired hair Sherryl has. Hers was much longer though, and she let it flow down the back of her neck.

"Yes. You can call me Jill like my friends do. I really, really am thankful for having you return my younger sister. I never lost hope in Aidios, knowing one day she will.", Jillian replied with a wide smile across her lips.

"It's almost as if I'm staring at a ghost. I thought we had already accounted for everyone on the presumed dead list...", Noel uttered, revealing a look of shock. 

"I guess we'll start there then.", I said, letting the duo's gaze look at me, as I looked down beside Sherryl.

"Has Sherryl told you anything, after your reunion?", I asked.

"None.", Jillian shook her head.

"I haven't said anything yet, Master. I was waiting until big sis calmed down so her thoughts would become rational. Still, I do thank you for letting us share some time like this. I don't think I can cry anymore.", Sherryl replied, cracking a smile. I reached down, and ruffled her hair. But as I did that, Jillian just paused, looking at us.

"Master?", Jillian frowned again after saying that. She quickly darted her eyes toward Sherryl. "You haven't done what I think you have done, have you, Sherryl?", Jillian doubted.

Sherryl didn't hide her subservience to me. She nodded her head.

"Yes. You wouldn't know what it was like to be in that place, big sis. Master gave me a roof to live under, and I was able to find my own way forward thanks to it. It is regrettable, but I won't be chasing after your dreams.", Sherryl answered.

"Is that so...", Jillian uttered. Both surprise and shock appeared in her eyes. It didn't take long for a smile to bloom on her lips again. "It doesn't matter at this point. You've returned, Sherryl. And that's all that matters. I can only thank Aidios for this day.", Jillian happily responded.

"You won't even ask me why I'm with Master now?", Sherryl asked, raising her eyes.

"No need. I saw your photo in the paper the other day. At first my eyes deceived me, but I was able to piece things together. Your eyes showed much clarity then. You don't have the eyes of a lost kitten..", Jillian replied, shaking her head.

"You've brought that up once or twice, haven't you, Jill? Something about your family being maids back in Remiferia?", Noel asked.

"I did. So it isn't all that surprising to see Sherryl walk that path.", Jillian said, nodding her head. She then looked back my way. "But now, I can keep my head raised high. I leave Sherryl in your care, Your Highness. Be sure to look after her properly, alright?", Jillian asked me in a stern tone.

I nodded my head with a serious look.

"Of course. Once Sherryl finishes her studies, she will begin her training under Hilda. You can rest assured, Hilda is the best maid I have ever known to exist.", I assured Jillian that Sherryl would be in good hands.

"All's well that ends well, right?", Kevin's voice called out to us. We saw Kevin and Elie come to us from the hallway further inside, where several briefing rooms could be seen.

"That was pretty quick. Done making your reports?", I asked, welcoming the two again.

"That's right. There wasn't much to report with anyways. Most of the roads are currently clear of monsters thankfully, so our patrol in helping the CPD didn't amount to much.", Elie nodded.

"Haha! I guess I had all the excitement then. Some pretty nasty monsters roaming the tunnels on the way to Mainz. Never trust those worms.", An upbeat voice called out to us, only to see the door swing open. A sole figure approached us, shutting the door behind him.

"Oh, already back from your patrolling, Guy?", Jillian said, welcoming the rather built man. Unlike other officers, this person wore a large jacket, very similar to mine in fact.

"Sure am. Didn't think we'd be housing guests today. I see a familiar face too.", The man replied, walking up to me. I looked upward, and saw a towering figure over me. He was well over a foot taller.

"Almost two years now, hasn't it? It is nice to see you again, Guy. You seem in good health.", I happily replied.

Of course, the man before me was Guy Bannings.

His death would strike in one year's time.

But who am I counting? I have to make each day worth it. During the cooperation between the three countries, the CPD, Bracers, Septian Church and even nobles like me all cooperated together to take the DG Cult down. 

I befriended Guy then. It has been almost two years since we last met.

"Well if it isn't the crown prince. Didn't think I'd catch you back here.", Guy said, welcoming me.

"Just for a day visit. We had a matter to attend to. But it's good that you're here. You were aware that Jillian had a younger sister, yes?", I asked Guy.

"Only to make conversation. But yes. Is that this brat? Where'd you come sprawling out of?", Guy responded, letting out a bellow. Sherryl smiled as she watched Guy laugh. She did a curtsy of her skirt.

"I wasn't around when Master assisted the cops a couple years back. I was travelling around Zemuria with Teacher. It is nice to meet you, Guy.", Sherryl said, introducing herself to Guy.

"I really feel this isn't a place for me to be in right now...", Tio retorted. She hadn't come across any of these people yet, apart from Kevin and Elie.

"Boy you and me are the same kiddo. Feels like we're intrudin' on somethin'.", Kevin also retorted.

It was only then Guy took notice of the blue-haired girl standing beside me. Tio was more of a ghost right now than Sherryl is.

"So who's the kid with you, Your Highness?", Guy asked with interest, finally taking notice of Tio.

"This is Tio. She had a similar circumstance to Sherryl. Part of why I'm here is so we can finalize those reports. She was also one of the kidnapped victims.", I answered with a serious tone.

"No shit?", Guy cursed, taking a look at Tio again.

"Now that I didn't expect to hear. Not one, but two kidnapped victims...", Jillian uttered in surprise.

"Strange. By the time we checked out some lodgings, we wound up with nothin'. I guess it wasn't nothin' after all.", Kevin mused, taking a look at Tio as well.

All of a sudden, all eyes were on Tio now. There were eight of us in the CPD's lobby including her, so a hidden pressure soon revealed itself once Tio felt many stares peer against her. Tio remained motionless. She didn't feel overwhelmed. In fact, she even had her usual deadpan look.

I guess, in a way, Guy did end up meeting Tio after all?

I wonder how things will progress from here, considering I intervened with Tio's rescue back then?

*

[Insert picture of Noel Seeker here!]

[Insert picture of Jillian Sky here!]