A Gamer Into Trails

As always, Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

It looks like Tio wound up meeting Guy after all.

This time around, it was under a completely different pretense.

Now, Tio was a complete stranger to Guy. Perhaps she might have seen him going about Crossbell City while on his police duties, but there likely were no interactions shared between the two.

So it made sense as to why Tio felt out of place here. Guy Bannings was the one who pulled Tio out of the Altair Lodge while she was still hooked up to a testing machine, barely conscious.

That didn't play out this time around. Tio did still wind up in the Altair Lodge, but I had requested a transfer to this lodge while Tio was there. Sherryl and Ennea were already with me, but it was an unexpected surprise to come across Van too.

Tio still received her injections of Gnosis, but I had intervened early enough where she wasn't left in that half-conscious state. As a result, Tio grew quite close to me, and I couldn't blame her. I too see Tio as family now.

During Azure, you could develop a bond with Tio, much like you could with Elie. But I'm pretty sure Tio grew rather close to Guy, as compared to Lloyd. She likely became insecure after she found out about Guy's passing. Her path forward on this was still in the shadows.

Does that mean I like Tio? She's great to be around with, that was a fact. But like I stated a couple times already, I have my standards. Tio's still young and I don't want her to feel swayed by my opinions. If she does end up developing feelings for me, it will happen if it happens. That's the point I want to make here.

I don't see Tio in the same light like I do to Emma, Ennea, and Angelica. Elie, on the other hand, though...

I couldn't help but look at the silver-blonde haired girl again in her squire's outfit. She has remained poised and polite all this time, but was that all she is feeling, I wonder? We've been separated for almost a decade.

As I thought that, Guy took a moment to observe the blue-haired child that had hid away behind my jacket, likely out of shyness. How cute.

"So your name is Tio, eh? You know, I might have spotted you around the IBC building once or twice. You really were on the missing childs' list?", Guy asked, observing Tio.

Tio nodded her head.

"Mmm. Naoto was the one who brought me out of that place. You seem to be an officer here?", Tio asked, taking a look at the giant man before her.

"Sure am. Everyone calls me Guy. I just got promoted into the First Division here. But what do you mean by 'brought you out of that place'?", Guy asked, becoming confused as to what Tio mentioned.

"Didn't you read those reports, Guy? I'm pretty sure it mentioned I was on that list too you know.", I replied with a serious look, causing Guy to look my way.

"Of course I read it. I just didn't expect you to personally bring this child out, Your Highness. But which base did it call out again?", Guy questioned, trying to remember. There were so many bases raided during that operation, so I'm not surprised he would have a hard time trying to remember which one.

"That was from the Altair Lodge. That base should be the closest to Crossbell City. You know, if I had more time rather than just a day visit, I wouldn't mind heading there to make sure there aren't any remnants of them.", I wondered to myself. This took place at the prologue of Azure, where the culprits behind what took place in Zero were on the run. That was still five years or so down the line, so the Altair Lodge should be empty.

Likely overrun with monsters, but considering my existence, it wouldn't hurt to check the place out, now that these places have become husks of what they once were.

"Ahh, that place. Now I remember. It was mostly abandoned by the time the CPD could search that place. Are you telling me that you were personally there at an earlier time, Your Highness?", Guy asked.

"Mmm. Naoto was with me in that place. We were able to fool those cultists and make an escape. We couldn't rescue everyone though.", Tio explained. Her eyes became downcast, showing her sincerity. Thanks to that, the atmosphere turned a bit somber. Guy placed his hand on Tio's head, to which she didn't immediately reject.

"No one's perfect, squirt. You did well to leave that damned cave. We were able to have many folks reunite with their loved ones. Did you have anyone you could return to?", Guy decided to ask.

"Tio did, but...it didn't work out.", Tio hesitated for a moment, causing Guy to raise his eyes. Even Kevin's gaze turned serious hearing that.

"Now that's a problem now ain't it?", Kevin asked. I nodded my head to Kevin's worry.

"I'd rather not go into the details, Father Kevin. Some events took place, and thanks to that, Tio could be placed in an orphanage considering she's still young, but the Epstein Foundation has already given Tio a new roof to stay under. She's been in my care on top of that.", I explained, keeping Tio's matter to a minimum.

Tio was one of the children who did successfully reunite with her parents. The only thing that was bad about that though, was the fact that her parents alienated Tio to the point where her parents couldn't even recognize their own daughter anymore. This took place in the original games, and it did seem to take place here too. They didn't even know who Tio was anymore by the time Tio said goodbye to her home.

The only difference was that this was supposed to happen next year. Because I escaped with Tio and the other girls earlier than anticipated, she had already fled Remiferia at a younger age. That was why she was nine right now. Thankfully the Epstein Foundation still took Tio in.

I actually don't know if this will have any implications down the line. At the very least, it is attracting worried looks from those present in the lobby. Especially Father Kevin's.

"Well I won't get in yer way if ya think ya got it handled, Yer Highness. I'm sure those back at the foundation have also been lookin' after the kiddo since you all fled the cult. I won't press this matter further, just know the doors are always open at the Church if ya do want to be placed under the care of a loving family, alright?", Kevin asked, letting his gaze ease up. His eyes remained

"Mmm. I will take your words to heart, Father.", Tio happily nodded.

"Well don't push yourself alright, squirt? My home ain't used much, but you're always welcome.", Guy also urged Tio that she was fine.

"Thank you. I will be departing with Naoto once today ends. Tio will be in Erebonia for a while.", Tio explained.

"So you did decide on that, huh?", Sherryl uttered, looking at Tio. Looks like Tio was adamant on going back with me to Erebonia, not that I don't mind. If Tio had not received any combat experience yet, it would be a good time to dive into that. As Sherryl said that, she actually looked my way next, which drew my interest.

"Say Master, would it be alright if I stayed in Crossbell City while St. Astraia's winter break is underway?", Sherryl asked.

"You want to stay with Jillian, I take it?", I responded with interest. Sherryl nodded her head.

"I do. I still have a lot of catching up to do with big sis.", Sherryl happily responded with a smile.

"Sherryl...", Jillian uttered. A smile also bloomed on her lips.

"Granted. Just keep in mind what I warned you of, alright?", I answered.

"Of course, Master. Thank you.", Sherryl affirmed.

Looks like Sherryl will be staying here for a week then. This will be good for her, allowing Sherryl to catch up with the lost time she had missed out on with her big sister, Jillian.

I am not sure if Roselia will return with us, so it might just be Tio, Lechter and I.

I haven't forgotten about Lechter either, despite a couple hours having passed since I assigned him his task. That meant he took it seriously, and I'm all for that. If he really did do it half-assedly as I had retorted earlier, he would have likely been back by now. Perhaps he had already made it to St. Ursula, and Lucy was now showing him around?

With that in mind, I glanced over at the nearest clock, and saw it was already noon, causing me to raise my eyes.

"Is it noontime already?", I asked, which drew everyone's attention. Guy let out a bellow.

"Time sure flies huh? It's still the holidays with people celebrating the new decade and all that jazz. The CPD has been closing early this week so folks can spend time with their families. I can't make the call, but we can at least go out for a bite to eat, yeah?", Guy asked everyone.

"We don't have anything pending or to report, so we can temporarily close the lobby to grab a bite to eat.", Jillian nodded.

"Then why don't I make a suggestion? You need to remember your status, Your Highness. Grandfather has been too busy in the town hall today to make your acquaintance, but I can do it in his stead and welcome you.", Elie suggested.

"Lunch at the mademoiselle's place eh? I am feelin' a bit peckish myself. Beats surfin' the streets for a good stall.", Kevin replied.

"Haha! You just don't know the good spots, Father. If you're still in Crossbell City these next couple days I can show you around.", Guy said.

"Well, my partner is set to arrive soon, so maybe I'll take ya up on that offer. Just so you know, she's a total glutton.", Kevin replied with a playful smirk.

Kevin's partner huh? Well that confirmed my earlier doubt. Looks like Ries is still Kevin's squire after all. But the question remained, just who was Elie under then?

Either way, Elie offered us lunch. I looked down at Tio.

"Is that good for you, Tio?", I asked.

"Mmm. I'm sure you would want this too, Naoto.", Tio nodded with a firm nod, saying it was fine for us to all head to Elie's place to enjoy lunch.

"Great!", Jillian replied, clapping her hands. She then looked toward Noel, who was still beside her. "I'll leave the shop to you then, Noel.", Jillian continued.

"Ehhh? I really have to close today?", Noel frowned.

"Hahaha! Don't complain Noel. I'll help you.", Guy replied, causing a wave of laughter to spread in the lobby.

Seeing everyone start prepping to leave, I took Tio to the side, and watched on. Jillian took this time to leave the counter, only to enter another room. I could only assume she was going deeper inside the CPD to inform her superiors. There was a particular nasty and stern deputy officer here that typically remained in his office unless he was personally bothered.

I don't know if I could personally work with such a commanding officer, but hey, I'm sure Jillian has gotten used to him by now. I don't really recall his name, but I remember he had one hell of a wife who almost left him.

It was already noon, and Elie also stood nearby, considering she wasn't an officer. Just a nun like Father Kevin. Kevin already started yapping away, making Elie stay silent during most of his chatter. She did look my way once, and revealed a gentle smile.

Just based on the expressions I've noticed from Elie. She didn't forget...did she?