Of Acorn Tags and Centaur Brags

Holly's apartment

Holly stood in the entryway to her apartment, putting the last adjustments on her outfit for Trouble's ceremony. She frowned at her spiky-haired mirrored reflection. Sure, two months out of the LEP has caused her crew cut to grow out a bit, but she was still mistaken for a boy everywhere she went. She ran her fingers through her short hair, smoothed out the creases in her green dress, and headed out the door.

"Look at you out of the uniform!" beamed Trouble. His medals glistened under the artificial sun as they walked down the street. "That's quite a rarity, even nowadays."

Police Plaza ceremony room

An awkward silence came over the audience, and everyone's head turned to see the ex-captain and newly promoted commander enter the ceremony room.

Holly paled. "Uh, hi everyone. Nice to, um, see all of you again."

"NICE TO SEE YOU TOO, HOLLY! YOU'RE LOOKING RATHER FINE!" chirped Chix Verbil from out of nowhere.

Holly looked around nervously. "They all seem happy to see me." She joked.

"And yet no one cares that the pony boy is out of his bubble!" Holly and Trouble turned around to find Foaly the centaur, a glass of what looked like carrot and beet wine in his hand. Out of his traditional lab coat and tinfoil hat, Foaly was dressed in an orange suit jacket and lime green button-up shirt, his hair unsuccessfully combed and awkwardly gelled back.

"Well, when you come out looking like that," laughed Holly. "I think people would want you back in your bubble!" She punched the tech genius playfully in the arm.

"I'll have you know," replied Foaly, his voice layered with fake offense. "That the ladies LOVE the suit." He ran a hand through his hair.

Trouble was doubled over in laughter. "Ladies, right. Of course, ladies."

"Very, very, funny, Commander Kelp." grumbled Foaly. He was about to reply with a witty remark when a series of beeping came from inside his coat. Foaly took out a small handheld device and expertly pressed a few buttons. "What's this?" Foaly sounded concerned, honestly concerned, which was something for him. He frowned. "I'm sorry Trouble, but I have to leave, something is going on with the computers in the Ops Booths."

"Aww, Foaly, can't it wait until after the ceremony?" ask Holly. She was looking forward to spending time with her centaur friend. After all, who was she going to poke fun out of Trouble with while he got awkward handshake after awkward handshake from people he didn't even know?

"'Fraid not, Hol', the longer I wait, the worse it may be. I can't take any chances." With that, the centaur galloped off.

Trouble patted Holly's shoulder and then looked around the room. "I guess I better start mingling with people. Vinyáya told me I gotta make a good first impression." With a wave, he set off into the crowd.

Holly sat down at a table and fiddled with the little sign that read "Ceremony of Commander Trouble Kelp." She gazed around the room, watching Trouble try to impress his superiors and Chix try to impress the women.

A little while later, the ceremony was ready to begin. People filed into tables, and several officers started for the front, along with Trouble. Most of Holly's ex-comrades walked right past her table, eyes averted. Chix, of course, hopped right over to the female elf.

"Looking as good as ever, Holly!" coaxed Chix as he flashed her a green-face smile. Holly rolled her eyes, giving her attention to the LEPrecon officials getting ready to speak. Chix scooted his seat as close to Holly as he dared.

Wing Commander Vinyáya spoke first. "In the many years I have been here, never before have I met a man like Trouble Kelp. Even during his days in the Academy, I knew he was destined for great accomplishments. His excellent turn over as a major led us all in the Council to believe that he has the potential to fulfill the position that we are here for today."

After her speech, Vinyáya turned to Trouble. He rose and stood beside her. She removed his two-acorn major emblem, and replaced it with the three-acorn commander one. Vinyáya turned back to the audience. "I present to you, Commander Trouble Kelp."

Holly clapped louder that anyone near her. Cheers, hollers, and the stomping of feet were heard from the nearby Retrieval boys' table.

Trouble raised his hand for silence and began to speak.

"First of all, I am very honored to even be considered for this position. Never in my life would I ever dream of becoming the LEPrecon Commander. Before I go off into a pointless speech, I would like to honor a close friend of mine, without whom I would not be here today. The late Commander Julius Root."

Holly shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Julius was a great man who taught me everything I kno-"

BANG!

Foaly burst into the ceremony room. The tails of his suit jacket where flying behind him, and his hair was messy, sticking out at random places.

"TROUBLE!" he galloped up to the front of the room and pulled on his sleeve. "TROUBLE! WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!"

Trouble looked at Foaly like he was insane. "Foaly, what the hell is wrong with you?! You can't just interrupt the middle of my speech!"

Foaly looked around the room. Everyone was stared at him like he was a naked mud man in bunny slippers. He grasped Trouble by the shoulders and stared him dead straight in the eyes. "Trouble," he said emphatically. "You know I wouldn't do this unless it was really important. Trust me."

Trouble looked earnestly at the crowd, then back at Foaly. "D'Arvit. Whatever this is, Foaly," he grumbled. "It better be good."

Trouble took one last look at the dumbfounded audience, then jumped off the stage. He ran to Foaly, who decided to stop by one of the tables with a certain green dressed elf and green faced sprite.

"Stop gaping, Holly," winked Foaly. "You're coming too!" He grabbed Holly by the arm, leaving a stunned and dateless Chix staring after them.

The trio ran outside of the ceremony room. Trouble stopped abruptly and grabbed Foaly by the shoulders. "Okay, what the hell is going on Foaly?!" Trouble face was red. "You just humiliated me in front of the entire LEP! Now TALK!"

Foaly pushed Trouble's hands off of him, ignoring the roughness. "You guys aren't going to believe me... I didn't even believe it... I still don't believe it..."

"OUT WITH IT, FOALY!" shouted Holly and Trouble simultaneously.

Foaly looked at both of them in the eyes.

"Root is still alive."

Tune in for the next installment, Of Past Cases and Glass Vases.

Reviews and suggestions are always welcomed!

Suggestion Topic: Foaly - witty remarks via helmet mic, or out in the field tasting the action?