"Damnit." Julius cursed as big red letters flashed on the screen of his laptop for the nth time that afternoon.
He was currently trying to gain access to the confidential files of the Far East Branch, them having the most in comparison to the other branches which brought him great suspicion. However, he was incapable of accessing them. He made an presumption that the records of MIA God Eaters had been hidden away as the database was extremely lacking.
A knock on the door released him from his thoughts.
"Come in." He announced, not looking up from his laptop to see who it was, the door cracked open to reveal the once comatosed girl. The door opened a bit more to reveal the tray which she had been carrying in her hands.
"Cap- I mean- Julius, are you busy?" She gently asked before she let herself in and closed the door with her elbow. In her hands, was a slice of cake and a cup of coffee. The male stared at it with curiosity.
"Not at all, I was just about to check on you. But it seems that you found your way here." He closed his laptop and made his way other to the newcomer, "What is that?" He asks, looking at the delicate-looking cake that had tantalized him.
"Uhm…" Brynn paused for a while, thinking of what to say, "I wanted to show my thanks somehow for tending to me earlier. Also, an apology for all the trouble that I've caused you." She looked down at the tray, "The cake is a White Chocolate Semifreddo and the coffee is brewed from Kona beans. I wasn't sure of what you preferred eating. I apologize if my choices had been poor."
Julius couldn't help but smile at the girl in front of him, she was usually so outgoing and loud, but this time she seemed bashful. It was a rare occurrence for her to ask in such a way.
"Thank you, Brynn." He began and took the tray into his hands, gesturing for the girl to take a seat, "I am delighted at the thought that you put a lot of effort into this, I hope that you didn't strain yourself doing so." He placed the tray on the desk that he had, "Do join me, I believe that you are exhausted after preparing all of this."
They took their seats across of each other, "Semifreddo?" He repeated the name of the dish as he picked up the fork, "I haven't had this in a long while." He gently cut through the cake then slowly placed a piece into his mouth. The sweetness awakening his taste buds as he continued to savor the flavor and texture.
Brynn waited for a response, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. It was the first time that she baked something since she woke up. She somehow managed to remember some recipes that were stored in her mind the moment that she picked up a knife. A memory flashed in her thoughts the moment that she stepped into the kitchen.
"Brynn made cookies for us again!" An excited voice echoed in the room, an orange making its way over to her. It was the voice of a young man whom she thought she had heard before. Another blur of silver and red came over.
"How sweet of you! I always look forward to your baked goods." It was a female's voice this time, sounding extremely happy.
"You better not stop being a God Eater just to work in the kitchen, alright?" A brown blur from the sides piped in, alongside was a black and green blur a bit farther was a blue figure. What the brown figure had said elicited laughter from the others.
"How is it?" Brynn asked upon seeing that the entire slice had been finished, while the male just took a sip from the coffee. The female sighed in relief, there was a delighted and satisfied look on the other's face.
"I invited you to eat with me and still I finished off everything." Julius announced as he placed his cup down, a very unnoticeable pink had stained his cheeks. Despite being the refined, calm and collected person that he was, he was still a God Eater. Which equated to the voracious appetite that the fighters had been bestowed with. Especially now since he hasn't eaten since they left for the mission. He was too worried, and had been piled up with task.
His statement prompted the other to chuckle softly, "It's really alright, Julius. I made it for you after all."
"It's superb." He complimented while looking towards the empty plate, "It reminds me of my childhood." Brynn noticed the sadness that lingered on his eyes as he said that.
"Well, I'm here to listen if you need anyone to open up to." She kindly said causing the other to look back at her, shocked. He paused for a while before giving a small smile.
"Thank you. I just remembered that this was usually a treat that we would have back at the estate." He smiled at the memory of his parents, "My parents, although they were often occupied, they still found time to have dinner as a family." He sighed before changing the topic.
"I hope that you're feeling well." Brynn didn't push to continue the previous topic and grinned to indicate that she was okay.
Brynn couldn't help but think back to the time that the two had first met, how awkward she considered the male. It wasn't his fault, she began to put the pieces together that the other did not have a lot of company when he was younger.
To put it short, he was socially inept, gouche even. Despite being raised in an orphanage, the male had always been isolated from other children. His company was always his surrogate mother.
However she did notice the improvement, she couldn't help but smile at the other's attempt of conversing. She supposed that it was because of the fact that she endlessly pestered him to treat her food or to train with her. She was being praised for managing to break through the older one's shell. Rather, she saw it in a way that he was coming out of his shell instead.
"I'm feeling better." She paused for a while to examine her bandaged arm that had been resting on the seat's arm rest. "Thank you for patching me up and having me checked. I'm just glad that it happened during a mission with you, not a solo mission." The last part was inaudible.
"It's part of my duty as captain, so please, don't stress yourself over what happened." His gentle smile had put her at ease. "Mistakes happen but I am glad that your wounds aren't critical."
The female then stood up, "I may have overstayed. I'll leave now, I guess that you have more tasks to accomplish?" She was about to reach over for the tray which contained the empty plate and cup, but she was stopped, a hand was placed over hers.
"Will no one adopt little Julius? Whoever does will inherit the entire Visconti estate!"
"As well as the riches that will be passed on."
"How do you do, Julius?"
The two blinked and made eye-contact, Julius was the first to speak, "Allow me to take care of that." He insisted, shocked at the sudden memory that came, "Go have your dinner and rest, Brynn. We will be welcoming our newest recruit tomorrow." He added, standing up as well and heading towards the door to open it for the girl.
Brynn complied, albeit hesistant, she proceeded towards the open door, "Alright, see you tomorrow, Julius." She waved goodbye and made her way towards the elevator. Not noticing the stare that the captain was giving her.
Since she wasn't too hungry, she decided to head over to the garden instead. She been going there whenever she was free. The lift stopped at her desired floor, she sighed and walked over to the tree, sitting down with her back against it. She found herself relaxing at the gentle tickle that the night breeze and the grass was making her feel.
"The branch's very first new-type." Came a voice from the speaker as she stood inside a metallic room. The scenery changed.
She stood in a place that had hues of brown and orange, she squinted at the blurred figures of people but she could not decipher them, she couldn't control her body either.
"Too bad she can't fight. I wouldn't be surprised if she'll die soon."
"Another spoiled brat, just what the branch needs."
The scene changed ones again, she was in a white room, she saw the figures of blue, orange, and red.
"Your God arc has been heavily damaged and will take some time to repair. For now, you will remain on standby." The voice came from the red figure, then she noticed that the orange figure was hunched over.
The blue figure walked towards what seemed to be an exit, "I understand that you're willing to risk yourself for the likes of him, but we don't need another -." With that being said, the figure walked out.
Brynn blinked rapidly once again, "What the hell was that?" Lately, different visions would occur, each blurred figure and voice seemed familiar, but she still could not remember a single thing. She sighed in defeat.
"It's time to call it a day."
A loud thud echoed and could be heard throughout Friar's entire lobby. Julius and Brynn, who had been discussing about different battle tactics and upcoming missions, had diverted their attention from each other to what was happening. They had just arrived at the second floor and had been met with a bubbly blonde writhing in pain on the floor. In front of him, was a newcomer clad in violet.
"What was that for?!" Romeo demanded loudly. He glared up at the other man who was glowering back at him. Julius was the first to approach, standing beside the newcomer while Brynn watched from the sidelines.
"What's going on here, soldier?" He spoke up, earning the attention of both. Nana piped in from the sidelines, witnessing everything that had happened earlier.
The two began to bicker again, resulting with the newcomer, whose name was Gil, to leave. Julius began to scold Romeo, "Talk to him later. I will not tolerate animosity in the field." Romeo muttered an okay in defeat, accepting the fact that there was no point in arguing with the captain. Julius then walked over to the God Arc storage area to prepare for the coming mission.
"Brynn, go find him and have him report here." He called out before entering, "He will be taking part in this mission." Brynn nodded and did as she had been told. She departed, making her way to the elevator checking each floor for the man.
She found herself entering the garden, sighing in relief as she breathed in the air that would always soothe her.
"Your favorite place, huh?" A deep voice had released her from her trance. Her eyes darted over to where the voice had come from, there in the gazebo stood the person she was looking for. She walked over to him and gave a small smile.
"Almost everyone's, I believe." She had to look up at thim while she spoke with him. The height difference had been evident, the blonde only stood at 5'6 while the male seemed to be towering at around 6'1. Even taller than her captain.
The male's blue eyes silently observed the girl's face when his face turned to one of surprise, "Oh, it's you." He scoffed before continuing, "Have they decided how to punish me?"
Brynn cocked an eyebrow before answering, "Well, we're going to be making ammends." Her statement caused him to smirk.
"Is that so?" He threw a rhetorical question before proceeding, "That Julius guy is the captain, right?" Brynn nodded. "I didn't expect him to be so prickly about it." He chuckled lightly.
"Well," Brynn began, formulating an answer, "It's difficult to have a team with members going at each other's throats. You did sock him in the face after all." She mentally rolled her eyes but kept a straight face.
"I did what I had to do, I won't apologize for that." Gil stubbornly replied, the dejected look coming from the girl's face caused him to sigh. "I am sorry for causing a lot of trouble so early, though. I'll…" He paused before averting his eyes, "talk to that Romeo kid later." Although he had been looking away, he noticed the other's face lit up.
"Alright!" She approved with a nod, "I'm Brynn Amaryllis Mercu, pleased to meet you." She gave a cheerful smile and slightly bowed her head, "Don't hesitate to approach me if you need anything or someone to talk to." She added, looking at him straight in the eyes. Caramel met blue.
"You're as prickly as the captain." The brown-haired male chuckled, "I'm Gilbert McLane, but Gil will do." He introduced himself with a genuine smile finally on his face. "I came from the Glasgow branch, a God Eater for 5 years now."
"I could say the same about being a God Eater for 5 years, but I was in a coma for 3 of those years, so I guess that it doesn't count." She joked earning another chuckle from the male.
"Guess not, nice meeting you."
"Likewise, we have a mission lined up for us, so we need to head out." Brynn suddenly recalled with a bit of panic after realizing how much time had passed. She and Gil made their way over to the God Arc holding area.
Gil picked up his charge spear, Heritage. Brynn did the same with Auricle, they placed it in their cases. They would be needing it as they would be using the jeep as transportation today. They made small talk as they proceeded to the departure area.
"So, you've been in Blood for 5 years?" Gil randomly asked, Brynn shook her head no in response.
"It's a long story." She sighed as they finally arrived, in front of them was the captain and the blonde buster-blader. "Let's save it for when you treat me lunch." She teased.
She made it her duty to have everyone treat her lunch at least once, or more than that. Gil looked at her strangely but merely nodded with a smile.
'What an interesting girl.' He thought to himself.
"Sorry we took so long." She apologized as she approached the captain, Julius gave her a curt nod, Romeo averted his eyes from where Gil was standing.
"No harm done, the transport system had just been finished preparing anyways." He looked towards the black van which had been customized with Fenrir's logo. "Anyone who wants to take the wheel?" He offered, he could drive it himself, but figured that someone else wanted to. He looked over at Brynn.
"I'll drive." Brynn immediately volunteered. She did not want to be in the middle of the two males who had been glaring daggers at each other non-stop. The pleading look on her face had sent the message loud and clear to Julius, which was why he asked in the first place.
He tossed the keys to her which she caught with ease, happily skipping to the driver's seat. She propped her God Arc's casing beside her for easy access. She stuffed the keys in order to start the vehicle, waiting for the others to let themselves in.
"All aboard?" She jokingly asked while looking at them through the mirror. The engine revved loudly as she began to navigate towards the given location, the Old Tranquil Temple, the ride would be a thirty minute one.
Julius, who was seated behind her, brought out the book that the female lent him. He couldn't help but ponder at how the girl was beginning to grow on him. He usually wouldn't allow himself to become too attached to his subordinates, even Romeo, who he had known longer. Brynn was someone he had only been socializing for a few weeks, but of course, he had known her for three years.
The ride was silent and tense, probably due to the two newly acquainted teammates, who were trying their best at holding back. Brynn's eyes remained fixed on the path, glancing at the mirror every once in awhile to see how her companions were doing, and to see whether Julius was still alive. Only the rev of the engine and the occasional flipping of Julius' book could be heard.
"Thank you for travelling, Mercu Transportation, we have arrived at the destination." Brynn cut through the silence, "Did that make any sense?" She asked upon realizing how silly her statement was. She parked the van in a 'safe' location, made her way out with her uncased God Arc in her hands.
The cold gust of wind nipped at her bare skin. She cursed herself for wearing a long blue coat and a white top which barely covered her stomach, and she paired it with Boost Hammer shorts as well. She reminded herself to pick a more appropriate outfit the next time that they have a mission here. Although God Eaters were supplied with the Bias Factor that supposingly helped regulate their body temperature, Brynn found herself vulnerable to the cold.
Of course she kept her mouth shut. She scanned the area while waiting for her companions to follow.
"We'll go in teams for the search, our target is a Gboro-Gboro." Julius announced the moment that they were all in one place, "Brynn and I will check areas C, G, I heading towards the main temple. Gil and Romeo," He turned to the two who were somewhat near each other, scowls on their faces, "You two will proceed to areas B, D, E, and F. Upon finding the Gboro, send up a converge signal." The all nodded.
"There are a couple of Ogretails roaming around, exterminate them as well, finish them off before proceeding to the primary target." Everyone listened carefully to his orders.
"Well then, let's begin." With that being said, they darted off in different directions.
Julius had his God Arc in its gun form, while Brynn had her scythe ready. They ran at the same pace towards the locations that the captain had stated earlier.
"You really paired them up." Brynn voiced out in amusement as she quickened her pace upon seeing a pair of Ogretails munching on some scraps. She swung her Scythe as hard as she could and manage to take them down. Tearing them into two with one strike, Julius fired at the one planning to sneak up on her.
"It would give them the opportunity to make ammends." He briefly explained, switching to his blade in order to help devour the cores.
Brynn, being cheeky and hyper as usual, playfully pouted, "So it's not because you want to spend time with me?" She innocently asked, the other snapped his head towards her direction with eyes wide in surprise, this caused her to chuckle. "Relax, Captain, I was kidding." The male looked away and began to walk towards their next location. Brynn trailed behind him, silently muttering about how she should have brought a camera. This caused the other to blush harder.
He didn't deny that there was some truth in what she just said. He didn't like the fact that the newcomer seemed to be 'close' to her already by the way he was looking at her earlier. He wasn't familiar with the emotion that was invading his thoughts. However, he knew that he couldn't let his personal feelings get in the way of their job, he couldn't hog her all to himself.
Although he found himself wanting to.
A loud roar had snapped him from his reverie and an array of bullets came from behind him. He quickly sprinted towards the crocodile looking aragami and began to slash through, dodging every once in a while.
A voice came through the comm, "Julius and Brynn are engaging with the primary target. Requesting for immediate assistance. Brynn, send up a flare!" She reminded which caused the girl to do so. The red smoke coming from the flare's bottom as it penetrated the sky. Another voice came through.
"Romeo here, currently dealing with Ogretails but will head over as soon as we finished." The line ended.
Julius continued to slash through, noticing another blade cutting through the beast's tail. It eventually cracked to reveal a bright orange color, as well as its teeth and dorsal fin, aggravating the aragami. It began firing pressured water, and flailed around in attempts to hit them. Julius checked the stats and noticed that Brynn's health level had gone low. He quickly switched to his gun and aimed at her, shooting a recovery bullet.
"Watch your health, Brynn!" He dodged a current of water being aimed at him, his own bullets had been joined by a couple more, not coming from his female companion. He noticed the arrival of the two other teammates.
Brynn devoured, successfully harnessing Aragami bullets, she grinned as a surge of power went through her, she switched to her gun and passed the bullets to her teammates. The action had engulfed them all in a bright yellow light. She began to fire the prototype bullets that she had created earlier, they turned out to be extremely effective. Their continuous assault had resulted with the aragami being successfully defeated.
"Nice job, everyone!" Brynn praised with a proud smile on her face, the small cuts that she had received earlier were beginning to heal. They all waited patiently as the captain extracted the core.
"Not bad, kid." Gil spoke to Romeo without looking at him, "I'm sorry for socking you in the face earlier." He whispered that last part, making it barely audible.
"What did you say?" Romeo mocked with a cheeky smile on his face, "I didn't quite hear you." With that, another 'less violent' banter began to take place. It carried on until the ride home, and even in Friar.
"Boys." Brynn rolled her eyes as she took the wheel. She was still somewhat pleased that the two were getting along better. And that there were no casualties. She couldn't help but smile in amusement as she listened to the two argue, she couldn't say that their captain was as amused however. He was in between the two.
It's miracle that he isn't deaf yet.