She huffed, she finally found time to access the gym. Missions had been put on hold because of the unexpected red rain that began to pour around the branch. The God Eaters have been given the opportunity to rest and recuperate, but after chugging 4 cups of coffee earlier that day, Brynn needed a way to let the energy go.
Paperwork wasn't exactly her way of revealing energy. She was procrastinating, something that she probably would be regretting later on. However, no one had been looking for her. Yet.
Her legs tensed and her breath was rushed as she glided on the treadmill. Running was something that she never was fond of, but she knew that she needed it. Their occupation did involve running around while lugging a huge piece of equipment. And staying alive while doing that.
Her lungs burned as the cool air rushed into it. After every 3 minutes, she would try to increase the speed that she was running at in order to tire herself fasted. Her legs burned and were practically screaming for her to stop, but she was challenged today.
Sweat began to drench the black tank top that she was wearing. She could feel it begin to stick to her skin as well as the grey shorts that were beginning to feel uncomfortable. But she ignored it and allowed her thoughts to drift somewhere else.
The girl couldn't help but remember the way her two teammates teased her. The color of her flushed face doubled as the thought crossed her mind. She had no idea why she was so bothered by it, the thought of her beginning to like the captain as more than a friend was an absurd thought. Even if that happened, she was certain that he would not reciprocate the feelings.
'But what if he does?' She silently cursed at the thought, now even her own thoughts had been turning against her. The blonde was convinced that she was going insane.
"You seem bothered." Brynn nearly tripped when a foreign voice had made itself known in the room. She hit the button that was installed to stop the treadmill and instantly glanced at the mirror to see who it was. There stood a silvette Russian woman who was clad in a white crop top and shorts that stopped at her upper thighs. The blonde spun around, feet a bit confused after the abrupt stop from earlier.
"Oh, Alisa." She gave a small smile, "What brings you here?" She then realized how ridiculous that question must have been to elicit a giggle from the voluptuous woman.
"I had no idea that you were here so I can't say that I was here to see you. Perhaps it would have been for the same reason that you're here?" The woman teased. "You seem to be more bothered than I thought." She made her way towards the treadmill adjacent to the blonde and did some stretches.
"Now, what's causing you this much stress? You do know that it's not good to keep to yourself." She then paused as she diverted her attention from the mirror to the other girl, "Or perhaps, you have already informed your Captain regarding what's troubling you."
Brynn couldn't help but feel her face burn up, she turned her face away from the other and began to start the treadmill again. She was sure if the Russian was teasing her, but if it had been unintentional, then she cursed her timing.
Alisa began to start her own treadmill as well, starting at a slow pace to warm up. She didn't fail to notice the way that her companion's face flushed as a sly smirk crawled on her lips, "Or is he the cause of your troubles?"
"Nope." Brynn denied instantly, trying her best to distract herself by focusing on her breathing and the way that her lungs began to scream. There was no reason for her to act all flustered anyways.
"You know..." Alisa began again, after observing that the girl's face held no reaction. "Julius is getting pretty popular here in the Far East." Brynn couldn't help but chuckle through her ragged breath.
After what had happened when they went out to the marketplace, she wasn't surprised. The cool, silent, and mysterious leader. One who would draw in attention with his attractive face and polite demeanor.
He was charming in his own way. The thing that she found amusing was that he was completely unaware of it.
"Well, he is charming." She voiced out her own thoughts.
It was the silvette's turn to giggle at the statement, "He is. Actually, he's the first Captain that I encountered who seems to be actually serious about his job.
Brynn couldn't help but to stare curiously at her companion, careful not to trip over her own feet as they ran. She had only met Kota and Haruomi, then she started to understand what Alisa meant.
"Oh, you mean Haru and Kota?" The two, although were friendly (one far more irritating than the other), didn't appear formal and professional in terms of appearance and attitude. Alisa nodded, reaching over to the treadmill's buttons to increase the speed.
"I'd like to say that this branch is quite special." She began, as Brynn listened on. It wasn't often she got to converse with the veterans of the branch. She wasn't sure if Haru was one, she knew that he transferred recently. Most missions she went on were with Emil and Erina that often had her between them.
So it would be a nice change of pace for her.
"What made you say that?"
"Besides Kota and Haru, the First Unit's Captain was Lindow Amamiya, he was very care free and I recall strongly disliking him when I first met him." Alisa had a look of nostalgia mixed with amusement.
She didn't wait for Brynn to ask her more as she continued her story, "I caused him and Saerin a lot of trouble."
There was that Saerin name that she had been hearing multiple times,Brynn figured that it would be the perfect time to ask, "Alisa?" The silvette hummed in acknowledgement waiting for the blonde to continue.
"Do I really look like this Saerin character?" Alisa remained silent as she continued to run. Brynn waited for her answer when Alisa's treadmill slowed down with a beep.
"Honestly, Brynn," she stopped her own treadmill as well, opting to face her companion. She took note of the sad look on the other's face, "The only thing that you have physically similar to her are your eyes." Alisa sighed before continuing.
"They hold the same warmth that hers had. You also act like her, both of you are willing to go out of your way to help, and somehow lighten up the mood."
Brynn was honored that she was being compared to someone that Alisa looked up at so highly. But something ate at her, were they making her their emotional post to lean on?
"I guess that it's nice to be likened to someone like her," she began after the silence had consumed the both of them. "But please don't forget that I'm Brynn, not Saerin." She turned back to face the treadmill and began running again. Not daring to look back at Alisa.
"Right, I apologize if people have been making you feel uncomfortable." She heard the other treadmill beep again as they were consumed in silence and their own thoughts.
20 minutes in, Brynn had stopped and slouched over the treadmill's handle. She figured that she was good for the day and recalled that she still had paperwork to finish. Wiping a towel against her face, she turned to Alisa who was still running.
"I'll go ahead, Alisa." She mustered a smile on her face as the silvette looked at her through the mirror. She earned a curt nod in response. As she was walking towards the door, Brynn was stopped in her tracks.
"I'll see you soon again, Brynn."
Brynn stepped out of the shower newly bathed and clothed. She was dressed in a casual white shirt and black pants that were loose and made it easier for her to move. Running a hand through her wet hair, she made her way over towards the terminal.
Maybe she had been too harsh with telling Alisa how she felt. She never was bothered by it in the first place? Why now of all times? Maybe she didn't notice it, but the stress from everything just came crashing down. She groaned, shaking her head to negate the thoughts. She had to put a smile on her face.
The moment that the terminal booted up, she was met with the symbol of a letter flashing at the lower right corner. She hummed, wondering what it could be and who could have sent it. Using the trackpad she navigated towards it and opened it.
3£ ₽|'€₽ |'€| !
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she glanced at the random characters that were enclosed the virtualized letter. She squinted, in attempts to further understand the incoherent text.
'Was someone playing a sick joke?' She couldn't help but ask, quickly grabbing a notebook and scribbling down the characters as similarly as she could. Her actions had proven to be beneficial, because the moment that she did, the letter had disappeared from the screen.
Taking a seat on the bed, she stared down at the piece of paper. Maybe she was just over thinking it, but she couldn't brush it off. How the mail had no sender or information whatsoever.
Taking one glance at the clock, she cursed. It had been a quarter past 6 and she hadn't finished the reports.
"Shit! I was supposed to eat with Ciel today!" In haste, she got up and stuffed the paper inside the nightstand between the two beds. Slamming it shut, she bolted out the room towards the elevator.
"Ciel! I'm so sorry, I'm late." Brynn apologized as she approached the youngest member of blood. She sat alone on one of the tables, her eyes fixated on a notebook that was open beside a tray of uneaten food.
"It's okay, Vice Captain. I allowed myself the liberty to go ahead and got what you usually would have." She gestured towards the plate of chicken that was parallel to her own plate, which consisted of fish.
The blonde grinned appreciatively and took a seat. The workout she had done earlier left her tired and hungry, she was willing to eat anything that was in front of her.
"Thank you, Ciel. Remind me to transfer the funds to your account later."
Before the silver haired girl could reply, a boy with a nasal voice immediately took a seat beside Brynn. His own tray hitting against the table.
"Hey! Why do you pay Ciel back?" A pout had been fixated on Romeo's face. Everytime he and the Vice Captain would eat, he would end up paying for her meals. He was certain that the same went for Gil and for the Captain.
Brynn cocked an eyebrow at him, "You got any problems with that?" Romeo only gulps and recalled the last time he complained to the Vice Captain. If even the Captain was being bullied by her, what more could he do.
"Nope. All good." Brynn smiled sweetly before turning back to Ciel who had just closed the notebook. Brynn leaned a bit closer and grinned upon realizing what it was.
"Any new bullets, Ciel?" She asked, the notebook was where Ciel usually kept her notes regarding bullets. After the Blood Bullets that had been developed by the mechanic and Ciel, she had been working on multiple recipes and would make some for her to test.
She was looking forward to the missions when they would test the said bullets. She recalled the time that the silvette had been extremely excited, she hugged Brynn for what seemed to be 3 minutes.
Ciel nodded, the blank look on her face unwavering, "I am working on a new one for the Assault gun. It helps reduce the Oracle Points that is consumed." Brynn nodded after taking a bite from the chicken. As usual, it had been the same taste and texture wise.
"If you want to test it out, I'm good to go anytime." Brynn offered after swallowing the food in her mouth. Romeo had been quiet the whole time, focused on his food.
He flinched when Brynn had put a hand on his back, "You okay?" She asked with concern. The usually cheerful boy only nodded.
"I'm totally fine!" There was a slight pause and a drop in his tone, "I just couldn't help but think about when my Blood Power will activate."
Brynn couldn't help but feel sorry for the other, but of course, she wouldn't allow the pity to show. She certainly did not want to insult him.
"I'm sure that in due time it will come to you, Romeo." She winked an eye at him. "C'mon now, don't be so glum. I'll treat you this meal." Romeo's eyes widened and he gasped. Completely forgetting his woes from earlier.
"Brynn?! Is that you?" She glared at him, it wasn't often she tried to be nice.
"You know, I could always change my-"
"Nope! Thank you for this treat, Brynn!"
Ciel only watched as her two teammates interacted. A small smile ghosting her lips as they carried on with their meal.
Brynn was aware that the peace she was having was temporary. The paper inside her nightstand tugging at the back of her head.