Time is relentless as ever. The sunset came and went. The orbal subway station continued moving travelers all around Edith. Van's group was but one droplet in the ocean that is considered life. They found their place at the restaurant Elaine had reserved for the evening. Not the entire place, even though Elaine likely could if she really wanted to. Elaine is the sole daughter of the Quincy Company, after all. Her position is akin to that of Alisa Reinford. It's just that their businesses are different. One produced orbal machinery amongst other things while the other created high-end sweets.
Once Van's group dug in, they began to share story after story, with Van being the focal point. It was at a place that overlooked all of Riverside, allowing them a good view of the river that crossed through it. It was one of the only burroughs within Edith that offered such a scenic view. During their eating, the restaurant door opened. A few figures, at the same time, exited the restaurant. The new arrivals had to wait for a moment before they could head on inside.
To begin with, the first couple of people who came into a restaurant appeared to be a somewhat elderly couple. Following them was a young, brown-haired boy who was the same age as Naoto, and an older, brown-haired man. Van saw that these two people appeared to be siblings. Their appearances were very similar to one another. Van remained quiet seeing the two siblings enter the restaurant, who he assumed were the two's grandparents along with them. At the same time, he felt a hint of envy. Back then, he had absolutely zero familial love. Van was an orphan. Even though he was taken into a family, he had no love for them. His only saving grace at the time was Elaine.
Seeing Van's eyes locked onto the brown-haired duo, a hint of worry appeared in Elaine's eyes. She knew much about Van. She could likely tell what Van was currently feeling.
"You alright, Van?"
"Yeah. It's nothing.", Van said, and shrugged his shoulders. "Let's continue eating."
"Well, alright. If something is bothering you, don't hesitate to ask me, alright? What you dealt with, I cannot begin to fathom, but just know you're not alone anymore.", Elaine happily said. Seeing Elaine worried like this, Sara grinned, and raised her large mug toward her lips.
"Look at you, acting like a couple of lovebirds already~", Sara commented while downing a literal pint of beer as easily as drinking water was.
"L-L-Lovebirds!?"
"That totally ain't it, damn it!", Van also retorted, motioning one of his hands. "Besides, it hasn't even progressed that far!"
"...Van...", Elaine uttered. The initial embarrassment soon changed to that of anger.
"Uh-oh.", Lavi uttered, seeing a visible mark of anger appear on Elaine's forehead. With the addition of her eyes curving into two crescent moons, a cold pressure swept their table. "You really shouldn't have said that."
"I'm in agreement with Goggles. It's practically laid out in front of you, Van. As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. I don't even know how you're this dense to realize it.", René spoke. "And trust me, once Elaine begins her studies and her work as a Bracer, she will barely have enough time for someone of the likes of you. Even after all this time, why else would Elaine be so worried?"
"Wait...", Van uttered, finally letting it dawn on him what they were talking about. He finally had another look at Elaine. He even saw a hint of redness in her cheeks. "You really are bein' serious here?"
"You really don't understand how a woman feels, do you, Van?', Elaine shot back. As the group were in a pause in their eating, they all saw Elaine raise one of her hands up. Van just looked at Elaine before he saw a swift motion of her hand. SMACKKK!
A loud bang suddenly struck the entire restaurant, making curious onlookers look over at their table. A visible, red mark of a hand soon appeared on Van's left cheek. Elaine scoffed, and turned her head around, not looking at him.
"That's gonna hurt for at least a day. Maybe two.", Lavi murmured, seeing the mark of shame on Van's cheek.
"Seriously. Why do I even bother?", René also said.
"I'll make it up to you alright, Elaine? Can't we just enjoy the rest of our meal? It hasn't even been a single day and you're already pushin' this on me!", Van complained, before looking at Sara. "And it's all the Purple Lightning's fault anyway!"
"Oh, now we're putting the blame on me huh?", Sara said. "Just treat it like I'm not here. But if something does happen, I expect to hear the full story later!"
"Sara...", Elaine uttered. It was clear she was trying to set something up here. Even René and Lavi were adding in their two cents. To not let tonight derail any further than it has already, Elaine let her emotions settle. She even did a light cough into her hand. "Let's just put this matter behind us for now."
Hearing that, Van raised his eyes.
"I mean, we really could go for a second round later tonight, Elaine. It's not like I'm exactly doin' anythin' important.", Van suddenly said, causing the group's eyes to fall on him now. Even though Sara said what she said as a joke earlier, she didn't think things would progress like this.
"Oh my oh my. If you want to enjoy the night life around here I might be able to recommend a good spot or two~", Sara teased.
"Whatever happens, I want no part in it.", René uttered. "I hate being a third wheel. Besides, unlike these two idiots, I am not one to remain idle. I, in fact, have a girlfriend already."
""W-What!?"", Van and Elaine exclaimed in unison. It was their turn to be surprised. Van completely ignored the fact he had a red hand mark on his cheek.
"Hahaha.", René uttered. "We really haven't caught up in a spell, have we? Then again, it's not like I dig into my private matters too much."
"Great. So you one-upped us.", Van responded, and glared daggers at René.
"What's that supposed to mean, Van,?", Elaine shot back, only to end up sighing. Doing this earned a round of laughter, making the ongoing tension ease around them. "Forget it. Let's end this discussion. Just know it's not over."
"Fine, fine. Have it your way. I for one, am very much lookin' forward to sleepin' in my own bed.", Van, said, letting the conversation end.
It was then the brown-haired man who had entered the restaurant spoke out with a laugh, seeing such a friendly group of people he hadn't come across before. His eyes landed on Van.
"Haha. Sounds like you all are having a swell time. You feeling alright, dude? We heard that slap all the way from the entrance. I'm not trying to butt into what you currently have going on, but if you miss out on an opportunity, don't let it come and bite you in the ass later.", The brown-haired man said, walking up to Van's group.
"Heh.", Van said. "That was well said. I don't think I've seen you before.", Van continued, greeting the brown-haired man.
"I could say the same thing. We're in the middle of having a little reunion, as you can see. You don't look familiar, but it looks like you brought your family with you. This your little brother or something?", Sara asked before downing another beer.
"You really should watch how many beers you drink, Sara.", Lavi retorted.
"Oh come on. Liven up a litte, Lavi! As long as we catch the last train before the station closes for the evening, we're fine!", Sara responded while letting out a small hiccup. It looks like Sara is already drunk.
"And guess who does it fall on to make sure you make it to your bed tonight?", Lavi complained, letting out a groan. Hearing that, the brown-haired man laughed again.
"Hahaha. You all seem as close as I am with my little brother.", The brown-haired man said, and smiled. "And well, I ain't exactly a local here. You all seem to be. The name's Guy Bannings. I work abroad in Crossbell, but we have a couple of relatives living here in Edith, so I tend to drop by when I can.", Guy said, introducing himself.
"Pretty much what my Big Brother said. I'm Lloyd. Lloyd Bannings!", Lloyd said, introducing himself to Van's group.
"So it's Lloyd and Guy, huh? As a pair of siblings, you seem quite close. And the night's still young. Pull up some chairs, and push a table to ours. More the merrier, as they say!", Sara happily said.
"Hmm.", Lloyd responded, unsure of how to proceed. He looked at his relatives. "What do you think, Auntie, Uncle? We were going out to celebrate Guy's recent promotion within the First Division. It's not like it has to be done on our own, does it?"
"I don't see the harm. I can just let one of the waiters know.", Lloyd's uncle said after pondering for a moment.
"Guess we'll be in your care then. Oh, and we'll pay for our own. You needn't worry about our end.", Guy happily said.
"Then let's party!", Sara said.
"Haven't you had enough to drink already?", Lavi retorted.
"Guy Bannings...", René uttered. "Where have I heard that name before?"
"You know of me?", Guy mused. "I mean, I do work as a Detective back in Crossbell's CPD. Recently got promoted into the First Division, so we decided to make our way back to Calvard to hold a little celebration. Didn't think we'd meet some new friends.", Guy said, ending his introduction.
"Likewise. These two idiots are Van and Elaine. I'm René.", René said. "Just recently enrolled in Aramis High School."
"Hey! That was uncalled for.", Elaine responded.
"Aramis High School? Isn't that considered the most prestigious school in all of Edith?", Lloyd asked, becoming surprised to hear that. "I don't think I'll ever aspire to enroll there. I'm considering following Guy's footsteps, and likely enroll in Crossbell's Police Academy."
"Well Lloyd, your path is yours to make. I am already in mine.", Guy said.
"Mine is mine to take...", Lloyd uttered, committing Guy's words to heart.
Just like that, Guy's group happened to make their way to the same restaurant Van's group were now enjoying a meal at. Another meeting took place that never happened in the games, all thanks to what Naoto had done in the years prior. It wasn't just any normal meeting either.
This meeting was one where two protagonists of the Trailsverse happened to meet. Even in the latest game, Lloyd Bannings has never met Van Arkride. But here, even in S1199, a short meeting took place between the two. Even if it was just all happenstance. The fun only lasted a day, and the entire party enjoyed a good meal together.
Just like with Estelle and Joshua, who were the protagonists of Trails in the Sky, Lloyd Bannings was the protagonist of the Crossbell duology. He wasn't a Bracer, but a bonafide Detective, who took after Guy. Once things shifted toward Zero and Azure, the entire genre shifted perspectives. It dove into corruption and politics, all from the perspective of a policeman. Quite different from the fantasy Sky had to offer, but that, in a nutshell, is the beauty of Zemuria.
Meanwhile, Van, on the other hand, is akin to that of a fixer. He takes on any sort of job, and eventually creates his own business, Arkride Solutions. He dives in both the light and the shadow, taking on work that evades both the Bracer Guild, and Police Stations. While Lloyd might be the same age as Estelle, Van is a couple years older. Apart from these people, there's Rean Schwarzer, but he's still holed up in Erebonia, learning swordsmanship under Yun Ka-Fai. It was just Guy and Lloyd here in Calvard. As Guy put it, he paid a little visit to his relatives to celebrate his promotion into the CPD's First Division.
Guy did not think he would come across some Bracers during his short stay here in Edith. He had gotten acquainted with those back at Crossbell City. The conclusion he had reached was that it was good to see Bracers operate in another country he wasn't too familiar with. A Bracer's number one duty was to uphold the safety of the people, no matter what country it was.
Toward the end of the night when things were wrapping up, Guy had one more look at Van's group.
"We definitely had a blast tonight, so thanks. It was nice getting to know you all. Good luck on your upcoming Bracer Exam, Miss Elaine. I'm acquainted with a few back at Crossbell's Guild Branch. I hear the test is quite difficult.", Guy said. Their group had wandered toward the entrance now that their bellies were stuffed full.
Sara, on the other hand, was very tipsy right now. Her cheeks were flushed, she was flat-out drunk. Lavi even had to offer her shoulder so Sara wouldn't tumble over. She was struggling to maintain a proper balance.
"Thank you. It was nice to meet your family.", Elaine happily said.
"Heh.", Guy chuckled. "If you ever find yourself in Crossbell City, let 'ol Guy know that you're in town. I have to pay back the favor for giving us a good time tonight."
"We'll see about that.", Van said with a nod of his head. "I don't have many plans to visit Crossbell City. Elaine and I are about to begin our studies, anyway. We might not have enough time to do so."
"Well, if it happens, it happens!", Lloyd said, smiling. "For now, let us take our leave, Big Brother. It was nice meeting you all!"
With a nod of his head, Guy waved his hand at Van and others. Likewise, they waved their hands back. Before long, Guy's group left, leaving the five to their own devices.
"I have a drunkard I need to somehow carry back to the place we're staying at.", Lavi said, and sighed. "Come on Sara, get a hold of yourself now."
"Zzz...", Sara said, not saying anything now. It looks like she passed out.
"You've got to be freaking kidding me. How could you fall asleep now!?", Lavi complained, actually feeling annoyed.
"Oh you needn't worry about the Purple Lightning, Goggles. I went ahead and called an escort to bring you two back to your place. Consider it on the house.", René said.
Beep beep.
Before the five could do anything else, they all saw a sleek, black private orbal car pull up right beside them.
"Young Master, your escort is ready.", The driver said, remaining polite. Lavi raised her eyes, taking another glance at René.
"Who did you say you were again?", Lavi asked, becoming doubtful again.
"Who I am is not important. Just the son of a bigwig in Calvard's government. Off you go now.", René said. "And I will be sure you two make it back safely. This is my ride home too."
"You tryin' to do somethin' here, René?", Van asked, squinting his eyes at him.
It was then Elaine finally realized what René was doing. He was trying to set the two up! Elaine's cheeks flushed red.
"René, you bastard!", Elaine exclaimed.
"Hahaha!", René laughed, revealing a playful grin. "What you two do here from now on is of little importance to me. Now, I have somewhere else that requires my attention. If you'll excuse me.", René continued, and looked back at Lavi. "In you go, Goggles."
"Right...", Lavi uttered.
Van and Elaine couldn't even laugh or cry before seeing the black orbal car speed off into the distance, leaving the two by themselves.
""...""