Trails to Azure Drama CD - Road to the Future

A few days later...

Yes, come in!

There you are, Tio! I've been looking forward to this day!

Hello.

It's so rare for you to be the one to call ME! So? What could be so important that you'd want to come to the branch to meet about?

And don't just stand there! Come in! Come in!

If you insist.

So, um... Would tea be all right?

I could always brew you some coffee and add plenty of milk--just like you like it!

Oh, and I think I've some orange juice in the fridge, too!

That will not be necessary. I do not expect this to take long.

S-Say it ain't so...

I was hoping you would stay so we could catch up.

I even have a box of chocolate that Guillaume gifted me. I'll go fetch it!

Chief.

A-Ahaha...

I'm getting carried away again, aren't I? But I caught myself, so you don't have to be mad at me, Tio!

I have given you more than enough warnings by now.

O-Oh, no...

I've made my sweet little Tio angry again...

*sob* How am I ever going to make this right?!

You can start by sitting down, Chief.

I can do that...

But now it feels like I'm the guest instead of you.

So, um... What is it you wanted to talk about?

Well...

Truthfully, I have been considering a return to foundation headquarters.

You mean going back to Leman State?

Yes.

What would compel you to...?

An opportunity to improve the Aeon system and orbal staff, for one.

I would also like to summarize and deliver my report on the staff's use during the D∴G cult incident.

You...do know how far it is to Leman State, right?

Of course I do.

Do I look like I cannot read a map, Chief?

No, no, no, no! That's not what I meant!

It's just that, if you return to headquarters, that means you'd have to leave the SSS for a while.

Are you sure you want to do that, Tio?

The thing is...

...the SSS has already decided to go on hiatus.

What? It has?

That's strange. This is the first I'm hearing of it.

Yes, because I am reporting it to you now.

Oh, yeah. I mean, that's a good point.

I suppose you are, huh...?

Therefore, returning to the foundation should not present a problem.

I would like you to fill out the paperwork for me to transfer back to headquarters.

B-But if you do that, you'll be drowning in endless reports to file while you're there...

You might even get roped into contributing to whatever new research they're up to.

It could be MONTHS before you're allowed to return to Crossbell!

I am prepared for that.

'So until we're back, I hope you two refine what it is that you're best at so we can hit the ground running again.'

What I am best at...

I will not let you down, Lloyd.

Wait! What if I went in your stead, Tio?!

Haha, and if you want, I can bring you back loads of souvenir--

*TIO STARE*

No, anything but that! I'm sorry, Tio!

Instead of apologizing, simply keep your mouth shut next time.

*sigh* Fine... Okay.

I'll fill out the paperwork for your transfer to headquarters, Tio.

Then I will let you get to it.

I am leaving now.

Huh? Already? At least stay and relax for a while!

I have to go home and begin packing.

Oh, but before I forget.

Yeah?

I had another idea. I want to take Jona with me.

Welcome. Just one this evening?

Nah. Party of two... Oh, there she is.

All right, how do I wanna approach this one...? Here goes nothing.

Ahem. Hello, beautiful. Here by yourself?

Might I ask you to bestow a heavenly smile to me?

Guide this lost lamb home, will you?

Uh, sorry. I'm waiting for someon--

Wait. RANDY?!

What's up?

Wh-What has gotten into you?!

What do you mean 'what'? I thought it'd be funny.

Do I LOOK like I'm laughing?

Haha, nah. You look like you're Mireille.

I can't believe you right now...

Welcome. May I take your order, sir?

A whiskey, my good man. And...

...make it 12-year red label. Straight. Single.

Very well.

I gotta say, though. I never expected you to ask me out like this.

Wait. Could it be...?

Excuse me?

Remember that time we helped you look for that armored car's key the old commander lost?

I told you that if you wanted to make it up to me, you could always take me out on a date.

What? No, it's not because of--

Got'cha. You didn't deny this was a date just now.

If you wanted some alone time with the Orlando, all you had to do was ask.

That's not it at all, you idiot! And that was months ago! How do you still remember something like that?

Here you are, sir. Straight, 12-year red label. Single.

Thanks, my good man... Cheers.

Cheers to you, as well.

Joking aside...I do appreciate you agreeing to this.

So, how are things with the SSS? Is everyone doing well?

Business as usual for the most part.

KeDo just started attending Sunday School.

'KeDo' is that little girl that lives with you, right? KeA?

Yeah, she is everyone's special little ray of sunshine.

We actually took her on a picnic the other day, too.

YOU went on a picnic?

I can't even fathom it. You really have changed.

Though it does sound kind of fun.

Yeah, never a dull day for us.

That so?

So...how about stuff back at the unit?

Are Carter and Rafi hangin' in there?

Yeah... They're fine...

...for the most part.

You mean after what happened.

I'm sure they've had a tough time bouncing back.

You remember. During the cult incident, the entire Bellguard unit was brainwashed. Myself included.

We're supposed to be the Guardian Force, but we ended up attacking the citizens instead.

I don't know about that.

The only damage was to the police and some buildings, right?

'Sides, you were all drugged.

It wasn't your--

There's no excuse for it!

And the citizens aren't so forgiving.

Mireille...

...I'm sorry.

There's no point in taking my frustrations out on you.

It's cool. I get it.

If it'll make you feel better, I'll take whatever you have to dish out.

I'd think it's tough to talk about this with anyone in the CGF.

Randy...

Actually, I've heard Bellguard Gate's been like a morgue ever since that night. I wanna believe that's not true, but it's plain as day.

Morale is at an all-time low.

No one has been keeping up with their training. They're too afraid of something like that happening again.

What would happen right now if we were to be attacked?

Everyone's wallowing in their self-pity, unable to move on.

Well, they're not going to get anywhere by standing still doing nothing.

You think so, too?

Yeah. Nothing helps you get your mind off your problems like working hard.

When you're gaspin' for air and your muscles are burning, it's hard to think about anything else.

And before you know, time will have healed those wounds, anyway.

At least you finally got a commander worth a damn. Have you asked Sonya for her advice?

Yes. The commander essentially feels the same way you and I do.

She thinks the Guardian Force's focus should be on improving itself.

Great minds think alike.

Actually, Randy...

That's why I asked you here.

Huh?

What'cha talkin' about?

Please...

Please return to the CGF!

We want you to join us for a few months as a drill instructor.

It's for a new training program that Commander Baelz has designed.

Are you serious?

Commander Baelz still thinks very highly of you.

Not just your combat skill, but your tenacity, as well.

The CGF needs that kind of spark right now.

That's why she's been considering putting in a formal request to the police to have you transferred...

...but I stopped her because I wanted to talk it over with you first.

So, that's what's up.

I know I'm asking a lot. I know that you had no regrets leaving the CGF behind last year.

And, more than anything, I know how important the SSS is to you.

N-No, it's not like...

Don't try to deny it, Randy.

I've seen how your eyes look when you're around them-- how gentle they are.

So if you turn us down, I would understand.

But if it comes to that, I at least wanted it to be face-to-face.

Mireille...

''So until we're back, I hope you two refine what it is that you're best at so we can hit the ground running again.'

What I'm best at, huh...?

Pardon?

Mireille.

I'm in. If you've got a spot for me, then you got yourself an instructor.

R-Really?

Would I lie to you?

But what about the SSS?

Don't worry about it. We're about to go on hiatus, anyway.

You are?

I need something to keep me sharp in the meantime.

So do me a favor; let Sonya know I'm coming back.

All right, then.

And...

...thank you, Randy.

What's gotten into you all of a sudden? It's not like you to pull the real-talk card with me of all people.

I'm trying to thank you! What's wrong with sincerity?!

Nothing, you're just throwin' me off my game is all. I expected you to pull out a whistle and be like, 'I'm gonna make you wish you never accepted this offer, soldier! Drop and give me 20!'

Excuse me?! You're making it sound like all I care about is training and drills.

You don't? Oh, my bad. I mistook you for the CGF's Warrant Officer Mireille.

Oh, shut up.

Anyway... Guess this means we're comrades again.

I suppose so. Welcome back, Randy.