Bracelets of Fortune
Right after the bracelet meeting wrapped up, Tiny Bell caught her breath outside the conference room and said curtly, "We should gather some intel from the Intelligence Analysis Department too... but let's hold off for now."
Her expression looked a bit pissed, so the three exchanged quick glances and nodded.
"Yes, Captain. Walker will probably handle all the sorting anyway. We can just grab the key points later," Kelun said coolly. Adolf smiled at Tiny Bell.
"Then how about we head out and get some fresh air?"
Tiny Bell felt herself relax a little at his expression. "Yeah. It'll help to see firsthand how the protest is going, what kind of friction's brewing."
Kelun jumped right in. "Exactly, Captain. The department might miss it, but I think the real insight comes from the vibe on the ground." For some reason, his tone made it clear he wasn't a fan of Walker. And who could blame him? The guy had been nothing but rude to Director Remar.
To Kelun, Walker came off like some arrogant prick who thought proxies were gods. He had no idea how much that attitude hurt people. It made Kelun think of that woman, and he was on the verge of snapping.
"Umm—"
Lucia let out a little puppyish whine and sidled up to Kelun, looking up at him with worry.
"What's up, Lucia?"
"Nothing... you just look kinda down."
Kelun realized Tiny Bell and Adolf were staring at him too. "Ah, sorry, everyone."
"Nah, you looked like you were about to murder someone. We were just curious," Tiny Bell said casually. Adolf gave him a warm, reassuring look.
Yeah. People like that are few and far between.
Kelun shook off the thought and gave Lucia an appreciative glance. She'd been moping the whole way here, but her worrying about him touched him. "Haha, Lucia, I'm good now."
"Ung—"
Adolf shrugged. "Alright, shall we go get that fresh air?"
"Yeah, let's move."
Tiny Bell answered shortly and started walking. Lucia called after her.
"Ah—Senior."
"What?"
Tiny Bell turned, and Lucia pointed at the massive sniper rifle slung on her back.
"Senior, isn't that gun a bit too conspicuous?"
Tiny Bell flinched and yanked the rifle around to her front, nearly covering half her torso. She peeked out from behind the long barrel, eyes wide. "Yeah, it stands out. No need to intimidate people while we're investigating."
She probably didn't realize how comical and cute it looked. Kelun barely stifled a chuckle. Lucia just grinned dopily. Adolf, of course, smiled warmly and lobbed a straight ball.
"Right? It looks like a cannon when you carry it, Captain."
"You saying I'm small right now?"
Tiny Bell glared daggers at him. Adolf let out a short laugh. "No, I meant the gun's just too big."
Adolf was getting better, bit by bit.
As they exited the Rain Code Management Bureau, the exotic scenery of Rain Code greeted them. Curved dome roofs, ochre walls etched with tile patterns, street vendors piling up spices and fabrics in the square. It all evoked an ancient Middle Eastern city. Religious motifs and prayers hung on building walls, while street kids flew kites and laughed innocently, unlike the adults' grim faces.
Tiny Bell's back looked much lighter now. She'd stashed the sniper rifle in storage; her only armament was a revolver tucked inside her coat. She figured she wouldn't need the rifle anyway.
"...Super exotic," Kelun muttered.
Lucia gazed around dreamily. "Rain Code was built by Middle Eastern folks, and after the Lildar Church moved in, it got even more religious. Pretty cool, right?"
"Yeah, and you lived somewhere cool, Lucia."
Kelun leaned back, hands clasped behind his head, taking in the sights leisurely. Lucia beamed at the compliment with a silly smile.
Tiny Bell walked ahead with Adolf, scanning the area. "It's nice, but kinda chaotic."
She kept whipping her head around, looking uneasy. Everything was so new. She'd planned a quick loop around the block, but leading the group was a huge problem. Predictably, she got lost.
Adolf whispered softly beside her. "Just think of it as a relaxed stroll. We'll end up back where we started anyway, inside the barrier."
He'd noticed her panic. Meeting his smiling black eyes, Tiny Bell snapped her gaze forward. But her heart felt easier.
Absorbing the street scenes and chatter, Tiny Bell wandered freely until they hit a crowded stretch and hesitated. Crowds weren't her thing. Still, the low buildings crammed with stalls and colorful outfits intrigued her. It felt less like getting lost now and more like sightseeing with the group.
Her eyes lingered on the vendors' wares, the air pricked by spices and grilled meat.
"Bet it'd be fun to check out the stalls when we have time," Kelun muttered from behind with a shrug.
Tiny Bell nodded slowly, taking it all in. After the mission... with these people again. She glanced up at Adolf beside her. This idiot too.
"Yeah, later."
Her short reply carried a lot. Seeing Tiny Bell—the ever-professional one—gawking like a girl her age made Lucia proud. -Hehe, they're all having fun... I'm so happy! Especially since it was her hometown bringing joy to these three. Coming home had terrified her, but warmth crept into her tense face.
Adolf paused at a stall and murmured, "That bracelet..."
He stared at one on the display. Thin threads in various colors twisted together, vibrant and eye-catching. Notably, they came in large and small sizes, displayed as pairs.
Lucia piped up excitedly. "Oh, that's the lovers' bracelets they've had here forever! Wearing a matching set brings good luck!"
It had been ages for her too, so she clapped delightedly. "Didn't know they still sold 'em—I wanted one so bad as a kid."
Kelun eyed her. "Just buy one then. We've got plenty of credit coins now, right?"
Proxies earned way more than regular soldiers; they could buy out the whole stall. But Lucia planted hands on hips and shot back.
"It's not like that! You don't wear it alone!"
"It's just superstition, Lucia."
Kelun narrowed his eyes realistically, and she puffed her cheeks. "You're no fun, Kelun."
He just chuckled. Tiny Bell, hands in pockets, quirked her lips faintly. I said 'later,' and they actually... whatever. Fine.
She sidled up to join them. Lucia lit up and tugged Kelun. "Come here, Kelun! Look closer, it'll change your mind!"
Drawn by her smile, Kelun stood by Adolf. Lucia held up a flashy one to him. "This one'd suit you, Senior!"
Adolf waved it off, flustered. "Too bright for me, don't you think?"
"You need a pop of color, Senior!"
Tiny Bell glanced sideways and muttered offhandedly, "Lieutenant'd look better in something darker."
Her casual tone stunned them. They gaped.
"What're those faces?"
That senior? Tiny Bell? Recommending bracelet colors?
Kelun laughed and chimed in. "Captain, this bright yellow'd suit you though?"
Tiny Bell scowled instantly. Kelun snickered, not the least bit down, and put it back. Bright yellow. She shot him a glare, oddly irked.
"Captain suits this color."
Adolf lifted a blue one dreamily. White threads blended like a cloudy sky, accented by two red strands. "Reminds me of you, right?"
He beamed at her. Tiny Bell averted her eyes from his face, focusing on the bracelet. Like he said, the combo looked pretty good. Might suit me...
She flexed her wrist, then whipped around, scanning. "We're not here to play. Let's go."
"Ehhh—"
Lucia whined, set it down, and fell in behind Tiny Bell. Good listener, that one.
A vague sense of unease hit Tiny Bell. She scanned again, realizing their proxy uniforms stuck out like sore thumbs in the street scene. Damn, the clothes. I got too carried away.
Distracted by bracelets, she hadn't noticed, but some stares were wary. A few softened at their childish antics, but distant eyes brimmed with tension. Especially the redheads.
"Sorry. Let's head out, Captain."
Adolf had sidled up. Kelun and Lucia quieted too, sensing the vibe.
"Back to the square. I'll guide you."
Adolf stuck close, having memorized the return path in case she got lost again. Tiny Bell nodded, grateful. "Yeah. But don't crowd me."
She scratched her cheek and snapped at him awkwardly.
Once clear of the stalls, Tiny Bell turned serious. "I wanted to scout the scene and gauge the mood, but I forgot about our outfits."
Silver-trimmed black proxy uniforms—symbols that inspired awe in some, fear in others.
"Let's head back. We won't get anywhere like this. Change clothes and investigate properly."
Thinking of their earlier chatter, she added a hand on hip, "And pair up, two by two."
She ignored Adolf's gaze.
Lucia shot up her hand. "B-but I'm from here! We've come this far—let's grab some food!"
Her voice bubbled with puppyish energy.
Adolf recalled her drained arrival and called softly. "Lucia."
"Yes, Senior!"
"If you're not feeling great, no need to push. The base mess looked decent."
His tone was lower, gentler. Lucia's eyes widened, cheeks flushing. She'd burdened them with her low energy—guilt spread. She clenched a fist and declared firmly.
"No! I'm fine! With you seniors and Kelun... when else? I'll escort you!"
Kelun thought, She's back. He grinned. "Good idea. And if Lucia recommends it, it'll be great."
He glanced at her; she beamed back with sparkling eyes and a thumbs-up.
Tiny Bell warned lightly. "Fine. But keep flashy behavior to a minimum."
She worried, but with four proxies, they could handle trouble. She hated seeing Lucia down because of her call. Yeah. Better like this.
Tiny Bell relaxed at Lucia's brightness. They followed her, parting the spice-scented air.