Flashback...
Solvine entered the Asterian Gorge where Lloyd and Alastair are waiting for him after he was dressed in his signature uniform, there was Suiren who was in his new attributes that they made for him. His attributes consists of dark Prussian blue silk long-sleeved shirt with gold platinum trims and Mandarin collars, a dark Prussian blue vest with dark blue belt and gold platinum sash with gold platinum-colored musical note pendant sachet hanging on the side with red belt around his waist, with a black sleeveless turtleneck underneath along dark Prussian blue loose pants and knee-length black boots.
Alastair stood there with Lloyd who was talking with the thirty-six years old Senior Chief General of National Postal Service and Director-General of Human Resources Department, he was in charge of employing personnel for all division levels in focusing the master-class recruits to become one of the Masters.
The man has an appearance of twenty-five years old, he has a somewhat an emotionless look on his eyes and face. He has a dark brown short messy hair with long bangs, yellow iris on his dark brown eyes under his spectacles and fair complexion. He wears a formal black suit with black neck-guard with a white long coat underneath his black suit and white long coat that reaches his feet. He wears a thin-framed, gold-rimmed spectacles and he has an indigo silk scarf over his shoulders. He usually carries a clipboard on his right hand and a cane on his left hand. "Come on, Oswald. Loose it up already, don't be a meanie like that."
Lloyd reminded him with a smile, making him adjusting his glasses--still unimpressed look to them. "I came here to report that there's so many candidates and applicants to become a Mail-Hunters of the National Postal Service," he explained, writing on his clipboard before he look up at him. "There's plenty new recruits in our services and I'm afraid you don't have any time to babysit anyone because the recent events seems to trouble you all. So, I will be very busy with the entrance exam tomorrow so please don't stress me out," Oswald spoke, before he saw the two has arrived.
"You have arrived, Solvine Nocturna, Suiren Fermata."
Alastair announced, handing the new Automotive Gear weapon for Solvine--before he gave the new one for Suiren as a holder of his weapon. Solvine received a Cantabile's Caprice Op. 17 that Alastair forged for him, while Suiren received the Automotive Gear; Purple Bamboo Melody--the Crescendo-type weapon took form of a prototype guqin that was formed by wood and metal strings--the two of them realized they had one last task ahead of them before they can join the ranks of National Postal Service...
... they have to eliminate at least 385 husks or Husk Creatures and came out alive; no single scratch.
For both Solvine and Suiren, they shared the same thoughts at that time, so Lloyd nodded when he asked the duo if they can take a final exam together. "This is our HR Director, Oswald Hughes or Master Oswald. He will be keeping an eye on how you will handle the situation during the battle against the Husks--he also implementing the organization's policies, regulations and strategies for all of us and the promotion exam, while he's maintaining good relations," he introduced him, while Oswald nodded and began to explain the rule for the test. "The rules are to eliminate 385 Husk Creatures and came back alive, not a single scratch, and no help at all from each other. If you break the rule, you're out and there's no turning back unless you'll wait for one year to sign up for next promotion. Do you understand?" he asked, folding his arms.
Suiren nodded in reply and glanced at Solvine, whose gaze was solemn at the command--before the latter look down from the cliff in the gorge. There were several Husks who were roaming down there, waiting like a predator to its prey to be caught. "I'll take the left wing, you take the right wing," Solvine told Suiren, he turned to Solvine who nodded to him calmly as his expression grew more quiet and stoic as time flies.
"Let's go."
Hearing his reply, Suiren nodded and held his Automotive Gear. He jumped down on the first floor and landed on the ground, followed by Solvine landed beside him. "Let's not transform into our true forms, how's that?" he asked, the Spring Serpent close his eyes as he took a grip of his weapon. "I would've done the same thing," he responded.
"Let's begin, alright?"
Lloyd told the two men, who nodded to his word. He announced by raising his flare gun in the air and pulled the trigger, sending a large blue flare flying high in the sky before it disappeared out of sight.
Few minutes later, a swarm of giant jewel-liked armored insects began appearing, a variety of different kinds appeared out of the shadows and then flew towards the two, completely oblivious of the fact that two were going to ambush them. Solvine's teal-blue eyes glimmered as he jumps down and ambushing all of them, slashing all of them one by one like falling flower petals--with his Automotive Gear and soon made an aim to shoot down half of them. Oswald was holding his pocket watch, watching the ticking needle inside the glass as he made an evaluation report with the two leaders.
Suiren saw a husk nearby, a creature that was covered in metal armor resembling an organic beetle. He plucked each strings and conjuring a notes into arrow-like blasts and fire it to the Husks, splattering the giant insects and sending them flying far-away. His eyes were flaring in emerald green, narrowing them before he goes to play another note into making another attack around his surroundings--stabbing the arrow-like blasts into their armors and exposing their weak spots.
Solvine watched him using that technique, he twirls his gunblade--before he stabbed the Husk creature and splattered it to death immediately. In his prime, Solvine quickly kill all Husk creatures that blocks his way by a multitude of blue or white attacks, and one-hit-kill every Husks with his long slug and projectile in the air. Alastair was writing the evaluation report on his hand, while Lloyd hums with a nod--before he made a check on his evaluation report.
Then, the time went out as Oswald announced: "Time's up."
All of the Husk creatures are all wiped out by the two men, they arrived in the destination together to reunite with their masters. They were fully unscathed and their weapons still as clean as they came.
"Well well well, both of you are clean!"
Lloyd examined at Solvine, who didn't have any wounds at all and Suiren was the same--except their clothes were stained with blood (wasn't theirs) and dirty from all those fights they experienced. Alastair finished the assessment of the final report, before he look back at them--at the same time Oswald finished writing the report. "I have confirmed your performance through my Auto Gear Watch, your scores are 144:144--all ties without double-crossing," Oswald announced, before he explained. "Solvine Nocturna, you have exceeded your mastery and adaptation in swordsmanship and marksmanship through your Automotive Gear. There's a slight cut on the gun part and you need to control your offense attacks but it's not a big deal, so it's tolerable since this is your first time."
Alastair explained his evaluation, before he cleared his throat. "Suiren Fermata, your proficiency in delivering the attacks are spectacular and very sharp--so please improve on your speed and agility because it requires some improvement. But, you did very well and you also have a fluid movements," he explained, while Oswald listening before he close the folder and look back at them. "My result is the same as Alastair, after I evaluate your psychological, mental and physical tests--including interview with Lloyd. So, give us a moment to discuss the result."
The three of them took a step far away from them while discussing for the final result, while Solvine sitting down on the flat rock--he was holding his locket from his necklace that has Sonata's picture when she was young and there's one with his late-wife. "Is that your daughter?" Suiren asked, the latter nodded as he look up at him. "Yes, she's my daughter. I've been keeping this even when I was injured and hiding from them, do you still keep it?"
Suiren nodded, showing the locket as well that has Suona's photo when she was very young and his late-wife. "It's still with me," he said, then he saw the three of them came back and they put back their lockets--standing up and stood in front of the three leaders. "The result for both of you... you've passed," Oswald announced, adjusting his glasses.
Lloyd cheered as he spread his arms and raised his gunblade, shouting out as he announced happily at them that almost cause an echoing sound:
"WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE!"
'Goddamnit, you're embarrassing...' Alastair thought, knowing that the remaining Husk creatures heard that loud shout even from miles away. "Solvine Nocturna, you'll be promoted Deputy Postmaster-General titled 'Swordmaster' and Director-General of Inspectorate Code of Ethics Department, and Suiren Fermata, you'll be promoted into Administrative-General with Senja and Mathilda and Director-General of Technical and Engineering Department. Congratulations, both of you."
Alastair spoke calmly as he handed the promotions scrolls to the two, who received it gratefully in their hands. After the duo were back inside the headquarters, they will be having ceremonial promotion tomorrow after the entrance, so they can do the ceremony later that night after Solvine received the staff of his titles... the Swordmaster.
"Alright, let me verify your registered license numbers and national identity numbers," Alastair spoke, he assisted Solvine to verify his registered license and national identity number--after while Suiren was handled by Senja and Mathilda for the assistance. The man nodded as he looked at the documents before handing them over to the counter, Alastair smirked lightly as he put them into the box file--turning back as he did. "I'll repeat, is SN-519 your registration number?" he asked him, Solvine responded to the first question. "Yes," he answered in monotone voice as he signed on the document as per instructed. "Alright, here's your national identity numbers; NH-60332," he continued, giving the paper to him again.
"Please copy the numbers here, do not forget to sign your name."
Alastair stated, his fellow colleague beside him was silently writing on the paper as he listened to him. "And, write your signature here, you are checking out," Alastair said after he left an empty space on the paper for him to write. Then, after the man finished filling out his new express passport, he inspected and verified every documents for him. "Alright, your licensed Emissary registration number and national identity numbers has been verified. Here's your express passport, ID card with your position as Deputy Postmaster-General and lastly your official membership card," he explained, holding up the documents to see they were already signed.
Solvine tilted his head at the official membership card, this was the first time he had seen such a high-ranking card within the organization for himself. His signature had also been added to the bottom of the card itself. It seemed like it has been updated for him, but he looked very intrigued by this.
"Oh right, here's your first paycheck."
The Masters' salary is 100,000,000 Dinars for the Chief Operation General, Coordinator-General and Secretary General, while Postmaster-General, Vice Postmaster-General and Deputy Postmaster-General's salaries were all doubled up into 500,000,000,000 Dinar per month for serving their duties--and the Emissaries receives 50,000,000 Dinars as their salary as an Emissary; including the rank as a Delivery Express Mail-Hunter.
Solvine's face went pale at TWO DIGITS OF HIS SALARY, knowing he's a Deputy Postmaster-General and Inspector-General in military along Lloyd and Alastair all in one. It goes from 50,000,000 to 900,000,000 per month just by doing his job! Oh well, at least he can financially support his daughter Sonata and purchase buildings for businesses and many others. He has his office and his home rented for thousands of Dinars, yet he earned millions of Dinars monthly.
"Oh no," Solvine mumbled as he watched as they count his salary--his two digits salary for his Deputy Postmaster-General workday, he never meant to blurt out loud.
End of Flashback...
Alastair observed Solvine was working on his paperwork, stamping letters and packages, signing signatures on paper documents and reading reports--even typing on his manual typewriter, Alastair also working on his own reports on his own work. The two already put Solvine into military service to get his rank and putting him under Lloyd’s command.
Lloyd was impressed at their teamwork and synchronization, the duo typed on their typewriters in constant rhythm and speed; meaning their concentration, precision and timing were on spot. Senja also taught the two about taxes, loans and how to use money--Solvine was doing his best to learn as well as his co-worker and subordinate Suiren; he was working with Senja and Mathilda since they're his subordinates. Alastair thought they seemed quite efficient with their work, especially their organization and their filing system--all neatly arranged.
"Okay, this is the first time I saw Master Alastair working with someone else that's not Dr. Chamberlain... but not gonna lie, one of them is the loudest when it comes to typing on the typewriter-and that namely, Master Alastair," Gabriel murmured to Claire and Sonata, which the two of them nodded in full agreement--Suona was observing her father Suiren while she was paired in a team along Vincent.
Sonata was also observing her father and mentor who keeps working together, her father didn't talk as he only worked on his duty without any protests. Lloyd was impressed that her father Solvine has an intelligent brain and working moral compass, he knows exactly how things work as he had finished his daily tasks without messing anything up-not only he's fast and consistent in his work ethic but also not having sloppy handwriting.
The Eighth Day of Festival of Light is still ongoing in Welkin City in front of National Postal Service's Headquarters in Canaria, where the Emissaries placing the crates and boxes filled with mails-along the citizens were selling baked pastries and various stands in the streets. Sonata, Claire and Gabriel are in the bazaar of the festival-walking through the sea of people in the streets who enjoyed the festival.
Now, the entrance exam has just begun.
Sonata watched the examination together with Gabriel, Suona and Claire along with the rest of Masters like Senja, Mathilda. Gilbert and Cordelia were leading the examination. Lloyd, Alastair and Solvine were watching from the top seat. Vincent wasn't interested, though he had to monitor if any troubles occur from within the Hall where the examination taking place.
Xinglan felt like he had to endure this, there's some candidates were getting to know each other and he was trying his best to be social towards them. Until, he heard some of the female candidates squealing over one of the female candidates--making him narrowed his eyes in annoyance at the eighteen-years old young adult that stood on his height. He saw the girl has a fiery crimson hair that grew longer to her back, leaving her bangs bangs almost covering her golden-colored eyes and fell on her cheeks even the ones onto her shoulders--she has ivory complexion. She wears a white collared shirt with long sleeves and black blazer rolled to her elbows, she wears a black pants and black heeled shoes.
"Amaris! I love you so much!"
"Can I have a handshake with you?!"
"I want to hug you!"
Suona cringed when she heard the squeals from the girls below her, while she was watching the scene. As she waved at Xinglan, she could see his reaction startled a little before he gave a little wave of his hand at her. 'Huh, this is new,' she thought, before she got annoyed by the fangirls beneath the balcony of the National Postal Service. 'These two are going to be part of my team, because Sonata already got Claire and Gabriel with her... I want to do the same, but with the new recruits...' she thought, a smile crept up on her lips as she watched the entrance exam began.
Xinglan couldn't believe he had to do this, but it left him no choice as he immediately grabbed the letter and dashing forward--before he noticed that the handsome girl named Amaris ran beside him. "It seems like we're in this phase together, huh?" she asked, he scoffed as he look forward. "Don't bother me," he warned, before he went to the path that leads to Sinfonia District while he didn't know that she had a same destination. He was running as he need to get into his destination on time, until he saw a Husk in front of him and he aimed his Automotive Gear in front of the creature. "Tsk, I can't believe I'm doing this..."
He decided to shot the creature's shell to catch the attention of the beast, he had an idea in mind--although he wanted to finish it off but the time is limited. Instead, he distracted the giant insect by shooting the grounds across them and the insect turned its head towards the source of the sound--before Xinglan escaped and went to his destination. He was through the rocky hills and path, while was used to it--until he has arrived at the destination and not gonna lie--it was exhausting.
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"Sorry for the late arrival, here's your letter."
The elderly woman was surprised that the Mail-Hunter was a Huaxian, it made her surprised but she smiled that he did it. "Thank you, I was waiting for that. You're a Mail-Hunter right? I hope you have a good luck on your career, young man."
Xinglan was slightly surprised but somewhat amused at her answer, he thought the elderly woman might reject him but turns out she accepted the letter. "You're welcome, and... may the prosperity and blessings comes to you," he responded, despite his flat expression--he still tried his best to be nice towards her. Once he returned, he saw that there's only thirty-four candidates left and he saw Amaris also passed the test. "Hmph, looks like you made it--I didn't expect I saw you there from the distance," she said, he narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "Huh? You were there too?"
Amaris didn't say anything, but she simply shrugged with a smile on her lips before they began their final test; defeating a Husk that was faced in front of them and revealing the candidates' true potential. Suona watched from the distance, watching on how Xinglan able to take down the giant bug with the given Automotive Gear and he was exhausted--but able to kill it through exposing the weakness and killing it. Then, she saw how Amaris gracefully blowing off the beast effortlessly and that made her surprised at how strong she was. She reminds Suona of Claire, judging from how she deal with the beast.
It took a whole one day for the candidates to pass the test, only twenty-seven people has passed the last test and both Xinglan and Amaris are one of them. Xinglan was taking a break while waiting from the evaluation of Gilbert and Cordelia, who was talking with Alastair. He was drinking his bottle of cold water, listening to Amaris asking him--out of curiosity for the Huaxian. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Xinglan Hausen, yours?"
"Amaryllis Sirius, or Amaris for short."
Their attention caught on Suona who was admiring them with her sparkling eyes, Amaris couldn't help but finding the girl adorable by waving at her but Xinglan pretended he didn't see that. Sonata watched the scene, she took a picture of the moment through her vintage camera she bought recently. "The announcement is out!" Alastair announced, making the remaining candidates stood there--listening to Cordelia's announcement. Oswald was seen writing on his clipboard while discussing with Gilbert regarding the result and placement for the new Mail-Hunters.
Xinglan doubted if he will make it to the end--no matter how much he tried, he close his eyes as he decided not to expect too much--he was about to step back until he heard this:
"MS-590, Xinglan Hausen! You passed the test!"
Cordelia informed the nobleman with loud voice, and clapping as the other passed candidates cheered. Xinglan was surprised, he passed the trials? His light brown eyes slowly perked open to see their genuine smile, unlike the false smiles from other nobles he had seen since he was a kid. He didn't know why, but he feels like he's no longer have to remain isolated anymore. Amaris was about to congratulate him, until she heard another announcement that made her shocked."
"SC-570, Amaryllis Sirius! You passed the test!"
Well, this is surprising that she got accepted and the other current Mail-Hunters were cheering for them as well--congratulating to those who have tried to reach for this stage. Amaris was surprised, she passed but too nervous that her legs were getting wobbly. However, she remained composed as always. 'Huh... I guess I passed... even though I only stunned the Husk creature earlier... and dismembered them...' she thought, it was worth it--at least she defeated the beast without help.
'It feels like the clock have reversed a little bit and everyone was getting on well with each other's thanks to the letters, packages and that harebrained scheme of sending a letter.'
Xinglan thought, wearing a signature Mail-Hunter uniform consists of white formal shirt with a high neck-guard, under a dark Prussian blue Huaxian-style leather trench-coat with a gold platinum accents trimmed and bordered on the long sleeves and tassels hanging from each side of his hip, the neck-guard turned down and fastened with two belts, with the the lower one sloping downwards and wears black trousers tucked into his black thigh-high buccaneer boots with straps and three gold platinum sachets hanging on his three tassels with buttons. He adjusted his black gloves, which has buckles on them and he has gold platinum musical score sachet hanging on his black belt-like sash.
He was inside the locker room when he grabbed his Automotive Gear; High Mountains and Flowing Waters, the Crescendo-type weapon took form of prototype erhu--it has jade green-colored Melodic Amber with a symbol of ginkgo leaf. The weapon style is steampunk but has oriental and Huaxia's influences, the body of erhu is made of dark metal and the strings were made of pure silk. It can be split into a bow and qin half, the bow still is a weapon while having erhu strings and could produce sounds as the notes fired.
Xinglan was an expert in playing erhu, it is his request to make an Automotive Gear weapon that inspired by Huaxian instrument as the appearance. It made Alastair went pale by his request, so he asked for Suiren and Senja's help to make that for him. Xinglan apologized for making them uncomfortable, which Senja told him it's okay and Suiren replied that he'll be making the prototype for him.
"Let me tune the strings first..." he murmured, before he tuned the strings with his finger plucking and feeling the tension with both of his index fingers--by the same time, he was wearing fingerless gloves. He always tune the strings to ensure they were still intact, or else it won't sound nice as usual.
The weapon's advantage is portable and able to produce different notes that will create a rainstorm blasts, the disadvantage is... he had to carry rosin for his erhu and there's a chance of tearing the silk strings if he'd mishandling his weapon--plus when not in Auto Drive mode; he couldn't wield his zither in full since it's heavy enough. More worse, it was sacrilegious if he wasn't tuning it in time; it is viewed as a sin in the family and Solvine no less took it seriously since Xinglan's grandmother; Madame Yelan Hausen, , a descendant of Imperial Court who practiced Warring States period culture-primarily music, arts, literature, ceremonial tea and dances.
When Xinglan encountered a Husk for the first time in the rocky land, he began to turn around to face all of the creatures. "Vermouth Husk, huh?" he stated out, hoisting up his Automotive Gear weapon; High Mountains and Flowing Waters from behind his back. The weapon's ability is 'Rainfall', in which the notes will produce large rainstorm that could be used as an offensive. If the user played the notes precisely, the rain blasts produced could trigger thunderstorms, tornados and especially typhoons that able to bring floods or winds with huge waves.
Vermouth Husk is a giant armored insect that took a similar form of an Arachnid, the creature has a chitinous armor covering the entire body, a compound eyes on the head, mandibles which resembles a mask covering the upper jaw, the paws that is able to grasp the target easily and a sharp tail that hides some deadly venom inside it. The weak spot of the Vermouth Husk is the neck and head, as well as a soft flesh on the abdomen which covered with insectoid armors. It can produce its 'offsprings' from the ovipositor from the posterior end on the creature which it was a fast-producing parasite.
Before the Vermouth Husks nearly lunged at him, Xinglan used the bow to the erhu part of his weapon's components to play the Notes through the strings--creating a huge jade-green colored rainstorm blasts lunged in direction of the Vermouth Husk's and their parasites, hitting and destroying them within a seconds until the rainstorm faded while the Vermouth Husks turned into their ashes and disintegrate as they left only a small Melodic Ambers on the ground--before it vanished and recharged within the Melodic Amber on his Automotive Gear weapon.
Suona could see the beauty of his weapon, the weapon has good advantages and disadvantages--as long he used it well, he would be fine. Suona stared up at Xinglan, he seemed... immersed at his own Automotive Gear weapon--as if he was so proud at his own choice of weapon and he couldn't replace it since he was fond of it. It made her eyes widened as she saw the young noble looking composed, despite being raised in isolation and traumatic situations--he finally overcame his bad memories and he seemed very different than what he experienced.
"The idea for High Mountains is based on Buzhou Mountain, where celestial spirits live in High Heaven and inseparable from humanity's affairs, only separated by great distances and immensity. The concept of Flowing Waters comes from my own clan; Lóng Clan, of the Hua Dynasty, and its golden elixir; the Golden Pill. The Golden Pill was believed to be the secret medicine capable of allowing immortality and for restoring health, not by using healing properties like some herbs or antidotes. Instead, it allowed them to transcend their immortal soul from dying."
Xinglan explained, he continued. "If I made a mistake, what will happen?" he asked, making her face went downright scrunched with annoyed and comical grimace.
"If you made a mistake... then you'll get killed by any enemies and people that tried to kill you if you play the notes incorrectly--as a result, I had to tune the strings since my weapon is new, I have to tune it so I can make it easier for me to play it," he answered... his own question, like what the crap?! Forget about 'making mistake'--it is far worse than 'making mistake', since the errors in the tuning will end up causing the weapon to explode and even if you tuned it correctly, you can always produce music and producing harmful attacks.
Suona knew Xinglan was interested and dedicated with his clan traditions and learning, as well putting his focus to the task at hand. However, she didn't understand the meaning of it; but she's willing to learn. As he insert his Automotive Gear weapon behind his back holster, then he turn around to face her. "Actually, I'm not very confident in this," she admitted to him, adjusting her Spring Snow Suite, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor--the guzheng that strapped behind her back.
"I never been partnered up with anyone."
That made him wide-eyed, the infamous Suona Fermata never been paired by other person--while Sonata has been teaming up and friends with Claire and Gabriel. Suona befriends with Vincent and she needs one more member in her team, which means Xinglan is the only one who got no partner. And, she decided to recruit Amaris who also had no team--before being recruited by Suona to be part of the trio. "And you want me, someone who has never fight until a month ago, to work with you?"
Xinglan uttered, earning an innocent smile from Suona—if only her friends are there to see this. "It's not much different from your letter duties, is it not?" Xinglan asked her, not bothering to listen for an answer because Suona already took his wrist to drag him. "Not to mention you have the same ancestry as ours," she spoke, while smiling warmly.
The patrolling shift still began during the Marauder's incident attacks, which the Emissaries had to heightened the security level into Fortississimo (Caution). The most dangerous Marauders are the ones who are specifically spies, in which they often disguise themselves as members of Mail-Hunters to bring any confidential information to Reverse Organization that'll harm them.
Suona sighed in delight at the cheerful festive mood as they delivered the incoming packages to the receiver, patrolling the festival goes smoothly except for the late package deliveries. The two of them stood at the rocky cliff above the city of Welkin where the National Postal Service's building is shown, they would usually go on their rounds and do deliveries in the alleyways, streets and busy roads.
Despite how melancholic he was just by simply looking at him, she managed to talk to him properly--it's not like he was one of those haughty noblemen in Canaria. The lanterns were hanging by the strings, tied around their houses, billboards, store signs, pillars, trees, street lights... anywhere you go and anywhere you seen--there are red lanterns and hanging light bulbs that illuminate the dark places.
He's so mysterious and silent, yet really handsome at the same time--he also has a rather scholarly appearance, as a result he have a wide knowledge of books and history, and sometimes knowledgeable towards both ancient myths and legends and natural sciences.
"I never seen you smile before," she broke the silence, before she turned her gaze over to him. Xinglan became surprised before he glanced away. "It's not really rare when I used to see you delivering mail to my colleagues," she added, which in turn makes him rolled his eyes. "Were you always so cheerful like when you were a kid?" she asked, making him turned his face on her and gave her a sour-expressed face.
"You make it sound like I'm heartless and a terrible person, can you imagine... how disgusting is that?"
'Urgh, I was just asking why you never smiling and now you make that face, stupid!' she thought in her own mind. "If you're asking why I'm always like this, I was never smiling just because my life is just the way it is, but my memories involving my parents when I was just eight. Say, am I still intimidating to you?"
Suona tilted her head, before she smiled brightly while answering. "No, you're just quiet--but honest with the way you are."
The sky was glowing in beautiful shade of night skies, but it also mixed with the colorful motifs of the festival as well.
Her turquoise eyes locked his brown eyes, giving him a welcoming smile.
"You really need to get more fun and games, Xinglan," she reassured him, patting his shoulder while one of his light brown-colored eyebrows raised a little; before noticing she was resting on his arms.
"Come on, you need to smile more. You did the right thing to get out from the comfort zone, and you have all of us Emissaries who treat everyone like family--a true family, so you'll no longer feel alone. All you need to do is... to stand up for your own believes and have fun!"
Suona added, giggling softly and her scent is like a flower but lavender-like scents. It smells nice, like a fragrant but it wasn't pungent nor disgusting; but refreshing when he sniffed them.
Her father Suiren must've taught her so well, he was pretty much a wise man than what he let on. Being a strict-looking but honorable and kind young man, he never had an intention to discriminate nor treat anyone without respect like his former clansmen from Huaxia or in Canaria. Suona always wished that her wish will come true, she seems to be a real girly girl--it contrasts with her strong and passionate attitude like a dragon.
Xinglan was crying for the first time in this moment, making Suona confused at his reaction at first but she encouraged him. "Xinglan, remember that you're not alone. We're here for you, so live and have fun to the fullest!" she said happily, she felt sad for Xinglan's past but it only makes him strong and brave person to finally overcome the loneliness and despair he was suffering. Suona thought she was able to make him a friend, right now at this moment.
"This is so stupid, the next time you make me cry again..." he replied, making her blinked twice before he finished his sentence. "I will tear off that precious smile of yours."
Suona was so shocked of his words, her eyes slowly looked at his calm and composed face that slowly smiled tenderly--without realizing that the smile wasn't a smirk nor smug like he had done the rest of the time. Suona now changed her attitude from shock to curious and was eager to get close to him, her long dark purple dragon tail with a tuft of fur wagging a little bit.
'Dragon tail? I never noticed that she has one.'
"Xinglan! Come on, don't say something like that! It'll hurt my feelings, my goodness!" Suona exclaimed angrily and annoyingly--that is so cliché--she's really gonna let him tear her smile so he could change it to something beautiful and charming. It makes him feel weird and fluttered at the same time, for the first time he ever been friends with another woman or men--other than family members. "May I touch your tail?" he asked.
"No thanks."
Xinglan narrowed his eyes, not accepting the response as he reaches for it which Suona tried to slap him with her hand but he still managed to touch her dragon tail which made her blushed. "N-No! STOP TOUCHING IT!" she whined, feeling his fingers brushing on her dragon tail. Ah, this feeling is definitely bad for the heart... Suona wondered if she'll be alright by his side, like with her other male colleagues.
"If you touch it again, I will kill you right here!"
Suona pouted, glaring at him. Her friends always said her dragon tail was her personal favorite trait in herself, but to have a gentleman like him caressing it like the pet--that's not fair and makes her heart beating... the butterfly-effect, her face flushed red again. Xinglan can't hold his laugh--it's hilarious if someone try to be threatening while their blushing faces and tails wagging like puppies, that's so damn adorable! Suona realized that Xinglan was genuinely smiling, not smirking but actual smile while chuckling.
Xinglan remembered how the Hausen Clan in Canaria were pretty stubborn people, most of them doesn't realize their own faults unless it is too late--as he himself didn't seem to understand just how important this is for someone like him, who was too lost in thoughts on the issue itself. He looked around before sighing and nodded to himself; this festival would not be so bad if people stay together.
So, he decided to remain working here.
Amaris approached both of them as she donned her new attributes as a Mail-Hunter, holding an Automotive Gear that was on her hand. Her signature Mail-Hunter attire consists of a high-collared dark Prussian blue coat reaching her waist with high-collars buttoned loose around her neck, with six gold platinum buttons in the front and strings behind her back--a two pair of gold platinum musical note pendants on her collars. With a sleeveless turtleneck underneath and black slacks tucked into her black knee-length riding boots, a black belt with gold platinum rectangular buckle and a pair of black fingerless gloves. Sometimes she would let her crimson hair messily loose while wearing her black metallic mask that covered the upper part to both sides of her face which is her cheeks--making her eyes shown and the black mask has a four horn-like pointed tips that covered by her crimson streaks (only worn during her undercover mission).
Amaris tied her hair into messy bun while letting her bangs loose on her eyes and cheeks, not gonna lie--she looks handsomely popular around girls whenever she encounters them in the mailroom, she's a mysterious person even though she looked bored and didn't show emotions to others—sometimes she would stay out of socializing and would hide herself somewhere. But, after meeting Sonata and the rest (especially Suona) of them--she began to open up a little.
Her Automotive Gear is a Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 that is a Diminuendo-type weapon took form of gunlance, the same type being Alastair's weapon. The weapon functioned as a custom hammer-like offense that acts as the trigger for the blade lance--dealing stronger firepower attacks once she attacked with a powerful single line sweep, the front head had a large explosive shrapnel built on the muzzle. It was heavy but not as heavy as Alastair's Automotive Gear which is a gunlance like her, the difference is his Canon and Gigue in D Major, T. 377 is dangerous that no Mail-Hunters can wield his weapon.
Amaris sighed, before she saw Suona suddenly ran towards her with Xinglan who shake his head at her excitement in meeting their new friend. "Amaris~! I heard that you're in the medical bay, is everything okay?! Did you broken any bones or.. not?" she asked when she immediately ran and hugged her, when she placed the tray that contains three glasses of water. "Suona, you shouldn't barge in like that," he reprimanded (even though he used to do that in the past) before she sighed.
"I'm alright, I just took a quick nap to recover my restlessness and my injuries were healed. But now I'm fine, Dr. Chamberlain allow me to go home after he assessed my medical records."
Suona listened with a nod, she smiled happily. "We prepared a Huaxian dish for you at our mess, have you heard of infamous spicy crispy chicken dumplings? It's a sweet, salty and spicy homemade dumpling using the chicken inside, have a bite once you return!" she offered, before she glanced at Xinglan. "He's the chef in the mess, he cooks for us before we get to work.”
"It's getting cold, follow me," Xinglan said with no expression, before leaving the room--not seeing Amaris secretly glaring at him with such piercing gaze as his back facing against her. Suona was surprised how Xinglan would take care and cook all of the staff of Blue Notes housing facility. "Yeah yeah, whatever," Amaris grumbled, the trio walked their way to employee's mess from the med bay.
Then, an unknown figure still keeping an eye on them from the distance before he left.