#i had knee-length cargo and shin-high socks

[forgotten-daydreamer]

got a lot of explaining to do to my therapist (legs full of cuts because i went hiking and the trail was a bit less clear than anticipated)

[remnant-chronicles]

Dust Stars

Stella Smoothie was as busy as ever during the summer months, the line would wrap around the shop and down the street. Alabasians enjoyed a fresh and cold smoothie when the air was as hot and sticky as it was that day. Sitting underneath the orange decorative umbrella was a woman in her mid twenties; sipping on a apple-blueberry-banana concoction. Her dark-red hair clashed with her blood-red eyes, something she hated growing up. She had her hair tied up in a ponytail so it would avoid sticking to her sweaty neck as she swiped her scroll vigorously upward. Her name was Faith Vermelho, leader of team FRST – an advanced guard to King Tris, the leader of Alabasia. Occasionally she would look up with her eyes squinting in the bright sunlight as people walked by, she was waiting for someone. She graciously picked up her cup, her pinky finger raised, and sipped her smoothie. She then patted her mouth with a pink napkin and placed it gingerly next to the cup. “You know,” came a voice from behind Faith that made her jump slightly, “I can't tell if you're always like that, or if it's just an act.” Faith turned around frowning at the person who commented and saw her teammate Serina Lapir. She was wearing her usual getup: a dark-blue, medium length battle skirt with silver and black greaves, chest plate, a pair of gauntlets on her arms and a single pauldron on her left shoulder. Her dark, blue hair was held in a ponytail and her dark, pumpkin colored eyes were cold and calculating as she watched Faith take another sip. “You should know that it's from being part of the King's audience during his dinners and get-togethers and that we have to maintain manners even when we're out in public.” explained Faith as she took another sip, she continued, “Forget about me. It's like an oven out here and you're dressed like there's a war going to start at any moment.” “It's better than looking like you've been held back a dozen times at Mantis.” said Serina coldly as she pointed out Faith's outfit which was similar to the the type of uniform that was worn at their primary combat school, just different colors: white high top sneakers, blue knee socks, a dark-red plaid skirt, black arm socks, and a black sweater vest with red trim. “What? I like this style!” defended Faith as she rolled up her sleeves a bit. “Still,” continued Serina as her armor tinkered and clanked as she shrugged her shoulders. “Come and sit down for a bit,” said Faith, cutting Serina off, “The others still aren't here yet.” Serina sat down and crossed her arms and stared at the people inside the cafe. She would eye them as they walked out carrying their cups, and some carrying pastries. “Why don't you get something for yourself?” asked Faith, following Serina's gaze. “No.” she said simply. “I know you want something.” insisted Faith as she smirked, “Go on.” “I said no already. Leave it.” said Serina harshly. “You're looking a bit peckish, if you ask me.” said Faith as she pulled out her wallet. “Well I didn't ask you.” said Serina as her face started to redden a bit. “I have to look out for my team,” said Faith as she pulled out some money, “Here just take it. Don't worry about owing me later. Go on” Serina begrudgingly took the money after a moment and stomped her way toward the inside of the cafe; her armor clanging loudly with each step. Faith sat back and pulled out her scroll again and began scrolling with her thumb absentmindedly when she heard her name being called out. “Hey, Faith!” called out a female voice. She turned around and smiled as her teammates Rin Grau and Tessa Braun. Rin was Faith's friend that she knew the longest. They had met while at Andromeda Academy (their secondary combat school ) and had been nearly inseparable since; they always had each others backs no matter the situation. Rin was wearing her usual outfit, which was ninja-like in appearance with black shin guards and forearm guards with silver lining, a grey chest plate, and thin pauldrons. Underneath the armor was grey tight pants and a tight cross over jacket adorned with a black hood. Her silver hair shined brightly in the light as she kept her cerulean eyes squinted to see in front of her. Next to Rin was their final teammate, Tessa "Tess" Braun. Being nearly two years in FRST, Tess was still the newest member in the group. She was quickly drafted into the team after Rin witnessed Tess stopping a robbery at a bank – taking down six men all by herself in mere seconds. Her smile reached her canary-yellow eyes as she saw Faith standing up and waving; her dark brown hair being jostled in the breeze as she waved back. In her short time on the team, Tess highly considered her like family, even if Serina scoffed at that idea. She was wearing her typical daily attire of a sleek business suit fitted with a dark brown tie. They sat down next to Faith and began talking while Serina plopped down a few seconds later with a bright green drink in her hands. “You know,” said Rin as she pulled out her scroll, “I heard a rumor that the king might venture outside the walls soon.” “Really? Where'd you hear that?” asked Tess as she looked up from fixing her tie. “Overheard a meeting when I was making my way to the west garden."said Rin. "How long has it been?” asked Tess. “Since the King ventured outside the walls? It's been a while. The prince was still a child.” said Serina as she fished a cherry from the bottom of the cup. “That long?” asked Tess, remembering that the Prince just celebrated his nineteenth birthday. “Yeah. I remember those days like it was yesterday.” said Faith reminiscently. “Those were dark times indeed.” said Rin nodding her head. She continued after seeing Tess' confused face, “We technically don't talk about it, more like 'not really allowed' because of King Tris' wife.” “That makes sense,” agreed Tess, “Didn't they say it was an assassination attempt meant for him?” “I wouldn't trust anything said. Once information becomes a rumor and starts spreading around, it becomes so diluted and muddled that the original story becomes lost in a perilous void.” said Serina gloomily. “I bet you're a real riot at parties, Serina.” teased Rin while Faith and Tess laughed. “Jokes aside,” said Faith, “This one sounds serious. Expect a summons soon. The tournament is coming up fast and preparations for transport have to start. This is a damn big deal.” “How far is Vytal from here?” asked Rin. “Considering that Tris wants to travel via motorcade, it's actually not that far from here. Maybe three or four days with limited stops for rest.” said Serina. They sat in silence for a few moments before Faith pulled out her scroll and started swiping on the screen before all of theirs started ringing simultaneously; catching Serina by surprise and making her spill her drink. “It says that we're needed back at the castle.” said Tess looking up from her scroll. “Well then,” said Fatith as she stood up and stretched, “Let's go.” “Wait,” said Rin as she stood up as well, “What happened to you Serina?” “Ugh...Nothing.” she said as she tried to wipe her spilled drink off of her front. “It looks like 'nothing' is all over you.” teased Tess. “Oh shut up!” Serina snapped back to a laughing Rin, “Just go ahead, I'll meet you there.” Faith, Rin and Tess walked together toward the castle that was located at the back of the city atop of a rather large hill. The castle itself was the tallest point in Alabasia standing hundreds of feet over all other buildings. It was a stark contrast compared to the surrounding buildings in the city, which were varied in colors from blue to yellow and everything in between. The castle itself was a bony-white in color lined with blue incandescent edges that flashed slowly. Ships could be see arriving and departing from time to time carrying important people and secretive shipments. FRST worked directly and lived in the castle alongside King Tris as his personal guard. They escorted him anywhere in the kingdom he needed to go, and protected him inside the castle walls. BOOM! An explosion rocked the street Faith, Rin and Tess were walking on that sent shards of glass, pieces of rubble, and people flying. Running out of the smoldering store that had just exploded were four masked individuals carrying large black duffle bags. They were all wearing the same outfit which consisted of dark-gray long-sleeved shirts, black armored vests and baggy black cargo pants and military style boots. They were shooting behind their backs blindly at anyone who was making an attempt at following them. People were ducking for cover as dust fueled bullets were whizzing past their bodies as the the thieves ran down a narrow alley with Faith, Rin and Tess quickly taking pursuit. “Go left!” ordered Faith as she saw two of the burglars turn left at the end of the alley. Rin and Tess banked left as Faith ran straight towards the other burglar. All of a sudden, Rin stopped dead in her tracks. Tess looked back in confusion. “What're you doing? They're getting away!” she shouted. Rin shook her head as she arched her back and her eyes grew wide. In an instant, she disappeared from behind Tess and reappeared in front of the two burglars causing them to stop in their tracks and raise their guns; their barrels glowing ominously. “How the-” said one of the burglars in surprise, but was cut off when Rin bashed him across the face with her bow. Tess dove out of the way as the body flew past her and slid on the ground in a crumbled heap and looked at Rin who motioned at something behind her. She looked around and ducked just in time at the burglar that she was dealing with swiped at her with a rather long, red blade that had transformed from his gun. “Oh! You're crafty one, aren't you?” giggled Tess as she raised her hand. A peculiar blue glow emanated from her palm and the burglar's knife zipped from his hand to Tess'. Her palm glowed again and the knife started to hover over it. She then angled her arm behind her head and smiled as she sent the knife whizzing straight into the burglars foot; pinning him on the spot. He yelled in pain as he tried to move but couldn't as his foot was firmly staying in place. Tess walked forward and raised her arm again and let out an electric pulse that made him fall backwards in an unconscious pile. “You're a sadistic one, you know that?” said Rin as she walked up to Tess. “No, that's Faith.” laughed Tess, “Speaking of, let's find her. She might need us” Rin nodded her head and followed Tess as she pulled out her scroll to find Faith's ping on a tracker app that she downloaded. Meanwhile, while Rin and Tess took care of their problem, Faith was in pursuit of the three remaining burglars that were trying to escape. She dodged bullets as they whizzed past her, deflecting a few of them with her halberd. “Oh no you don't!” she grunted as she took a leap forward to try and trip one of them. One of the burglars merely skipped over the curve of her halberd and twisted in midair and pointed his gun at a defenseless Faith's head. Her eyes grew wide as she saw a flash of light from the muzzle. She closed her eyes and prepare for what was coming, but nothing happened. She opened her eyes and, to her surprise, saw a lancer wiggling in the ground with the burglar's sleeve impaled in the ground. Serina aimed a well timed kick at the trapped burglar's head and knocked him out. Faith slid belly down on the ground past the body and twisted herself around to see Serina sprinting toward her; her eyes glowing. “Found you.” said a huffing and puffing Serina at Faith. “Took you long enough.” said Faith as she took Serina's extended arm and helped herself up and picked up her halberd. “One of them is getting away!” said Serina, pointing at the last burglar that hopping onto a motorcycle to get away. “I.” grunted Faith as her palms flash a bright shade of lime green, “Don't. Think. SO!” She threw her arms over her head and brought down her weapon with a mighty yell. The energy in her palms transferred to the blade and shot out in a beam of light toward the burglar. In an instant, the bike exploded so violently that a shockwave formed and broke all the windows of storefronts, restaurants, and apartments all down the street. The burglar was launched in the air and landed in a tree; his clothes smoking. “Shoot a damn gun at me,” said Faith quietly as her aura flashed on her body as it weakened slightly, “You're lucky I missed.” Rin and Tess caught up a minute later, Tess uttered a low whistle as she looked at the damage. “Wow, Faith,” said Rin as she eyed down the street, “All the way down...The windows.” “Yeah, that's gonna be expensive.” said Tess. “Whatever,” said Serina as she wiped sweat from her brow, “It's over now.” “Yeah, and the police are arriving.” said Rin pointing behind Serina. The Alabasian authorities pulled up in their cars and vans and stepped out. They wore white uniforms to symbolically show that they were pure of heart, and only sought out justice for the good of the people. Their belts only had a gun and a baton to aide them in certain situations. “We'll take care of it from here, ladies. Thank you.” said the lead officer as he walked over to them. “Don't worry, love,” said Faith as she walked up the officer and brushed his cheek with her thumb, “We already have.” Serina picked up her weapon, and held it at her side as FRST began to walk towards the castle once again. There was no doubt that news of this attack will spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom.