TF Amethyst

TFA1 5.17 - Farewell

After the lunch, Seira and Keira played for a while with Big Brown. Then, the three took a nap. In the afternoon, after they took a shower, Vex, Seira, Keira, and Big Brown played poker as they waited for dinner. After that, they watched animated wild life in Desolate Land until 9 o'clock. Then, after making sure Seira and Keira brushed their teeth and put their diaper on, Vex led them to the bed.

Seira and Keira fell asleep easily. However, in the early morning Vex woke up to find Seira was not in the bed. After fixing Keira's blanket, he then came out of the room.

In the dimly lit living room, he found Seira sat in a corner while weakly sobbing. At the same time, Big Brown gently rubbed his head against her arm. This was his first time Vex had seen a six-year-old girl sobbing in the middle of the night. So he was a little awkward in his heart.

Even so, without hesitation Vex approached Seira who immediately wiped her tears and hid the photo she was watching.

Vex sat next to Seira before asking, "Do you miss your father?"

Seira gave a small nod. "Seira often had a dream Daddy is coming home, but before Seira and Keira can hug him Seira had woke up."

Most young children may not be aware of how difficult to accept that they could no longer meet someone they loved, while small portion of them would feel it as a painful and unbearable experience. Sadly, Keira was in the group of unfortunate kids who could realize the pain of losing someone.

"Lucan, don't tell Big Sis Lan that Seira cries because Seira misses Daddy very much."

"Okay." Vex then pondered for some time before continuing, "Well, talking about missing someone, it reminds me of my daughter."

"Lucan, you have a daughter?"

"Yes, and because of a fatal mistake, now I cannot see her anymore."

“…”

“I will also have a dream about her whenever I miss her. Then, when I wake up I will have a painful tightness in my chest that won't go away unless I cry it out. So, at night sometimes I cry alone in my bed, at the dining table, or in the bathroom."

Seira looked at Vex while tilting her head. "You cry a lot too?"

"Yeah, and for your information, in this world there are many adults who often cry alone. A very wise man has also said that people who never cry alone are people who don't understand the bottom of their hearts."

Seira nodded slightly before asking, "Lucan, is Daddy will be all right in heaven?"

To be honest, Vex didn't know for sure, but he firmly answered, "I'm sure he's fine. You don't have to worry about him."

“I see.”

Since Seira seemed to have calmed down, Vex then took the initiative to change the subject. "Can you tell me why you and Keira like Big Brown so much?"

"Before Daddy went to Berril Plain, he promised us that when he came back he'd buy us a puppy.”

Vex's heart skipped a beat as he realized that he had just led Seira to the topic he wanted to avoid. Luckily, Seira seemed to have gotten out of her gloomy mood. But most of all, he got crucial information that Big Brown was a bridge to strengthen Seira and Keira's last memories of their father.

Vex then calmly said, "You and Keira can take Big Brown actually. I’m sure Big Brown will also love it."

Vex thought Seira would cheer when she heard his idea, but she shook her head before speaking softly, "We can't take Big Brown. Big Sis Lan is afraid of dogs because she was bitten by a dog when she was in the kindergarten."

In an instant, Vex smiled from ear to ear because the opportunity to adopt Seira and Keira was now getting bigger.

"Lucan..."

"Yeah."

"Do Seira and Keira have to go back to California and live with Jessie?"

This was the second time Vex heard Seira mentioned Jessie, and he could vaguely guess her identity. "Don't you want to stay with Jessie?"

"Nope, Jessie is always angry and forbade Seira and Keira to play in the park. Sometimes she also didn't come home for a few days and left us alone in the apartment. That’s why Daddy took us secretly and brought us here. Besides, Daddy was buried here. So Seira and Keira don't want to leave Daddy alone. Living with Big Sis Lan is also fun.”

A black cloud briefly adorned Vex's face when he heard that Seira and Keira were very happy to live with Lan Yan'er. However, he had no intention of influencing Seira's preferences.

Vex then gently said, "Honestly, you don't have to worry about Jessie. You can also stay here as long as you want."

"Mhm."

Seira nodded slightly while Vex continued.

"The night is still long, so we better go back to sleep."

Seira naturally climbed into Vex's arms, while Big Brown who usually slept on the sofa, for some reason followed Vex and Seira then lay down next to the bed.

On the way to the bedroom, Vex saw reflection of NVG in one of windows on the QRF Barracks across mini-cottage 01. However, he waited until Seira fell asleep before radioing the head of his security detail.

"Grim, who is amateur who watching my room from QRF Barracks, 2nd floor, third from the left?"

[Lieutenant Lan Yan'er and a female captain from Military Police, Sir. I also spotted five Military Police stand by at QRF Barracks’ lobby. They have been there since this afternoon. Do you want me to reprimand them?]

"No, let's ignore them."

[Understood]

--- 

Room 0203, QRF Barracks

07:30, 22 Aug 2025

As more than half of QRF elements were still in Fort Cambia, there were many empty rooms in QRF Barracks, and because Lan Yan'er knew the officer who in charge of QRF Barracks, she could get access to a room across from mini-cottage 01 with ease.

Last night, Lan Yan'er watched mini-cottage 01 like a farmer guarding their field against ferrets. But luckily, the thing she was worried about did not happen. Lan Yan’er took an extreme step to ensure Vex's appropriateness in adopting Seira and Keira, because she failed in getting her hand on Vex's profile.

Nate, the chief of IDG was one of Lan Yan'er's fanatical fans. He would do almost anything to prove his sincerity. Even so, Nate couldn't help her to get Vex's profile.  

The answer Nate gave her was, "XO doesn't have profile."

Nate's answer led Lan Yan'er to several conclusions, and one of them was: 'Vex may have a serious criminal record that could affect TF Amethyst's dignity.'

As the sun climbed into higher sky, Lan Yan'er slowly opened her sleepy eyes, yet she had no intention of getting up. She had watched the mini-cottage 01 until five in the morning. So she decided she wouldn't wake up until noon. After all, until tomorrow she was still on an official leave.

However, as soon as she turned around, Lan Yan'er's gaze was greeted by Seira and Keira who were playing snake and ladder quietly in the next bed. Judging from their clothes, it seemed they already had morning shower.

Lan Yan'er immediately sat up. "Where's XO?"

Seira answered, "Lucan went to Amethyst Merchant HQ after an urgent call."

Lan Yan'er nodded before asking again, "Have you eat breakfast?"

"We have, and we brought Big Sis's tuna-mayo sandwich and a tea box."

"Thank you."

With a gentle smile Lan Yan'er accepted a paper bag that Seira handed over to her. Then, she cheerfully enjoyed her breakfast.

---

Counseling Quarter, QRF Element Complex.

10:30, 22 Aug 2025

For more than three hours, Vex and TF Amethyst higher-ups discussed the latest situation in southern tip of Southeast Triangle, which lately required more attention. Even if Vex didn’t like it, he had to admit the meeting had made him realize that he was not the ideal figure to adopt Seira and Keira.

As a second-highest officer, Vex had to give up 85% of his time for TF Amethyst. Meanwhile, the remaining 15% won't be enough to ensure Seira and Keira grow and develop to their full potential.

Although he was unwilling, in the end Vex hardened his heart. "Lieutenant Lan, I think you should cross me off from the list of potential foster parents for Seira and Keira. I have to go to Southeast Triangle immediately, and I don't know when I will return here.”

For some time Lan Yan'er stared at Vex, and then she said, "XO, do you realize that you are the only potential candidate to take Seira and Keira. You are the only person who managed to make Seira and Keira laugh cheerfully since they lost their father, and they also did not refuse when I left them with you."

"Lieutenant Lan, don't you realize that you're also a potential candidate for Seira and Keira?"

Seeing a huge question mark appearing on Lan Yan'er's forehead, Vex immediately continued, "Seira told me that she and Keira are very happy to live with you. They are also very worried that they have to return to California and have to live with their mother.

Also, what made Seira and Keira laugh cheerfully was Big Brown, not me. Before Specialist Hebert went to Berril Plain he promised to buy Seira and Keira a puppy. Unfortunately, Specialist Hebert never came back to fulfill his promise. 

Therefore, Keira and Seira have a big hole in their heart, which Big Brown happened to be able to fill. When they went to find me, what they were looking for was Big Brown.

As for me, Seira and Keira are just a means to projecting my longing and loving to my daughter."

Lan Yan'er tapped her finger on the table before saying, "I don't know if what you're saying is the truth or just plausible excuse. Also, I can't force you to become foster parent for Seira and Keira, but at least you have to hand Big Brown over to me."

Vex pondered for a moment before asking, "Are you sure about that? I heard you're afraid of dogs. I can leave Big Brown to Lt. Colonel Slane so Seira and Keira can still play with him."

In an instant a steel determination flashed on Lan Yan'er’s eyes. "For Seira and Keira I'm ready to do anything.” 

"In that case, you can take Big Brown.”

After Lan Yan'er nodded slightly, Vex then went to the window and looked at Seira and Keira. The two were playing Frisbee with Big Brown while laughing cheerfully. At the same time, Lan Yan'er somehow sensed the melancholy that gripped Vex's heart. She then approached him.

"XO, if you have time to play with Seira and Keira, please don't hesitate to come by."

Vex firmly replied, 'I'll definitely come back to play with them.'

*****