“Hey,” Nova said, reaching an awkward hand out for Scarlett to shake. “I’m Nova. Artino.”

Scarlett blushed and took Nova’s hand.

“I’m Scarlett Dragna.” Scarlett eyed Nova’s weapon belt. After a short silence, she added: “I like your belt. It looks cool.”

“Thanks, Nova replied. “It’s pretty useful, too.”

“What do you use it for?” Scarlett asked.

“Scaling buildings, breaking into facilities…the works,” she responded, as if those were typical happenings to an everyday person.

“…Right. Where did you get it?” Scarlett eyed it with a certain intrigue that tickled Nova. No one in the Renegades was ever that interested in her weaponry.

“Um, my boyfriend,” she answered, straightening her shoulders. She was quite proud of the statement.

“Oh? Do tell,” Scarlett was even more intrigued now. She realized, saying that, she reminded herself a little of her sister.

“Well, his name is Adrian Everheart—” “Sounds righteous,” Scarlett interjected. Not in a jeering way, but rather as an observation.

“He is.” Nova smiled to herself.

“Sorry, I interrupted. Continue,” Scarlett urged.

“He has curly hair, brown skin, and these adorable glasses,” Nova caught herself getting carried away, so she stopped herself. Clearing her throat, she asked: “What about you?”

“His name is Julian Santos. He has wavy dark hair, similar brown skin, uncountable muscles, and this scar across his face…” Her voice faded, along with her smile. Nova was quick to notice the change in her expression.

“Did…something happen?” she inquired carefully.

“My father held him hostage, and tortured him to punish me,” Scarlett said, her voice scarce. She felt a quiet blue mist over her heart when she described the event.

“No way! Nearly the same thing happened to my boyfriend,” Nova remarked in disbelief. Scarlett was almost taken aback by Nova’s enthusiasm, but to her own surprise, felt the same way.

“What happened to Adrian?”

“My uncle held him hostage at gunpoint to use as leverage to win a war.”

“Oh, that’s sounds difficult.”

Another moment of silence followed.

“Well, it was so cool meeting you,” Nova started.

“You too. I hope we can talk again another time,” Scarlett added.

“I’ve got to get back to my Renegade duties. See you,” Nova lifted her hand up in a wave-like gesture.

“Goodbye,” Scarlett waved back. Nova saluted her, turned around, and left. Scarlett admired her as she walked away, then turned on her own heel, and paced towards the opposite direction.