
Julian
B.C.R.L. Team Ratel's vice-captain, responsible for part of the command and negotiation duties. Has a very calm demeanor, assumes the role of pouring cold water on others during negotiations and combat. Appears to be the most reliable person in Team Ratel, at least on the surface. During missions, she's the first to assess the overall situation, making her a good deputy to Captain Shizuru, and tempers the two crew members' enthusiasm and affection. Skilful, fast runner, and probably a hard hitter, but seems to prefer guns.
Julian's childhood was spent in a slum near Freeport Ⅶ. She lost her mother at a young age, but thankfully, her father didn't give up on taking care and educating her, nor did he sell her for money. Just this alone makes her childhood years much better than the people around her.
Still, Julian almost never brings up about her past life. The things she has occasionally talked about are her father's love for cigarettes, how the slums aren't good places, and the need to protect your head if you're unable to retaliate in a fight... It's truly hard to imagine these somewhat appalling childhood memories were the experiences of the current Julian.
After growing up, she was sent by her father to B.C.R.L.'s training camp, where she began training and learning extra hard. It was a whole new world there with easily accessible things that didn't even exist in the slums, like brand new teaching materials, unfamiliar instruments, and young, dynamic people of the same age. These were things the old Julian never even dreamed of.
Fortunately, in the end, her hard work paid off, and she became Team Ratel's vice-captain, even getting paid a decent salary. Julian's wish is to make as much money as possible so as to move her father, who's still living in the slums, to a better place.
Julian mostly appears composed at work and is very mindful of team spirit. She may only be a vice-captain in position, but she shares a lot of Shizuru's captain responsibilities without complaints, and even though she loathes socializing as well, she mastered the art of making small talk since Shizuru genuinely isn't able to do so.
Julian sometimes bears the responsibility of shooting Dorothy's thrown explosives in the air, as her forte lies in archery, and she will also shoot to hold up enemies alongside Karen. This has sparked off some talk about her being a 'doormat' who lets people walk all over her. She never refutes it when she hears it, only saying blandly in response, "I guess that could be it."
However, someone in B.C.R.L. has discreetly shared that anyone who has seen Julian mad will never dream about upsetting her again. The muscle lines on her arms seem to subtly back this up, too.
"Julian is actually a terrific fighter! I heard through the grapevine that during training camp, someone tried to... and then she smacked that person down with a BAM!" shared a certain blonde demolitionist, who declined to be named, to the Conductor.
Verily, Julian's physical fitness and fighting skills are relatively impressive, but she refuses to put down her gun no matter in what circumstances these days.
This all could be traced back to when she was still tumbling in the mud of the slums. She happened to meet her neighbor, a mysterious middle-aged man, who had appeared out of nowhere and, for some reason, suddenly assisted her as she was getting beaten black and blue. The condition he proposed was, "If you trade me something, I'll teach you how to fight."
Hence, using the cigarettes she secretly stole from her father, Julian did the trade with the mysterious neighbor and began learning a one-of-a-kind fighting technique from him. As she eventually mastered it, the neighbor vanished as abruptly as he first appeared.
Only when she applied this fighting technique in real life against someone did she realize how its power far surpassed her comprehension of it, to the extent that she nearly terminated that person's future in advance. From then on, Julian laid down strict rules for herself and vowed not to use the technique unless in emergency situations.
If you have the opportunity to get your hands on the registration form Julian submitted when she joined B.C.R.L.'s training camp, you'll discover something interesting: The name written beside the photo of the steely-looking girl isn't her current cool-sounding 'Julian' but a run-of-the-mill girl name "Xiya." It has never appeared in any official name lists again ever since she officially joined B.C.R.L. and changed her name.
To Julian, Xiya isn't a name she dislikes; her father and people who knew her as a child still address her by it to this day. But the experiences she had as Julian are irreplaceable, although this was initially only a name meant to signify her new life and identity and a part of self-preservation, just like her impassive, overbearing attitude. The intense training she underwent in the training camp and the emotion-laden way her pals called out this name... These are what gave the name meaning and played a part in creating the present Julian.
Nevertheless, even someone who's constantly strong like her has times when she needs to take a trip down memory lane. Julian will entrust the name "Xiya" to her trusted companions and have faith that they will protect it the way they do a treasure.
Julian. Good at attacking, not defending. Leave the attack to me.
Finally time to change shifts? I've been waiting for a long time.
I come from a humble background, so don't expect me to be polite. If you must have expectations, look forward to me dominating the battlefield.
If someone starts a fight, I'll rise to the challenge even if I know I'll lose. In the slums, those who flee with their tails between their legs are worse than dogs.
I like eating alone. Sorry, unless it's an order, I'm not obliged to agree.
...What? I'm enjoying chocolate. Talk later.
When I was in the slums, I rarely got to eat sweets, so even if it's just a piece of chocolate, I'll slowly savor it.
Didn't I tell you I prefer to eat alone... Alright, alright, I give up. I give up. Stop giving me that pitiful look.
All gone? ...Naturally. Such delicious food, of course I wouldn't leave a single grain of rice or a crumb of bread.
I don't smoke. Not because it's harmful to health, but simply because I dislike the taste of tobacco. That smell reminds me of my home filled with smoke and dust.
Although I battle with others all the time, I would never betray my comrades. Even in the slums, betraying comrades is scorned upon.
Shizuru is a talkative person, but she's a qualified commander. With sharp judgment, she doesn't yet put on airs.
...Hey, alright, alright. here, Conductor. I'll share half the cake with you. This is special treatment. I don't usually share it with anyone!
...What? Can't I stay by your side? ... I-Is that so? Heh, as long as you're happy... that's all that matters.
I've got this. I'll wipe them all out!
Wanna fight? This isn't going to end well for you!
Don't you dare run!
I'll cover you guys!
You have a ways to go before beating me!
Tsk... Dammit!
I lost?! ...No way!
They're just a bunch of minions... What's the big deal about defeating them?