A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdkokaYHmV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z3GJdHjtm
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbXxIuSAFi
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26WIkPfLMW
"At least... I'm on my back now."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOFFd0j07P
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBx16OlhiW
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gFNMyjLID
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MrJVhFL6Y
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMrbjsWXYI
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe97lF4A1Ac
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfJuzFV4qt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS1xtWJ2TV
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j9LK2oS5b
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZN5AcEHfI
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ2RHXYCDx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafEmuHBEG7
I was immediately startled.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE4TR7shXE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUvxRgWYkY
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS1lk1Oske
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGnWXfhvja
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l9JD2IZfb
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPe7Y6JUq1
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWC5YMv5vL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPro9Os680
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VQAME5n9x
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X4HCNP56x
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDGLxDM9lj
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGre6gUXQaF
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkJpiNqaMY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa35b0bNOS
"Do you feel any better?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLxrHBpcWu
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MTQXfgA6g
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJnYlamNpH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwBJYoM4rD
"That's good, that's good..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKd5lVxbrE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmgCqesdUY
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpaCYHMUO0
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqY2xg4UEe
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzTX2Osnz5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPFTl0A9Xs
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOWxrQwxiM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B3y9Ww08h
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ZeiYDFUa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC6ZfOYbh8
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvsUw8Vx23
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMmEIMfFI6
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9teaVfngHu
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlxd8MDFO5
"H-How'd you know?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKQBkucDtl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAGRieCIWn
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qjZSrbsfd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFkm7WWT7t
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O94yU1zx8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUwam7Kid4
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZpeSR7TjG
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0srzhH9h
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zHoQLCUFL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8nD1KqmCe
Pars nodded.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvZrjnLt10
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxKt5VBx3T
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQs1qkyukm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPofiLushE
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUAFPU5GZP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzDCen3AQn
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj0iDzABYT
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRtGVTPzZn
"Mutual what?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w9uZLeWtE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEibiOnz3L
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoJbVM2Mpk
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fdpZnBXJn
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWx6dzsCEw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnKi95w7dh
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUzMaPxdjf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARtq4ogGOM
"Really now..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTFB60FJOg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBGOdwBRlg
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoymBHXVlr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkmGkfwaSz
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAfpSNkjEa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAwZTDz9li
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEGgEYub7Q
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18KxHG9VjA
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCA23wa0t
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8AQbG6mtv
"Wow... it must've been bad."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7IcrNjZiI
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GR7VOD8jV
"You're almost as flippant as I am."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsVetJgDPc
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqefUOUhPB
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPlAYT028u
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowOCaPFvGF
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeahOMYWzTt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOXk7AEZOr
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYfESFMXQs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KPMTIEsE
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHoCbFcDO4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQslZVaTHkd
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6LChrKsSm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyezaDrysD
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUidq1hsWAS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU2muMt5OO
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dV4FkeC1f
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNDmJduhUx
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fNfwstpDO
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjs11FMvG9
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BVXtx5zK9
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF614sN0uz
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA6vdAx96m
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbJwRf03TH
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf21i2RgN1j
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARiJPVyk9j
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bxjAXgLpm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfq3QZl29O
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcmADcC8cB
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6SADOiiVt
"I know."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC02jEYrpd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmicN6YhZP
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ3oWsIeBd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMszDM0xwS
"Tell you what; I can't help you."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxFPnDHrVR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZjwoXMFJM
"...Are you serious?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3zx0ig6XY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhoK3Zily3
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WZm7MK5Th
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtLqkg9Xyc
"What? What can?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5gwnN50bA
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8CP5nAZkF
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1P9dOHYVN
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0otSqZWIhx
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESAZuWSTD2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuLnWBz38L
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKqNIH4kNn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNlRs69XAN
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QPhxkOua7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYcDUn81Go
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Lmqqfeu5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKaIaD68UN
"Give it a try."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHG1UW2Wp7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h81A2zqGw
He stood up and patted my shoulder.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8owA6jYoMs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonLJSjub85
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJspn5I9NIr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYOMUcUhRY
"H-Huh? Right now?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Q5qzxRjb
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWnhzZreLZ
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1TzgGRwnB
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDJxDB0jNy
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlg6xXLIGC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmWg7RkgKq
–
–
–393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuRezL1WiN
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutfGunO2IY
"Are ya all packed up?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzwQB1uVi
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR2p2prlM7
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANYOAUBRH4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvxNKUIiZi
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqKgGjqanQ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB6wn928bp
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimCW238G04
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5XS0rRf1t
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvxEUdtFhb
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdAYgIWhjw
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMAjbEegbf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6kcOQfwBv
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZacOU6FuC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGudzVRYWD
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HgwVYTDIr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRslQe5akzr
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse6FtsJ0nr
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ffnTN13iO
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf9D1G3vei
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8wOGtJuwd
"I suppose that makes sense."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFW0L7bZra
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzSREJOpeM
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQZazWxBkx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegltJxiri3
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIylDwB1BY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX3ezSAXb2
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzMyC4C3EJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1tEYMgnU3
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GUwXGEH43
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW6xFtLK1d
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ389ZtYgOhx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PvYNA8PA5
"What do I think...?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMBOvdLQ1W
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vvDdU47fv
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtDMekIcL6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA31JDcox9
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7qI9YzSQ4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlooOz5FcD
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqosTo0Ka
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5D53Leym5
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL3tKtQeIp
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6H3lHe6In
"I'm asking ya, kid."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObLd5qm9yD
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj0I7OusQE
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9WbCf0n2i
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky7aNE7LAM
"It had to be an Endowment."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL3cDfAZh3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefL3S8DnDh
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDbuYCIDL8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqIAqCL5BO
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXRDgeUUjm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqdCqzHFM3
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RC4YOlvyS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y5FKWJ7On
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjGp63GLJx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVegz3nSqU
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7NQ1iX1By
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1OG0MNlkZ
"Why not?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNdiQ2kVut
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYeDHAAPQn
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRIqvIUNeg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJYDJk9dSE
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Ph9R2oSP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX1rolkvrq
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJh6f2FrRS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7e8VHLLVG
"Surely, there's a better option."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvHCozz6w2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIZ2m5Mrm8
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj82fehG6g
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw99WsdkWWx
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0wMhoJ4U5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdp5p55YaO
"What if we spy from a distance?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1xIPbWLJg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VZiaSZqQa
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROG2jiuCwK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qFsgyZbIh
"...Point taken."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStfhUX8uLc
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuu5QF7LLL
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLnuFqfj05
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKDqUS2Wgm
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZPp3i5AFt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBNyKDSM4b
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUxUkLGK6F
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuegZ9sxXQC
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQx3LtHBID
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYeVDZhgiq
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkKxSJLvDM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m2SecdQr4
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ybWrYfKUi
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljeiq3RgA5
We nodded in unison.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuyCETJEb0
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvBpkxw0o1
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwq4d1oyVj
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxqP59kNJn
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJC3PGY7jR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnhAhAcHiD
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9t0poW6ls
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXVuaJxD2j
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEgJPVeasm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFTgoCtBG2
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYIpqskgv
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiFPYWTq34
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5L2NfGJrU
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCCU06c724
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRNDC8vkct
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf4ZoaOyNl
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr90tdiW2fZ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPjPgKRtZ1
"Well... I won't deny that."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qe5WRKx9V
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79eyiXbGk7
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTMVHfY3bC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwKray5JcT
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGeIRM5PZd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4GBcGn9tA
"Again? What do you–?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QpmW9q4oR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEupw7kGbnd
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9V3OHHqN1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDRimAgesJ
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZosZc3QF2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6803copTg7
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrDAVuEk05
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkhmWyExNR
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdY0t05xnn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWkWKP12dz
"I didn't ask ya that."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDRctwJkIH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd9tg5e8kt
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaV3NxcsEz
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLIUudn5vR
"That ain't surprising."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu7HWN5OOv
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTyeAGakIU
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa2Hw1fSid
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQcaYcoh21
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpSUyLUlxT
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxR0enZvvK
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hIJjI0rHF
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS5jbbK6M6
"Yeah? Like what?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyo3sUrkmf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWdp4AWuXV
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvSy7TPcVB
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItOCmtcRXc
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtV9IAfgkH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5677e7Uxy
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwbu2FEAPa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5w4SQQhqA
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9D60Pmg69
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i1zLrfTIF
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyrvi4Vqrq
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXjWWvug9g
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyxATjfT8h
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQk6cFd3BX
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RkQFIiGso
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq106dkki5U
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5qz21cQPa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5q0U8zKp7
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXqZ4lm8Rb
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu3iunXsQ7
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzwuLZ7P9T
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8evCZ6EGO
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.