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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRzO7iZUPc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w3JB72EG3
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OYy616TJm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WCveSHuTc
"At least... I'm on my back now."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PPwNlStyN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayJpjC9MMK
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQoxsROBbv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7WvCua62y
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVtOiG3Tqv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3xDMNQEqv
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvI0HnkXC9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbbrEPB6EI
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT2WEXo3Ne
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJFbLfng7s
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxsLg0bkj6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeEN0hoN4f
I was immediately startled.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUTpDOvanV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA40lBDMRu
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcwkgmsDB5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sHyTRbOdg
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1JhRCzk8w
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgemxK5D6qu
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldGIzP00dP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHpqs0eg6f
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i1iy1LLZd
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsT8TIHwAt
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfOsSEaCMe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPs6piVkN2
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt0KWJcthj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBg3wiOEDu
"Do you feel any better?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fPy3NhDbl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzZR6OB6m3
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLNJXpyijk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUcFXJtYKf
"That's good, that's good..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jRu1RhDLY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsrwQLwAsD
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsxQ24YoJG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgD32htmTn
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw62boKE3FS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOok9jKx4tH
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZGSFbrm72
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuC5iJ9v52
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGCIrueoyR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y2ju5MVgq
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxolgmD8h8
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaMg4BIciR
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plun8ExgL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlvljs7hgM
"H-How'd you know?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJF5uv95hr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zcT503Sdp
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF7FA459Uo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa8JcXSCtw
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb3AViwBWj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNUYfrTdUN
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6MNMG4ZaF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTvVTxPudI
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?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rVnYEjjWb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2qnoRIvvc
Pars nodded.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSfoSTKSYz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7ayvVAVUK
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ThH3R4Tsj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb9gnM5zeu
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiYtOd46Mz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdKCgBPvtz
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UK4RFj2HT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJijQj428I
"Mutual what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTwJDUM74o
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQLoWg5KP8
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGBXorpLTq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u5SNFeoFh
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFZMSbDOu9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75QMCv3x0I
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavjre4EglJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXsrhhpuny
"Really now..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxBQlTM5fW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP4yKE5KgZ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFJ0phJit
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0bkznKZBy
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewVgG8tHDt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeag2l7SWi3
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pipfa08Li
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX4GFuuTO6
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY9Kb91UcN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEMvKJlJct
"Wow... it must've been bad."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA24RADxnCk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkck36MSA71
"You're almost as flippant as I am."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFFFZfHwJt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmdtR8hUZq
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqILN9ti7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD2D8O1Q4o
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT1yvE8aQP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrgZfjo2bT
"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..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozlKmLajzq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvmdR0rh5a
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPHE5ugdUA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5nBxOp1Hm
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDgYGQQNvA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBZHMvCKm5
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL6UDs7d1L
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY9A3RHIwL
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiHl7hGIA0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFRrd52svu
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiL8r7zbmZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xMu8l6cEv
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cpgofd2ff
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos0tXCavhu
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2yj9HUQKE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFINb7OmOJx
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsKjp5LB6O
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDRgneKJvE
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOZ786ezbq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6bDwtfkOM
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNEkm4ZWKv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYNPbIDOa2
"I know."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKE8GFWJSk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchGEzWZLFi
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcirnRHsL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCfxNtwosO
"Tell you what; I can't help you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWl84sGONA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjWefbRPjh
"...Are you serious?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnoq7CLiyx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPi1gONgXt
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzl1gXTA5z
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKx1n7Vl59
"What? What can?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQPwovYFdY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW6XF71Lsw
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LVlrhwfXj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEAUohPbOL
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwsTjmbnp2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfc2POWOt0
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF4BI3Yqm9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEWe8QcxQz
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDupbT3LJQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjI3lE8l4t
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2ngMSYwD7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAlBYZHWQI
"Give it a try."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwXFXlvTVu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI6AFRyX4w
He stood up and patted my shoulder.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMIqLusFkC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlXp2vKsVo
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbSvVpJo2B
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gM6Rraf3S
"H-Huh? Right now?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUS63ihZvI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKeGH79enZ
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6R2BBBG5A
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIfDmGiyd6
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c0mq78MW4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1x0yE6OQ9
–
–
–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESV9mOUsP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtGplAYN9D
"Are ya all packed up?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdrhWqgZ1B
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pEuDQKYJg
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh6tQQnLlV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVwSIiGHnO
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaWFvUWDom
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhZZYjJkG0
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYGVSBzhGK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWeYFDBYNg
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwabry3v40
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUWJKiDJEb
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziSbopDxv3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoveZ2nGr9s
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOueBvXy63P
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SLqwNtxXC
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sMIJRmrvW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk2RuCUKFY
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKhKZcJLbj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mWJpnqaHZ
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0JEg6DxUr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7WbSOapSj
"I suppose that makes sense."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcPHV2I0Ll
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK4WBGVxfo
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqEgOcBWSC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuz1ZJTQnT
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojKhYruhv6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L3eLdJL4I
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9ZWcZTmoV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyDXB6qU0x
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAPL1xVanA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3BZT0ucJy
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpPXhoSLWa
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZbBaYnKA4
"What do I think...?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOaOG9gWp2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwjBSbZH35
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3mEZddUnz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsSUFlX2l
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbgtadtlWA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXnep5fAM7
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPhHgSpEh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwqGXvlQtY
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv1oNQ3Um1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZYxscEGjP
"I'm asking ya, kid."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqwQriwEn5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1OcQIVOSR
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–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtJt3h7Jfp
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUQekSdfQ5
"It had to be an Endowment."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz8S8jrLNh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOnCnUppJG
"..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacxMk1XiQD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEOr6aEAo8
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l8rSOhaqI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51znIiPUkj
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2unMVBdC7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8907qjBC6J
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdpMShZUXT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgmdKUogGX
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuWLdHNPg1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSYr0wv3mP
"Why not?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60wwx63uts
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC0ojrWB7N
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXd6d1Dcra
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLMScEPri0
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30lTKuPI0I
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOafl96R2p0
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V9qYSDZMF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlzrcAKACj
"Surely, there's a better option."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1RbLGTFVu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OwsuC05cq
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOgJpORnJ2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCgapA9n2q
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLOl6ORNHH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWpNkLP1X1
"What if we spy from a distance?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5rjrApqJN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ86jHPwLmR
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiR1Vv1MVQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd1ZIpDNJ3
"...Point taken."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf28BTTD8A
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo8MgXjPXU
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIPvY72i1B
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW60rfX3V1
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBC0GIcCNF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqfl36o2cc
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OTb81SkSa
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu2gWUxfVu
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Htf87YnbU
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkBFWSyaKf
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbGvoppt6R
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhp1wDIws1
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3yfQ94mDf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpogPleLJQj
We nodded in unison.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3KXp2KVTs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsZt8MEZyB
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bJRKTGoHh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66jr62b6jw
–
–
–
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnBbXlmK8q
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniXjCLGuG5
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zmrhJ38tf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYJVnHln8p
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PVydfyUdw
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtHkLHH9o7
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQkwAxqUvt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIpuSOZhbl
"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?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOacRsIDiXm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ6am2XemM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKZQNpB9MJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9mgNS9ZAh
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUosIJ1dxCw
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC1TxBdaRI
"Well... I won't deny that."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaTJWlBAf5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iehALEzlg
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhgO0H2pVJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEoE7sl0Ut
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh6XydcXAX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdRwhNsGHg
"Again? What do you–?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2QmHYZeWq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOM37J771U
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAddUczULx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY7Kp0YdWH
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEpKoUVUxl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVeGDXFd2w
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8TEmnLxcX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ81Plp1DN
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt77XmtcQPG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwegjGbMnP
"I didn't ask ya that."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Y3eZIa8J
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsIzc3GrnF
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpSuoen73O
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatzTZ4wsn4
"That ain't surprising."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtqErNl9El
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyas4JdRoUv
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1sx0fy5Y0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikHSU2W2sA
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeAdTcrafI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTCUjeE6Vk
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBbkxIjzmr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX3sdYWiIP
"Yeah? Like what?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL1AFzYXIj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO9YSERmho
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uv1GBpQeI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eSxNhqbK9
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU4Ox6HTHM
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJFXy3wZh9
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3ojZvT3xc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwelQcDBxac
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl9vTbXE6H
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KNhCPwbsw
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXkGtn4ugT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNgjfFR0Gw
"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."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdwPD94CtC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2WZs9PAj0
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mvkxWvtsy
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwnxzgHqa3
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQJZ31q3cO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5HIcZlZmc
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–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6Qi2hlbZ3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiXxMWfyfH
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVEOEBZ6vs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzJDDMEQ43
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.