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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHrpaIdcEi
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9GRcyQcPY
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0NQfz6lnE
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGU7OrnCeX
"At least... I'm on my back now."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO2UpByoSU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8SCDgRlyM
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDfcuBMA5g
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE2JojFybD
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VszxXP5DT
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHUbaHlQIi
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYk18ewDEr
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bZkemudc0
"..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHgGvGh797
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS7IbCXmsI
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqkqJzzVWh
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVwTqqm2cL
I was immediately startled.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwChR72e4n
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDRUJDFdap
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUDAYI62Vo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7d4pzyv3S
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSmhx1bGIg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJZZsLy2h2
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlehQi2zQ6
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGeazAospo
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XfuNBn5A9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs6wt3WSRi
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeHpIO14bp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsF2NIKW00
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoOBWyP8no
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvuvnSwmiM
"Do you feel any better?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEoHaUg56A
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Voi3od61
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzqTWhydn9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SYGh66p78
"That's good, that's good..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRC4jzGNh1
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQlfZEGRVM
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nrni1A65t
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vo2TIRluu
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZdvX0OZwM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDpnYvuSJt
"..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8SATwVXgd
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2L3UsJQPQ
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD3e41oFso
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjw8fZBBgk
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eMY4SJLSn
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaml5lLkTL
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqoGJtaS86
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYro1p4goGC
"H-How'd you know?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT9mx1YgIm
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGx2GM948d
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMkm9h25s7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsiKzp4Abr
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkP0DeKKLy
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52yuLUtg1j
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0svfBSRoHk
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgpWkOubKc
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?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMoXw3gEnm
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ51glINE6
Pars nodded.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBENvw9xhx
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4POtmdb3b
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMa0piBKRf
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLZhsZvXf3
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AhI207Gh7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxkAZsvZ5f
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNyhuSonAr
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QVdEbIzXR
"Mutual what?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPBeHtx49T
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbujAFIDgnj
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusRKj21mCW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yu5DIxUwp
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8r19hbqIL
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJdUyXGkHg
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc03vSfOmWL
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPVMO8Mk8C
"Really now..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q5lYQRjwp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQSXNKzMPK
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg10kAAoH8O
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqo8XAr2Jx
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cgP1y4ip5
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKRATdoeZn
"..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jPBFfmeFz
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQTtC5ViJz
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sm2zH60sh
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HaNVXpVpy
"Wow... it must've been bad."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OxlVds7Z9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCCkWbzfXR
"You're almost as flippant as I am."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVxHcZgDMD
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy4qFKrqwo
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheAGhS8ru5
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW4XFnyRpR
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF14BaYFNij
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39VMEbv0S3
"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..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul8VwheHCr
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAAV5tGq3C
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53EtWXvFPl
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XxGPgPyJn
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQLogeGV7c
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR95fRwd9Mc
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvrlDZUBau
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFkuTJ8xkE
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOz6Z28Gmw
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHINyvEuNv
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc4rLJOL7p
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE6l3dv5ko
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyfjafiomf
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiEViID9mA
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDrURNeMAq
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HgW2DWdcp
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWlBtfF6g
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol8sDBi9PN
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhbDbfNCWv
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb9cpyibtR
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NbMgoSvGP
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PVJrpQMlL
"I know."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIjDHDSB17
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtqr5qXp8V
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIDjskyQGb
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos2FKSapp0
"Tell you what; I can't help you."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFHU2ygm9m
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1gJiveiju
"...Are you serious?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78tmnPQmBJ
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2MjwzVKkT
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntTjwCevcp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00GFNt4dxO
"What? What can?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBchgPC3WgP
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtn0qkvIk8
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc3T95R1lB
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCViPvbLESR
"..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIxGtolZnL
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW0b6HC4RK
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LxA8yYeVg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Uerie3yI
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmLrvltB8
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qTiV9PAcd
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwShGkp31tA
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYSqgM5QqA
"Give it a try."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wDoAdKY1S
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqhGTz0Jxn
He stood up and patted my shoulder.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH1rpeudgP
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPWN20nDrp
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGG7pJt0W9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbnIPSmujJ
"H-Huh? Right now?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw1W6KaFEy
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMvzVfrRe
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehgRevaXe4
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0QoqguS13
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrhkljuhIB
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Ndw7rxG7
–
–
–441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4UZ88OeO0
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNBth6uCWp
"Are ya all packed up?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrMZVKOOSq
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimEfETlwLK
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAvUn8m7V3
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaMXz1870z
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9gUUQU6u1
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjBrhXaPrV
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMr7PCvRKS
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4ba9Vwz8x
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvSKZ52RTp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDLSRneGxn
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LykgdR6Y8
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4PFkjdbQh
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoTgEW5mns
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUJxkM4pAy
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpepn0nruU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNiKfW0vXA
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzEufV2ZjR
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LFFT2mKnG
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PB71JhmEa
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmjsgpOKch
"I suppose that makes sense."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUI1RInnM1
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnCoizLFKZ
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGNaYgUahI
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUvgdk68ET
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy0gZ6Qw43
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN11bDIuHZt
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBotm9a9gw
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwZq1LgHwW
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj3oPkM1Md
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3aYHWsrIm
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LLVT8g30F
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzZa8RZXVU
"What do I think...?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmoiiUWhCG
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcu5e0rngR
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCwKVgjIVC
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSkLbhuzJi
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHCv8S77pa
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf1yqEVoel
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wUpAGQzI2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yKTgJzYuH
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDRTuRmYUl
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX3kBnwbgX
"I'm asking ya, kid."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaLYe0XGZF
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPwsQxp6mW
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–441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRJBfCfA8b
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQADX5mqtur
"It had to be an Endowment."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VCjsei14P
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEkauklgCN
"..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkgkF8qFhR
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UJmgURE4f
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJYx6S9wCA
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnBYkUVh3j
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta1Jpuqgzt
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkoedIcxy8
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYpFffoijn
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhhVnz3zA4
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B3KlLAfT2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0RVCEm6Km
"Why not?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xk5S8gmIp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv8IzTMra6
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM3ed4PfO6
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFYIYRDLzX
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡektVUw80tE
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV8zqHLZ93
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv24SygWq7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftHs5U5EGO
"Surely, there's a better option."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXojgItGd1W
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyYBY0ABst
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURKG64yA33
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwocopZXIYB
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPulRIp8QBX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntxw9TrGjq
"What if we spy from a distance?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe2XJhOzMW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uIbYBxj1z
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxK9VMBloU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YCf4lpIxW
"...Point taken."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92oBvur2rK
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYTSoAVibS
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobC3MgMa24
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto4NagMIg5
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxtAUvs1IB
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU5ju6VpV1
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydqT0hgOmf
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfFQlCm9uY
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tEllypASH
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqcUzm6R8W
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx2cCBqAJt
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGzZ1miajC
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86hmO0rc47
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSW1zkaLag
We nodded in unison.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWIyDouGlM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeVDZKP1dI
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbJ8FO4fmO
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy9RhR8FCL
–
–
–
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcpt2iihvr
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p47fdXf0f
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrVYKtlyyU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlnnS3wTY6
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMsfOpTFsM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85C5hjtw9X
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJxZKIKAGk
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJU8lvxcon
"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?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes0WZJiQx0
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqwOXjZC6F
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHXoD5g1s8
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphqafhqIU2
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfg4mmyQez
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9q8p8xKmF
"Well... I won't deny that."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ufWPpo47
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcntduCL2iH
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe9nmHGcC5
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdBwdp5Yg6
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cs8CUcsh8
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59KbtRBfV8
"Again? What do you–?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31QwasUngw
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaJf5UDWbj
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR8aWHJ7oE
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIKnLWyt45
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpC3JzpkW4
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfwk7WIhe3
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranneF85yn
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfsbij1O9O
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7jJr9Imqy
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbIkIbhsTM
"I didn't ask ya that."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7MQJyHisu
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSlwNpVKFG
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8iuRhIh3z
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9EP38dhFz
"That ain't surprising."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0p2UqzmFS
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNz92EQO2c
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zk24jZYTT
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYXcE1EMCF
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZwSdKYY0
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESf6OQEh72
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKtrBW7A7Z
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgTUZ7izaG
"Yeah? Like what?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnKrRS3t69
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUlmokOMf
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIJtbbgmZg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1boMHdcLP
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gdag7NQHT
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FJlR8dpwz
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83CotZdtXH
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBWkA8AepA
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6m9VHuusH
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7sXh4slHO
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zggrh7ZWu
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOJoSPCZTR
"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."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDdcv6UZV2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjCc46Ot8U
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdyR5JaRbF
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODJKt8T54B
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPZjAj9UeH
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDW9t3Mpvp
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–441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CEBQ0FSnN
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi8fkom97h
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoheLmSgQi
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsreovhjqXE
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.