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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt85JAONme
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E9fmebDd1
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"At least... I'm on my back now."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut8OzmcgpT
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXatqtjeJJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCdAI4a5h1
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRz0CS5iBd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHBmZOsV9h
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyITLCqXGm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPfkemtUWO
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp8jeE1OQX
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Aa9HwcnOR
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I was immediately startled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSU0qnvVMx
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"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX92QKSpHWF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPIFshStrj
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM5regmK0E
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyBl0DV8zc
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5lIeCBgOC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ApKlioHBh
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqMCL2oKPv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQRgGT032a
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mke81YZzg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUap2kN0nb
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXX6wny9J1
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"Do you feel any better?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxm2loQd7M
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXREyufOgr
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpYGwXWxtq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EKlmLrwFT
"That's good, that's good..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomYfq3GbSO
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He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9E1lfAyYs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0hu41pXpS
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVEB09OO3z
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmU1Fg0OWi
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64cF8vtUzA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa4z6LQFAp
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymhm9HtwXi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaakGW0MneI
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCRXGlFoGI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg3rL5s4sm
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox1TIofbJf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2CkeiBfrm
"H-How'd you know?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcX9ynOjOB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DErFLZGYs
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EOarlOBZE
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I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSZGtYgg2S
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREUx7dIqRP
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmWulFV86V
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXmAsA10cF
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?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxASKwl1fK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzzduzXVxB
Pars nodded.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUK4ypiXae
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2jwPSG4js
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KlbtlkeXt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5BfI7hV7g
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHzOOReLTc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NWsZuLQaf
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf29UBXJvp
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFc2b6LN2Y
"Mutual what?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2gBJu2Los
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH22SoMYay8
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAO3xCr8k0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYDGxonNJ8
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIiUJlpWsT
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOJpFGelDr
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk93AqwmFo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1qTZ22QSt
"Really now..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYIKYllijP
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I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKZOKEcXsJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg2BmfqJ3u
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhDcPM4v90
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"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuwforoevk
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm5PoOe1dW
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"Wow... it must've been bad."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkynP6sh3vP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DSsaIhLtg
"You're almost as flippant as I am."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQXEQEl6Wt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fehSRER1m
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgiJYOdezc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTMHhGkriT
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kPJ6ZQn2T
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqifr0944G
"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..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCYtOmFaqX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwC1YAQxHq
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SNnJDPLXV
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I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4E9Kn8ap9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6nOgOcxxK
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrcPVn0NI5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HuudYlYjo
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1s2PqKTz
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Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJQrARcnIo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Ta9FJcnF
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA5SRCuU7U
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrURocjO7YU
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cHpJLSv8u
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJXdUJpF9M
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwOPPchFpV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIOl36VKSd
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WCwpszMv7
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"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSBHXubKrA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5Bql7QHI
"I know."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd957lw2bI
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXFLwXZhQk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rWspRh5GR
"Tell you what; I can't help you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr9xmsjKmn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtfiNqhsm4
"...Are you serious?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAPoiEoZkq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk64IfHlgm
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetm9qmIGVZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOtasMGgna
"What? What can?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAjUaI1zNg
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"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YM3fTBXxD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosmbRVejuH
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYRSyv0fhj
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxZB8zTD4Y
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His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTOWVkOxBv
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvXTIdywv2
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"Give it a try."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIz3VoRT90
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HESlJBqZS
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"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9olnvXmg
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"H-Huh? Right now?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNoGEVQ9BT
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"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5H4SC8czB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWUErgxtbx
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajRlMuSgfG
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–
–
–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSBegiFhWP
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"Are ya all packed up?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44bb5Auppe
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPNUZkR0rN
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"You're the only one who's carrying anything"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsJIKXwg7z
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"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcyzepkQkc
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiYbHvHvDk
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM7Qwtp0ri
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"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwMf5fTLQl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrh4YmAQUe
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaeqNXuCC0
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He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt2K3QXm1X
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"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0kMjKjESu
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"I suppose that makes sense."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnjJGqixoU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBTN41QVKB
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfg87XzT0l
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"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkvMP0Sory
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwIX89lezf
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtZY7Y7ASs
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I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbCtKedOtA
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"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3PI6EVU8a
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySkzuojXj
"What do I think...?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejDeGVvwR
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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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwUEzODRRS
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"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqIZt8C1vj
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"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHFQV0yJ2S
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"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk3IDpCsRo
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"I'm asking ya, kid."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY2pkTIigJ
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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–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73GrWld0yJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBUV4P3chK
"It had to be an Endowment."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh15e7CK4iL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTouzaJt8B
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1BlLSa9Gt
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef4jxe1Ot2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcS2I1T19T
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8TSHinVLJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBitNpWHVg
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqMUfkD4zB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD6c7XHkir
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLB9cdWx3Y
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"Why not?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZIDjOH03u
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"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta5LIRQCbc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTZ1Is2pig
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSaqCit6gH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocucOYIz1p
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDHRBDmOy7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEutqrufmII
"Surely, there's a better option."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXRx3whvOG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpo5gS9QrH
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDMON3Coem
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXdNy2uzb6
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbrsuCrfQu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLu4Ka1wSz
"What if we spy from a distance?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGCe2dHnqL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cGEijsT31
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9zHLumQB6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXzjvjMSOy
"...Point taken."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGPbKXNvip
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VLgsJOSwZ
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRGov4NwJi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlJEaESCaX
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxlj9sK5Vg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SxXNwO8Ve
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezdZOM0DV0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1544V8FGL
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIoQKbuTW9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNmrL2VsSP
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ny6iMyN1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ6vktVedq
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3vPkQYVuK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR6xz8X80Q
We nodded in unison.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefkhBAUzwJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kbaFg1ecA
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIG7qtKyyA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3PFgIr0gq
–
–
–
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzhZSAJsAJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8sCvGg05m
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlOQReY4JN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiC2M3jNfF
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DN0A7Yisw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l9yBXcddI
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpVji7lW3b
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUV4GBLCea
"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?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQauvr7AAs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkDU44UuRr
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwwYBfDhd0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQDneEbx8l
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmmuMNGJko
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKCxooy4bA
"Well... I won't deny that."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68Ct6wUFxv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo8gddNHB2
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1f4dP2O7G
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIoSh5GXdP
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7FqsmkNfj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbhdDNWWrd
"Again? What do you–?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMURAjW2HmL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTljUrfaJV
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6GdURFPw9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA2OWFumG9
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILHWg8yWg3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe7X2OpW2j
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaAY3wIV6Q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjaTyVFoHf
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthwWdvdg3O
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpYFj1IQAW
"I didn't ask ya that."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBpEwlmsQv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLF6dAtYYe
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZNOytS6J0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoHxbLoPKS
"That ain't surprising."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5bY6xCF12
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XYhhfEy2X
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAcLjxVt1D
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWaggBfIGN
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtszdzLn5dk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsLXTFb2kk
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsYy9Vx9OG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3mAEbK5BE
"Yeah? Like what?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sxgR6OgQJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CZqztrUaC
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDXS7O2NFG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1nQ5Tfgkm
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVygIM6Y4j
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK80IH41g3M
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX3j5Vrnh9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofb0VqvqU4
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplGed7cRqC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdvc3sIO0j
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MhCdFbwzW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQEduhjsB1
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ59EM52Hh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBick42Cin2
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9nYeu4tIZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes05YvGYqj
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1wadCbRMK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrqBO3Bcxa
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–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DqnfhJNsk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ1DpMwRTY
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcvK3Ha4UT
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47nWrjWCEN
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.