As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7o5oUBxQw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszLjcW809c
"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNhOjfdKVE
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ThWK6oA2
"Right on."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkx3RJH6NX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXmSLEHwBX
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW11vpWd8W
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTFAJDogVO
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WdzsjAt8s
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7rJk8hccV
"Huh? Oh, alright."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PynhYh9QV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GL6dvIvGB
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RE94A5jX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLUNYmKyAn
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh4BuAHrdg
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4b6c7N84h
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNybW4kSk1u
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYcxAEFaP1
"Luck..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX54QkwMIc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjLnWOStLz
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IZT9LOSCb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G8JwjJdd7
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNgH8TUDA4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG14xqaDFzT
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwtyh9gO3e
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyInnoTgM0
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNJyZZgQFG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz19yMblmAS
"You people are strange..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAG01ibYbc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvx63kvpRL
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h7wX0WJ86
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT6XGWwqq3
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9s3AdEb0A
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ondEJnfgo
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz02ZMFtGi
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu1vl5LbWh
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46XgmzDSsH
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzTw0ylltI
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIbL9Snk3f
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq18YjlGBa
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3rnmbLoXo
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzUkgtnpUJ
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQRvRVQSlJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjJulAyk93
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDujmJocW9K
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisHIAcFoQA
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY1q2jvpYu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTXE4ClWd3
Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LL4Wn3JxR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvSiZfRn0U
"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jQN3i9t70
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0lmRP5QLg
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ30QZK43HF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eH1k54dus
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXp6rgI9DC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgGo0iI5bV
"...Huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDL2BpmQXY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UuGoL0HfN
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMnjGdpYIz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgg6u3BFUe
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQT1nrx0HJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep545WXG1D
"I can't deny that."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJqVhxVC4s
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqT3W61dkz
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ78t7ZiKgS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26FCaaW2PM
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk8kpKPdrs
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtf8Frz4Yg
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiZ0hdbSqR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU5iL3dKPH
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aKVUKcAow
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLycxZdd9z
"You're up."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqO0RkfhPS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAbUOeClL0
"Right on."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqNvCWGJ0n
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeR4bE0znM
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhNgzowdzj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI8tgFWr2t
"That's... that's incredible."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1yyaKPajs
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBK8aCZiVN
"Huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI9UFEcuu3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4s9HznNAS
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj1x6jblN2
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnf9agjXpX
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f2v3KKXHa
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoXOqIfRHc
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAuTu8raVv
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIVanej3P2
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JbHBJjnfI
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBxsto0z8r
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa0a4IAblC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTFKkiEvFw
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnue3xvi3u1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUdVGVDNVH
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhocvp2mlXw
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoDNspR5HW
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVyYpumGXQ
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wtKfCvw0g
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLivII4DH9
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1TfiSKui4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyHVfwO5M8
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6EZiMPInj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOYHFg4ot8
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhIkrVRGjk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkCDcExCfQ
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KZY5Df6g1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPe1oemRcs
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T0SK8yvJ8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOnIEThXwq
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngIbGbAst0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0OhNZbwhY
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFCbmAn7cB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlO7JLpbbA
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR48LGTqlTV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVb3JKs0oI
As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgMD2c6l82
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgknfRM3bX
–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnatYHiPGO
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWyJKLtCuD
"What time is it now?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCW40ct3ay
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jx04dmC5q
And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPT3l4prho
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRU7CyE826
"Juke?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUl9XUldmr
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjJEdVBnlM
He looked at me and perked up.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGjoUzfDy4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU4P63wXf0
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMyR2ocV2I
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOrsGjA4Fb
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvgHHiLz3D
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnN0LeaNIc
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjllvvjxc6b
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nsFKWr1HV
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6GwmXj53T
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObeyLkCWMK
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuABklsR3y
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdPPwMph0m
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXouPoNisCe
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eeNtMcpNT
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd33HM6zyP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohq5tGc7ve
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VHXtxSsCS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GIwP3Mmzb
"S-Sorry, sorry."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKYgxoySjT
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaClLdT1F5
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjMmcbtUui
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CQbZr6yfe
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ3nuEIueV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8D2QCQRsJ
"Ah, shit, yer right."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkvd7n9UCH
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDp8GSTtPF
Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSCqAUUpXT
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG35UfTZiI
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp59xsG6HfX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDtniqy1CI
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCyVxXqJvt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5foRgYgsN
"Did ya just laugh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRwZkb8QKV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgEIVmbEea
"N-No, why do you ask?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YemPNDoU9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1WJAbWlPP
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP52hRSKyI
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCt5OGiZE5
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8GVfPtZZz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnlaGWviXl
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RwG7JQOAs
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY57DbyxlFq
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbwFv7iEH9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPqT8CJs7H
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7VLE3AXN2
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvQ4UlcUnj
He narrowed his eyes at me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjlkv2gylf
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAxBhAPyiZ
"I'll take yer word for it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWmhlH7719
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz5NZBCfq7
There was a momentary pause. I408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIfeTuq9Pn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8p12zybN5
"So, what have ya been up to?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNBQunpsZs
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKivIYgrJO
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRCXzyEfNW
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BjcZjdunv
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10tPrK5Qkr
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jsp5dYLTS
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhenPVpanGq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCFDOLowig
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kzYp1MfOZ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBkhjMvIHh
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ886XrQ6Uqn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B7RPKUb4L
"The sleeping room?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIdEukafzP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYqN0PTemU
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNHibe6drB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5APrRMFoTg
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qafXjldBV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5CAuJogyo
He cocked his head.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8J9bq0wN0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgNLxl3iHD
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXhOiEjnn9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8NeKn6X6x
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxFBS4lNOx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse1yUGx1ww
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1jYmcvC1M
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bPny4q8AF
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm0WhG0kiE
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DR4ZocbOB
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHbFhCJ8AY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzOCtXL5Z
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfASCZ5Cha
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsMes5meW7
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqnfvTMlXq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EIuw2VZtD
"Loose screws?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDjwIEUmvR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ff5TdQ3XY
"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TUhkYPNOl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOt3ebgvPD
He huffed from his nose and smirked.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIxpRGhVlA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxClfTubGOT
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X0W7fJY1T
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM4myjGS52
"Boring tales..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQqoRsp1Q8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dRYekMeuL
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaT7oLwjG3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdsYgns5SZ
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S5pVkiz19
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBguJXiHwBZ
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lzf8lxM6f
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSccN8ZZhAK
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbHbRCDKzc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu4WC6UMg8
"What, am I too young?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAPRN0a5tq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmT6XK9OOt
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zKb0DvYxc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcVNtsIdk1
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpHruIIIJR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ET1qB4HcY
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7PAie8Hat
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlR0YhYusg
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoLVSZABZR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1fN7gobxp
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZBRNBgM8y
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU2Aov2B7n
I straightened my posture.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXRIFJo9wD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHLUFzvSS8
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NKQcOBllt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU5XJkKMDU
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18whshP6aR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpmabzYnCH
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsHpLsQ8gz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL1LYATFoT
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7fELumnqS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlLDlCPuLW
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPN3E7BcWV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JV9NNw06M
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTq8sOmjNG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNh8KhyREx
He gave me a blank stare.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVuU8Qh08x
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOLMvCHggA
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xGF3E51EF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWnt77rGQz
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZyXFaSTrW
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAj0R63LUD
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqoCINo9Dx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKQ1hmwf72
"See? There ain't a difference."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68vljWcZpa
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EVFVbipMJ
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5HRHjdSbQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r6BDRXRwJ
"Yeah? And what are they?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYDJJSjtto
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeOA9zC8nL
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeQx7x5hTT
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hnvSOOwUM
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJgjHuhQ0b
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOkpbkj0zI
To that question, I simply shrugged.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T7dU7nbkE
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQioPHhal2
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydzGCu4rpL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrHCuWV1JG
"What a load of semantical garbage."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ5gI5ujBC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8jnTeYl5M
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaunR8gxP5P
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrWo1DlUWe
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokv7ROnLo7
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnDsgobd53
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHieerPou5H
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmCMJdvcwU
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGGOAMlQH3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2VK5dTYdr
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fq6JA4Y9q
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN7sjfx7Br
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQiCQw1ZEl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvT9PdJofH
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6SPrOgQsA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznkfWTwDkX
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyPmiHz6nZ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyLrUsQAHj
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNEARaslSD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl4igWlY5B
"I'm starin' at one right now."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXCqlIWLMp
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtVopGPL9D
"You know what I meant!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S7lXhydZJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkb5OyIYen
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJPBT1SfWh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdZOZwRKhc
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vkKUycpRu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglkntkA9EI
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NVB7Vg65x
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGDW87Rmhd
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjTH3YwxUx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe2IPsGp5m
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfTwFxehz6
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz71mykHrB
"You're definitely being generous."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPDK3soFDE
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyPb67pX7h
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V4yM72S2V
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzr4ffMR81
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ003ONnId65
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOE0lCohcz
He nodded his head.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6FSE3RBbf
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvQIMeqiFG
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02G74tOpvf
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWSXb3gFMV
"...Oh my goodness."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UvOA7rKMm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl9E42ZYyi
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHlK4TGDa4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPTTaNEk8f
"What? It's just mud, kid."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjigxN4uM6p
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39A4BtQO6C
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjnRRFLMJ3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ3Hq8gOxq
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl5wFBTKvG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkXSwQhDa9
"Yes. I hate it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MbZYjadqi
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FX03RybxM
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGfTbRSwr1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawmWR0LoRK
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIJbXHqHAS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeekkruN9G4
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdEMlajSoJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLOjCJVAM8
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDH3wO3YoL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1yGdGcRLd
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV65SGQRyB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QW0UI1btI
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwvvmrkeTb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqzigzAvw
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFedB76nvTh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1RyUFRoH3
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB66db92UX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl6ZmHXBzt
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj6pemyl4k
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74XJtCOrNC
"Nah."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzkBVAL4QD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnunKJowOsx
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VkcBTngtx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0ojTDgo0s
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhtADPZJ1K
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjpMUETr6r
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGN0BQ3mno
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25lXX7rCrD
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfYcerf6Uw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFPctcwV0P
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19XQgKlWy6
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJeXlGLZ9i
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDRWOAAAD4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilnSndwOV8
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8KI0nvzeU
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7nIpoIWJl
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlSb6Fhdan
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxKa5AHDf0
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe3T3gZiyl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNWzzMRZPc
"Huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKKGeJRfj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Rm58y9EX
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoZjzRQzU4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvrFTOTeuK
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMAMQE83xF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTcaw5DjTu
"So someone told you as well?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi0z986Cyx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm3D22W8dD
He nodded with a smirk on his face.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtsJBDrIWX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyT0Crg8zH
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcnnhBonVw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5wDIBOaiA
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2NvJbicGO
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox1zMwbsK9
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab6ULbS2jh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblDs5Ds66A
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf4zIPW9td
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebE9hkxiEB
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSu2kJpYR5
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrLrF00S1K
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFwbh9oyif
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdZ6CCdbYR
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW0Iyu6gvY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInfXZCbwJZ
"Strong?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPgrsWOqvA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFuGicscTq
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgodxW4pTLJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzyi51NeHf
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi7fFkyqsA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlPF7cHlDe
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FEf7c90XL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15J8hFyRSm
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0t4dtIReZ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioM5BKCr6Q
"Brat is certainly new..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSTdAufCvF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxtCYkojs2
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxKscqmed4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715mHBLq64
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEZS9RA0TA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhsfyyMPtK
"Think like what?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DrWolByRg
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhuRbZooav
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4YAFcUwYJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8TvlQxFl5
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBK5X2ZmQk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlBTI5mSIY
"J-Juke...?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPCOmJSjSU
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbziV0frHui
"Do ya think I'm strong?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIx1M9g5Nm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQui75ZCrI
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD0ndB47Sj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NrbtSQEGI
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEZ43XvRkx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmpbBwHwf4
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyGrJmGQsP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFoz7mrwv
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfL6Zd1QGS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmAZFkOWAH
"Yer a moron."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlVXmofqnX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkVc1EK5s0
"H-Huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7zuuVdI1A
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjV6h1PjWg
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CmEfeEEiz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpzovRXUyh
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvYN7JZEtb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcDUSB3r90
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeQOFm5tVj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9WEMcFLX4
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlo5Ds8B6E
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ND5mBfVgz
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObg3CgujQb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE6E1SGkFP
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvTQ21dnem
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPF7XDCpAL
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUke6KrZHN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1v7Y4TVOW
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcTpMC9ONt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3l6xxsmL1
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0MhPNuJeK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilLBm2s2Ve
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zzYQ5RG11
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSdvnP9KDP
And so, I spoke.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxej1Nurwhd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQbQv1wmll
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4hg8cwOu5
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRr7fmYl1i
"...Yer just like that bitch."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D3CL1MLuK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6ZbYt9mIv
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9X05XG1WQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0s0Qo4DfU
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyZDGmo8nB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9iXHj4mDB
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oSV4074QR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAuzyP0df3
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZcDN9t0Xl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0aP3rR5f
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEE4b0YjxD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibxOJ1dyzx
"You're missing the point!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hs1kxMasx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDHzNFBkfo
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzRN53XXXR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12uKJtP98u
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUoJQobQlC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDwfhDOQ0v
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXWdjDN2Dq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFFz3Rr0da
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDmzxqmJpQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VJ9HMf2aD
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfIJb9cZRX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLIuh7tXQg
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FGh7e39zt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpapq0roNh
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlacdGu4ly3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oIQyqxbSn
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXHhi0lma8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOsFkqWju7
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy01ytOd0v
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UdOoPL0CF
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZnC9xGgxP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0NyJzXK0
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzskxDTkeXM
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs0tQmuX62
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
and then Add to home screen.