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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHXwFr2aVP
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"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYu1HRPvEY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyeyUVIeZn
"Right on."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qZLxbEaqn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIZ0RIBCNI
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlZsetHBFi
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"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsciCu46Nvp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmufcBG6CBd
"Huh? Oh, alright."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsmK7u362C
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvCLDHYFI8
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUbmyoI2ps
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY1FbeEk64
"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpfnhJSxrx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw3PnbHZfF
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HpJsXtW2C
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX6Q7ZeWJU
"Luck..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDRLHrmA4b
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSkn1DPXAQ
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzLl8Bh1jO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTFzYRv5SQ
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsChoo9gjd4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqUIQnWXR6
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncLyN3zma1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxcqxulcV4
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa95pz7NgHm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdOaJKy84V
"You people are strange..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC21QzV1hy7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYYsWYMZII
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kW4TpGHKd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MMSE0m4gN
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiCr220bHb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRHnoQaRZ
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGtVDeEbtV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkdocgTKDQ
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgS72y1gsr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B7YNE0NX9
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FUJJWFzdt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuk32kdhNl
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlOuuoQFgI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuKVadiOGq
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IlsO00Hw2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvkikwLGn0
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtrKrOXYa5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQm0JcH506
"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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG9DRH2T0K
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Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTv8Nob3HY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjnP8mzgbj
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdPOqNKGat
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Xvu4SzFe
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK4R5o40T2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDlQxOIjIp
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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSeFLSh8K6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD4uXSMfz9
"...Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagk0ytrriX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AYB3REjXa
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPfJDJMeed
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlRs0N6wl8
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtetCbFZ4Hj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ6XXOFnBx
"I can't deny that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEiRI3ZKz2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXt1y5Vasv
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpHdKJMkka
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnjOa5ByPG
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PpvKBDt0L
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe985mid2jz
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwehcNEDEZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEmmg9d8L
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGkRf22pbq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyXsixpCqv
"You're up."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmF2iKtAE8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvtevSSHuy
"Right on."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPifToNuB9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7rTVueM2Y
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCoulFTLuP
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"That's... that's incredible."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIxL8zL6z3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0gTWQcjMH
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjPx3O5OPN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP5TEAio00
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cv5JZNwoM
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"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDKxRMVgDE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDtCl8Vbob
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgBKTQNpsA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfPX6AzUDo
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsCDtgCk0w
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9COoFpItfZ
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFtzT4WIXm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv1M00tTm0
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghnsYoMsEq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6nYWOwy4f
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyN9erxZNa
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIaLbkwfEf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqLXAp4NCI
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqlm8QatZL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUD9L1jLkv
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXysc1baKF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLH5Ua0VN
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH1fIAvKj0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZkzG1XN2J
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YcZRxDHfK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iAFQUc86J
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM9fLsimcS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2S5I02Ldt
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrBEIp3qo9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJr2RNLUeQ
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXyfsNLJ5H
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA72qqyAPZE
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t2s14yLkK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqTYGWo7Zw
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemDDJAp4Dy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOR2N6uVzU
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgyoCPJyom
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vXY6ODBlQ
–
–
–
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHb9mBn8VI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y0YKa25d5
"What time is it now?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ANZ4orL52
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjwsBSdhd
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX9Ty1ZVyh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5erECCDDik
"Juke?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSpxeEISga
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He looked at me and perked up.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSNWfiECNF
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"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDPtJ9tD9U
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtgz4nIFKN
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRAxskpPw0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D6AgOytrY
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwu9NmPxbb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgm5l0C7ZF
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK12EnUz5Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwVhuhXUKy
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPyCMZuk3I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGRBdUYQZQ
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsw9bLEjxx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8IJVTCVp8
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDKvaGmgEL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM0KKB6K9i
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUcCduB6N
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoZLKpotWQ
"S-Sorry, sorry."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9y7ThaYrj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6RnyM7MqU
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrTPs0V5Eh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSukn9M4Sx
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBvKjpmlQG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zv7NexD8d
"Ah, shit, yer right."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4P2aP2lTe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4XUkYqTAS
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNRkK9YfSl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDEcXJBt5N
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNZ19p921e
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAmpXKuZyl
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2NXifCsKN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYlrD5ZTZW
"Did ya just laugh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnUu208n1i
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fu9Y0Khwn
"N-No, why do you ask?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboYmGLLReV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKJFSzbQL8
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXrKoFWJNp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGhVSNMwDi
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIzooZxRC3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJahAU9wWIN
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4FAhDYa2l
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5c0O7LCk3
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcOt2Aswy3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3qz6aPLwl
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKfWWaMvvZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnGQLCkAkH
He narrowed his eyes at me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBqiwbUgcJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdEM9bATTU
"I'll take yer word for it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16a71ravoS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszH4ucC1ss
There was a momentary pause. I191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ947k89EKDD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpZPGhgGQI
"So, what have ya been up to?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPnS8FqEZh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFZxTXcd2J
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7nS3hgpWT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWISozDc0W
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70cHqfGSrG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJ4zm6ww2
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuNSgA1B8j
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9MS1Lu6EY
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuCPL6aWh6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoxn941bh9
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9ZNj5G18i
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWr3bZsjbf
"The sleeping room?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKXVEB3sI6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKPL2zZkM1
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eUQHtzOv7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhRnXsQDvi
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5M0YL07Kb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WEcwDcRQv
He cocked his head.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zmZmxf11F
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj7FhbmIwG
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFzDv1sjDs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKVaKeJq2u
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZFduOtW7h
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nwzJmXHrh
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOCCD66RVV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSBFWbK8G
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL9UMCVUNR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGIh8zcqh7
"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..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsVQapK1b
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM42kMnGGef
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgndtmFtYW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSritCo1Iyj
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wMrCxQL9s
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIyS8stsDm
"Loose screws?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq0WjYhZcg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUgcmMUMtn
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdklDgJVo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZWRpDSVX1
He huffed from his nose and smirked.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijMaMsmqJt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOBAdYRQSu
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75w8DPIeoo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4NEPIxStA
"Boring tales..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡape3M0SNut
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeCVO0uepz
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfrClj9fH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa87QjLgP6j
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi018kFc7jv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb3raCEOMP
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpi2ZEnvoV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbKNuqhDkZ
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55xZI9dFc3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8rrnoE02p
"What, am I too young?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNkXgXiUs8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGUH8uxYXa
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU4Nj5QG27
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdGnyWeCSW
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwdrQfKNz1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYKa9GqUb9
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOcvxfttRT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCganDJecA
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWF7D47vq0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajSFhq6SVC
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYUuo8XQ82
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP8SeQUe8E
I straightened my posture.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifnhUPWU6Q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODIqdUjlgG
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHdTMF8tUO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T9rno1CbX
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV69BkrwAKR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHpi2fycnY
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YcXjFmuog
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H6spL56Mr
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SCfRDMfWM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyviO0YhBp
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTz9HSf8zv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCkOMe0xPG
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a6swHJvMv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9PiM1F33T
He gave me a blank stare.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPHs2Mezh0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22JOBxLys1
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKGIxQizZc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld75TJziYi
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycsNJ0bTum
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW5CCfOnz6
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsP5beJI5Q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR4E6tYnP9
"See? There ain't a difference."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjRfO0DXRw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7U55EZcRV
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXs3sKOeKL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h1FYLJ65v
"Yeah? And what are they?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tlP6HxLwa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqTtOtVAIJ
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIR8f6SBRl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ByusYDf9
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P3keW7UqY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTvuQtKADg
To that question, I simply shrugged.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawEM5fMmIw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaorqW6ZTHl
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaTTUHlViW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL1LQIkOWX
"What a load of semantical garbage."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU7qVrV3ew
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0KcMOIStu
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFpdIoEH1z
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJU7YjbbAz
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXiDV3qF7q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscGf0t2Qt8
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEKfsu5Ip9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xOuW4vYLR
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs04ZNQ1PZb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzi6UgfgJc
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P209mPF7t
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCOHbMQYsC
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YH498O5Bz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYApa2Y6e4p
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPPdcYmx5z
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96sRM73ClM
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5fnmDZqnd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GwBIGqIRu
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNsbtDhnqZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEklmSwzy2
"I'm starin' at one right now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCF4vqvZ59
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhU3JsUePL
"You know what I meant!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgT3DdlDzQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9q5a1WRLz
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cnNsV0RKz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhITTue6jxI
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gnev8KEM5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I7306KXyZ
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP09azJ0Fa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRlf4JBqjU
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxa4Nz4qMW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMIsmaMeat
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G6anLNRy4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOOfWPlIT4
"You're definitely being generous."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLCXgV7VAC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fodqwVmpM
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFmQ9JGaF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfBNn2lpHg
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w8jiXFjjL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItow3rvx40
He nodded his head.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAWnevAhdV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVODd1Eyev
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo9ZYyojpA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6mNj0Ljwf
"...Oh my goodness."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZlx4nVvX2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4ETNxekxn
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNiE0gItlI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tbCJ7oKqi
"What? It's just mud, kid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5rIfCYgDJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqijdWZqBme
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypJYVlzKFr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZzhbScztt
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmhCPA6F80
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYzgW80Gln
"Yes. I hate it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFZPmezA6d
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU6nO9lajc
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBBbLxXCLW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IVIOk95Kv
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCpnfCJmYt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoSnZsFxaZ
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ5j1Dm1XD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xda8h8etH
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE0pRkSIF4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlNs74NCWD
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGh9mP5myb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu3j3CJRXX
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVsprM2WXZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnAgK7vEXH
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRgU7EkoIE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q7uKiYPfx
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4YGmfN1zZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlu9R9rKpq
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJBgjS9VAM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydnBFpIKUV
"Nah."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsPtmGL4ch
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fufYv12zO
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZZPhHvVUj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3bzLJUViR
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOotV34VO5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd6we77TxM
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6lSmqiKsX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJGGvUBZr6
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa6iPRgERi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2bEv9SGno
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RKcdgzzAv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8XV23ksg7
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfju67vqBN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AGTLkqeZU
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jaCZrjthT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKrJvQyt3J
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAHOvR4aPf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SudfaDrSM
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP61VwnQHo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlgtbmpY6h
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej0RVq40qb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xtzM8TaHu
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6ZR2gGtqf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHUFfeWJSx
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk45Ht19o4Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwt1niBDMz
"So someone told you as well?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi44zX5MYVE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabVxXBkWpC
He nodded with a smirk on his face.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlFhvyE7Sy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQaRToSSK3
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JBAfFOJ7Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSos0s7o4O
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw3SzJp7YM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU36aYXECP
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHod2O6XRZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtznqTPvWvi
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zg26Ky14g
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQrzdRzvIv
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFQWkESwX5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p8ONntyvS
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLRorf9h8L
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6giUR28tn
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXsvkf4sGr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBUZHgFgtp
"Strong?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIrlZ1HmxN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnlTYrU9tI
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHT3DChaz1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGfrnFBFoZ
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ4AsUG6a1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL4WILMa7U
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?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9xkfFGs6S
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN8LrEVIne
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxw44UMTWR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPyneXfGVj
"Brat is certainly new..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJW4yYJ5SA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwrQfBXMcQ
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2SBEwfnqs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8oPVRZcVS
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm9WwEwcNp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcY5XmVSAY
"Think like what?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5vlVdhMwc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH6MUxfeeY
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbaDAUiLhS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDa0KQMnTp
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDH8VVosn3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwl8RDgflv
"J-Juke...?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfeMPYKPws
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9EbBKIWWD
"Do ya think I'm strong?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx0eb1r6oh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gj7CvubFc
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEoz1WYZbv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD09juvnWH
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C5KMnCbcs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTrGEJzTBn
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiG1WnAaVx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ClYL1fUUg
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKpaEalJdi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPlwU36CDk
"Yer a moron."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91uB68XHI0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bhPae51VW
"H-Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNOxH2Xsqt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBdRIZWw3d
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajIfLtBz2n
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcNeuxsFjE
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMdHFma5uc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R8ZksW3Fp
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87EhsyxKOE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVwGlvSmrX
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS5lQKjmjk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXPyDTSxGr
"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–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbiGme824f
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST9lHVq0Mc
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb5KLUV9e7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjhiQybMFc
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYMkOmPzkw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kK0842Xl
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8K1mdqiwk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAb1j0LPbf
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyYmZZ520T
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nUKF4kDKM
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR3NrakOUw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sDDVP9iO1
And so, I spoke.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO75dwRUm5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p1QTXgkrJ
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxKI7hmHWI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EtsNGxiJQ
"...Yer just like that bitch."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE92SJR0aM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm03iGj2PB4
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin38LB8wGo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU6Mc0y0r5
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZD7N1yUiF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskN45Pyn8p
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5O1KAJa7q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5jKj4ItUx
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQaMOPxWBv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iORqRg7Rx
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1OxZ2vOSj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u8wXfihNc
"You're missing the point!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBtq0aLTsE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlaSczDQq6
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcny3nMRMW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTlxh1h9l7
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6QAkDDbD2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQs8Ml7tgJ
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KpPpzruE2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqLDsBObrt
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QuUrW16zz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWsErEgbxR
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt5FAWttBy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ljdsbSehN
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmHmMHIC0B
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitujWKC4yW
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLHVxC0Scv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJCmKWxGI8
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7uiwoXWrz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbxtBmlWOh
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QmNU4hpIJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yvlNETqgh
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSNqJtAmFe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl1J6E2EXS
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8ThKgUehQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTiwW4HFQ6
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
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