Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q9P5ePnJz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZmbE8fTdJ
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6323uOZl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJwadxaTgH
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdlpGu4RnW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvRPkjvDmn
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabv4VTTE3O
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1x4srpUXP
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5ACaIWlFx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS0ZsYyU3Q
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylTp1PmLoS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxOZz5lTu0
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABbe4z5FRG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey4AtDM0mw
“Well?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J1cmczdG8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkBrHW8fgM
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR33h0U5Gn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXDzXktfWT
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1F1yFSkk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrov5rn0it
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtQY8VZgS6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtjcRJQNyO
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEoXv8bB5y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1svBBKnVMN
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHNYIAdtXR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkTBsLLjlX
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK6sisrhdz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNwc3fybMx
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbi29eifUk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuotdRhrGV
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtIyraQrtA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi54KyHOkFm
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrIWIOOKff
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUPGi7JH0T
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIcsPnUA6Z
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxFNGobifH
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2LHGkCJQm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhHFhAMwbd
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHeVpxLLo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSSb6qjECP
“...Yeah.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjNmdRReir
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIk0D5nwkz
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF11IODvrRI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9BOpZ3j8E
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37wnEwCPjN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHprwFq2pgH
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmtSr3QLJu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqRKJ5z9Cg
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLTx664eyk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDye81NMWZi
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV7xx4BHgs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiIThxNkOJ
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWFHGPM6K
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UObxsmpG2
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE2BSPwhq1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJR8wiJHuG
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymivCAanJT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXsPj5JkxI
“...?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUjLFcwpfH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKqmo1Hddy
At that, I had to tilt my head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy7ZHR2UjT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF1wM7VIJo
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZJiFxwzcT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dVcEsIskD
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfs2nDGh4M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipurumpQy5
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdkwP7b3yG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkWAdeGY2h
“Dennis still ain’t here.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGKQ8kRHkX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYiiHECFHj
“...”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7UK8L1Zjs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFkHZblVYT
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyxqrD3Ppe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG9rjVmPqR
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQdpbpGXM4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbBuOxEU6D
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1AcK04jT6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnI7nCFp2X
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj143CuQa1V
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8RfKa4Y0o
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BuD6yLeLB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m2JgZH9eD
“--!? W-What!?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksH28IyXpZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7jhEZVFUt
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn35So9WMrL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cD5AsG6Uw
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgAJaCZqNy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17A6neEe0m
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21OoFokasO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNhiG3WBLi
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS3vrTXS9j
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZZXMTUth3
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFiC7r8wRO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhowj25i40
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJNF3CkQtn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEQRGe5HLG
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfdPdbeOMY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmcRuOqaZr
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqMrvd2WjA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvYgmypVOn
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOrlCliti7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUKfEWU2Gj
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2sloEMmQK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFr5sr9Xzl
“...”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJhuEQAS48
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOM5X85IL
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82k1FQJ0ty
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tel23xx8y
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdVvs1vnwN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1XFDcB3yi
“I-I see…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVogSZCFq7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgVswTxYEa
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSotJn5iyK1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOrxkqDfnX
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNxJTITFRH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Nffeo5TW
“You don’t, ‘get?’”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnOfhDhyX8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHbVEw4Wsb
“Y’know, when–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsif0P09QSV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ZlOZPzE1
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2E6SeznA7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUBWTfmO3i
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq437kJbhEN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwMIgzre4k
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JWX5Benz0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4UBzUo87Y
**SLAM**189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRW6fcyHyL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRiQF1gXiL
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaeJHVF338
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP1xUdOS1S
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeAxfQwbuk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqklUhSyrN
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWlZJMJ7na
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2mQzuKzE
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR26IIB9zm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEJISWAbo7
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyV0jUtjvX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlasulMsmOh
“M-Mister Dean.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcV4iTLMSB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLcO2z01cp
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MDyapfEtd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhrCOrTMul
“Yes, child?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnww3cWCKDN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFLXVVtBml
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMMDEaKnBT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMe7PO7z6q
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvtT94AV6B
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3mszEnsXU
“R-Right.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qpYGlQdOz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvDnmNmJuX
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn95RPKKljt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmktWx5SD3E
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJghIElqJwl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F0GNQR1q1
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK3NZyB1p1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5UHoexHyh
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX9t77qmPW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MBB4FyTNR
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3oZKdwuCJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxwikPsfKR
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwdtAVZv9D
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJPtRc6FNF
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCknuEHV2R
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPweZt7eZj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLjmDuTUr3
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHChfOiR1b
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT0Lcm4UOX
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMqJRO1sGf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8ACxLlwmQ
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEESMbZGkC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T7jJo7mAc
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0549LUNNIw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde7gkvJa7I
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdtViw0NAW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPweRxcaUVR
“Haven’t you explained that already?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBRoGqJ5Qm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosqxQGPR8G
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXsHn3F6bn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOw7pQJVK9
“What’s that?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ632TS6qArg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLtnpqdX44
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrx4JgPvcy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfIxjmaCSj
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk1QyXgkOq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTxQs2GglH
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIPP0MCJf4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p1Al1kQuD
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsUuucL9n0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthFQfYSiiu
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqKmRcsd9u
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuPIBFyDXS
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoHfPAXpJe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUaYGCAdQp
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFZa75zG00
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T6HQLl9fj
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxGeP1Qd8o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfiy9gPh21
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IlLBPC0yD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqA7xMQykq
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbTrL3g5rQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZirKbxHwca
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomY6dGIcBG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTNpim1FCg
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR56HRn6zN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGLCrGrA6Q
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwiVAktR2L
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNUc4Yz4gr
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZwI868KRs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SQ4rCnqUv
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1QTJlVBTi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX490qer1QO
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFcQ6F2cMw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qLs14IJEf
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DYxG5CDvE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS96Psvsmps
“I think it likes you, child.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm56AHLr7G
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutbT3HgE6B
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3TV2CNEGl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCRD3UJcRD
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxhxc0oLTZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj82Q7zBa3
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUgt81hr5x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCa5UVKUDJ
“Hah?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFjo4jTRQT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxEEpjm9jw
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtvaylmgYL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDE7ccWzwc
“I… smell like flowers?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXogyWR0cz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJcSOFi6Hz
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloM86sqVyW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Hr17Uv5R
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXyBU4Z9hv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFKfCOsOYm
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLFOAkp8c8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq8qxlAvq4
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2L3NX0Wt9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJrxLu95xi
“Really? I didn’t know that…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjHNcooXr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXZPoOLIy3
“Ahem, moving on–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4cjhFtRBd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2NlSKLrdl
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd4XXix7Ix
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqgPktsyI7
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ry1B1YebK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3OBBw3Rfa
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nIWjNuKOa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdQm6m8yoY
“May I know why I’m being told this?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgvy5rXovo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdwNjHqif3
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZtJwi71Ps
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dRaHF37uW
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyDkdZGYRP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqGqQRsmyM
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBtDbHaaUn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvyMSpmAGy
“My help, you say…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG3aTycCm6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEHFqVuUw6
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKsz0xApUO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyOm5jMWWz
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZU0yBTR68
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfYe4KFhzV
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhmAhyDeWD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckH5KDxawx
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHPaPwhv4M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNutmUSdAO
“...Energizing potions?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nbj5O8XT3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG0phBtcVV
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNQchRZInW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzIGBDdAPq
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpj7cSjIZY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7HbeRNxaQ
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav8uqg8Cqi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgLRgQ385F
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDqAQkqZZR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2P8hp8Ev
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a5h2uNudI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYo4GfHsqP
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE1oGikSj9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvfGkigt2e
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLycCJGxGYJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIabayUrQiu
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12XcIChNXR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk887VajBN5
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsBjw8x1c7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSveMZRtaHh
“Is something wrong?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBRp3swNHH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgFMPscRrc
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAY0C8pdhM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JAEoBUuoP
“Well, kid–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcocB9HQXX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95nn5P9ds5
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ok6YCDswG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDaAaboH1P
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK3jUA9JOy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlNFXHGOJt
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIXEdi9VXC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR82asrjxR
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueWV5hXpia
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nBphN5te2
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YiWdiKcYq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUlY4pPUGy
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmjaYbnQ2m
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSdb8ZQor2
“...Comfortable.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0MwYj4EzS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3sSIitWxl
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQBjfMd7Na
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmNZmpjkGx
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvBjFw220x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl87oiqFAEb
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iudigXEQI
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIPT7jINGq
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqZE2aiIPq
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdCsN6sBHk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIIR0Kx5Dj
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vvuQ8bwtm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMnm2ab7NA
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIi6Npc0s8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg7l0MSc1X
“...A little bit here.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbmKNBELil
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTNIEdlJ9P
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg7RxSXqgp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvw2gXpLIK
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW04Pi4GtC8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9FxszUZOk
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xTwP6PCi5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxiBGOthcb
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VkFnt2vC6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu8XiniD5R
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VNvdIEyXa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo20aloAoti
“No time to waste, though.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKlGIYY4L9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1XMEbKibh
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh2DHgt8LT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d53w7s616
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PddFXkp8m
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87m5iRQbH8
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoKCRwqogw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BRLLveAtE
“...Crap.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5jPTiFasZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfqQvnrxlx
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdev8xNgcyA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrZZ7yd9bh
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAFvuRRn0q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwwBWbTS1f
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgD9RQfD5k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzH6FU0i0l
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCf27JYbK0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rtI2Sn6wi
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQTEXuECXT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71KsQOfN6F
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlV2bxIJRL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqluiKgcFou
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh3UwstILZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADIxGVwrFM
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAduL6xOlWC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpKvcX9kNK
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgydQoRllRF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6BJdt2Te4
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHRNVIQiAR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuvz9eB0Cw
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotppJAY0HV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ6fDy7ayV
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSOm0fl93q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVhbZdLE4u
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePGZENKZxG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHa0LxyFn8
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wrfZ1LRNe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJPwJsNZ3Q
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVVFPp6s7b
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUv9C0nC5y
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpTz8tKvZW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMMDMTgbm9
“N-Nigel!?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZZBWuGRA1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev6U32VWXj
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1gN2iKNu8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPOd3qr5F4
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrlg498Msl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdhQXBWYAu
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjgaPLQ4fO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXtdb7Mp5F
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxQzAHNJen
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj9fiUMz9K
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58NroyAVz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmjyftec28
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE23RUydEeN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllXAyTFraa
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpgbzLcczX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt1gjf125O
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEQRN3nBnb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUxPUGe8Sc
“Is this… a clamper?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOr55yAAVI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJoUZPkjyR
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZopuBNqo5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BqfLGMkyz
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzD47mGFSZ
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ55xfQBQ3b
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHtiaQ5TGY
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx4fcaJrd7
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo466EJen8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv06HxcKRId
“That I asked you?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg6UaJ2eI8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl706wkOyHr
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mNZq7Zi86
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwzPQZ1z4U
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORs7dLAf79
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9qr1QoMF6
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlpI3rK7JR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29wagymipz
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH7fpJeeVC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cWPMZU4xZ
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWSMJdpNXe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLXaQFq5Ir
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MFLUq09Ir
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdWdWMiVLf
“How did you–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5jiHaWgeg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHppysIwzHm
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2DKLpep7Q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj45twgcRWV
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nZQM1zGP3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj9TVGUuE4
He continued cutting as he spoke.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIne0rZOnN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtQBJoQiRB
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeIjagO3aA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XT2VPTcYr
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiuX8dUTx3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMn0fEXtlC
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnJXWsxfw1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6cOWT5gOj
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqfb03yfv9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeah5F0lzz
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMfHS32RyS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPPmIQFbsS
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7vmTRSmaB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXCvr2KQPg
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30BUmsC4QG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8URkVS2sRK
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuikchJrYL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJHGRa56sY
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkjtYhCV2H
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6dC1rhKcX
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93CAkisBgk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKk7oX7JAi
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YHeMC75cV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghQIvuymn1
“I… darn it, you got me there.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4HsBhRYFr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbIgJ7vCc9
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp56gkcawhI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0rfXMq7ye
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFA2Usnk2v
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESsbrmsmv
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic9ZWo3p3S
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrIGtXl9sZ
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFvv80rEOe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbesO3WqpcW
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCEzt7HWFr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOO2szWefW
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fXiBUCXNR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOu5GhkdNX
I looked at him with pursed lips.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucVbN1mclY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0sSW2wkJm
“Why not?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4aIUwjvh7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKAGmfplAU
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mG1qCwCZ9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh5OhikOTv
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzCitrfhSY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9X5Bqn4B
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCtzaSArJ3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOSvcuepCu
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcIwiZGBc3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADWStsv9bI
“--!”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPlmAOzJQk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrISCLUHU3D
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU6OhjbfXh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8pKWBoJth
“Did anything else happen?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1FHrPUegk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiCClhTlqA
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE46TLztGMW
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BrBQ7q3LH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuegmbgeXC
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4hwoxrSqX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl0NnF58tA
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqqJfkQNhz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z1HXjbwbV
“Uh…”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQYitJiuZp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9DO7MDHS0
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7SBYBeRxq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf18pOWtmst
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARx7ecGQ9o
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMvn5ONkmW
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh679g7lGY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNYFuSEY8D
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGLAbq1g7X
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzhdU4UNTN
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0XhFBHATL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvCW26j0LF
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHCie7zBfK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIbJ87mFeN
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV23XizDoI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Up7L2E50
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hgRc8njgi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtpDDAxLhG
“...O-Oh.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9D4hMVao0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUoIqd5Odz
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi7ptnsm88
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAZ8q1ePcQ
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwznIcVGocR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZm6zb6Tn
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa81sWdrHnk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFx4DnxSZ7
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulNo7mW7B
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOdPXxAFSz
“Make sense? How?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRflJilZdTU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYWO9x9vll
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3RFN4ygZn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY0kFfPWjA
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5hFYD6YNU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuP8CC3vFf
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk8h3Jzgbb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUKaHXUmZa
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe542vEtX8U
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADwiEOKJT7
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxsIlVkTS1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u4LeK18tA
“So she still fought alone, eh?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uI95LFmZE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOchyFYRgYl
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1873PUeptp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNg9Rp7z4x
“Relieved? How come?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQTNbJvX88
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2e8edh3HH
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXQMpjrCFe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFHTXYwqr2
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnDILQflIE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxYIgXLOdU
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4wfYtAhWh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORN53oUKqh
“You’re probably good friends with her.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3PoG2Ds3j
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47umKPpvFe
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7shpjsOaZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8whGdH5C8I
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlTDoYrkXA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLweELGUxn7
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oLRYcKN6k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyL1AsZmPK
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyUSIGxzrP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Teejm7uAB
“H-Hurt? What happened?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLMXxowH7m
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVfB0yYhVm
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZUkqsd3ih
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9fQCscNXt
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvyDqMue1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIz44Kbe14
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGJ1TP9fR1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHozDlxQsg
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjnnreG7I7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4212kVKJTL
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gy0r8nnMC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9smKAI9txd
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU7sWuio2h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDjmKA5JUu
He shrugged.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2EvoPVjzf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKECsGlGOM
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDpnu6Gpx9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ZHg4eZLO
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYweXHTuwV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zXJhira76
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusnlf3aFJb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebZDERe0kc
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J0X61gY6F
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0eNFppQen
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjsVG1z4s9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfn2HNpH4w
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk97sc6YLX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUzWDzdPLV
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPV4XXcxt9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagzmt0nwPO
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqxKtsYLoc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm6UDOGGFw
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc22IYweTW
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CfIl22LPj
–
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbRvMe5SeW
“...Role model.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mareWjHe1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfdrS2pbtH
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpTQG9GmNT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlDjiGbyqo
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSQEc1M7oC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI182ltuBR
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb4qs6Tk8L
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasi8rszCwl
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSd7YFzMSa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkAcl9wdXi
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdeu4sy8BQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNe3LKXbaa
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u6VDHjCRj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKaY66t2Eu
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaTXrt7Udz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnLqvEXpYa
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipNRHgSl2u
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIoqxxnpCc
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
然後按「加至主畫面」