The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLaGjuwOqq
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SY0NhFtec
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HnYKvZM2t
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHoVTsNIrj
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCDK9PLs0G
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TafsAxAeh
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvpj7EPZxJ
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iCWykm5xZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxSSHdRSen
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gWHmdUOLQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lgEUKxUYx
“...”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdt5FneV6J
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95EUUqHejn
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7YOAPIavr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOeoXhXcIG
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMUzjKg6GG
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhdIPLVZC
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjTlz1t00I
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwULVQVj0SM
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSdNQthYQy
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“...”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk8icF8zcr
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nZvmMXlg6
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fjLAPHDxK
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviq4Z6F0AQ
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubMCxbZyCw
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“Yes?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxJpLaweU1
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPBZT3H9Fy
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2BRn5CHWa
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCyRHyUKMe
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UnsEHlpb9
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWU6zDVJXc
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWueZXwxM6H
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc4ABBvhmK
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl8T8TSVGv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6OvZSkw37
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvdyra8Rtu
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWnUg5xPIu
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73GfFWHqvm
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBVHmSOoIJ
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5GAOmT6m3
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAquWmNE7ai
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx5UfTNz4v
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYuj4aMWLw
“If you insist.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbZ23RBIZa
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVv4JLGZwz
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“Kenny?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHl2Xg0Zur
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSlbQlB3qb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5k9kTD3rZ
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vb3H9stwx
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJfpy57waT
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokSJcdcJ9t
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJHd6b7kp
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QB6TnQMVC
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUBKa7mYHr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvcB6oiSFI
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0KmLGbmcT
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpfDp29ZJ1
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvaI0iT5Q2
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“I see. I see, I see…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFz78hhFGM
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu7bRcG2CW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbdhij5MqV
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2p7b0kgvB
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vOtdCzHVS
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaqn70QxZR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cjkqXlQrZ
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jge2MA2fv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyq8RhdUcs
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsdiaRvkvu
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“Please?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4lSgfVCuD
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJNo9QQy8U
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw29ZQbwrRF
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldPRyhR3zj
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJzhG7yr1W
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPux7EHupgp
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEY15zG1Er
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM84A0fYhjG
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PaJfdYzJM
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RD6v9yic1
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq8dyMzGyU
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkmJSLOyiB
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPBxawGv6H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKojmFgFYo
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDOWvfArTC
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqayLRwcQF
“I started young. That’s all.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO3TIMQaMr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB52m62aCgH
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO5eM1mdOC
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9yZeIwcn9
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N3BuDjirE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ecN7tEZZi
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nhyHNQOiW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zgUZGxndz
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eJZCdjDVz
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJhaOgyRDy
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She jumped and then waved her hand.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDAAVekVMm
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SSYhtdJzs
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrtrea8MFm
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“Right.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnyMDuu2pi
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPmeSuopru
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvH5IWXKOZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiXbkpT7SK
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIwwlPj1bd
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOwVBvBiDN
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“I– Wha!?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Tjk7nN1H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPqrfg2KCH
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio3P0zMUr1
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZliuWqAFXf
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk9rauLUSv
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdP38dfkNn
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz90TeYS1nm
“Your own… peace of mind?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeZSBAn3b3
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDaq9lQ2Hr
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxywCQzMEhi
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqOdmDsiH0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tp2lbjLAX
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqZ2WC9V9k
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV8H8WYg5n
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSrmMXHzn2
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She shrugged at my comment.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmKY0lL9Ud
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK9edUfAyp
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgIRWp857D
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOz2ljVF4m
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau7PxtwwT8
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuhOKn1Vrj
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jtaDQqWTB
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVAWDxHMvW
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAIIOKq0Fw
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJGe77p7go
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“...This is ridiculous.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0AYIBLSo3
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwFbcCxmbW
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rbexiGaKN
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97EfY9P7Db
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08pF97vDVH
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qTgbACsYX
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX3uVGArbE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPRIqirjpe
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjXWySUbs5
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MtqyduGpp
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU76Faydw9m
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs8C8inTEl
“...Hmm.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UeZ6Xi9c
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCCzkDjLlN
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HlMX9bTI6
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“Do whatever.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG2F8inwZF
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmwotDpV4I
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Edj60QFP
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYpJrxXpP6
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5qzZafjsP
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo29zQY9Amx
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“D-Darn it.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UgKfvyGHG
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMQLXa7SPO
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSEkhA8rSM
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKASaBpBSAE
“What are you doing here?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDp0retWpW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2V8NnLqTb
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj6kpRY2Sa
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJVITXqdpd
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa6FivKq0J
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmudFYhckT
“...U-Uh.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs9zoe5lSW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7ItIrsf0M
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjlxGRk55K
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfpInBBf9T
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsfayBu1EW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8dJZohYZQ
“I… I-I.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVrATQKkw
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXfeE2bBOe
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm8f0lb7WW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGk7vImmJX
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXtmJQ5RkZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9CLm8FJb5
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPdKrmrkmu
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDwkZ3bJA7
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O53UcHFHs
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSxrEfeGyF
“I-I’m here.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3VPhvDDpN
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5QVWpM5zy
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMzuIVHgbh
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx84cSbLxw
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXTDUeEaC0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7NR87OJ86
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8PNsNJk9o
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV2ZoENQqX
“I…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVS6iK74F8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafhqmwObkB
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzxIeMda3T
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UtXm21iVG
“Hello, Rover.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3cv79cfx1
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwHuQ4dD6W
“Hey, Kenny.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9yg2nJGRt
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIL3aCkIo1
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxuBIlViTC
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPwuft575M
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHVYIwffs5
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5TP2xbWQS
“Cut to the chase!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5edoOvDzQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡravbtf95LD
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1kDHCupRD
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0wG2l889c
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1A0hqpTdW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhX3wQx349
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mcj0nbmGY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtJ0FJpxUz
“Y-Yes.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanrvVq7nLt
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDh7Ybyszo
“Now who told you to do that?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJik4A2Jghz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsqn0JiV0S
“W-Well–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb1qACisuY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnayV4hwHxj
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXJTM3gWFJ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwWVaPCAaG
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYi6wualUz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ARSbQJGz
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tlxqLmxJc
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki3FlCClKY
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomAPw6h53r
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Y3bsMqAL
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2YU3N2EaZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iHdRh5jNo
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN97Dgeq4X
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxFzdoLIf
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGERBUUYQBs
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A4WnRKJSI
“I refuse your treatment!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GwB1pKRkX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgojV7zFaGg
“H-Huh!?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIsD1XMH93
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmacEWqULC
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6exBJkekc
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oZNPKFtR6
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFMVlxSN0R
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTY5ETKFsT
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupw4YqQ0Da
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiz8YWfDju
“I– Wha?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT6f3JsrNf
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wskAY9Uqf
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3eqE1j74z
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3WIN5tL5z
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKApzGoW3h
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCAwpJABVF
“Stupid? Weird!?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN3Pf5ESeE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nLsUcC4wn
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs9E1wPFjd
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23uuGqyhYm
“...”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMlGLQdOnc
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The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl11sNaHcOK
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUj9Ekoq32
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK6vTgC6o5
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzTkeIKULq
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwiiUbNf01
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe5YZBuclL
“It’s because I upset you.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62Ze9g2OeE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9flWGUzNXP
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPryIXur3J
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50FrLhfALM
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4H3whkeIK
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80QgPTg5q3
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a0f3SD5jS
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknqD9CkiR2
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82zDXE3a6D
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOQXSjUISx
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmZJbuPw79
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiBZqIqNCI
“S-Sheesh.” 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcEupZnMwb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOy5qvmGcC
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3gxLmVI3c
“How do I use this thing?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsk4t0rXNc
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcl0s9IWq6
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYqaJYGAu0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXA8RbupbA
“Drinking works for me.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8N1fEikW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiUm0pAGxi
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzjHWas6gq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP7cFIdsRZ
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGEq6NzBYQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnBeBwPovp
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq1kgTke13
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOlYYZM8cm
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4k6eIBYLQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8NxdMlfcj
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIAqGIOHVQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEegaEsVlST
“Whatever.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCpPMmHxIg
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOFeU0NGNo
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQVEbsKcvD
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfMUvO6a3O
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8eNqM2Znn
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32nQ3zttBo
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3l1Yreelt
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWloaG7zdMB
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0a4DFDEan
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“Leaving already?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AmEbIEoa8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoOvh2fqaX
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4mK5NJiP5
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrMUPKhpgk
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBQcdjURM2
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fDG5VS5Md
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEC8U3uoZ2
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“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVkFxoNVrw
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZslyRFYx1l
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqzDFNuNj6
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBRaD2YYIZ
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdWlNo4vHl
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKKRBpUGp
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lknzBFbX7
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKaAMJywYn
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzskLU4iQr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjigHn6Posb
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU4zJDpKTq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxYAUGjKYy
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0rlpM9JzR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNDSpIS5wn
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeNjPcau17
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkgRCA6OqS
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8pPCzwrgP
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscdDFBh8IL
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9EtXz6TEz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nJcTWS0vU
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dsLeZdIcJ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkya0N14ZbK
“H-Huh?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RliOBK6n0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r225jnbAM
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESeWt2IvOp
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fqi64AiZ9
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVQe7uMOmv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO33f03Vcs
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jIBaCDcxX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIsERU0f0f
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA2IRWbdOb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ECW4gLf2n
“I’m n-nothing so special.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDFs3yqIIk
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmisKNPfpY1
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfxkiPUUHR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15YhwvhlJj
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbQku6oJYj
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiCf7JD7Pz
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs76HnKO9Dg
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rHsiEYYPB
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V95aHEyOX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKcZFxUaa0
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAQjkIw3c3
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82YkJ8OpSk
It took me only a few 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvKpsd1fhj
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSIFyJIFqa
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“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuFdpAb7bl
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6WQXnTi2E
“No, really, Rover.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHdMdaL2wO
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1soi7S4QL8
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B3YIkgtwh
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtEKlfZlMm
“I think I’m just lucky.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRpdh66RDX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsdbcWEKPD
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYesnDNLYir
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhakP0BEM2
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhzz9ZW5a2
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MxK27fR1p
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBOjs8XrBF
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6R8Gr6OXh
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSdZQ8lk6x
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCf3rbs47P
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH06zzSyuv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfkXIrzvmX
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHDIWiMbiH
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWCYF7Gexc
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvT8SF1TsQ
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgmRDM8Q8J
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02iWANVxrD
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“D-Don’t rush me!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESVu6WMUVD
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes2jjoMIt9
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4DAXrSA3H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qnkq4y01l
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkazJXELgq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoxfgu1jQE
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPZCUBmar8
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbYrgoFNXQ
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSvjeQjDm6
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“I didn’t say anything.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w2qbk4vka
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIAXBQtbCf
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtpwoqB7zZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu87wMlA7f
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQWMXAM0xk
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3kp0dvZ7t
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbMmHv7UQv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCYr1rLDab
“Told you all I did? What?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNsnf1C39S
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She was caught by a wind of fury.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5sqdmFCfw
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyeQy0nZ5j
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8I4klWZit
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNCoRfugdU
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“What’s so funny?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzykOCTBjH
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfScKG32vko
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrByokEuuxp
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SfPK7Yenx
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uR552DZzn
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkONkX3vOTp
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVpatbuBtm
“A little crazy?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2qnC1IOdX
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A6kEFAHae
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJrL6LWhv9
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS47lLmjiYO
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“Well–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDV08AIOd6
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT6Wd784o4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH5LWh8ska
“I–”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDnPMmxLZS
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzE3mqtvgu
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0XYnB0ZdU
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“See! I– huh? You do?”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAZpSfmQn7
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQMRFgg0Lu
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP2e92MFdN
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvVIiahMeE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbm6VTHQJQ
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit9mWyXIu1
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoFu0XLBqB
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bnPdK53Uf
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJrHV1AHuw
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmKz678KaP
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFyeLArT8a
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“Ah, right.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTDEdicxzm
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0CEQW8Sch
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGaXwsRye5
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmt3GHhRXs
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhitBHdg9a
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOztLrlNSeC
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T7WobtXKE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjPU7qIPXn
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kXQEz2nSB
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“Wait, one last thing!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LngFbK4Qr
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pDaqmPh9z
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoubxaVIoR
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“...”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cOqbIh50U
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I smiled.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgkJiZmxV
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“I will.”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PV0EFktL
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoXHA1t7lW
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“Yes!”234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4XFqK1vgh
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDQtylewqD
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