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.
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OiesBjKtS
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59wrLt7uOP
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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–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYSjpD5TS4
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqJm470l3l
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKuXIYKD6o
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjewn48yPwD
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu1e7qVePs
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“...”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zQf6XPE0J
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgNSecORwb
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQOlaOa86H
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4miIsZfrmt
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquOSB9Gg4t
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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–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwe3V1sYBk
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“...”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYvMtd2ONM
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIZWL2Ov5d
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpnvZsQAOr
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42rTHQt6mw
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–
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBOFmjHJ1S
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“Yes?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF2vO47QdM
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAWkKZOwiV
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3j7M05Zd6
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7DW5Em8zT
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW81anWqow
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswNlGfbRAt
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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbPSzVOScG
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI55BpReuKQ
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM1TTz63Jz
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPM8nxLBla
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pbQZNbqWU
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwAcXxfT0l
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRD8GY9BAF
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“If you insist.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgVO1bhw3Q
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim21uCOpY1
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“Kenny?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsdCQ5neLG
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PlMPAuBoI
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdakoBbWLF
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupAJpBzgyu
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4DN3jpi8H
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT184FSBKB
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97mQUActKH
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuBMQyZ9QK
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIg0ropM81
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF1nJojTDM
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcm8XeG7IY
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“I see. I see, I see…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD333JLuph
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0PZrbUEl0
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9nHSWPKBG
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOI7ckZZxd
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplSuvyoak4
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivPC2inh7w
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEugzrvlbN
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W5QqV0y6J
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“Please?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n0v8kxvfT
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvAXGmmZyT
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkkplR4cSj
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“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdoHFNAWz2
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfrRIEC6xT
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFuof38dMR
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMhulQK0S5
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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?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmIr4T7HXN
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuvWj285bP
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfKnJ4tIuJ
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“I started young. That’s all.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaS7BNWiSN
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdiB2blY5F
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaoDYJnOub
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykWgnH3cJ
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qPspgvbET
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6jwh6WtKb
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSwZwO30EK
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She jumped and then waved her hand.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3YlDonsaE
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmDqAFLWbc
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“Right.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNmnMNInVI
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn7FgSZBDl
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAbSbPGn8t
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KGnKU44aq
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“I– Wha!?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOCNaua3LP
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOydIFKfOD
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4li7nnbpn
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhlJ6FwJVW
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“Your own… peace of mind?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoIdXaTI4D
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlewAHj6b7N
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPTA5Eh6Pv
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmid7uJV7jO
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YoipfrciO
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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeutH3Mt4i9
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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. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSQnGhB8VH
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c1NchNVfw
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She shrugged at my comment.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j56sGtMH3
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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?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IQPs4gEXY
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoo0LCYIXW
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“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgonmSxCxI
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–
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs5snY5zSO
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFDhPemwKX
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpmiW9VlRq
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“...This is ridiculous.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB0CotsbW1
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uLLHXLP2J
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ956UNSkN0X
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvlxnPN3Gi
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zdsRwkmrY
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlCjNlZvUY
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxYCJbGERy
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FtYK3Vrdl
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLqpU9jt5s
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“...Hmm.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L2gOn49kg
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFnO0aOYDq
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“Do whatever.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBAvVaUNy0
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L6t8b3ErR
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsrGsRZJQQ
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIMeWvnhqp
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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQgfOsVw6l
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfwb5Me5Ww
“D-Darn it.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSccC5VPqb
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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–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIezX8LlZa8
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcjfx6sizp
“What are you doing here?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyLPWbfuY4
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsRIP6hL0M
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCm9Zs4MRx
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“...U-Uh.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWwv2F6knC
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGK3Kct3aO
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“Well? Come on, spit it out.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9C0kSqTtq
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“I… I-I.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrpyEZe6B6
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJssrnqveRQ
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDJoHPXkho
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFMmDGEcNq
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3rdz93d5
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXlkB1AiF7
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“I-I’m here.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEF3COjg7h
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWjBVkzuG1
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“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA9ekX0hPu
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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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKXJAYFrMb
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“I…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoS31rKvBy
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhKq94hIHz
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17fF6WwAQ2
“Hello, Rover.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ4ceXK1is
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOvKFkTidT
“Hey, Kenny.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy7sztBfrn
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7thxFRCdmS
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vsnzbfw9G
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“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–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbE6CqPu0x
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“Cut to the chase!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDaTyb3sYo
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXXGXz9CNW
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOqyIqP72H
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbQE4EhgcY
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygV5dXcvfx
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZHDzXI0gt
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXSIFdPFKM
“Y-Yes.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpjjqZlZKe
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBIohVDQRl
“Now who told you to do that?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FMRp5XN42
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“W-Well–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo067aPVX5
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Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUhQqtCCtu
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G7Y73xqCj
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KFHQBvf1a
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTRkULyswx
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZpeG3cgKi
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I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9roNt1B85m
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57WGSqIiIK
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWumBz5cZV
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsmuIMLv2w
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhGTRqcycd
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1oqb9DCFL
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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1edZUmuuYm
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“I refuse your treatment!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkN7UzHtXB
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“H-Huh!?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvHI1YgUU
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHb6vp6AE
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“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6LT9R8HKH
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“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToYZxstUel
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“I– Wha?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SodizMf8M
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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–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHGvo5OYej
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“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVWC4Gi4D3
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“Stupid? Weird!?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3pEhhhvyD
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“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMwITzLddp
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“...”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPOVzCZq4Z
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbqrqLX4rG
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu1PfM9y8U
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHEN0hJtzo
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxzjSAb63V
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZoMZh80b0
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“It’s because I upset you.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8IekQDIJF
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And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYMK3cD9G0
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“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSviSZzmTq
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“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdTjS686vH
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ocWzOWRaA
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HSmMbUYu0
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“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmdTLhcxnE
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“S-Sheesh.” 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u6nvgIxRS
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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.
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“How do I use this thing?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviSb8Xjs2i
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKouUKv1U5P
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1aplVbSZp
“Drinking works for me.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvRMWgKlGG
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0o7FqiOh3
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“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj9sU2Rrpe
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3fcNOnNrl
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHObolpZrfj
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWN0Oc6tDs
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“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZH9qtn4wf
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“Whatever.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdomunsZji
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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. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKAVTMUXtZ
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoETUewAcpL
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl3R4WsAk5
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But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiG6Y5tqZ1
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“Leaving already?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS0MjKH3Jd
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“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NWbRPhgti
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“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkcxI39jc5
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r2k6z4fjR
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“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPACmvJAa9
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1hrho12MI
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“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?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdSmnLNI1J
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6MX7IPCZn
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguofOOIf24
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I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY37uzxux3H
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQenOEieOe1
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I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDPuoXQVE4
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVwcE8ZiBQ
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7104n0MgM
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0btlIEoZbB
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“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zyGW4PfEX
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“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOYHMHCxgf
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“H-Huh?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AJiRpOcti
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She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM7AdfbOUQ
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“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04xmVdKdkC
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOozoaRhoSE
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j201pC5dN
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“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBpZgZ6k6m
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“I’m n-nothing so special.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaATCKev8Lv
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“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!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGnRkzHt2N
455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOeHlgM9Bz
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lh4zREJP8
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She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjokMc9OTjn
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBnxyH7MAs
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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. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOL2mNBhUE
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It took me only a few 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP6VdGZ4PS
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KsG4mgXHM
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“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKcUKlZ9vR
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“No, really, Rover.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SRemQJ0YC
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I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bqtj0wScH
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“I think I’m just lucky.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvl0hKW9Qi
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I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZivsoM7FHQ
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“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9dP8FyEz0
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“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk3Idme0Td
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I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Dt9CdWiM
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“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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKT2buWMM7
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“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TJnrQrGC2
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“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuHovfKeMB
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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. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgZsEy6sy9
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“D-Don’t rush me!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmRXugirJn
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PrOaMq3ao
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“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…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31VJiA3aTd
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFznzmPSi8
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTAjglicUc
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOBhn4LhIs
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“I didn’t say anything.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ctCwmzrQ6
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQihoMzCWSc
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6eMdwk7RC
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOGu8ihuuz
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE8y93ryqH
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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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtLH7oK2o3
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“Told you all I did? What?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGGujD28kN
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She was caught by a wind of fury.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE09y9nGgA
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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!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhtyFpms9p
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVXrcWqE5Z
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“What’s so funny?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyciEu0em5X
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2wj2td63j
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q2CGX1WfX
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuemyYO1cZ2
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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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi9bAZTgZC
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“A little crazy?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55FfRoiiro
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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!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW14kUVbeM
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lBVsGmMtV
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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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpFRjd05Kv
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“Well–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVffFdE6x9y
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sGFXd3dCD
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“I–”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB4a7WQsn8
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVqtpv0IBI
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAEn2Z1vmo
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“See! I– huh? You do?”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYoESxI7Vj
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLU4Tx2Wam
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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.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1nQzdFP4a
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8FvDbarkT
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd9aCARPxa
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMkA86XsWS
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgV1Ykv8He
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0YNwa6Qvv
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu2GvB18xp
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32cqD0EaU8
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“Ah, right.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF9JDGB7Z0
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFgjCR3pyI
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDNiOFxeSa
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok1DTRq1x2
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJHYmfIPZ9
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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.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhbgzmVlKs
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“Wait, one last thing!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLYnJxSHne
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwD20yWzLd
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9P0Ypqz8T
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“...”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYasMcbHg7S
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I smiled.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU0TiTsD4J
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“I will.”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL54kgmVdY
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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–455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4USTFyJlx
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“Yes!”455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHyUb3Nysz
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.455Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEH8SZqdG3
and then Add to home screen.