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.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELTToSStPg
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJkeT75j6Y
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM6Euvjtmc
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–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa10N3TzkSW
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtgVpSn9cf
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8jZFknA9Q
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsgXp4xnsu
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1l4rC4o9l
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLIsn50BGL
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabYc7zLPBn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDPGeW5vWI
“...”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ds9kglLXA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0amavTRXtz
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4So81AjGsx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1AP4TGdBE
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVcNCI9mgR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx3E2szBm6
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgHoVKZa9P
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRrmt1dI4n
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtMZhKeJUi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWvnWsMjLq
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–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS8c81F7W9
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“...”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIYaR3fAh7
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJP3povyg
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEk0poFEjB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRINOaK0o9
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJRz7kvHRV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge2xOVniz2
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurmv806nWE
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ipnwVKfY
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE31sLhi3Zc
“Yes?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAPfWwB4ka
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF4jDImS35
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBcrihBP6H
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm4iLYV61o
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWfLDUIk6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCs5ucDY1Y
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeMDTgWSoO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eNKvEJlXT
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J1nbgKtA4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbFhYfYF8H
“You made this in eighty minutes?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfvN4Tctdw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyDUCinFmj
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSnKhOuf8I
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReHYoLqCZR
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5qz8amoQ6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKDuN5gEHM
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8htjaTrmur
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGtrMwdYNA
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rQzsb8s02
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“If you insist.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kPWyI9HX
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvvSShXvCt
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“Kenny?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz9DZ3LKaX
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts2hWHlf3H
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJU4iKkFxS
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4mWCdkNub
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDvaSTZPlw
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXthqNsVhQ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB4jOcqJi8
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSplTgSyYS
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtpeS91K4P
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fwilysSRt
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW2CLCpNSk
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbZBHVCmRj
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzPmohFny3
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“I see. I see, I see…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0OOuxRR4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w6nyX4xQq
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTpOvYnsB9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dtoJSq2P2
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzBGpgDJNu
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkJtausava
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pfek09Z1s
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefvONrlGgt
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfuu3WeXqe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMewuL7Etw
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfnrFDAXnD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvkjJBmSgw
“Please?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ0ozlfEKX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5wwwcOtQE
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0lHo6AEyu
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgi1FGOxrM
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpFUdAaIKq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnU34VwP6y
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtQInpAqiN
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZHWNVGVbO
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I56uZQYws
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIFsxCxj79
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIayyURomO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRnH6FIzE0
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG85hLJ9z1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO4NHuFj2l
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo41pEIO9x5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHdiwaHQ52
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEhVMsqhJw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jv27gGqbW
“I started young. That’s all.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4atjMBtgG5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwxvPpvGWH
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDtQaRBi8Z
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxGJ0SgYgr
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5183b42IO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ipPT1H7G
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd4tQ4Uwiv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7AlLHP5TA
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGUvnzpC4G
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGOWbY2xrD
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KBEclVJJ5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0MR6v5uTd
She jumped and then waved her hand.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd72kTJX2N
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukLAMptjjO
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkZzNrug0E
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaFKnCZxcP
“Right.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRfZHOHgOY
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWqxtyBrb8
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIzIMmRgbq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbzWLuGEIQ
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtIlA4ygOg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSbmHYGonb
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccSPs6Laoy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGeVkigaT0
“I– Wha!?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuMitb4SVB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo9TAdbEzN
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqiTr90OIc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEt0zQtCPb
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi2sh6muka
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUDwsbFZ0s
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBnpwSxIFl
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88P9TfycFN
“Your own… peace of mind?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtLQiPG04
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPJ3Ogk1y5
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraKdamweGi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5i8PClqH8
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiWpX6K9mK
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmeOm1U1Pl
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsibJpidZc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFn7UJyWxJ
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUQQgCnJlB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcLVPMUVnz
“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. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4kLo50HwD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkitKNz4yMO
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNQht0WdDi
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She shrugged at my comment.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2bIW4lkUD
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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?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2gu6nO3ji
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqeKw6W0f1
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUwLxkCBEZ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXQxRa5A1e
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ltf3fnr1
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkMitvXMMn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbeCHiAwIQ
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI25IJt7WRa
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt89O5OYEEZ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwF3zyIzOD
“...This is ridiculous.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwkUAjKbsV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbLl0Ipv07
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9DW3A8gRi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgfHTXnhSa
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcopxN7Me0A
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhJLiBjJXo
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pwl77Pb2m
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsfYcF3j91
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoutCTt8Gil
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSi84CmOCG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUg8Kldj6
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwUxiqdZui
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdh9lhUBYu
“...Hmm.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAfDDh4sY9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xOyoPEQNU
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7k3yH3UjO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4elUTWQKzM
“Do whatever.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTILq9tq2tU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFuQJWrJ3U
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXjtaKu2kW
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiHMXThebm
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGT4JSk1FU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67uid9AL5A
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05ZQ2oMZmV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNheQVPczT
“D-Darn it.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIbFJiIri5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvR95ZMbwB
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–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lBYuqspyE
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWRQc1eKIA
“What are you doing here?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGCSQIg4sh
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA396wKiZi
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqntitMWPU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVPOy0dzXo
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxHsRKfAGE
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“...U-Uh.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXCAai7yJe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjT9t8KQ9N
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K5khCrkMS
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuLwWDCYfc
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D90UGL2T9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdNltudYGJ
“I… I-I.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuevH51tjYM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2itw38hVNx
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcQUIuQ3vA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhoWSnQ2qv
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZzQHmUiV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoiKpeLceH
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9PKPpfmhg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWokNJMQLLP
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcybA8QbCUX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpJKgWn6rH
“I-I’m here.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0hElLwc3v
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerDIsrIfys
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQzfLBfkKT
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7XUscBatf
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J5z3XI08c
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wTVZ83buP
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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeppNJIA9vo
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP9AUzEvCl
“I…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhWAZ0TEuf
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsyWwyast
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxiR7bXtdG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOj1AnuD6s
“Hello, Rover.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpvl76ZYAL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhPU4pdsKT
“Hey, Kenny.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP25OXeaWy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcbrnUAJdg
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuI9bxJdeX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYrF398uGP
“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–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLXw0IVVWp
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYaDb0NFj9
“Cut to the chase!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Ta6vZSXj
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz2slflCgR
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNV4zk4zBr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXV3IBQ9i1
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYqZnuQc5R
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4haIoZ77F
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeXzwh4Wl9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl4aUx3wxY
“Y-Yes.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv10zT4EYJN
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7sB0InkHh
“Now who told you to do that?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOWjEZBwsK
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllVkqZQTMk
“W-Well–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFAlCE9PVe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EghavhplS
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qet0XtLl8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBlGk3ESBC
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqUoaUf2eW
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygI56DpoNh
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GXYVn2j5F
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBamNdqp80K
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg0DAOr67s
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx1lsQi5wW
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbH1rjvqLg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D8d3LMZHq
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8B5cOBPZx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxkGMDGqvN
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi2qY1Wc5W
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKB6YOzKtm
“I refuse your treatment!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVpzL6aEFW
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA95xpxPtbI
“H-Huh!?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb25oEH4GD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJre1kUjP9
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQypREryZa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSpSoiKTD8
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrEIvkWqNB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcsoTqNp0v
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUE58gCHxa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ob6fHrXrF
“I– Wha?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzROUGPEzGB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8WtxC5Zqi
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–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6fdFIaFL6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCgeVS22Ii
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eUNIupCAn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JY563TRLK
“Stupid? Weird!?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2gnIS2XMh
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnobdZB6BXr
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQADWPjZ1Pm
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprpDHo2l7F
“...”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U0tIxrquv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3OP83ZrWt
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY0ffILswr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCkC0xC71p
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuQesWwjxn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnHxoFz9pv
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnXLefn2uq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tQKGwkSsb
“It’s because I upset you.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZroi52ZOWC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6aEw9EP1g
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzff1uy6tx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KGvXlirZA
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vLJPa1iTe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlJF3k6ZE
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6RZf7sq5M
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURNF5cANfg
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90xbbHoOMq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6erKEL052d
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H9YGqHLBP
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aZagMUnd7
“S-Sheesh.” 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCdXo0K8H9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkn93mEpol
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.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rgZ7KCzOU
“How do I use this thing?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVG60dQuIc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiJ4V9CJRN
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljicEzKK3Y
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZZkQNHlCj
“Drinking works for me.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVk7Lmroh5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywcc9LdMk9
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG8DkAGNEW
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRG7SW2nnq
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRgiksO4VU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QNjNfoS8o
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdt2qjdao5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cbDjVdum
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nDmuyGEGb
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDk9KHmrPG
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxViRvVxMU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLxs2YqStt
“Whatever.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ4IAdRKH3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerKN964um4
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. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YXdUHjn2k
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HRHBWaMyY
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJEtxW9eUR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jXKcEABcC
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i1HX5fymO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ5AkOhUjj
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J1hlJOFJx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTpLFQKsIF
“Leaving already?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2epYPQ14a
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiWIyPzra0
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeolZUkI3k3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZh9JG3Yq
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhVIbawdaa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA250OCmOvs
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3rZBEz4kk
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUz7eVl15q
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe99FUV01Y
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtltVD2lH
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVNZMPsw6N
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH2W0QxLU7
“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?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxRVFyRYMs
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFLm9bxvDZ
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEusLZdNS9f
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9pU6IwCs4
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWnmBfQfjg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWOeeMAhjl
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoW5FbAuan
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYq0Eun7rF
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKQvYt2pFh
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBFVRAtuPP
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUuLOgsMJq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF1sGJFkbk
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7GZTHGoBk
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78ySG6INk
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7ws65mLmx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gy7HY0hye
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rw1XXCCnm
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxAAfl55eZ
“H-Huh?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwlRiqh1hX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lOHoFCSMA
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh9xKPGrws
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrC3ifzgie
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7lf7ZHRJx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQor0Gbo0ac
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6cx2wknFt
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsviSxDbe2
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJFKACWWmk
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOZMSsrtvw
“I’m n-nothing so special.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2aYxB5FC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqGEURsRx9
“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!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNFfcFYlbn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLMWK32FVB
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvZhYrx0Lg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylpiGDzED6
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNaOtGF0u0
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTQ1xDneGS
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanULDnyaDc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAZRRqlJiC
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. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnq85Uu6TG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjch3bhdJo
It took me only a few 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaQy3vWUXB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwPmiju4Pz
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW5PWLKBp7
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb4FxGC2Jc
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD406u4QW5Z
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxA0jAbePl
“No, really, Rover.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjChc0sGJay
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30WvqCn3YP
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJacUdXeMKR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidqc8nkdX4
“I think I’m just lucky.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1wseM9OT5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk8LzwbJBe
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp9jhoExAf
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeZg41Cb6D
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9NBnF7Tvm
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2jHUmL52N
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB7QSfskS7
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSYhH8nwJ
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1C4Xvwj75
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxE076096J
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgH9v5fSev
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9OP9tDOED
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlKmv4HBpR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWeDSegtVZ
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVVbNVAD1r
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2flvQ76ufw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEoeDPcri6
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. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9qKVQt1hM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIxJ6B5L4T
“D-Don’t rush me!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcNNOBKOI1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwb8GmzeMy
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31B0yVboOD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDizUKPB39o
“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…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfTJHREP5z
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrTXD5rELp
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV1B8qDYZf
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFMe0OkzvZ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtlNpNn4i7
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO7Rr7jL0a
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaLUjrvMgO
“I didn’t say anything.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhfjhSLaj7
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3nzesTlrO
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyytLwzH2rL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmVMIjwzUY
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE43C4dvw3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh7phUfUVA
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswRRuQkujc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpL8AYUA6x
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hwx2QQFOq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurNTcW1Ljx
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZgn6ZnbjT
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkFQ757c05
“Told you all I did? What?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70UN95FuLg
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OUSgukroO
She was caught by a wind of fury.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIn1IYYuCM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRJEGupCOW
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLK8O7toig
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ9QgDH8CP
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOXkmFhl4w
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAOb8qWIwZ
“What’s so funny?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkWDQDqEO4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyYTmZPF29
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22eJduPcoc
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmLyOXNZHz
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWz7Q3UJsO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7GxvaR3QZ
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0yE3PjW4f
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IqE2SfMz8
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8IGmwbco8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVAUQiVQ1Y
“A little crazy?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9uFlPx5pa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0VUPbBEIs
“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!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD29MOr2EBb
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkxONT1mi3
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjB2rhAAuP
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuliQQOWsVm
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnglPtXaPcb
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu42uREyP22
“Well–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRcGIWgYZi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPsLueNWMK
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQk4qN432M
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF3nfgdbqz
“I–”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIHOYov6Ws
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2TU6OcTGZ
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW7N37low1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvpZKx08NX
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfLJI6y9gS
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdzv9vavDY
“See! I– huh? You do?”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBGtaakqjr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7fB9TVi8
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmVfXVxZLO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR4OeEq3Xy
“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.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfoyLT6h2u
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9VtnDivgS
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5uKXh0tw6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvZvqG08gP
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu61JRknesQ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUdDTd6AE7
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JAdJys2D1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZH5DU7REl
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtp0puCOzL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hAb6njyAb
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDoibMTYVU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mprQUVKXp
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TxGiwuGmB
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMq5m38b0n
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl0S8KriKi
“Ah, right.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZpBM8PWzC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3EaMgintV
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmke3PJvhq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Vjqx163L
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1KhVuuaY6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgMOIAsEeI
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm8OyhWf9k
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo7RUKCZHH
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFzpPde3EV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvTWBkYmSa
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnv5h7QgEO
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“Wait, one last thing!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91YfYwd4zw
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZGnrIjdZv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyJt9ICCmP
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b2hJMh6dp
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvekBviYTn
“...”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCiHn30kZ6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLppQG3NGy
I smiled.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonxaPws8jZ
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“I will.”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo9Z3HXq50
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaHaHyA4SX
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL09tQGoMPF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAapoahHm1V
“Yes!”178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd0JzjCoeh
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjIzaUnpZi
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQS2CzLQBK
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