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.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39pq1n6aWR
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdVEOg807Q
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKa3vBEPTt
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXN3Ny8OOE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf4a97SLsN
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq6e7mTeTT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nVONhLrbN
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhFkaR2jyJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSFxNhhg16
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF81zOKKFq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiuDkHFCz0
“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wqjOYX4Mp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ8fSO1Qxc
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA6mog383T
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqp9tp7wy1
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnhN5502zp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83N2dDXHcL
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O7q2G63mn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq8LPlWtyZ
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTe7EJneLr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnMeJUAB2O
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUq1tuFtOT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnm4Azx0iv
“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gv8H3vYys
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12X2L2YE2R
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJBRPtVN2E
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5nOdB9cih
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdE4tCTyGj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyLg0IzIYJ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreqgN2zDme
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmQ0duFv0h
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSocgLLi3zq
“Yes?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJVftAO4yQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRclWx9RAuB
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPO444H5pI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDQHEhetry
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYdZsxRYpz
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj90LgE7jy
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuzdPKQyRO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OR88T7UNj
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8mao3XGD0
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxy4ihzntB
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMFgMQ3btL
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2FHzBZR1x
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzabToKGZW
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAVkR3vHnT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcqsqK5ltc
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27RIOHHTAJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhZuAMPZGy
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTj5noFIkf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5c102I2Kb
“If you insist.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHj70ui0Xa
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YodurWH8E
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr10Wleohu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL2dpbCbCU
“Kenny?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCAmibG4Zg
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmvMN6tyw3
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJOt5NaKju
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQeKONX4IT
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu6mewj42q
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iQXI87ZJr
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNMH2FtiFT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh6LfMtbxB
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcmX7Y70yh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjkWvwU5rQ
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciCaW82DKu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf4C6GbTI4
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM6Ni7pzvG
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpq3LDqMYC
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRAOA6VIUv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ExNIodBO
“I see. I see, I see…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUIKjSZY5D
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgIswSV2js
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELku5Yf5G3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJMeRT1bZP
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIzkzUFAIX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx9EaveMKE
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlvDenXCOV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUnaHxvsbz
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdN13sixMI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8CQSawhrZ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvz6pnZNDY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrJVo5Bvfx
“Please?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD9sstdkgi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqExM9weoU
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OVgQDvhH6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj6A8hexMQ
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVccLGhoz7F
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xNKNuVcGP
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZRmPbqR30
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXGYZiJ7VW
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJb5DQkNt
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN8VxKRY4j
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWKom06iSJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37VLHMdXA4
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzBezjgJ3v
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDcujCoCmG
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj2gArP3HT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIPNLynJkP
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L82haUEql
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTdk6m101k
“I started young. That’s all.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxi4JyWzpM
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sHiiCifMM
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaUuryYM34
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO40HiI92SO
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ8Oagu8iO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoS3QOBQTK
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBcTNz45xn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyDoNdsPw8
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ8Mmgq64n
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuXRfiMPRe
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhDf7JDCpI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pZIMjhmRB
She jumped and then waved her hand.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzlMVFhhfD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TEhGZ6xlf
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0sQlDsAH5
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRZtMCTybK
“Right.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaECMlwcbF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK6fPoGDXY
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzOTwx29rF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCXrk36U1Z
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylbFLV7Qhw
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCXr6iGnBm
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPmXa0xKkf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCyku9tgsH
“I– Wha!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPi6CN3Xv3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv0P4bUQqs
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfBy1MB2bV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrclz11mIuV
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu53Vozlw7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwladh063g
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFiJoQoDXA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUpjkVPuLM
“Your own… peace of mind?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg0x7JqLIb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaX8NNYMqz
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEKC1fY6Dx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQgEF003qa
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMt21IKxcX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL3cESaqFd
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMB5CUDqRI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0rm2PnBqg
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7aakv4RXa
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaz0CUbgOH
“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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNeB0r5iwB
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOGeOzpqyK
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJbH1hOvIe
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD10bKIAKLq
She shrugged at my comment.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbw21RDUXk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOcHHGpY4D
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZiHOP3WbS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoEN28yOGg
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgejoycpqmS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG8DVDILaL
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSamRiCDx0
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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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmytApHvvSj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07gndMI8df
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhPCIeu8wZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tyX2blpD8
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVl9Kk0HWX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdVUNx0TUi
“...This is ridiculous.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ngG9aHnA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN69tf1KgQ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G2eMzSnC3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebjIME52FN
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYVIqt9ryx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM1LZE2JVF
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQBYwx5nLM
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2hYPpf3r2
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA0iW7cujd
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWjbEdXPSQ
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz6VEXNHaL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa5dtZ8I1c
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49hKemvO9p
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXhoijEUbh
“...Hmm.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiydjmYbS9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hahb3Tzcv
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpdVpczB07
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaDhjV1mAQ
“Do whatever.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfBNJNbjvK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYL1h3zKA0
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKONMHqbtI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLgxqh4jl7
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iL27cEdIs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8evE0KTPp
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89eVN4UCwR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtHa9ykACd
“D-Darn it.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3CNUzKfPF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEHDie4vgE
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaKKUjuvRF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmBqbnEAQa
“What are you doing here?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd78PRnMOnX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUozRrOvfvZ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUjUb29D7D
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpynDVtd4j
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxesJSmVOhl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbRnTg85wN
“...U-Uh.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaza1hEihLa
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe4ugOiKyh
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOxSZ6WYNb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3bY8jzr0v
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouxL1rv66h
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qae3z3Wzj
“I… I-I.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN90D96RRk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUn2sUR145
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4qo5fGf3x
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZjUVTSy9
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBX59FpwHi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrf2ApRdY8
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E29K9gdOp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNsjYHyGfn
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIwGkHlOuf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Na4qkkXg
“I-I’m here.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZaTMC99w4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcus4v1sW3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2W3Dhpur4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1WhQAYbhY
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNVg8pRIfO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwTuJBjE3D
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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUFxKZPHzs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqYUvyNH2D
“I…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBWy8GcWo5
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePBCTB1r2I
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A4Orrlk8R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHCocAnH4b
“Hello, Rover.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapfYpmDasV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnTKkECGq9
“Hey, Kenny.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuftFKf3l1U
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKOKLscBnN
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s4p8qPAgV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OoQ1Boj83
“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–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl32zBZxvlz
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVcO6rXWhL
“Cut to the chase!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lO3dsTTQU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5VT9qoMgE
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesmxS5T41o
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKruH0bQ8m6
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwnLf4qvBi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkhZBLpthE
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpLJwlUV2V
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqawc6sJ839
“Y-Yes.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmPmpNWjGy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UCjJmcTkc
“Now who told you to do that?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUyT0nUe0G
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdKq3AWotL
“W-Well–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWmhrSjulY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDYdnXm75x
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzbIDZRGay
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz0qDedlWG
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgQ5amlaIO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxIqTLUs9Z
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOjypeF6l7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElRrZnqnr9
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqHAFg5Ivj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhnWxIgPO1
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEcpanyqZT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5En5grNMV
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldfzWUGwDS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UMRi18Ga2
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xJZ19JBgn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T9WWEA6pb
“I refuse your treatment!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZKZyqoU7P
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kaPBcZzG4
“H-Huh!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQupHmnLld
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZq0F5BqtM
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqABZslgur
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV8i93evZS
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8yGB1dXOL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVepTLzwCqk
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDSc1DVe8y
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjzGkqWCyB
“I– Wha?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcinSpvOadu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwC88u6vMz
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–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftOhArmqIA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM4llgAtaX
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wt6yMIHxr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScZT3jFyBC
“Stupid? Weird!?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11JBHNtD95
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd3UCueEbC
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Eveam1Wpm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgsMVRA81L
“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo80QYUYzLt
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGSVKbcHhS
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQkL6c9AKK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiwhqwHDfl
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjfoAOQxca
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYodbYSaBt
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMYBqyS6EL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUWvVuN5kW
“It’s because I upset you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc0f7EroOi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0O2lej0Vj
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzLqxijErN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUyv6LiaIc
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRd9OLBc8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvnHBda9jp
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAZOVURCmF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBS7NJjAWg
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ve7h8ZOK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgmRAOkQzq
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgM3vneZqT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwRU4JANVu
“S-Sheesh.” 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ228gDlVzTv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbQ10LDOzS
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.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa0Ucn9ECX
“How do I use this thing?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSW6HZOxPm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOjekwwXqM
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGFOrECpmP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgJrgG5K2T
“Drinking works for me.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs34NL8fxax
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkQnUVEqGG
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw7vWBHkji
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIBRDx6wTu
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANcbFGcseJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7VqVgWcZG
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtzUNsvCgr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF8JWeiywq
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ563Ur6d2T
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEBKoFkZqE
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWvpgQoxhW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK4Mh8G50L
“Whatever.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog4xDI4b6m
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe58yJZm2z
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlim78swLys
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ec5fnsWNF
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9mV6VIcI6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEVDsZBwIG
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck7BJpOLho
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXLoX1Ai52
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9w9rzumox
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8E1i4HtFi
“Leaving already?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHm8RWDROE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVHw5A5NOa
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajjBY8vjO8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwn2BWcC9y
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwafTYiFZE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8kOyWCm3f
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMRcPRncty
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWNJNpVJ4p
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYLXltVolw
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHFRbPNmyo
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYd3YZFtFO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXqKn0WPTq
“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?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX0PuTmCjx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxvRK0x4MH
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEn9RgrVuL
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnCviCDQNq
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrcYMDklJY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTqAYunUXL
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7t1BeOchy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCumfruRX1c
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMLgU5tFQ7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMPxrZP3bp
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IM9cVSP6y
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmrlHz8wVv
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewzqbE0GQm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7hpWeuSgZ
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf4W5CTAMA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjiz6kPZyb
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmgWi8iLtF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFac3No8se
“H-Huh?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRps4oACpu4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5luaKbzUXc
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxejDMlkDJf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjUlmamgkq
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qgASyEHXT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK88Vs8MR3
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfubf4n2Z7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEfpu720o5
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ635yATuG6l
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuZJ0Exuq6
“I’m n-nothing so special.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3jPmq89Dg
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa1Fpa7b2Q
“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!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4W028VjuC
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcuSmxFKcm
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt64NolLgcs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PnLVtuALX
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lt5FUPzWn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM9Kw0l2k6
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM5zVmCjNi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiHQ4cJKZR
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTQDpuXV0Z
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMgfMyEyr8
It took me only a few 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivBIt6aX32
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6P0X6HgOq
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNf58rSvNl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwsiWcPshN
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMsmLSLPwE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0yUCOKCXJ
“No, really, Rover.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarxpD9Q9Rg
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY3MNFW7Tr
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp1VdcIK4p
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohCOcmjB1L
“I think I’m just lucky.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFfB5p2ind
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ599zqEOLoA
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSB99jBZOU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaN943pajO
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5HsJUSKUO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQUabV3uEL
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbs1Bg6NP6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16ibAzq7kM
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRtZNoNw10
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu0xiGq6xE
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVSXeNjMYf
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvlUrUrLhV
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QZgJtKbr8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5o7gaCqCq
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW1sJ8mXxu
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTuHJ3pcIW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVRSd9MFzL
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmRCdyDnni
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBp6elEeIx
“D-Don’t rush me!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0louejajdw
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaXpNIzSYG
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcNM9Mskis
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV6GoMlztf
“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…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mOUTUWuB9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0M5zNv52z
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VrpTyp26N
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP3pMLzNJJ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mHmzveRGU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXtmLLp8R4
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ869JT4cRab
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY1oJojdSo
“I didn’t say anything.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kao23ywXb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH73Uwhxwtw
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblWFudwBWv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbsMJhRAKt
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFecRH0c3U4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9yhVWYOc1
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR4hFTzlrd
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OFrzVyJoJ
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS4wkL4iTD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLfGvyDXr4
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZvf1veZWp
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSh37Ydcg4
“Told you all I did? What?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPj3U9duNk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1absUq23v
She was caught by a wind of fury.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTjKqmxrlX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoJulPwo8K
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbtDUId1Jc
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLUJzdJhT
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sx8kbIx1l
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyq3zx1Jep
“What’s so funny?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyeMegb5kZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwN1ThlQAG
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE6qyySM2Y
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq7ul0d7Pj
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3dSD9OTtm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvh20ipVXX
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eGZeDCZOr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHDyShIuTS
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L7QWmJze3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrqeOKoqnl
“A little crazy?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf437nuRgk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBjaV51xsR
“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!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZYL8kepe6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvooKopAXWE
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hb310lQb3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM3uL0pui7
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK2ISFTnje
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXatpVxaPnq
“Well–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2N5duSDD3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9zSZsfjQv
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41U0jWyz5V
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtgrWHly8P
“I–”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW7WMrwajh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6va6RKi5Y
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FUZd03rua
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EARJ1vfwP
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdGK6fGMsd
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1tFKPF06n
“See! I– huh? You do?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5EEgE8nHS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINf1B4l6B6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvllX7fsXa
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kkWSWizkV
“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.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN6OPPW0To
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy2zFUyz8U
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv1kuFp0Y9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TxGIbOptW
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ454hdKP6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9XMAbYWVF
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO0AApcFGZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8oTffe3Uj
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5fFiW4kV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP2kcVjHRr
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncX6M6fFum
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTJD8TCH00
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAedjwfpHj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xwTH2bhvB
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9mvlXxYX6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl8l3EhmIT
“Ah, right.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj95RB4THwv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU8IxJreKD
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPTW7VsuSA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc30g4dpg60
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl4L7z3HgH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHIUmdvpTn
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmLumb11fv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYND87oPcjo
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8nOyTLleE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT0yUWoHzc
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHY1hI5xjs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMA2Rd8afZ
“Wait, one last thing!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXPP3cnnqH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRwnp1rpb5
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwXhv8w5f
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0YX2UPyAF
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qQH1DZ42A
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr05IsV7X9
“...”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3XDdybuze
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcCHaHAtIo
I smiled.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGiYhJTVON
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3ENXQaxhQ
“I will.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmoDyXXeVG
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D68NRcbJp
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xvBqJZY4J
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv68JHLa2h
“Yes!”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiF2hEE3ds
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gui5xoflM
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDzveDvEzT
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