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.
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVvJjUQwWo
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLxKt32wkD
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIOj6yHvtQ
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–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR0Ayc1HIo
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VAdVNeWXm
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q5j8UfPgS
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoVcKdh3YG
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovuoqNHKl4
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOshTtoU0h
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVpJgzEPMu
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYJsqymLGq
“...”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW7UJ6I357
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4929M1swj9
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tknxbsXqN
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5tg3FTjxg
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiPKYjjFc7
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxcYl9MkEA
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWeMY2kbX8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmlT9VXMZt
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPzUlklp6T
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ypRBQqq7
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–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ZoM1d09F
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyyySv7RSc
“...”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsd4oZkRed
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PQuk0kfJO
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYABQBbYMP
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlo3FQ7bdh
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj5LaPO5Cy
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44vMSAyu9d
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDlc1Y6rMD
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–
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXr0uftY2j
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyvPxx7e8Y
“Yes?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjASwwWYil
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdTD6m3T8M
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7rz6orK8d
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9522hnR8o
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiFKOYHo9E
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K3zibNkHq
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE8lqE6V1o
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVUWxj1mgM
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcf7DfMhIh
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkihmQHDMDk
“You made this in eighty minutes?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc0WAu2cYF
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFizumykiO
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDWYh2eqJ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIzhpihtUj
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOLJMYyrEJ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDQvvJvrbQ
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYIyyNUmkM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9o1BSeixM
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEj8rfIihk
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwlbwWjBbN
“If you insist.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwl7Gfn00
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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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LilmrR8Au
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG5EfOrtzC
“Kenny?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTOMHP40qe
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PkQGDY8dA
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUURRJ3AVfp
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uDV7OdPqt
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo29OhteEW6
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrWnfiCHT6
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv1brPe666
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvwon3pP7S
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldM7liChzs
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkeLiZViDn
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbYTFJU7Ii
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyaSfiNfe5
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1D1CFuY6Q
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT5GWZJV5Y
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXyV0V1Jh3
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYngcKLPXb
“I see. I see, I see…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdkzAagegL
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqU8cVLddL
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoMC1i6Vlt
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oP4gYwfRU
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWtGQ9WUPG
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZnwbTghkt
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR6XLDfIiM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY9OP80eTX
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4kqNKnSoL
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7c9kaXecI
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKEHUA2N0r
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGsB6jVDYQ
“Please?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkntzjaYBO
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtbJKSUDCV
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkznhpPJowd
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEnrvmqIlR
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk6a6YZ19y
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODEAeKcWZ4
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVIYVIma2p
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWMuO8zDu7
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWqwM11rbE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL4D4x29bU
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMONaxTdNy
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5PR4lN1Gt
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujS2EksuDP
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmfsER1XTl
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FcSPx5G7T
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRMN7BbfDD
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4FtlmBlUP
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQA8Am7HtJ
“I started young. That’s all.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmEgGeOOP8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQseGPoH3FB
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Ksgbioke
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fghgcKYtK
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJsnFVei8n
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNl5IdZxcr
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tWLDN7hFy
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7L2T7YS7d
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HhnlMENj5
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4MKewRu4Q
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NY85AAygT
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOQVVOIznP
She jumped and then waved her hand.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44VFKFQQOd
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv1m4WMCZj
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l0FxZGGZU
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXul2LaZJhl
“Right.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuzMcFfhei
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3YXgx6zqc
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KMigIKNow
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm5pa9NcQs
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDGoknmydW
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsDOMDVJA5
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf8TzPEe5f
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoChdX72EJ7
“I– Wha!?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cZM64cXGx
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDG5iKcBHC
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXkek1aroA
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQB1u8vJai
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgn30nI8Z7
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr2079USiy
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIBOKMPcHM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQk7jJQkUG
“Your own… peace of mind?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvmA09kAme
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwd7hIk0xU
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMpCdWpWco
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8IvEFNiI8
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWa2rghMmX
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiuu42BlL8
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekxnaiuGWI
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggl4Xzt8aR
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsDo3bKDs
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprzvB17uD7
“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. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh3XSrGYnh
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm9TQwTeuR
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqIGYC1KOh
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl9IkiMHAj
She shrugged at my comment.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTqjonoDjE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgbVPyZVA1
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiOZbxmSzf
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7OTNpqXXQ
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAKWrh31gx
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQtmiEQCww
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDvcn4ofeS
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–
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–
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgEwLWi9PR
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHI0GgGT6s
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9swHQlJqzB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDr0I2PPVm
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3vtddY0ws
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwwmTRRBGK
“...This is ridiculous.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzdavl1TLQ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1hrPrqjj
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr2mC2Zcn6
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZEEVdeBAI
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedTPSHlm1P
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGs3Ur4Hyu
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKmGEx3L1K
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKvtPBjKHt
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmRhi7AAXM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbfVVon8eV
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvxgG3qaTq
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuXN3Ns4Qp
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflRbJpO4l2
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n9WTeLpFa
“...Hmm.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQJDz7PPiE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9PszzGV03
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz8BmyAosB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbvuNP06zi
“Do whatever.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQylMla1Tzs
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpPSrX0RTO
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1bql7u9Xp
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxbHd9bwnL
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsxNKOfUpR
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUFb9QA8l9
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2quYP04Z1
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQbNV90P83
“D-Darn it.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2SH23fEcc
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6XZQv5r0X
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–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdQsx23H9d
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHfVXUmjrn
“What are you doing here?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KEUjGB3PA
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9cpKya71f
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnIfwlEiOu
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgi9clkrrT
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFV3Xil1XT
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEv5JXqqHq
“...U-Uh.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQb3uuFIcM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf8mi1PLnA
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3GT5f4A7S
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyItqv9NqV
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5SM7MdFM1
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhmQf01Ch0
“I… I-I.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiA7SpcMrS
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrprgQHS5uT
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelANtthE9M
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjliReCBT0I
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHjdpkk0KM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYuqXhfdwf
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA0BNZFhpe
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzMSKvjmtT
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQWX4pvqUw
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfgdq1o0vc
“I-I’m here.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA77paSIc8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4anE8l8bcU
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE4WHyLuQN
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN34SJecUv
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7KmBWgWkr
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3ptqHyn6Z
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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLb6K3zMMZ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPWyIK8Qm
“I…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8g7jyEyCs
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHHpBE9mHa
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mpRuP2La0
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jN3Ez2Sbn
“Hello, Rover.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxlabzA7W4
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkhPNp85YH
“Hey, Kenny.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4MKtW1MaA
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhhGHqNRmn
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUng8f6AxIV
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm55BJuKhHf
“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–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJHMfyspUp
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSB0tmFFWf
“Cut to the chase!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoHgsZterz
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrv9CHIfiq
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x8gDmMfq5
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UZJoMEoMZ
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhSKp9Jde5
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8XJDNMFFw
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8dxxIjDeY
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LWY0b2lUo
“Y-Yes.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1P1LHU6fw
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6upHfxuLc
“Now who told you to do that?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnf0LMZmKr
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH2H4vu0Ol
“W-Well–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXZrcDlK4p
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQREExM2LC
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI7VziJek4
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvkACPAQYH
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuisDTmA4qE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5ZNlsIN2T
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ933vDJG6Cp
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK5diuW3uN
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuJ5LLcW1L
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivNAibBymN
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6nlQR6PSt
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcrcbDMJ4j
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG5s1Elltr
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0WPcspcCX
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5vSZOOH0w
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQxmbHUJFr
“I refuse your treatment!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VRHGqvgMI
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rfukHeiQG
“H-Huh!?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP9iKsBwkz
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt25zrssWd
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDSURjpqJ3
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLwaQFss1k
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PP8GvjNSC
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3gSc3zd60
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6r9EZR0T
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEEBPaDBQR
“I– Wha?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQG20SZxiZ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSME9cDfBuX
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–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFWUrvaLcm
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLPHOpgX3j
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sE9GNzH2n
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60gLgOHQ3y
“Stupid? Weird!?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntXtsrk7Eg
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfW7ZA2dwu
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoHAPfuoeg
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYvokEqgDy
“...”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOsziqLTdX
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aAyMc40kq
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcods1PDVM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r3PDglVdh
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2m1t44886
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CD7m9h8jF
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5su6b8k2R
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgRbDSbxpm
“It’s because I upset you.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr14NsDK8Y
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL4nhvVzYW
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldxwMl0WZ0
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rxJ8YzLqa
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDnbwYTbRX
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjJgWibks4
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgnMfYDILr
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdKHhl9kqe
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjim1oMkzbk
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ7f3GzI6i
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYgQjtISlF
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdNruzIeVl
“S-Sheesh.” 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbExVpyr16s
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWDsGHsbBi
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.
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiYeCCUuOi
“How do I use this thing?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKC8h4hXh
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvY7Sl9lqw
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxyYbzmrQc
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrEz9W4odo
“Drinking works for me.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnMsjkHzdW
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb0elspGUh
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClHGyamAGF
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCCsvaEX3M
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcdefCo5te
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC8eDAwU4s
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H2z7wlWie
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwbNMH0pHo
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgmUoyYeKs
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi4WmjURba
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMwvW24zUB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbkleEFRn6
“Whatever.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHjHi3Bd6u
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz2dHVhQJY
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. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XP0Hkw8CC
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmv8BHU6F7
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToXEqeTIpS
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbzcbEHau
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPhkPxNtDu
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlgPPwMcYH
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHnlTz11M8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK83eQuGhrS
“Leaving already?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3SL26hwSm
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SdBlWdk9t
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4QjPsyFIl
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV42RDo7zZ
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivA1xLzBLK
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6JHYGtGIV
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq1p6HdT91
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBIvdA7Fvs
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFp1pWAzCZ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2rI2qwptZ
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3grJroUMOb
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNGbpJDnRM
“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?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe2JYibF7g
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DjoYdlVht
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcsrlcrv1b
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx702tOrtXV
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtzgUz6SBJ
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WJkmCPlDl
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHk7Cj42JW
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2O73Bh72R
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwdMwYMZsV
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgqGixxbwG
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtncMCxcSAE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuFOA8eP93
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSBNnqRuIt
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdQNehmk37
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz5GOI9sjS
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HkcZsKLfn
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN3jqogN2o
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwZyw4d859
“H-Huh?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQunuoPDdd
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZM6dRLvis
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5KlxmhYnY
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD3fsVID5P
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPT93quAZw
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS4yvjEe5i
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDOQJ2grPM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HmUKLOOkm
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXImHnw14jS
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXGWmFw092
“I’m n-nothing so special.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LcpT1CBDC
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfEQoNWcDl
“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!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GXEfqve5z
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mOM1ecXvo
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr3NxHr9L3
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt4sHa61Gh
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIEyVT4YK2
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwbUltUhVv
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvYFemwv1c
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3KU8I5qYG
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. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrOiV1o1ZX
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYoDNRxoQF
It took me only a few 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqSNSOt7xU
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHcPuddaUc
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgl3G3aaGd
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagOsSSvJ4Q
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkkO6IOkGF
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI27PSom1sm
“No, really, Rover.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pVLdYBVRx
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4r53JjL8
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Szxi7L1iq
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L1JeoYzE6
“I think I’m just lucky.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl5LSeRVwT
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ItrdIakA
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XXAr93tQq
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXyNbsxHNz
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zgk1zKR3j
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGRkP5Kx7
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ5GHcZ3mi
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2JbxZJCPh
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn08bR37w7
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcslGFZbh5
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOEhYQVVKv
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pEiSNvKLX
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LRGXdfRru
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEdYUKtSxf
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8TCNRYELp
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaDaoqb4n2
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8aPKUyFNU
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWJXfMUk8b
“D-Don’t rush me!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc5Agg33RK
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuqcFjh6m7
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaZWnh9lL8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MIEWsynE6
“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…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWsO9eluG8
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEuTlQeCbR
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2fucVF3w1
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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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh2JYXRqeJ
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL4oKtmFdj
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT33aA5y0A
“I didn’t say anything.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWUiVbEvZe
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw5JPpyKAN
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl6rCILn7p
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0U2cEapLg
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMZVj9naQp
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkbSwRWizB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbFK6yDk9p
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjHuzjyDHo
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbZoJzrWqU
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlzBkfwQhf
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDewXqlO1dK
“Told you all I did? What?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdiAZZySfK
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UprpWOrhZ
She was caught by a wind of fury.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8jParJ0IA
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgND5RadVkJ
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL1N0eQlJK
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj0S1EzVI2
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubBH03WbeH
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegNMwXL22v
“What’s so funny?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG8HLxYG9C
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf51mxif2e
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rjnuALg6w
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoqU2BraAa
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EphyBjRRk
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMcml9NiqH
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK39OvDxoB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm328qO0d8A
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSjki4CbD6
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAnky1SDi2
“A little crazy?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr16NMu96p
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9FfEEqAqM
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0sFtoGcrK
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzTiLhbmSi
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMgTW4Cmi1
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vqp5L3Hbh
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpqcNW8o0w
“Well–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0pwrj74Cv
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6d8kdkI2i
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrViTr3BuFS
“I–”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRGHgU4HLm
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLQ6Ng0Zix
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfprPOQkvEC
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HmL9peXEp
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPwNFJkcIB
“See! I– huh? You do?”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KrtKyCGci
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOjYf9e4fX
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTupajQYoO
“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.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUPCFNtNLN
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW08RMW6UJG
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZAFYHNfnW
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMUwzKzkeQ
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZoB4Boala
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgYXJ8K94g
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP114Ez0LbF
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXAx9PYrJ5
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDXvDlhk79
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEBekCYpdB
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ySCJazYLO
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJv8J8ufPg
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyN7DAPWcj
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfBIKBN0IF
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhhnzW4QPz
“Ah, right.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD4ZKdFQ7W
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiK1I0nIHv
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gRu7xykbF
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSkoaimtjv
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo1wyfoCbt
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh3D2VwSgE
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKGmjMoA21
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1gu27Dtjf
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHflGRLTUbA
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.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU41StwJVQz
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“Wait, one last thing!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D2M3SCwyv
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ekKR3nKbN
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNoevOKqXc
417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgKaBppsTj
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcagNsqXHFR
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“...”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx5Lor2kmp
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I smiled.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SUW96uQa4
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“I will.”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH2ZF1Lfl2
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Kc7651Zz
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“Yes!”417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRZ63UYfIX
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.417Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxaFtreo73
and then Add to home screen.