My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRdIrzIpK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCLIRHVEUU
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslBmSCfoW0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XSlPXTRSa
"Haa..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihwxZSlAiY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsft8ZYALBF
"Are you okay?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydlyW63x1p
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOeU3ZAaW
"Phew. Now I am."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzMqyvCPoY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiMtZDx6yo
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDxM81P8rX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62Yr51vA0k
"W-What is it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsTfB2YWoc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5GqYTPZCH
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3APV4wMi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHGISAFUaQ
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiCr09JuGo
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4fgAeJME0
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB6HPJ7lmd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0DZWApE6K
"Well..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW1eDEgQR0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqRkimB4VR
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDqPRPYwbf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxgNbSpaSO
"Come on, tell me!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwwe0da7wr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgUPm05FPW
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yoNPUtjNs
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cBjYpmAmq
She sighed and shrugged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdZMFr2Clw
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPXGvFGjgU
"Are you feeling nervous?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSgWH8MAAB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhsdQjwoKF
"Of course I am."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuHUVoUePy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3KZgrCbs5
"You shouldn't be."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jpGgPtHxu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2oUYAoI3T
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFKM6Pr0eK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwR0MyG6PI
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygVffkwHgT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiSfr7LDp3
"...What's that supposed to mean?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQwnjSFQ2C
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMOjP5Bibt
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL9JNNIEpW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFv2FxQq1Z
"I think you came here a little too early."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskdBIGNF6s
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKqVyCvD7
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA19QC1pXat
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zl8Lehufk
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShBZ9NtRwH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQhPCROlYA
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61dVix010E
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxH8NwUwKM
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSkX7PhPz5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpvqIBds4A
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToRDm9tlT8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH42R6linT5
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRBVkrF7oU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbka653Ud9A
"Aren't you going to say something?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKhzul3LwI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyBhagXL8y
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JH70FDsag
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMebq15bhxh
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlRlqNXg32
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuKcnvfFC9
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf8lvybvME
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrz9gsgb9e
"...I-I still don't believe you."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nXXUU9zPp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA72hGb6si
"Are you serious!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaTJ7I8UNz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOEh6g8DwQ
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuBoixU6wn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ga6qEY5S
"Can I at least have your name?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BfDlhgQMx
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv4tNS54WH
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFIoZ7rfmF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnewz1ReRkt
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIB9c9cOnL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDRHyeh3Tk
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWatNalnPEK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrpY83j9Cy
"A-Alright, I won't forget."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaPbliQIv3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E8HCQtDdY
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVzKyMGwR9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL9QU9ZdRm
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxe0PR8UAd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sx5R4ljfO
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6f1itsbXQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIkVDR2ilr
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3tWxRVhNN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13TW3hzKsP
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Gt6MeWl7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfzNeoCIVq
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlWpmUzCC0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCCt7n3F5j
"She's not very nice at all."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw6mKjeUqb
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3p36Wfdqs
"I suppose not."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP20q4GH9K
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB9mWRoNIW
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsh8zPKQun
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawLex2SyuF
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpvqzxFQ5u
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgC1nIVRBa
**SMASH**370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9suqB35Nna
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlFHVg5ey3
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH1EdRFW9v
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB07OtI7WIR
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHuU2QK9CI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pgzomswOI
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehvvcEUZM3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMvZksh3Cu
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ650q5dPpA4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsivp7kJMVh
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72oqyXLTXJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda5V7bNZks
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtRLDyx6fi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0IRacexwU
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFSiszRbFe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQGTegHhdu
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxVqwo23MB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99gKoRaJ6r
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p1ghzBJp0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE7CqPtOsF
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp8crvIxh3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPTdR7MqAk
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lVJxv4A01
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Md4SsFIk
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTZu6RaLjZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB98wAO0eW9
"No, not at all."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMtlbJVU0l
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrNtsVvXbp
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlncqXJr4c4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzjiErHAuZ
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWC13n8sR9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEDkWR2l9A
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Plz4TOwc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwui3Y6r4m
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8aXCKASIK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAXux9ka6X
"Is she our teammate?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZcBzoA56g
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoo51JDVXQ
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxVKDeweKY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGy5NPgY7A
"That so? Lemme test the waters."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvShPb1QfQ5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlsqurJRYz
"You'll regret it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczLCJpGn5v
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBxD61iphG
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYik3cgNn0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkF3DPWWL8
"...Wait."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzFUkW27h3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VxmhDBET6
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkcsJR1OG3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgLsFXNz9z
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkISe55qqN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGdhZRv7UP
"A little? Just a little?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Gah7RASh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNPD1IcTH9
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcATwgHbB3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFGeQAwmBT
"I met her five minutes ago!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp9sYcD5Hr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaUNY3Q8mR
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuzzrYH41L
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvZtzKMZaq
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyCIhlY86O
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1xVrtkPV5
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUkEcj2L2P
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjjzFkvZoP
"Really?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGWosACPY5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1PuDTKOhF
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpwrjRH8FN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBnQ6V0SxU
"What do you mean 'really'?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cd0XWznjr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOzJEUXqin
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wazLIkbPm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpcxFdh8ZW
"--!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcQ36M2l4C
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORSirEo5ll
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4kIxOgSDp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXelrcxM9w
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTvCKuF428
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPgJM2G4A0
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV6PhTKTl5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8zUkyCisl
**SMASH**370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9dyiFguat
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEoFO01DsQ
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVNNMwanQe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBI6vvRSPi
My jaw dropped yet again.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7gMCKW9BI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfan5pSfKo
"ROY!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRp7zQdhJi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZpcYfL3GP
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yUW6bBcr9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71t4YkAV00
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGU4OrKvFl
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhBOlPoTjm
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E2EZzvBrf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pmV1pgzfC
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRBL0flLFW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXMGmbVZmx
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpVHVC5V6f
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC21zrsde6n
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXhWq0p4vT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4PVCj0hRi
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNYmwZqjFO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA043NUHeCv
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1U631eoYS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KmBCFWrxi
"R-Right."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HlLOjqpq9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig2xrmMJXD
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ41T1AscLy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VaZ0T15hA
"Ack!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ts66ctKH5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBTUzOW0lk
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApk7GnLVMk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wO64dtI4M
"F-Flinty, what was–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfYOKzGRi1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrABTJCQSm
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxPngUA5Sk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zvS9AZDsI
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgkbZPXFkI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug7HoTzAdG
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb51Jfq8SlT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVtbsipIOx
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfCNH1mPIg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZOZn1f1hA
"No, I'm not just saying it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5X57DX1pP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjewSSFsUCF
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH4a3NQ5SW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13QmbPST6N
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBdFuZb7Fm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJOsy9DtlL
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L77QL2VYm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYk07ppigc
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90kkyRNxnd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkHyql927c
"I–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJRmDcuhiu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vg6VQ34mu
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbMpQfKr4Z
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXra3JcH82
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH03vinnLm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfzeLi9SJj
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnjWSBvCSX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC2QP1bcQP
And yet...370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SHHvw1sG9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WQWJJSWQi
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho6k2u9Cay
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpakGDsh9So
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeVFig9cS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdq0ZVOhIZ
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleQUTI5H4p
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwTVsIZGnp
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIoytN33gL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZR2jLsB9I
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ25wfLjSl
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtsPyYEo5B
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfFcKEVFlu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9R0s3T3O8
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YOrQdBpVP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8abjvjDdzd
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFphzPP8t2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Uwws1zdDc
"O-Okay."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgIaAasEwn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRvDFHnEjB
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8lypqYmaS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3jeo3TI1E
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvRbMDbAiG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbonzOta0qJ
"Okay okay, fine."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJHaz5D6Ff
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSYKTIAbob
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lx1h4s44a
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf5Jah9wbq
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vOt7nSio5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAIpbILEyy
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaUK6VkRUQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmwFdd3kXA
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9bquTObYs
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDbS21yvv0
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjs46l2Xl7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm0RZvzZxI
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AlCcUAW0M
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYNGfH2q7C
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmavZrm82XA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqU8QKnJFb
"Huh...? What did you say?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqvAl2RDNM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgd4jCefAG
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyXHkexeld
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaw8O5KbAN
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQhaB5BFdT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnarh2SJ0I8
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86RAbFoMOP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20vvcwVjI0
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjvoLVQrK1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19erYl1CdE
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtc0sPJcmr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0U0BRn0MI
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPK88Az3kK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuROGuCYWKI
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYOoFzWEt2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze5fbRyFaf
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybUczxjLfy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2R8C4Tbk8
"Note?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSnRwWpOYV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0gl1Li7wE
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYQ05CTCgO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ZTaLylcK
"What does it say?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7CA0JeRjx
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJMtJIbYlj
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjxy15bhBf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOAvgjHjV1
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRMQ7y3DbI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2blTSWwVMn
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8reNc7eZ6m
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj9FqVDt9r
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDn7G9MxDE
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlkVxSPAiu
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sHnZgEIus
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq47W0blZoS
Juke sighed and put the paper away.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz5oRcYpE8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEFUEs9urM
"So, how's about a story?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwVThGN0gB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFbUZOqZON
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCK8MrpD04
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICOma4GNqK
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRYYxAyRRI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VbyrLbcrr
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MWMeU2WFD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22t4ASKTT6
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9XCnXy9wH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCE6bdFX0L
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCMxShD5S9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1o3u1Skei
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhDs226Zkt
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0O8tUyDAZ
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrUkgMzGXF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaijEcHH8m
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImhhYY7RBj
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hpXBRgf4G
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VtOsjmsZo
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU2nH1VeTL
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wBr5yXnKA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAymL96GysW
"Seriously? You have to be lying."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzSPUoqlaK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO4yihrQhS
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjb4fnpwCG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1iJIoJQ6q
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoZ9sHRZto
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnABJ1tCiRA
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34fNbq27t7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTUUGbKPkU
"Like what?" I asked.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKcFJD3ZBV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZsODHDe0M
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15LHKppwVR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpucU1CzNHF
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3nFzT23H0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMUT8baQlj
"...Stardust?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxOENfXBmz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkxPZdhuci
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP92noBprc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ovn2nlNlV
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQ8owygyf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4wq9A6uaw
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBONaYm6aJW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjNqteYVnN
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPhEZtMsx3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckv0fXNQX8
"...The what?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2sfko5XlY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfouiHGm4S
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r7Ln0JkBY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Y7Oy756x
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNViZJCuE4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wtXo7BuR7
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4udKdsBB71
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xcV92QI2q
"Of course I do!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIDxnD1Tm1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowSrjqH0K1
She pumped her fist.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJJp2A7hOJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJSxZWa16N
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vAS9BILJ0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8rMViZw85
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChITLwbmSO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzshikVIwn
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj9vaFrRIO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpeVAxXWYc
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wGJIscyGY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNY5IW7xov
"I already know this."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrm3yVTxYX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BQwbDF4RJ
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8CljqHyb3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprtmc5pZXy
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MxaSMYtl7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KC7W0Ypyf
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWxTWXyUaD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfauwH8ni0o
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS69KBfiIV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZW49zIhyX
"Eh? Why?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTezxdGm6X
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwxEdL48NI
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cPVlgikAU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMQpiZgFtE
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYFrhoxauz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlUPibXs8X
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5wxHYqdBe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRTDlp7skp
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAc81OhSUr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5xx406dBy
"That's cuz I met her."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX1nlV54w2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBCGu5GoFI
"WHAT!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBWaXQqw1P
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3irXWcNyE
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdnQI75nsr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0VdrKFEQq
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzHHzvK9HH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gj6hVYRCo
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOvjK9LulT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllWgszJ4gq
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhSYTwEbzQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV7RA9z0Dc
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHlMYUN1HT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jcgs5tuV9
"You're kidding."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGy054SdwP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPh1jNpq55
He shook his head no.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcf6JlJtmW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS3bxH3gD5
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7kF3W1SWP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwseXIfA4ci
"You're making this up," I said.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHlnrEoFBY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXi4P8tuKc
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r222qk0M7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ydaGbbXB
Juke shrugged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfT6zTSxR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ai6XUbbvC
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU0a9SYHYk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE8aZYw6sq
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbQiofMGDW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ78sozie1J
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvqlcKZio1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfefVGmMAM
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyHrZ5xWPy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0NeE2UwwP
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLwrt15Xy2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceoybLon2s
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUkblhlpVJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNZNv7ixA
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0RWyTp4q8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7TMxmEXCv
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUo4B2ysSk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR78k5LCA8
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzxIDMpyVZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioYNeH2cUB
She pointed a finger at him.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM9J9A6D3q
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tWkjdwQQ9
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneGTyUb3Sp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9DSoH5Uqu
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKNyIN4hd8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1S3x2TTT2
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATSnPr5fj5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QYsxgpJ0L
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BiT4eqR7i
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdyLnySnuR
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk0pScxPmy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytIzmoe10R
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95aUfmOETy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKJ0JowWDm
"--Ngh! You guys...!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLoC1M92nB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToSYQtpqdu
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3QZQgNoh6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnPieWCu1V
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMBMZFQb1L
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KEjC6YHzK
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0fCb9X7BG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfgtoBKNAB
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwcuCwnnlG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5KEozQC2R
"Ya look like you have something to say."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ad2S8tfPa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocCKQ81cpC
"W-Well..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzNuP7weOc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q1QGKdO2C
She turned her head away.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TQXs4D5OZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgPCbNdTbF
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6fAJcFCnQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMuAsJjgnH
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sNHNysMbN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYH7FJdbWV
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q6tEslVnZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW0rq9aihG
"Mhm, I told you so."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkOu00ZAhK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJavgRWXoE
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZwT411yqP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe44yVuzVOx
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa9zorkCAP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEljdNLhqY
"...So why am I not getting any?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5InkuTECK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHUUMMndEG
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNZqORZYJt
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxjmbgIZCy
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfchMCROMMv
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmgtE9qwqp
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6KjTqKn9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMvFh2Y4rg
"Eh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOHS37tqib
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BTG2wuJLo
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KmQzlo0AZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlMRXcSUj5
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgemWK8jR5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ458DvUkvJP
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVLDclbDbm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjArrZr6iXL
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ6uZwnSPp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEiY0OZ6or
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RdCrp3y7c
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgWs0DLKr5
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5TC0iVGAq
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGE4KWQPod
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y03nOMh5A
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko59L1vGum
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtUurnUkVp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQp90y8mbj
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquRxUKGPen
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOBNu3OoRY
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUwfZGgNBD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X3wcbfgQs
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunFzJbt6Yr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SZrwNvX58
"A jungle? What elevation?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhVyA40bbE
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLXCtTVP4W
He shrugged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmoBv8Fwqe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDawFCTnVP
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNGEZCYuwm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7qppbnkRg
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeabzE9g4e
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwUrOTy0gT
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA49dn9WTC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHSiHrEFBW
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIICZCzb6lr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XNCa4Lm8w
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlRM32CZH7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnrojV6SJS
"Why?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcewWO2Wf7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcINVGqUrn
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyUUx5YRz4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CMZq6uIvA
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHR9t1qyaa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOrP8LH0I4
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZwTcg74OS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomEIPWtvyL
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnorEA6Uvpi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVTlbEooY7
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxle8gZFji
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NkarGNkf9
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDk4zrVusM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5j8nM26Dx
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ehgprjtVQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ540jMKzUYu
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyzoFYeEBp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJA3vT2H43
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S47MtcC0y
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44RL94WOuC
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO3DAIU6mV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejhMdt83cN
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArFg0x4nOz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHIwSzfaKO
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGNz0AWgD8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMvakZ762e
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LvXLAVbwM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKddnXLASi
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmHqLkq0sy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi2c32dwhH
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhcZ3jQBg8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1IyzeseMw
"TALBOT!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhYLENBNl7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz0b6qp9MN
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OEYzsr4oq
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHjcGhIa1c
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBfg0yaHDm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOijxR8NiH
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2fXDcpasN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUdBeMrJEw
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4YkLHct6T
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl4hXi99ox
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mnaeRXfXy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFX7AD1a7U
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LFjCFEhdM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApmEyJ9XT7
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM97PWTPK5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZvNki29kX
"Are ya kidding me?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HDlaYRZHf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58GmFPwphr
"That's so lame!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T7t7wqhxk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpds7rVkO1x
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0bHcBfg1h
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0FjhOx5Y9
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvpb7Bb0D1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk6hSjiMHx
"What's that supposed to mean?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXLNmeJflX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6bEQeWcYY
"Nothing."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ519MqLjbYE
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIoE1M3PZe
She returned to chowing down on her food.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJsMGEeR3S
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSINffnHj9
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF92yl0OO8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcTBJAebgi
"Well..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkyY00NeCS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrtIGG8B83
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K8x8xNgAQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFnw1vzqaI
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWxRMUlnkf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxbCTwP3vg
"...No."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdFhLuHrHZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7vQxoRqj4
"Eh? Why not?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl0jO7MJtS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fjIseaShA
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ik7UbCql1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtXHLnVh5v
"Huh!? What'd you say?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjD0jNbUd7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjnypFUn3D
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5aUNjiULc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cIvIS7gp3
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfHUVjbOj7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSEqlAWZyc
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVktMvsqn8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Os2ftsWA
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44LS0jqu3j
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5mhDxzatH
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77JbGHb8F9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNausdxRL3
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZgGNUFyIs
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFJi4rUq0L
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEnOAz45NA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdgh6iKKfv
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPWBibUPQG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwLpgsSPhx
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm82I4n5nif
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcry8yu5SjG
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFgTrc7EK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIdYggyvUr
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HTVqyNTMH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCP6PfivIS
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUJg8cFBC9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmhnxBUe5k
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyovU0FQ0zB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAFsgKrDFW
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos4bPk62M8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs83RZqG7C
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwBVyMaaw1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyxAXaHA5R
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMfdC6mMVA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz8uhoE4Yd
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6rT9GyNi1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPUiTiXpIt
"Custom design? Well..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9fUcJs5tP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCIeV1gN6Z
She turned her head away.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKqyr8zFjS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwDikEvRf7
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OHvnEN2ib
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsJMytmHlg
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbN18vL2oz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gpN4xcevE
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Ua2tBQa9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClqyh5sUOf
"Oh, this?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB7nDV80PM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJBMZ9uQLw
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxdILCXmit
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6XvyYwvlu
"I stole it!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FPR8RtuWt
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7G2kEFWH9
"No surprise."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7CJNZWeBr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7YzBkOUsf
"I ain't surprised."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVq4Zn82wO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEy390EbFP
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFn79riJCS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8O4wedE6v
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhdj7qRg7H
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESCjSdAwHc
"No."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4erSlxk0oJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFnJ0m1uAx
"Not really."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tNCatcpUF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwiWZToMEM
"Ah... you two are lame!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawWlvyEE4j
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PsAAupLwO
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyYobxTgba
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWIiDpLkhE
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf362Vu82mz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc4NnGbDtJ
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArzrJT0G25
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe0xWD5OOt
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYOIovBFF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe8usnEaeQ
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs09k29xxkn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFk0TRt7fX
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFbgquVeTs
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgtQznfwzy
"I-I see... I suppose so."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wzg9qFBzz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTUhFFueV9
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBRixrWL1J
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mwWZsqqFX
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ4AMjFeXS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqIeysW5oZ
"Did you have to word it that way?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44UPG85jKo
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4AakgttDa
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD3kOAuUrv
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbrOw6sxNb
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gm6Xdqr7Z
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNYgPYcPov
"Ya got it, boss."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgmzmYqTPT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4B5zK5xb7
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FKNJgzW8p
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx7TElUrvb
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLf1RvDMJP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yDb2GqxI7
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1fEAwU2xT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG0GuHEkQ6
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyUaknWSa5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrMFpyvVnu
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPyBAxBW3s
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd1Z6EZrCK
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ggA6rPmb
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTg72hFoKg
"...Well, alright. What is it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHLyvC4cKg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh7541L3yX
"I... I wanted..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaHwytCEro
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhUv8rwOeO
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zmsHK0ePd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC3oZW99Zs
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaynDyZWBY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI1e1qVFFv
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16xajpfbdh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTh5gK98ra
"Where's this coming from?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK1kfLEQMb
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1QQqcshmz
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNdvM5KTrK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BkKPk3CDw
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ZoNSQZvP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4n772RtxE
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UqLIshjve
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXuO8hFXDm
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmf8OBy0l9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5jSpBtI7U
In that light–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dk5AphkPZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81wOfEkRiz
"Alright, apology accepted."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iRZm6obAQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsJ9Cpv2qr
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24OLEYPba
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR8yEVvDYU
"--only on one condition."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet4vyOUuIf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA55NPwYKJ
"Eh!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrYmbom6Eb
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPoyuQrVbU
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4RGELZDf4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh8EYV993W
"That's right."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp5ayoeXTk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7okgiuYoli
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8cNAyKEF8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx67LDHLRIF
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIpAAwIfl6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU5Cj42GZj
"He sounds like a priss."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjU554pbU6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ddWVd6aNF
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTI2vrn39k
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB9s5Os8Sd
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhhVeux17W
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQQwGBxYS0
"Fine, what's your condition?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRKjCA1dpl
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRzpCFQxbw
I pointed a finger at her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDssloe1paO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ7YtKD3NE
"We need to get along from now on."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcPj7oo1Cl
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Z9zjmAcN
"...Huh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaSgOKMwzI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKghmsjaT64
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VkFmNcyR6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP0tUhoywD
"...Ha, that's it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIeREmxfeF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYAwUTYt16
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUnEPUUmsA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1OnyV0JhL
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKc79eMYaa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkehMO6OYqX
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA8hoGYMd4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOnnVSQy68
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySNQgDfhQx
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgJtjjXqnZ
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwciRQMEtgm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTHMoo09Z7
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAefEDm6gh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfmy6fL19h
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvjMG3qm5x
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHB1mrW4ZQ
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgHcVeimAs
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lq1tfMRVh
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnrN4iVnkv
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvH2haIF6
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03dkk50YdQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxeK7PTMZ4
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa8tFGCP8b
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDClm8xj5U
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cheWHKGA5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPX8BqEpov
"What a weirdo, seriously."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjayFMUCGbn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT4jjlvZbl
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPux6HHbjQq
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutm3JZZT0R
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i60NoFEqc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iUZW6ojnO
"You guys! You gotta see this!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg9PBZ45gK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpC7nkwbX9
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr2HbstQ6H
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9W4M4emem
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.
and then Add to home screen.