My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.30Please respect copyright.PENANA61EWlug0Eg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXJWovpaEkY
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAfSjPO151t0
30Please respect copyright.PENANAIsZNP7JXlA
"Haa..."30Please respect copyright.PENANA3jQUprf8Pm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAf2LBR7UjVC
"Are you okay?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAdVMxi3S8iT
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzyvnaJbK3u
"Phew. Now I am."30Please respect copyright.PENANAKCSFoTyrXk
30Please respect copyright.PENANAViZFqpH170
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAH7kSs0M81k
30Please respect copyright.PENANAADH0M8kl1o
"W-What is it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAvaE82qPHto
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwgpX6vYYYL
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."30Please respect copyright.PENANAHZSUW9b3W7
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4VaarQFQAK
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."30Please respect copyright.PENANATS8Y18p6eT
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKQKcE4WmMm
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"30Please respect copyright.PENANALNDWQZfr0w
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlICoNO70e7
"Well..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAXSkAS30cSc
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFKHaxrJwEb
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAy9FiNmCzgj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAVeK2rSepUz
"Come on, tell me!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAbEhNN7BLjm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAoWRHYNUGO3
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."30Please respect copyright.PENANAZgAKURIYXQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAb1Mud9QXFe
She sighed and shrugged.30Please respect copyright.PENANAALH1JHXQJU
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKWJa5HIXTW
"Are you feeling nervous?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAACXc0TunsP
30Please respect copyright.PENANAu2hlJ0nCz4
"Of course I am."30Please respect copyright.PENANA39Ho7tsf0w
30Please respect copyright.PENANADwmpr7ioiG
"You shouldn't be."30Please respect copyright.PENANABsoS38O5Ec
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9jGiOcKqhQ
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."30Please respect copyright.PENANAaMW9vySIzK
30Please respect copyright.PENANA30jPm6zrah
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."30Please respect copyright.PENANAndkEIvtnmU
30Please respect copyright.PENANAozaCndCfpH
"...What's that supposed to mean?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAWng9QUbGnS
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4TJQqAu1Q5
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANARMik4gXwAJ
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4gkOvolXqv
"I think you came here a little too early."30Please respect copyright.PENANAqWcYRyfJho
30Please respect copyright.PENANAz7k6k9iKUk
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."30Please respect copyright.PENANAnDWM0bT1Hu
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEDYHUnvj2u
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAsnk2z52wa2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjXlKJBdEb6
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!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAdB5mS3GoQ2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwYPzPjod5K
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAAXx1BZ3tHp
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcUpDuqlZJ1
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."30Please respect copyright.PENANAaW1E0PQDwq
30Please respect copyright.PENANAboEppbyG9W
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA3PZU9ZfXNM
30Please respect copyright.PENANADesxHFyR0o
"Aren't you going to say something?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAXgXceSIgo8
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8JH47PXr2d
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."30Please respect copyright.PENANAWbq4euZvm8
30Please respect copyright.PENANAamwCnDVr5k
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAAogyOGBep2
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2vbhyN6JMH
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAnPVPlmujvU
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvi6Wpor12w
"...I-I still don't believe you."30Please respect copyright.PENANAxJkrfSSyS5
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9tFphzINrN
"Are you serious!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAAIncHm2m9o
30Please respect copyright.PENANAn6OqGikrJV
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.30Please respect copyright.PENANAX40vxiXbqZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAmeFst2wOnV
"Can I at least have your name?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAFA9tEDeJCZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANABPQ4QBLfLp
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAilE2M7k3p7
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjDbWxAelpI
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAk5oSwFwwgq
30Please respect copyright.PENANAagIEP9Lnsf
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.30Please respect copyright.PENANA4x55Sl7Jcu
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4Gh9KRaFYc
"A-Alright, I won't forget."30Please respect copyright.PENANA3xGQfNjxEz
30Please respect copyright.PENANAeHkCylRG2B
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAFwXeOGLDvT
30Please respect copyright.PENANARtZqFmitKH
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."30Please respect copyright.PENANAALduy27MED
30Please respect copyright.PENANAYr8bSnNnV7
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.30Please respect copyright.PENANA4YXcEOwbde
30Please respect copyright.PENANAioJK7S9yyL
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"30Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZgeaJCVdy
30Please respect copyright.PENANADlBQ3M1kCu
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAYj0E01p2Eo
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnPrt5c3ge0
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.30Please respect copyright.PENANAICXvhb5eP8
30Please respect copyright.PENANAj1vZD6odNc
"She's not very nice at all."30Please respect copyright.PENANAax4xApSGS4
30Please respect copyright.PENANAo8NrgtfQZ4
"I suppose not."30Please respect copyright.PENANAKwgVEkODeB
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9QNHV5PhtM
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."30Please respect copyright.PENANAbxdum9QynN
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQpVGcTmGXE
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8ctbGurmp
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgn8sZc1QKq
**SMASH**30Please respect copyright.PENANAjlihuzisSp
30Please respect copyright.PENANAdwfAWgRH4K
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA5wSHM1YSyz
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwtduXV1FYl
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.30Please respect copyright.PENANAWL3Ijwr517
30Please respect copyright.PENANAa9dKhD5FPE
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"30Please respect copyright.PENANA72nMTEVl8m
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5SiN1x3kPJ
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.30Please respect copyright.PENANALRm6AmZDOZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAYlSPgELVTw
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAu3eTy5ObNp
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuc3gl7YdU2
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."30Please respect copyright.PENANAqRicqUN4Rw
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1UnkjhVYpF
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.30Please respect copyright.PENANAlQ5Z823sw8
30Please respect copyright.PENANAbfw1wcQW1G
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."30Please respect copyright.PENANA8Mo1SvEbct
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZzIIQxPoDf
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA7c6T6QuroC
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0ugseEaJma
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.30Please respect copyright.PENANAO1WAWxUtc5
30Please respect copyright.PENANAy4LGbXRiwP
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAqLYz2yHGNz
30Please respect copyright.PENANAInH18DKPnX
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAN4rHUDDadh
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWzhdpxdPLq
"No, not at all."30Please respect copyright.PENANASJ4a4l2q9L
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOQcxmEpy1n
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAPvYUfSmEtx
30Please respect copyright.PENANAA02vmxwo1y
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.30Please respect copyright.PENANA3WrLTyCdfS
30Please respect copyright.PENANANsy9xHpg9L
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."30Please respect copyright.PENANA2JFXKdEf5Y
30Please respect copyright.PENANApfxjIUniDJ
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.30Please respect copyright.PENANAUAw6XNUEaE
30Please respect copyright.PENANAUpArUPYwV3
"Is she our teammate?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAaUcCvQsF6x
30Please respect copyright.PENANAllm5wPlgzq
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."30Please respect copyright.PENANA176v8VcFzr
30Please respect copyright.PENANAtdKk1sy1T3
"That so? Lemme test the waters."30Please respect copyright.PENANAfUHZnJUgrT
30Please respect copyright.PENANA36Q4F5yAg2
"You'll regret it."30Please respect copyright.PENANAIy3H2GjRFc
30Please respect copyright.PENANAspsDknO7OM
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAzAJr944XxH
30Please respect copyright.PENANAhlm8TvkQtd
"...Wait."30Please respect copyright.PENANA30OPn0z9WC
30Please respect copyright.PENANAhcdta09PMK
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!30Please respect copyright.PENANAUzQ41LnsOi
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKkWQ0tyVlT
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."30Please respect copyright.PENANAJNC3yzVdmK
30Please respect copyright.PENANAIePXXJ15yu
"A little? Just a little?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAphVJPhE4sm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZygzyeNJvV
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."30Please respect copyright.PENANAgN1g7Wid8z
30Please respect copyright.PENANAyFYpEIuNTS
"I met her five minutes ago!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAAkS7tMQ5D2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsuJYbKsBkG
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.30Please respect copyright.PENANAK8x7oFT05P
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5gkpl6xBg3
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."30Please respect copyright.PENANAuJaaJgZhtg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxKvWK2Gpfp
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."30Please respect copyright.PENANAauNTTl9ko3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsuxNAKrXVr
"Really?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAj3ITOVlKnQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANArBVzinkQWG
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.30Please respect copyright.PENANAudIZgGmaSh
30Please respect copyright.PENANABcmF02V4ac
"What do you mean 'really'?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAylVpOSC8Qr
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzbPDiFooy5
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAKiVkyCekvs
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuNIepIByic
"--!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAtRgKodSfqn
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsraPrGQ1v6
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAsGbrhLrQRr
30Please respect copyright.PENANAC3QsgDTQEz
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."30Please respect copyright.PENANAj1T5lY8lSq
30Please respect copyright.PENANAP3cvk17xcO
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."30Please respect copyright.PENANA8oxWyjSwiO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAGmGOPHMXlp
**SMASH**30Please respect copyright.PENANAQc9Be87qtZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8IkD4Ty0wu
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAwwXyOnemtD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ58QzVSXw7
My jaw dropped yet again.30Please respect copyright.PENANAACYEBV4kXx
30Please respect copyright.PENANAUYZ1K3tP1f
"ROY!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAkALtNzQc7d
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEb3Qo6juQJ
–
–
–
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAVVuczb3pGn
30Please respect copyright.PENANADERDXePXRF
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAwfDF6WaiKQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAT9DxCEJLKC
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAMWSYyUuQPZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANACtRAOPLQq0
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."30Please respect copyright.PENANA0NwmDZ2T1C
30Please respect copyright.PENANApoLLVfvC7L
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAXBH1vvWEcu
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZ83SfX4rPB
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAXRuxISvTZY
30Please respect copyright.PENANARLMM9sja05
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA9cVcrxru9N
30Please respect copyright.PENANAx4462Pt6np
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."30Please respect copyright.PENANAkLondNfSA9
30Please respect copyright.PENANAdWIYf3yNBr
"R-Right."30Please respect copyright.PENANAkkResaJbvg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAV8txp2akIX
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–30Please respect copyright.PENANAXWMgCOokpQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8uSQ84aUDq
"Ack!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAmNBh7aH5Ot
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5TzDxhHpZ7
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.30Please respect copyright.PENANAtHplEsSEJI
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0hUUPONeSe
"F-Flinty, what was–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAUc4obyupWt
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0kHzUAdmVH
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAM9cIO8wXZQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAbv18hFBNbH
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAu3ToPm5eEj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAyk6EpTokyY
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."30Please respect copyright.PENANAC6GhPPA2tU
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsLjVUGIF6W
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAqqBfNPrRyI
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWQvQLTNj53
"No, I'm not just saying it."30Please respect copyright.PENANAeg9Cj2tJtN
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlT9QhwFneT
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.30Please respect copyright.PENANAc2jyh0EgGL
30Please respect copyright.PENANAU8fuLzBB4Y
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANA4jxJEshnb7
30Please respect copyright.PENANAT3O7cD7zWF
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAY3mBcrlEWm
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2fnLV3TOvl
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANA43RZZhGFfP
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuvaIN0es4V
"I–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAR6tPf66H7D
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKNtevrntQE
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAbCE8hD7kr3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAYJIhNm4TkO
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAOtEXMzL6WG
30Please respect copyright.PENANAJA0o0mAvYs
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–30Please respect copyright.PENANAXfYdHtXk7Z
30Please respect copyright.PENANAphKoWKw4Tx
And yet...30Please respect copyright.PENANAp83UkomqNE
30Please respect copyright.PENANAG09L5StAvO
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."30Please respect copyright.PENANA37NIVhiFYY
30Please respect copyright.PENANABvugYNiN7V
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.30Please respect copyright.PENANADu6LnTCn4N
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfTOiqXqt1C
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAKZBtEpytgR
30Please respect copyright.PENANAp6r970bCTn
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.30Please respect copyright.PENANA2D5bhqyYO9
30Please respect copyright.PENANANvDHe186QL
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAzgHjsM3KUh
30Please respect copyright.PENANAE5h1xJ8g03
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."30Please respect copyright.PENANAgtZSDvYt6P
30Please respect copyright.PENANAms89lj9ugR
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAzRw25OC4Ky
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwXmAPBUbM1
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAR1oXtHZPOv
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzvddjeWQSW
"O-Okay."30Please respect copyright.PENANA8z1FdVlA2L
30Please respect copyright.PENANAYNtPB8a7dw
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.30Please respect copyright.PENANACDtPJ6jaML
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnqQFQkBGjI
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."30Please respect copyright.PENANAmdGy5l681u
30Please respect copyright.PENANAotSCpzOlBk
"Okay okay, fine."30Please respect copyright.PENANAjMfxbqTgi9
30Please respect copyright.PENANAMtxGOfC1lt
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAdsnqtPTq0n
30Please respect copyright.PENANA1PdKz17n72
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."30Please respect copyright.PENANAY1b7SdfzIZ
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I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.30Please respect copyright.PENANA7BSS8rhTkm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAy275YSqqyr
–
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–
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAnJ9VWnN7up
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3wzKWiurWu
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAQQoPJg9Klg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWj82vlCKkO
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAo6ZBIbeBZp
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"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAuGe76kiHL4
30Please respect copyright.PENANAdHu2opAIxM
"Huh...? What did you say?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA3fTaFsqKfm
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I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.30Please respect copyright.PENANACpd2YfWNGO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAljdEIYv0gu
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAmln1k64Ebb
30Please respect copyright.PENANAERIXckL3zi
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."30Please respect copyright.PENANAmiVmzVdL4O
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwgEZcwi1i7
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAARXEuuhtlG
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzHBEy9wVOm
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAK4Z0dfhyve
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"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."30Please respect copyright.PENANA6YcB3Gr8vR
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfxcAzjOogl
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."30Please respect copyright.PENANAoqLKfwsNpg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAtWVlGR66oR
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."30Please respect copyright.PENANA7NOjwjjmr9
30Please respect copyright.PENANAGrkF7OyxFP
"Note?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAyOrrIRp2K9
30Please respect copyright.PENANALQaOtEUf4g
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAIffLp9jrOw
30Please respect copyright.PENANAd4in67lymO
"What does it say?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAYJEiyBQk95
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3ulOtGdpri
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAAhWynkuARd
30Please respect copyright.PENANAspmjKhzv9j
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."30Please respect copyright.PENANApQK4Q7m61r
30Please respect copyright.PENANADiF0WCRli2
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA6bosH7Pvfz
30Please respect copyright.PENANALOntaGICaI
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."30Please respect copyright.PENANAKjrGQL6sbt
30Please respect copyright.PENANAqVoSmrkGFD
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."30Please respect copyright.PENANAl3kOIZRJZ9
30Please respect copyright.PENANANkAryvAaHN
Juke sighed and put the paper away.30Please respect copyright.PENANAJvttwak6dI
30Please respect copyright.PENANA98YwddzgAi
"So, how's about a story?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAUZCmwMDqi4
30Please respect copyright.PENANAeLNRJDG7No
"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?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA0cGrgC6YZO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAh60cIOhohD
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."30Please respect copyright.PENANALY3s7xt19N
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I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.30Please respect copyright.PENANA9BgisLvetx
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2W4uKmOcCH
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."30Please respect copyright.PENANAwz5MA4qdBE
30Please respect copyright.PENANAK72X8dTQGQ
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."30Please respect copyright.PENANA0f3gEPKwwp
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcsIA8ZPqhQ
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAceIoGW9Sty
30Please respect copyright.PENANA54TKnF6voU
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA7KAd4k1w6E
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"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."30Please respect copyright.PENANACLgb8MNe8x
30Please respect copyright.PENANAdjrDkjj0MT
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAb40bdDp5Is
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWrkCkToem3
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"30Please respect copyright.PENANAbFkYF6FbfZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAW0ZjYh8tA2
"Seriously? You have to be lying."30Please respect copyright.PENANAZnNXuics8z
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"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."30Please respect copyright.PENANAVxk6BsfdmU
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"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."30Please respect copyright.PENANAAHnbHsAgfU
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"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAgEjT1hXGdK
30Please respect copyright.PENANAVUi42c6U4u
"Like what?" I asked.30Please respect copyright.PENANAdQsib5NEdo
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9k4q0CZbIK
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAfbS9pJF2PL
30Please respect copyright.PENANAA50GUYp8Ro
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.30Please respect copyright.PENANANLiZCRwy0Q
30Please respect copyright.PENANAtA7V3Gd0ic
"...Stardust?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAN5mNObsP3P
30Please respect copyright.PENANATBOH6WKygL
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAA3FzvV6bsQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAypFuNjCkb3
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.30Please respect copyright.PENANA1Tg00ag4DI
30Please respect copyright.PENANAL2jw1xQkTD
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAtGfVI7Dw5I
30Please respect copyright.PENANAC6Um6MYzAH
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAL5yMv8WeUo
30Please respect copyright.PENANAi61QE2XekV
"...The what?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAIlWm4Z5aUk
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFLlBR85dAN
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANALfcufL6y3K
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfVBpJVHbyA
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."30Please respect copyright.PENANArST06r3Tbc
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"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAEj0OM7KGde
30Please respect copyright.PENANA40EgiSgKE0
"Of course I do!"30Please respect copyright.PENANACeCw8OjY9Q
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She pumped her fist.30Please respect copyright.PENANACVVg3nqp8v
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"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAhQtSEtdimT
30Please respect copyright.PENANAeNSUjRU2b6
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAF62z7XB780
30Please respect copyright.PENANAAmuFD1O9ow
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.30Please respect copyright.PENANAB9A64nPhfX
30Please respect copyright.PENANARnD6D6U9oQ
"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–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAjv2ntHM1N5
30Please respect copyright.PENANAD3wWx43I3F
"I already know this."30Please respect copyright.PENANATWwMuWYNoe
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxdr6sKKItZ
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAr9Zf6xh92J
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQMstzTaZ7Z
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."30Please respect copyright.PENANAoVMQrH271o
30Please respect copyright.PENANAUVNk5biF4z
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAGTbXel3DND
30Please respect copyright.PENANAmcyBH40XD0
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."30Please respect copyright.PENANAl25nHAdcgp
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2A2F9Ov0CD
"Eh? Why?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA52jzw35AMj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsFwxtUXULi
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.30Please respect copyright.PENANAVozhnoYT7h
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzdEVVKhoxA
"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–"30Please respect copyright.PENANAtxlhnGjU8c
30Please respect copyright.PENANA23o5A0Spc8
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.30Please respect copyright.PENANAouWDYC7XDf
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"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAnIMPzmZCtZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwPCSXxb2RW
"That's cuz I met her."30Please respect copyright.PENANAQxM8sYclaK
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWoJARXrJBh
"WHAT!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAs7Z0dvuhDr
30Please respect copyright.PENANA82e0BgON8h
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANATVFR3FEcnL
30Please respect copyright.PENANAPzYvSmmtdz
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAKJfVJkW82F
30Please respect copyright.PENANAF0Lh4k0FWC
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"30Please respect copyright.PENANA7T2w2FQkKj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOZt18hmPOX
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."30Please respect copyright.PENANAug7uk9SKGJ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAO1MH8TColy
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."30Please respect copyright.PENANAl2ImY195Wu
30Please respect copyright.PENANAhGW3tEVeq4
"You're kidding."30Please respect copyright.PENANAWB0DtDj0Kr
30Please respect copyright.PENANAw4WierxxVV
He shook his head no.30Please respect copyright.PENANAU4GsJAIT1h
30Please respect copyright.PENANAa1pSFx93kE
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANA9FnW5KNU0M
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOR7cil4eio
"You're making this up," I said.30Please respect copyright.PENANASRfy3sxpXk
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"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAAcxrFltRJD
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Juke shrugged.30Please respect copyright.PENANAZaNeNn1JuV
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"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."30Please respect copyright.PENANARd1SMPgL7u
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4wFzPjIK7F
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.30Please respect copyright.PENANANPcJCp7qPd
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"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."30Please respect copyright.PENANAy8MdToAqRW
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"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."30Please respect copyright.PENANAZCW8KxRWR8
30Please respect copyright.PENANA77LBUaopBt
"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.30Please respect copyright.PENANARBywoA84Dw
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But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.30Please respect copyright.PENANAFt4x0S1rKU
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"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAmPmvKYwAbP
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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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAkw7kxMCgAl
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"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAQZlauntdJz
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She pointed a finger at him.30Please respect copyright.PENANAlJVgYUzpAX
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXOwCtix72c
"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!"30Please respect copyright.PENANANyE1FGmeZO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAo0YpWh4nnX
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."30Please respect copyright.PENANAf66UNA8I0G
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKukqCw8C4A
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAPq5Lo4LNbn
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At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.30Please respect copyright.PENANAXaC4hfYzMK
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvNsjeTdoRZ
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."30Please respect copyright.PENANAnW0f1KCkfh
30Please respect copyright.PENANATMB5Eu7PD3
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."30Please respect copyright.PENANAE4FVbYosKo
30Please respect copyright.PENANA68WuBf322n
"--Ngh! You guys...!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAKIRWJ6xAB1
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She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.30Please respect copyright.PENANAlLlqSvHzv8
30Please respect copyright.PENANANsUikBhN8E
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAwKvPT9N639
30Please respect copyright.PENANAHR8i5uDCPQ
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAp3k8Io24Ej
30Please respect copyright.PENANA82iCKz1eFo
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAuKc7BuygIa
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOt4ICTnCRV
"Ya look like you have something to say."30Please respect copyright.PENANAFN7SyzVToe
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuWD5txkmth
"W-Well..."30Please respect copyright.PENANALiUogcIhvD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAj49ra4hNt9
She turned her head away.30Please respect copyright.PENANAyfO8k1FwoQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZul2d2BnO3
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."30Please respect copyright.PENANAxchB65Jkbs
30Please respect copyright.PENANACYlggZClLe
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAIJvnbs459h
30Please respect copyright.PENANA92AOFYGzh2
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."30Please respect copyright.PENANAe4VqzEn2vr
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"Mhm, I told you so."30Please respect copyright.PENANAWxrvQCFWKl
30Please respect copyright.PENANAe5JdVvh79G
–
–
–
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAAyUAEZKQKn
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxVGdHQg11X
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA32jzyTdGk2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAzgXAkG5C9u
"...So why am I not getting any?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAOkv2o8HAaR
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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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAoQBzSd57vL
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFhOAhpCvwD
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–30Please respect copyright.PENANAuPYYzxdYrB
30Please respect copyright.PENANAe1ZAdGtmag
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAMGttv6dWrm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAn9b2QthgVW
"Eh?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAX74HAJcoKq
30Please respect copyright.PENANAGLQJSPOa4H
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAbZkgmse7y3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfN421XvEw2
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.30Please respect copyright.PENANA5ADp2SH33k
30Please respect copyright.PENANAivVPUPs8fs
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAp4SomDpBrv
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I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.30Please respect copyright.PENANAwj7LCyaaYC
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"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"30Please respect copyright.PENANACVO1lfGZXe
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXYDmXbZy6f
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."30Please respect copyright.PENANAmkDqOi0M5O
30Please respect copyright.PENANAbk8FTlzhOj
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."30Please respect copyright.PENANAvBySZxJhOR
30Please respect copyright.PENANARpAYK5Emcm
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ0KQp1zT0
30Please respect copyright.PENANACfyoUukYkN
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAXPUFIeBtIa
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3vlJprQb0w
"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?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAFU1ttBbSuD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAyHxPE2zCSY
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."30Please respect copyright.PENANAZujdOHdRZk
30Please respect copyright.PENANACTng1PrjUN
"A jungle? What elevation?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAx6QOUvKzzg
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgOQGjyWWpv
He shrugged.30Please respect copyright.PENANAeFl5dmNGER
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"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."30Please respect copyright.PENANAsbFAzGicST
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"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."30Please respect copyright.PENANAWV3B47n23d
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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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAvhUbYyKZKW
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnjzSDSraFA
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAFqo6yZcaRn
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"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."30Please respect copyright.PENANA2II6yrb2G3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXlhqqj2F3A
"Why?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAuZLjfRWPFw
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"..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAHErOPGiPfM
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He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6O9YA0mwW
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"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."30Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0hC3K37q9
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2d3f9sJ0mg
"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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAfhaohlBkTc
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWced1PsA7h
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."30Please respect copyright.PENANAWTBE7EXyrP
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEFY3jTgDvr
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAJonmR4uNbW
30Please respect copyright.PENANAG4OVdQEYBl
"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAFWaEWnW2x2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcVNhU9mJUS
"..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAX2nAqQjY2S
30Please respect copyright.PENANAT98I3F2Sdm
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAXoKfdcJkil
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"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."30Please respect copyright.PENANAoZ3D5Abosf
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y3lp08D8O
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.30Please respect copyright.PENANAUEXeFdibRR
30Please respect copyright.PENANAh9s1qqXhGA
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."30Please respect copyright.PENANAMoPWcssux8
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3mcLpEa0oY
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAUIvZNbHjv4
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcvxISjTEsA
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAxhuZ7l3WiN
30Please respect copyright.PENANAasx8FuPN0f
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"30Please respect copyright.PENANANEc08hR01U
30Please respect copyright.PENANAld1I7bGW37
"TALBOT!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANATF5epnW5In
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9unJqUwP31
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAGbdlyiruBt
30Please respect copyright.PENANA62KBLcAt57
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."30Please respect copyright.PENANAk7b8KXq66w
30Please respect copyright.PENANArUZ69Vpn2N
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAyrgcn1ZQH2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZjkIHqTAej
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAoIX1Tv2FKz
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0uD4Y8rvR1
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."30Please respect copyright.PENANALBFo9KU7ZS
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWj0ym5MDWF
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.30Please respect copyright.PENANA5yFwBGuIod
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"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."30Please respect copyright.PENANAtLWHCAkXKj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAtKlka8fuyp
"Are ya kidding me?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAwtPpqR2AYW
30Please respect copyright.PENANAExH3IgHRg6
"That's so lame!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAjGkfGJCRXR
30Please respect copyright.PENANADAwC47pWAD
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while30Please respect copyright.PENANAfKR2OBM62R
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZt7y8eGtH9
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."30Please respect copyright.PENANA00ae7YU9g3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnt41YToGZK
"What's that supposed to mean?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAs7UdUXlmAf
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4dBOee3Jdq
"Nothing."30Please respect copyright.PENANAdIQDcCSVW3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWxlpQBW33b
She returned to chowing down on her food.30Please respect copyright.PENANAkCsBSnTu1M
30Please respect copyright.PENANAejo279z7Uv
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAaVVTVr8qou
30Please respect copyright.PENANAkFUpx6pdQW
"Well..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAL9tlAH1zFh
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnOymsVXxjk
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAbJGNaDT9BJ
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0Zue6uGTHw
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAATcbllGUWD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlF1DzN03bG
"...No."30Please respect copyright.PENANAKMvtdTUbg6
30Please respect copyright.PENANAVzvx5x472S
"Eh? Why not?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAVcJttV2Ozm
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgsZ97DC9JU
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAHUT6ho2PnC
30Please respect copyright.PENANA0K1QrnKlWB
"Huh!? What'd you say?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAaxK9keRpKR
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFwjsCAkMPY
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.30Please respect copyright.PENANAn38wXQZIsr
30Please respect copyright.PENANARcci51OrGG
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAn0Mm8APAgz
30Please respect copyright.PENANACPLnZnezaA
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA7CEyCjXb0p
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZmB6MP8S09
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.30Please respect copyright.PENANAmPMZvgnbo5
30Please respect copyright.PENANAC4kEwx3SeV
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."30Please respect copyright.PENANAfAboBNu90D
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6t83mpjCWG
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."30Please respect copyright.PENANAu9TCjVo0kz
30Please respect copyright.PENANALep10jxPfp
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAPEmHjncf7c
30Please respect copyright.PENANA25mJP6hZF4
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."30Please respect copyright.PENANADxcaf7EtX3
30Please respect copyright.PENANAW0VUlHuNx4
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAHsw1Vn5uY3
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2VcR2cTMGp
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."30Please respect copyright.PENANAbT2m0P3aQw
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXEhOLJgjfX
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.30Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ddsb8U1ZQ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcXDHZ2AOhH
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAcTlMGLlByO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgbym6Z6zYv
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAKdeHQH5GiX
30Please respect copyright.PENANApht3283kkm
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"30Please respect copyright.PENANApCkuRsWwE2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAR8o4WYbhEd
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA0nqtKWBjog
30Please respect copyright.PENANA8mZpikB3rJ
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAsIjnO8YU1Z
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4BuN2ruLUo
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."30Please respect copyright.PENANAMVCTgOVEpe
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjn5GwAW04J
"Custom design? Well..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAfgLM9ZpOqB
30Please respect copyright.PENANAROW10PWtT6
She turned her head away.30Please respect copyright.PENANAO1IZehBwLp
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2uNV5thtg0
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."30Please respect copyright.PENANA5dp5l4qiuI
30Please respect copyright.PENANAL0iLUQeErI
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.30Please respect copyright.PENANA67FudWoWgU
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEyK8cxrRVe
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."30Please respect copyright.PENANAcDYaq9pV9p
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEsyOHPq6ih
"Oh, this?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAH08s8ACSUl
30Please respect copyright.PENANAkZkz6MwQu0
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.30Please respect copyright.PENANAM1iIx5eu7S
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQKrAGx5bL9
"I stole it!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAbShHslJV2F
30Please respect copyright.PENANA47wfablYro
"No surprise."30Please respect copyright.PENANAIiqCB357It
30Please respect copyright.PENANAm9G4Fh6puN
"I ain't surprised."30Please respect copyright.PENANAKfIP7pXnsY
30Please respect copyright.PENANAciOV3MkF1q
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.30Please respect copyright.PENANAvKUXvMFKnV
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfdk2hAJBcb
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAWgwPVhxENA
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2qgj46kR0E
"No."30Please respect copyright.PENANAdlnCZO329L
30Please respect copyright.PENANAr3yxg0qsHz
"Not really."30Please respect copyright.PENANAcVuNwja3NN
30Please respect copyright.PENANA6TYJWuSfTT
"Ah... you two are lame!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAMgJ5Kd00WW
30Please respect copyright.PENANAE4U9MnTNK9
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAm0M4AhVBGY
30Please respect copyright.PENANAM3xi9FZxT1
"..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAsPDBPl4K27
30Please respect copyright.PENANAlejtQm07xI
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAyQJtlyT5ou
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvliBT5BPte
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAaQUCuGnepH
30Please respect copyright.PENANA2QHtDtpmvD
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."30Please respect copyright.PENANAPZZOKlkoCY
30Please respect copyright.PENANAnr8Exm0cZG
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."30Please respect copyright.PENANAiBSPp6OcgC
30Please respect copyright.PENANAskh39DFbgI
"I-I see... I suppose so."30Please respect copyright.PENANAa4WXpAFVeK
30Please respect copyright.PENANACtiiJWBrBZ
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANA7NOygOpgAP
30Please respect copyright.PENANA7XirShgXAY
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.30Please respect copyright.PENANAGW9zbJKwU0
30Please respect copyright.PENANAYas6F0RwcQ
"Did you have to word it that way?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAUIJEl7hRJZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANAwSmK6m8Tqe
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."30Please respect copyright.PENANAViAGgvjy7t
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3cf3YQGoPX
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."30Please respect copyright.PENANAGK5kp0UWfR
30Please respect copyright.PENANAFQlYFp2OvD
"Ya got it, boss."30Please respect copyright.PENANAiSksH6B8sD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAqovS1g6wgN
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAC6kVUfZlKF
30Please respect copyright.PENANA56gU0LM5Di
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."30Please respect copyright.PENANAQaGaNKkDtP
30Please respect copyright.PENANAuHnCZGycMS
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAWv62ziOT4L
30Please respect copyright.PENANAGEpMwtXhDB
"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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAr2eLUyXpPi
30Please respect copyright.PENANAqCW9Te4Bl7
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."30Please respect copyright.PENANAE1I6RawRkA
30Please respect copyright.PENANADcSS939oqP
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.30Please respect copyright.PENANA7NAbwlyeOz
30Please respect copyright.PENANAfxLOso0MzT
"...Well, alright. What is it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAcjDJD8GjWl
30Please respect copyright.PENANAP9MQksU6lp
"I... I wanted..."30Please respect copyright.PENANAzkW4yfngGd
30Please respect copyright.PENANAOBZ1WWxi4X
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAHhGGrC2gdX
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5WVLlho3t
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"30Please respect copyright.PENANA0Jk8mWsVQB
30Please respect copyright.PENANALI4bn4SgXU
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANARwnlKOk3Uc
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXjJMvDIbxy
"Where's this coming from?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAf8umPopWw5
30Please respect copyright.PENANAv9YDn40tCn
"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?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAmZCH7U14Kw
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9MTxSgUzSh
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."30Please respect copyright.PENANAc6LR9mg1zD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAD2ivHUTGUk
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAWqf96Kpy2V
30Please respect copyright.PENANAgpNvZ8BTiP
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAGxCm4CUZbz
30Please respect copyright.PENANAjedImpIfuQ
In that light–30Please respect copyright.PENANAGa5LprKo7h
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcn37Rp5HHl
"Alright, apology accepted."30Please respect copyright.PENANAn6DTgwmgLO
30Please respect copyright.PENANAcJzNkdOIuB
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–30Please respect copyright.PENANAI3PgDIQkbZ
30Please respect copyright.PENANABRTukHp8LM
"--only on one condition."30Please respect copyright.PENANArDjkxMroer
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWSFmmy69bX
"Eh!?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAqicu1PmCG7
30Please respect copyright.PENANANDJuqEvNup
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.30Please respect copyright.PENANAsBqba2PrkV
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxCO8UkrSUo
"That's right."30Please respect copyright.PENANAsxypjTZsKA
30Please respect copyright.PENANAskHlREg4s6
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAqyN6MJywW2
30Please respect copyright.PENANAxoOT0FxZpn
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."30Please respect copyright.PENANA19CvnI3HYD
30Please respect copyright.PENANAviWhtgn2pf
"He sounds like a priss."30Please respect copyright.PENANAJW0rXR0dB8
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWEsE8YFs8s
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."30Please respect copyright.PENANAawsxAOfgIH
30Please respect copyright.PENANASHoX56g5Pm
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.30Please respect copyright.PENANAKveS1rEDwc
30Please respect copyright.PENANAWoWfyNTrbS
"Fine, what's your condition?"30Please respect copyright.PENANAg0d84mRQhu
30Please respect copyright.PENANAek7Ma8X4Lo
I pointed a finger at her.30Please respect copyright.PENANAWT8svammp0
30Please respect copyright.PENANAGRbenUO8tV
"We need to get along from now on."30Please respect copyright.PENANAXAH8saOcbj
30Please respect copyright.PENANAsQj988r7ax
"...Huh?"30Please respect copyright.PENANArS6ujUTLmt
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEXIhOS8ZFM
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"30Please respect copyright.PENANASsrZF1Y1br
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXJl8X3PQec
"...Ha, that's it?"30Please respect copyright.PENANANHXOVJECsP
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9g6n1N3U28
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.30Please respect copyright.PENANABvwoMZD3ZM
30Please respect copyright.PENANA9ubjaEjg8Z
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"30Please respect copyright.PENANABPkmUq99JY
30Please respect copyright.PENANAkMf7tWhxZW
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.30Please respect copyright.PENANA4wP2u7qkJL
30Please respect copyright.PENANA3wDkemWuCu
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kg7THgVxr
30Please respect copyright.PENANAVdlZSA55aC
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.30Please respect copyright.PENANAVL1STBGrsy
30Please respect copyright.PENANAEdzMPleooO
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."30Please respect copyright.PENANA6GsqZsWvme
30Please respect copyright.PENANA5A27LqX1zU
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."30Please respect copyright.PENANAgzzbIDnwUG
30Please respect copyright.PENANAZxMFkDPkDx
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.30Please respect copyright.PENANAtmkn2Ffx1g
30Please respect copyright.PENANAXtGAbWhSeo
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."30Please respect copyright.PENANAMtmYORjVnG
30Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9sYO2jrew
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."30Please respect copyright.PENANAIxswU5cFfa
30Please respect copyright.PENANAPhtNrcKtzb
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAPvm107RbbF
30Please respect copyright.PENANAiX2JJlY4E9
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.30Please respect copyright.PENANATpZ25h5ne6
30Please respect copyright.PENANA4P1NS1VQHk
"What a weirdo, seriously."30Please respect copyright.PENANAv9Ns5dRvf0
30Please respect copyright.PENANAd8r1jiSldW
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAZjgQABpYvt
30Please respect copyright.PENANAKxvMIKwpIc
–
–
–
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAFd8FUPqLj6
30Please respect copyright.PENANA7OWOxT1YuH
"You guys! You gotta see this!"30Please respect copyright.PENANAENcDtXP9dC
30Please respect copyright.PENANAJRhm1smYus
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.30Please respect copyright.PENANAGTxePx6nCC
30Please respect copyright.PENANAvsHrYRi39i
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.