My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLMqvLU94P
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyjQsy4NyK
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStSvGxb2An
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4BmT7YJYx
"Haa..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KjDH3gsqc
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVU7v8iPYi
"Are you okay?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHBbJudUI5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF7PY59t2H
"Phew. Now I am."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpf3J7gxNa
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvM0zhh0Wd
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFNPP2ncop
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerG8fWdEsj
"W-What is it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYNRh1Zghx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWZZkHJ0zw
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CAMPUlahm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT16kkJaWuB
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElxozZPbFU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sbzd0U7mL
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxewDumsUi
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWqYUAnMuQ
"Well..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyF70WMY87
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnxfznNwM7
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjCD7pXmp7
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtw32D0O0R
"Come on, tell me!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Pe0HI5Sd
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0Tz1Abi2E
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlmvh3kOaX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykIOn03Sz
She sighed and shrugged.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T0gihWrZ9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAF5FlwHjJ
"Are you feeling nervous?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMbNGrwKRn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K7IqyWe8u
"Of course I am."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hNVAOvDXW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJr4wl382l
"You shouldn't be."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd03wG1YiS8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGg3g1kCRk
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogpzpdtfpt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqjiKMZEUA
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLklLU0zQBD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfO3sEPigK
"...What's that supposed to mean?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR2dZo02wU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1faofuTcs
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TIhKw8lcR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4v2ZhBwuO
"I think you came here a little too early."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgco4pJeU28
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK0QBILHI1
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFXpQtEhvM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygujZkaLBM
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6WCk03plL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UxMd3KJ4
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!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpOwmmInV6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XIbHGOQ7z
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpxyMkodl5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbuaTl6rua
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6siIZubAdQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWaItIRVkr
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthmdC8oTop
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYNp6wDvKI
"Aren't you going to say something?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IMuQ6aAgQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgDJyOrpOh
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGlN03U2f0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc46oIvH24
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfqi6nL3s0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnazFRKmUJK
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuBj30d8aF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vRFEedQjj
"...I-I still don't believe you."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAO282hlm6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6X1onQl9l
"Are you serious!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa80dORntg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTJhCQlwAC
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgqIV2y7Qt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHgL41PFUR
"Can I at least have your name?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxuTZCXPT5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjdRDGWhKa
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ngQeoVTmp
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tuVzyFeAx
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ270VM7flOT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKX9ligCaw
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAKlg4VUBZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBS20S5XXB
"A-Alright, I won't forget."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwv0NH6s21
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHip5XRClE
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Oel9GYDbM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMEQ7zf6Ck
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo23J6eH8mQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1kG4Nl64
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKDxWn9Z35
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxf7wqv2Vy
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4eksfPVx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMerq6LhjEh
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hkD4exZxs
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorTwW0RvvV
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkDoIwjVTa
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZMFfn53FO
"She's not very nice at all."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WZwddtVfo
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjLr1UICkO
"I suppose not."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyG7JIAYJ8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZauPxWHbO
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziTE706jkX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gEh47A7J2
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuCRPykU6e
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElnCFwxEiv
**SMASH**201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMpKUsvNE8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUdaEnW5xd
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzjXEMArHC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghhFJYYoHL
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOprRWB1oX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8sKnwhmA7
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiMqus2lT1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSiLkSLC8j
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH2WWeIoO1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbXq6GZH2t
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjHGBsMM6o
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqnzM0CSc8
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAYJaIMnfT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8blJAqhkvR
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydOfUUtccd
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZsaUjnSlB
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD4UOehlZU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZeiLVxkcC
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXazk6TcgG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e7npvMGyV
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjuPhsU9WO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy13fSi6Ry
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOsBc19Dti
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpzcAJPmEV
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSqMZ2fpfO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9airxob210
"No, not at all."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyfhwQpuvA
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DLhYGqvra
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxJV4hl0Zf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfnLFXIyxg
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXu0cJqpIr
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOCZaXtSnO
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHH7IGtHJr
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFJrrMXpc
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dSdBQpc62
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIemfm5316
"Is she our teammate?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NIfqnNrI6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtCukfaJkT
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyAivwLP6n
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TnK7jCi7w
"That so? Lemme test the waters."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHARTeGIXgt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXAnpbj97P
"You'll regret it."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbX9zzvANf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbGr4IXrkG
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lrQwMy4BF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrupoBf4ZzC
"...Wait."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyWpLuX3sY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2pwp2XXs1
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTwyQYsYjW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJr2sRrn9k
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQy2XkTr9c
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJudnQYaOTa
"A little? Just a little?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqugrAksOMg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJe5iSZ5UX
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWnTimM7IS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpaTkgNdQE
"I met her five minutes ago!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn1qJ8yEEW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoSg57RbjO
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC38YKOezC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9lbO1fOyY
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4866ImLXZc
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5yGbEBonw
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFOoqJQHbA
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3VV1N578H
"Really?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJBDI41jLJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qTkhHrkGg
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KFh4BRE1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDgbJuM0NJ
"What do you mean 'really'?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3NRmsHw2s
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLkuWm8kHC
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LQx8uUowE
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhEB0yYo9f
"--!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJuRKPlFK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJcNG2WHmH
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XTzP3jpY3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49NNpRn1AX
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwPkcholDQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n7YJjrkri
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CPr847ixB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2LJWF4tUs
**SMASH**201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ucXIMNUz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWzA30QN21
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0o6e1ZO8n
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ByuqWawbg
My jaw dropped yet again.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsptQ4R1Mz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc84PLMVijd
"ROY!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiSiqj4qmz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhvqr4ade
–
–
–
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eNfbBxDKx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX9YC8DbC5
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzegPqaNXct
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscIGLqQHkV
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BEdTgKOMD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY64XjXRr8
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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S1lMzE0aP
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLjlwh7OLs
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVcAAuIZyc
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWzMuev6JE
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1ItwbGFjs
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ZEgqkeCp
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23m4FmldvF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2F6U47lU
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRU19uMWgE
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Uh4Lggqa
"R-Right."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUxr9n75Ep
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Mw9NOztA
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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIdw2oEjcX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgGeeDb7I0
"Ack!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7P6nDWrjb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdK2RttZs7
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXzyJA9YXq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHODHA65XF
"F-Flinty, what was–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTNgf43hxR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UER1Brrgz
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApjcxfar5w
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeu9zquKbe
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChSgKJFfpm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUOXPqhpZq
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt4G5F5NsF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCR2pvSWlO
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyntKgTOSXr
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPgct4AlQh
"No, I'm not just saying it."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H72IBalFm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o8uvR4UY7
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VvTDGWWk6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JokZ13S6D
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHcX9O8k0H
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD2zGAp9bK
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q0YR7AZZF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe0mbPwaq3
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63NIMZHBvF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYQdxU2c7z
"I–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntrt3yh6C
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6otE0IcaF
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT8hQnYnbp
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX3VvryjB4
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO8J4sRLWl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1OmwRzKAD
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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H4Nkexpy2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRivmTF4Gmq
And yet...201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzOGVn2Scl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH8N4mKsCN
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1SZRpnhGZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbnHZNovJP
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsruNvNpbcm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oCDL4bmmI
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGiE5dSSCb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMWFc56Ff8
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xmFnAje3u
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJxnmaVjSP
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO6akjkeLY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncHSuNHb8Q
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBwSuBIzJl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpKOzDq32N
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7KdyNNUNg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7bDxLGsDX
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMkdqPrBRK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cFQEASD4A
"O-Okay."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3tWLiCuPV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84pb27AxQG
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oXYXRkQPn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj4FdM78jA
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14y9Md8Znx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xPFJigLQY
"Okay okay, fine."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Do8cpWd8h
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGKBW3j4aD
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAER5rZ32my
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNu836gEd9
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXShCRLLYL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTTDMo2Q0w
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHgamZBvaJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj39snFPKl
–
–
–
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtmCVr65XG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnB1CmK7O9
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBPE4aZdIy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsa3nvxtPh
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU7DHcu5Ig
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawfu7Ind2n
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzT1tA5hEn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmGexgVafV
"Huh...? What did you say?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsvYMvD7MC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQiw93Eepa
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxvZRYCC7n
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPOFAybXbt
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAp6V1kCBD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QJFzdHDSK
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTwJ4UZzGz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIsz1cKz5Y
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlDsPRcpa6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83VPEe3cfs
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkLDEcLDkk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afa8ZYhND
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd8aLX3wF3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29IxGLZUlH
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTTZ7rLh5R
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF0IM1YzCT
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3dfUkmm33
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDjUKIXWkb
"Note?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFYs8xk31v
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLqbzdhLRF
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wJNMCvMr5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6FpFaKisD
"What does it say?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsW7sSCZiI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbztRX9QIu
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ5TMkH7zS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrXonfuZ3x
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwKMdNk30F
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DNLabDqYm
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0qqwSKH5c
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPFi6UGSzc
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T3iMFVGib
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9fccSqsnv
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoLkRYhX7r
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEpzL0HeSk
Juke sighed and put the paper away.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf0WKUCf96
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkIUtXPAKC
"So, how's about a story?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCCpTtUMCG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vhZ8PBYAs
"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?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9L2S1lNlS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLW6adap3x
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV5RpNUk0C
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbikoeyNDd
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdVKSQiit
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvMUkrupYz
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jDCxgq8Q3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HmfApm14Z
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuHA2UrPaR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFybXbOtTJ
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWLCDTEaF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mnt7OJLcm
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7fgMAlzIL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl8gBslcjr
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yWpOb0TKg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa8lY6od6A
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLu9FYqdaB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJOXu2xVg6
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYIm9Swxog
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h8mINIk27
"Seriously? You have to be lying."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHlQDMd7gV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkVgXbMBxA
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDMJV51B7t
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGErXhGQV3
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PPFyIfcm6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIUUCDphNO
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VA4kQazxz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWUfL6gGzQ
"Like what?" I asked.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3VIVPw8Eb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGRNnKfQFL
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCpslNzpqW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjBeamRXS5
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ187RFIdc2d
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV1bmS6rMR
"...Stardust?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FheeyaZw8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdQavCffcu
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWnOlmlVwW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEoKg1bZJT
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj1FNvybln
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uAFo06vJc
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BQ6JVbfd
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRULiXsR9I
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWYBHL67Xa
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXq6LbKOji
"...The what?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAjR2YIjPc
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFmpsqedKu
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl5r756fU3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8y0A7CkE
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiLlXqjGin
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J0bYCN2yL
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgniqdwFjy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS9TFx1NKP
"Of course I do!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaV5Gl5Zg8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPOmhaVBee
She pumped her fist.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNY4p9mFrV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64IH1zd8se
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInveUwAed3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnjjCO4d3T
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR7cwPptIO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBGRILxB2z
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgerafYKfX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOUA81y4uF
"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–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnib9dwgnUb
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5qUMz5gXs
"I already know this."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v5X5NDTgr
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FenpXBp11
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfEUynVYjv
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKIYb0pgAf
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgk0WGzZ9Z
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYPpzXkTPM
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr59IqnGhZ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOAjGBE0Qy
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJncM9rAjQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPMGBrE9Zv
"Eh? Why?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupbij1kEW9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nSDI6Puu2
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nqwmgLD6X
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojtBsxhkgD
"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–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4X3nlUK2T
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp63bevlPat
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JIpsm8Ed0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0cbR4KaIz
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu71IlofSF
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YcCY7BteQ
"That's cuz I met her."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpafKpsMlI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft8h2Ylzi9
"WHAT!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHIFmGtIL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRryNXhKul
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydmvlkmgo2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKnQAN3iSB
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI7jpZWbeu
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorJVh2P4B1
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTwEYGlRk9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8QjZw55S7
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa85TaDSDjA
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9CmIk2OEK
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzwQCo8gF5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyfrAWhUuw
"You're kidding."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnUKzyNeRo
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQO9JQzxBi
He shook his head no.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeslXZJR4A
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJX3S3TcPZ
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSb8aeqwog
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OT4d9Cqla
"You're making this up," I said.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYISdxbJoT
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqGWNvVDAi
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QFFqpQovJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lxHcgzUUH
Juke shrugged.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI9qEQfnlx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0q25oKWH1
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV2BRJzUXd
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxhogFbUQz
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWXMNF03Vn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYWktQh4Fj
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEy9MaXMCC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ3NnXtsph
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgfUbjl1zJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRDhV5hw8m
"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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQlsuyG910
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPYT6zsVIy
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqkIikVbJh
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW7Ul5t4YW
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvIxpd6wmH
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIPUNBMsj1
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQrezpmwEJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXMUsOs1eD
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQKac48r0u
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFaJlmQPCQ
She pointed a finger at him.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDA134YHOB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwMyUUQTTZ
"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!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0ZnjbYH6l
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE9m5vH6jK
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOWnwigfD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC8xIHtddE
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYWbKTUzkU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucCgZVS14e
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3qTFlQ0AB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevqlSVKCnQ
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhDCrWXGYi
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jnyglul30
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgiPGTPIQg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBWjYWxEso
"--Ngh! You guys...!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YSAjLNxUz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWdPHGYxYF
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKjj9nacO3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBHIQ5AHF9
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnJQ972XuQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdm7myG73k
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDxFa7liGa
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6tWq98xly
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyNzLrEFOt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpqBd1hqT
"Ya look like you have something to say."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdqBXsjHi2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd38Rfinawn
"W-Well..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5cIepXYgJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR5RENI3X9
She turned her head away.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi7B1u05cs
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53xNrUkd48
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi2g4eLncJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVzxD0QfnA
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCRAtew2p
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl6TE4Acat
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryoG5z7JeO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj169IcU6Uh
"Mhm, I told you so."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZXaZFXTYW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGqOm68zd6
–
–
–
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SwwhHMy92
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Qa1L5uLY
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi94VJjiLt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM8aRxMxRC
"...So why am I not getting any?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqDYs8Fer1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutVGeHNZmc
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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z2m0sdw1u
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcJQflQhi0
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–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkbmfYPrCE
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOcG5YUow8
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS1sQ72Rws
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEEjoEX6Kn
"Eh?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK0F2RK18c
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jjCQ1dWIa
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvPYjUKujR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9npM0GaPn8
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BPNp7Tjhf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU6Ftih7y5
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq7cwWlNBR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPW35sXg77
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjevjLa8ps
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WnNmZ6zjD
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksOfAk4y7J
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuijSUqXfgJ
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvcOgmdSSh
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRo9uFGUrS
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzvVNCJPfI
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEQwrnuZCz
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeudHhoA3nR
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFGiZSmxkj
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR2UkLqF1L
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYDGboFtO7
"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?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6MTiydQER
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AsFnJRF9j
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRuaKbP5Un
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpycRN42TF1
"A jungle? What elevation?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QG3tEnVVs
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6az33CQnDm
He shrugged.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZcXxngDU2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U6X1u2hxS
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFVZ18pZf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0BCvk6BEd
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UO2GmFoyp
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoLRru8meL
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYyK7cYFqy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdlVLUQdeC
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2We7oNmjS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D2ye98K1i
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVloZJkD3u
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJLsjQx007
"Why?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCM5ax7g6U
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlif9cyZSQL
"..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFXb5Vtzpu
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxOs3YXQZu
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdMT0ZVOQM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjhtfTltt9
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6XqROpkWW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm3KSkAdDb
"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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuLv5F1WT8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9LCJofzUT
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIjewUPG2r
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdvZG6eQaB
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z2PRQGh7M
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtuNlvWWPa
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6syo0phVX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcUUtWdW7M
"..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAeaZ2WmAB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EfSczBZmA
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXNQ6LABxG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZXCN7gYgZ
"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."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuCBBD8orl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIIIyiaodw
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRfFNoqZXu
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuebMJQPQN
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BUAAHkCi3
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6GGQsgasv
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2SUBNKrm7
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6R35cXiCL
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOF91pqpAz
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkc8MQJsGF
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNwlao2HOx
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSGMNBCMn0
"TALBOT!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLF49lZX45
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsvHXisJ8e
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeDOW53H9D
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GLQlJL4cC
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OV6VjjCkh
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL5gpbGLNs
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoRfP8Jgsk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbCZ6PZT6s
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJae4GYXII
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXbWJKj1wv
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAjwZafvDq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPTKSMDqTg
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIENwjgC4yB
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sIaEJpQ9K
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1S3phVANt
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpFNxbMhtd
"Are ya kidding me?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonD59NPDX2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL8KsslQEK
"That's so lame!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmeqcHWas1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrrOpbZZAi
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloND5MWYru
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULo7XQ87HN
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxboJdePZqm
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV9ImNBd0B
"What's that supposed to mean?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFjHJMPVcp
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiFNc2Qcg7
"Nothing."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm0N6KbTae
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsms7AIr6J
She returned to chowing down on her food.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4SqkuqOLW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtFkuYQYno
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTky7PRt9FW
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H62ZLMfnX
"Well..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S8Tw1NUHP
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde5VkQZdjo
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIvBJeUOwQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjvUMlltTO
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9CnvD0UuJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm27bEJ7hqc
"...No."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRqmq1VaO6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDilm8S8hj
"Eh? Why not?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumiDewJdM2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7TNNRiGfq
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOgLBifjHL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnQEZSXw62
"Huh!? What'd you say?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8xVhYRRXC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSMIOmCWI4
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyroh2YLEyN
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Oq7ZV5Tc5
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxTDPtmYgE
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3w4Rz2D8C
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa6EXy5ECK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkSQFkfBY
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZpWs6LkXX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHralgASvbJ
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ughtMfcz4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsXtk8kdxZ
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF9DJsR0zK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpqb0IYgxh
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyL6sz3rR6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWYPhcFF3N
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8OufvHOVN
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQpLLkqOOe
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAWU1Fqw5G
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQbffORllX
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCoVRmwgzC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKAbKAlpI5
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTVZYgmlvX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00l3R24rsC
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDtBthVgxk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxhDUGOmh7
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJuuAqXnv8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzK2dwofKT
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNOmpOaEwD
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7K6AWP4ww
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW8GOewRFn
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJC6HKO9zQ
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65p4tKPYL4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUanZvOWbhk
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIy9sRr6G1
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBMHLZiJGF
"Custom design? Well..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTKBPfqqYh
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaBFp1JH9N
She turned her head away.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ioaiprxhC
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"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BnFPlmt4I
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxDJcrqTjU
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aQQZHIDee
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHiLLMRx1Q
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2VcAGf9ck
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB1cLIIHp8
"Oh, this?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuWNAYuYz4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdFeuJ3u2Y
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM63URKyhoK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcrD9KkbwS
"I stole it!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFswKIxPXvy
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvDYwtTEOp
"No surprise."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylNojka1B
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm0wiE5l81
"I ain't surprised."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCzbBodBpS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwbLGPJfZs
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQxOlplTDK
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEOqVY9qz1
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YaGSRcxEw
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIsXctLxUR
"No."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXUakd16Gv
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrB2bDMo8H
"Not really."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa49ZekQkk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YY70ShBiE
"Ah... you two are lame!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6TUn4YhI6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenypB2O94r
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2mqM1GIok
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fWrE4sEuJ
"..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjCvj7XqwJ
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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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5J81fo8cj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaThvsqvLM2
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0jYhUzgYl
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK3FkxN5Ui
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGtRXUn2D6
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rY41VRZ1a
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQe0EzFAZL
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSemyOWJKU1
"I-I see... I suppose so."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCClUGj0qhJ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtfWh29dUL
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7xW9IZQk8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g5PxR5PQx
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9WBSFjJLG
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwno98H0mEG
"Did you have to word it that way?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ys2pRX3UC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjMBQgWEAY
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gcwyZZj61
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZyQ28FfFM
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs46HJSeP3a
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpt1ImZQdO
"Ya got it, boss."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zETOzI7vQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4iZnoVOGO
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiu7sM7t4D
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sx07w3Sx8
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQOFmsHuf0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroU8DrnZQD
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFDrH1ge9Z
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VKiMtKRs4
"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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWgC4uMyYM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TDCKgk9cX
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9EXYiI2QM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rf9kWhzuR
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczwVO3APav
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLbXvapMnx
"...Well, alright. What is it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskChAYfT57
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL78H0Mq3Rh
"I... I wanted..."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tc1XB8MrO
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYjjsHqsWI
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcYlYnIYeS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZZ3gAZ3G
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkHl6oMgzX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD33KFT14s
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfr0izbIF9
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn3NCTCXbF
"Where's this coming from?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOwO5hN0sQ
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzg3mGJ0g6
"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?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DqMLSL171
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRPMpKMixi
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xg1GWk59N
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0OsERTScn
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ciSGqcgj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPFmL6u0TT
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAorDnOtbC0
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOI4irHVFj
In that light–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspgtITUfQS
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa15rVOJdXu
"Alright, apology accepted."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRrfI6V45U
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUImieeYSNN
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiJPNfGgGM
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJu59XbF9R
"--only on one condition."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexsKcjqbd4
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpwqq9sgwm
"Eh!?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoeBZN4EOv
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Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ940sBhcRod
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFshpWEESwF
"That's right."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRCjweNujq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YrAiuwnU
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3b8Gg5tkC
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjAGoz2IzI
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ORF40Py4I
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw7PDsIZc2
"He sounds like a priss."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxrx3ICc0F
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz85hNNwxS7
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEWxAhaQqj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWMkZCIfkT
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuHA56Pc2Z
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FyXYL9SrE
"Fine, what's your condition?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLQrqMzWrj
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczL6W1dlL0
I pointed a finger at her.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHchJYNv6a
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVtpbGpRtK
"We need to get along from now on."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jgeLGSDK8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N77wT61Ag
"...Huh?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs32Uka5De
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVARIQiT5a
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmVq3KOOv2
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2TZqvpBip
"...Ha, that's it?"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4td2A7mQGo
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5woZNROuZ
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrRHLBXrPq
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqK9gJGlMM
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpawYiGpIF
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She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf5lxJh7Rk
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCe3YhlXIL
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHgu0GbPFX
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXDyuOKDR5
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWyOjLFCw8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx9icmihaG
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5dxqX85BY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDefKdpmdQ
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRF6mzmOZv
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWCu7I0phd
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8L8Z4eaEY
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDY2XJwOuo
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZoh1gZ3ms
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4pRQGjUOw
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEbRZqvHRU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMngd0t17nZ
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fvpGeE3dV
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbLu8WdOXh
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOaYgyO9uU
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtDkZy780n
"What a weirdo, seriously."201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBMoSgQ3md
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrucqlkphWx
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhDVGxyqt8
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngUg1PG2o3
–
–
–
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BsSYyiiIf
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHjudQ9Ibj
"You guys! You gotta see this!"201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCdNjOmNeg
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZlh8cZZS4
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.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAUFzq3wx5
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunxoEkGejT
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.
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