My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zMAR91egm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSatP66nMH
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUlwEhRUXN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ok2gpLzUU
"Haa..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVZ7bQKNrS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF0vH6bTus
"Are you okay?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRUm4gCL4c
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7SNmm40do
"Phew. Now I am."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJcqaqGiYV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56aEfwVHE9
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruxxy3aiGS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWzZvMcnZC
"W-What is it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPRpPmqUbu
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVP2MTEDSV
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5yLJ3dN3B
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBEIqevPxE
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M2erd5KyC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fY0P1xo85
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8B4kLHzHe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9mvvFOB2L
"Well..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAskLsRhrE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJigvQM9mz
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BCGTtwcTr
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45FDRt5RZp
"Come on, tell me!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdnOPcyFom
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMgQIDRffO
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22XBhUAffn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff0kb3qOEZ
She sighed and shrugged.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxTT5lAgSP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimQLsR8n1I
"Are you feeling nervous?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5EoZxoJSx
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSUXeWYGl7
"Of course I am."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdMuzW0PCW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH6pwFm5vW
"You shouldn't be."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pHgJ2kO8E
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5fbOIZem
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1MIOlJeme
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgEFbWWmYO
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDehieBTNG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCOzl9506N
"...What's that supposed to mean?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVG1B9b3Id
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ckt0f5AAO
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv80CP5333
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz4r1GRXDu
"I think you came here a little too early."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXBIJOnMaY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61fr1EwSe9
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIjsEpLdtM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf1kVVCW88
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwtqLV0NQz
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7w9Kx2Ihj
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!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfRIWQj7ZK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb49PMhOg3
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4l1ZuxAnl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVTJNCA9UV
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSxEoo5xxT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLJiTdP7uv
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Gvu1pCUt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUZdMB8RwK
"Aren't you going to say something?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuTYk95iUw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeBm7HmG2E
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9phtrDolHA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnJ3dhwbma
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm9m5UV9Y9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq34WviO9CC
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMdyJSJC2k
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zqRNPHEiJ
"...I-I still don't believe you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXx7v2SN0y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeT0PPvdOw
"Are you serious!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD01IyDEOD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3uTrE25Sb
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsGbFMr6te
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd7TpPDiFr
"Can I at least have your name?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjvDRE4Mh8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEn6uXWMcI
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqlzNNpmp6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGTHznkEHR
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiE6pLHONc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnRt4SodTy
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGSVelUZTi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yqs7bKyke
"A-Alright, I won't forget."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKv2UeZynP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd5LWbd7Fn
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8UxoWpBvi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICIg2vp6GW
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdney2x2MH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTP3IaEl9a
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu2OgLxPPZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYXU0ifOqB
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6cX82IwT1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wWnYCTOwo
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdaXMVh8QU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEIjtMwPvk
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu1dTbnb0N
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwaNN0I1B8
"She's not very nice at all."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLeP9qpq5t
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoakWsLUKWe
"I suppose not."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8RtUs6wd9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Zl6sVAcB
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalSfekwOlU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdUHvAmfOH
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTj7uq0nSA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl28Lfi7OYi
**SMASH**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMECfWVYzcB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrJIb5MMJW
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcYEsMXMOB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI688gYSGT
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR1q7FHDdf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFL4FZV55I
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKxtmkbehH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oTrd6B6Po
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOhmkqH5Y5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeoadvWd93
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9NrkJlDiS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gs9fHKue4
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObsZnIeILT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOS6x2BSJ6
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdauqmMbjxV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY92THxhCjf
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12lDNrckPJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EZsy4i6tB
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnCCEMJoze
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfM7ndMMQz
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqi86I54nh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflz0EzXL8z
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNo9RZUcId
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMpkI18sFF
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZj6POIiW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3f1SRHVir
"No, not at all."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5GosK60sA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN87qunqoF
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhn5ZHUjm1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dxaSQe4Kb
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnQJKXn7JI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4SGxSfkkB
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooxkknnR6c
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfeIXKVjjx
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJUWxohVcy
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ949mMIUVuJ
"Is she our teammate?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlGpZ5NUeC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfvujtvkuR
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa73HCgKkTX
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcjumyofxn
"That so? Lemme test the waters."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqrsxE8M9G
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPzzSLBJFE
"You'll regret it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU4CogoNR9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcnYqP1hrJ
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uoSKlHf7S
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsSsauFYZ2
"...Wait."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM0O5UVLOO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0va4YDgGsw
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ63df5dV8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i19cJha9Q
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD4IUSUO2P
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj8AriQMmy
"A little? Just a little?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7skbsVvqf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwSQbJr5qJ
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3dpOJbK5y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45jpDwiw0C
"I met her five minutes ago!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m9DiIHBeg
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLtEo3Gd4S
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uqKcRf0BL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTPYO6z0zu
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSVdARwuJn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon8vrJMqBd
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8FaK7rO01
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV0b7wvf6z
"Really?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K0NKjMi1s
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ku8zBgCDZ
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09r7jwQi8d
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm0rLte1nI
"What do you mean 'really'?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujJWIlkL0y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w6aHig0uE
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa4XSZaewU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEf0AAL876
"--!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngQsRynM2K
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9o8YNXD2
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZKerNfmx2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg6mGL2zDU
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOEb10R5LX
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag7caivn7Y
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpGdWfDbpd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0YtQ7ktMw
**SMASH**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZkWj02G16
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNSAoObvKi
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9DoXg8bI6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb03XeqZ4dV
My jaw dropped yet again.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YYBBPvHcW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrVW16YAwU
"ROY!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpygSUptgc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqZoCJg84a
–
–
–
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8yBsOaKuM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPztlGil9tU
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6UTCpxpX1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowtgitox7V
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpOKR1n7h7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd548GR58L
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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnhcZgG9Zr
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaASSJtnHdR
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRogKUp65rN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUVn9dznCb
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLmX5lAmH4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JZV7dOKrC
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViIIQnZmXM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShOgI9gR54
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhWmodCJ3e
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRgCQX1wxj
"R-Right."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK4AHoE3zE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAnMeBhRKA
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFKwN60CH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CScwH5r5R
"Ack!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFWicX2uLA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQbZNqSBhM
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSrK3ZObTd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJOCHXLdVZ
"F-Flinty, what was–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywYaoGKll3
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjtZ937cIo
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwKpnq041q
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F8aJTGl4o
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZmP2eodEG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwijyO9oyqk
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BXEA58nyS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfmuNPxDbg
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5MVLe013C
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkbJWe1OT0
"No, I'm not just saying it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugtzmDtvtv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmiEYGRDSW
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcRB8Sz5uL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ga40D2IG0
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZLg9BbT7v
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aJEzpYwH3
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOFqCWUuZV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInv4EF2LiV
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisBD7sPl8B
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXawYwQoudv
"I–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbOK1qcwKB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t0HLENkee
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBnrnvvcRW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgUqoPacLr
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DlahOvd3M
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH96GmThJ2X
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28w1Uao82Y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMa8KtF8cJ
And yet...151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH5zsUqKhh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGeB16Atng
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoZGR9vDIp
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2niakSPJaH
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4XIHsVgqi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfSsxe897T
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqzaODcjkj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlOPvOD2aq
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRxxBQgjUw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxiIhIsg4l
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVhrLCbpQT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNuJnbXAbk
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfyPkd6MON
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS3ycvO7qd
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpO3lMPbwG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ldHDqVbZd
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdnhhNe341
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMU9muVCs0
"O-Okay."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vl4QvLe2P
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqPUgrPbPF
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe80Hi1D6T9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04tZHxTAYB
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cdWYiRDXG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMspEAmddq5
"Okay okay, fine."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3NjmHOV2u
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5jPCMexV2
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FVdUBIRCO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1cze0c46G
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfL4UVg7uZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUPdyjcI0S
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsckm3eSgB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2T7SXwhk7
–
–
–
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj58MLxPBO6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZIOBduOio
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmGvUlJWz
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ8GDIcdww
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMemcjHohY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SJEAZ9lBS
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yKiAPI5cn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZhmeJD6bJ
"Huh...? What did you say?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN5PtvNOaY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sGkInafDL
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV7WzXUqP5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco9z229MCw
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVM3DfjiMM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzergBZLvlf
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggKLQzG99y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0puMpmLbL0
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5U5uE5xQN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvl4uUcrx4
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLyXxDwEzn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJOdLFH4cc
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiffZ3DN0G
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVHbHcXYmh
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1tvGDg3j4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT37QU2XCqZ
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssx8oyTwsC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR1pL5mYZD
"Note?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEcQLOPSd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMGtjGPsSb
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba65NX5oFV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZenyYtSCs
"What does it say?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdXwWlzu6V
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNdPB8foR0
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJ7I4KF5Q
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m7oYKJPZO
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy13U3cUfKO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe4Qr4A2nl
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3As3wV86V
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuMIvKXjpw
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0agsNlTUKZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCsbet8FMD
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0xTq6GyjA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT2iLEkDTY
Juke sighed and put the paper away.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWR3mV75lS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhoFyZQZuj
"So, how's about a story?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNbxi8PpEt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOByfwyKTr
"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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk11I5Ne8uw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxSazM1Kr
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxW8LNete5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc6RhcRJfP
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaVe4v8Ce7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfo5D7c6n9
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8lSLTmISO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaCvwmYo2p
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNu1iLWwLc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByFpw18gp2
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSKbSzZ6OS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNOW80vMyv
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAlk7OojrQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI258myyqj
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhha91RPYKP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin5en9Ivig
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VIkWknlsx
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoeqMaV6F7
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvzmePFJ6g
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwwrBms6nH
"Seriously? You have to be lying."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CiHZyAdAh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F33VkiHfR
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrJ2VFxm6k
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4arVzzCYa7
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzZOAzcxOW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LvA95PBbm
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EIrCeW29E
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2AhJ6NSpl
"Like what?" I asked.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQIgVcXe28
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTL1jHJ47Q
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXe8XJNhDj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZHPEUoMlz
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQyz3hCaOe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFljpjRwZY
"...Stardust?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxMi1tx8Sy
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjje6fvkhD
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabITp14uyS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92QxeD3T03
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQgE0tDic0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi99kCTFsL
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAdnM9W80Y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV3lOAgxF2
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSrK9vo4gz
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiy9ow6TSO
"...The what?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICXOrY4016
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYXP7kaK7j
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY78QmBMp1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMA5FzGryd
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz54FGjHh6Y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLarMttagG
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceEtfqEoIn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4x2wypDGY
"Of course I do!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSADbnojKf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCDPL2YYfm
She pumped her fist.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTiH3BbgOx
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwIA9vj9C0
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VcShzoWOO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMGwDPI7Zp
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufER9Jhjbp
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2dpWzNodH
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrSiAox7PB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjHAFoXzII
"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–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd52gcY7PS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2iDC4Hl0j
"I already know this."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZnMoqhple
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Fh1YUm04
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelBJFm8MfW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvJ4UIsWcK
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjGcZ82Oqt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYak6VLHI6j
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9WoSYpegK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMg6Ii2jQ9
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3tnLFBU9P
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT49xMQbRiW
"Eh? Why?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjy37htmqB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3utIz5COt9
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3SA4Pza7o
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLT4lIFDUN
"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–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE7hwQ5xSB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqFRF15fiY
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBmRiEyHjo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQbioiMoT6
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlTpFqeHcs
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUMzpQ03wU
"That's cuz I met her."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErpO7wbwqm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmzFwn8htj
"WHAT!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT70UV2pTzA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JdX22vR67
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvBZjFQObc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv0e9kI3zf
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yKV9GCRBW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXDu7FGiUq
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE40AWuHiY0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0l7F3mbmT
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ5LgBW60e
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7dV6x7L9U
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGlS563t27
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FulFrduEK
"You're kidding."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c5ssYyLQZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftBRiUhPrr
He shook his head no.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U7grLzIKf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcEj9AYbi
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajKdjh3W5r
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TikqtnPtU
"You're making this up," I said.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi4R1mz7jb
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAqPHlTc95
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIRNaqycG8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDsab4zTIl
Juke shrugged.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xSnM07in4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuJNgaFHzV
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0llhvfC3s
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZaGsNZ9co
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKngFhyyuQu
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQgV62Lms0
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBn8BrXjjn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBrYubSMHZ
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83bBYhe1hi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z0IknXfmh
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nqPzy8Ffp
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJw3MKCKA2
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dySn3Yh2P
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR3C3I514c
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiyx9EOmix
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld12MShTse
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW5zhzGVH3
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKCbU9JDgS
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1UOvSQ5qP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MqqN5xDbf
She pointed a finger at him.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpMHWPsp3V
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKyLaCbgXM
"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!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZCF5GIylV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi4Gl7U59P
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ovi2jCX13
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUUqC2720K
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTdgYgRZyU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPzKnw5cAI
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlmPnAGcZw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT9zSgVbol
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVFoW45LfH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ357MXFCPTc
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwvGm9705M
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzdhiMKiZc
"--Ngh! You guys...!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ZAh3hlNN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhoCgQmcmS
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwkbxWvnC7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbBWyh4McU
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0tjA1Xv8U
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL0RxyBn4T
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyvcNIrkts
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sguUTxv5B
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb27YoBkF0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLzbnMzm0O
"Ya look like you have something to say."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK2DEAQvvQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf34sFUWYU
"W-Well..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviQUTE3PEd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4KVfctf6b
She turned her head away.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDTsO1GxP9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvScNoQVAV
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTyw5cM8GU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W4oUDmFv2
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARt3lEbVRG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuO661ahCx
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfga71oifV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69tNB5yTsK
"Mhm, I told you so."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jT1TkGdia
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNXdBPhPI2
–
–
–
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfru0va9xJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohUcJ4y4ae
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzHT37Y3nA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWjE434GwY
"...So why am I not getting any?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIJgjFXTLD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8GW7zsOFL
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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9gvhKbTk5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EkkIANaDj
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbw718S8t
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNaY62XYnd
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cLIyaw4Va
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5WBdcQSrs
"Eh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4z00c61Nd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFbKeyAnpD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq6IKt6zPt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLaofYnz6Y
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jRNtOsQpp
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KRhu8N2Td
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ePm8QWzT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYEFsJQ524
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY8vNN2LoK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY2LGaxWO1
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiNjFjbs4U
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0TjIIWmT6
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTNW5jZTHj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDjxCSVetS
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarB9Of2QLt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm5fYDnGgb
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Hr3v7mKO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQGgZuhZDC
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN4udLhmT0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiU8tBOfvD
"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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgqwW0iPtF
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QsUOtRoUJ
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoO65qOvgr
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmtxhruThA
"A jungle? What elevation?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2qd5ut0pt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWTAITPA8Z
He shrugged.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfEmRJBGDM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakDL0wZZjP
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI5WEGM4UT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLt5vKBmBH
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU4UutnneL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn2TxQPTCz
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YlkTGo8OW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuzF8WUcs4
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUfQ6jguaB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMB6Bg3ban
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtO6JBzJ4h
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBFOw81mgt
"Why?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78b4CtlnXt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kUAfloEBh
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlWyFKAnIL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eBv4cOGYF
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3YwzgCAPU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4BAMGrHVJ
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeVOf4epl2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Yc537lgE
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0Eavl7Vls
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmGhNYpjht
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lbY8oTfT9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYmRqisCn4
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a7j0MPCdt
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmVofPXheq
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMgsvc7Mjn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CHH3W9reo
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gEDtr2WhI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ENVQtChPj
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp8a7uFob8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJgkqWDDbe
"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."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHgRp1L4j9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNweMJU1xa
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdiQsi6U0Y
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHii8TmgBuk
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX57zwhiOG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPhRXw4ng
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFmKjNbS9f
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKPs36v0CM
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDP2AnQpaW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTe7mwoHLS
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6uogpZ6M
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvWqBTtLlM
"TALBOT!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRqn84xOXX
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwcwIMbMt4
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcabInMAfl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY95jF9MDDB
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocSg22EMuc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmA9aLjNGE
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxIjd4vHNd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLi7PnMtpw
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOg4ZO7JY9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v2Z6xewu4
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgKnSR4dL9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8GX4ijQ4V
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYODZEknMU1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIwgG0SC7z
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHFXPYs1dc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaAxTZz3gU
"Are ya kidding me?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXTNGQdmJM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lUroYAVVl
"That's so lame!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARjf0bSdeo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQQxq64Dxb
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30rT8TWtnZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j6CzToKBQ
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph1m48vVaJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkY81kQOr
"What's that supposed to mean?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI9cFRhX55
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84T0t78OSl
"Nothing."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf9VkjIbUl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5W4JY5RhU
She returned to chowing down on her food.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG90YJEvpc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9LwA5sMup
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeQSI3Ze3x
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrNOGRXFhP
"Well..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUyJceKEuD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk6PlPjEn5
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqDUfltPaT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpEkJnCl8p
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMQz5bfObv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjKoiOREvv
"...No."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfxoUJI50Q
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWQfIcm8XN
"Eh? Why not?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oZDORLqfV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBmGZCCmrF
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWfpu1C31M
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoQCMCNE9q
"Huh!? What'd you say?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJFsAuOyhY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoGqB2OYkX
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWV0SdsmR1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2uvrIcp74
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfranHXhQO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gfV8uuZjA
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNhDw1XxNQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9RHkaLDeT
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd1iAvHr4L
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6nM5t7Uty
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvN7d5KwRH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlrnd4Iwdp
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7eLgFanpQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4kX12yPll
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZjev33W4R
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsWbkk67Rj
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH8YjWXbVr
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j3NsFg0mB
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z25RaiUM1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw7tI4ptz5
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZtZkMPmT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3AQE8INxd
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KBWt1UlO0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi232M1BokU
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJLGWm2pm9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpL4UpoGpv
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxiOX2xvgm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpicRF5hut
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBD2m10BxY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF8eS7M7Wq
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x5d8i9SsI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YmNOH0Ce1
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhHawGWaHf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCiy6Gd3Nz
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7pezio2qP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hoLJHqiSI
"Custom design? Well..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv1L5Qe519
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K4ck4HSqz
She turned her head away.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaOsrIrDxK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSFt4lr5io
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99svO6ZOkf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqtH87cymn
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlMEiixlya
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj3viveP4d
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONHCGzk9iB
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"Oh, this?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jxCdQdFAj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnplJt0ZzbJ
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlP0u2BXdZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVSME4SEBc
"I stole it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCSqsOz1cl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZXJ9w2hA
"No surprise."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGudibIyuc8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xF1OPFApF
"I ain't surprised."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9d8C6NlwB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVlljd1wsX
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGl2BN1Oj2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl5RquI0rw
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheGxFe6DJB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqUN4IfTDL
"No."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShhxLXeDJf
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3UVUeiqwF
"Not really."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1WxPKB4jW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDbsynOeXY
"Ah... you two are lame!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx2nKiIL5v
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkupQeKOpG
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3gqgadBqx
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhuonEKImh
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz23vFXrxH
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcXYONewji
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHEyDwfHvL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DbnyvKE0z
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7RuKOtvLB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMg84pvXXi
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOjVhOmwyn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbyQWa2aef
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvPA0l4IpJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzGqDy5Png
"I-I see... I suppose so."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTcqmqz9a3
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmQRTgyLZR
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyRbtMak65
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqnWkmUBP
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWMM0SmrCS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYNAkH4CFL
"Did you have to word it that way?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8f2VOYeXA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyzE4Z7k93
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVJzaPwlop
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqXE2RJ0eH
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuwORGMZtd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJArKhoRWnx
"Ya got it, boss."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp9aSqeVWL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTjDXYwGiD
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLesWs68wk0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpwVqAhALr
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C8tt3gztZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ4Ya6PWVt
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkj8wJcaq
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB7cepVCsW
"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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIudwHPldl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9LAjLTvFU
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrLJRXYO91
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7I5I6AIUx
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW9wRxXguP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUAORPTyaI
"...Well, alright. What is it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIeosLaMZo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0X1O8v15U
"I... I wanted..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWabBRRFUgE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPRakErXW4
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqDeBqR7Dj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObRO8gc9iy
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKckyM4DfV6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsKxnPQ2YU
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyNHA8FFza
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXdXYJTjxj
"Where's this coming from?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCvGljFccQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVG15ckuMr
"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?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHnZrRUOBm
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPWu9e5vn5
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWTRr38H11
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfF65W7Tbj
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D0GpjCex5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgarDE3wH6
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3FGsYHP6B
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphpf5GOw71
In that light–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCu8gVzcg8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnuTxyuj2a
"Alright, apology accepted."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZM64CP4B4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sGTN1d9a
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7nSgYAOvB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCAah194rQ
"--only on one condition."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFjXbACxVq
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYUZw6eBde
"Eh!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Q78bIvVv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1zCPmFmxA
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6XlhV0zXn
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SxQWD0A7M
"That's right."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO49MULcY1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBB8sh49C
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c8lU7qcIo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoFlkeRTo2
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ573bTOrDRr
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMVxhGiR4e
"He sounds like a priss."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CPDCxu5Mv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fVZZnHaYd
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XWxHPvaWj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rJfnMkuIo
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bWe801ujc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EdzjLqssM
"Fine, what's your condition?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIVxbckaO7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ijva7nq2
I pointed a finger at her.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbx1iUgith
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabspG6g8NL
"We need to get along from now on."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwIlA4eIzy
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjTqGL2aAz
"...Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5vlbTqESC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrVb4tpSXF
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PnJ1W07X6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTR2Jj1a2N
"...Ha, that's it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvWCvfzW3t
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYHLwVHCjn
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE2LuaLi90
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6yrslksrh
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOp2ElEypx
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3CEpjPjjD
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSr4CeQXyq
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiRqB2WSiW
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zqo7rpeHU
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev8Vp4xR6q
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vSA0W0Fbi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE1Sy84gt8
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDFM5eKgIe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0GkYlCx09
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvySOmtmKl9
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mhe4uGczZ
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06rTyuAmry
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj7hrTpfAo
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fkc9EcAOw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF8ZEW0KNn
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdkwL6Bt7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXahCwcZvah
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS18i7E9kc1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBiPocq7fr
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tUwCJ5VI3
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT1nkhTjEX
"What a weirdo, seriously."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRVSuuDRaO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv07aZt4jC
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHSJRWzi5I
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjpZAyTidv
–
–
–
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjcS1t9Qk5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpn4F0bex6
"You guys! You gotta see this!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGl0P8dYJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGHWiEBWf6
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.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl86vK8VB97
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutpDOB66FN
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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