My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxrnBc9Lis
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIAqWQznK7
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WL7rRRRR6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgfLNnQ439
"Haa..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fxlxqpst7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnPri02Id2
"Are you okay?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC8nkexBTz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG64dURAlm
"Phew. Now I am."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtYJyp1Qf5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVM5YU2S1G
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92m5XyFESh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK9PzxCY91
"W-What is it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4pyLSdFDY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡossrIAvlMy
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB4Txxj73r
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhTiNhmyhl
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWOJ8rD2x
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprF8RLXBAg
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ROGHLejUR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0QjmtveGt
"Well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylWIuXSHQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lbmDVF8LZ
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGpn0lrhSQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6HFLgjQv
"Come on, tell me!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUcAE9yJbg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpf8Z5sIS8
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdo1SJj2pa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDQMFDrsPx
She sighed and shrugged.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhVPE2lvMG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9biros4sr
"Are you feeling nervous?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCPh1BMGSL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZBdEx4Dld
"Of course I am."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUJ4Y6YBRu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88KSxIb4lC
"You shouldn't be."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhfXXyiOYP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ4YEp0qjp
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe3DRpZoJN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf3AoWmDYp
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaVuUEdLCa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUWKFe0XK3
"...What's that supposed to mean?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDYd0Exr5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtFQeJ4O3e
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y9bNdh2Hd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfsCi52eGp
"I think you came here a little too early."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTJ6HUTbhf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ImD6hDh3
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxC0MNrGk1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyYqZu9v97
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSc2tLaWga
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcGAMDaETy
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!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbfG4xSLFx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTxxtcd09d
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUDGXqK2PQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLtggDpVi2
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BUWLq5SIO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60N0fakwuh
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEphDPrhuci
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEBifplgtI
"Aren't you going to say something?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KxO0RG3Ht
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBk1q0g3nA
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDo2I3EkGI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzQqlXWixH
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJlOqI2MDT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzdEibIr2c
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO680oNwB4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY8hlzAhrP
"...I-I still don't believe you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFLQGbvcGD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3fgd0ITuy
"Are you serious!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTCmy7rhYB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ5D771SAJ
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRDA2CNqbL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr5oL3kvlX
"Can I at least have your name?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCgvavT2pS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOTUTVcp4g
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADZ5yZXgXb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxVyjMBLw7
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCgGXtH6hF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l8YoK4iJt
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PSxbw15Yz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR94iqZZC2
"A-Alright, I won't forget."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc390VwKCE4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVHK6W9LYU
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJtln7Vd2j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzIa1BR8cz
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRQGQRjfZp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3fZbrbZiH
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg5CwVfF4Z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMcE2lgou0
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEznpkhSneF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw5Gl9BsDh
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRBR4qfLAt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9CdDYsoM0
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SOFjfq78R
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUuDV8FUfN
"She's not very nice at all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUozPipdJW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwLx0N0o1a
"I suppose not."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLs5mtFdf4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU46t6oU6Bm
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZ9Js3QeQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmTr4vySip
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv8IVv6Tv5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM7PWsKdgB
**SMASH**204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRf9hyTgcc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYnqGF8vca
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXZtEm88f5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDwJL4xLDn
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndLxzM8EDH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSiG0ulvgn
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTOAXKzIwS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNLzBmZAL
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoAKjNoSyo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom5jcOz6iF
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxzDWOKnNx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IRIQFVIAl
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmHQsypoZY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK64mC5GyB
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDiaZYKUzL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0QvXSTBwr
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uoAAxaoqb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopPPhLu1Fd
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYH4ptzjhD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOj4deY0J8
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XmKGzAoe8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeAXcwAnkD
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BgzuofJb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjIxNJMNy1
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv22YHI1S7V
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0rjjz4prM
"No, not at all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkkSFDQgD9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPyXEpsmV4
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr11hBjLnJm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J1xl6xpBs
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9FGq8uRv0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkgwmVMvr
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH9XnbWHzk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8zIO479QI
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9auwtGIG7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzmWCO7D1n
"Is she our teammate?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTLGeLfC1y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwdEJJJG0C
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdTKsz77tZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CpRv0UNm6
"That so? Lemme test the waters."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVTfW15R8B
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXn2kuSioP
"You'll regret it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9d2KFU3j8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGWHRm9eDy
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVLlZ4DxFR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gBl2oRtdM
"...Wait."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxlzwmfZDZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XCwzeE3eS
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50zDop5CHs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa97LIwRf3
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdruPFRByR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8XwlHfXKl
"A little? Just a little?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsU3xphjcS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACrt2fTv8k
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKi31ecsEH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCoAbqX9Bq
"I met her five minutes ago!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpViVClhCY9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VimTNY6qo
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDaCPSPIQD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLxy00ON6u
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyjRt1iJGB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDS77k23cX
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgO8acUZmt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwbzQtoowf
"Really?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmrTaAOHjr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD7mJBndk1
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1YMjNFW8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34LaXN0VXh
"What do you mean 'really'?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj8yENXzYr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb0pY3XDnc
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE89iIiNzJv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNBPCpTws3
"--!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ114N7PDCLE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyorjHZy6EL
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoIk0KYFdE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV50bpPGDs4
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWOm4Sn9I6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3VgURtidK
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC1SA1rweG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxWS4wBHA
**SMASH**204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFSuzqWJVT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgIhqPey1X
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjttHW4xGV9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NnOKUc3ci
My jaw dropped yet again.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxDSdUJOMF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWrNAjQY34
"ROY!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndKqV9Ffzm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CRaJ6KWUM
–
–
–
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZiTBpmWtY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5HnrBf9PM
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUz8sn0qWW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnwZEuouUn
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ4WAbw3wN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfIkE9Cy0z
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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcZoNiCniF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6lmYuF23k
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7LsPMPf9k
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVkGnyNZfo
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SmfxaJkXI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAuXekIjow
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVKtcXSOf2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G3PvEgE63
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JbLpMUs8j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumC0HuhLkv
"R-Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsvh0mPzRp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7Tov4orZ5
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–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHAwZrl9vF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20MTHElw6j
"Ack!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcag7VCmUz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjze8yKDFcq
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIy7qbznNL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUaCyoid3T
"F-Flinty, what was–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIRNYVuPij
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4La2J06Lr
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZIBICrfq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmclrdO09A
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SvhtpvOXy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZZtpqTbif
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcEF3f0Wuy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrofqQqfUIl
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rR8TXq1vV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUle0m2ShHv
"No, I'm not just saying it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHuKtuKlNr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4pmXmwqLp
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDccxYG1fP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS5h63j6RP
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbagyvMtee
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPbwWrz0L8
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFkKhzPbdc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITKVI9ViSP
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Og7BQSlyP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznq6a4TsPS
"I–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQOwoq2VWY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMoiuRkoHB
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwqeBUOJ2n
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LFsDoip6x
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKhHqgG4Dv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtfdCdLunV
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–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthXbh4zcO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q1ElnHSyq
And yet...204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV0tYPadTa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFqQiW1YDL
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dbmkCK90r
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRRfobK4Y8
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bTbPGF8Uu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIKDYW684j
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp9yFk6EAJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOiAvpEpI
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ8ph9i9sr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Cq9csYj8
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VObrhfMdR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpxkLo7eFk
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTVVBdqHww
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M4oBj7IDX
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1BrU6Pp6a
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUOtUuck5C
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNHM1cU0T
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwwcCTjTla
"O-Okay."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiCegi2uj2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TmBck0qX7
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkxMSmvrUC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmho4glFL1
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEZA1gbc6S
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5c8RKY1Ca
"Okay okay, fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuOIjCTvYO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ExqMcDrqM
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SjhjvR3fv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPhAwY2Yr0
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL1QohLm4M
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvxIuqNyoA
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCMwMcovrf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPlesN1zbG
–
–
–
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbih6Gwh55u
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFX8AWc0xk
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG2DIgqNYw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL462wYQNq
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJhWSgNwkB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOv7h1KGBe
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Nzi4iIhW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYye4Jc6mhS
"Huh...? What did you say?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaXCxxCIEI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFFn0k7rJx
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaCqsZLRZc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQXpgFdZqX
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2UoPcz9K7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcZz2ZCbqT
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyq1bbG24F
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNEIOodrR5
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RnsBC2Hff
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx41nlKy2Gr
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f79xdWWtW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMUah1JNfy
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CfUCt087N
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZEWrkb9rc
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVW6letZP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EttiAYveO
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuujgdcG5pv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps1XxJG3Ie
"Note?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOhU31vWnF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi37cVksg2T
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjctYKAKR4m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0hhhom0vh
"What does it say?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl93gCuM7Yp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TVzv4duwh
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tq8KwgfJt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy8tXrYXNr
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiyNvKNuCL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgRfnsTTWM
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiSeRVXpl0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0rmkygkeW
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQvi9dXClt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jigieKSYW
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPfXxeKRNO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJyUnDUTNp
Juke sighed and put the paper away.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdThDT8at5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsITDx74Bu
"So, how's about a story?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJwFLN9ExJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAm6gwB0Vc
"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?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmymwriul8S
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruvXHqcsnq
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z4zgTsJby
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5Z29TPFlV
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb0nc7vO43
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwnCh0dDlP
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91U68H4NJB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO0WMS94ei
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0piiPxIJVb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdjreBm1Wr
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGh2JrMdzj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxtHcJYaZN
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkslcY2YhZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeH6rCKQYQ
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOTJv0n5Ut
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfqbuQHfFP
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9R0PyUf5Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkDMiDGRUp
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfE2zkTLkY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrJlhhR4dn
"Seriously? You have to be lying."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsuQnhKfKA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyQsE41SRf
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNuwE3NACJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZJP7MdU7j
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAPKIWdAK2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uR6kkVBB0
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnPE4tONaJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYYmSWD3Mk
"Like what?" I asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LGdvXEavK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZClBwXb9q
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQprgyn2Oyt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAQntM8KFd
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SwZAmx2Vf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wyQ5GQYfJ
"...Stardust?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyXrQN1u14
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2QnY80fx6
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh1dfP6LVt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6cx1rUjM1
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVOF3ZYxMm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbAv4hXTd0
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuL0Ps4Q0x
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaQyxiiuky
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwwsUhG0mE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADfTrbplwx
"...The what?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerP5ebhbtg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4ogKEdTty
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQnyNp55oN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBK7V011jP
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfGBjGVDvI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqkc79y5Qc
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXljmbCLmjW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxZu065ejc
"Of course I do!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApAvQqTOuZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp8hnXAjsn
She pumped her fist.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLnnLWnPPk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxzDZ3l7AX
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe06ya6Hb9X
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsV2xHx8qS
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeULckxTdgk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uH0QuX3Ur
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TvTsvxFMA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDX05EdFWP
"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–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJtuPMCm2C
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspNxtNgnpX
"I already know this."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37tflu3yIC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2ieBIX9qZ
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqzaWavlUy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2aHm5DPWq
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBLRJogojo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJU9y5t9rh
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB6SMEx0zk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj9hlgi3xu
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfCCz6e6ZI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteUrESkUHA
"Eh? Why?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wlj20gv43
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1UxciK9H
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo7L91J0hF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicpi9VI51X
"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–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeiuT4VbmF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBN9pNTsmX
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJUSrs1CN5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W7xFKw9NL
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5dh75QECb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcecdB4LSUF
"That's cuz I met her."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdsBuwZMeB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYirUTb28xB
"WHAT!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB6ex2h5JT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOLFgTZr2b
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD8b9L5Gmk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncuHWAjjai
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S1oNgJhKY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZbE8KoUcY
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm6GC1yJNT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wKFwIDEv0
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnqFLbQRwK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1TJXn7weL
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa1xSiA1KM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YsjJYGlsv
"You're kidding."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVpdbdBBa7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp31oJMUzm
He shook his head no.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeV3Zja29E
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLiPgx5Xpx
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbFtYfrMJk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZweWvolnd
"You're making this up," I said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX8fo5ZPAZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQvxMW6Yu8
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKMkjxTWIW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2EKuukn6b
Juke shrugged.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVNn7lLii5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oHs0gCxVM
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT4K5AYHq7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQACTgff9C3
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwFWFtF81E
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEm2YS6tI7
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpBAbbBZkK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNsV5quqjO
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTE6OVC5RC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82r71aYATB
"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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyZr2Pii8a
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDuiHjy3Il
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS1iTSbmBY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzzebhwqyv
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhZLsOAYUG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc88JPZ6pB
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7lNMjgjfT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1WZhhoRlC
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iCZwznL6Z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMLkLHqwjg
She pointed a finger at him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iop5xU3Tw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGjlEBtBJ0
"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!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaabdoigfQT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d7fM8JQj1
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywIWaZHhUO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWIdOODTsU
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpMWyo49Bf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHJVqJZVy4
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9zaZDOokb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJVqqeNJVq
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX4ZD4l97z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQJRy3rSix
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgsD93OOTh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3OCYygRW1
"--Ngh! You guys...!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS94vQNofX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZwdDVgSqT
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3NA6ixt3c
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlOqdwTxdO
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFuC64Frki
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNigCnqg9Gr
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr4h3Qm0iq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWelBvUT5oq
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ig0zrspdQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbsnLvyvSf
"Ya look like you have something to say."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB5WyzhCRx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyDrtUKpvI
"W-Well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEfGyNgBcP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMVhalskO
She turned her head away.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL75rwGwO1J
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdFimzLLbQ
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqbF6DaG0V
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46B4lD5ee5
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1Rv5WvnL1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2LopXFtiG
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZr93qrYaW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8482TBeP9
"Mhm, I told you so."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TuyIiR4u1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2GHAyviCG
–
–
–
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL7eRODfc5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1jxZckl2w
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaKmpldYuI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa0ykxMeYS
"...So why am I not getting any?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3YM6OUr0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0YuSd5qJd
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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFrIkdXclv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoRWHVwUMe
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–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPZEYZOwX5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkgqnsgge
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEzHOpndLK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5bc3uv73q
"Eh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5q8Xp5xuu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDxo1ycOlC
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKjRGiAyEs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKGPKRSP3C
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuA8MF8U4V
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqBGMxeJo0
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbdX7ZyqEl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSDYzHoWY
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8QwMGgffW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawx2w8WamK
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYQ6xG2wnT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSiTBpM0r9
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWAi9TQKIm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2OG7psG5Q
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2bjYM46X2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRQ3JREdRP
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSukQ0vnWpw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFaVzrgMqQ
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYsqMtkbUr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkavEiUOi5
"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?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69sp3GeF6P
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlopDIFWVsU
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqkzZkixOY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzt8BHtNJb
"A jungle? What elevation?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPO2rN0Y55
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60WtaAHBfO
He shrugged.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj92EcIHOrJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz5X0HFPRn
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ276xBORID2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqTxaOyuO4
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof1hubiNRx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2WW24dalO
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBQ97qeFux
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAwUS4bPmb
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtibU2Pin6c
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRAMj9OOle
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWBTGoE6Ls
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ8q8BEjAZ
"Why?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj62PJEYXn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43k7g8oYC1
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVlAx0WItH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpCQSexFBB
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRuL110YlC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjSc3Knm7I
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf7Ifs8Xib
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg95cHGCpG
"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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5rM3WjW2D
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVLKM2jp2p
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JLLsT9Hpj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstXB8EriPC
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN8m4IWLTs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTjk2IyPAK
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7HBbUiGzu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iqFry2xET
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85KjiAokk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqehNiin2ga
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEm5S4d82w
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHuhIT8MON
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rw0smU4eA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkiqIekKe5
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG6MLKudI1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbK9dnXvoT
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uemCxHp5F
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWAxv0YRmM
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjpKlTXt58
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIocqnflmL
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8gYBBHlFf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rux5xUFZ9
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWij160zlW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJP4HfwtAA
"TALBOT!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwF9aGe0td
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ODGHbij4a
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaysaEUOR6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9bNKJRAqC
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlkaYZY98J
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuoNmMEGQH
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5vTG7BaS5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncv8X44RnF
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw56T2eO2v
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCM5a74Zn
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CuJJNNCX8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wy4ciu7Ag
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s6PSzRXfG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzu0eJkWG3
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs8gSo2fxS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzeXnIvbxt
"Are ya kidding me?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsY7jY14t8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO3lDPOm4M
"That's so lame!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkreZUtzPxx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7qXTDzvtj
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHvikdYRvR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKazPbGYGcd
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI1n90cI2R
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJicIGzVjbK
"What's that supposed to mean?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqXJK2dE0O
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr43LI78On
"Nothing."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0ZAlosRqY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS8G8E5evl
She returned to chowing down on her food.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s6ctRW6o6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdarW7UEyg
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazds6zuC5U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYLr3uF56G
"Well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0mBXfBzXh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw1AAiQBjy
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RXZcfeVza
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqm6qKlYBB
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk38oFJvuar
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78sujPWfE4
"...No."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HGnVEpwHs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeFmfxfJH9
"Eh? Why not?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TUqfkXHs2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBo37ZyHWE
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi0sf1sjyP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSBS52Jjze
"Huh!? What'd you say?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjFG1RhvVZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMpf2OuuSU
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwb66yUPOb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6zl6fUyI3
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wKUsPULrP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWox5NFEtE
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJLrWIKkQz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkk9HGhi3q
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GHX63dovc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zxbZsdJx0
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnf5rHCijB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0wlvU5tQn
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiRG8SCbp7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0lTimpNvL
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cBOKEzRnw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgoENiSQ23
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnlzUJ2n2E
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg88IfGCWgF
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAQMF8JEST
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHNQdjrkGJ
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM769tLQuJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMPdmaSIBB
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFNTvMDe0N
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbpp367fF
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXs9qDPGNa
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdUu31pVdl
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuA5zSh51X
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd09k1xQjtm
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAsm92NkfS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wXETlbhkv
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iIjSS9pPU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXsQabRxWz
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vfhSCivBp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH3DBISWto
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcf57MMbO0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVsApBu1oc
"Custom design? Well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuytX12qVu5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmVo2ZtLze
She turned her head away.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ecdySxHFs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLTQw5Yim1
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23bcrcg00k
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMDzRXO9Oc
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGVRLaEER4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tzUoVR3ai
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKycBonZRM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0igQjuEOCC
"Oh, this?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqPIxxzG8U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiuUG4cuLA
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63MalcgLQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kNxcLZ7lI
"I stole it!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIepHWCElx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MF0n8eRYe
"No surprise."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4GbmD9jKS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6RpettZbL
"I ain't surprised."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdBaD1fKJo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FuMGuc5Fu
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw3nytnQRU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmL4OlFTbd
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtPUhicDW0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfYSrNYBEq
"No."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE8v1Pnlcr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt1QMvrwRN
"Not really."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJT0uR5TyL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0EgQhTKlD
"Ah... you two are lame!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TGrGLp2Od
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3PBSAaZcD
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K3fUeg8mZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1sgsVbMNf
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUDnOnFGhc
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfOzT3ntPr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVWsg49ZZe
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2EWcFjtcc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBimQyq00aR
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3ySIKLMR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAq8zUWjme
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtjgA29WwB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtvIZIXmTR
"I-I see... I suppose so."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMNuEsOFFb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYjAbZkzJ8
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVPr2JWwXt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA2sd1zr1O
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGbKdkLMkb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNJKpSaDJI
"Did you have to word it that way?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANJaF99EzQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CulMoQNcT
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n1JQIDwlI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfr2YTkxQ
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypdkSQaXNE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYQsvM0o3D
"Ya got it, boss."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT3ADJnxNn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMghZdrvkVV
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGckMJtvGx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNjLh77yeP
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApjBGvbEPb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPMZAFffNf
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzTx787DNS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64S00pAm8i
"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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjfCEQvXMr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS84stEeruC
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKcBoM43EJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYLzRsGCZ1
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSmTUkgyOq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnO4j0ggf5
"...Well, alright. What is it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbrbcNs7G
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaaFne1tr7
"I... I wanted..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4omHPKUgz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRHvomkqmz
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡermJfwQHpI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3l2TRDDd8
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBDKRLAhmr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MBs4LtIjl
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UFVjuvp7W
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06ePAhomLS
"Where's this coming from?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqjVeUeFpI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWAuIUcmSI
"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?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIl2Siz5Xt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYG5Zbdv06
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ6aewONaR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWpdcp0obt
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNYmz0h3Gr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpteJwrfKi
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMtZUZLIyQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XvOkGlTCS
In that light–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MHfGKsR4j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzRZUICzlm
"Alright, apology accepted."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2waCwZsJP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOs2dkaDjk
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADhaFDJaal
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiskLdzPcbG
"--only on one condition."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEoJZoJJ9A
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqJSB1TCz0
"Eh!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJKweDsr9j
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Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QFeXo8Kh2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7yM7GIcHp
"That's right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7y4rNYhs4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf8Je33ziI
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK9c5AhoyQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHaoi6N5fd
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAstaPR4EH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWocXXsv5j
"He sounds like a priss."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDcVnZ37im
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5kXT9IkRx
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OGqSq4fJL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qk9HDVH50
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ7tiePHm6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkBMVkItlK
"Fine, what's your condition?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hQXvzTB6m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxSjxzJjAQ
I pointed a finger at her.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqkY0VptFG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP3JfT7nQw
"We need to get along from now on."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSFiJeMoMA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc1HM8jOoZ
"...Huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCnjkHSvEL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAFrd5r0IU
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOwlD9mczw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAbj4CxCPf
"...Ha, that's it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjvCFmvWoE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCy5r2Al3E
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePHGtvYADk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtzNw8OKrX
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gFWrBHrWU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4383zYYDZK
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXf1MG7Lis
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs6guqOEtK
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABTFe4Yq4C
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NYTOqTWNR
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpVJjSBzlL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78NunCF4Eo
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1KdjWxvNZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rqqinszv4
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D7Xjo4qiJ
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She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaFG24nkBG
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"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw9Lz19OhK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEB7O9tPq5
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1P50QVi50
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqSwjWohMJ
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PxBTMNGf5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl5el7a8ac
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqNNYMj4pt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0ab7FciU
"What a weirdo, seriously."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPAGI3sSAu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v6NXI0L4a
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C5EulE7pu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGAEqdO4AG
–
–
–
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD0RYMjgjg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJRwM6UXWk
"You guys! You gotta see this!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQQSKZDi21
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEjF4eKtWo
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaGi8x5wQM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN65OUhXTXl
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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