The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9365QFcqb
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL8UjWacFV
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajZO1qMJcK
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJWVzy6YZv
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"Oh, that's a good point."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfup6efiWCD
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSSSQPg4aD
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**SWOOSH**143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RPKSnPn3I
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"W-Woah!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8jt0jNFA0
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wctA9itYI
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wY6UWz681
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9poCLpfA5m
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kKL1TkZjy
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdrueSKU4l
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"Oh, Juke."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHudsokgNs
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ3ZI7DIUg
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyp4T5LNjw
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Juke tilted his head.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmHiYcmMI0
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91S7aEJAz6
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6UX9SUZlT
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKW5B1sBxa
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"That's a good idea."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWrQDv61YS
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqnuQQlG0A
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FqNpxqhaF
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUTPROl3xM
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtVI31dfXH
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy6bgVFywI
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**SWOOSH**143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpaAfpMKtd
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhBmMqSeLn
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9PW7Vu2ID
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjiAqm5v3r
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"That's a bird!?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo21rkNLj7
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLUYzPsPK5
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJpwtygyIN
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTfuSJzsXF
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mRJlc2JDI
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPkYfyBNv1
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2GK0Fg2dA
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7MYxqeAuk
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTd63E6HWK
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxham1mEz8
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIaK30xvjz
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM38JCrK6XN
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"Hahaha!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb5sVadSZf
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"Why aren't you answering me?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hAAK80olx
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNy0DIcqZ0
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs29MluobR
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKZJM96CPk
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"Huh? Why?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVKbLHUSRW
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF2EWynvD8
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"Oh, alright!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjbZgia1VV
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp1qLhomyG
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vrlLmVMJi
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNkUn4dRuD
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4KMU53577
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BGogOKVGs
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg4zIFfVDq
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"Hold on–"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g5l7v1DHp
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7NIVKxxcG
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9FBf9wk2x
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE5xs5Q1QC
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuiFqI3QkY
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDnzBaIr6r
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcg2ZJdjhR
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OcJhSaczB
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeRKKknQuU
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexluFAhZIU
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"...Maybe."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpeV8qCs4a
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"Why only maybe!?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmFmeZjNMY
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP01tC2NISq
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGb42ZGDTG
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoBuASwUnE
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"Ahhh... this is the life."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ8elafFKw
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"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8vij3OwMc
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHrjskQOJh
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT6mquBKqU
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPpN6kYrT2
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPwTehJZ0k
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"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYkCOxHpMQ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEsVouJY4I
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxCwhI1c0J
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfc5JERJvX
"Sure, sure, now scram."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsQTKYduRO
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I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrtnaWBazi
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"This place... it's bad for my psyche."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioSo3XiFDq
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyFknOSWwW
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxIh2b7TzA
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"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KR8AkX1XL
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrn9G4CPDy
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wqKN81rfh
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TUcPZCQ3S
"A nap... hmm..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXzfbSRC91
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAmlewttku
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45jUOzVsYm
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdLlKi1akv
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGHlXd2T59
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIyFb4fW3S
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKpwryXTKw
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7JJKeDYHx
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LV20qQVNS
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"Ack... this sucks."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXnOJII5qJ
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To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFUuLm03a0
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As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy3IiX9LsG
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyMeoh8LRQ
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv2ckDwZ3D
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH2kolNaY1
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdzMiIe2gc
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUTUo08Yhb
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4akAsyRfqs
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFPM5NB239
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX0aljb6hj
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVlyAh0ZCl
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZCmxylqMe
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"---Alright, that takes care of that."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0qdPAx0xP
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRreXeFHIOM
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GhYr5UyVa
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb6YO1SIAi
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiNasN341A
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc6xNzW56N
"...Right?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk4mBFQ4HD
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WoEyDcfEZ
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnAEk6HK7r
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAAFGozE7i
"..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33J9JP8j9n
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnWbx9BVPM
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVNX2YDs68
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqYM7mggGN
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxboUF71fTW
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX9LZNETWQ
Wait, where the hell is she going?143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2IFmNZ9U6
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I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LubyOC0T8
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"Rover."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lxO8sWNz5
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"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbpizwl4WE
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOFhQ18InW
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh1dTyJuVC
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfQ0Lif9dl
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg2h4E7amA
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"Nevermind that, where are you going?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUraKF1oQr
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She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrolut9uxk
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsytoIGNXdD
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWwvtef1fh
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnXLXzYMWd
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rNDgBpZB3
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMGu0PBIBW
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriwyrCiOaZ
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQpj2nu7Dv
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBie1R5WTG
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"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE1joPOP74
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"Oh, that... uh..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5sRaMTTiM
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I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4EzTA3H21
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdrhKAgQtu
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr81MyW7yH0
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"...Pff."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfliQCTNRy
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"It's not funny!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrqxCOzu2w
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She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOvEqngweT
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKwafgcfbW
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsk9Shbo6n
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiWGveKlay
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47PK3DaIJK
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ9mg6tHHT
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WRgvuorph
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSIqqQIYvn
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotaCRveu19
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"...I see."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2mnxNfyvb
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I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkbswrgFgl
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"..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ1waFba65
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBne2zsjIk
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"What are you doing?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGaNOaWscO
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08jpiThxbk
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCftDYdtNiM
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYsEn2ifWC
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc5QhAQL54
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"W-Whaa!?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXBmg0JBm6
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She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnC920M2Oo
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"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GIAYaQffS
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"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxkbd6vHqg
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC352N8dPzn
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZyOG7BvzL
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She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZkR05MRwa
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"I am not going for a piggyback ride."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9qibX7M3I
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojg5GZv3zQ
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2yw4Pza3n
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH01SXNXLn
"I don't like you."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ117s2LZ4YC
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UcNBfxmJv
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7g8NESamL
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8RnaTEFcC
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K4B7DMEjD
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYF0S7SGf5
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"I... guess you're right."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo4ZAQaUJF
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She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
and then Add to home screen.