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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbXmBnnxW0
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0auvpzk6w
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3qYhD1lqc
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm9m8Y5ZQN
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"Oh, that's a good point."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIC58QRm9w
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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–160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ0WdoHXuo
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**SWOOSH**160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJga4X1f5U
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"W-Woah!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk19nZqHGm
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQOp088edk
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lGwEWgNYX
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh8I5yAQrp
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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?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYYTEC8W2p
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqmrHW1aTG
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"Oh, Juke."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkVkBloxVL
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWQCkajecY
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMMJUS0slR
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Juke tilted his head.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMwIdvA1x5
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5XGx1HLym
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItUSAyro4o
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzLUSbytni
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBza9ANlYT
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"That's a good idea."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs89l7pyv2
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bU3Dh5Am
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWZ1QEqKy2
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk95jiCNJmn
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXNGQNQZG
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAk22GvdmE
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**SWOOSH**160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCisY7UsoL
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AVjrK3HoN
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO4t3dVXHc
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm89MkMVFA
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"That's a bird!?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTcRrQuzl
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtherfOJNSq
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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?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Blwsv6qX
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUoodSokxq
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3bhgY54rA
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauHl8kyEhc
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenFJs8nXqe
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX37qJpVc2
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWifvcnrZ1
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr45OsRpUU
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRyCjh4E58
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRCgB4z6tj
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"Hahaha!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzHTBukANG
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"Why aren't you answering me?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqwpZ6Ctf
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdxCvXfiBm
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0qLSArQZn
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmZloBqUbN
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"Huh? Why?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEOtSwyvP8
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxksdmGzD4
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"Oh, alright!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqTN7Fz0zn
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrMy1WgJO1
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0eMyatA1B
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkmXfNCBsC
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7OghDpd8M
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzWBj0vFGl
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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."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypT4C8ye59
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"Hold on–"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeXhcZAYOc
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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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TMlLgJOVo
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnWenCRiYd
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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."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fZrfq22uQ
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUk5oTWxK
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v3ssW3ehv
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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."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyHTF3Y2l8
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2VDkaE0Ji
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwOZkPQrnu
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TGMv8CTon
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"...Maybe."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzYfSz423L
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"Why only maybe!?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjDjvOGVJa
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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!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TunYbqZAb
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcy41DJOQf
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObpFaMRvsR
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"Ahhh... this is the life."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqmRK8jdbw
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyou2Z6iKaT
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo5axvG3w8
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5yVLmcqYk
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zzNUy1lcL
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9kikcQFsy
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrjZxw6HK2
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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."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ384yJ86dU
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavfIvewRk7
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXlIDLLD40
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozr11xOuq
"Sure, sure, now scram."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmyCCLqjrB
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOOFAVZRJY
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtn7kyViuG
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQHNrZbyq7
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeqWU9brNR
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXJA8E6ssq
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSPX6HUkQo
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcVy4HpXeX
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbSA0AbnPC
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPUgAdmg2J
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrxqRsAo1O
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mOsMG033G
"A nap... hmm..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZvp97kViU
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYLJjDuwDP
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLHAAtub6o
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XMuhHmCG8
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oz3u1g3rB
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr5zAzq8FO
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSym29UkeGb
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i0uC8MX9D
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgoxB1KOiR
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4FjzoeILz
"Ack... this sucks."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpHoHhYqE9
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzszbH4xizR
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ISghsvfQ
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvswqDi8mO
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMNYrCHphD
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"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupjHHWwKIk
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvbLe5p3MD
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lGpG16gj1
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwyoJERgTY
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqUTfnC8ZG
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.
"..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL0ybFKeSt
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OVL8LF27q
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWogycIhCD
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSDylTeJN9
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlmJlRjmHO
"---Alright, that takes care of that."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9KAtYtFws
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMyuvB69mc
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6PAMcfGZG
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrbNdkMnvj
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoNe8e4PPN
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmgJIUyYKx
"...Right?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6bjd1AXcL
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvTCiG9LJ8
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2WQ6E94Yu
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ00YjRoWR1
"..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCveHjJV6b2
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77nKdsonfK
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOuZfGxtZy
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiwlqL1hYh
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–160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVACwEL2dsg
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClLAJQjzvP
Wait, where the hell is she going?160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwR4Me9F9Z
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVN0QtKpO5
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8eTin5ArJ
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"Rover."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fwERxmNrI
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAIPAZ3GnH
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPGL5vZ7HO
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CPqJhdbZ0
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQT2wZGTtG
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5IT0KoX78
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VmV9OAvPP
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAh4vPMTk0
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYAIi0TFTu
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggHPulfgwc
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcDsW5SW8a
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyauXhCBK6
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nzc08MBwF
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR70kXeZNC
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdfguNgchC
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWr4Y14jPh
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdkupnAPya
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTWYH5wGYd
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjX72FQmuE
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcpTnDUzKg
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7amNwwH1v
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRaPPEPRK8
"Oh, that... uh..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL8KSAEmFx
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj351HnOrn4
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1w5atOv3B
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk77wrJcEm7
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zmh3QuLSj
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYJnbXGxJS
"...Pff."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBscKiRppC
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvTnrWRUxf
"It's not funny!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV91hIiAce
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMxnLbMXfr
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbh9lLbqjJ
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvzjtPCFoe
"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."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZS2CGSrg7
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Jdiwqoey
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc7PPbePVH
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBDa7Xg2eF
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTI0DnTgAv
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjvInAkLf8
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dUgUKnlc5
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrSDJik7bh
"...I see."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooCKqGh0NZ
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mi0pIkKoN
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxpgKUvlCh
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugcykYmkyy
"..."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFclPK3RKK5
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQjyNJGxBO
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihi721mOJV
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8CkvucdR
"What are you doing?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUhEKlFPqh
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGQ6CfvgBd
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ076b1XpykC
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNa4wCO78v
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fxIk0pzYj
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCGmZIEk2
"W-Whaa!?"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFm1x28SvZ
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfOWnX6NLa
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ6Yk5JgrR
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w1MbcFYkI
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzAATw2zzu
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqPvaE8XaK
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7wQEtiZT7
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfR02tWFUC
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgat8giABgp
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg299S1v2Q
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDGrtvGhhV
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8bxGb16fM
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vJFFafNPe
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYDclyc8kG
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VZuHr4vAw
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg0aag6PXe
"I don't like you."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn6CMaSFnI
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTNW8VMsDg
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.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkD8BZzbff
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdt1HRNBGA
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPeZ0FdoJk
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2nfDVBtNN
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rhyG4WZCd
"I... guess you're right."160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDaLfrYDes
160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfY82wkpKh
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.
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