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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k0CKWlUgt
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiPZbOOqAu
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgcuNKdZZ1
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFR5Rjk830
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnloTfgI0Y7
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"Oh, that's a good point."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWqjELP4gl
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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–256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWxDKVVWn0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWii2CdOje
**SWOOSH**256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkk9LBTiJT
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"W-Woah!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTBBnczt4H
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWrbk445xi
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbKAESv2AJ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTTkDerS2Z
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h3bKdI83c
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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?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsmVGoqVWa
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMesgzfYyNl
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3TwxyXxdt
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM7A7CFpUR
"Oh, Juke."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ76x1NSeQ
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRFoWIlQNc
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvFF6ISNb8
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Juke tilted his head.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgVLHIv9v1
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj11dljjHtx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq2TNwp1Lv
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgtxhoTjXr
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKhNVhtHI
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"That's a good idea."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWBU616azd
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUtMkDQuRP
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ8oCBo5gj
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V79hLa0Sb
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vVv7o5NZx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWoF3VSUN3
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5BGkuN9Og
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxdso32mmo
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyvOEcJIjd
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFwFKNK2XN
**SWOOSH**256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPfSZgpIjq
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmPI96Wgl1
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxQwxoHUpK
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq3haZvBdG
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fXNNjumkN
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"That's a bird!?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrk1DNRFB8
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng4vnSuVS2
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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?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHtrkhmZ1M
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH6isq8w1H
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipUTshifAi
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQXaK2WTgC
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNISmA0GjWZ
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UTCHwllok
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5aqpLIivB
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai9oGoeXdz
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp7ihkjStg
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6pMp8jQnz
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1jjVrs5Ot
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyobH5PuBqa
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"Hahaha!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq38RWltTOT
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"Why aren't you answering me?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgbNS25s7J
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIOO8wmJ9Y
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifzVOcX8hk
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI92vGtnoAt
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"Huh? Why?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpQvL3ayTo
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtaoQUn7ua
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"Oh, alright!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cmILi0ksY
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorLcksIUVT
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sW4d8WBL3
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8faH97giTn
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTybrc8Qi2
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN9nG3Zihq
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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."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamWEVPfTbz
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"Hold on–"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsstpcb5FyJ
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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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAyZpzU3GN
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiTPDvdAPu
"See what I mean?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH9RGsP9fz
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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."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4QDeGp6Df
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY3FJrETpK
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lLRV05qP8
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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."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfG3pUJCmK
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn61XNuGAZ
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NfZj6GM4r
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXh0OwxZxu
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzombGu82vm
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeFRUyz5Q4
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"...Maybe."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ43M8sj7A
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"Why only maybe!?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsVrGO1XY4
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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!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxyGmuu49i
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi2OiQPusN
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz9oJRA2is
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE6QqWlQp7
"Ahhh... this is the life."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHnlcrrGGg
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDRGf4f179
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW2Bs4s9Rj
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMFZQQtYDP
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcrD33qqGs
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwD0oRPEQC
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NzmycT0od
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYT1fnyinh
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6MLwj5bfJ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANhcRfeONk
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH5mVDV51Z
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SSD3alxvj
"Sure, sure, now scram."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvnKwVPeq8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgsja20Qp6
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXczZadSu55
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN5fTc4cUc
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo6kyQsWYb
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmihMrX6OSJ
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY31VVYIQp
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AyNSOeOCL
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStNddw48AZ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjo0cuN1xV
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnLFz5OcD8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0NdKmh3O
"A nap... hmm..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyKz6Hyn41
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5XqF5Q7bw
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9grQqe3cU
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMH5KVevEz
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJgrr44PrY
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PX2cvBP2D
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2upBfMDyQ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykTEgRYQa2
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWu27Uuqwa
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5CHBGosvz
"Ack... this sucks."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oN6ho86Am
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbyjBq2X4b
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5OXbkkkJO
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiiyp0BLUf
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gXwZJ9sao
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSJYa3txUq
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYupCYYJyI8
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpSZhfpP7m
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Ougmy6pT
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqspqqsM0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bmnZypMSD
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.
"..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowPh4fqZEN
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzVZ5jQ8ft
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxoPOI3YRn
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ksZ1a1NaF
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoa35wkyGz
"---Alright, that takes care of that."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrKlx2Mvck
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1mJ2btKcE
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnp3Fnu75P
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKAO6lEcPU
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PF2FHmkeX
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5JRBH3mn9
"...Right?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctGkaOMuTV
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4waq21eIBT
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibDKGt9IHM
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicMC7EnoFQ
"..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCcEW6yX3B
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFwASQTh1q
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNHC27JVXT
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuTmw2GN9t
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–256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU5zSDmuyK
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3l9GVgJvf
Wait, where the hell is she going?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzHlAIOV8p
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpnjd0sumq
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoog6SZSzd
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ItCVjFTbQ
"Rover."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEfnfepSft
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhs2rdRvkO
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgawCC5NOb
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7XfwjesQF
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfQ6jXVk1N
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrPY65nAud
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDGiY730qG
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSUy3AXHc0
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDd352F8oo
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyPKVklRHG
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1e1tmoCl4
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV3TVNejeX
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl7ihDyI4S
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAW6DwdF4j
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPLV4hKgEy
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmKYuAGDgo
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgvoOHtfpO
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73OS9FsjWB
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz28wedBizn
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVByPmeaaL
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7c9MD9s0E
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpE2gZGVIl
"Oh, that... uh..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXpG9nUa4
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEbO2fFJY8
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YY7kiPtfy
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcur2x6Rpb
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsG9hv0F83
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOQkF1DCwg
"...Pff."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNpxrlNx3v
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr4qq9Tbm0
"It's not funny!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed9Edq7vCC
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5yBevdBh0
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhvdF6hEgu
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJN58aXiRW
"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."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJei4FDuOK
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWghtVrqlYg
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CfQwv8P0k
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44iFvS2qy8
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPueMTWvtu
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxgIojd20Q
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dQ3lUtIE1
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZvbNmnptK
"...I see."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib2ryw9a9U
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDM96oCgRT
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRXlfZ0K7i
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgOUdEdDn1
"..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1y3ckstqd
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtWtViLpoy
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRwt0Xfnwa
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5UmkWeneX
"What are you doing?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27nQ1WkUge
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0bkpPSu5
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUDwQIpcfO
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulE6YM45Oz
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPJR3shcvZ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxx0Fd7ovb
"W-Whaa!?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YjaROF9QE
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6bHeiyFqq
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH5Byufhu8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgEbJgVt7J
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDzr0BuueB
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJvjhxHEVh
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIoNGjUyxE
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVT9s7TyO5
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiE6PVmXMp
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL386tP9y0
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqja00zcPIT
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXiNWirU4C
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQmLmJYDT
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnJ9Bxu8A7
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJMveuyYK8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK17azyDlv
"I don't like you."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrPv6NJox8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJTqa4LYYf
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.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRmm7205Yw
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4kOvQCJDs
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wcv6tkrUR
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZGuQZlokI
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qyFIpudWf
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDtmxK9Jxv
"I... guess you're right."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwz7QEg6UB
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKdQkZvRyN
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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