A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtHEsa1NWL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQuwuG0L9X
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FVL7L1EME
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6oqA1ZhDC
"At least... I'm on my back now."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKFwWrNDnO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nm2ycCZRn
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07UuYoHWM9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzti60NEBo1
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVSCI7XZnV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEyn0ozgbP
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzGyi2A7DL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYhUYXZfat
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiijOTaVkoL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR3VJEVJgo
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQgLz04scY
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbWyJZ78Yv
I was immediately startled.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LdgnHOh8A
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflmacrhlTL
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4mCuV0hEJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MlMsWzrDY
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49kOvmNJcb
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5fzTXGX1Q
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3rV4atLgX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj9vJgUe63
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pPlgkqprU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZiQ5iwwOs
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv89p8ejB6d
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE0p790J5v
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iIC9JNzz4
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIgSxhTG1q
"Do you feel any better?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVWLRWS3Sr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmVp5gESTy
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfNL2tNkCM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lY9L2ldS
"That's good, that's good..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBzzIs52Qb
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6YqWFDjXo
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yTdt4qPNB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspL0YwILcc
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhQxcgNq82
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYrTWWHkEX
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt3TehyXX7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWENJpb7sV
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4rLhJhoWK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qzkdfoPGF
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04wG114luA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBJNCLJBS7
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfao7AGcNTn
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApNx9LkbMZ
"H-How'd you know?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuEXxxvO3G
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxibejBTGU
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmWHgfcvV6
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYJ5G8XCEU
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHu3159g1O
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoTpWsVzZr
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUelv8Uo4PX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JsNCAdXGL
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv6Knj0W4t
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKSoeicX6m
Pars nodded.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC6X24VCCg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza5QM8eVO0
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw38q9UUea
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC21orrnPV
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFx7sU7pjU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEahKfpkW9
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAitdNgxeib
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgly2XdNKz5
"Mutual what?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UeyevdKBm
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1agWqS0pi7
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yhYwyM8l8
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkXwDmJIMx
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZwE1EwlHM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh047wHgbf
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFpsCrTbZI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSn8FRkCro
"Really now..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8euCvz6TRe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wA1ksrpSq
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zMj1y9ANn
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTYQByUaFV
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaimq3SkmJl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst0mBB1dvv
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uThMg0If3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNpXctj89E
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZT5Eop4km
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaHnSDBWtM
"Wow... it must've been bad."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9s5OA1cl2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAXpIquuDi
"You're almost as flippant as I am."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjRVleS1f2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLtl3nvaWW
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqtQ296pH2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrWpXOdOzB
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq0vJj9DHK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3HjSPB1ra
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqWn4DsnBs
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy13daltEpH
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZziOzCe4yW
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ZVXreKCA
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JtXwyRfYO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAOzNvW4Bm
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UC5uala8E
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40gZqZxctZ
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO3aDHRXth
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTRDRb7uTf
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8m3jRSPM1
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW8Jf3kVim
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63xMr1Jd6o
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbafj4q3n9
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf0OaOj1ag
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AUiTz3Ia7
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqTYaWxE45
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiwW76fUIl
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXTkLTKf7O
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRikXpmKtQ2
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgmZrfBus4
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZyBHW8Rt6
"I know."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg9eUmGBYo
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIMVD9nBS4
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRwbC1MmUi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINP60PQMVw
"Tell you what; I can't help you."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTmNRed80T
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjK2rWouj1
"...Are you serious?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZyZcubPkS
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuisYlJxM6
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvsYehhiny
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRQwUyAZVA
"What? What can?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeB1R5S6bw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmipyIycm5I
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldqDfA0Mjc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9SASgXaQy
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqljJGA9txL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ9Sr9Q4Jg
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQuGDj0mxH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OdvfHarKl
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMWgYsf7Jt
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZi1Gg3Lqo
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AufRb5sNQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lI1ZZl5N5
"Give it a try."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrf5WqpKyu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUUwlJwvbI
He stood up and patted my shoulder.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfHPt3ltiH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hOtoBzziy
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdq8nzswDN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLINVJwWXPA
"H-Huh? Right now?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClrWv3iHhA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBqa4o2b1G
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvbfOtwuO7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtESkTmjg9
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm83sg22n20
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNALdlYmay
–
–
–390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYklmAzQzP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUemnkQLf7
"Are ya all packed up?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvBtyh0MWl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqAgpfYm01
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVwedk2cGq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSnddibGO3
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ZiUdpMke
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2a2RQ4vAU
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp53rfdIx1
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd92nRAkCP2
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeHoxklL8q
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0ReHl429p
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MLu6EHpAz
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSRW3FqM7Q
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH9EApgYxT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gQS0j18DV
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZMokXnbto
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVnDs66uZo
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F1XNPaSu0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr8awgA8UI
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI1RjudF2s
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQuDvgh1MD
"I suppose that makes sense."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZBsS8lB6w
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSyjKwnB6X
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNFn1eS59q
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrrTNIFmtM
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx1Efxi5Ag
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKILJiXW4U
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FKZcavS8D
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGsEKIR96F
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO1TwmNjjS
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyx8fbaSUS
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy5QutX3Qd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehMrdVEKbZ
"What do I think...?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL4yfHQh7L
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tea3uUqIY
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X9SQXApG7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylBfYS4Aoy
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOda3oKloGe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfKf7me8cq
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMw2c3DYfl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdYwuevpRo
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5sqSMMOQc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ABNH01Dd
"I'm asking ya, kid."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYAG6mqii5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY5BezESkC
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEe6JiPzgA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAnIAYnqtl
"It had to be an Endowment."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3lOfQvYWs
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFZ5ECahO9
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfYLw64GKr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGIAJb5diN
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY2ZU1l5aH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnvd3w18A0
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYYCJRBUi4
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT4DpInuyA
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkkTa4yrZ8
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9h4tVA2CL
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWemdKJ4QSI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ916keetiO3
"Why not?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6SFEFoZ5s
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozjpDji0f6
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh965HnMHi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgaL6IEIVA
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusfd5dogCT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CH2hnqIJb
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrDmGLm7Nu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24XvDBBKxC
"Surely, there's a better option."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4d4zC1EVC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIk4Ic1Rrf
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1W8nWQ118
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQUJG5o72E
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wfUxNaCHu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC9vvtJ7x1
"What if we spy from a distance?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmObMkgjI7D
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKonGXiOfWR
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzRQwncDla
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbYlyyTbjD
"...Point taken."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2bn32ecit
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqLOI4rjbQ
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EIhKhU8oQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X8MmhR95K
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNRSb87M7n
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBsYAb0M9F
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3dT5ilHhE
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jemeyIkcv
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb2HRPHSvG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmKnqKOCkk
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvfVkydPO9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m9PytBo8w
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMieHn6gLe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA8xsuDOji
We nodded in unison.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UBm9TAs7W
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs67BX5b1Rk
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEnYlhDSxP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdfMNhyOEm
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAMRyYf86W
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5a4iTibgt
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAwjCgBmzT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0EYufdh22
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTrCaBvBMw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOpFUfUUnd
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIzIyTmiKA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILkVN0Aqhr
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAB2mqvtVq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzMQBrSuoZ
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeET3N2aCIk
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4x7o1NvAL
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0hFadPhab
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSG6t1Wvdn
"Well... I won't deny that."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtdK6cxqad
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPflK2khqrf
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEn6XapU11
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPUvmJDMlV
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjoOh5niu2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aDw16FLz1
"Again? What do you–?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXx9KiWTS5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs1ZSSNKIr
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXjUz7RXyp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW9DR6wDFY
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0cLwVCXhC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPikhC8frn5
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefuI9wrbrN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav3oT86BIH
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvNYXOTNAM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfd1jTzDm9
"I didn't ask ya that."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrVWlSI6Ic
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2nl0NhAYI
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNfAgH5SrG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY0FbpVOGu
"That ain't surprising."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XHYuCuKhC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kta3hs2mH
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU3PnduO90
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe60fmVeQR
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8I2O1IQVl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucn5KMH41v
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIedaFJKxN0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQIpnEsvdL
"Yeah? Like what?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSwWlYWW17
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H1qoLRWrc
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDeW4wd8Kv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTygcgFliP3
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2eoRnfboK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXj8a0B70Y
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMEf2albxH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXpkAvclc1
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2aN3jI2Wa
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDSqRChzyw
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagpjmaTTbG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsjxzofeed
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmFBPo27do
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUm8YiCqMN
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJli3H6MYzx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBus9Hs5PVZ
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRzMeTzAj5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wrYjeLmt7
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYYQNA0NyG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1nvlpLAIt
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmsbyrNJg5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88c6z7TJ2Z
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.