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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lqsqWUbhx
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uaR9z1tTt
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0zoaoRbyJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeCxIeK1YX
"At least... I'm on my back now."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiugxrlxaK
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRYQyeg3iG
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDRqWUOgvU
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE5QQlZtGA
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyErOp4D1y8
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLPa9cY7BC
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVwHOQ7Jy0
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IitrJR2Vm
"..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3qjnQauaf
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG9ixwdclm
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi6A9LXlCb
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQxoQzoTTH
I was immediately startled.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfOWC8k9t3
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgy8LcJkgc
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH4a5X7Hh1
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjDwEWcIiY
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCRYN1IRi9
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4cW8m7kuU
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffQskVn6eC
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhSUp1MriQ
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGwIIZL2Lh
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RXZKSsQFC
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBYpglpto
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGUIRnTRkI
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlszajBqJ4
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpKSYqE1LV
"Do you feel any better?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NCtO01Vkj
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNBqHqXgFs
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv7QgXDSRO
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2LBFlDzSH
"That's good, that's good..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjqUQlXs4D
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdFlJMDvTG
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiSseoviYH
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ2SU05YK3
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaeuExRGun
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY4FoJeslm
"..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UUzuEvho1
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVAV9NLwks
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6YNQVbCQi
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yFVRvyK7y
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSOihQ8ug
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqY11A9ciV
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOn2A5MMro
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEs3JbEEoU
"H-How'd you know?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDpU0sLESu
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp531xDlnUJ
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHBZpw9Rez
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3il59kbX6x
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoPSu4OE98
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPjQT9lKO6
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOqyzJbBPW
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdlG8fY1gF
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?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nG4Nd8Ffp
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg3c4ThlUA
Pars nodded.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iuQzH1v9P
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡske3q4wRvM
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPuOv8Nk4L
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EoC5kmNF0
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvRhnRec8v
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zUb3wNvcq
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKVOmext2k
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GjA3jl88S
"Mutual what?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSeItwQTjI
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBeXLBtT1q
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rfWswXlsC
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckUc1fhtuJ
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tIEGz0Kme
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20kTJxPslH
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4EAJ2ZHTY
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV9y0zI3km
"Really now..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBORVbKlu
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPmvOWmyb
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvmULaxLSq
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESlvOHPxXi
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjmE00kb0d
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ovnqXKnwf
"..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0AwK8h0sU
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhX65iHSDR
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMziSTPXur6
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDY8S0UkcM
"Wow... it must've been bad."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs2EaiMABk
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHUnHILoYa
"You're almost as flippant as I am."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe2fb7wRmt
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzCEm4OYUD
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvi928HGYE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36UoNIPaer
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaDKlzi2sl
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdb2XdZ9Gw
"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..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIFpkbuRZm
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hNF8ZQ9cS
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk93BIpqiDt
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCmQKQuRlR
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS4HZRh32l
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpj2OmW9tI
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdyRI8cuIq
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpGv2OTNTR
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB608R4jaQE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab39zRreVz
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZiE3FsMyR
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGaEGiMapg
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFgPdEwguL
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDxsygSY9y
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5liqIaE7Ee
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILUBTwIlcl
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyYU0NWHjM
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVIz1ZGsux
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiwyvxYFuz
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1nif8hZvW
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn65VAUZ59
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKxgVBi4vv
"I know."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxAAp4kUSB
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS6b4ylvr1
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzIEIDR3Z1
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl02zCPzyvI
"Tell you what; I can't help you."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr4DPn3hww
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUWlcc9EHa
"...Are you serious?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9guOYZ2nQf
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrlkg6X9dv
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOmr3zQNJJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx35UYaanIx
"What? What can?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0idBaV2TtA
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKVCfePmNH
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHHWEYGhsc
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv0ZGj0thq
"..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9klD1SS0bm
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rnhXB5deL
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8PwLoHO3O
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqIbfc4AzN
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSyT4jbUNE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX2ODRU3QQ
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IbrKqDR1e
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sYUQiObsJ
"Give it a try."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ15q9KTWV
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTlnGoHJQW
He stood up and patted my shoulder.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiWKrUL8Jg
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAKpd7V4nu
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJZQBzaFGd
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8abOGPjXeK
"H-Huh? Right now?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTiYaT4FdI
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWgMSWgqk
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxKolQxlV3
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV1U2Pg317
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNIqhhyu5K
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhuRbQRXR8
–
–
–439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VtJgeVwev
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCkX5KM5Kg
"Are ya all packed up?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFcBrzrSwr
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaBSG92ofS
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1vsZgopll
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAlM8gD4yP
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlsU6R9NyY
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrUlxmrxPx
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXmZysIWqG
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl1okdk32J
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPYSSU2cWH
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjetw5CZq4
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDlDb8zpx3
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri4kBA2v3P
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw8Afsx7rA
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTZweRRevR
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00x2neIr6K
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gVQTlCyfO
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgFNsZtyhp
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6lJc8y0hO
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCMbGpJgzb
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjo4CAHszG
"I suppose that makes sense."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6RxpeUAUQ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleXdzKUenW
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0bFRozu7g
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN72si0xdy
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfXoBhPcqP
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y8656cVzB
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowxzvrH72Z
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa81w2LxvQ0
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JY4vbjKnW
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6JLBk13AK
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit3qXdDOce
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyeMqvZSiN
"What do I think...?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRuxsOiTsc
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqNmHtPCRp
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ci8NcIMa
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnv1VQy0bn
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0GVD2R7VE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOOHeVSbur
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9hSD7kAh
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFh40nVWoV
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKFN2V5i8R
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Ts8wk9xl
"I'm asking ya, kid."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57kdFldQUW
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF55FoIz7U9
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–439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTlIuqd9nb
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlwBAA52ba
"It had to be an Endowment."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0eAuLewJZ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabfvFcgTbr
"..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGUImu5gH5
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TC3LwHhJ6
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxlHkQTbKo
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuilwdKzAb
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8WbzpZbLj
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYcksmH5P3
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevS0sIIv4x
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BCtFIgOJ6
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp8lwz27QE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygznRByVrP
"Why not?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65o8DA5Tu5
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKSnjjZtSo
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmrgF5QWNC
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f3ENvjbYD
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ144CuHqSS5
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ujJoAJrrA
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx4M6tbjxu
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5CAa5f3l2
"Surely, there's a better option."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGboh0Gsr4K
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI1QRmMDe8
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EoVwLzqgR
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0cEDgUXJg
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzbmh67Gqe
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlnpSUlrS2
"What if we spy from a distance?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03szkn5E4w
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssOUiOy89U
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0aHIc8xpM
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLWYMmBw8z
"...Point taken."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdMTu0ZAHB
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlkWdX0q26
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rij2zjV1L
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WIZdXn3a5
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34uV63Sw6Q
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwuGHu8Ryy
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCXB62vSZc
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOTSVvhub9
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2981vM4gq
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU8JRD3fbw
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbEuHYoNyC
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaHB1Eeeug
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHqMR5pnpa
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D3TWMnlUh
We nodded in unison.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUWcfk7UEl
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCrPJFTGbz
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiUEgya6iu
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWVriknPvV
–
–
–
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSl9FDMNfJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35v3rIcrJk
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU1gcOlobX
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhDE60PKCk
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp3lp0I8wg
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOTcQCbk6Y
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6o6NcuNch
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBpDxmDQ5C
"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?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZLeSdCcEk
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmjOvUBNyv
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSaPl0M3oH
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIisfm1js8k
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lQusRosIC
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCcoYBS0jY
"Well... I won't deny that."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanyMyNPTjU
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCgxmlJdtb
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNDvjFPDQL
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC297HRBrd2
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkddqHIJ3E
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRhZCLKMu2
"Again? What do you–?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtbJDu4mvy
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbRgQNYxWt
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdk6v1dWcE
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnbGy6CTp6
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOefBf3400R
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJAlgHj8xf
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnnYsb6y9e
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk0TtIWAA3
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzswDqPuTuU
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYjfWpi0yG
"I didn't ask ya that."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39QrYaaxqB
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCtfo6o4vn
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTUKSDKXZT
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96ItqATme
"That ain't surprising."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhlSg84WkU
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkelN9Er4f
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyxZvyXPVc
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRAXMpsPr2
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy3JKBmTPX
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjUfou7Dib
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDfKkuMTXJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ020OczR47M
"Yeah? Like what?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaHrbze3K7
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwutjvCMz1
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR1X9JTbNJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUnMyUHy2d
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHqgM6t6Op
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm98gFMY9t
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15P9fDdld2
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuisthOwMBV
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbvHcuN7Qf
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47eArH0gyB
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9j1IzQ7GZ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTUEf5vXAa
"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."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DEywQtuvY
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaLpvjqipJ
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.439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBukSnPC1B
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8nZhURv8h
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYr7ryKNwn
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1EgiLfnIZ
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–439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gnuGirrwJ
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXyrJCBvl2
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5HuI9K6Tr
439Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyswqsNDJXw
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.