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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrqQ9j0HI8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaJSSxu6yF
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pUhzBO8rP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vh0Dkd6nX
"At least... I'm on my back now."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY5yFEki34
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bv5VwgBfb
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS6VOWUJPg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PNxSQCLe
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTbh0t7zpI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOcc0CXiu6
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZ0fG5NPw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vtyjexJqS
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NJDhc0Sg0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFlrzTO6k5
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2yvEWvy1O
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaDQ865VgP
I was immediately startled.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNro1B3Yoz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6onr9kBTnA
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyeNdvzNE8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeerzhNAyo
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18G7gQpMB2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD4ysN1JB8
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyzHPYuqEu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00dJdVXkpg
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64DKeDNChS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mEWXc1Zdk
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBSfY71ScH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCr9PZAu9h
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOoOZZp3O4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLnra83yzz
"Do you feel any better?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddH2NsZ21M
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X5hJWhGak
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3WqzPNHQ4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8EfmpTQp0
"That's good, that's good..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqY2Fitvwe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMFQnvWV6j
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbIc8jHkdy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7njREK3VWc
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZF0rqgWls
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjP4JqFsZ
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJvNt2mHy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed9zdxAS6y
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWPUsyJHvE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKjnstDT8P
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWBpftFSkI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RPcyncMho
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYhBmanBiN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyderIpemW
"H-How'd you know?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktkOb98OD4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7ozKE0pQL
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1NREHTUr0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw5BtskPhr
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpTmrZ4zcJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OsWrnCcYV
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡploGprBLeC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPWabHtajt
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?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg8WeNLEh0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjjLWdH7Lz
Pars nodded.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGbLvnvdjx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzXI3YuTGJ
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv7AgesPbq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7j3KLEJ9m
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdro5Lnttvr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4tPSlGExz
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMmIMDr7JB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwhruJcYsO
"Mutual what?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDp7oi5Zfk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR4RCusMSS
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqkgoL3sgk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tfAHhSSxu
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHQvb1nIcu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4RwBZAEsu
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2hjxAQWlo
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xMRNFaGNd
"Really now..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57cmoTK5y9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbEHdSsV6a
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1gvFV6TPJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAo1qosIF0
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDKzvEzuur
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JieKTB7Jd
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywMskhSUh6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFScsZS1J2
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzKx3M8m1t
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNj03YztZY
"Wow... it must've been bad."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RhehlqG2A
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd9rbuxYef
"You're almost as flippant as I am."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNguM1BwCzd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf0JvBwti7
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyVU8Xxgv6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakP10pbP8r
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRSAEUCB0b
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ydzjvJNOK
"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..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v98Tgyu5Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80fWNhcR4Z
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplwqEEfHRr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TqYVCAQmC
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjb2qYqiS6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtXKvPctW0
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY7mAQTAth
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk6ueyEdwe
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPmH7J66Ri
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMX0P0uNoX
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHsSqytovA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUogxK9gWa
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry6mw3kqkR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrEipthJuB
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevmxpErgs0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WvVhqWiPf
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1yZVqLUpR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vcTDpT6rO
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoYC9FUTz0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G4lP8t4xe
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3678OdlH0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j05E1EG2r
"I know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkDv0LVWyx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZTZmbUbiH
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1korJi2Lh9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocI8z7B3UD
"Tell you what; I can't help you."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMBtUfgcUn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIttFSpeX4M
"...Are you serious?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmdldPDGBw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7iyaT84Px
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwyPN5en3E
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1iCjx8ruo
"What? What can?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCnUG1HAM7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAYomBXUOL
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgBn5tMYbl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjs8CaBy1a
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw40pq5wHC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayPAAwTQ3K
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgaKbcO0f8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagofLdXOmt
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN1k2pgqs9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN3zguaygz
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Wqof2xg6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQdX8fIgrq
"Give it a try."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehX8ESVW5q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM63UJJ9oMm
He stood up and patted my shoulder.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsKWbJHsiZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuHwUXzWxU
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IjeR052Qv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubYT9MCS8X
"H-Huh? Right now?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5fFxcQZLp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH19hMvQAM8
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfw2w2iVsk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO4SZvs95J
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GA3iuAw0Q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5HWOCp9z9
–
–
–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgptoEPbxC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHKl0jNQVl
"Are ya all packed up?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY35IMg4zTi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv91hKDnAbY
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p69v5DCzG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzL1qdMXkT
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXngAhsTsM6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmnYUs6p0g
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX7ZDOU46y
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRWDhOx8My
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQRGPMQEnI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtgUZ2bMkr
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG5vdv1c0m
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlFxyXAgPv
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWX6SbLKRc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRPGttp7tP
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Vg0Qneit
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYdG808IVs
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8r5LLr24U
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CUx15zakk
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWRs5cXfpy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBwS0ufTby
"I suppose that makes sense."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBF3YE1lna
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJyMmrBepN
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXjzf0O9l6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR80618VMYM
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAXc8w4V79
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP1nRA01Vu
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSXWHORlWr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYbVo08Ahy
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoCMAu8iL1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cdrskWrzv
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdg032e1PW
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL82rCCnjx
"What do I think...?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyP2Ibkts4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWsmyKaixA
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWenJ4oOC5T
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYFCjMYL6x
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xYhPEw83P
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3litHaJsKA
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPMdecRNxL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEz8ulsxJr
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MPPXfiQhq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r1aSSdYdN
"I'm asking ya, kid."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePcmgDOHq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXerKJijkX
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMK5HndYce
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXFmWEeLCS
"It had to be an Endowment."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtUvVHEqsq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY5DR6OVKZ
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MNyTliFsJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTnJhmY7wN
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH9BoLCUgj
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeiKX1rEbv
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUJBbBL22t
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9IVRTv3qq
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsGq1xUmWw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk2BhYOtO9
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYinKWlneT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdVpmkwGRr
"Why not?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGusdSxPLkH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOXYVZ8wXA
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEViINEhh8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMIK9ns97j
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z6nUhSnt1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWjcdB6EIi
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj5Sb2epjS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJuYx7MWKE
"Surely, there's a better option."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboL9YCsmBQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSlgCtmKn9
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu36NiuxEGh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnecNypOg72
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJd5RoRlkb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZPJWWNLi9
"What if we spy from a distance?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0BmDaAB7G
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9nnvRJbrv
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Ubi7wZZC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS2KLiQcEZ
"...Point taken."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgytw48zhHL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDALw9AkxKT
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuv8kWtK5W
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrwjUxKZk3
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa99v5GYQZx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw6Qi0ukR2
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ku4t93GfD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwc2aRtwt1
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO3PsJofcV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTmiN5hoQb
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLxfXcskpM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsi9WDWYSC
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhVSzsxlII
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQZTAaWUp2
We nodded in unison.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXOAaZ6qxT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvjjT7KA0i
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZp4ncfXoG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGo0LpSw0X
–
–
–
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyLBRCy30c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol6KMnqZaA
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SpqAZN7iP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pDlJnqIMR
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju2hFjZQ0Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8FIjJvA1V
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFigDIH8FqB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowiObYGAbU
"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?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5h9h9Bw31
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wPFkpaTrK
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBar4Lei00i
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMg0Xfnc0C
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ7pEa9Anb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqTm90PtMO
"Well... I won't deny that."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd88mzkRu7U
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBluWKfwUHJ
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7lpzqwbOv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdqy6EvOK1
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqFLnHuGeA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkM1lxL7ZK
"Again? What do you–?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEgEFlTY5U
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6XSteX1lr
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBCQjDNLYc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4VqXbvd5
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWXBb5looU
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJgy2793Jz
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG3gInJKpz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDXPpNbyEc
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP6IN5mVNT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZihcEedgHB
"I didn't ask ya that."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0YFKy2kKw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1SIS0kCLq
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4tA8VtyzG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinFwZPS99e
"That ain't surprising."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa1eA32TwM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYGZgh8uaS
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacXywMb7D1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JL3ZpfECq
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3oCYoJSaM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1xaUw5Iup
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uRvr8WgyJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvBujP3HII
"Yeah? Like what?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRJR3jrN6L
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eKmrOEpLx
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZIHvAxMWo
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBiFu3rI03
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs19iddr5e
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuafwQpIUSZ
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYcuL0eIrQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqOhywYURz
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hJDj6dQh8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumjqPn1LiX
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN36isFEb3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx5tKBmHD3
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SYKN0jhfe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ3tVu1pei
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXd0EDLGqN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWjt0cpD9l
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtO8Wbukqm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLAZCNei40
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTB5xEQ22G
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzyTEHKOHL
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFRNc09JPS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU6LAzYX3v
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
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