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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrquvuatM7
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4p2uvg90f
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23uVDAlHye
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKez6JfE6tq
"At least... I'm on my back now."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lEyFMFEPE
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbmzw9JUpO
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFol5v9Pkq
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRidd4F6MC8
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcue2Dtr6lw
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBg66j39zW
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YvaeWf9wc
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqri55EDKZy
"..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzCKW94rAN
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3O1k1V0HJ
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2NhPPQjOQ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuJGDueShK
I was immediately startled.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1StZdYgGH
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJUb57OjLJ
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzn9Qwoaf5
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtR4J0yBL
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Zp7a5ZKa
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR9qH1VPd4
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuOMulnc9H
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ed08AocvJ
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWsOxVyFMq
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c8uo99nrL
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtL9jP7dh
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUR5FJOLV9
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywZLL3U3c9
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqlAEycLkr
"Do you feel any better?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2xNXJwbUl
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXyRIv3Mq5
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHUMDZKwkv
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwLzFAoD7c
"That's good, that's good..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBLwMxR4X2
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeHdSYo2Az
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHh6RHnm95
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7dmTtyTeH
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuf8wLMSzt
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4NRRm4IIX
"..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LDcRw6I58
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6GrWmiGsm
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CGs69TamX
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmzQI1raH7
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w7yFFRfBz
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF60GtyP9c0
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqeI2484r3
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx25Bk7vZTT
"H-How'd you know?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYLZYTVBp
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXHcrsxlgH
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk6jdmRkpF
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4C20Xju3s
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9XuvGCcPw
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhniPAYn6K
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEGriLkuj9
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6zp8RYGZw
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?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eKJHTod1r
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDu6KdPdEr
Pars nodded.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT21IpN4de
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9TLYjxvdP
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvshbaCNwgk
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEuWZZbVWR
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgI7S7J8tg
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26ENkroZc1
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuafzKrtaj
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqDF9JS6mm
"Mutual what?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwcjFixoj1
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVaSF6xGaK
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv77SylD1cZ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgrho2vC9Q
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwpKlcyqnb
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWSHMSXSaV
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhlSugEgUW
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx3nkJ0045
"Really now..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuDaK9RNHw
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXHze7perQ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoFXghIi7p
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfS4wxPYp0
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnK5NsM6w6
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlY8Sisp7j
"..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6gTzfme1J
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfykq7JPJH
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nle9X2LOB
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt92wBCMx5
"Wow... it must've been bad."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRwXpJ3GnE
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumS8w7RyhA
"You're almost as flippant as I am."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7sXNuUeTC
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZic1dNBcY
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl1DhrkvDP
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG24yY4ji3V
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcErq9oPYT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHZzG6KB3Y
"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..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BfjJyL6sG
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zXx9BZMOo
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL4pR4rLGI
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mgZ1V9q5G
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbsjoyzBDN
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4MIHgM2ok
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09foqs5WTY
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOQkceg11D
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHURDr72xIc
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlTHxJhUH2
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vn0BSA6un
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3swqZwo2X
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcYccNpiu7
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry0JfFpPkG
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECfIIboaXm
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM2N1XD8DE
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WNmIe3Tne
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWsi5yOhPF
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw4XQVREpB
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrTg0bJPuI
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVHklDHGUi
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEb6y4GDDN
"I know."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86DG70eOn1
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzt7gs1jTW
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekZCoJb9WZ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAtyWvewoK
"Tell you what; I can't help you."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2NUa05Wh6
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD4AAMdvW9
"...Are you serious?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTaLvQID1E
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3oBOsYGYU
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNbGRNJBkr
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE08ipoZZi0
"What? What can?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnkRvsKIAG
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ufoGTgdo
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRkFINs8WV
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTyIATsyOO
"..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00wDAqZH23
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJosSGUpayZ
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnODP1WZng
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0HEWXdqI5
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd9BQ5j7hg
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5LSDv3ove
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2HqHfrsOW
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrfvbEJgTB
"Give it a try."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliJM2Dk2FW
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3QTWDLGRo
He stood up and patted my shoulder.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBddqMPYoT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyLzzWYhau
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQFDs7jq0O
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM03jq6nkln
"H-Huh? Right now?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlllkKQyEK
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWlpvwgUUP
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGBaIrukhA
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye2AYVMrlQ
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf40c6zM8Zz
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFGvD4C9M
–
–
–265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm7RMrslqZ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkEl0YqJNb
"Are ya all packed up?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbVBn1Lwef
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwzDius3Jz
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OEUwCVjrU
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4pOcmtJbf
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sOzHUu1f2
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUstE6Stuc
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf11HXTLQSY
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAW5iTjxb7
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0iQ7ewisG
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxel04ybLT
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn05xFYzAMC
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYlftTsV6A
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwOXr0TWBm
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDctd4ay7o
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArAfthmRYg
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriWFiYWgjy
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy65AJHQqOm
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcndYexNcAo
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbQVkvPed3
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o9hUzDh70
"I suppose that makes sense."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlza1EatblZ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLy7Uc4yKV
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYE7cdwm7D
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbK2tXUZMJ
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ0kuYKbvY
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLApHF4SCm
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21FETGMNu3
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB0XfVb81I
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNYZxRjsiS
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUe5PkYayH
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33R0oe7ua7
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRElz4rWZm
"What do I think...?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBvjc0swj6
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sZyLidJh3
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhTiQxOtxz
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPp0BWmjtB
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGClklleSHT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXgZ8e6Ukd
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlawBa7E10k
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaT7AolyeH
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWzxtpLuBd
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U63ocqnpy
"I'm asking ya, kid."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeV1ZC4SOr
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEQThqXAHo
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–265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxqYVvtjGR
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvkpEoPuxV
"It had to be an Endowment."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9DEriYg1J
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gydZbIoIk
"..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVlcL2jmCH
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGujdP3hZy
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fukihdf5e
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2RllogJXz
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YZNQDD3a
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZCmUn4Fr1
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZW7typyg5
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe01uUKBD0g
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrjVNmrBva
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8lnUrU21y
"Why not?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMxCc5SVtO
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQQaSsievm
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo1KsuJGvY
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gTEzsZA3j
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU8PymIkJx
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nhxitu5Xv
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qmuCKKFrc
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmgZjeAeYb
"Surely, there's a better option."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyiKmD1kj8
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwoGZVZwLR
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyHafX6J8r
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHTSPkzo7l
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIsgvXJ0VA
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX3RulEGI4
"What if we spy from a distance?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJuD9BUAYx
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMIOF3iNwb
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEDgcLH3Qa
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAjKT2cASt
"...Point taken."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjM8RpoenK
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTd4HSsLd
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZYX1nTcoQ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6PW0FTwFl
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKhII9KYmW
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrOGLg6uEb
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF57XmFkwDS
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNmF2ok0jJ
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizEnWy5CGT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuS8H07gW3
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLDJ4Et48P
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA90JHo34M
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NfHliVjbc
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHAS6yOr4z
We nodded in unison.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb4d91ZOmw
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJvLdzOFVm
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0mpjBt3MV
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n4d41hN3A
–
–
–
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnYDRQSPZW
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYQFL555CK
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGF3d0UUEd
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc91rVhiMMz
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLI3hKnFgE
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS5gcpGXOD
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoTwYNdbRJ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfqiGegFVr
"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?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawq9sxacud
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5KCNxH7F9
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAIJ5kwUUv
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1yjRg6yW7
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB2EmnCOVC
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZAZqwAPA
"Well... I won't deny that."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5B0XhX3as
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5pELDw5oI
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCkx7UmQyl
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdgfVHLxx4
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZuDu27zp9
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQrfPrWVqP
"Again? What do you–?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWXJnQKWnz
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51bbDaVuHw
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNZbsjUCtk
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡossB5Y2ghp
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh3Cj0wUca
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaTXcBpCdN
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sikNpi4dm
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NK3qSlfDO
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxQkoYgDJH
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1NeVMizPu
"I didn't ask ya that."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQD4oelQBh
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv1uVcMopS
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVA3AGn9tg
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdJLGoxGE6
"That ain't surprising."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFm0JcQxl
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SmsVM7QMe
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg48fr571W
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQsDGV5FtH
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTPTl13VGZ
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxnTjusoJF
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTWPGyE9ZP
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzATSR1CdMG
"Yeah? Like what?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8pTT2DgzR
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJBa4V03x3
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRkOHEj9zl
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWNrKcAasx
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14MY2uo23N
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZsHkSfJ6u
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgbYPYQT9h
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaCpOycPCJ
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNU1fArcpR
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZhBWZ8NQ7
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyJn0m67sB
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3upxYgnzER
"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."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgju8mjlVKy
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yqm09IKyQ
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.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf5PySkmGT
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSynp1C0sL
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnn1RmV9Ui
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQVMzs7yqw
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–265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHdeb67y0V
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbfiHt8hxn
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2xpp8Lgxk
265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rnuA9AtsO
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
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