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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd7mOhYw65
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoNqldsCOy
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypt6Mcv00Z
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIooOzEQjWH
"At least... I'm on my back now."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZsFHwMugI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1u5JNHpQC
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwzq4MtXdV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdQEwDJES7
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUlSOtjnd6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDdA1GhnNM
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkVsxD9vxQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQsHj1tPCS
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz7v5m2XNn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tcgXA8L9A
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLwcnY53c5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfseLp1fiDn
I was immediately startled.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBh8E5bKrQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vMpFfMB7S
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b2viVTv6E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvy2UMPloL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWmRfhRzue
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvjmmSQzMk
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O6NRhWfpz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqav9ixGQh9
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qpbROr4Pc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY2uczflmv
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NZr6JnRo8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYprn858qZ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7PAbRFoRO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUjGEnd2aN
"Do you feel any better?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLrwrHBL6T
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARRJc4V0Q8
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP56wAjuOE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU49yQMUN1k
"That's good, that's good..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuDqJIu1gs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLJmvJEC1T
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j9OXWCoRC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7b2yyPcVt
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgq2X5mdZT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvLEbXj9Gz
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDnRKUsoiG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPtDoprBwp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVWcxsW1vk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSaI0r8Dd6
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0oc7vpRR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRZhvxwu5h
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dv8WtTY2c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfrebziT4v
"H-How'd you know?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgm7GHtVcs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhHpkBjkkP
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnQIN8XEcG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPAHhT7umY
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiqjjceeyw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmhVm5U0qm
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU0bkRezK5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwJZSbT7yU
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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfsFNEUCzR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatoiG9KhQ3
Pars nodded.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodxAdBrfJV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OE2vpdwHn
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IfV8SK85q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhCg0oJuHv
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7qFi0HwDK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNjpXlduva
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerdgrvt1Cc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4MT1gTdWh
"Mutual what?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA7N0x5sdV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3erIjZj6Lu
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk6Xu1K0OO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuTnIzt0gd
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeVj5cuQY3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjpTeh2dkr
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GF3faBrHq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMfVVN7ZrS
"Really now..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFkrkOYTTV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzce1sWlWJ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yCG9MinlU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPmAxGnCyv
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgWRXYzWG4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qE0sXcLuf
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQvosItyLC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTWRt1ttqp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG6db96smu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6DGk9RGSA
"Wow... it must've been bad."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR3SRRIRI5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSvbcDq8UB
"You're almost as flippant as I am."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyn2oKQOyN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrRxJLELtf
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE8O7RKgzk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3ffisGLje
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBdVaeHFiy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrN6gB6S5p
"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..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ0RbSIpyH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWll67cpRGS
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTqklUUayo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrG6WUjXOO
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPym01RDpF4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh85UIlEUCk
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl8HxCFLqe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZehW2KUa4
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA9f0p3zDM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqmcD9Z7g0
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6UDVHKH2x
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtam8FKzE90
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLhGXOWK4i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5WkZpxrx3
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzOguQDeA2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtCPYKZqpL
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ25PDLgU9Z
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0GukUJmdX
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnBlORTgXU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKblEyOL7Pt
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cqA6TNZd4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqPMXReDQu
"I know."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0NW9L9z3H
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY7JYN08IF
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7eoeaRXdi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRZBVwrBN8
"Tell you what; I can't help you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0vMIYhYr2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj6iQd7AyD
"...Are you serious?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywRAl51f3h
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BUDi88p4
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17G66zbREf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtAcfbI4Z
"What? What can?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IxrRsxs21
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgtaOtXi6C
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EZd5LtE4u
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFPTFug2j0
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMxnjmOnX1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm785xZkis4
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkIw31HTis
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvELJpozgc
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2biJue4jGl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAVbJYXVDb
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX4AulWFLs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxyOboz1B5
"Give it a try."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UQFMGCVZt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF1WQwqtDV
He stood up and patted my shoulder.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEZnlXuv61
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRT40E2FaB
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPJili84Vq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjwYC5sAkY
"H-Huh? Right now?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClCx9nMY16
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh0XmcGSho
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuj9Tuzi7G
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZExlsKG7g
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTazqDJfta
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2BGDedjVx
–
–
–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePBCMcLwrj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZblK0kMPJI
"Are ya all packed up?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznnhUbARZF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLXt4Zwvvk
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC3AsCKJNM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc1wOUyBuo
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmRBpNbokP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMeBExBquH
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0U38i70Lt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs48ZOJOiW
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRquk1eJPfo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2BkYXlAEB
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNz8PgGveN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FAipoDbIk
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCRMgwDhu9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWTRp4elU1
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8settcdK0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuRcdMPORI
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqUzAo2i11
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgrimvt0AX
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vsvwio62B
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhe9ewyOOv
"I suppose that makes sense."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLdrnTsIon
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV3jYDmY6A
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEbRc4Lff3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCLhkpaZ2Z
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyCg9dBHW3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7gm0AHIXu
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD3J0wDSIL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtrpwtOsvY
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlGVAxGk5P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuYzYvkjHg
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat5scggX94
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tug6r0Mmr
"What do I think...?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHRi6YcO2O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvXSDXHkqT
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZOfv4iKcA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH9AuEBooC
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp5MF7kYjn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEPohPZcFT
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCogLX5NJBu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKu7V1BKsp
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbo7zoYcxU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1iFAWcAKd
"I'm asking ya, kid."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOrFC5GQhh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5XueL45aF
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lw73XIjZK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqS1OhXk03
"It had to be an Endowment."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5o59BHdfS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc9uSZbys6
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaxsf0vUr6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo1aD5yoCP
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNmR76t4hR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga2QTHBZvF
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDCUbku9dD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulVIPTgkge
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oqeYnzoiz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRgOF8GpSL
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDlOE9hGN0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZfhIh8XIL
"Why not?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o2jJysW4G
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNARM4ZzwFH
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjMCuTrvpY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawbJzm68fb
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQdsSTDYFs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvhrw8G7jt
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK65ZF1upgb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FyGWrz0sK
"Surely, there's a better option."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxylxfPD9Xc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UP0czS8bT
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbXd0ueYFu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJlE1ICVxk
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrnrvoGjxE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Hyf7YPDm
"What if we spy from a distance?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOBbIC4jQB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtLjy37jq1
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIg9H24xCS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpzR4C0jw9
"...Point taken."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJUDAKndif
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXfiez3omN
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m92fgQ2Al
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOrv85bJpY
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7ycuuLXob
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI7bWiRO3S
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPhGCSzNEB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxAtmkTXDM
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe53sHAkpO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjePGvGRPP
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuecEdFbKOb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijTnwmkH5P
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6yzQowlG9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRXMKxDVQN
We nodded in unison.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Y1127tqZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRswEwwM7rq
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCREiIttK5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpgOjgKiXQ
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AlNJGUxj1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tqRvCHIV6
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NrGoYH9d2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLfPY6Ns6u
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtcSc4ZWU2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxKBgXXqlF
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOPZnnZ9ZB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4E5PIq7GZ
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMfGeVCD3c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAikDyLhFYL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGt7DdNJro
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZ0PzNARZ
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhvNzcNQTM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDbKMaG4Yb
"Well... I won't deny that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLMsrsvRt5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKiQ4w4eLT
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHblmIxOfo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaSNTZ5sn4
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupt4t6Z7kR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A9lmF04d6
"Again? What do you–?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4KzGk34Fu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YtqTOSQFU
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnKQXXmyZO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5XpPUXqXP
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkzlGfHFa0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIOcQJhoob
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LW1wEjZtO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXspHkWd6u
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMZE0v0G4h
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYoWQfq05g
"I didn't ask ya that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzk8Miowr5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAvOrayGT6
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriiaqjYfps
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFFT58OKkj
"That ain't surprising."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvKwSxP5FP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuFcGmJ4xe
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky1tyeaNJg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl8QrWkuFp
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt733pdwQtE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs90rkOjpW
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRRgtTPimB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLScowNdmI7
"Yeah? Like what?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1ZnMNberg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRNGmm3BqI
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5DOzLiYqJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFGMslSBiI
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLtoJbfKOM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4XV4CqxTq
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKKZBRHmJo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UzVr5jEBs
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sqYFdRBVP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9nfUwZVqQ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrQFxPYQFL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdpUoCrG3M
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL7whpehHF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRdG15UGzd
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ999KQNLNrw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pSffbQrSN
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWRZOUCntw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfjx94Tjwh
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE9Y3EpjUY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVs5yVV1eX
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIXQmrPnmY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSPpvh0tcn
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
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