I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R1SjYG6k1
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"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae72yuXgbY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDocmIRTOP
"How?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrahIvudR6
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I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsKxnTTw52
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBKedF1ALs
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBKQDoWwIa
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"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVtoQRbIXN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIoffvnNem
Pars turned to answer Juke.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWqemcKZ7a
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"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKcfj1bSbl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZyqpFGpt
"That so, eh?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TP7nyxK19
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkonwJa8JB
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Oi9a8sVP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL8AIpkMkc
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDWwwW0gmH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjertcTJg3
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtScVxLkKg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK5gePfPR9
"Hey Becker, how's the–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlf7A0hNSq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaaJhQzBdZ
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJG3y3Y16G
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNZ3kcCLqU
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzISqWSSB4L
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"Are you a kid?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEONOmkzrQL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ866fvHd1br
"H-Huh!?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxymY2teWi
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An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O2HrRsqdi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4SXu0cXj0
"I said, are you a kid?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5QtiHeHl8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc7vklzlbq
"I-I, yes, I am."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYhtSbXiRx
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He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIYTCV4FHd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJduAJxKCJ
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1978LK3yOc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzQQAn8VWM
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V8p3P1BN4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZth4Qbzp
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAVeAQ2kTg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTyDcwErvp
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cW4PyrL7Z
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ7cpA9j46
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO5gQ6o8j2
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4DBecOfLF
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEQRn5zvEs
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"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIpfEA7L0h
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwNfMA9SdU
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW1wrQcZHG
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"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwPNX4Bqzb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJB2fP6VSm
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU9tXDwc8M
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMlGJxGouu
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpbgmfncrJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDunv55fWw
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkhcCGBxHv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9syUAjY9ZS
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGAdFW1vYD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZhM3t8cYZ
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwisKLvwWG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb7EiLmcdo
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEEbHtHTfu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXYWatS1P5
"W-What?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvOUNoUEWv
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"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R26fu1FB7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxqPo6Oeoo
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEoTN0q3HV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM6FOnrqM6
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPS7V35Re6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNGhMlrq5z
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmI3SWP3I
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk59xMqbBDx
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsbIC3wu9g
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxFLkOb1Mo
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopJHzWFFI3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpRVeK1DmJ
"I'd never."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfXSvvndp3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzghVCIBSk
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqDFjQvcJF
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I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0fHtGjOqc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRW2hQRM68
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXr1MvXJp4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h2mrrgQkn
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYUez0pXgs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAyEzmllfF
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD6mrICdHF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTofD5MiVFS
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xjkNgf2J0
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Ulxmg5UB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohRdyuKvgR
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSh83iZSjV
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"What did you want to tell me?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO9p27G591
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G8fSwmUJb
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLId3BUXn8y
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrze6gMfwOh
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiZP7yiAhw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpTxLT8FDu
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT05VGSmEi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJAqHfkRbl
"S-Sure. What is it?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggrTN1ivzp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArmR12VzCL
"Do you like fighting?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrPq6td32R
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvulPFeVkuK
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvCrApItGv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NTl4wYlF
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY0rsuf9My
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkabRNFQvC
"Then, why do you do it?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oZ5hwZSWd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3Nkdcpez8
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo5yrz6IRT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7w8EC4twM
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqQjnLtnJw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaEfG8Uf2n
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ZdIRMHN2
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfwMDZEYz9
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8BTE18Gq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZmQJlwbRB
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOIT0hR7nb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDiFq5UPYp
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccDCrTvK9V
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfmCg5iqtL
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaH0hQBh7t
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrgtQ1Cdbb
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte2FSJElx3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQFpUrQmxZ
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBo7n45yu6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpIASgzVnj
"...W-Whaa?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRCbwcOF7Y
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIXdXxRnsw
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfjHGhneMJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8LUijwhLp
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvgT4cqJbO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvE6Ojs36
"It's... it's okay."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8eDtolZuk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2iQANCj8U
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbzFKrGrxi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGxS0WFy6V
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlDxsyIf1N
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYDpVv0uXj
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsoYJRMfb8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrbAlrViTu
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobaMJn4mpb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQliYPZXJX3
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsissnWr9f
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tcn3xAsqs
"...Y-Yes."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI5njFsgWs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbFrmevyNO
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAhtMwdQxA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVujVhMT6pj
"I see. I see now."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKatfT5i1vi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oFHoQNWlZ
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtYVBNkE0p
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKzcXVrk5Z
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8KsThyDUc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmhIlj91D8
"Like, um, like what?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2qa8ZcEXE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCAprRjQCr
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBvlCHyXM2
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbrmzSpOlj
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt3DLmupeh
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbfaSZCNkK
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZHRs5Jt5w
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR27FBLCZK
She paused to scratch her head.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cO7dZjKGS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ReLg1lpc
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHdnWEHXv0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JUVW3mhFO
"I... I, I'm not–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaDSoCFZvt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLQn1oXmRm
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jyCMIa3wY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EOxqYzGTi
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiiHobSTFS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0wO8KXHDb
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZh5zdQND5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF5QMPCh85
"On the right?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQLpChK0hI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7lviQGlpv
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVx3atcdIz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVnT6GSvEE
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1H7j9uhjc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIUnMNxoCJ
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIcamYLvJl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPGPwUkylQ
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeoj40BlAy
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWMdnNguaV
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotIOWOZGFL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZn84FmVgj
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGcMo3Ovtd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVN0kSBFYV
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosFSG37uVP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILRdIkWoEA
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZwfERZF2B
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5yTa6jTNq
"...Maybe."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfScqkzYiM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLFLVHpCkA
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy7veMSY0F
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6gFznsgDR
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
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