Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.279Please respect copyright.PENANAfVz7aWmv92
279Please respect copyright.PENANAaFnYOs83cS
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA0zZ3NFmd0g
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPKGrdk3dMn
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.279Please respect copyright.PENANAyOv1T9nsoq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQbTm5nFYQF
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.279Please respect copyright.PENANAqZoYRjKLjY
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMpVUKiogpr
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8xHPvlnSG
279Please respect copyright.PENANAG67un1d2pJ
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAa9eG51j6Wh
279Please respect copyright.PENANAugo3Qg7HpO
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 279Please respect copyright.PENANA16yIeQU0Zy
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxGk5w3SYAa
“Well?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAcwTY6mEGgw
279Please respect copyright.PENANAUx1HtDSLKx
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAe71pI0Gnqr
279Please respect copyright.PENANAhCxYSFliAl
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAwm0jLLCV92
279Please respect copyright.PENANAaNhIn7ZiQo
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAS7JmvVoDog
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxzQjUleG0M
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.279Please respect copyright.PENANAlA8nNn1Li5
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0JhmEoMj1I
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA0nIy3vJIaq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAVYs9Nb8wCG
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWoq1A6b326
279Please respect copyright.PENANA5qrC9bsB3m
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.279Please respect copyright.PENANAbzGTJzpg5a
279Please respect copyright.PENANAiIHALXkzL9
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”279Please respect copyright.PENANAIYn0t2RmYv
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwAjfHhsFqE
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.279Please respect copyright.PENANAFgGxRPYhp8
279Please respect copyright.PENANAbiudiSYbfA
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA69FthgLYr4
279Please respect copyright.PENANAe0yCsd5zKA
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.279Please respect copyright.PENANAWNh2N1WoW6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAUtVOFxqkpt
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAhJwLeHLghH
279Please respect copyright.PENANAjJ597DoWPN
“...Yeah.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAoY12bXpDg0
279Please respect copyright.PENANAZzfLKhKhqe
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–279Please respect copyright.PENANAtg4LtbbVIU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKXuuOo7jTp
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”279Please respect copyright.PENANAJISswpnv5n
279Please respect copyright.PENANAThlBphqrb1
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAuPwGOfv9ub
279Please respect copyright.PENANAeSUrCxXQp7
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWIB1RDSg14
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGl2IWfrdkb
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.279Please respect copyright.PENANAgMRUVCrFjH
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfuHYCMbQZ5
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ45v9S2Yx7
279Please respect copyright.PENANArtyMAzNxnl
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAHrfYccQc6H
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqOfCo55oI4
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”279Please respect copyright.PENANApvMfoABH8R
279Please respect copyright.PENANABibfbzPjGM
“...?”279Please respect copyright.PENANALt3JGw3h7W
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwDQkKc8dga
At that, I had to tilt my head.279Please respect copyright.PENANAb8KxSAzKcm
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQfUjneAr0S
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAOfpclYCowU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAe1y1sczGfJ
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAYSuTg85hzC
279Please respect copyright.PENANAam1l1v53Ul
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.279Please respect copyright.PENANAidw5eUWQP4
279Please respect copyright.PENANANmS5ZZXfyw
“Dennis still ain’t here.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAdSBTwp4jhB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGhSMw2mGn3
“...”279Please respect copyright.PENANATEkwOJnWTV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxmcqBAwMYr
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.279Please respect copyright.PENANADfWZsNhmBX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAbBflkq3xf
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAhZ4yIArxeq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAVE2OEGnTIN
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAO515TnhNAn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAssf9Y09G5K
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.279Please respect copyright.PENANAcS6tHcng8A
279Please respect copyright.PENANA96qZpBghbw
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAiTcvgNbBAj
279Please respect copyright.PENANA6wX5nylNbd
“--!? W-What!?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAebThOsMUrY
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ41j3QAKIC
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.279Please respect copyright.PENANAesTCf7Wh34
279Please respect copyright.PENANALP9WaqShaQ
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAjbmATKAVwT
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1oL4NDiano
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKivk0hZ0xc
279Please respect copyright.PENANAOE4r1Bdh3f
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA9SdIlTNIgF
279Please respect copyright.PENANASjXpiKifku
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 279Please respect copyright.PENANAm8meknZgJR
279Please respect copyright.PENANAinDTkKKTeT
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.279Please respect copyright.PENANAMpIDu3HuLb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAZX3UoTKySQ
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.279Please respect copyright.PENANAP5XNDN0cME
279Please respect copyright.PENANAWC9chEDi7z
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAqYG3GbFlOl
279Please respect copyright.PENANAg5WkiwoDrW
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.279Please respect copyright.PENANAkHVPvjNieC
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHORXfioUyr
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.279Please respect copyright.PENANAp0lXtTtQiO
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGjSOjqRB8v
“...”279Please respect copyright.PENANAbarZmD8XW9
279Please respect copyright.PENANAODBoU5y82T
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.279Please respect copyright.PENANAlupVEjm1JY
279Please respect copyright.PENANAf4kXnGTE1A
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWZJczYYSiL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAaQgqBO9cZI
“I-I see…”279Please respect copyright.PENANALDiasVIn5m
279Please respect copyright.PENANAek69ooC3aH
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.279Please respect copyright.PENANANw7L980HlO
279Please respect copyright.PENANAv1uGSUfqRv
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAUs6qQNFDj7
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2SD0XlkbWE
“You don’t, ‘get?’”279Please respect copyright.PENANAbdAPxNsNb3
279Please respect copyright.PENANAOK236OWkSV
“Y’know, when–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAcFMRER7j56
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMxb43nkVin
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKOdgaMhXOS
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvpuZ5nETa5
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.279Please respect copyright.PENANAMRjSTinEnX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHzp4ulxH7V
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFrz3wnUHmJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEZvebnaj8k
**SLAM**279Please respect copyright.PENANAPDy9fEa93h
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGr1wAmIcfj
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.279Please respect copyright.PENANAAKQ35GcpIJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAgkgB6Z1OsN
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.279Please respect copyright.PENANAodnoMfOZP4
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfDHenhZje2
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAAtBYbWgAzA
279Please respect copyright.PENANAI3Olo3DIJ3
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.279Please respect copyright.PENANAL9BiWmIhkk
279Please respect copyright.PENANAin8plovr3e
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAIGGKxV7WCh
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEHrycx9c4T
“M-Mister Dean.”279Please respect copyright.PENANArCudSnuKFm
279Please respect copyright.PENANAyQffnYYZyB
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.279Please respect copyright.PENANAHyNDz4PdgU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAC7eLffPkN6
“Yes, child?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAky54GsBtsg
279Please respect copyright.PENANAVuTtNNJSDp
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAfqkZrRtuuV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAdysjf1Ovsb
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAdUzicP9XNa
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ9QBxhMTD
“R-Right.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAfg3SMTR4lf
279Please respect copyright.PENANAg7GVOg3VX1
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.279Please respect copyright.PENANAZYGXo1wEsq
279Please respect copyright.PENANApcN4CLOKCU
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA6gWD0haLGK
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEcq8Y1huKk
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAm7famOkMOA
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4Hk9F2q8KJ
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.279Please respect copyright.PENANAiAEkIgd9ua
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1AwJEKdB2
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAdMUF0YpPWV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEY46c5utzV
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxdxufPrwmn
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAFN6eEw97EX
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAASaWTCnZBp
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.279Please respect copyright.PENANAMgKcaHH3an
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHrH6iZj91B
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.279Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bxgt5fUgs
279Please respect copyright.PENANAYc2focTFwN
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”279Please respect copyright.PENANAPcRpoMxmaN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnefHgcyk3B
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.279Please respect copyright.PENANAq45FCn5bB6
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4bQGrct1dt
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–279Please respect copyright.PENANAgn0aPsX4c6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxby7GClG3r
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAmgq2FNU0e1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAX26SF8c0wp
“Haven’t you explained that already?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAguoqTbTGLX
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2a3nwPKk7m
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA8S4z6AvyAP
279Please respect copyright.PENANAtNI6gET4Pz
“What’s that?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA4dM7IpF7fr
279Please respect copyright.PENANAaL5N0HnaTt
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.279Please respect copyright.PENANAfXgosmOT8V
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHkMZs1pZHS
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAINP4MlHDur
279Please respect copyright.PENANA5j55YsFEyc
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:279Please respect copyright.PENANA0s45ziqyfc
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnFf0GLjdnM
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAQYQraJiGTu
279Please respect copyright.PENANAFdWWNh3SpC
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKLLd657HIY
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0PJt9Rs74X
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKQLAOJuINd
279Please respect copyright.PENANARCr5gaVgVD
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.279Please respect copyright.PENANAynTLZU83Vg
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvw9WiK5Rhh
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAzcHQGwwIPq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAuirH7VtF54
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.279Please respect copyright.PENANAYt5CALyfFD
279Please respect copyright.PENANARXc8SyBMTB
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAyGwNinuuQo
279Please respect copyright.PENANAA7H9XHy30c
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.279Please respect copyright.PENANAhBBjognMt8
279Please respect copyright.PENANAjmhkD1VZay
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–279Please respect copyright.PENANAcljDeFjDus
279Please respect copyright.PENANASkwqzLM23v
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAEHpamoPfAc
279Please respect copyright.PENANAjFdnErs4iN
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.279Please respect copyright.PENANAzcKnu0Nd0B
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1zCYKH6q3N
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAlFrcXtrzUR
279Please respect copyright.PENANAD1pJx9Z7LF
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 279Please respect copyright.PENANAQsk6aX7aPE
279Please respect copyright.PENANA42eiVC13dx
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.279Please respect copyright.PENANAqvMunKPCtf
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0o48TdIo3Y
“I think it likes you, child.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAuBZEAvwvDn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAIs4SsePamY
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAHbhYNPy0UP
279Please respect copyright.PENANAiiIl6IKupb
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.279Please respect copyright.PENANAkUSZ4DaHUn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAsAegNHrvPe
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.279Please respect copyright.PENANAvXxYQ6HZTp
279Please respect copyright.PENANAuNivtVU65h
“Hah?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA3SDLU5QyM6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAG1FcJtAokl
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAcma2Ov9wOB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvikKjhD3MF
“I… smell like flowers?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAXeRIb7OOiW
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9ecI0xlA0G
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.279Please respect copyright.PENANAVzGrfO4C3M
279Please respect copyright.PENANAo2Bpdq2r3C
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAdaGby1vlt1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAJsDII81ZTE
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.279Please respect copyright.PENANA1FIGXJCSn6
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAPzD1LuDLF
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAxuyHzaotAT
279Please respect copyright.PENANATKzRtKXXEj
“Really? I didn’t know that…”279Please respect copyright.PENANAPjV1a3RkeQ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAfpeT73c8c4
“Ahem, moving on–”279Please respect copyright.PENANA31S5QXIgSC
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1qTS3VUBmc
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.279Please respect copyright.PENANAyByrI7sytZ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAyuS5mZpKgr
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAkZtzlcVVuK
279Please respect copyright.PENANALSynDXNB6Y
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:279Please respect copyright.PENANAJUEaRqbfCY
279Please respect copyright.PENANAtf5fFpkUgO
“May I know why I’m being told this?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA1flFwR5gD2
279Please respect copyright.PENANAs8YOHH2Oaa
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAfieNAKRikf
279Please respect copyright.PENANAYtYwv8s5d2
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.279Please respect copyright.PENANANtIzWxsshX
279Please respect copyright.PENANACGPG7oPgJN
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAzSV5QMO3bJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnf0jiCLJ3A
“My help, you say…”279Please respect copyright.PENANAjpZ8huJURd
279Please respect copyright.PENANALWCnJwWwp4
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.279Please respect copyright.PENANAo8521oeu5k
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqBA7TzRhEC
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFF4VRBgXEY
279Please respect copyright.PENANA6IrTwKfUL8
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAaD5nkcXX9R
279Please respect copyright.PENANA79xkOmNxe6
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA3OWXd61VJx
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxwUBNviXjH
“...Energizing potions?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAva5GuTd2fx
279Please respect copyright.PENANArjzaneIMun
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.279Please respect copyright.PENANAupmddb6V6O
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2OGAh1mrWi
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAs4U5O7mtIa
279Please respect copyright.PENANABh2zzomaWh
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.279Please respect copyright.PENANAlV6Mbv7BdN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAz7i8QuSkg8
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAhpGtiDWCuP
279Please respect copyright.PENANAP8H97j5IrD
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA1Gj4JTEz4Z
279Please respect copyright.PENANANsb6UTfZYk
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.279Please respect copyright.PENANABhfYPPeUwb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAh9IZVaLMzt
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAhVI7I15jwz
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHYm3cZsJfF
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”279Please respect copyright.PENANALba7mZgOPE
279Please respect copyright.PENANAgjrfHoUbrG
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.279Please respect copyright.PENANATLS2SeLXfH
279Please respect copyright.PENANAXvLLUlWPzU
“Is something wrong?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAu6TOX4EoV1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAXcujLdAloX
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 279Please respect copyright.PENANAwuMLhJB6BV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAOr0Qag2gM5
“Well, kid–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAzTvXbeeg7j
279Please respect copyright.PENANACmVlk14nmM
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.279Please respect copyright.PENANAkGgv6fgXIk
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnX8Tk5qfGv
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAogYr8uyK7A
279Please respect copyright.PENANACnTEKHISEn
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.279Please respect copyright.PENANAHpUk1NwQYd
279Please respect copyright.PENANASLNJObk79v
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAif8hIdWCW7
279Please respect copyright.PENANAjFLjsKsZWf
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.279Please respect copyright.PENANArhvM915Sd3
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzgTRoN56Cp
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.279Please respect copyright.PENANAWm8h4aevQI
279Please respect copyright.PENANAkodvCY8Azg
“...Comfortable.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFTFrvAGRa3
279Please respect copyright.PENANAIExnpFz6mk
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.279Please respect copyright.PENANA0GDR7BQv7s
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0f6rMlIQjJ
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.279Please respect copyright.PENANAsFjyBjaM6d
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzZcsNk5AdR
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQMyO6aNRbN
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANA8qIPCsBCNn
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANACXJbvSFAZR
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.279Please respect copyright.PENANATlQP4KVHD9
279Please respect copyright.PENANANkDmFy95n2
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 279Please respect copyright.PENANAIo4UCoEXRT
279Please respect copyright.PENANAK7UglZr49V
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.279Please respect copyright.PENANAF0Xj6vpQHz
279Please respect copyright.PENANAviSgX4OqEQ
“...A little bit here.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAsD1Qq5FfTk
279Please respect copyright.PENANA26h4fUIo11
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 279Please respect copyright.PENANAEJU6xsIPhx
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGh60copC4y
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.279Please respect copyright.PENANAcZpL4eSP8c
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5mGblyppA
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAuD2BadtRIC
279Please respect copyright.PENANAkPcAo0GtLq
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.279Please respect copyright.PENANAngOFzlL44B
279Please respect copyright.PENANADiS4FESfbG
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.279Please respect copyright.PENANAombRhLACSh
279Please respect copyright.PENANAOS45FXqW08
“No time to waste, though.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAni4A0ct6K5
279Please respect copyright.PENANAXbzrTSlz2O
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.279Please respect copyright.PENANALG9ZbkcLrB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwMzITTeqSY
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.279Please respect copyright.PENANAGICz7WSR99
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqch9SPjKtV
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.279Please respect copyright.PENANA9g1GX3zPjt
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPuqm0MXS0b
“...Crap.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAJgMEVrxx4h
279Please respect copyright.PENANApQliBAz3FY
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.279Please respect copyright.PENANAxD4L9ASqe8
279Please respect copyright.PENANAsjI7gOINUI
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAedfyMufm8q
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0DJzRvNZoC
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.279Please respect copyright.PENANAJz2C0Mba8y
279Please respect copyright.PENANAJa5d3lChJs
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAoZKUmtZxTa
279Please respect copyright.PENANALsHvUbz8p1
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAlbdfytgTO4
279Please respect copyright.PENANAp461HoejXw
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAcDKKD5Vi2N
279Please respect copyright.PENANANdNomQRlxP
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFdH2hcWQVX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKQ8O3ZfaWS
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.279Please respect copyright.PENANAaYX0lhV3Wp
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxZ0K9L5oNO
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWjSRM6TwDa
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHUFUfh4hzf
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.279Please respect copyright.PENANAnFaeErVeUV
279Please respect copyright.PENANAlEqaccvQ4M
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAChV86YYvtB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAATQnCZjlFY
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9hYzQLfCn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAIe0CYczby1
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.279Please respect copyright.PENANATqYbWuUwd4
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4ooN1VDAfZ
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAq8WV8qGkhE
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPdWQvGucnN
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAj5UavdLaL4
279Please respect copyright.PENANAhkXEYwhvJj
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.279Please respect copyright.PENANAb7SLFjIJQM
279Please respect copyright.PENANAiDkOwcbeWB
“N-Nigel!?”279Please respect copyright.PENANApjhqTumd7s
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvTjYleGHnY
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA9xtVg5QmXX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKJp9LIWx5A
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAVELlnYOEL0
279Please respect copyright.PENANAT3ZbUEknWB
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.279Please respect copyright.PENANAlqRC56TZ4f
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnPiMPLsZI0
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAs1cXf1YCnq
279Please respect copyright.PENANARwtU4muwVN
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAr984Kcu0sz
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxz3RYQ3FbC
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.279Please respect copyright.PENANAMf81kLobKW
279Please respect copyright.PENANAftc7tece9n
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAM8SmmaT6jo
279Please respect copyright.PENANAziCoiOOnMU
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.279Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ei5qTrQdI
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKpEd6Tblln
“Is this… a clamper?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFHWpIpS9Zj
279Please respect copyright.PENANAbT1d1I0aDn
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAS0GquzAHeG
279Please respect copyright.PENANAV42sZ0IN2S
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAbNF3QJi3MU
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAsGJPbqEWtN
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKEPj3yyv2o
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHsevBOEXOc
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”279Please respect copyright.PENANASHQYHlpgb1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKTrKa2kHuH
“That I asked you?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWNmnV1bihe
279Please respect copyright.PENANAjjKkLOwUpY
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.279Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6N5KYHu2f
279Please respect copyright.PENANALp46CxeeFq
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”279Please respect copyright.PENANASI9JZIYbcJ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAIFrEi90sAN
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAHDKUHQhhCr
279Please respect copyright.PENANAbD9uGMWICp
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.279Please respect copyright.PENANAd7KJ32w530
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPqDVKhhNXU
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAqZZb6dutSC
279Please respect copyright.PENANAtpMZDXmWLH
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.279Please respect copyright.PENANAwdVYqrp1he
279Please respect copyright.PENANAdrZwKetisi
“How did you–”279Please respect copyright.PENANA2bFRrLSOzv
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzgJRuRwbne
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAN5Q0X04Agt
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAa1uacPb0k
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 279Please respect copyright.PENANAWPFAS2lBYg
279Please respect copyright.PENANAChrindWR8x
He continued cutting as he spoke.279Please respect copyright.PENANAaekwzHTNLN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAWkcxG2JJoL
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAvEEkNvkiMx
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwCy0lMCCpi
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.279Please respect copyright.PENANAOgQLqIJ72S
279Please respect copyright.PENANADSZ6YrDM1X
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAECJM5zIcFu
279Please respect copyright.PENANAW5YWZ56hi9
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAW2H03iBsb9
279Please respect copyright.PENANA0h4EzzxScW
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.279Please respect copyright.PENANAx0gb2HvBi2
279Please respect copyright.PENANA042gCslH3K
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAh0BB3bKuLv
279Please respect copyright.PENANAv92B6EN82X
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAbss0EZCoOb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAe3hYXUmrut
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAyU9b06M7W8
279Please respect copyright.PENANA7G5uPTUB0H
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:279Please respect copyright.PENANAqPj8IQrqoX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAVpjKnFeBG
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAHD5b9MXOTy
279Please respect copyright.PENANA65AYFtapbw
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAn138k21IHO
279Please respect copyright.PENANA6EjMuX6S1l
“I… darn it, you got me there.”279Please respect copyright.PENANApK6FETa2tz
279Please respect copyright.PENANAgGM0PVU6TB
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.279Please respect copyright.PENANAOpkNxRWgTn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAvkQWufnx0w
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAWUFH7XHXvN
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPiPMyfTtFO
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.279Please respect copyright.PENANAzpuOXwdxGu
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4vI7f5tC1q
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAwC2Gzq4Tml
279Please respect copyright.PENANABZ9wTJNkN0
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAqTMfmwhxPp
279Please respect copyright.PENANA8Syy4Aqbhx
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”279Please respect copyright.PENANACwtX5N1dZk
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGSBui9oflT
I looked at him with pursed lips.279Please respect copyright.PENANAuTObqdppzZ
279Please respect copyright.PENANA5qJOeN7yUO
“Why not?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA4OUpK5ms2N
279Please respect copyright.PENANAMXMWS18NaK
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFbwY08tOba
279Please respect copyright.PENANAuvMVEPxtR8
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA2MF7ViPfcZ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAftCMATeywQ
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.279Please respect copyright.PENANADaxeNvJ7xp
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4VT2VdTy5s
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKpNfqdEccH
279Please respect copyright.PENANAcniquBzRNZ
“--!”279Please respect copyright.PENANAid5gU1htWx
279Please respect copyright.PENANA7oz5TODS9K
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 279Please respect copyright.PENANATCXAleIDzy
279Please respect copyright.PENANAWt1zSE3ZHH
“Did anything else happen?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAUkQBJQQOkR
279Please respect copyright.PENANAZSeT6Axqqv
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”279Please respect copyright.PENANAtmCjh6NScq
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAHPY3cfmCN5
279Please respect copyright.PENANAUWba8z8ubO
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAOjMg9S0o2m
279Please respect copyright.PENANAIOK24d7cQt
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”279Please respect copyright.PENANATAVc2PNTfm
279Please respect copyright.PENANABmruM6zzzS
“Uh…”279Please respect copyright.PENANAREVh4ySQL7
279Please respect copyright.PENANAohbrprgP60
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.279Please respect copyright.PENANATlQz4sN6Mt
279Please respect copyright.PENANA8pCXlEGs21
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKKBWg3Bqdq
279Please respect copyright.PENANAlQth3tjgrf
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAiMYKZyPYu2
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4HgmVWo0AW
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.279Please respect copyright.PENANACIIoImtMZU
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKMACKJH1hO
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAs4DZuyvgfG
279Please respect copyright.PENANA3Zz7lbn8ML
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA5JjsdIs6Ov
279Please respect copyright.PENANARgY2U29bKz
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.279Please respect copyright.PENANANHJxZ3MoKX
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9IoUwYBYe5
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”279Please respect copyright.PENANA62ZUvVUaqi
279Please respect copyright.PENANAoNLuemahhW
“...O-Oh.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAT7YFkaI9Wx
279Please respect copyright.PENANALtNd1m254S
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.279Please respect copyright.PENANAOhWW49rOuq
279Please respect copyright.PENANApZoXyv0Fre
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA99xxM63o18
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAX5nHPgAoo
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAp7kkM48wnA
279Please respect copyright.PENANA9ngcXh6x5Z
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.279Please respect copyright.PENANAHLzjoLqKeQ
279Please respect copyright.PENANA8e8UzsxwdV
“Make sense? How?”279Please respect copyright.PENANArn3kB488t1
279Please respect copyright.PENANAcr0eI6uPBo
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.279Please respect copyright.PENANAE2Jb6l6Ryw
279Please respect copyright.PENANAbRfZpSJ1qA
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”279Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ptmv2c8zD
279Please respect copyright.PENANANnXDTKIRcF
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAfkjntDUszG
279Please respect copyright.PENANArjjQ6lzZJD
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.279Please respect copyright.PENANAtStTU3tEt7
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqvCcySQbf1
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”279Please respect copyright.PENANABFDBrC1Qsn
279Please respect copyright.PENANAxe183ClzXQ
“So she still fought alone, eh?”279Please respect copyright.PENANApX6v69wRE8
279Please respect copyright.PENANA5uba7zDyDq
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAkCAg0d8S0n
279Please respect copyright.PENANAPAy6D86lyP
“Relieved? How come?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAKkuREsBPsc
279Please respect copyright.PENANAi8nlofGutM
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.279Please respect copyright.PENANAnW8BLzZcdp
279Please respect copyright.PENANAq1lndRUEla
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAagxxt6DSct
279Please respect copyright.PENANAAsrs8QIT6U
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.279Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1avg626s0
279Please respect copyright.PENANANPsqXhqAqO
“You’re probably good friends with her.”279Please respect copyright.PENANASylzvyzTby
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzGi4d7ws3m
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”279Please respect copyright.PENANAV3YGidEVUb
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQB0I5K9qVf
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAH2mu4CaWpg
279Please respect copyright.PENANA2DsCV2uMYo
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.279Please respect copyright.PENANAO7u1foYGDa
279Please respect copyright.PENANA8C7BXAfedD
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”279Please respect copyright.PENANATCyMYpxlIZ
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGZsXBh7fXu
“H-Hurt? What happened?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAgRTwQtsKej
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1MMsRg5csB
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAS2ckGsgCt8
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzxCkiwcBon
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAOLBoW3gb2P
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqFbDcGX7Vz
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAE1KXWUCvok
279Please respect copyright.PENANAacK1IJbEVD
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.279Please respect copyright.PENANAEVBNG3nuBG
279Please respect copyright.PENANAFeZKy043AO
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAlIYvwqgswB
279Please respect copyright.PENANAKR6Li2N9II
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAFRkNDiV7Vv
279Please respect copyright.PENANAh9Puibna4b
He shrugged.279Please respect copyright.PENANAozzKW9fPMr
279Please respect copyright.PENANAGc0ThVU41b
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAAx1u3vq1iL
279Please respect copyright.PENANAcdbrqHWa6y
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAu8vxQFXOAf
279Please respect copyright.PENANAzkef2I7Ffh
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.279Please respect copyright.PENANAtZKXaQ59bw
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwuw2RdRB8e
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.279Please respect copyright.PENANAfGYM6wZ5NO
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEzI5P3beQ1
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAZK9JsNDUGW
279Please respect copyright.PENANA4RTt22MaJs
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”279Please respect copyright.PENANA6noZIrQw7Q
279Please respect copyright.PENANAqxCpBkgEpK
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 279Please respect copyright.PENANAVqgARln2xu
279Please respect copyright.PENANAZg81zdJnem
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.279Please respect copyright.PENANATL2RtkvMcj
279Please respect copyright.PENANAuWkgmu07Xt
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnmBvNxH2eg
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAuVExkkWdsg
–
279Please respect copyright.PENANAiVtWw9rEY2
“...Role model.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAviwUEesrLm
279Please respect copyright.PENANAYfyxYyWcGk
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.279Please respect copyright.PENANA0FSi8PZm3S
279Please respect copyright.PENANAwtPjJ2W0mc
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAnaoN32l3kX
279Please respect copyright.PENANAEzSgsR5RHW
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.279Please respect copyright.PENANACx9KttxU0t
279Please respect copyright.PENANAQb5J36gAR2
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAuzOGUBNLye
279Please respect copyright.PENANAmCQPMycc0r
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.279Please respect copyright.PENANAbZE8CvTOag
279Please respect copyright.PENANA1Uhx3ZE1hI
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”279Please respect copyright.PENANAlN6v5RdFXA
279Please respect copyright.PENANActgUmPF1u7
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.279Please respect copyright.PENANAYNFHPSUgNo
279Please respect copyright.PENANAnqrHUvSsRg
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”279Please respect copyright.PENANAPU4a2rkEsl
279Please respect copyright.PENANAHEGVzTNv8F
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.