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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTbBUmonlr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNAuZWncO2
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut3gfCfIV1
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNCfkGbMbN
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD52y9MDQO
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SeK4PQhzS
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQXSDI6qU8
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa56ZqLZ8P5
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtSRumyaVd
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrBdk18dII
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsKugIiDn5
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiEKVCT22Y
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHH2y6sOL4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtjb4KwGVc
“Well?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU46FMV8U3
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmy1o1cPvS
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNzhf0OEVG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q1hhySGg1
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6PMysxqdr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVEsDC10ji
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOUJwfVSvj
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlh6514BH0
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwF6W6fn4T
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRorT5rB2rr
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeQCfKhl1d
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQu5WjYVfU
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFXeeM3mSG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrI8lAYZQo
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyGz9JHBzh
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL1Z2fiCVP
“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…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqke40Alvm1
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLbdpRJsjb
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AQxs2oZbs
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoSs1Q26yZ
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfdBZyMW75
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtYovOk2tq
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbpjS61SEp
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1oM6wGSaF
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4pDkrRWKn
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZgAXO83Vh
“...Yeah.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGemeaNJ6It
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOskWNCmUn
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–422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYEbB3kSu4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP87MOTuuC
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiXEMIayzj
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhuzBZhr8W
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSKxnHfvuf
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T3gY8GPE5
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpU0mm7Z98
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDrrXILmZb
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGsGPlvmT6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc1B3PHzqw
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOusewLEfPo
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGndrgZktiS
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyiUzDQLI2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38faeFjf1k
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpwMV3esXN
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXYxRVLe8A
“...?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgFvsgYFTq
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfU8i29fEk
At that, I had to tilt my head.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSMduXFeEP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLVKLE1B5F
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcneqKEkXJ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA64kevmxn
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqoyBudd6Q
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91F6NGwPZs
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz9BLMcdqG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHDPl82Fop
“Dennis still ain’t here.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYFjpYbbLV
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4TaZ8AT24
“...”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRLswUXc9N
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPknqgiR80C
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagWml6inuq
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPFCK3e6y3
“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–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEkucdcWJX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfim6GcJLA
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXOMqcc7qT
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDCI5lIkta
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjC6FFK6Z6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LGN8pdh7s
“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’.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSvC3LJ7SG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvN7RGIhS8
“--!? W-What!?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCESYVydqC
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAXFpg4vgs
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbo1OI5ruV
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tw2dccNZr
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFFYwcGQCP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAsryLwZ2r
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjRClJ8zBA
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq8XmW1iWa
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgyRocnKRH
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAsJgBgdOd
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. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOMw44vrtI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU04egowt2
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv72cQuMMH
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70py2Yx4iv
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFTnGVIXKe
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4EH8XZ0Vy
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmQWrKXP5t
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRbKNKRkfH
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzOGG1D2h6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokx5nbh1yw
“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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwI7VqCQ03
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFqt7W1jGf
“...”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcrIjGzAvr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk3WBGSQsN
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4wRdupO3G
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG7JfnmtSF
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECLetkK4h4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t9MHmJoPi
“I-I see…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmgaxWYwfO
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMTQIBniuO
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqlZrLkBMw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAYWnq5IcH
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15EXCVvr8e
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u2h96oqvv
“You don’t, ‘get?’”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNyPv0ytE3
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo0LqxFav5
“Y’know, when–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz33HVDIasr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2CBqlytKI
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22r3iu0HNO
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu44aqT8oeP
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnFyytezEf
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzbLNA0aMb
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu2Wqu9PcD
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQdUQqqBDd
**SLAM**422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K3pJbX6RP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmeqpidITB
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B9ynQZCpj
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYiKX0CzHW
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ491iGL4pW8
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgT6DCgYdf
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTng2gCcD0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShSLX9lBgT
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcy58HcKbU
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xUDdKe1Qd
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rry0eW8rX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU3k87821X
“M-Mister Dean.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2KLKu6C5M
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKGU90omMq
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pQbaEtQUF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHXLAwRaoE
“Yes, child?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz8V1KlRUu
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfknrt4SfP
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2XlxgzxUz
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbMoUH17D1
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyyCNR5jq4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqjjGmDUOi
“R-Right.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXleOK1u5Yc
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU06ivjEIN
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6kcBXQuUl
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ZRmmz4cj
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtKrir3upq
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxSBHAoO1b
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzk18YpaPT
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw13GIKwc1T
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOpkQQQu5C
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayWfTkqubb
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkGcDDpkyz
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01b0JxFS9S
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiDR88PNkb
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZJTKDCsvf
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX9zBbpVvy
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbD54aLhvT
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DLJkDm1DY
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUeo0aM02N
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCBKhKeuKJ
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaOdMNsGKP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgIEiPUdwj
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcN8au4zgA
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK7wtpXh4P
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–422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfiA6AifCt
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngS4EArhlp
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHLFj4vRj2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobTEmeYSVW
“Haven’t you explained that already?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XLKRiSvpo
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXrR7DtUFx
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR6IBsJDNK
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOvZs6MBwx
“What’s that?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZgYYlwEBg
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn34e7R0cX1
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu6UfMUFKj
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC4NkwEegM
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUudjfzCamj
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhduFPaUu8
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:422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMr82SIoHi
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmvAAuyQ18
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66HONVetlS
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSqse30T9G
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RnCh6R51m
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8VQlwJo7x
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLqfH6LGs4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMTEpdXV0V
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozDVptkqRR
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2INMuqdohd
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT5jPu7aNT
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpLKzFwS7Q
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD45l7rFHG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B1ELGZZgu
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhNYyLW3fx
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy1QYN0Pnu
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoudP5j8KCw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Zj0jdlLK
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkgD33kAYG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK7iz2wfEJ
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebWz0Vedbs
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdXXIVyA31
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXg4Dwi9ur
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB07ksJtTJD
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtg4J4RqB2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDlU300Gvq
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv440HvMo0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH4kiCHLqs
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1CTWILTWQ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3SdckNpDM
“I think it likes you, child.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftX0DvPHbE
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtL4SnviwA
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPNOtKYHfF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr46eUVMdY
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxE0AXbnS4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0y8WXNSJo
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYJTYLt0D
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVjrtTmSt9
“Hah?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei93srKaLU
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzvtCFUY8c
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4goNdPk58
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54XBUm0lwv
“I… smell like flowers?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCox8jxki6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDKSjv0HPw
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPOYVIa6J3
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIg7Wt46rv
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulJvrFuPZy
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cay4zMQMJ
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXyjL4x5yC
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURyV3m39Dv
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU8xZpaVkg
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqeG9YxIS
“Really? I didn’t know that…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJvKCMaTIa
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnp8ps4chz
“Ahem, moving on–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLOqvN9gAh
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwUEp2EHgH
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qq5hONRQ9
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNezzUbX5yT
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdGrpyG3mV
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvOftizGVM
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:422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbhcQpMWwR
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ002egAYNQw
“May I know why I’m being told this?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UoBYQ8Rpn
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcIqBAYIJu
“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?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlg2LZDdNX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbeOrKMjex
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsHqUuD07B
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuBgKa5QWp
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMMV64xQLY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0U6IV6ZYG
“My help, you say…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeNzaVndOI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWcUq2eg9o
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfHfONPCe6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MNOnwcSSo
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsYTSaCTVi
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7cP2MeYNJ
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1UToESvRk
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g5y8yCDYJ
“--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?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKni40GGnV
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1JbxiUsau
“...Energizing potions?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1g3C36Nf
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYkJK82MgL
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKaZA6Z0V
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXG6I5jsee
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0pRLdSisa
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWlfmM0pk0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf6NkA7l7T
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP10prBKLB
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR607xrDCR
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr19AgoVwgM
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1yH5olTZw
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zry5Bu3Dr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeh5H1ggQv
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg5hTBOHdG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRx6z8Cw20
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7blDlcTdeF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBV9USSwdy
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOS3p9bE1u
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtDY2qQlmR
“Is something wrong?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKlgWuZbbq
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tk67IT1VA
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MFwJnXj8b
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncuNOWG9yd
“Well, kid–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnLE0II1GI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuULCQNDIQr
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbHKaHrx7q
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZu9a790cl
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyzUBGdvrQ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDQh4icxVH
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWD1HuUE0S
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFag5QbB9E
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn7Vd9hPYb
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieawIL7383
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlA0McIgak
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQsHPUznQm
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYnuOcjAKb
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9dEBM8u0B
“...Comfortable.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRQ5P1urb0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKJD7HDV7A
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLM3t3Tjwc
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytFh1olDzj
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dm8mLOaqf
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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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxIfFWKTAK
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZr6eVUmTW
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjFVvQOgRt
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU6urBeBBX
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPFojp69qY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FkmlWQ3vs
“...A little bit here.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fNGZg2hOp
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprJ0IsAxJ2
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. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc9o7osyDD
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM0AYtmNc9
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEd4D8Xsd6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ClLAvjHI
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mf1rmRHiW
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxEtmNg74j
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw8OmuRODn
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“No time to waste, though.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8TnwA8Bap
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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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxGYj2nZbW
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDz7atWsxS
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9rtjMD4La
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOvnfJKdsG
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlu5nLcDrg
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“...Crap.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk23Y0DT1B
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L5Vzc3aaB
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbwpmG5IaZ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ulOAYQI51
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8I1EovPMu
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOJ2D5hYFN
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ546ZCDVD
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDxyS4TN0z
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxVai4UkQp
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzxBSskzJm
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56zwzucotC
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtRHEZ7wHd
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi11w98njY8
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5IoqFixJJ
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV4uo1sXQN
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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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtH0OyFPGI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmBGyeDOUu
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELsqW570TP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltfGPiiCvd
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcggCM2teHe
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFdDYhUSAQ
“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?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4XGtvNxP3
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi8mZDX474
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EuuFpQnw0
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqhWEUslV6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXFrTF3jyl
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0chWpdgQAA
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfsX0RdN6n
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtMpD9Afgt
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdnKKJU1pd
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2FT507woC
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NVvmHhTzl
“N-Nigel!?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUOWvj5b9o
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjCwMGQADK
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0H3Rvos6b
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0AEl2DrhF
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyXbxvNBzX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AwTSV0QxO
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gO7OrXMSW
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhj5syIP9C
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TBTBXj4nh
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMlt01KBFa
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIQeWdStlI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpe8SizCkb
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HS2Wn4JhM
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm4Hs0Zrpu
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfjL10uiqr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB4moVmQVf
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3YBseETm6
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlgRI5LGVm
“Is this… a clamper?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoXn4WJEx0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99YqMmnI2o
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpeahQcUl8
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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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7KmJddKsf
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm3tc7TxoP
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“That I asked you?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwoQUUpAGU
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyT7nrqSdh
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW7tNlF6B8
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22GGZW5TkR
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYBjq31cS4
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoKQjaQZWB
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHGfzORtQ9
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjaYIJrpqf
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwQrUmCSsT
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCQEXOK6Zp
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U4dLgYbX1
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxOU2jtfZS
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PFd8xdGGl
“How did you–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQnMoENXMG
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOlsu7MLLM
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA3TILYJvD
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR8FW3txhq
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq7Q9WldmI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFbsVYsBHQ
He continued cutting as he spoke.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yATjyc5AY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fq6qanBQl
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDvMy5muFr
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsmuBzk9NO
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklPxFTmjQV
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjRcliFX5Q
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QLQIvX73O
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu3q6a94mX
“...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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBqJOPac3Q
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXWwskDHlW
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1KfTT4vHP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBrb0OQSOH
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7PNaFG66n
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEdIQZlOt0
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAye1vpXz3
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZpCjYYqN6
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXss5VapLe
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4y7CwmVjs
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:422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv7aOcbwp2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhn0t7vvTz
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiZLyQUGJ9
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMHtBrErrH
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4QIwhToFX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpHA6wzvN1
“I… darn it, you got me there.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvJgEtdTF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwINaaFiqs
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSh3LiEAia
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY5QtmLWTI
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBstk7bhoYs
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUd3sROO2w
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx5dHAgpfb
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEZ297J7Jc
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyTaKAeN1b
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDjmnQBYtR
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zp02fOl3Q
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IAyk7Yz1E
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3y8pbFEEN
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCknLrNJSve
I looked at him with pursed lips.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ9xgh92Vc
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNG3RW1KWY
“Why not?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsKrInlyRx
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKYdeFKWAI
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZv5Zr9sDX
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlxiYnv7KD
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauFBRD2JIm
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNzl9HSfS6
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsmsk8Fcao
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9dFFpcytz
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3pIUHoLH8
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ883Wbezw81
“--!”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSnhPMzjJt
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjuwm0CmfO
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. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFGqhDSE7P
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNMvTZqpW4
“Did anything else happen?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMwqgC6gcn
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGxmYnJIEi
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGdK9PRCjc
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XsPMk5Vxo
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O0EbmoTsX
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC9tMIUjgw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Kn3VNOhr
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKMGFoLVxn
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqBnXq9tI6
“Uh…”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop9yEhPGMF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM3x8OoXN2
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfsvjz8rLa
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxACUUexBjE
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdLAIDl8K1
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB2y3Ijsiu
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaQYIPIoBH
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALoo8JnyV2
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAoHPAl7yz
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEKko6yJI5
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoKBp6qT5N
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMuGYbjrS5
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jYa4xZxZ2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt3EIHck7h
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lCaCZlTa7
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBWlOy34lV
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZpnouRrIo
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe2CQVJCjY
“...O-Oh.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUf6nCoQs
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmDEudDIbr
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jo6blYNco
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tDb6pYeyy
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeb8B5Olss
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE8CA919IV
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjIriJYLCK
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xJt6wFHqR
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXZqmhBeCy
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfDGyvyLgw
“Make sense? How?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qwQbTADaS
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPYUJ88Lz
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW1rNvSEys
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4X5Z6mwrb
“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–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUb7K5Onpw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrBOBiTMmN
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh8r6qcypD
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNBp5TlwON
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJcCCEHAFB
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XWOmeBVKi
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TtSDLgXdQ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfmHFgn8H6
“So she still fought alone, eh?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlJBbb6wCw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHkjhhHtdJ
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmL0ndFfJ4
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OOpupBqTX
“Relieved? How come?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9PibFUjPP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwewBR1IETZ
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsigx9lc4qP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjefaBQB8X
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYHMNIpFYQ
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpch4LHt8i
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcUfMl7FqD
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA0MLjYmkq
“You’re probably good friends with her.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduWXfcTYUP
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgBDCnTF0S
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnnDOADYRF
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnKBQGZaKV
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4NjzUqNjY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx59URdoZ7N
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Cw0cCLAk
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OizCL0vBk
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKoLyuf7hf
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGz08wcy46
“H-Hurt? What happened?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UERHEyGm7
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVJojDjuGN
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1kZpinfvT
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SVWh1bwPB
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCDATV80lO
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKb0xQXiKA
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXshsk5KRn8
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3yz5kQau3
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RiE9nxd3i
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqiTosxXtn
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR77SQliknM
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pGL2Y8y3S
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsBCijIyID
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fruTPL40I
He shrugged.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY8J7qihIx
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXK9cnWsfw
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50B4xnOP3O
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOYHhzfa53
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO1rdRQlgw
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoKwUzS8uD
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQNEF0efrI
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelolsYASk2
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP58bFUmW6U
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaZkGRs5FD
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40IiTP1Nyy
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNTuFtlDMx
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXYUj6ogGq
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfxeAiGmf8
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGQABUVMM0
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObXoUFUSrf
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSmFQiS4np
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRg4cJk8J
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeECQkU8zzz
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkEgsiow0g
–
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HkEq3b8OQ
“...Role model.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNgI4d6VVY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOPpRXYNf8
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOx87m9fQL
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFwwdwhYnw
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fpr3mkQVU
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EUE5CaYKW
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda5hVsQ4uy
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29NB0SLj1w
“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.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JyrwTaVJN
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFYqJa4Xu0
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ2AGra9qL
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLPwjWcOF
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4bIMkXoOb
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFJloCgS9M
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.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9X8QyZJxY
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE41yZPdbb
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbFDkp5gjv
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtR9yFb4V9
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
and then Add to home screen.