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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF4EHunxGI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ek3YZ3X93
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUypYfQMZ9x
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWalrAzF6t1
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFanutL9WXk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EDXODgIFs
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESSLvXaWDJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTnIxda7kX
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N8a6dqV4p
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKWSxffjOC
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LhnbPO7RP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW5BykMXgZ
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LO29LKkO0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2gyzLn8ds
“Well?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtkbdHXbGO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpvs4rVlbr
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O2O6F2kIV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW9DWNgrFh
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1EYdlkUWC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaWKVtRr5O
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl4lSBroD1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9HtZCn5hc
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS6glkyULC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcfslGVqXO
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fDZKknQkE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjsERR2CU2
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrcfbpk6eT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvvhFEiJMx
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGQT3DkCOM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKDS2CPSKt
“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…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk8w0IGDgI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYTMzshQbz
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNTKkLBmfL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUAfWG31Gj
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLd3b4czcI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4o70iuLR1
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLHTU2L1pd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1haJLwiR1
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEh0dTPhoI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCYZ9oxsnH
“...Yeah.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoKkTVZGAv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEQyKCPYIR
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k5LLzFOit
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YctK9TbpA
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScJQ7ZIrrB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtqlylTe0Q
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nCWYKcR0D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdQKNFBFwM
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkipzojaxh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87P8OnG2rF
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRP8PVTlg7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKcSmQMlMM
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gVx47vSCq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTrzVFKbo4
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN3N0GGr88
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdTYf2r7Ny
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n1ylnYbxq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnnB7vMZ6X
“...?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnAgufvJXP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb6A1LjlMJ
At that, I had to tilt my head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY70cIR7zv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yJsOddKkr
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8nlKzDM9R
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBAbQgLqba
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYimSRAeKAj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQCOW9fLfC
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrB7jeKS3E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgSy0vhDrO
“Dennis still ain’t here.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TEpXG4pRI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrNsTewcTz
“...”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMySLqpxJf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9of9cm3GB
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1igKdhLDpN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRn31kgEC9
“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–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgakwzXSGx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt2fnF0eLP
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk5VDGXclb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH18Va7FPv
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMuTXPIak
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB8kF4Dihu
“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’.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKw96upuB1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3MXRmj9CI
“--!? W-What!?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGEoutECKT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQgrx9Fv4A
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBcoxwZsaY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG038kaj7d
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoFh31AcP6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Drjjkw5N
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3CdRn60Bk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKRV02Ktkv
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JPDMHD1Z3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB3gBEccvY
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. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDDfWHsU20
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJxdZ7AhcJ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqwIkqxsVi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7LS8VK57J
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41nYe9maoI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlzn4CGPoR
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9SM1Twpmo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL4ZCpqwp1
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMspV9Vr3J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP7kd9eASD
“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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouPoUQchxD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRav8sWHTV
“...”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5T3Qv8pOa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTwfWS7Jhq
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvClKNWDSpm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rWvGmMD9u
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dvvgYRKlI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOHsNIrj2b
“I-I see…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL4C0gaTBI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZzyZvIGal
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q8nLBstjt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3agDcvjo9
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJoEUqzRwh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVnLVYXRnD
“You don’t, ‘get?’”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k6TkQVFo2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkixa6fRRrp
“Y’know, when–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnjd9RY8OI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrkznqSrdV
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D7P50IaF6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxOgYJIPTu
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjIDlCpxYV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqvaLPGiZH
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtwuEwbrpd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjyEB8eTZN
**SLAM**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t893a7aDb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UQdYXqy7l
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0VcAHUklt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8188XUEOe
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobYpN2l9Ds
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1c01wzM2j
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3JBaGDokt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtACzzNudgK
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwhT3hbDfW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm80BrXKd2c
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nGPc8sRLq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNfD5leD8S
“M-Mister Dean.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2FZxKWzRX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJXtjUX78p
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIfRzMFUmU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r97wyC61e
“Yes, child?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktQs3EbdCn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq6miqmpbG
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj2Fmb9B5D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRO0fF2Vrs
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv9y1Ld3LO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O2vO5hjSS
“R-Right.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRCPrX8uMq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9loK7cUdN
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9tzst3HpC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6CHvlqWb2
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJhhYjIBsr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU3m9D9Dnt
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLQ3bqwCx5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mCH38hREF
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmeB29PWGY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzvUcwH0BZ
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjXDoX1oN0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu6Tf4fjzZ
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXm6HWxl8Q
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4COXDOL8e
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeEBiVaBHD
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVKE1jKYvV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl84Std3rTc
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5y11XAMbM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X7Pyi1sSS
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KvITnXkI7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AzxBe7Sep
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAxctZunvi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGGS6H5n21
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Oa0LpnFE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmliCg2QjPP
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNcfQNLvMu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUS99LRcAY
“Haven’t you explained that already?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Kmwui49V
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeJSApplZA
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ReVhZUFb3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDcLQO6lAj
“What’s that?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizuHUg0Dzc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJZSmfPifK
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsUN5TM5BK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJZa6514MU
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OCB20ZMkl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXITZYFamW
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:176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsK6khHhd0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd2G9oY32N
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrTQ2Jafq0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpYIzz8uy4
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDnnAaSHlS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wGg8dTWYp
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iwTZ0QGVm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIpvUHEx6f
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUA3ZguCv4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXUtf3weub
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs7kH4LvSu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEJ9W8lcn8
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncQjJLJ50m
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZpxiwxto8
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fi4kDXpyy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sN4z1Zd68
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4zXYhkZbX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgenrBP0omV
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeDTNa3vLc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT30tva2EpL
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXcjRC9YOY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoCD5avNqh
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j3pjXOY42
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRj1glkbWM
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFwekQFMKM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5hgZEkVR0
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVJghph3cY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeu2DzqYZQ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAkeE3BZz4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVxyJmGPM
“I think it likes you, child.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDw4mCBA1j
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnYO3CA9un
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu8qfVbgFk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDuhgpZV0G
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ1kb9REbc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv8wKkIxSF
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5y5X8q9XC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUdFhccHC9
“Hah?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglxuGQmAhY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoxfNBvnq6
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrSRWCN124
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UeEMNbasi
“I… smell like flowers?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmCRjWYLbT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtFCHoGuoj
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofS1GO5wak
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DIbLrC6as
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ506wq1SiTg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cgl1irHqh
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0mkK4evCk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliFigruNLJ
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFPKsOeOG5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaIsq2hnlJ
“Really? I didn’t know that…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ZtVThXDW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy9ndys4ol
“Ahem, moving on–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3q49f2iv6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAzyVnBFZJ
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc1t5iW0Un
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEytseNHWz
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkTXSCVatA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCxHW0u4uT
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:176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmCHgmOpgy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WV4EXowl4
“May I know why I’m being told this?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUK6H9cvtp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFx9tiJFxT
“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?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX1ONyRrtS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTdsVvK8Q
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkPeOHc4D9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu75SwpyPpq
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4wnuihLuu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5afkDK2aF
“My help, you say…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQAsHJaqvN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz1rYFcwTK
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi0cHnzN6d
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPnpDn00o4
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVXFcFOjMY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSubFQJWzAB
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfNjwntUFo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqKgo2Pxn4
“--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?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsB3HcuoO1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHOCHVZxXY
“...Energizing potions?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fNGyoRP5O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8ABoh10dk
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwcXiJJb1l
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg3a82XiCZ
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa7QNb7GN2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm70P6xTx1g
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIKP7gt18K
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEe8zwIVmr
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj6YbftKz3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4A1wf2sRA
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN7ckjEAcE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrMsfbN2Bn
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUUNsPsut5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNxhRvxQh2
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOz9uaCi5O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI7nCxrMtU
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQj8W3uKY6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk3BKGhB5W
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRoLU1AYXf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHt2jmCeNk
“Is something wrong?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuqeRnkqBX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4rOW4po2d
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ985bawQEkS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus2q8AS4dM
“Well, kid–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI4EZAeIYR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEg6H4I1Tf
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmdhG6Zz4W
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOrXg3ksef
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8xeI9FNBa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQUCWe6W4v
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLY56yx8kW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu9xLIX63D
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOQ5FYCukh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSnbeRo7Y1
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcgQjdIDFa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfhXwyjpNL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvz40z7S4c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWBXSzeVb4
“...Comfortable.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4Z2bKqW9I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMs7sXEQIT
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxSZRew5rj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ebilRjVw
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TlJNDHNNY
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–
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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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsqopmpo9w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxQo8hNakJ
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpd7zGLtRB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k0rTCrIoP
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3KSYMYE6t
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1igiJQndFs
“...A little bit here.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppLXmXRXjz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHb8BzAWHp
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. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwgx0f8IA9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMZ6rYcTVs
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfnFF9TleN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstKHwYsfGv
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H1oVgfEiH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfmB1RgwpR
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMWT1EjVEU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY1zwCBp20
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeaDmqiq1b
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“No time to waste, though.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsHkaIUZYP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2yWJuVymR
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix3pRfEdik
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU7VqScBR5
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBVE62sBUm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYv1zMlkC9
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB1OAxFwWs
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“...Crap.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIIhUbT7SC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqPPuZUyv0
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTzJwAQqY9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgPDA0TOuP
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAIbiSn3uD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzIHm9aALk
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlH6oR5NSA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuC4aaRoYa
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vbXplvGX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8UF6GvmUY
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHgS4wn2ph
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvlZEduHMH
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJu6wKLpbu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0TAFbc96v
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahojRRs0gP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqBahM3D82
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpQyYTVwh1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGLut37j14
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnWs8X2MRq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSrEfUsmLJ
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YYuplJWCs
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“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?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45eXTpd1UW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqSpbVXdEI
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BsXCB3Scs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe31lK3Ti9
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2prRXOeBEx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JuvyIpiDK
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1prKbJk6of
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEAjtW5eGf
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bEunekeRM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxGn9muuCm
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMmmuPwxhy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7lAbRDxhP
“N-Nigel!?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a95CLWPD8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqYS0QAQKI
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB27sQVTEFB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoeuBcSubQ
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RFSeVRC8s
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgMqHY8TSq
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFYTgrxucT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2pNsW8dHQ
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBf403jRU2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQpTYNR60R
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YVleHnrAd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUiptNXJwS
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkI49zc7Ss
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvWOhHCPRZ
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh6POG8uZK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ1APiwNdi
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS0tfMKaZS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY6bELilzP
“Is this… a clamper?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkkHW0cieT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqK6MFp2ow
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm04lYoUFp3
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–
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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.
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiG4u5YRJG
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9kIBT6tfS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8r4mrDH34
“That I asked you?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEldb5hM61P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQPQpihVeB
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Cp1LO2oV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0RqeYIDri
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiozjBIA2w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewAvTCMBHC
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0LtP1jkzG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSCKa8DPJb
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNXUfJ1SuG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFXhZL2DBs
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnhuNdLToY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0J0mMhted
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmfb33Vzax
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbtIj2ELBz
“How did you–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvbpKgLQ6O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLCmdMHST4
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGirQum11P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPabWa4c5n
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHERWPxdsq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFK2tXiL4f
He continued cutting as he spoke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvOqRNSMVv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5pS2wV6fz
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszpvNW8LN0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tlga2Qjsk
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRnA77ulLp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqg1EDHtxo
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL40VXJfgRB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDoyYHxuJn
“...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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUyqS0BXjm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpoouZ7u6d
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZE1tRNti4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB37G9lvgVu
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFQ5kXTk95
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKJKUKYx9
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClvQW0t5Ie
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71EDYPVSk9
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX8A4tfx5X
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwErXtEpRF
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:176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxcVQazgVV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZRfAIxHBk
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuLixVB27H
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukIty99aZV
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJI0PLLIY4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10S1g6qmlf
“I… darn it, you got me there.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRXpYHlHUL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8lfNl1BWq
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx53Ub3zsml
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuSRwjsMXI
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kxUuYhFDL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry2gLOTJC5
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfddgFWY3TR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG0iyY1344
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcnRN7PN6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEg63q9kjB
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVH6jejDkI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP4zii9Tyv
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yZgGsRSzY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxHLr9aN9
I looked at him with pursed lips.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxKutuWv2M
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94HDWOz6PT
“Why not?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPlM3zxgxB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiw3HedX04
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmdWHvYvbY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlWvSdYnMx
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS5Md2vEXh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpgKZJRBeN
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EtKcNSOQ6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMhoqxboP
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypC90Y0VrJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBDdegYwkT
“--!”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCyvpHtf4S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3eZKiM9nL
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. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYQVpeTZSb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsWcEY9zON
“Did anything else happen?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpwhN1x6Sv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArkpcIjCTy
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuKutp512G
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AgKzHauxk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxd15a0fPp
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijzj4tySl9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5i4jMMGGV
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlSezbg5O1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOmLfzoLUK
“Uh…”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt23HFZyE3p
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0QCTQ7Dp7
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf37apaPq69
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegQT3kngtr
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSBYY2iIBK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKXnWeCEj2
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5OpuD1299
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiZv6IFj4e
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHEee9nFN8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfI1Wi2RRo
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1iuzgGVMC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLaFlbwzG6
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlztJyrJnKV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoOpQl2A1K
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqXzetUXIr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrrweH49ut
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30YrB1zfCo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOjt4ZK2ZW
“...O-Oh.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj5cQniEYa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMkMvg25MH
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTscLMb7zHw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVdw7V0TMI
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BU3ULmESg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrzRFcd8rh
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUXCUfDSZi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknBJVjrIrB
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE1MWvaYc2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NK3EMrJrZ
“Make sense? How?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW1krxMgdA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV99WINeD8
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav04XRvkLD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBwsgM5BE1
“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–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWhJVdPwPo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAItqDSfht
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShvRxx9zpk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkQVJB2YsS
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9sj18kfyT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V8XmiJyLQ
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNChjMEvIbL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCYiZfatOa
“So she still fought alone, eh?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITrVgeulQu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN2Vz8ZAOI
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSR12v260g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0yIK2rF1U
“Relieved? How come?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDBi9rXVGs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmIIYHNmMI
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV59xyACL1t
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneHbIrxn2g
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVPATqXR2d
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtqWw4gEF
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ot9JyAfSv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyLC2m6bYE
“You’re probably good friends with her.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzJEZZ2J9O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW72clI1D8
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebHmWuqkHr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdW0LIYaAL
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMDq3oRc91
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01HA0NlK5T
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBBv633QyK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oey0e2Fhm
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1jxElu0Tu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRfh9bkgMM
“H-Hurt? What happened?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6MCi7TFOA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOENmit9eUk
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BEZav0Jw4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBseyyuNeS
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjymdZL0lDs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8pNz84g7t
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdR8xovGcg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHpk2xNxd8
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavCJTf9nIV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaMadM8kbG
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0INoC283Sz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD0UqHJbBH
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVucHOeQqf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmX4PVOqLq
He shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMN0lhrEm4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZqL2PTBmR
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAae6KpT7hh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TJHHWPmFj
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxrJ87Nul0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AapM6aIpO
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicKtXHGwgv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOT0EZGkwx
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oehq0q7nE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5AfQmvkuQ
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFW6YL8MUm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUZb1Akmd6
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ023RIpQ9VZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU80kvWGTyI
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8u5wO4xUe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP5N0qYhWa
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUcm6h4yPg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrLrs0cYIs
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J4rG5ljoD
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzX9CQ8GgO
–
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApXY3TnLtk
“...Role model.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtTPhNz0d9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2pvacx58y
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvPCbUmtiv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcx9H37G0O
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQfw4GFwwZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP3L074qnJ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtGe3lfUqW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp79Q0uhbM
“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.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP7Gqs8Rx7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3GfEE5vq1
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuEjfQer56
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcluwpocgie
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ4DLKg8xe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV4iwmYXq1
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAGoJyFHwZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN9KJeYzql
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fiy3L6hzW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDq94ZGnQn
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
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