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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9goXAT0MG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAmPFtHqtl
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueJwTHK3NE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKuSIcTAxw
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qb9nT8b6I
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwxLP1Oli7
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4HMmULA3c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSJzQ2rSvG
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCyouV8Q4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7h4Sw9PF
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEJffDrAV2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DWW5SHYpj
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKgMVopt9e
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9kSCTbu9i
“Well?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs20l3W0EU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jTFUpJPya
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa6hdLGpV0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP7BgtxUqB
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1W8w2woit
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuThJFjyw0
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo5aXQN2gp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgWPuSvLyw
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBclJjtJx1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHQTsUmoeh
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuLg6fhqcf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5igmxvBA
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJjbdG44Fk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLSLSXElse
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ke3YvZufk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSD0n8Lgot
“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…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwFp1xdLOu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir7hN5Hb7t
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0RW7HjmFg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRukHfyTZb
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Vkr4XFjp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtiK6y70nL
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlr02t8yxK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhk3By7GvB
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWgMKD22zI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkAwt0u3wq
“...Yeah.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVIHsw1Sm1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ8ZfuS4NH
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–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkoW3Yr7If
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJiS4242g0
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYMw1aarKV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLikkgRU5c
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyjp04Pdom
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NmMwvqI3o
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xrftbB0DN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2sgnc3gxg
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWi0dU6ISe
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPApKeofNBL
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dUX469PKH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtacl45rm05
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3es1S1fQFQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTBXmLc3Yw
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbsU1Ln1DG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU7nDOhoYc
“...?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvV8G8Br90
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At that, I had to tilt my head.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQg7Z0veOq
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDTlIqwXmc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlgRQmRBpk
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RQGFpgiwX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dsGdMjqOW
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPIXFrOZXd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2mjieqETJ
“Dennis still ain’t here.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDni64DCEgg
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“...”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oKAEieg64
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YeyQCyxuJ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpLTUmKRe7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF6asrHtkC
“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–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl0CEU6xCz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhppQIPlPD
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPzs7Dacmb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiZtbcqKgT
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGVdFmrB6p
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“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’.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3udENcW5UF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocIN3j6LB4
“--!? W-What!?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZpvhCaGLc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPbRDVNIfE
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXPAojNBQR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiH60oGaAW
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalAQiqGDoo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMiOHDQNxC
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdvDl5vRUc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokJbBXlsTS
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSLwtrBGt9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwi5g9Daxz
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYgDHBVNs3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqgPRyQ2F4
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjKRhGYL5W
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwYJRQeY99
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHVNgBiwBT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLkUwqx4as
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCUhrIwjuG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEA2SDP6bx
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUSw6pXD8T
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3NrZKE8Yh
“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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CE0wuHDiB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv50QEYt3Re
“...”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFUNs87hcw
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpYvMbp8qN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtvtVZWfvT
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAAR8mhyr5
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“I-I see…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5P2wEcduX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA2FgyKvi3
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGmUIBP3b2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvajYEYmQx
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKMl02PbnC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQIaOb59cG
“You don’t, ‘get?’”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq5rC8E9H8
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“Y’know, when–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxt2uqUFFj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1agkekRDB
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq7FDPjslb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlm33PHYgs
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gvjZOS3Gz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5NPrcsEBh
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GdTUQnvZ7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtN0LuLbLD
**SLAM**141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnvGZaZhGC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxvcBDKhuR
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6AAvIaIf1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKa3nMiXAJ
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tqG34YtS7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYqUOpgmAo
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8KuqCoPDJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTK3Fn8OU5
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12hbA3zHQO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBTL8Ak9N7
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4zQU6aWeY
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“M-Mister Dean.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bEt4CNrgY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dXRxvEcqc
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qU3FEfFvP
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“Yes, child?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9iIp6gK3y
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0aXE8v4cs
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6q5PL3W6l
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERJk4GXDFs
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0vvG5i0tj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETuDhglrp7
“R-Right.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe5GFqTkyK
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I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4fiV1SqxM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR8gnfdMbZ
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66MbP5TnVI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWIE71TA3g
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCaL2i4lmu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aqNpS7tte
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2FI08uTuT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14j2hPx1Zu
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjTPz1Wy2t
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjtMczEjyK
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKcrlZ8bpG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gxRUupzbr
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9L1Pw8VW7
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“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHBu6lQVcf
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK8UEK7FQn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UIOhtd5mk
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–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2syFgQcAY
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheWXDmVfVp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvQwhUH0uW
“Haven’t you explained that already?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzazt1XNO2c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5yIZlslpL
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzT5foSYFE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS2U93vIcD
“What’s that?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh25TZXh39t
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5VQAVVO1r
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa06SPFC2B
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFLY7Z74q0
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ253OtGB5g7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEKn9ohCIE
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:141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK8fzKHfCx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzrlVDfEjj
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ellePMGc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35kjAN0O6f
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL1h2SYsql
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w8mYIzUM0
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC2bTg89bT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ZYv7IgQX
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJoHfysTfJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwRmXVCkco
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvX3b6qzXO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb89CgkMoq
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsIO3PYK5N
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedDyhr9MFl
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7PJhr4RJT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObviS7uYbp
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI0fZwwOoN
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“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlfMwc3GUn
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iDZIthNDO
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMngAPRUvMX
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkahTPLSxQ
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“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBNx4OEoIj
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWkSW3iLm3
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“I think it likes you, child.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZGkbjBH5u
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S76MkAhwO
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep86oOR2u3
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XESdkHbx1
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CQ86dWXFR
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“Hah?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM6PpobC8M
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QShgF7WF0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dFSO12xA8
“I… smell like flowers?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKNxzIFVKy
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKHZHuUSWh
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“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfziQJmoJ1K
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I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmemSLgCuD
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“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ0vARRFD6
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“Really? I didn’t know that…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVWwx1Y0Im
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“Ahem, moving on–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXvt9H1nmX
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Y9TyovAi
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngMqOyF5ja
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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:141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfVYSQzZKG
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“May I know why I’m being told this?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93OKvytfUY
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“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?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlV6dpI7wV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YVxD1fp2D
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhikCef6Ccl
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPElhUvALm
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“My help, you say…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pkTeZnRrb
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O5WND7cON
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“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWirRuGF7u
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhY80hWQqD
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“--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?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPdaQ3FCVD
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“...Energizing potions?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQO5j3Fasg
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaqQaVQ2pf
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvF1iaOtfm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rjmNIPADJ
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8reI1joG8
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlDEumdqtj
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFDgsO3j1F
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHFeSnKsKG
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbKhoGeF0t
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfIke7vbGY
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“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJuwSgrMkK
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2YsU27UIi
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“Is something wrong?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovqMEtQuud
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAESTo5p6J9
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“Well, kid–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOr2s1MG9X
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Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFRrwDHPQW
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“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡineGUbWSRg
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjtVa8FqGR
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“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfciVk49Mc
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct5bzY3TpA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnytPMYxRN6
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRXXDaxZnd
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“...Comfortable.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD96J6LkWIU
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfMyuyTZLO
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hR28BBo5U
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI5ReYPbjj
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibwMSGc9LL
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV3jouHnij
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“...A little bit here.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicz8j79ZBO
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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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSXGuYasv9
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOovGLeM6oy
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7MbiFbj1D
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZvoCPRSYE
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNCf8VObsy
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“No time to waste, though.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gtF9eNCKe
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuhFOVf1E4
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuwC2UpwSG
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQMd4KJjq
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“...Crap.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwukSYPLRi2
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20nJBIRhjT
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJVdrYTJ8s
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0YaYglymE
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdOfNeqqI
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“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS59cRdVaH
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“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur0KDiPrYb
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXbAHBqCur
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b9zVB8i4i
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqb2wm7zJi
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT2aB8tap7
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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?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ61yjHXqM
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs42svmUQuv
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sUOFhR59C
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uoFBnM1pu
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“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZdQQvDZ3a
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdkl5QfG1h
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“N-Nigel!?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtI4uLwtBj
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Bzp0KFT9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcucxFWhsd2
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebCsIzyBCH
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He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi3rhMNANi
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“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVD2msssYQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwKVVd3i4Q
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyJB6BXUYM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLyEvcrOVX
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9e4vI52N7
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“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakSHX4mCMF
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He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SdUOBXVsm
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“Is this… a clamper?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9NO26xHQj
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4gS8thpas
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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.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU64uojBYO
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“That I asked you?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg7brOeNqu
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjB87sROYS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3moUqj831y
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYJMoTX77V
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ajKr0122Y
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0FMeEt5cX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlUtBZAdfS
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMplubcpmSV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3nVtcfBLN
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1JyBuLbOD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yyqBCXdw2
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF4Sss3Wb4
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“How did you–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ArKUvS2J
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNajmsMSS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXBm0wOahs
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu476XKXp6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H2W8t4GAQ
He continued cutting as he spoke.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lMMEvKnUz
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“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor7hWnX97c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pQxGJQodJ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNLm6kPVOK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvadiRel41
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNoqMbS3b3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxx5Wo0MCN
“...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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBjbCDm0ft
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iB1m1pdY1
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqoBoF9iEb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kUT70WNgE
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXtsnEdnQ3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXybRaWnG5d
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKqswyW8M1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5iIGK4pCT
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEcyQcujQw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvVZbX3TyV
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:141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGdO20OMtS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEgszqNhFZ
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMmuksJ4U7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz4VAUGVi1
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ0Rm0o2M7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCFLVqMqyP
“I… darn it, you got me there.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MU7bfmP9N
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GUNBKEAcb
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLil0eMaTlw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBti9Slsgf
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvKhxIrfzv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP5PvtzgG6
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtUnD5RSzC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7O7yB72pe
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq2ZuE6Fzw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvOwSjON38
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShqBMYF4B5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8KELTpMR4
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNtatyyXOP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmch0I8PMYB
I looked at him with pursed lips.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwes7KtBnV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGoCQdGElv
“Why not?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ZBB48ary
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17Z416Oj5Z
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw7EZwNmpp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDoYUuR17I
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU8gQC4Qpj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MYVEhoNiP
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr17nu9pmc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIPl7QYCoB
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU75IMuUNq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOuafqbRkg
“--!”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS42LPiRjM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsomMwK573
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPUHWsq6m1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uurJEFhWL
“Did anything else happen?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHd3U7Cp9K
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLq2qi71op
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oLhy7aKSs
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ur7qOeOqg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgO0tiYZxx
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNaKb1CGiY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY49rTbLx5
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQmpYFLUYY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtloimiRofu
“Uh…”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLeDkCHYjE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7bjFOys2p
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb4l01jO2d
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqHvMr5MYJ
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DUX26gtAZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NOR5kCKnP
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXUVmE3ADi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPkkoK9x90
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiAVIwxFXJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnzWLgo2kk
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS316yT4Db
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuqW9QQEpF
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUwrcO0n8l
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ij8mEG0MA
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAzJaRyMfg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZM9Vr2ilL
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IQavCte6X
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIzIxQDnN0
“...O-Oh.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXmzZh6Mp5
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡummfBfYU6Q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLZUHK0NTu
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhtfOwEPMG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf7sspMpGC
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEvNy19OKD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3WdYniOiz
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuyOtYtV93
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlbnZfEbe0
“Make sense? How?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDyjEN4dh5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAQFRgZ91G
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZBwGqxec3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KyFb6RB4U
“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–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUduxm2x29
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajX1NCiR6z
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcmKo6wjxN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzalAnqXw5
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS2BjLXcrl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA2sTabgnA
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqz7HsM8yK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk6RrklO1O
“So she still fought alone, eh?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYtzV2ucxY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRxNqCaiC4
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oprd88vO5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iG1JgBUQE
“Relieved? How come?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpLtvt7U8F
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRdyaYOcP8
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5daWYQ5L8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDXnn28aHm
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7I98JaGcx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmTHDFBsex
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwfSJtlIFM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWBNEAnL5t
“You’re probably good friends with her.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZkXdhHSnz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCJIsxS5gf
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUSVaWZpbT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMExc2t9WL
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yJDWSSWVC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKbzep1WCl
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4YL2BFFvZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15EhSZsupL
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYHE1TqZ4x
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“H-Hurt? What happened?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dKCWQWUOA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoS9fWJm7q
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg9RMzeaLW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AIzjqXO1s
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQmRz4sBkz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzXrtkO7l9
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPMqxdPyxC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrHTr5S7vU
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSiasgdtud
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCgftjPlz
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0B0AGSf1m
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsb0ZfvaYS
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9WEIXNDHX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGCwgL4U49
He shrugged.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUonO2oR6V
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjRDkRN8iL
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ565tXOjwXq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKdnWHW3kq
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsmJsn5oxU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WQy4kNi1K
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Rlj9eQ0G
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8xuqqGdfT
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9oc9XYz0z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WWrZu7Mna
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUIfSsEisf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vrdTUVGsr
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe67RgvbQ1L
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIvdSNLASi
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r06rOx8R4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzLlm3dqLS
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK0WVwtoNP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0tdAbRq7Y
–
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–
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–
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgp9Pfwe03
“...Role model.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90PShxmHdB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7GIAyTcW6
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADrluuU360
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgHtIq4l57
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZWf4bQs14
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXZnIBUmrJ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJClvxIQgI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMwwrZ4y4E
“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.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0dteinRc2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQbUpmQRcU
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rMet7REdB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tiFgdETTU
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvNmQy8sXs
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KQg4jic4A
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgKB3HQfH7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VX9atWjpL
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfKDoaM9Q6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFAmIClmKZ
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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