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
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgT5fqqffSP
–
176Please respect copyright.PENANAEBnM6DumnD
–
176Please respect copyright.PENANAx9pnlAR0jF
–
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlBue0dCGlX
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
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqHz7R3yilc
“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
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqVM9DYV8Xr
“...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
176Please respect copyright.PENANAn04cVPEPrA
“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
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPibwkUVoDR
–
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–
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–
176Please respect copyright.PENANAC2Adi2OSi6
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
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He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.176Please respect copyright.PENANA1ot9JyAfSv
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“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
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“H-Hurt? What happened?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAh6MCi7TFOA
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“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
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“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
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“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA0INoC283Sz
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“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAZVucHOeQqf
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He shrugged.176Please respect copyright.PENANAoMN0lhrEm4
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“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
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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
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“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
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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
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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
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–
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“...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
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“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAsQfw4GFwwZ
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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
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“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
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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
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“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
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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
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“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”176Please respect copyright.PENANA2fiy3L6hzW
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He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.