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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwJzGLY9WQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RkkvpiNta
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcob4PfmmMS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbfxYkpwsB
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnUJKUQf0C
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY1jmxTkQe
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQahy77gv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw7ka1ahtC
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR61JaeC2EE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN73XPLHv6i
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRvS7vitYz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNskCQKo35
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwKwmJ5D28
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6WTwLfQzc
“Well?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwR60mIGPd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbvSxFy9RM
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAbdnSLewr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksoHGKHXPT
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaLbzIfTWF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLUNFJWJNK
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSfRQtpnXu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOnNkj1zld
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpbAOu3bas
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCfmHmom5q
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uy0O2nFlv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp9xmixp6u
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNc7fDwqSD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm6jvBT15A
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvATDpH5M5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkJQopdXPS
“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…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglY4moRCYc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Fb9lufdN
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWxj1xgakk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GDIIwXJiG
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yllbAsTt8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FTrynOMfJ
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xDvMOXtSK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Ll5uNeYr
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMpkdx3XjL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGiFDP9X85
“...Yeah.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdekfDiDSn2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfwTdBmKNn
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAKybPV4BN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qAzvKYCVj
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2POekrAmC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemWDkL3AYm
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbVT3hakOW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6bFU3OvPS
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleXFAJ1v3G
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7o6V5TFGO
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbSBD3QhU7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs0yau8D7H
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcICZYeJkY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdyW3jtOkY
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRDaDwB2Ur
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBfxJLxN3f
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNPHI8cfHy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PvFWhF1pg
“...?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJYysqbqda
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMkzrnihU
At that, I had to tilt my head.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4GAMqRJpx
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xc3m3NHlY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvaijxAGX0
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8A7DVSNtJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTV89kywhk
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmGoZs4BAO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR0ZrRO4kD
“Dennis still ain’t here.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVQzr0MWGE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡparopDoAQD
“...”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex6kLqMTUR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6CdRWBP0s
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZWQdZ4rPA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kopE7t0VP
“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–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I4nUvRYlC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV9zl30VwH
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaVr2InPfs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLQVa5W6um
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ngEZIAxu9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1fp6VfFqc
“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’.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx9kt245VE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBWBmDR1XZ
“--!? W-What!?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaOPs85EJk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjEcaKM1Lr
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBH2ArLesD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp3gdFk6v9
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xNUKay1jX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtOTJshQQr
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV1UeOYIv2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9sd4ow5n8
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGBzhiqFpC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF34V2bPFVz
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBExDfyVRJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbvIqAV64D
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn29NsQ3xJ0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG48IEWt72
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xFZm7GgUZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XpQHI78pb
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrqNifBggJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIWBU7O6YQ
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUMCiGYBF6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2RY2L6d4o
“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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW7VnHFIIy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2z6vDZASA
“...”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnccFOdwI6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD99tRZURM7
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz0KR4sPtB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6JCbExqlq
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgkFGYnN9M
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KAIK7PbqZ
“I-I see…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVnhwsoOis
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnlfc5sy7c
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu28cboHoDH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEktDGacWYA
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58JjAFXaTV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvn3JmK02O
“You don’t, ‘get?’”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdej1xBxKzV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBLZpgtCm5
“Y’know, when–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLab3zdlzEd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RZkjXopDB
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiaFLtsDTK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAHQ0gzMDL
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sdiFK1vQM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD959MdV6B5
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQKh98TaAG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcWhtH7kHI
**SLAM**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoykx8kznO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieHlTSGWZS
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x6PONJGo9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ012Jlka3fG
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4naUpJwkn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ760DulJzDt
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ixSgd5OTn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUjep3f8ua
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMEaHFdCkp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JGZOI2Obi
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZy5vXs0Bt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ1Wl20Jaq
“M-Mister Dean.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L46fKG3w5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gboTN0VGi
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqvCXvgJ2d
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrYClRJESE
“Yes, child?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9suVWmIMQ5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpARLkjNZu
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIikGWl6tK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlbg3d9fZv
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWsC20rCiL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm59lwqCXY
“R-Right.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrsyMj91be
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxwaYCb1um
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0f8wFyyRJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX3EAV0r85
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSbQvXloni
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUC4S23UKJ
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONOSOjs8Qd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak1bd1B8L2
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpLyii1Cvg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWIu5mTP1Z
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdMTta7As
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkjrRlOhoO
–
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX106PhH2A
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFozyj0n4J
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrODvxgZub7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym3VHOrmDf
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrt9qr2PDb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMayg1dnXX
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd0DMskAdm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib33y13HOZ
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGnOIHfC7e
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNR4U6y2Bj
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyCnPmVHrd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8lCDGoQQa
“Haven’t you explained that already?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCyGiiiTnd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX25I8GlfQW
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYka0zOp7W
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchQEKrn1Ny
“What’s that?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTDVeYrTdp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBeoJ9PpvG
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFNHCTtWw7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAovZoZXeXL
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXvheVhYRG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF16cxeg2X
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:195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAsyiwJduJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GCsBe3b4m
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHYn2Hs8o2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy8UmdWQBV
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ9rfGU9uq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWyDynBtCZ
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmfPprxv1l
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TuQxBTgCU
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU8Jup5cgc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LEqztNfUJ
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6fQ65Bz6s
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB1oO5M40T
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWIbjFqAWE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQJXZ5jRyO
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLAOBx7yTR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eAFdOk9Ck
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2CiKMNW5J
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIX3HIGz6V
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1NBXXAHiz
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqIjGkd4ei
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZoZPijs69
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2zci1WLwK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDlt3OJmrW
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4S7BIN6p1
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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.” 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG4AFG8gu3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtkHXleQxH
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9X49vmWUa
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“I think it likes you, child.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbAPzobdXI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqFKJpCZF7
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMzfPSsvmS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFzcCo0oin
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm1WhAyitY
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj2RStwLoR
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“Hah?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE2dHKQ3Zj
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe3Jq2uWoH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCEA2U84Sa
“I… smell like flowers?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5qH44YpsH
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf06tXEyVA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IZzQsmXXl
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQhmbU9tZv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qs6Q4iGyY
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6bSh5hW6O
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHY8jrigBJ
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwVaLzGoZY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi68QF3CtQc
“Really? I didn’t know that…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkRaJBGpNB
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“Ahem, moving on–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgxRnLbvDu
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgfDbpWyuz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ogSRfyrBw
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2SL6Z6Dub
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuN9MPvfmY
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:195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1VjJLBamy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sJ79DMbG9
“May I know why I’m being told this?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqZk41Ai6O
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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?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrhktkKRoI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkbLCrrQtY
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFBcifv3gc
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAIRoNzDOy
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“My help, you say…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsWrOogAjd
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfC4ICwjyq
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“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDEONkIXL
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpRJWy7zw4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBHo0Qb1Yn
“--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?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJcZJG69P9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobVqAq8CgY
“...Energizing potions?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHPZCBpaz0
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24JGlzOgg5
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1l2ySirJE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcXSAguzzK
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JcP1cLuYa
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qtYYtfcls
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOAEPh2d8Y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJwDQXpEo7
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ8VgvrXnQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRBlwmVmfQ
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxTaX1diEy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l51HMlXhP
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxIzBQK8j9
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjq5HFoFRP
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“Is something wrong?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XBEhYFgLj
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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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxexoctTkR6
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“Well, kid–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYEU9VbCFo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDgKPTvTNR
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0r9aedH11
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc3D0Dshcb
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiOoaazC65
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85swrjzAxX
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiJRlB9Il1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhQXVVNA8j
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bMOCsd0mO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlmZXDIPTh
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5z0Nx95AB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfTihvbGgs
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVeYni3m3X
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“...Comfortable.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3V6EMTURg
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9RkQHVN64
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yZ3EaeJZG
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpesOil3EO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AdJAELDrE
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5pYKwrOTh
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmjkAjIF1O
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwfGLyzRWa
“...A little bit here.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN9TdA5vrB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDACOHB3RZT
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7I3cltdDA
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKAettQrwx
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Obmu7l35
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml6aZ79eHd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU509OFqGzw
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaExaNmqvLc
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“No time to waste, though.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFq6hGTIXb
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PDqT4xYy4
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoFvSnfoPm
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT0boOOU6d
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“...Crap.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod52Hj2XhS
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9xvfIo7mq
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDFYl6lb0k
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jaKKBhOvU
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3zhCc9Hjz
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXeIYHz72Q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiLz1WeND0
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5cKE5tYsy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr0mDnfqOI
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeX7UXiyow
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD96c8ezUAa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXYLSTRWxB
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzKLwQkhJz
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM02nzHHji
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84zQPAK07Y
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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?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQrsqKbEzq
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOEnAcDVfm
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAwqBTtCCu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfpW3RbYFL
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsZiB6hymU
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“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknf1NCTMV1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fxh3ujflX
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq3K8MrczT
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“N-Nigel!?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRLICSP5sH
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRYFo9E85N
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ4kq5DWP3
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAazHWR1PXM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye1RO12Q6P
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXvbRWEJg7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXqAWMBPB8
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoMMxvEGdG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrAicHBuze
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnsHwH6qbe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWEah2LM3Y
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawvHJflNI8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBAszzxUF1
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Q1jqlxeD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTBrlhRyGh
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5axi6x7btN
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“Is this… a clamper?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlVz2vfB7p
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HpLX1LCqT
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–
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i6cqq3L1E
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“That I asked you?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl2QPuCCtf
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvApsJwZcA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiBvszKcbc
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ak6NlLt6V
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq2PCIZ89c
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhIq3PPH9w
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nEk1Giuy4
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PFQXuSTQ4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6m3adxNWK
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W9DE99gGS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzuSzH68rD
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KnlrGjYgt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEVLDlQ6SU
“How did you–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1aN3Z7NJI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuxQtJvUhj
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHIuUrIK9R
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ189h1FOxUX
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPaLa0olQS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n5jNw8iuM
He continued cutting as he spoke.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZjydVlUUv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInhA27XBQt
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqCPVX7EVI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJp4pSn6kN
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlWXPLu9zJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtbqigDlAR
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL2wrI7Ezr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpNUNojHvu
“...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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKqQiPbbWA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtPMLY6dXh
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTEt8xikW6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56gvOU1pDD
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhgx8OmP86
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBzecHAGAT
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVFVJAsjzJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2kMW4Afmf
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvAk7u4dWC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgntJkOLBQ
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:195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvWBSOz75U
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKrPWzAbpm
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6F23iwJQj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUqTRZy1V6
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4n3LB1sIe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEOKZaK9w3
“I… darn it, you got me there.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7K4zi3UmG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmQMlyHRG
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb5rhfsLGS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmscJ6pQij
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgICr7EjNEe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lsAvr6L3
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2UzYXzk1u
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgsHOM0si0
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbfFhd1UQC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oXajYz57W
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmZNKYC1qV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNEiK9vaKc
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQoOwiG4CE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdKGy9Pxp6
I looked at him with pursed lips.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsWPjwUYEW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpEjcny3Gv
“Why not?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTJMbemh6H
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsgAVcFUKd
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7lqL8dMYJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Ps0504Tq
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2FFT3U1aF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D7nK7uCo6
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRUgDaWvX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdxph4AUBX
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKGKgH8hfA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbxm5kq3BH
“--!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg6pX49B8A
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkzMbVggKj
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. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHshtujAYVn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaYlrVhvsP
“Did anything else happen?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOwo2Btpa3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvX7n1tQhW
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj5zNLl4W0
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx83KuiOUy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbZ4iAlC8m
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EkojwD4Q8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOVsoOtlV4
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2RQ7phRAx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaExg80CEi9
“Uh…”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymIxyqAEVA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDG3hM4miW
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S6dZ8uVL6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPuJceTHQd
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRFR3VWiKn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWpplYGpqk
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwgByJnS4Q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHRLmecLM2
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk36shI0fn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ndevnXU20
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYzrIrCA9U
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHRBFzZxxb
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKTJ9JQfqU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QMYXkszvg
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgRw7jt7qy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOEt2Q4z55
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxemdMIKr3X
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp06F5qLVX
“...O-Oh.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYMQlehWqz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpZNo81SYJ
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sdD7NwBKe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0iKf2vrA8
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdeVJ8TC1j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OXSRvICic
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvgLVxqdx9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUMZohFWG9
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuJx6Q53tr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VCHPrFHbL
“Make sense? How?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2S6p1Ewln
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HWj7h3ptT
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKayqLY2HL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OMmSxedHa
“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–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEhPBoD743
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5lWn9WOmi
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJydsLtbWCl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAt7tiF8RU
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bKeGCRF7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS5dAT3kuU
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0xywNnL56
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bPCkK19hU
“So she still fought alone, eh?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eOhRZVVm9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ej83XBCy3
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshaa3au6Qf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYbAx88BsK
“Relieved? How come?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFC2CAocxN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqdpSp9uV
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI6fxPCF4j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ8dqBeT0k
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK1NRLibiO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNfZuEvZn3
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3RIqnw4tJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuakeCI47im
“You’re probably good friends with her.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5qVNMsyCB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt49usqNWE
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazNwu6zlU1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKmkuj0OeG
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM2pJCTYuc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWvUiTffu
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXGVUJQFHJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrTL1UJOux
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZtL7AfQxF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkEgqcGbFt
“H-Hurt? What happened?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5uXIosDRG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjBDHtZ7SD
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUFoUBKA34
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UefyPENR1
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa50FOqSoC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsaH4HBxaR
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sGnTdmyEB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFhBdJLmh1
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9TSzpqI6c
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzOVqf4L75
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwNbddPtJ7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o4WncTbOo
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoSBzKucSf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhI2LHRgC3
He shrugged.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzeTKyqvZW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NZ8b9IHeC
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJUwZjG6TX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXZZ7XRYJu
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iF1WD5CPX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KdbsMA0eL
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOPYdqysNN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCN1hZOcea
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEyayJ6Lux
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfauhE3Unbs
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJnjKf3gKX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv34EW6eEY
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEL2Usneew
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOoPNGPQWl
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3REy5bHJF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2RIezbRsB
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwDciV5OvL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB7XdYLtnx
–
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–
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AuAoctS6Y
–
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj6AHODKu9
“...Role model.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8HqC6lF6V
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ089Heq8KOG
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNJZY6zyWx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGvaYnBbKZ
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AjhZMouw3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunXcb8mbHb
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOzpe041yP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GLQwzAtjR
“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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJEGBcIiPT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWv5Ghnr1z
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZucYrB85R
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06GcwbXeqH
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZwTWteLok
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB3PWtTlas
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytheHSYi0E
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxcG7PcG0N
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYwkjRvy4s
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB3GJrfcHf
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
and then Add to home screen.