The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
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“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwn1KuxRUA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FB11qg7vq
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5GfrsD7Dp
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw31hyNq6AL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86WOgcCVnw
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKNdUAH7zz
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3CiqYIQFh
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“...”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pXrmkn6LK
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstGp8sW4oT
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTy3kzbfnW
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoWQTCmzBc
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qCqffDAzM
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Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODs7Z3TeXi
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“...”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQrgIMaN4L
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsKGWLG2wJ
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LnvDscxhA
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcAQcEZqQT
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiWSdvGYtp
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“Yes?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy20PHaWxk
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKmpN6ah92
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“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpnOhMsWeM
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0k3LtXRO6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpB3rtJavL
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mLKOva15e
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtBvnDlcp4
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UjAZKS4h
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RMlSTbujv
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I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ407ecEuvKA
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjwOivT3cs
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“If you insist.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf7iJwELEq
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChAinPw8Ot
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“Kenny?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshyrLwxiJr
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKrNrP0h1Q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMJYMd9rvU
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtJDxUDZaz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi29C5AMwe4
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5VFD7sIqk
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh36LEilnc
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDDKwIdQlE
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRse4e3RmC
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NqEjKL4DO
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“I see. I see, I see…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Em4CLEVn
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIXYjiEYJT
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTtanOHjWn
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“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv6Gv4wzlU
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“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRrk5dDuZV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA97funaHN
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ul7Z4MsD
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“Please?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzJRfww87m
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwBaRqUxxm
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs86UbTC9Rp
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“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3409Sl2nU5
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojM1aBiLMk
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“–How long have you been an alchemist?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI424QgCXJ
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbg9DBuaY9
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2UNpXjuMg
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cjBIxcy8b
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“I started young. That’s all.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvugmKOvj8
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZaoXFVg9Y
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WCyvmXvBA
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Xs6SCtP1
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TVvpQtfEt
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUuwnsgk5y
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCPpj8Jws
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She jumped and then waved her hand.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6HPtXNdfd
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6JtTkiHai
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“Right.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5anCrXBkmz
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5A8Ps2otL
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She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrycDvUyOa
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MMYe8lzQP
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“I– Wha!?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDQQg8jHFx
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzjcg3DwKE
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp9UzsO7HG
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdagr5TTecr
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“Your own… peace of mind?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNqu0xkqVb
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1dnSylnN8
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpFF3rCkzv
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM1AL4Bx2F
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSYCDSycXB
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmdmAwUvzm
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3GHGcGScf
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She shrugged at my comment.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAWRYS4Tgp
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7aD5YAkPI
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLQBrPSvaD
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“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbSVORLZ58
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ScTizAqeD
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqMYvrL6N4
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jWaRzPldC
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“...This is ridiculous.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdUdB5emK6
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7mwY2Hecb
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnqcfCiQdL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87XeZagzQ0
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUsmdWpQX9
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Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRmeQoUvOA
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yX1rkcrk1
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqT5mm8yMh
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“...Hmm.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXpLPtCvSP
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMwND3Xx2U
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“Do whatever.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61n2qbV9sa
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyNUgjvD4U
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3q9LOJYSa
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While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw2nQaLrDF
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“D-Darn it.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnJjTEmZwF
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr89H4d31x
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“What are you doing here?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWr3P4mjts
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3CRs5DgCa
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJj4HRUm7m
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“...U-Uh.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIFb2msqbb
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdr1RUH7sC
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡode93udQtn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rfUfQLKyy
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1a88Oyhz9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EkrA9KQi
“I… I-I.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEYdbGAFJY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlwWvpVC6W
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFL9Ge3Px3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NTCLzF9K1
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut04iq7wI7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNUnFf8GnU
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Qq98JpXs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtXFxRXFua
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Au5jlIk5E
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApmTO1hTn6
“I-I’m here.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeLi2F45SJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJveaCJyrQ5
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdQ0hMsXQC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3XjBh2Btl
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeCkyK1g4H
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTeoft5w3A
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V8Co2Vhqi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSM0rvkJ8j
“I…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpriQa8QPG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OU2iQyZZj
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAVuge2kPy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKZcs6z5Hi
“Hello, Rover.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHxze2loSN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tHA5KqpaN
“Hey, Kenny.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv2V7pJDHX
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQGkNbFrgz
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HrU6ksdM5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuvajs2v4s
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sjz4aR4mB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF5ZXHUec2
“Cut to the chase!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q5pT6xAE6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHJsdzOEp5
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SUAn21HZH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyzMwyNBFs
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpybLYRi0Eg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdcDMbia1Y
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLHGP6VxE5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEvn4oxjCm
“Y-Yes.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7vpCAAvXd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoAjT9KoXG
“Now who told you to do that?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKKAAEVANP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38yegv6HhX
“W-Well–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFLoaPf3Vn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgalj9Prs0D
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOdqEXTJI5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnA84aGNE8
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoi8vMchBn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ajivO4TAN
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0LlDhZJLq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc9d52Hw2n
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n7afHLXQP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdwm5vzie2
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNONiyl2uTr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEvYOtC0xi
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdOcZahmnf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZWO39Dcnb
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzb4x7RM7a
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUGxNjMJec
“I refuse your treatment!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Ttr7V81K
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEnv4jQqSR
“H-Huh!?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy709AObUqu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU37xUJ52xr
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXS9TFrsz1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhrk0cl0J1
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FYWo3xvll
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n8QmBDr7u
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUbI3Kj7ot
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtVwe5rER8
“I– Wha?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV19cB7tqR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKGlD0GskY
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGJvG6a0Tc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbd9Oexwhc
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWsIqOMRNJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfEzrDV307
“Stupid? Weird!?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq35ak4SXBW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm933XGyit
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDipl0RA9cK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV0KUkuELL
“...”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTNfd7a0s3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiwMacC4vr
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ0QlDLpme
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85icr4kDNO
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmfQ3spbIL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ATnYum9I
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhijPncZDMj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhzWydzXvk
“It’s because I upset you.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGt9oRM0pv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRQpxzHxk0
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJANmA626K
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszS9t5kS6L
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYYQa8odH9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6WpwRZXx6
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE4fdQ8Zj1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneLeoV9zkF
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE6msXQEfP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4nAzOmMMA
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4LOK4XdTE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0MtmXNZiS
“S-Sheesh.” 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV3N8PjRs1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFuqrpKyDL
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tsSCHG6Ta
“How do I use this thing?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0DRLvzehv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROLoWavfBA
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdYUfx6rGf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQsu9wFKkU
“Drinking works for me.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yq6x31WH5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VvL00RP9v
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nxv9sWJ3e
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pouT3W8T1
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIjqu5xbhU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQqR5Marmf
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBYZJQITRl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaD3whyUA6
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiycHXQwY4u
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXAJemn4WH
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpphWGuaAKP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqxsaEu7Sd
“Whatever.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAgRR6Pib4
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With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuvlvb9fVO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmShcdJ5JYp
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjlq0AzExC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMLcNyZYHf
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknaDaXuxH6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrcM5Iwos4
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4DWPgLlKt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgjosABNEa
“Leaving already?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozSCmJM3rx
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“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85U32uWEM1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsm1Dl4Eft
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxOtlSqnZM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8N6YedlQl
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC9XRnwYaq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYaTx8elNp
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8H0H67Ahr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErJqTs9SCL
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZyenyBvR3
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“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHXpvQDONs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9ZJUT69fM
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUskGeP0PQg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5tIzeWTWd
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGIbW10cFP
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXFenWX49T
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb7LHL33bW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uzr0HE0IY
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctW2hhnVTR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3gD6E3pBz
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB6AZiEjeR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rIDDErMAY
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIfGPvamk4
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN3ke4P0UL
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrMTjVjk6G
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGAXUkuiP2
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrHZkYeHSY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo2Vr9PwZ5
“H-Huh?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazIolgEOSZ
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She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8bUf8VH0R
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WgTSycFOk
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfBRrzeeKt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdN5WINC5u
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIWO6ccFx0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nhUWs1AwO
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3yuaE4e0E
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIPLowHDM9
“I’m n-nothing so special.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNYnP6FiZf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhE0ovdjGG
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbWC9djGGl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXFzXksA1F
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc13azo6w1L
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMERXRUUrzQ
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MfYRzX51t
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgabnvbuk6N
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP8vZgwBsa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nulBiAqxW
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBlEcjk6hs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEFMK4pRC5
It took me only a few 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1cXkcJBb0
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF3XJ6OjrO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdem7am0a6
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf7WieLwfo
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“No, really, Rover.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE9cJmY1Xh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjUaWi4tuY
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTy1SCHE92
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhcQ10VZHL
“I think I’m just lucky.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MfmNZbfmf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ijVkf5JDG
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy1YjMLiOn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPKnlrKWvB
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kFJhyJ003
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU0TaQ01KE
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB467QF9i2
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I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4kcnC9UXc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLKdo3sDNT
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26SYUSearI
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“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW3F1pOKnn
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“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLtDBvCHCy
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwjs3dHxrx
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“D-Don’t rush me!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OAXjOCRL5
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VQFbX0wLT
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmOwSXomar
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJsr71KlBJ
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbP93BinB4
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zZWV7R4pO
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“I didn’t say anything.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MQK59HwXt
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ355efRPLZI
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbk07bwXU8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgDG1Ca7ZL
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjs3Zxgwmx
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMkQvcTwtV
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgfTOdKcyS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr7MYv6RYG
“Told you all I did? What?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRjMyb4Dh6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiL338QNUw
She was caught by a wind of fury.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6C1JivD06
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOLxCL5wEa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oqx3aXC8D
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2M7rUMNMq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdcF9IHap7
“What’s so funny?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfz7IKgvCN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJySC7bD3d6
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfleGJHHhwx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVrTziM28C
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavp5xFRPAe
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6KKAIDabL
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmbEYsus3N
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“A little crazy?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45CoQZ3pr
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBejBEYnU0m
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG8xYDKJ2s
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP3xTLrlcx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2vghnADsm
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYyhkADoeb
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“Well–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKbiPr7cFQ
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHpLGTtafj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSwKHrq7i5
“I–”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUAP8e06YU
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjkoE1PvzN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG02i8kZX9D
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi3LkI6a5k
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“See! I– huh? You do?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvzjTbs9XB
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnBykhIS9u
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjQHCjvXO9
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNseTUmazR
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd46zUQ5jkA
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfIZoAOStq
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIk354Coh3
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTgepH49Tg
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR97BZs0NJS
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6d8FRFSu1
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“Ah, right.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0wDZN64Xd
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhomGGiKl5o
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNOaOEaLBY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOA7jph2L
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwYvT7NADH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI2SOb69SM
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutSaJ7hdOQ
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKD0WYaOFu
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“Wait, one last thing!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssoJSlpEjS
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNsWUcp4mA
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPefB6ob1nR
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“...”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjztuh8IXXX
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I smiled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfceCs3DvUH
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“I will.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEQhs5a8yl
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EazgGVyW8
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“Yes!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOLLnc1EnR
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdtRM7zwZW
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