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.
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoT1FkKaGo
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7onTryFFyq
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoA7TjaLg6
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–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl7HC97pZP
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7gQ6SyRQR
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn1huo5ari
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXooOdFMWb
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSPm8VEZC7
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzHBKXo0WE
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaTsNEPLu2
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyCbfux7pv
“...”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5P12gogVw
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONefe1kxTL
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4O2DYey8O
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYw8WKIS6L
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwJoHVnjEQ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaG9gignMi
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSDRkVe4Qt
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTT0lFrr2t
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWr15Fo4Js
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWbXty21iK
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–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkeq2pnkQf
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDyMENDWmj
“...”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FE5EheTVG
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB93yHASfev
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DY4BvaWn6
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1dvkfm7H6
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTdQNbBV8i
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoly9ACqm1S
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EAWVE7CCy
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA2yZ9sK46
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKDWhIDWZL
“Yes?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPO6b7Q9K3
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDg3ytdWfS
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeXI59zGOp
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgEoQHIe9v
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPqlJeNWCQ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Mtom6DQ2
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qPWEgnTJN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlzLoFcdvT
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPddfPcwCp
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69bpVAIAip
“You made this in eighty minutes?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5YCzR5boU
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZlsUqh7Im
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2N4qmjYjv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEnEPYUxvH
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cTHTHgqfc
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiqlXdjX9D
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkRSBiD1sy
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9vNFItK9e
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH9eNc4ljs
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHMKNUr8Xp
“If you insist.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5ZZoNlbjv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt77CHumFY
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzxvrc2S4S
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaKJ9UAKBA
“Kenny?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoj81Fe51a
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkv5g4pr7f
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyCeSopif3
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvySTThTPM
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpWb8Ed63b
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jbk7vE3ep
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoLiJqyKUu
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdCF4ukz40
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbWwg1Iu63
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVg6Paf68W
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNAokeoL2j
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6qhGB02mi
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52fOmScf95
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsRxMwdqEG
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlViTCnEXje
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpYc0a2Cyi
“I see. I see, I see…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9k6Ois1CE
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9rd4qcWuR
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUxfC0TufS
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQMCacmjdY
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39aLi9qx1p
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D4ivI0saz
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1QNq6bHtN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M9dWANZJP
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGXQ3J9xMI
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LaFZq28o9
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSZmhlelez
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsRR8lNl3v
“Please?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEtCpSs7mo
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tl54bKu6v
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1TEafWpk7
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn0ElwzIfR
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlSb4UIius
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmHysLW5fl
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqxGvIq9dA
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrutK4nUUGg
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZFVflYz4I
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxYqQgBb48
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOt0QAxXxA
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7kTcUyemn
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiZ4Q8tgk3
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BLmewBNab
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0E5AbC6ip
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJzFD2oTKq
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rvnWcw7r5
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaRhRRbnpz
“I started young. That’s all.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXURe2BjTp
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ099JTJXZLH
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2HU35RYJa
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6mvLk48N6
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoNkCHWolE
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwTVLHJy3W
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiiqA9UpmR
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaJMobwkTb
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAlAXFZEwF
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS0LyrZYil
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW4snFT1bH
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n0F6jXK3r
She jumped and then waved her hand.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr04FpdFr7v
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaeqfK2k5h
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgRJvDer9r
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP44oXJxi1
“Right.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHkHNh9NGS
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP3MwBcU73
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNfYXzIrMC
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWgaANVsXR
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmV3N0QRXd
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0r0h7I1I
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX34eu8Esw
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpARKxj1Pl
“I– Wha!?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO58orxZBY
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINKEwEgiHt
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M8M5Uxcfp
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPMxAmX7ly
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjWoRFBdau
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcheAS7bKK
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQX3yOUZ5V
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaRMdSxHqF
“Your own… peace of mind?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNydnz1R1K
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVZu2Vmov0
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5OORDaxLv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t9vtdV5z4
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2YK24RJGQ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjljrMz4wJr
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf0zOChraN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9CoBRJ7N
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZfprShQIz
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejrW6fr0dT
“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. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdcAzzjLLi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunFrRbZd2I
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8237uehJ7
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrCLkOpPoL
She shrugged at my comment.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvNLvxscPf
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKiWBsz55z
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf10uN1Oi2T
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9mtpDeg3n
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzyHPis2kJ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJlxjnyHIb
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbdnksMdeR
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDziKbVZllW
–
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2htn57vV3a
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWIYkGVKjw
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzpG5XIeD7
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM3zf9zG1p
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L3HgxfDyt
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYZknUnyJI
“...This is ridiculous.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGtob8r2Im
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRoOprNYpq
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJYslOF1tW
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJuZVmZ37t
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmI5pDEjTD
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0qmkq8PAn
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8w5biLZYN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsTbhuUoY
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI72goYuQ8
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawMiHXSAKB
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PgrDukwsC
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sYWNMUY8s
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFecVeeq9W
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOb7zU4xZJ
“...Hmm.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0yUm8RNc1
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PVSjitpaZ
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPYXzfzKQn
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVaHdVcqyc
“Do whatever.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9vKypFGB2
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwCsUTGsRU
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6HEnxsDwS
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvXdwzlGTK
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsMZikoNtm
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbPNi0wpaH
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcPSRUpe3y
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tvF8kRez7
“D-Darn it.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvs8pQJ715
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf1NkK0dgm
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–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4TfuSVgp9
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmYXvYJBPw
“What are you doing here?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZg6o90W8g
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA102lB4SJN
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7peQYTJab
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiahEcg5zw
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTefd8VMtUj
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2YNaru8ZN
“...U-Uh.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fDl3PLmXv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa9P0UXKhu
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tcmwsTjHP
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4g814QaO8
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74QwRF3NAj
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSxQMAHIKC
“I… I-I.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IL39az7kE
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56UZ6UEY29
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwvzpwBVLx
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJlXxF2wv8
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdyEwkmfuQ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM4qNt1xeQ
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfWzZa1ope
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFDJL1ekcV
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU43ZjF5a6
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI8yOKgbgr
“I-I’m here.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcaW3Wbj6G
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1DgwQf6qu
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BeiYVvDR
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZJRcDOORF
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmngKxchX0
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmwaowbHK3
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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezgNmRILTL
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs3ae6GgjF
“I…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzYfuINVm2
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgxse9DSQz
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYBbOYptSP
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRHwsIelVC
“Hello, Rover.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBPW6sdmfi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s8MZPNYei
“Hey, Kenny.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw3hP1zqnA
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsuWj1NVZq
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihemGsbjAZ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTy6hhcFfy
“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–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxQyenTZu4
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQiE4Wdy0U
“Cut to the chase!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN9NmUv2EZ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgEyhmXTfo
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunLhHkrirN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4obR0fa3AP
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C4ni35cUU
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL68Cx5N27
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVOEk8UD2H
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocidBzPoBE
“Y-Yes.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb7GzL4K98
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZdVoKhhja
“Now who told you to do that?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g83NeQ7bn
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHimQuOsSP
“W-Well–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm5S7K5IUm
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Z2vTASNz
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs3mkHL2un
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES47Gq42Zi
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVzGTUh1FQ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS9NXmrACU
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m83hG0g7T
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJgyszcoO8
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMEZBHgQHi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyauZny6V8Q
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaXFSqpFb5
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIDRPYYV8O
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqypzYamSi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbjpAkETsO
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VR1aX8QA3
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6crQtsHbzx
“I refuse your treatment!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyDXWp7ait
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl36yd9rIi
“H-Huh!?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ984jZBJdGy
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowL0o4NgS2
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoqZWml0gi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaWeSNEgt0
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx79UqCss1
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1SHHAA35j
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpTckRKoR1
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i7buBx7Q3
“I– Wha?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdYqFDSzYJ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX6pUDmR3z
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–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjh4FAaiKf
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyZWiR6GvB
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z5ItKrHfv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdWqd9XFMf
“Stupid? Weird!?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbuHf5SkR1
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LyaOP1FnN
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeahwutTMGb
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdxXllPvEQ
“...”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aktOQ3ZEl
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIKzAIogOk
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFBTJZ1nAw
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOntqMI6o3
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNW90Zz5QI
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCErOsKy4e
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KvnF051Vj
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl1Mm5tLLg
“It’s because I upset you.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLYe0hEOPG
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW7KDTVZBu
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKSXvcTsmC
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo3t9Dmcfo
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJc1qQVhHF
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZ68ex43k
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvjdpfr4ly
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumcnaLrgTJ
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2RcXIVZF0
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM2yELNQPe
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR9qGA85wv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8qJOP9w49
“S-Sheesh.” 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzLlO2FYXu
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjWkoS4N4x
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.
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIiFQU5zTW
“How do I use this thing?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU552PSvKJ
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeSm9blgda
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2H7hSRuzB
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmxLOfPHJM
“Drinking works for me.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9DPIYqpUV
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadCTEUAqjP
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkLkwEfYih
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ64g6vwon6
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZbfoOSJEA
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi94fw5cQp
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7gQ8fCUfg
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57psMgCr7
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoTTxCokn3
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5oJQdexMG
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEbrDGXF3t
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOEkZanpdC
“Whatever.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbUg7A9B71
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVdLEPxl8h
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. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMh6LruRHq
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9006SsvQ3M
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiEFqwkDCo
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP9MulGSaD
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXCgo4r5Px
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LI1ddEkJx
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EZnhM05Mm
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctQNAPtjYc
“Leaving already?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nyiAJHndX
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrIOzHeLJB
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VPGQrqhn7
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwMMwa98cE
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUEDhaOYzN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3lBZDbJN
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2iiif3ekO
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0rOepU8Uu
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEE7mvGBhc
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6MgXJ1Ly5
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gcAdSuk7f
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal9Vvj8HHT
“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?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOGGNTGxQy
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftRJuCXGbJ
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gc6bPIWha
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsydHTLiBv
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8jiI9U0iI
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7JEW8nxMY
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVBv0nL5sg
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFIQKpN3VR
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWRM5O77QV
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8flja2hTFv
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf1zJQxXtN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjrBRpAdu2
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYxcx7loYT
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5gX3Qxpfz
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwB4gIKjTK
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJGPhpp5WS
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPkPcSgLvi
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKnmATIRR3
“H-Huh?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzLvKmp3Bt
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7C6HvJRYh
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioFXx3xnOg
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFv6Mvlr5d
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoaNaNedmC
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRTUAwyQsQ
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpRFBIsNXv
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS9AUVcKOp
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRioBcX3qD
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK9loqeOxP
“I’m n-nothing so special.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslQucty802
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T5j0mViWu
“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!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLTgnui1By
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56dSlfGyFw
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpkxwa3VyK
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPVukssDwF
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTatpwPf5ax
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWxUolBHbr
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezueZ0Jn2v
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFdWKs1Da8
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. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv7iabD7Wj
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk31y49jYp
It took me only a few 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA1bVwwpXG
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvGzIPBs0Y
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBSiW4aHRN
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QOJFXhnlb
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgRHHNDHnV
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOuzuUMHFq
“No, really, Rover.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatz5oX0B0d
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oJivxhoC6
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYCP4uf2cj
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFPBooZQz3
“I think I’m just lucky.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XeSKykaqX
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgHZ21moQ6
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpteXzMUsVS
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgMnuKZVyU
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS5QtHkzDD
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqcfcDLGN
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBiHtY18Yu
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN45jygv2aQ
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QKI6thH3H
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9COPuYpq6H
“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9QI2qasBw
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oYVHYSJTe
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQnlKQl5KB
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKPzcrpKjR
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkjehJD1o1
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpldAZXtyY
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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. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIYP57GwPN
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“D-Don’t rush me!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeaEPU14Bw
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSipSvwEP7
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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…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4fmbjdFxo
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfebgxuLFF
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAleyfFeBK
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJwygrb9HK
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“I didn’t say anything.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwmxL8CsNS
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pCpiNsuHI
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIzViaF3ZM
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCjviiO0Cm
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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3cmNE681H
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTvEdxiaZV
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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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7rbh9fOZe
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“Told you all I did? What?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeP70w41iu
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She was caught by a wind of fury.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWhewkU7lY
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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!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNF2jQ812C
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Owc53EKFa
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bx7ZfeckN
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“What’s so funny?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFQOESHNTA
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBRvYDNhIh
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcluXSCRVoK
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoDzSo0nXR
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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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnWrVS7yIy
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“A little crazy?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eUrOJWqwZ
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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!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iTdTVyPA8
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtG7yReNaq
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“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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cFHxFHU52
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“Well–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRjrh8RPeX
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p7QUB3Y92
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“I–”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt8Cu81HD0
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmNYd3Q1Qk
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERlAnMdoue
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp4y8oGcN0
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“See! I– huh? You do?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXw2HoMY2V
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDguIsqwAGj
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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.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykpFvHYctI
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68TpKXaWnc
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpapMyUwSFS
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhEn7d4AOM
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2PU3OCxcE
451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2URTxrnjMB
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFo6TrZvhh
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Je1qiqKOG
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm2HqtYFR9
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“Ah, right.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCtj9y69M0
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAjpQJvdgU
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTrcqCBVLG
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcvuACiSxd
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz733W1Aod
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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.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kiqV16yuC
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“Wait, one last thing!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJ50h0xuU
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UnKptqEJe
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLDQQ9Ugos
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“...”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQkuebNPP9
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I smiled.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfV4sUzT71
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“I will.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxnq6DXnE3
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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–451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTZHr9OdXw
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“Yes!”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHuTTSX6i6
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJE5iHOByK
and then Add to home screen.