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.
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrORdFlK6t
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZhK4EJGct
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot2WOMeGBo
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–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NKsmVBVez
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyAQdQYI5Y
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmApm6n1KYU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW21T8CVWU
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk6EsSKTrf
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94gbAVz1Pw
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6pV6WlRmr
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDIyM51C2V
“...”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc52PR84ih4
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBLQKxhUKV
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtrpxVQ2Bk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1TW6r3yOX
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuapK29RGw3
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XLznpuQOy
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtvJb7ZmaX
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyKrFKV34n
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB24prpDPIT
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw4w8pL3uC
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–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNal0nVr4yl
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3X0ZCG2wX
“...”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7WSPsWEUx
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo0tWYmVr2
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6AsiKLaLG
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS4BBPV7Or
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd87a9wfuI
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxXXvgo2Hu
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0eHOjctgV
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh0nAnNO9i
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UhqAmpNwg
“Yes?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvbcGcdRY8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH39lv8j1OI
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0cCzARoPR
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaeaz0pakO
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aYqaZNvsO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMOAYAtw8m
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjGrxLGK8g
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy20VT2OlXE
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cXJrCN7d7
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB48Zx6a4X
“You made this in eighty minutes?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEXxhDgcWf
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GKJrNSlz7
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHMrN7E0wa
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJa683wMcI
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU5RCDwjGC
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYKTKXaBZd
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp0I40L4da
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5kPnRd1LZ
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdjhoZiTsv
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuvmDhHHlp
“If you insist.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEE9Dvavve
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A0lEEBOUR
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyxBiLwrVy
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAopxQC7uC6
“Kenny?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEToCBNXad
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsbcBJgEpT
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdmi3H84OG
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5ypwtbmB6
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDQpcVsdqc
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkJVNNzdgd
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Yynf1o4s
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOAJzpXmMH
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20n4uqBqPa
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcII6ovUeE9
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98JXZCzIpP
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOuch2VMoF
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnrjQk24OS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LfJdYlm9O
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI77kSUvNJf
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iP59ePfJP
“I see. I see, I see…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeVYQNjRQF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaPRrhfpN5
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLUYrzx04K
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP65kKAyly
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0e2oUxDUp
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0j89D1tFk
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1k3JOFmR8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh35YYKS9O
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVDTWb3nAh
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNeLLPdTnm
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQq4I6c0ht
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcpr6Thr4w
“Please?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatTBObHWBk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5qDivSCSv
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pq0RdOWgR
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgFy4bbuDf
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnRKI5B7e0
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VES2lIE7G
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTVoe0XaCP
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S1k1Kxavq
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKXoS5fK9B
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0b6kBQ1pT
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr9ispnbbn
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccdUqpScox
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvqzb6Rel8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbnjrZdBqG
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX8FP74RWk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREC3GGxVvd
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhbEEE3ASt
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEByfhCFvz4
“I started young. That’s all.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX98OFu47A
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmsOtjKAWe
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPydKhI9smW
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLqfIpx0gG
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXJ9BJmsaG
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyRZz512nz
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xK7vFyvLJ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0udq2SEcjB
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYid7i3Vzga
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxp4bbjfbz
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6TJtQov2u
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAePkyX1n7K
She jumped and then waved her hand.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZx9KkbFeL
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FLwwIKUCE
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueUGY9dR4i
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe7e9bJbpF
“Right.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkAnpxEPbE
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rbtr19Ov8
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5rPfm02FR
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM46K8wzO3
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkrRCUwbOF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn2TRPJICu
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f4rE501hs
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9xKeTOmml
“I– Wha!?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3JDdKST3
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9qozaxYET
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI1WrWzayg
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzPS3YNwRc
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MujKZH7yP
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd6qpg41L5
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc3hzXdaBF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3TkaxUhZa
“Your own… peace of mind?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUPldUK9Ho
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07zt9H9v0p
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgpvX4bN6s
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt6nzjl9Cg
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi3vaSAMlE
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q3QnUULbf
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOv6lezKPS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVh9TMo03z
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzz2IzTWE
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYKKWb1mJC
“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. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxfVDRXtLb
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQyNGYtSFt
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTwfVi5YPl
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She shrugged at my comment.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK0zzmCq5X
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLnFj22QU6
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXDVbHnvQp
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmQWXFG9ly
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YxOxFEElF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v7cvd1Sml
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORdiy9m7lS
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yIaPp4G6l
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4jluIkKS6
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgbqdQknKt
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAizyTT0Md
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXwscRACAV
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYxQsWkOzK
“...This is ridiculous.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNFk5frLa8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qWPDuwhVK
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey3TkZZOmo
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHbYRPvFcz
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXy3MHQGzk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcGg3C8dY9
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym9IHwwrEV
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqHBtrsFcP
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQICpsb3ud
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJhpQT379I
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CMi3KSxfc
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8GHToP2n6
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08lpx72t7C
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafC3cxBny6
“...Hmm.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TtbSkvZUe
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0jExpZP8U
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRvX33Pi8m
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGn0T94BMr
“Do whatever.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O5BTGfcNO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjct6iSKzGd
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQN4ApbBWb
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMUIk4q7pT
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEJtwY18kO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonkAUxkDnW
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31qZLVlUmx
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONTi8Xw4rg
“D-Darn it.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmhFRiRrvB
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTFmdhztNO
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–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjy6ag826d
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23sOaLM5Tc
“What are you doing here?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7wqyxpZL
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7K3k8FJ43
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr06dfqIUc
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew8Veya1pi
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNOGkIcuKa
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsjymn8QK7
“...U-Uh.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV6cWhl6gY
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxD9pEMvWi
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCCEiAK4LU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGyyMBC0kK
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubjAySYKWI
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52BttjsPOS
“I… I-I.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LvD6GHxHg
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRpYASuduI
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCUZvLAWBo
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jy5l9Ro8N
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUErEg5ZfY
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEyr69DYAb
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarcORlg69y
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWnPNfnzzv
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJgCFcQSnJ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW62LtwZhf9
“I-I’m here.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGj4Xraxzk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep3X3z92FR
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4vyLSM4GB
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4EmEo0R6C
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhyMZ49zYh
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG02Ami7Suv
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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloMM7bOVBq
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFusDHr7ZvD
“I…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXCwYjeVjd
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcbna9y0mi
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd89PvrXVM
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH25mA6rG5q
“Hello, Rover.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYILUqridu
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZVc1IzMrv
“Hey, Kenny.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XeTdE0318
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m9XfSZS2F
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITRVNySazU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyer3AxRwoc
“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–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq44PBCe3h3
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKKkxRVb54
“Cut to the chase!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr3ruGr0lU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbxxDXbpNP
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11dKXbii7Y
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScsuVbbotQ
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4shLJn6iOC
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdArgHGd9K
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliJ5UtbQxv
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bPz0gHua
“Y-Yes.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp4rZuOgA6
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXmvYPr2zw
“Now who told you to do that?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdGQObKmar
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraSRx0Xzr8
“W-Well–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2PU3YlQzW
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgZzVmGyro
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsIjO5weEJ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLflXcFF7dS
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81BTtejulV
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL48U4ke4Dk
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r35dKf34J
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ooI7Y9Voa
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHsQvF3Mwl
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKl9TIWdro
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSjzhRZeVO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF2DPftQOC
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgj8UcyumL
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZQIOOKr5z
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakNZe0LIzT
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQI7DDHeIh
“I refuse your treatment!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLrjBQUysZ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74tXgCiAlD
“H-Huh!?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2kEyx1HwS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNs3j8i4P5
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIV65MzkE2
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgJZ5mfwuZ
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUvzGsRj2q
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCjH63pAKy
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dZp6mkV4s
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9I3KqOzaP
“I– Wha?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL8IiuqzdE
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5VyHnfgRG
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–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0jl0ETqwt
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGLiaFkejj
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUVntj5Vwz
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb80hegTtGz
“Stupid? Weird!?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozBdY0vNjk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVtTrFljvs
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xyjp6IxFL
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3QFgbhJxm
“...”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAtKm9vozz
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPQTlpcHTk
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxMc4EsjP9
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEyQirZQPN
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVuFjS9Rnn
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKdQpBysG7
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolduAXUAvk
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl64g2D29j
“It’s because I upset you.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Jv6tFnTT
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddEstE34uT
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHDa3NDzl0
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2kHLxCFP0
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC6c20KpqS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiZPKhO3uW
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4HXxnRQhO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdLHaambyY
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJC7n6t4d1
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihdmQNkBur
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92nBq9lPMU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhShcVVsLui
“S-Sheesh.” 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6volyN8zPu
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9X5KRkv0P
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.
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtoUEOfuCx
“How do I use this thing?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3idRooxyi
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPGfy5jb9E
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmzCw5s16f
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj2uM3ROf8
“Drinking works for me.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQrI2CW38E
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9GTIHNcPn
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5qgXZuSg4
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMFgU0fp5o
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cuzgb5zXJ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxOqmq53DY
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7Par38CPg
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULkCkU4vTB
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1FLJZoQqu
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A10KFpd33
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcATBWp79Qo
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmzlTrNx6g
“Whatever.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa1KmYYkKR
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRndCuctz3
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. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssYeyMjbnh
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKskinoNbhL
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrIgbOWGwz
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDWHEAP3nz
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxc1X0LLIJ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnrCHNhA5s
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU85Y4Uge7G
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxAMRB2P6M
“Leaving already?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKC1OyGESI
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfotjUfbe9
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RmXErnn3f
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6gqvmOXRC
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHjraGQW27
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxZtyrRgDx
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge3XUTplMd
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C8bSy6QlV
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD7ihTnOHy
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjQmigm1A
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W0pemEYfC
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu1FFr58Rn
“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?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8CbfCSslV
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1YsOP9TZy
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCumzBuqBF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh26Vola2kL
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX7fO3AYIj
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ec4M3lRBY
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtIl6CLexj
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4AHRd3rXf
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kQkOgqoGU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFglw2tiLF
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejPCRwaF32
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUtMgu0AeB
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4p6DW5cqc
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SAepH7z59
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKMB0GpGfR
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSSX5O1Mx6
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzASS1CpzJb
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvfSjq69m7
“H-Huh?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH4ahX7ujF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7MM65gNsE
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIy06kzeql
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRU6HF2NXN
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvWvpEfg3A
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxxk4tmQoC
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocExzZk44T
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn3p8j5jBR
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCrM9Zq9oz
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISfR7B3g1M
“I’m n-nothing so special.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGzGiWSXbM
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAI2i5eyy7
“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!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTqxOpE6WH
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyOtc3xrMd
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSsFYYRX8h
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2mZ8TERU7
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR2mh0aj5i
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgFzcdTeTP
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcunoRXf8i1
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsx0OqfKls
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. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T8dJaGp8l
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bT3QsuywQ
It took me only a few 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5jsXWebnK
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpiy7ZOZL0
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXZswFh3I9
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg6hqSw5fW
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzEqViCxTv
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23RxZMtGYz
“No, really, Rover.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuhAv9WGHO
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybxwdLW78t
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3wXrCTWhp
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfIcVmOkaR
“I think I’m just lucky.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1WvcIN4QA
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8QYoEENZZ
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDViXVXC72n
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19ZJB361Wn
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV5LlNn4pe
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0MtSiTwv9
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszQNOFgCWo
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X3ZIUealq
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x2iV4IbvT
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ws3h66feT
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRnxqDKWf2
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrjscXrX0o
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkFoSROPt8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPRvtR4oVD
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUc00u2yzO
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBQ8f57QKZ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAubWuyxW2
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. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAecqnW0xZl
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4jqgG4S1K
“D-Don’t rush me!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh77tAmRPzM
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPG402n328
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzzBsna62X
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju1xe3VHS2
“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…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pGCZ9wquS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEv1jOY1y
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLDKusBUK8
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Msr2h35mL
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMt7zCdBip
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF1OqcA4JH
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEOynpNwCU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡassdi34c4o
“I didn’t say anything.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYqXdbTRv9
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP7H224W8Q
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGEyl1I8Dd
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx9lRGgnV5
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXaLjHiIEq
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBipvu5Pyu1
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRjWBfCX0V
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eqURFqzfq
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRnukx3Fd6
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpZ3cU3hcm
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZ4cYZ3ZS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDljPhIqdd
“Told you all I did? What?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1knRVlrBNc
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb0AjXaAFI
She was caught by a wind of fury.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz585t6lTAe
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7PnBJlHuC
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Ve104tl5
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrMOacCpRp
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E3HLAbMl9
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi3S8nbEot
“What’s so funny?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiWhu2TsSU
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjy15Pa9e1
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFslvf7PXM
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYgxS3NgiY
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NhMQkvOh0
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bsuo1VXQ3
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPdJBZmlA3
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhle5jcr8f
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“A little crazy?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi31R1fjFYS
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyUW22GIhU
“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!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6Lx56AUDw
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJeKzztGsr
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQauNXLtgDQ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz8jyUMlfW
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm1tef7yKl
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTHG1ndy7
“Well–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM4q3BKvrE
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMZ3CgoQ8V
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFJU56sQK4
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGioazOdvrf
“I–”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq5awPVNDH
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrTXp3WAT
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi8lfDXLEj
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ2miVd82U
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnakhT9LGFr
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxjEpfALTx
“See! I– huh? You do?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHaHcx3mVV
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLwKpuGD7C
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDSWSh07v6
“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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctKzFXnN8a
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFjskHon3h
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLabRPM22hm
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MUVQ7JwEU
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQb7JJpLrG
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHvTWbMe6g
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXUD5yM97d
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhlmfpIIQ
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjv5squlkr
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpxb1QO4Xg
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuT08lEYyF
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWvacMpqVF
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9qJaCQwrj
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEeS6TTJ4x
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhEHS1vgoX
“Ah, right.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsnrflnvz4
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOBSvfeUuT
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyw4Kb6Hat
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFonrKSgRRu
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ492TNjsNld
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3344dPRZ0
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6852CALuP0
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNBQTmEHXX
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv88X0uVR9
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62MTUJeglt
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“Wait, one last thing!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MaCoKrp2t
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6cqjTPyxV
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB30mEdeLW
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgRDCY9Kf1
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“...”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGO2Cb8M9f
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I smiled.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToW6bfqsDp
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“I will.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4cGxgwexE
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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–412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6TLVzF0L7
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“Yes!”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrR1PsQg5j
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDE4LadWjx
and then Add to home screen.