A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf6JzR40LV
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTE9MgNvPd
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"At least... I'm on my back now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYuUkV0Ubc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06ycv38gYz
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRCYFR8jAf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWSgn4hjUR
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQeHHi0ZSo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq1vhbuZ6d
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd5xhyOdBR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZleIhzFQp
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxFqpcoqhr
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But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RubUsQQZu
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I was immediately startled.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCng72QMag
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"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugyt86skpl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgbDLL7ACO
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uHU4khv7J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiitRRgdEJV
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTEftVLOlf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTgME0oZNT
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXHR3PNyeY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2OfGG4JcI
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwJWzNXfBj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcWVVX1ppm
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8PXqh1GNK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74Td2gY1oy
"Do you feel any better?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQVBnBKaEW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLvWp8U23Q
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY4EW5I60Y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPtWOSyn9N
"That's good, that's good..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZWr1wtRr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBD54SNzhV
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihzNcphEvT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJH2aHmO5n
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUxeSdR4QD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg9Np9sNQN
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dZEvqWrwN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2vc4ORsRx
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbvqNzfU0j
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXIho7aN9h
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSZXlExbAX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGfRnNis6b
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrpoRDWiwX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiDCwdyvqW
"H-How'd you know?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vA17qO97n
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiMXjhDBeA
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHllobNsrU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGkpW3xYmz
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWUMqup4Qq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfUvLxOwhC
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQFD213lHz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx2Qi9p9C1
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT6sOLNYXt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGioOdcBshK
Pars nodded.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6sjAmSqbK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x1HJhsm0H
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8vjH8SZcq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZIDUkohCS
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZdgDzMaLV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoyFbwd5lz
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSeeKMZgIu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7LZmqc1Z6
"Mutual what?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRAVUWzG2g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxKaBTeaER
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaCZsfu39z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWYBoUQK4I
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRv7BLlB8B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpDnd41O1i
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux4JAvQG7V
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBalGR1VLB
"Really now..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprJSSY3nJI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ET6XuRcg
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9KKIJveN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEa5i64yeS
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch34oQzJrL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn4kGECOpQ
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDBtFd1rRH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVTGxqRmRA
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziaameMIzM
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"Wow... it must've been bad."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39TN10LNQ3
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"You're almost as flippant as I am."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6aKLrklaI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vgm4OR1PW
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLybRuVt707
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBbjt7pFkX
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TalNdkBFq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu7I2tWho1
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSP5VkY5rw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuHafFIm12
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicMtJdPS5m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI4BTLeuAY
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTFG9fejtm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZnsi1l5oM
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JozQGO31Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevgUX4uzql
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4LPhWhnPQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHAMhE9hoQ
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU9hORKxRb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ4RjzEraR
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi8te0kuQc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFG6XyDvES
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNanIaJOiK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwkUsEwLql
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba7DzZjgxM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOVNlfHdQm
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgeVpWwbV4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNDZ7Jl5VJ
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBizyCpVx2T
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"I know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ5EQn5i7J
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7AhzybP4I
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCWn7QSCFM
"Tell you what; I can't help you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCD36EMVTQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKZMa3UUn4
"...Are you serious?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftr14w9iOn
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"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ahVQYJDH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2zFsJi4Fe
"What? What can?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0StM8JSh2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm0FRAYSbz
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5pr7vKjYK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVKEnAfTHe
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10d1DI4bk5
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXo5drkfSP
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His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXobHw3UyG
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When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqZ2q8R0xg
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"Give it a try."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBCP2df5la
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIArrStvUHR
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"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVEA9sQZu6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQwcBB2FiQ
"H-Huh? Right now?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNklnDfqYeu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v9h7oES7I
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNDbCRj07a
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSF7m1ccUt
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ZdxmoWpr
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–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ2LcfZx7l
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"Are ya all packed up?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nIa4VFwY9
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As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso2rhk7mGw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgHRv3Benv
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axF9d1pM1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡragIn1i1Xm
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMig1nXkxVP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpqKEjKMFi
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhaOggQjO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIyTuDV4EE
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnb20Gb0bI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvOXYwb5vW
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO7Rl3FigZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpA74GRUti
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG8MeAm0UE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqjRHOgnDh
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEVdefUlts
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NfNQCZl5d
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmNwqOBwAV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwl2RDIRte
"I suppose that makes sense."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOFCZwNAuv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXk65Exvnr
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FmPnAIIun
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tP2gbA5es
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tjs1pg2mu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlj9HIAq1l
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp7aEEnf98
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2jDplKn4B
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1jBVedGKe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YFHUsuIEo
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCR19y8W5k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpeA6sohMf
"What do I think...?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEoLs8v2xe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX13omNiHYi
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP4JVaJiJi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbPZJMmCa0
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3AC5pi9Qn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZIF9bUQPV
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8aKIVjP0u
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWv2G4dq7Y
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iZ3qfMBAG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYrPvf9npb
"I'm asking ya, kid."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDcg15pT9X
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQiCACaOb9
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiGjk0HAh9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5P26wRu7N
"It had to be an Endowment."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdvOuMmyFI
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"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf2OWgJ80D
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbAMuOc1bp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4sDQJ3K8u
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPqkM5CC8F
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8UiozoO8U
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iYUMbEKsL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy6NTAU5V3
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2GWxYrKLf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyS1xX2kaF
"Why not?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClqyl0mjRj
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"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf72uQAkTa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZoLbTL03r
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELH7fFL5tO
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Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj6cpE8KYF
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"Surely, there's a better option."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRULrM42LZ
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"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtjkSt4TLR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5SI4nvQwZ
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikalr1USoO
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"What if we spy from a distance?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc4vdNz2ZV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLVJt18abY
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGy5B66Gd4
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"...Point taken."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYjGMOIUCz
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As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQwQ3VxmcD
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JNfLKVVIt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVpP1lzOCg
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB3GwO9lXE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUQGhuUVkU
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr58QdEJ2hO
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I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO9C73AoXh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyZEo6R42V
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpc2K7qHOA
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We nodded in unison.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzQqzihOcY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGfMALyo8F
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTjlOMYvvn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15RbEQwUQj
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcITM2HmDxy
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At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBofeXM4DfW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW43RF7y7B0
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqv2MPh1dp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNJq2kJWBr
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOBpq60xbP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PPoG8Bcyk
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV3tmFVTUo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOqOSlxCHf
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyXmPvKX31
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"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5SzPmw6VT
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"Well... I won't deny that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96bnGVWegj
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq55Xn6PSy8
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRszIAhtk2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSuNTbwuwI
"Again? What do you–?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BgDGKBefl
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As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsC8IGzycc
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GqFXwcfft
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrghzw3C5uy
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"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAsPFbvmNO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MWAZWGcxW
"I didn't ask ya that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb2usfMn4M
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"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEYrwa40QU
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"That ain't surprising."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0aSSU8GDW
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PN2ksjTSf
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfvd9TUXoe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdsw8kAum4
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vIIcqi6Ax
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnN6eDElp3
"Yeah? Like what?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqTKTu9dbi
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8USyk1PQs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNMaSqR49j
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E1tRnslFo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP2IqgkE8q
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBvi02JXC0
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopGUY5RnKc
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3LOoe19cy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTUAnhGrAs
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkJs3SPcn9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo3FohhkJ6
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGuPmwJwwE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEPS9N2cPQ
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSiJnFMTd3
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaItMc0hy4K
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTqFghEdEp
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
