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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mNP8Uzco7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CF2jf6nZZ
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDMDiGbL6z
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K0FhOo1jY
"At least... I'm on my back now."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjneA93WqFG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaEuXPi45X
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtp3fN9fBB
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOFcdLmOxO
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEleIp70Yv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dyrvA4q5U
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfLAKvZNHG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pcvG2WGOU
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1BLo9zjR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEErUJ5mAR8
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAPPP98Gu7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7GvkaiyuG
I was immediately startled.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34VeeszeA3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30JZhDzHF2
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwaF9A9UHT
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KhEAGKOEq
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QQDJZKyz1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV34JAs5Us
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WQjVKPd4n
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFhY93YEWI
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQI6q7LqhL
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDDb5BuqRg
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLIFEbu5Nm
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVB3J8o7Fj
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrwFDM8aek
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJZq57A5fn
"Do you feel any better?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHulE6PU09
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItO2iaiuNZ
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCPyb2alcE
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cctph9Iq7
"That's good, that's good..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldoVZhLZ85
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUUOsWAp72
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxgVW16yv0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRBxmYvncF
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh9u2h5jfY
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qUy76LLeS
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5N5hFNIVS
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkp8jLfn2W
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIdceTnWg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpiagemnFa
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH65nvNOwe
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT94SoBNAL
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs0TpfGCwy
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL4jRcC26w
"H-How'd you know?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMtf0DGMPf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpdLC1Waf1
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtmZ3OyVg4
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoAmRVokFe
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywwg96UHgd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuJAq2VoHp
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w0WayeT52
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9JP1WRUxX
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?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLviqJynae
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwxQQ1uP0r
Pars nodded.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUrMnF2Rmt
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RvWp2xymE
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVznCXvML7n
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn3bxJdxpL
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4CIqvw9Pw
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eh52P0816
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7XGuQAqdj
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfSrQqChW0
"Mutual what?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqumbX8mIJT
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMTLF2atA
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75AFOljTS8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QDJrimXu9
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2agMxz41p
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFY65Bioa
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsRTqlS4OI
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlmgdxFxE4
"Really now..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vNsBScFWt
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESGP2fls6A
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCNwQvj9KK
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoCHy1pHnr
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN9SloiZqo
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wKUF6NKAx
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqy2W6wV8d
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCaJy1N5xA
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIzwEooOpi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTV7a9Ghma
"Wow... it must've been bad."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXTzb1UCPR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyREMiQ5QK4
"You're almost as flippant as I am."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0CrCsXhrC
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZRKayzSbG
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkTMs21oMc
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TGBLjD4Rw
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFEQAT9Aj8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs6gOfXSg2
"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..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyF7u7z1ZB
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GnVjoZ1Az
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4trjknqgg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAglA925AxG
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHqh7UR4WI
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxAaXJfkrQ
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9J3qQk1qh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY1Zf4XLdM
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCrL3TCD73
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Ucq3tHd9
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWpNgOCqBk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJedTEaygg
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg95kxkD9U
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sbN7cHVPW
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSov82AJEjZ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpqrKklmq5
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMCQIX26M
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy95zwTag1P
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWPXi6gpFF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcfFouTHxz
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKaGTBdKCg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImGqGj508g
"I know."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5SJ3OuUve
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVmRH92AQr
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktX6dylHj
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0TdsZIcrI
"Tell you what; I can't help you."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9UYyCc7of
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta8gj35WwH
"...Are you serious?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2e1yMq3zs
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlplMNTrfGS
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9EN1esjfx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49pUQJYwz5
"What? What can?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6eWESqxkM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DSDtIt9EA
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ddPokZ9D
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOXPWXF1IF
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVW8AtsXFZ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1dRZ0YuaG
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvEoVpxMgs
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tKoK3BIZp
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY8JOC5nGG
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOob6ctlQZx
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70BoXResXn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJQF1sxdeO
"Give it a try."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZhRMEHe6k
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5miBwzrrby
He stood up and patted my shoulder.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfQZb7Fvfm
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl550V6Gvz
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSTLgjmKw2
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSya0FM6Oxv
"H-Huh? Right now?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5cjXfbKY8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaXU6ATP8e
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwgXGIxaKi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iGA07v3Tm
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnepihphWx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lF29BdGY9
–
–
–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd3eyIUwNO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjio1kXW8f
"Are ya all packed up?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ASgzQWzLp
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHPbNvlsI8
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoTbjkgdJA
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P2nDLZO2A
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbiAKfmFYH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYsjBJrYZG
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CH3yjcYJk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJfyMFW1Wb
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbqLzxpAg6
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyT1iy23gx
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexqr9s79A4
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypbx7Y8NFS
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmC1FQrhaW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDayvmp76g
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuCxhj8g4R
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5orafZQrAU
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP7Z0H2td0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡock0HhcDOo
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeoANTOQuF
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMG62JMyNP
"I suppose that makes sense."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6NDPJN0ki
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j1i4C3QW9
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnuHZcm79Q
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfSHqEAcAH
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK0wfR21cl
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn8aRzLxBi
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFpo7dmzw
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnSh1Jwpl6
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BfoPYLsbV
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXUkI7pWig
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JE3wIjUwh
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZnOr0Igrq
"What do I think...?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjrGytDGQR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2cIUggGh3
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX2T0IOh3l
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6kr4O56Gu
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFzSji4fBZ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlC6Y1AxiR
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0axZFoVdH
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKSUDx8X3t
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaviy5cLgum
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZYNo9Fuho
"I'm asking ya, kid."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0haANNeZhq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxJVFp5uAn
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJRNCpTFC1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZlxHS7xVc
"It had to be an Endowment."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuXvDXHfyJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0FBfNx5fy
"..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpPEX02p4W
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LptyJgf4y
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLJL3a0rsk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8Zj7Rpzcf
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fTAVDRh92
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfstk3sQfe
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgubkyKL40L
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgwMwpw9QQ
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXnWnbtKtx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37hZJYegH0
"Why not?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXo2w27ISO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPMWu51yFO
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHePSNFCiNp
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlA6VsA34W
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI069PdPbec
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRJUtX4NnH
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswWTsSnDVn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vKySY3uZ5
"Surely, there's a better option."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mcaed83vy
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSw6s3ljXF
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh30V8m4x9b
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmwIj19C2S
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSwpcRIiJ9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvkThXGLP1
"What if we spy from a distance?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLMr27rVPM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwV1c4HmX4
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikdePki0kp
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt9hGBRRDq
"...Point taken."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2AQ2OQW2e
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwxuY7ijlo
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdduzBqIb0g
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEM0NtlCQW
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKagrcrLqZA
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkd56tl0oi
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BicmAM1GJ
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNKQOnTNXT
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEqsz6OG6D
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUNKtOxrTf
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBsjmXGgAX
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasW5eUZIcc
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15s34yIV1g
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6eyui3LE5
We nodded in unison.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsbRbFavIf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbsO29rfBz
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcWLj9Cd23
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K8CHRuSES
–
–
–
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwyQdTNKqq
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa77TRzn4H
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMelOggrB9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsaEX2TKKw
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdkfSnILL0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTlMhtDqk6
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ56q7rGFR
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RKH7aYtbn
"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?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAbrhCiHdf
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjWqf6WGJU
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACUrbzEef3
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3onu2NtIZr
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp27AQ6D4am
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkUs27MEY9
"Well... I won't deny that."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4XmtFmtNO
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgzkdO5lnP
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa415SWwfQg
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOvyRhcnAG
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2WnLeUepd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp7JMBK5SL
"Again? What do you–?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyfXQabIfn
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmDPxUG3lU
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUnW5lZtK9
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf61KN9IEA
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcDYbe6zB1
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UkVQJb3My
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTqMdcWToY
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5XZYrehEm
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCjc7aG8lk
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lKaHV3hxM
"I didn't ask ya that."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IN7yOZwgi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxTWvlzSRc
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwco8eMIoY8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlF10E9sqC
"That ain't surprising."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVw5rtM1oc
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzku3dRaEy
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VXG7aKwUW
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27kqYH7qJN
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErwjgdHg0e
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGnoelg4Lq
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSYZdQBUKi
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwoH4zlzAY
"Yeah? Like what?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPLHMAVXf7
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCGXJWp0FX
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ec71X1N8
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22g4hh0Qaa
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbdR4QOY6
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtggXvWJm3L
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyA08CXOpx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5quSuY7an
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kWWnuyyT0
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP5idolyY8
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ2T2BMs6Q
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQnOzAH6zS
"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."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4jOCxWDIM
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghw7OfUEvS
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.142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Medxm67xd
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy8SZw3ou6
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLzY5Qx1cv
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG77TcvXAp
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–142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLPsuQZlF2
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3SYU3fhHG
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiPTtCYvRx
142Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzXTIE9TZy
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
