Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa11bnLmkmB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh8BaqYXJO
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz7VLfAjTm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmENfnHlHqj
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL7aL8U82O
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVNL3PWDdm
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28JKKscpO7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwOrJ3DVAF
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWZsmuYMd0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK1sbbQSTd
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopPbbjaaq2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxdyUuEwZV
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d0cmjTcUv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9TReOzZEc
“Well?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbbKnuChe3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwnWd52yUo
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV18CuWsc3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7SyJF3agu
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYUWk6CjF0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8siBolGfRa
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrwUi7vWAb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB26l0aA0O
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YYGY0qEBf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr4FjPXGJY
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIqfQokL18
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Voihp25C
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDxoDLaraq
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qt1VgtCLP
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8O2QoGixm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4nLeeGEmt
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sxw8sXwUZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLtY3fNNsk
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO9SaKTdj1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXE4uOP3WZ
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIC6RwMvab
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhio87Mqtai
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveD1cTty2a
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV4alRbjub
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTorqN2HnnU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmZnlnRcd5
“...Yeah.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bqdbmW38N
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKeUqrtKsS
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcvNsoihS3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY88Pfkuh0s
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQkSHeyLHo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMfOPOHz17
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa7MPMCemL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtP5pvh3W1
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8MKkNfvSa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNfeqktFR6
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHt1rRAlZW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZZTBI4Gco
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOQp1dhTFQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVAPR0hsf0
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP2OFEUMY6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvuEwlfKvP
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBquFaLCkG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnQsLLGNhz
“...?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvEIi7YxKV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLG1yKn3WT
At that, I had to tilt my head.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iL6k57yBQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPWAA1K26I
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFV2gB7aVb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mr92VwkZj
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKAlHeeVqY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNFEnjBNQi
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiR7tuEVeX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Lr7XODi7
“Dennis still ain’t here.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6I8GxqNc2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WWZ1zoWuF
“...”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4cq4IDAgt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6IQennFnN
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8rCMhcasv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhEpIT5DRZ
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ejNjF8v7z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViVkjIZzri
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED6W4ngoVS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZbDdYXQYn
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG7iWT55Aw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDnEMO3rmC
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLQ4JKmsxm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlILBot2GqM
“--!? W-What!?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaVhPnDwDj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBDYu2pkCR
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFLGHufcej
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdLWXDpmP1
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUjAD0UuFP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCCDd6QLMM
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgIt8LSHYT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs8jqNmBBH
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPuFHV7wgy
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcb5qyLuv8
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeLg9qAxHV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHovLkU9NM3
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4By3SXxyLE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAApYNkCF0
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA8PgBJdbS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pVk0eQHwt
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBBDfE6839
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJqE6AW8WJ
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tyvg8s91d
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFVJOKaX4N
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mab5Rf4QI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGUiAz49fE
“...”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMBPA1FF0d
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRIwEVMLwP
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGkulom9sN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL1fN0e82l
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqhMkFTofe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4as7Hakfop
“I-I see…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt5hwwByNP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bh3JEJUVu
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0D5VlrHUW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAY6a585Pb
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sz4twGPUP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK6PM73N3r
“You don’t, ‘get?’”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKMrTupt0w
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0leCSsONE
“Y’know, when–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF2SrSK2zO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaUI6ndxDj
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkSMExZfmm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfDeuc7IL5
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlglCOrEMmO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFwaSE7Jij
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LW9dO2eu5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U398XiskL
**SLAM**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSMotmzMM1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXaPpOFKLK
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcseAtOEUz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5PDQRaXbO
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjDwwZRR80
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJVziiN2T8
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIfClPHzhl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKzt4CR8EO
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X8819KUw3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0zpNMZpPc
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN28D0sFST
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNmCJ1xsDY
“M-Mister Dean.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3v1eJdQOl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRUaeaMKZu
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB8gYnMyPV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsbX6k7UX
“Yes, child?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebg841Zc6z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4epKgqvaj
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aedxSWcYT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUDW6dFlo2
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2UwJKEX19
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvHEHIAvxJ
“R-Right.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiNsZXTGkj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmf3ng9q1F
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVxBX12igJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbCbbJvE7e
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAzBzYCQHS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCz7Nshr56
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5509kkMoB1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAbXJCOTX9
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmVCaOrAKb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtdBHYCKIu
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nXsLTztiY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLpANVTSLN
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOu7cyoRR9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrVJZGGpds
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZqXWSSGiu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIffTQO6wpP
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7FarZpAAq
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeGA2ZEfh5
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL17weSF8W
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFG9KVqWuu
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LENgiUOw7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGWei1ukmI
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVrmfZ5OBK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrxHpPL6l
“Haven’t you explained that already?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUN4oqJinI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfabk5FXfgT
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DUhKVjDSp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oXfOXT8uc
“What’s that?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCXqKz7jvB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfg7MknxQN
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMF2EGBJ2K
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBky9DohIr
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRdJVMOiB0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVydbOluQw
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwLMiDE0bL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtCfZTIK73
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURVEBCqPon
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AnUkgWjR7
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4dPvZC1jr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V5DlgHiIH
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7PxFNm4v2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4iXyjcxCH
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmnm9mtZAL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajC5V1onfn
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1dn4SpcHZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL57JWBVUpG
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sHR5d7H4r
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd7r2tQAsI
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e3G4vkPBM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuIXlCfWVG
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0wfEPWbU1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkxm9oOAri
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI9i8vfVzz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm6L3YUlW1
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasXJNuJ7F3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuZOzlMgSk
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SQnkQOEvt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4tEFDpbZO
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h1ELGZcNM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHujzxxCknn
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck7iYg4AL4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYsLc20Xf0
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yhXDzyV0E
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiL3S5CRlN
“I think it likes you, child.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6BGg1EPP3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI8RcNfLqh
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7u9xM4OQW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZmlTqF54u
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST6gWnYSoJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqZWoBFbI3
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlIliv4Ss6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhLZHgRAky
“Hah?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKkYKtt5DE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi11Y6jRqY4
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGrxafAmhl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YiTeCw4KH
“I… smell like flowers?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5ukCDmzhZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLIetHrq9
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYQPzsHyOa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRnf1amiJm
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9iw53HszI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEATQgcNU2
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5GGV9HUpx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMpN5znxAa
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyxzUbqrJH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY9AxmASph
“Really? I didn’t know that…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmbdkGQOaU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPgGOfwiuw
“Ahem, moving on–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nWePflzsn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYR0mIdL5n
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPQ9WDDIYL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69IySaL43w
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tpjGCLOb6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8hAQnQhIj
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bTsoyQEqQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYHAiYSp3R
“May I know why I’m being told this?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAND4A9z1E
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OEwwzNwK7
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1oDGNBJTW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfyD2TUOiD
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVYftok6h0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJdsWddylP
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvKctiqrHK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwHUawSGfs
“My help, you say…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UIcthLCbC
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq20yl4LOA5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8SZpcesZa
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH41VLiC4mg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweAATLMM3r
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtV4YOlqnP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnhZSMLkWt
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjpvJ4tIk8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrTYv6LPqm
“...Energizing potions?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BSvSa7olE
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVofz4KfmJu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EP3kHKjCH
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtuD9rt8n6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHcIgOdm4z
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzqrSrBdOc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZYrjLiwFg
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4TG6E07js
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRu4S5492q
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsrcPp0Yr6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fmt6ZwAo0
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxdewCYM2m
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl9U3ddtPs
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDlGoqHQSP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGnD30gJ14
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QhOLlYICk
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtp9e8LPqB
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfel0iYXRM
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“Is something wrong?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoN0RQExhD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKviF1BGoZ
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixuQcdgeRI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57mAzRpx83
“Well, kid–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJp9mXDS2W
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3MvS03kAX
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9zPbcWHAj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDctpZcyCn7
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcsLDHOhkp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mka7i42AM
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpNAujtzYj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYuVaKdrFh
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUmztHdDn7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebLK07yzDo
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatMYfy1GW6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSBVyQc4qT
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WSystKZQK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOetFfpW79
“...Comfortable.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpmnDsp7tH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss0tl8BE22
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUW9RBi7PV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMzH9JxXZs
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPH32c2TDh
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13zl7kiEHr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5YYOMMtIK
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDoG1LA8el
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgjRr9y4m7
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTWkQYSlzn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZVxF890IZ
“...A little bit here.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmVsTM1fjn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS75yTod21U
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo8fcJoBTA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk9h9Z5dhK
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgSfaDLpxM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eHh5J2pjo
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhl3e6pWHw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOadH5ae8K
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO20SsO4BYH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXpGWuTJzP
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR1CrGx9Dy
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SkPL7Rwvd
“No time to waste, though.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmdCF6X99W
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsowjDkcu1Z
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJqIrBV8vz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqonBOGeHQZ
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cHsoT8oCt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ7yn0eELz
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxozLMRQcb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdVqCiIRE2
“...Crap.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLSZwfLRtI
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Y1velOwH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1YiCZoE9
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1oZhuR6FR
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniXeJBX64t
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtLqP9ry4x
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaadYtDJjv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oFSKoZiVv
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInEf1Wc73k
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5zZyFSHS
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63HOcksIRx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFE2l3Zcfd
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOEASFBw72
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99YaWjtYSG
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz9VJnh3GK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VnCO1GJp2
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyyRrV50Il
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10zy9apX0c
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg033bwmWSB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmA956wPMU
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB1nfQq76G
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7cIReQrwS
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnBWsxaVa0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1W32yoLAl
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksXCu0cuhW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA60ShgVrN
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM8M5dyUKG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOuLW96b1i
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy2CAliWGK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWleVRKPBOR
“N-Nigel!?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOTxSuOXM4
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nYeqoRRsM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrZ2bFmlZ0
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcayL6vdBsQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSMQiwDJvG
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJVtps6D7c
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWByFFSWATm
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxG8Nw6Hhy
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbkxCyLav
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lUrvoRLI4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LMmABbfrF
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugguRNBsYf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFstMXgpMvc
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd7SG1IiWD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy2Z43hHo9
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qzn7laCBZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44gP4B0eKZ
“Is this… a clamper?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbpMhqX5uC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNCFyV6Kh5
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3zXBWFsVa
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXggeJmaNQj
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“That I asked you?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMmynzsCkR
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNl4MCFUHi
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX0TlzFqAT
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZSNGRY9TK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSxNOKJMKN
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQSy4TsT2G
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHqfDi8AQF
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQZbrrNRA5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQuYqOwjAD
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0VNkcVekN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUhwU0WnMk
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtXNl9bEdw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wozHBlL8K
“How did you–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSlJnX2udQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzOdfxhBAw
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV55kFb51Oh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DTxMOgUU0
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWkp6E15hR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvGEwEzWBh
He continued cutting as he spoke.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o1CVPr7PA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6D7CS6PDF
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKEx48ZVIR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0kYWwVilp
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9OitsNnes
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD8i50yUHs
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8BVBl9npF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5xiJn9LOd
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wt4fg1321
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqXvx2X6Er
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZluOjcFLB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Akr788AR
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpftVqSvLet
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l8N1lEJaQ
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2BXKCzU1X
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwMLWWDTHY
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6kWWeZd2W
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZVcNYtgKV
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bgiN32h8F
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1l4XC9z8J
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBM5ZOkUf6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU8qzVuaE6
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkV4XaUMr1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbJibdQpRx
“I… darn it, you got me there.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjhCzGvwpW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERX0oIlFln
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDgQjzobDG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchqYKPVApx
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwWJN8OPYW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRAGzf7sAE
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKOyDnQcNY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj7gM5yoTd
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ZSSbugKH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm2SQApMPt
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmD9ypDDAZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6bZ6KDWa3
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHdiulCQgu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FSIau5GOS
I looked at him with pursed lips.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jeB4i3FnK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeYQDttbED
“Why not?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAAcDAmUVR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglnJ4jKBwo
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwrIhFO4QH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbZH7WqZpP
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55laSRZdh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgwnxzfb7Q
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyaHMwlnO9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4SmFraHNU
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGOnGpdxte
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTABFf8a8V
“--!”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YFGGmW1Pe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRzWyv1aNs
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXXu6fyBuB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ZfGSYkdH
“Did anything else happen?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8qFNhfTbF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11EazUSQZR
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMWhCnHZVC
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR6DhZzhVh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4HckZqBTQ
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcpcfUtcuE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL4vu0taOv
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2kFt775DU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB76gGsDuk
“Uh…”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfuQVZXZdb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozs7dVbLgo
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovI47fW8uH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gwXPPmU3x
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4wYGiyw7Y
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHfj9eRdQI
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWJB1Fk7XU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw15ZX4PyvX
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7JXp1Sqpc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs58SSXBz6
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aeoihGR4H
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqlfv7jVYd
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FkvfMDbqP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9Yo1FGjTP
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0qiiXaSL5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVW5F6Ju7T
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOuiM66Adu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgGz6hYesW
“...O-Oh.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWin4OFcHR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQczLQ4SoK
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18AC8CjLnw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYraB8QLZ1
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnww81f0sft
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6F5OotWpO
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9sDBoC0XM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cmd2SM1l7
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJEGQts0xS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CLMVwybjL
“Make sense? How?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUmLJLGCQV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lNBB5YSNI
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoEs6EhZTV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOe25Jo5Hk
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxjj1Nn0ls
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypejGhroxZ
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmeUeVGRNg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2VcEDBJVA
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWv2p2JsUF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCffTaP2krF
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtY7n1ELU0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRyvSCCqUZ
“So she still fought alone, eh?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcwWUDibTT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNzRkkwbhL
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyQethVd3v
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCygdroFu5
“Relieved? How come?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM2d7tgQok
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYvk6Smx6y
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBrfWsQAGU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJw1JQBzsB
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauxhjKqm7Y
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PrQOJQRyI
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5zRvDLSZR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCJTzQYx0W
“You’re probably good friends with her.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rcwweFRLa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP04xMBfaIS
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPsgZd5PfF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqDkKMPif2
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnIGedPUdS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshNcLAEsYG
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0nEU5HRmb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87SXrs3tIp
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEOetTcVCA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vbUEVQbQz
“H-Hurt? What happened?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla9X1OJ4Dr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ05qAbGmGB
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LdLxayJ6p
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxkVQm3Iiw
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIxRFBwtNg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaLiFAoKsg
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRMWvLpn98
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVycyk7LKv0
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBQFd1ldCD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3BaO754ZY
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKznYeXlodt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFKyTt4Ffu
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs4sQtoiAp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaAc6YSAnn
He shrugged.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgoOyAX9CK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOJ1C4COHt
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiDohurrXO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ksE93qcGv
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLglWMTBlH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5zqmUowIp
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl3OTksexn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwPJa331ct
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZWvVPgYZ7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVBcIjfry6
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQMwfK4qb7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhD8A7O9e
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xGbF0lcV8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxYcwJRlGG
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjRRe1Ywn4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT8zwGMk5l
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzpxeHjEta
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrAVZqjwE9
–
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–
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm4xAakrF9
–
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjjkGlUXM0
“...Role model.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXOq6rMtQr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bsp3ZjWzC
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGjdwfS1ZB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiiAeJrAwC
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrVpgnU5tz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zav2iwe4I
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsJ5xj5Yih
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c8j3HG29j
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl44eca4a4T
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzNA8bW8zz
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3khRNDgDoF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRzE0cGnyA
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Vp6xJr5o
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwyMqmoeJk
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRoykpsw1U
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTHwYscY3n
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIgGcpMBK2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUedk2dLGMb
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
