My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.217Please respect copyright.PENANAmbR6dA79ul
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ4tGE30cu
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.217Please respect copyright.PENANAK2DeM3fVNv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAviEiZ0Smwg
"Haa..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAsHMKaX8Bs1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXlxLAXG5vv
"Are you okay?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAFxDkuVjAfP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuAksAq0YYl
"Phew. Now I am."217Please respect copyright.PENANAgXCZzav3ko
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVGCd7qXW5C
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.217Please respect copyright.PENANA11aDjeH8Mo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKshrHimpIp
"W-What is it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANARsHVR3u6HA
217Please respect copyright.PENANASGYYh8hzPm
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."217Please respect copyright.PENANAvlTP7FzOlr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPWvn5hoLlY
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."217Please respect copyright.PENANA68CRLVhWoV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAjYRtpwJc4O
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA2AhYqXbz9q
217Please respect copyright.PENANAq9o0W9v4iE
"Well..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAkgGfIH1Zxx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZYd4TX9PTV
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.217Please respect copyright.PENANA0a6ccDPz16
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHj3Irw2Fy5
"Come on, tell me!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAQp2PX18MIk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGkRALGOGZf
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtCv9VIOiVG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiqqd8QdPxG
She sighed and shrugged.217Please respect copyright.PENANAtG2RH13ozk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQqemvGzVCF
"Are you feeling nervous?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAQwyBIo2ZKa
217Please respect copyright.PENANASPMRWKXlNd
"Of course I am."217Please respect copyright.PENANApcBV5snzGG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdeR6KMm4XB
"You shouldn't be."217Please respect copyright.PENANArfGCpwTUhj
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF5hIzSJtco
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."217Please respect copyright.PENANARkcVHOkgNC
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8YCdYtolH7
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."217Please respect copyright.PENANAEZhOI2UM4J
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPgWkQQ6CB9
"...What's that supposed to mean?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAwzMLd2AL0S
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2fGotwXxGn
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnbNRcjcz9d
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5JNbQuXe9l
"I think you came here a little too early."217Please respect copyright.PENANAo1FMRFE62T
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4G2qKP09Ii
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."217Please respect copyright.PENANAypmSb3s2C2
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8KV9KAIVsK
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAZE2yfgD6xG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZYeGFX2zqM
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"217Please respect copyright.PENANATQlkAKzXhC
217Please respect copyright.PENANA87hfnPigPH
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAvTpUBaefmp
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ5bbPL1qs
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."217Please respect copyright.PENANASRUHcuakMb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF718z0QM39
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.217Please respect copyright.PENANAcO66v9dtoX
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7yNP74fEhh
"Aren't you going to say something?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAwzkUcZty4u
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoBJOMpmSYp
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."217Please respect copyright.PENANAFcrajf5kDK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdYfA1j6kyw
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAaAVBLGxowx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYbGWWekljU
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.217Please respect copyright.PENANAzkRuta0Z7a
217Please respect copyright.PENANArYTzZUSrtP
"...I-I still don't believe you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAfEZ6VVJyZa
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFBBPI7tSSu
"Are you serious!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAleZ0X9sU6C
217Please respect copyright.PENANAi7QQQXo7PX
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.217Please respect copyright.PENANAmS15LJ6gSO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHDaWGfX7uq
"Can I at least have your name?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAZG8moqpPhJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA70BKd54aUK
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.217Please respect copyright.PENANA4lrBildipE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhAkPCmhMRh
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAQcYra9wwWB
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8i2ML3i3NN
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.217Please respect copyright.PENANAcNSMWCSiKr
217Please respect copyright.PENANA0EGlO8981w
"A-Alright, I won't forget."217Please respect copyright.PENANAYQ85fcjRv9
217Please respect copyright.PENANAm3sY0p2nHC
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"217Please respect copyright.PENANArKNBX6705x
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYnoBL705NG
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."217Please respect copyright.PENANA8JUNbNIZcU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgK0rQXM3eq
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.217Please respect copyright.PENANA23XgIgZVv6
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUAme98dBe1
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"217Please respect copyright.PENANARHlgSTykTb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvOf49FPTEB
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"217Please respect copyright.PENANA3u71bFmP0J
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZHSOJmtPQ
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.217Please respect copyright.PENANAukhZqTZoIb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqd17A3TrxK
"She's not very nice at all."217Please respect copyright.PENANAQS9WFdNpmc
217Please respect copyright.PENANARu5xxa1SOM
"I suppose not."217Please respect copyright.PENANAs8B1poarly
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUogLcraay7
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."217Please respect copyright.PENANA4gzSg3LeS9
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2mUk3WW3jB
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAZsw9nJ7EjT
217Please respect copyright.PENANAO39GiKi8ci
**SMASH**217Please respect copyright.PENANASpO3OyZ9Qa
217Please respect copyright.PENANA0zeMe35WqA
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXhsbuJ6GE6
217Please respect copyright.PENANAszo2DieQzw
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.217Please respect copyright.PENANAYpOgu8mBua
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8arFrDMgmL
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAiLCW31PH2l
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1eNxqQsRAj
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.217Please respect copyright.PENANAK9YOJpXtHI
217Please respect copyright.PENANAc2pcVaMNb1
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA92eCkVXb3o
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkTUXtyxRQv
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."217Please respect copyright.PENANANSNUy8QBGF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAebIjUhdprc
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.217Please respect copyright.PENANAzv8soupGy2
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhkHQKYqDml
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."217Please respect copyright.PENANAq0ouNWjRuU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqpBI4mZDf8
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAkM9Dkn9sNp
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyBg7LGZDLx
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.217Please respect copyright.PENANAWN2vqgh6ev
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF6HliZRz6e
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAkmgXl545Wy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhz5PHDzBjK
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA5JOFpiNb7C
217Please respect copyright.PENANAt0fKFIiRwT
"No, not at all."217Please respect copyright.PENANA1cDY8zWORY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAj1ZVaQsawZ
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAKHpV0PXRU5
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgFxzfx10E2
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.217Please respect copyright.PENANAa9SkRkCKig
217Please respect copyright.PENANATJ1a7IJgzV
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtp2VWgAOCH
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1E9DA2zhCY
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAszt6yxMELB
217Please respect copyright.PENANArhWsFR2M3u
"Is she our teammate?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAfSrDPXMEEt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwOttRBaY2D
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."217Please respect copyright.PENANA9O8RqxmsRY
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3AI9gkW2J2
"That so? Lemme test the waters."217Please respect copyright.PENANAnU93ulL1Gf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXgpMEMfG22
"You'll regret it."217Please respect copyright.PENANAOTbfw9tikh
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUbSLzRksyz
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAvuRIHtoqlv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhnWg3v1Rm5
"...Wait."217Please respect copyright.PENANA99oz2P3Htx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfKKzVL9Geo
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!217Please respect copyright.PENANArK2T6J3nMJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANArbJ8OKZTdS
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."217Please respect copyright.PENANAmNeNW5aGRP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAByUQL4X45q
"A little? Just a little?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAs139C4S4SA
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1H7kC5tYCa
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."217Please respect copyright.PENANAg3hv1phsjb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOBNtT8SPGU
"I met her five minutes ago!"217Please respect copyright.PENANABRMH5UnkaJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkIU2C9RUXW
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.217Please respect copyright.PENANAiMgLl63MEI
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuBQeLc6u34
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.PENANAJiQNKSvmWs
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4d1HneFc1S
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."217Please respect copyright.PENANACxI0g8TctU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgEoY0DKkOx
"Really?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAT8kLGrm60B
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2onz1lzpW4
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.217Please respect copyright.PENANAyhZbmyQxLm
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5B7QXkAqR5
"What do you mean 'really'?"217Please respect copyright.PENANARF9BMn3MRF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdXcscBfDTt
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAbxQChoJYOR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIC2R1Ybjc5
"--!"217Please respect copyright.PENANATKbM6sgi75
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEEXZLvstKJ
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.217Please respect copyright.PENANANDXsUIijE5
217Please respect copyright.PENANAizAu8jdfo1
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."217Please respect copyright.PENANAu8whgoKeI3
217Please respect copyright.PENANABeiw2Afxj4
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."217Please respect copyright.PENANAMhbjm4lxWy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQXcdo7g96T
**SMASH**217Please respect copyright.PENANACLuih58u6H
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQy1JMdKhha
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.217Please respect copyright.PENANADy8xIw0w4n
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKzntyXJrEV
My jaw dropped yet again.217Please respect copyright.PENANAPfIqojOprI
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5pxWAisuVZ
"ROY!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA3OhkcCWRzV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAc4yIGMYWCA
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.217Please respect copyright.PENANAHYIj6x2SJc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAjug6JLJHNR
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.217Please respect copyright.PENANA275c6OzzZ3
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhLfFzD7pF3
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."217Please respect copyright.PENANAW482Q0cdZD
217Please respect copyright.PENANAnRIb4OWX2F
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."217Please respect copyright.PENANAilhAU4qQ5t
217Please respect copyright.PENANA74BzvUBBy6
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA7YObkmC05r
217Please respect copyright.PENANALdjfF6CTx0
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAqKTpG5rZxZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7DhOXTr2MP
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAgeEo9Kqfux
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdPAHXrXB75
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."217Please respect copyright.PENANA8bFwJnN3Dw
217Please respect copyright.PENANApXcKjqWEVA
"R-Right."217Please respect copyright.PENANAzlkaEiTHvO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvVXnLDBAGj
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–217Please respect copyright.PENANAcgo4JV28uW
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFQwXO4MZ1n
"Ack!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAVratM1dQ4D
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhmd0l79kTQ
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.217Please respect copyright.PENANAYQUiWVtP4D
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiV3MnfSZqa
"F-Flinty, what was–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAAg7AaH2jDC
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGjHLKZzHR9
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAsoOFW6fsqJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAyePQQdRbP
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1FQkA0opl5
217Please respect copyright.PENANAP6n9vCqx4X
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."217Please respect copyright.PENANAhSLPqrHk0O
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHMeNI9xdHr
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAjP1HcwrNdi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYlI3vrs9bk
"No, I'm not just saying it."217Please respect copyright.PENANAXwx94uX82b
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7laYZyLvxL
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.217Please respect copyright.PENANAYQwIr1KMsk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuldlz6d0B5
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."217Please respect copyright.PENANAX6gXf7CSue
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgXlHqj58lJ
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAt8hQwvQPhg
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2szcSOIIrc
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."217Please respect copyright.PENANA082lC4r5jn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGfM4ooOElk
"I–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAWCkbq2h7pp
217Please respect copyright.PENANAc03o9KO69s
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAXkQZ5cIj8t
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEmX9V3DFra
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAgWaTvbWUQn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAffKomKvWDo
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–217Please respect copyright.PENANA33DbCCAAkl
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyhbFwWVqxu
And yet...217Please respect copyright.PENANADrELzepJAx
217Please respect copyright.PENANARu5q1mlPU1
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."217Please respect copyright.PENANAeao1CDuXhp
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7m3AmTELn1
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnoVu7sJ1f9
217Please respect copyright.PENANAv0Oj9COzNv
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"217Please respect copyright.PENANASANlV6bQOs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGLv5UqOgxL
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.217Please respect copyright.PENANA2ChcJYVoAB
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9nIRdIGWM2
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAIkOiRX9cd1
217Please respect copyright.PENANA27Kh99GVTs
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."217Please respect copyright.PENANAEUrB1Kv137
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1K9teJrVP5
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAyApTU1hAZF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAyJecuJiuc
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAuBg57eLUAk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZR0Wbt3vyU
"O-Okay."217Please respect copyright.PENANA1fhvlMamkw
217Please respect copyright.PENANASuEz9DBUDe
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.217Please respect copyright.PENANAMoxr7L2Nvd
217Please respect copyright.PENANARw8XLqWjBG
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."217Please respect copyright.PENANADPMONjotQw
217Please respect copyright.PENANALmeWa0Y5Hi
"Okay okay, fine."217Please respect copyright.PENANA891lRj8qJx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAcj6Z8sozx2
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.217Please respect copyright.PENANARktCllOESO
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6IR5DYJqHq
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."217Please respect copyright.PENANAqwhdaMxHhx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAifrzBxBRWp
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.217Please respect copyright.PENANAEdsOd3z6rh
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuAZxshL9T7
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.217Please respect copyright.PENANAOVVLv7ssyd
217Please respect copyright.PENANAz4tBykAFQs
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.217Please respect copyright.PENANAfLHX7mAVGa
217Please respect copyright.PENANAaihw5Ke4Y5
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.217Please respect copyright.PENANA4xtXXLkpE7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA95aIplZnTB
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAvHnGgvScAV
217Please respect copyright.PENANA0b0AFdKTsr
"Huh...? What did you say?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAM5KsE8jxJC
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2UnFRgOPYK
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.217Please respect copyright.PENANAEiSLy0a9Zd
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9PIIS5cNxt
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"217Please respect copyright.PENANADmCqfvzxlq
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkgGATy3qux
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."217Please respect copyright.PENANARTXislpAG6
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAf4TDpHW7c
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.217Please respect copyright.PENANASZO5GVz5ot
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhq0tNEOOj0
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAHWxLUBboIp
217Please respect copyright.PENANACB3mPOGxWe
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."217Please respect copyright.PENANAeJKbScWgnX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfe8bqw94Vh
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."217Please respect copyright.PENANAkR1fVjXrfZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtq6sJNcta9
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."217Please respect copyright.PENANA3yM8fG7bpV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKEv1kBa4Eb
"Note?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAq3bnlhcgnq
217Please respect copyright.PENANApiHgn9ftXh
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.217Please respect copyright.PENANAlwG58WK2C1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQRncM16vEI
"What does it say?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAA94FTS7J4m
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOmZxE40f8b
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."217Please respect copyright.PENANA2i0jA23o2x
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3k7fC1ZtYq
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."217Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZgJpH4uNy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqj7MABgjTS
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAQXFA3KEvtz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIt5QD6x4ix
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."217Please respect copyright.PENANAb2RaalTew4
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4z2OVboK2A
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."217Please respect copyright.PENANAB0VROC7fWJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6UvXqcKdr4
Juke sighed and put the paper away.217Please respect copyright.PENANApVkJZZpgPP
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4CusQ8gBxu
"So, how's about a story?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAwfLjVPKSOb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAizVGPWA5fx
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAJCgfEKAfxS
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVkdJYkKtsa
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."217Please respect copyright.PENANAS9XtiI4OAD
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6ppA3sxM7S
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.217Please respect copyright.PENANAan9Ycb2n2j
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwKI1gB1MI8
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."217Please respect copyright.PENANAZTMzC37e6u
217Please respect copyright.PENANAeik4DjwTTg
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."217Please respect copyright.PENANANihb8fgLwc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAs4uaSHP9nv
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAbuQoc4x5VP
217Please respect copyright.PENANADbJxVZEjia
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXF7fKvE6KF
217Please respect copyright.PENANARRTooMBK6R
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAnjnJvf6q6Y
217Please respect copyright.PENANABiE6yisr9Q
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"217Please respect copyright.PENANA6ijEuCTk5s
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEaoGVPpqnT
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"217Please respect copyright.PENANAYDGI2E7qfs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKhO4W68uGk
"Seriously? You have to be lying."217Please respect copyright.PENANAKyvPZgLU2C
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8tEHN2g2VD
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."217Please respect copyright.PENANAF9Qd9sbq9C
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUzmQKHVkOp
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."217Please respect copyright.PENANA8yYOnH3hXv
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8CQ7RF4qnp
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."217Please respect copyright.PENANA6iNAqQEycA
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFl399kLPxa
"Like what?" I asked.217Please respect copyright.PENANAZoua51Ik92
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF6sFO9IdOE
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAu2jKu0v8tO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoYbwY3e5Dw
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.217Please respect copyright.PENANAKrvKkzGlvr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAj63ZIbFHgu
"...Stardust?"217Please respect copyright.PENANATyyueqQeJX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAm22TL1FBHu
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAeMBH9UqiOL
217Please respect copyright.PENANASZp2PBCBQa
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.217Please respect copyright.PENANA2QJVgNf1DF
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1i1sKbMThh
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAkCDLawhbiP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiK8eedt9WA
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAi155mzMXrR
217Please respect copyright.PENANA0FdlbchAGq
"...The what?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAWVdY1Tk9fK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGsyoLTsVim
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.217Please respect copyright.PENANA4yFywJ9uOx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9lcziIeIl
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."217Please respect copyright.PENANAg6MvgN5y9o
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPLe14MyDij
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAXwmoGreRLs
217Please respect copyright.PENANABHdCzLsREo
"Of course I do!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAmaoipyAq8i
217Please respect copyright.PENANASk9Y8X1TQU
She pumped her fist.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1vDG6Onr45
217Please respect copyright.PENANALVYOfQnHtG
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAasjbjEsufu
217Please respect copyright.PENANA81CCTUh6Ev
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."217Please respect copyright.PENANAyp8KddIPbz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwahiKbUwf9
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.217Please respect copyright.PENANAl5kVNZfgta
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1c8VjAYGMV
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAfkgmjwkr38
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPWLVg0cVsR
"I already know this."217Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z0JGNxoIj
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8Cbnhc6mPN
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAAZo4YoGwK1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEGSJ7SHR4F
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."217Please respect copyright.PENANAQZ9Uy83qPt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAb4MJButHnz
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."217Please respect copyright.PENANACOkphssvPi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyvl48nNoRh
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."217Please respect copyright.PENANAiGkjPKinVu
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQurqYhjZVp
"Eh? Why?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAl26DuScVwW
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1CQdeY8G6G
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.217Please respect copyright.PENANA2HBMuVfX3X
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyVzrDKfwGr
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAxTlPDJGSOn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVNSbYKPwVU
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.217Please respect copyright.PENANA2c3rCo5xbE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAH981SGckjw
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"217Please respect copyright.PENANALzQyORxJiF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAA3o3iuPZRa
"That's cuz I met her."217Please respect copyright.PENANAPBgGMppY03
217Please respect copyright.PENANARl6MrOVOqP
"WHAT!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANATQ9sKVxqio
217Please respect copyright.PENANALykyYSdd6o
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.217Please respect copyright.PENANAimnaArx4zn
217Please respect copyright.PENANABwFRGRVaya
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAUwsJrI4yv6
217Please respect copyright.PENANAI1Uk9zlaqP
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAL5YV6vfgxS
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIoFBg6oIDZ
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtoDzaime09
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUXvkldg6YB
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.PENANA8l1v5aUp8X
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkVxDjCEw2D
"You're kidding."217Please respect copyright.PENANAArW8S80htE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF32JzsqkFM
He shook his head no.217Please respect copyright.PENANAtfuuLlEGHo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAplvHXfeIem
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."217Please respect copyright.PENANAfPPSOfRBUB
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFPA3Pxe0Ec
"You're making this up," I said.217Please respect copyright.PENANAf4ZCtjUXOm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfNndiHrTVY
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAzL42AYBcqs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGtYNLDBMhx
Juke shrugged.217Please respect copyright.PENANAKb9yV0Ho1u
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ap4z3DZzj
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."217Please respect copyright.PENANAstYELvp6WJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANARcf3h3psRI
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.217Please respect copyright.PENANANDjnFEns7n
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYTYUHBP6Hc
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."217Please respect copyright.PENANAFVZ4I23tnw
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOCydLDp5N9
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."217Please respect copyright.PENANAnkCgz8rlHR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgkW5Keke2b
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.217Please respect copyright.PENANARLxRuiaMaF
217Please respect copyright.PENANARb8SWBuaEy
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.217Please respect copyright.PENANADjbKiYFd07
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkyTlsYewq5
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAlK2rWX3YL1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiT2x3AANHj
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.217Please respect copyright.PENANANMAnfCi5Kx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAj46TNjfNAS
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAlHBq08SNbr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGadRs0eUI6
She pointed a finger at him.217Please respect copyright.PENANAFYMGWz6Rjo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAv4MMbVY6WM
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAI29xKkcu8w
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAIDgQikF6B
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."217Please respect copyright.PENANAFfmcGrZVel
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZmVmdsqbNC
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAGdLs3eEstL
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOqPZ4PLZLn
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.217Please respect copyright.PENANAjCHhnh9Bv7
217Please respect copyright.PENANANPViQ8E3mI
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."217Please respect copyright.PENANAlcJ46PDyP7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5yMK59FozT
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."217Please respect copyright.PENANAFuq1VkLGGD
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1hGrDKs1C4
"--Ngh! You guys...!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAJUB3OiqQZc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkUU85u3Bhs
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.217Please respect copyright.PENANAZfPyuz0Wo7
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAHyGF678D5
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAStY8f1oSCv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkf8XM0gPYr
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.217Please respect copyright.PENANAlmh2KoOwMj
217Please respect copyright.PENANADYFCG3bcXk
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAEjhzVLWsGP
217Please respect copyright.PENANA61Rczcl1qR
"Ya look like you have something to say."217Please respect copyright.PENANAiDYeOGutUK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAp2blJP1n04
"W-Well..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAaj79pnUw4t
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAfiamg7pAY
She turned her head away.217Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZPHjb1I5v
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwS8PtKjtbw
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."217Please respect copyright.PENANAjat4xFRKpT
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9xg09odX4r
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.217Please respect copyright.PENANAN2GNjc6wD6
217Please respect copyright.PENANABrGd1BElAz
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."217Please respect copyright.PENANAEP6r3dQ8vK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAksryDcSH4A
"Mhm, I told you so."217Please respect copyright.PENANAcFjzmDSwwK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAca63qL2DAB
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.217Please respect copyright.PENANANKNeTHW9wJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAooonMR9Y1w
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.217Please respect copyright.PENANA21tIKKmODg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwASZDEdoPa
"...So why am I not getting any?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA28BFc7i8sr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwxCqnkbtLh
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."217Please respect copyright.PENANAxymRYRZEtB
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5x5whmAkcm
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–217Please respect copyright.PENANAplRdHXo8Fo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZ22o8uiQv1
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA8AWaYrIBGl
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4BvCYnPrdv
"Eh?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAE3lpG1K2tE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkQD9H6KfrF
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.217Please respect copyright.PENANA7PtcOiYqSZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3N3eV9TVJv
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.217Please respect copyright.PENANAi8pgupnn3f
217Please respect copyright.PENANASXk3jhX0gP
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA4FPqC4iSVn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqhMK1zkxW2
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.217Please respect copyright.PENANABdClDsTllw
217Please respect copyright.PENANAcFraVTsNDQ
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAjZnHwYKRJR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXrrh4EgDOD
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."217Please respect copyright.PENANAWERDKEIm8p
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyzsvIBHyom
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."217Please respect copyright.PENANAMcBfI62Xzm
217Please respect copyright.PENANALW3XD8SCUg
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXtmVrAhOl0
217Please respect copyright.PENANAA3Y3UoS6OR
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.217Please respect copyright.PENANAyEPVmRaMrJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAO06n8SLtIU
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"217Please respect copyright.PENANADQpS0mVcfr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAsT0s87dsLo
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."217Please respect copyright.PENANAC3eLkylvHo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAaTMEv3qw9Y
"A jungle? What elevation?"217Please respect copyright.PENANATPQUo4ekkI
217Please respect copyright.PENANAv6ViCI5dcy
He shrugged.217Please respect copyright.PENANA9WZhrWpEdC
217Please respect copyright.PENANAT61p9YnXmz
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."217Please respect copyright.PENANAae5eY9McVt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiWlMtxwaol
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."217Please respect copyright.PENANA96NBTupul1
217Please respect copyright.PENANApkExlY4YVN
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.217Please respect copyright.PENANANObGTlr3m2
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzEOG6V4UEm
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA2pC1vkjWDW
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoB1kBdb31K
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."217Please respect copyright.PENANA5K1DcXAwIR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbQh9fuAXK8
"Why?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA78yCu5hboh
217Please respect copyright.PENANAriApj4mNyX
"..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAxJDh5Ez055
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkkTIliyy3g
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.217Please respect copyright.PENANA8cus0LpRmG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbuEFli90eX
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."217Please respect copyright.PENANAqk0hjguavA
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwY19KMNjXM
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAieAaOe5j5D
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYx8DUFEDnO
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."217Please respect copyright.PENANAo60EwOkyLQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAj95OYV8r6p
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAy7y1SkkxSf
217Please respect copyright.PENANA844MEWMA8s
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."217Please respect copyright.PENANAxOMKuKcDwR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVa2eV5wA2w
"..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAT3PNXlGpP7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9RZlPgEcpx
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAUDeN3Qq2VU
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5KORNDNrtP
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."217Please respect copyright.PENANAa0mDxrHW68
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7twTKfQzCx
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.217Please respect copyright.PENANATfEs9PHCWM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAokhyiau9uq
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."217Please respect copyright.PENANAoIgpXDx1Pr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgaZZKXyPZy
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA2TqWYrMXB3
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZrZflCze3i
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1rrgBPWdOF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAexxmUw9Rsv
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"217Please respect copyright.PENANAMiDNKHdtNJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAeRtdBXT46M
"TALBOT!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAvzgaJRN1Ge
217Please respect copyright.PENANAeYwP3I9T7W
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.217Please respect copyright.PENANAYd6eMr35LR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPkKm60PPq2
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtI9PN3rX5S
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1NGDZAG9IR
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAtqBeONyYNz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAnR7YPi56Cp
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAi3rZnObwHc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAorHBzVQsKe
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."217Please respect copyright.PENANA7f5N6W7OU1
217Please respect copyright.PENANATzHy0iRCDE
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAq8pipmoUxu
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqg02lrRZwJ
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."217Please respect copyright.PENANACCFW0F35F6
217Please respect copyright.PENANABN6Te2kT2Q
"Are ya kidding me?"217Please respect copyright.PENANADdRiVMClUX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAsD6ekL0pcg
"That's so lame!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAqdJrfXfewN
217Please respect copyright.PENANAsJD3R3xtma
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while217Please respect copyright.PENANATxQW30sqNy
217Please respect copyright.PENANA65pLdKn4zl
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."217Please respect copyright.PENANABWp7AumAy3
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUvxCHkEfm6
"What's that supposed to mean?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAxCDItSRzHU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAX0pUB5NFuD
"Nothing."217Please respect copyright.PENANAeiZsbOjJ1B
217Please respect copyright.PENANACjQ8C6Pwrg
She returned to chowing down on her food.217Please respect copyright.PENANAiVt7zyFgpc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAZoavWKQpM
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAkcg8AGkExU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAff5uNrBCS9
"Well..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAsBA7rHuVAO
217Please respect copyright.PENANANqzLgIPSiL
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1AAmLNZpAE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQHcZ6PKqMy
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"217Please respect copyright.PENANALE8pIgxwbE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFe9BsbGsGA
"...No."217Please respect copyright.PENANAbBC6pJrpUK
217Please respect copyright.PENANARu3SjDM2lv
"Eh? Why not?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAKuJIfOrFTM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlVAscXhM0h
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAbPib3i2ZSx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyyGkSGhMHu
"Huh!? What'd you say?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAjLOdwes08I
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVpVy6JZPxJ
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.217Please respect copyright.PENANAOkbivDtUJf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdKkc4WQqFW
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAqoaCPTNEqi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtmS0WUOES6
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAqCrlTAFLeE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAezPtUmvcGp
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.217Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8pkEtS8Pl
217Please respect copyright.PENANACDokitpEha
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."217Please respect copyright.PENANAw9K61vcFPb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbQpXVtgAiW
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."217Please respect copyright.PENANAdYeSSbnlxE
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8xRDzXdNhe
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.217Please respect copyright.PENANAizUx9Vyfvx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAY1eqfkEsZC
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."217Please respect copyright.PENANAIRFPAw04iq
217Please respect copyright.PENANApeNBtTyHCB
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.217Please respect copyright.PENANAd39vSDM9Um
217Please respect copyright.PENANAkO8OgeEtgK
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."217Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZWrxBtW4Z
217Please respect copyright.PENANAi5IMAzE7SK
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.217Please respect copyright.PENANAtOXkNdGDkD
217Please respect copyright.PENANAX116pcsp92
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."217Please respect copyright.PENANALP8vlcA2lV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEDLPDZpgPj
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.217Please respect copyright.PENANAVFSb1YnIml
217Please respect copyright.PENANAk4TvA1DHDK
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"217Please respect copyright.PENANA7BK6V4ORKo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXMr1fBQvle
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAIusdykrYj8
217Please respect copyright.PENANAmjodyhadqw
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAdcihtH14we
217Please respect copyright.PENANAaasdgqeF11
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."217Please respect copyright.PENANAoIpgH3J1d8
217Please respect copyright.PENANAt4xdnGUmnt
"Custom design? Well..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtCynQW1d22
217Please respect copyright.PENANAefJwrRFnrk
She turned her head away.217Please respect copyright.PENANAgXW1u0ZO4B
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHJOm9RAajU
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."217Please respect copyright.PENANAHvD8DsvXqe
217Please respect copyright.PENANAK2r8paC0MQ
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.217Please respect copyright.PENANANwIcC5dhYR
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYY7kX1djGt
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."217Please respect copyright.PENANAiMATIPG8E8
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4e8XHSfyqf
"Oh, this?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAjfyQAlrrxV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlh80oZFWww
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXr8LqCIfAK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAcAXbO3sH8W
"I stole it!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAf0LuamWuBm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAt7TObx1Ebc
"No surprise."217Please respect copyright.PENANA94WmcTufVC
217Please respect copyright.PENANAWC2Ipewyt0
"I ain't surprised."217Please respect copyright.PENANAvQwZprbyiR
217Please respect copyright.PENANABgBoieWYgt
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.217Please respect copyright.PENANAU1nzFcFMX1
217Please respect copyright.PENANApCdN9QvSVQ
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAS3BFp7rtUQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANArM2v42PuAz
"No."217Please respect copyright.PENANANkGr1wvnlC
217Please respect copyright.PENANAJrMitgZ9Ka
"Not really."217Please respect copyright.PENANAG4FFbSiWNM
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6fOFFk5AYU
"Ah... you two are lame!"217Please respect copyright.PENANA7E9AqU6ehf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoh58lX2UOz
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.217Please respect copyright.PENANAzLTWAXWk3A
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQMjOGiWDMa
"..."217Please respect copyright.PENANA93lTHXr3Yz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAT9r1gM1d1c
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnqcWSHRcNX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAibQPBpqV13
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.217Please respect copyright.PENANAKunTKTloJP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAI9LG0mM7Vv
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."217Please respect copyright.PENANAg827LDAgcY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5MwYflt44
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."217Please respect copyright.PENANAEMEREunG6H
217Please respect copyright.PENANAi1QCSVKNgC
"I-I see... I suppose so."217Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zm4fZvOOv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHpwFUOpcop
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAupJs5YTN4D
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3GAzIMkReJ
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.217Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1ieYrB1xs
217Please respect copyright.PENANA807zFDMfMH
"Did you have to word it that way?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAD8BVwtCTr2
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfvZZoMZKzM
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."217Please respect copyright.PENANAnEgJRxA2S5
217Please respect copyright.PENANACT2KU9e6VQ
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."217Please respect copyright.PENANAAssnRkBZDb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvnKwi9V0bV
"Ya got it, boss."217Please respect copyright.PENANArtpQ1iMWsi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAolhgszWqDt
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.217Please respect copyright.PENANAdOcEjoxHyD
217Please respect copyright.PENANAK7yc8HvDCq
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."217Please respect copyright.PENANAujToeXkVCi
217Please respect copyright.PENANARqOa5eMCcf
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAFbnFjeXSQS
217Please respect copyright.PENANA03BVQTJgIv
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.217Please respect copyright.PENANAOnELq2PhKL
217Please respect copyright.PENANAn4OyQFWDpy
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAcDiA6VTMSm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoFZlKFHQxF
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.217Please respect copyright.PENANATBVn6uNs50
217Please respect copyright.PENANAP4wyHgJTbL
"...Well, alright. What is it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAitrNuJptiZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5iajmFzjVQ
"I... I wanted..."217Please respect copyright.PENANAQiTmHwXWGt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAG9QgYIU7pv
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAj5wVRUPhf2
217Please respect copyright.PENANAaXDSuF8GdT
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAnZJEosIXfF
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7MZa4YKRRF
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.217Please respect copyright.PENANADLR7WMvSTb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAT6zE7dbR4I
"Where's this coming from?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA7gZG5KKR7K
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5reTfylyHq
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAgl9SvS1Sjf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZVQhiJ6kMt
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."217Please respect copyright.PENANA7hTb4YIeg8
217Please respect copyright.PENANAh3j3Hz0cuk
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAj5y0b4kx72
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUSEPnjnUdD
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.217Please respect copyright.PENANAwJBbdWkXBM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZUCnF2vYFy
In that light–217Please respect copyright.PENANAdU3lUscqpF
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqlbZk7tiJF
"Alright, apology accepted."217Please respect copyright.PENANAVwuGBq4j3x
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPt5Pi0r467
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–217Please respect copyright.PENANAfGyjE5uMpP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOmGRNrxf6O
"--only on one condition."217Please respect copyright.PENANAgcSTe5PP4U
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGFPk30yLnG
"Eh!?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAGmoDPjRwjA
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7xOMznEjS
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.217Please respect copyright.PENANATyXkldrcON
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvO4mcpph9Z
"That's right."217Please respect copyright.PENANA4zVIqvabGO
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9esNviCQPu
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAKJbzLh1FMQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYf2LyU5kKm
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."217Please respect copyright.PENANAIJ3VgqFoLd
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZVinTrnJz4
"He sounds like a priss."217Please respect copyright.PENANAwZybEfEMGN
217Please respect copyright.PENANAw4HXijiZNq
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."217Please respect copyright.PENANADeUOJXHXZQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANALPg7FOtClY
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.217Please respect copyright.PENANA9VhaJgyDvt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZhwlsRzAkg
"Fine, what's your condition?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAnWEi9M2NC8
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5zrhgcInY5
I pointed a finger at her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAyz4Y35dCEZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZsIQ9qsrna
"We need to get along from now on."217Please respect copyright.PENANA7SvBnwqtAB
217Please respect copyright.PENANAxHWWkhBtZa
"...Huh?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAmfEGRaetTX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbENJJIDfPU
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAxugXq8qdLP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAw1ebqswcNL
"...Ha, that's it?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA5IRh6QfBEl
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwoKyyFuHd3
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.217Please respect copyright.PENANAqAjjmPIERe
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtj9JZDVVYA
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAIoLLbm2b9y
217Please respect copyright.PENANADP5RmDeACG
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAKJnRdm9UtD
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7sdYhgi3DU
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnSoVXG5ghN
217Please respect copyright.PENANA67yZGAnKKR
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.217Please respect copyright.PENANAI7vP96mlLU
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5DcHPQ7GB7
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."217Please respect copyright.PENANABZ40VM6rYk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvZc7ox1h9W
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."217Please respect copyright.PENANAIuW2MfAWuA
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwtpbKWh8MY
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnR8C8ntdFo
217Please respect copyright.PENANADHdTrmhfXO
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."217Please respect copyright.PENANAcudLj50jW4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlyUBcKYGPp
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.PENANALlK2NdR9cU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlrTGgf9CZM
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"217Please respect copyright.PENANA5HmwIYPW7P
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2kO7URltgl
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAxGTLXkyHlr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAStg57EgdJU
"What a weirdo, seriously."217Please respect copyright.PENANAEOYJwfqKyv
217Please respect copyright.PENANADMbeY3XbQZ
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.217Please respect copyright.PENANAuyApN6RSO3
217Please respect copyright.PENANAr4nXu068sI
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.217Please respect copyright.PENANA927wULLCn0
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzk7zutTKhj
"You guys! You gotta see this!"217Please respect copyright.PENANAwpP6hJR85d
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3shRgy4Qbc
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.217Please respect copyright.PENANAdqVlrS9IQi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAweB11IOcn8
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.