My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbgxnVNyEP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd42nOt5juW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB4xWe5qtE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz1gR5j3Ne
"Haa..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWEuv6JwDg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEprvFYdTw
"Are you okay?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XUaHIQ7UV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrJRu84te2
"Phew. Now I am."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AydrrqBIm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiaUiBDQyi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB6YZUvwcK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBicEXuIWh
"W-What is it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXicsQq0bye
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3UKsnB2up
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQgguTaUwu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKhE3WsMOm
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04sdmq7UvS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A94i1Qo4m
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3G32tP6eo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfICdvhAL3N
"Well..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBAmoJGiIx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1xYY8JWs4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTUx2vPZwz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZjiYlWFx
"Come on, tell me!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn1aU2hRnq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwzYY6eC7V
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNggToA5o9L
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBcGrBznRE
She sighed and shrugged.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxEGBRngv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSHNr4vGpB
"Are you feeling nervous?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKeDDLIfwO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRgMnH5RaP
"Of course I am."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOUhp1iI4f
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk25iWlLSMY
"You shouldn't be."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Bcja9jRV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGZXJ6y7wK
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS98iMv2Kqu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF22C1VJa5
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqyWsMzb36
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wazjBHzKa
"...What's that supposed to mean?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM5jm2kvmZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIuAusTTTp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxmjmj0CkU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwi06EQIFq
"I think you came here a little too early."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvWyRywa87
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigyyqhPNQy
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxmyl7s7EZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPl0k8jaKh
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx0hS2MDoU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3jaI3YUZL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxmKkzPdQJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJHlS155yK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLxpAuuQHG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBjRBCRUn
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBp9ds6fCp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TtWz4KSJv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLC2vgydhE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclLehLfccv
"Aren't you going to say something?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaa7TDTKpe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyGTzMwBER
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgoYiUTMOd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g4CAcScPz
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfj7bziAz0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMHWE4osw9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9AR5wDuCL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDeZO4oIX
"...I-I still don't believe you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ5H2dhQvx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFHBYBkr2R
"Are you serious!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zAVcXbDgl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pNFcxCp6I
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSrXdLVuqq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r68UVCqZh
"Can I at least have your name?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2XNMSqYpJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2umFqyyHkJ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQbc0HXIJf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rKOTDkt7z
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkps5hZ40kf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6l4rjKDhW
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyFwhGbMAj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttZHSyLc2e
"A-Alright, I won't forget."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOojSZ53agG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFt9PsE9Gc
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeo64m9n56
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRZYu3gvdc
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHsMFfOKtv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6e5kcD7lV
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjFAt6ENiQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd3tQNvhtr
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgantvnbGP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNuw3agNd4
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYWsOVlhPY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlY9GUiAQT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAm8FN1uVR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdVNMdLaMh
"She's not very nice at all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvOOHqhwUN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUCQenINpe
"I suppose not."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNl3Rx5RRL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOGdOE0tuY
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcu1ldxilR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqffpdpcGb4
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kr7ews0wJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJfo7RWn0U
**SMASH**217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiwXGu7bwy
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpcEUudZmS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeI4hnYB7E
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7JqNYk92S
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqSevXYvsV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qk3iIYKcY
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAxib1Pp9f
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2FiuZNtHU
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSaF1ZaZhi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphXrA7i9lX
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRUYYlKfph
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpcspn2OWy
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFamlMIPz1X
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4MzhmxuOs
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lB4ZlYptX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI6rDBqxua
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TB2SHFVZu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFsBPwlGGr
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjaz6lub2h
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVHnhhjxe5
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4r4DX0Yft
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5nAjEUSpX
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoSrBesFPA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4Dr4uwfpF
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD9HIRBRSB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z5FD95qp6
"No, not at all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtplE34pNZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2361lIxug
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZRxSVYu8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10MAm4R5Gq
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmDO8BR0cr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T1enHfDkI
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3RwfVrfpY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOMG8nf3JA
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBABPozpLxb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MYKbaoGVO
"Is she our teammate?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymipXZwz80
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfD3HfGlqz
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBnSMfNDPt
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EsLRKuYK6
"That so? Lemme test the waters."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgaRBQWBzV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ssz11Ba9K
"You'll regret it."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOWOPhe83D
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSgLhySOxz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeWhBCKaD6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvWW6Gmgyc
"...Wait."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoMlT6hPsc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD7cUpZyU2
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGQyINGViG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLILDbxMGDv
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY681RppO6v
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TJsR2UEH1
"A little? Just a little?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2PfyaU2Eb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxcmRk0juB
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35aNeyp5UN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWfSf7oMHj
"I met her five minutes ago!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q5Uj6xmCW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYb5i7vHO
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmVlabUnsq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTny3I9m1r
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvYh3nI2eU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri3980odMo
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTMDgY27I8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvpDXypFrz
"Really?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMOsdk1AHi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ixg8tBY3j
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5mZRwK9tW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugQinkrT7A
"What do you mean 'really'?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6TaTzL1by
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDh2rOmxqd
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzTcoXESos
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUOQQ4pQ6Z
"--!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OXHyjzZ8m
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSemRKqRx0l
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WNESjvY9P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffqqWzYnpZ
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jIzSwUEqH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp0cyUZ2eV
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKJabfppSH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAJkphWZQ3
**SMASH**217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Up4d03s5a
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgtNP4FGcE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSR69keFrp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WBcJPtuIZ
My jaw dropped yet again.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKz2DqW8gb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWTWw9p4M
"ROY!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BYiFViDAr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewhtWRXQfh
–
–
–
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Ycy7r0Dt
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q4BIW1s2w
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0NVqxd99M
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz5qKeXVzy
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWgJqEfeMZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfdK9e7pNL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFcp3bLDD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUHRb3X0eK
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolfxxhvhIz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFkwX3pWdc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLMkSefvyO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5QgYIH8Aj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRNE2u5i1P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLehOurSt8z
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFWGr6JTHB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc61rOauu5
"R-Right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPl5wKFXfp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZhJZkrFrx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfIEE6vWgv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryS8tQPf9Y
"Ack!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NLkuugqv5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY0aQj2Ilh
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU6sCtAXPw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m6ZxMT0FA
"F-Flinty, what was–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNnRlOelNL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUcPH4zYl9
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWaBvThhXv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawuAxIcmNA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxZK9m1Hag
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Vu6lc5jF
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1K29IsV3n
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDGerRr9Sw
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlssTRkW6EZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAWALQpcPT
"No, I'm not just saying it."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjohFGF9N1G
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBMQog9Rzv
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwBR10nNDk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT2WNEl0IO
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F5L4HwtTo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO49aFxH8Q
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr1zKhkbEh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv1c7eNQof
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFfS9siFww
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW73SyV85SN
"I–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloj4TOYxVZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS65IM377sI
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoihbjVjn1U
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrei75DMst
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI0AWnRi9H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTv03YoAYc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3HKkWY30m
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8jGB5M4Lo
And yet...217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKvOKwroye
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFkzk7PITS
"...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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpQlwEMCsI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOnjfvlQq1
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8kLInE4ud
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMnaamghGJ
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0loKxtSIZw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMda2X7Nab
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWPEnDbKFA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi1GwC3iRa
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuquwjtxtd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNql95m0LSa
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEjUXrLtgY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFFUHecfpJ
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVkaG07lK6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxvl04CNAg
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwr90eNHwO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZbNfnoMlB
"O-Okay."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFLYcFU9Du
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVPTBTrg9S
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pGL34ouQ9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kGCZ4R1zC
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55f0CyTSU5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBXWUAH6HA
"Okay okay, fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNycTF1BGN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXpfjv34yZ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEGKGdtrcj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepgzHkvVte
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWFROAgvmM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HW4BkVvCr
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuCBSnY1DN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPFwTr0HVQ
–
–
–
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcSDUWWgqh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NUSaTjpyi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCuqVWkoz6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDuMO1d5HW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRD9s6d9Zf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8NpQIAvpi
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbN45Aj8Gv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ8hJsxsjO
"Huh...? What did you say?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHHwoQdgaT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO2v60Z30h
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VjhhXk5lj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerZ8XyEEII
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3O8Ky4zy9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLzzF92vCh
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcesiqT4gYC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkCHO6B0i2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn4SVdjpE4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNweblt9KJ
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RByFpmTmx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KxM8HPJm
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QKiie3LN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtteGfOdhrA
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVnLhp056Y
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwN0aNBE8l
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLpoZw9Tee
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWBymDwfik
"Note?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eGxRRtnql
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSbdnpBs29
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbOl2OoulJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDSOVZWHwK
"What does it say?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc83qImIlP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo2Fn3Mr0M
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvrL9mfaPo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew7wJImgWy
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7VBg0JEzc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy3ulZFkw7
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaexwbbU3XQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs3v5bXMdv
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo9ebawZqX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItNHBGuXV
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYCXvbjhc3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlwkdB4h2M
Juke sighed and put the paper away.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiudjk7bawV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iWoymUwuU
"So, how's about a story?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbcWCXxHAl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JMGLy69WV
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk96SqgBBc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YEble0yqw
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl8D1WBHNr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtQbv81ZSq
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym1A8eptNh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tcElhAX0u
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu684APNxFx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU60hx9onKv
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KzHucjzoF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyb0hkFF3g
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDjIsbkUpF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO7PaRcvfu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeG7usyQ5f
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW9njmayWp
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXv4sOChH3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD3Vx3g6mw
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfCqAjgnNL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQV9pXbdUL
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTInmuqXze
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWUrmp8NvD
"Seriously? You have to be lying."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfV8vKK0x7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjBg5zXmeY
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ays874KZZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzd6zw5WsV
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5vGh6NPaX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWBySAlF9z
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmKiHuT1mw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W5vDkL0IJ
"Like what?" I asked.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl763bHbqt9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9u1xKgwHw
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ6G6pP3VE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1MWcEENyW
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5R4cW1HCK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQYD1PNYRE
"...Stardust?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfGGYYLfLe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyRBc5avUV
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlFWFTkVgq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPvgme4aYS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4T3qDHk6I
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0JRO9eCIq
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrVXFf6wnZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Nzyv9YNY
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85Gcw2AxIj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAhDF7NeyF
"...The what?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOvJ19TOzh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRhQkYmQzd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZN4EjLqFq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj1bMaKWwM
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S8frOZ76N
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4BkZ9DPCK
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WMizVsJWK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2EiZcHTzz
"Of course I do!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6gUsbFBgE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO98MIwIebG
She pumped her fist.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmOYZx8WQJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiekOdb8yuA
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQnrmbdGBy
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYCAM97hCS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIxde7jDfL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb0bsk1zOD
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34l0MhXvhG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFM4sUACBw
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9txaNua56
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpEZuYKlqF
"I already know this."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBSMpiJPNQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVqJIozCla
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WbNw9wsq5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrnZ5nyg4C
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrQAQRIRUu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXP7UH13ZB
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAR5CDjEoT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf64LVAP2hm
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ub7s2oQ5i
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbNCncVZZQ
"Eh? Why?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhEMYySCPC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsNwwmBD4l
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0dwb6uucX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGLJcZCn20
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9moW3wZ5bl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqKTLKdmWh
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV1VJfE4gm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N2E4qq3jn
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYqme3GxS3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB8DD4aIU1
"That's cuz I met her."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XiocSREa5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblIoOvkAem
"WHAT!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqamHL1BkkR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmntZZiqUk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa0qELPHzU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD9xSIol7g
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8pnp5DxSz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4jpQPu2f5
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtqICinVd5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TFV0S27gt
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IsbPczp0V
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdi9CHB6RL
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytMv9y5tL3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyBs1oIA7D
"You're kidding."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5N7MQ66Ti
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo8tjKUNSN
He shook his head no.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57tbI0OPF3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwEE7QtI8Y
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32319VUHD2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQlK6bJbIy
"You're making this up," I said.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9Zg3TdJHN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpDthhoRn4
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYKnezCOem
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNNcofjFED
Juke shrugged.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvQGAUir5X
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXtgfWC7Js
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygrhmuY7uP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt6A5Ugaxp
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGJZy1l3fb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4xZkRqOrR
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8Ig5PCKmB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuly7DV5XjH
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqZeGEtnjg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46lZWZidNY
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqpoeRAjfH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLpdy1zToW
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQKTuz3RaO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoCcK3Evrb
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE1NE4BsdX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfJnkotC2
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxk04oI0uM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YnIEavdYl
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvcFtdslDN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdH2hyl94E
She pointed a finger at him.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw5eLfxayn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQcfKS9aGl
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4efbTV836U
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIZn0lqMgb
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRcU3a1JQv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1brjVA47KB
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZW5attB3E
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkOjFWzCxT
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79d6PeqeYG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QTUwTlCDj
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z59WduDjK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU2wWlknrF
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotX7XCqSbE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyUUjgvJui
"--Ngh! You guys...!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtcwJID21h
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvzpfMQmH2
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFu1sjFAZu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuhqUlMEQG
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMwZhRqK0J
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡackOvj8EcP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxTKsWRSD5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0uKHy8fCX
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVSrMjEamA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBeQJCkO7y
"Ya look like you have something to say."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Cnt7ufoj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX2CavDHzz
"W-Well..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXw1MpjRZn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCx2ESQVOs
She turned her head away.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDBo1qp7fu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDiaeZujp3
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAfrVDksJP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDTqpTIZ87
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKsI7Ma6n
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wf6QSZc3n
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYMWHcvPws
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF0ToZhbRv
"Mhm, I told you so."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dr6HsA8Tl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcEoEVQPaa
–
–
–
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijvGL5mHlV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaSGGd4bng
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexCQZVfrof
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo2Nds445X
"...So why am I not getting any?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxso8mmwIH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNsEeo41W1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOCGYm4kH2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjlZ9RKP2P
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zPtOoKyr9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVR3GfIAfR
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54NywTvtMO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydIhrMq9UU
"Eh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXci2dhLAc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YE7I5aIdw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXfSFLbHMc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSj8DphQ7B
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFo6DgbRMX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUgVZ7YR30
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmXss3x1bP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh9XlNhMC5
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5bHPNI6Nn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsIENmdmvx
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDipEOB2CR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34DW4fFwOn
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQPiRB7hOv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtB3UJNhmc
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSSiI5fQ27
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt83ZBGo8y
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSVapfjbB6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQydOO6NhL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9IitVeiq7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJythRpNZup
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAdHNRSmAd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLv7fUfek
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ3RNP6T7U
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TNSvk2M9r
"A jungle? What elevation?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IIjyqEeUL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgvmNMaJye
He shrugged.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeozlqo5VUc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXIDmgi71i
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8ONxAijDb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkGPGFdqy0
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPOaasl4x0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPBEQLRm4A
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZFspfXBzY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdzbEEZoZ2
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpwKeyVt52
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG7CZmYd13
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla5q3smkSp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yIBRwdFEN
"Why?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCeZxbFOmS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGVI2dyKEI
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua4V0PBhv7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UeULSX8Vi
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnrDSugTJ8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgLAfXvpye
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh74OeG2CHd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF1ctgGjk5
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby1XUr4aWI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmMNUbJqm2
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1xKDUmhE6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpTC1aa09x
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj4OhY3VtG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLF5cL7udO
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEcFgImP3Z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxgjezKhnf
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUbCzMb4HN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZGfEoYAcY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppLULoBgUC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolAwyh9OOn
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYoqheBJ2M
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsST4aTlBr4
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99bx5hs5A2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcFUgC4bJU
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOOcKlSBzW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡile38FohRj
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTJeCAks6J
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIodd5McFH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13wcMiJkbT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzp0WSknSs
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjiyq9fofi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe4NsQSuty
"TALBOT!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzylsGtRT9b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0dxGBGu2p
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA0jFAx6z3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfkHoUzlWn
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYpDogWgKj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLljxi9l2i6
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHP95piP0Z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l6FO4aVIh
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIgs8N3GtM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FxLDO47cn
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusB2mG5H57
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wxEiqqmdZ
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwOgDWMfqQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36tRwtJrV1
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKfqhr3beh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sKo3AsaoA
"Are ya kidding me?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonfPWRl0aN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWko2y2mbcV
"That's so lame!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmnElW3wRZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9GOM6JJSB
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTGTmNXrIM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTKqbX37VK
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOsLx0SFjZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LiWeWJpxI
"What's that supposed to mean?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDCdgBeXAN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7qzygfqxU
"Nothing."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSebAR6pcKW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaLdZnXRPh
She returned to chowing down on her food.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oiBqSKanK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNEanrATSN
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5FAeDZGKK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3JV3vTkcM
"Well..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKE9QIkI4i
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpaARfPZjW
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uqKXT73Yg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTB8HxySA9
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmdPKXm3If
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxy8oasgVj
"...No."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXUxK248ZF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9ivX8iQUC
"Eh? Why not?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV0KQgjhpd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRybEcXegn0
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOAEzpI0AO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ki4PeVKAy
"Huh!? What'd you say?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV3fcq4pUH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO1z5jfqEX
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBavGzRiihj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQLpUuoZPf
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0gS7wfx02
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxM6okGYLq
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonhiSB17Xr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmt7ZLe6Or
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrTrZ7vrpe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvA2vhXLs
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdtepM6z8H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmkEq1IwDR
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCUzH8yt4c
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA1OVQ0O1m
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaivlMQROe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyLwlueFDQ
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ8mwzqPAk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuy4HybiLY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9EM0PMXuM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdkIG63DOu
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX5ggiXqmF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtad7zXNfq
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme5om7OzMl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v222jpmi4
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9XImfzZSf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQnfUTvFua
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2iqjZ47tW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcptrJxbV9T
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHiuSVod5d
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn6c4q3yAo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ldX5ZfCV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkshMJ7Q3Q
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6kSXetEuL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6sqULdnGS
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyLrtgvFI5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPjruAzlIZ
"Custom design? Well..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1WBuHpJxR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6Y19uEmPe
She turned her head away.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6x6pfgGT4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJEoR1iLTx
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK0Ak1Nf0p
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkoicaFldG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIofHMplmk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yMT6Lgqav
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahOX03rhId
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbjrsCT3ML
"Oh, this?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoDa7dJFtz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMeFx2xRGU
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cu86RzhL1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbuaWCmss2
"I stole it!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEJqThfAKG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12FlQWAQpe
"No surprise."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg4EBBl5wW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcyWCmMusc
"I ain't surprised."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU6T9c5vyk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yDCHln5mt
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jehUxrnmh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFwMvZbgTM
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHIxDJYMP0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IjIqGXugc
"No."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQnacCMyX0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoTogWDntq
"Not really."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSiXOQd1ez
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL5aP814Kw
"Ah... you two are lame!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ8gtnkp4b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXzVyBcv0E
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtjfMPlyFL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMTKDEj9hY
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKEE7tRPJ2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vTKWYDgun
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y9hlf5TkX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDohEYTKMp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZXWktziST
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nVKjHPaxw
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVd0dh6aBs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO9SAHS9Jv
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N2fRrbaeq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeTCG2peXm
"I-I see... I suppose so."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzAcuyjt8z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEc1eKAyg0
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42wvrsvsB8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyQ1AjND36
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZZHcmNjF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsJGzMgwM4
"Did you have to word it that way?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmVNnqKoQd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzekDW9WrCe
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlEQ1Y5gzb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhiceZNpYH
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FEmmh4R1g
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9T4hCnbtw
"Ya got it, boss."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyZhuZnc7K
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStudXiHMPF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyZjMvsvIh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLjH1dwsIo
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sgqSK4OBc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd18mWtKkSl
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UTP3FUWgK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgecR2UOf1
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r3ZpeMTqA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDDbyuay5Q
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwAxE43U5m
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLxrGQz6o
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3o8PLCe3J
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47IsRatnvE
"...Well, alright. What is it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPss5MLXbN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtdWmndlVJ
"I... I wanted..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccenQm1tb1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKOEaa200O
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AdGUFyZvE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU9phNVasl
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC87BF2vbIk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIiHJVvvCP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW05ekrZr6u
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB4LaQrZVb
"Where's this coming from?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x7Xd1IvdJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaypmOn4WRD
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZJ0fa8bug
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAgFT3M4Lx
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD3UTbaFZU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZTfyz3use
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWHOwtklUr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIXHbsnphG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKcmFa9fl8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLjA0Dg2Ox
In that light–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmiRFFE8L2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHaSuHIAep
"Alright, apology accepted."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC1HXl432y
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtig86RFgA
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiYjI5Z83R
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRPARs2BtB
"--only on one condition."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHfM0bvGQj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ggExj3U5
"Eh!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsJRCnE9lQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S2LAtxWOo
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIzEcdgOKS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL29OpUNXMA
"That's right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYzZ8Ktgmr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0Hsnt1pYB
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz2SJSSmV3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHMhbdNBDz
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PvkXiHjdM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso4XLY8bKK
"He sounds like a priss."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgLiP5ptgP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGHHsLS6eT
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlSr3RL5cg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uQXiXaPhs
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUpWEFMlri
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwFs0OR8Mg
"Fine, what's your condition?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9uvCQMkW3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YC8a5Sc69
I pointed a finger at her.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7pTiXwSZW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd0o6moUUg
"We need to get along from now on."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmPRlB7Ie7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLACkT3kWmH
"...Huh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKhQhDCueS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpwz170pDJ
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBooaYLZ7Cs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPRITAk2ip
"...Ha, that's it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6KyhLUv2b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGPrvqoIQS
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrjnSI0qWu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaHOYdjq5J
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYkVuq3FQu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6l7JnXUmh
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA6DFm5GlH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xo6bTOp4D
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGRUsYRnOD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2OpWyB22z
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlshOJYyZQf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yzkt1vZm9
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRqyDXkos8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBLaLuURin
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mlLeMOev0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U0DJqsKBR
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoVmjfOffP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNs1EEdQHq
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0hi91cH9s
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlazLwFjDm9
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29OzEngEw2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMzq4ZxfUx
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUtBj2PfZm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzwfkZPmom
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ79hRxGQOF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcfffoS4hn
"What a weirdo, seriously."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CB9oDfDDe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4TlWjp5IG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC06ttfOcU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxvmf6aCU
–
–
–
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ7dX48yA7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrgDqsw1Fw
"You guys! You gotta see this!"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQStrjvaF8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSssYBcwjuU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQrLWIIO08
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkVvqnkZz4
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.
