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.