My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq9vCthfcv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2drXfUJJ3g
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWY4KsUq7L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q0o63fG2j
"Haa..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SsXYpOGpD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOH58g1Qbs
"Are you okay?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnxc9yr3mg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYNlPOfD3G
"Phew. Now I am."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5RGTS8dYd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaOm8OyWgC
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdHwB5Wj7R
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZEJvraY96
"W-What is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiWUIOMBrI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK65TT4FsQz
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs9FNeDODI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8u8aLUny3
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8JMq9MgLX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUebBNF06
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVNulPOqVw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOcwmdWm0N
"Well..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCF87tFUsk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVUcwFxvGT
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OtHJKt7tj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTOSibK64r
"Come on, tell me!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y05GDVuDu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGZk6O1n6A
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwAsLJGs4q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8aqJCSXVS
She sighed and shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIMBzanjXS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nVzbGWBY4
"Are you feeling nervous?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj71xuTceC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVX8RcZNHT
"Of course I am."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYJxJ3zn5c
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWEMmGsz7p
"You shouldn't be."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMg41ulmYX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznJid8lmT0
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbHDbiX4gF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZKuDhMozj
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU5hDCK5Nb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRWg5GGiwD
"...What's that supposed to mean?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDBV0MpAHg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA6LeJlqBU
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFuyeaNaYn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkTmFf6fqN
"I think you came here a little too early."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV34v8a9hb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIO4H1KyPC
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72YgjjbwMS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7J39qyOAq
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSNwsr4tIP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU63kIGjicm
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!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7uAsEckCD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w4OPOf0hG
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfs4Rp3fAr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYK7bBTZkW
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4774YiZdH7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMPSWKKHeg
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi96BEdPXPp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXX1nPy5NN
"Aren't you going to say something?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ6BH8rQzp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iiVHNzwWU
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3twmjSwtr9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRcQpVfeDs
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkjVgTzyQY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6nZaxCqvj
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNipklvGcA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVygBzZiixW
"...I-I still don't believe you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiM1d5BOlx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJKgQYgGTL
"Are you serious!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSOFGWKzNr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe27RwiRURJ
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAnpGJhYhL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybob7hMo4
"Can I at least have your name?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzryy5mV90
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ771Pgb1s8v
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIinQirCGM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh7NYqwVpQ
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7DZLqRIQC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBOtCoqgBs
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oarRMziWA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym1XpMiwJM
"A-Alright, I won't forget."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4eEz1haCq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauya06hikZ
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGHV59NSb1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkqzv0uW9p
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik4YYmgANC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fQdbrIFBL
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NI6ei71yR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxQEN9XxaM
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLOJbVhpbM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcBGJUVWWo
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJJkEj4lYM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPnXdN7Zdc
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseyC34HDXz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xsN4VJPIL
"She's not very nice at all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3wVvL5knG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQmEEpJlqR
"I suppose not."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XLS6Wzlmb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RkCSR9w6m
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bKzcQYl6Z
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BVVp0lc49
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbkuSWR1VH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KVIE6v3lx
**SMASH**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf0Q6CJ2pw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2JXWZQAhF
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY2LcW1iwc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvFPfHV9lj
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRsdiJP1Yx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsegrAxMoCj
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZiqHXZKSb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxPExa1B9z
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CEusNMHYB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5xyFZN8Ws
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFInmOzlVWV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7VljWm0rv
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnTKswmXZv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74MXY3nH9X
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf07RaaDusf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgNTdUmSlY
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AKRxrRmal
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO44KWtUrZ
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCDrmEJuKu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsmwIlXHAy
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO1nsU6Ekm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0CFCdRJD2
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFdAIXskdQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi049A62Zrn
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAmCz697P8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGRAtIzC4u
"No, not at all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmtwSTnCig
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcUkVfRhG8
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TWq55COgh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBIzs1tMWJ
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlxw9Kf2Tg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuvmN4r3It
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY47Io9XJ2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58kN88nFp
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHKC6FZ6jk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkihY7RAJqZ
"Is she our teammate?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaQV5vICMq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQUaETMWqG
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCcnC63e7f
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScw9XTCkjE
"That so? Lemme test the waters."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mAGJPMBev
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8zdw12o04
"You'll regret it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujJvkAgWzg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE91NW0HfrQ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBTl9sOPer
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToUy5XxdJq
"...Wait."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ77fUauJi6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcZGCmGi3o
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoKEi8EeJL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBKQeNRjGy
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQN9BjVAif
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy8T80yTvh
"A little? Just a little?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJhqqEkhJ1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB2ZuoPDQT
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOfRymymBJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC69j34WZ6C
"I met her five minutes ago!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjL8W0WUjG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3jS01MATg
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCw2Pctwe3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OwqVVJdme
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6YtZMnRIe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyAgn6GaTG
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmUSXPhxDI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLCrQ8imm5
"Really?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v0k4V2nlI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Gk23yk7k
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFYoqvRELF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uszwV2nUZ
"What do you mean 'really'?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSDyBUCNtA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQRA85uLQp
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40LakfnNqS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOSw1Zwgzr
"--!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcHHyIXOoQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq6s7n51NR
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIYPeuVkP9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RBflGt20w
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziXneprboq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj9sGNPmZ0
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrw0rwoXU2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XStKgnmzQ
**SMASH**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkaBlUD59D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKYyWMyM3t
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Df2A2vRwp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHclHjwFkY8
My jaw dropped yet again.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQWdbPjwEf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJREehI9yDU
"ROY!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK5CR4KOOS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aC1LAayta
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEtOkeFTkf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAxUNqFBWM
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TaM9MIiSt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn62oi8n5sP
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eZoCn8Rz6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixdGVF6DkT
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT6brt4sbj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNEsEAPqcb
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAnzxJV5aV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW19svpM6Gt
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG9EskkYDF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPw2DQBVde
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk5YXAABT0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9jMI1exvd
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClasSbEAhi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZaZz6Dp9W
"R-Right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuSsz1Vo2H
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu9y0Dfa7C
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUSeEEV4Xz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1RcUeTZ81
"Ack!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2fDUl8D7U
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKipvhPLFV5
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ993zpYHTMx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48aIWteBZ9
"F-Flinty, what was–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtL7w9ilUq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiWjTURZM8
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeTn8Vkac6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aQm2OTVey
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnZNa7kpbC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eBDsU38XS
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzFV8GZPQm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJVNitsodZ
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcSW2Ttgdj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYgXrd5cdQ
"No, I'm not just saying it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2YdiRuSQO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiTWEwQFyf
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHcHNpH0kR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpHtiPUk82
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoSVAw11jC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23b72zX0Vx
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidH3YKOFXq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGMH9P2YKD
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzJxQPBy1L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsU7QMMinj
"I–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav1Avev6TK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TP1pEsqZL
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpdyXFedlC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41pOsytYpn
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sPOL9axqv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2WDD0CRjj
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0WLOvIEWS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYOW05zz0e
And yet...176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OfyysBKNy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrToroJAPgl
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxSJpx5zIX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5DjTKHVou
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zlQwByuk0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPkLPNsMpc
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkP7pgSgp2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8kGvw5Wdm
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU8skj8z0s
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBwXslGNSz
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWUK5LEuMG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FIayJt9PF
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0zl0UajEA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbemPHwGFe
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi7nBEaOV3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y3NL3Udqj
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGOGfMISgm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fBTtVKUv3
"O-Okay."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqExOvpxSGh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs44pnaPTqz
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSo3HrgvfO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIQfZcheMG
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzybi2Yyq6X
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEMMx0wPf
"Okay okay, fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtRAw8EDjP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvZjUMJVGf
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvdcTEqvLD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdoJSv9QH8
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3DHyfx7fd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDaKy1biSc
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCm2OkYoWc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0MmJwTQyO
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87VRbQxAQb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcNtNiIyo5
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW1EYD589n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVDGlk9Vx
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3JWzw2izL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVTuIAeugf
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A3utrojjC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF0UDkrqOg
"Huh...? What did you say?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzAZLNVSUX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzJ8DDhmke
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcSSeURSxx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnr06jFebH
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6SSeFaO9e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmkbjp1Ub9
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8HE4bGjEB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFO4JEUuNw
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pBrdalDhE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWebrfoziJ
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ckQ9z5RB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlBjd4JKDl
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw71G0WBIM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mmbOWnTbV
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnYRiifbOP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NyaLyyQnC
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHWGsjysFl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq72ytwUnxZ
"Note?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI2jJf1dAH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rVqmWoFA0
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVasrkKqV2J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozQKW9xauO
"What does it say?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurUOzd0EJo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjCI0U7AAb
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hUZsfnQc0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmXR94gkyo
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF60Mv9ALgz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8SF4xDX0d
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DbiUJxz7E
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEQ5hER6nE
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fpgw75yRD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlT9rT4pYE
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fRSUxPHTO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF9lALq4jV
Juke sighed and put the paper away.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSHIj3dBAT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTgBU2IbHM
"So, how's about a story?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJFytKuimT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9IERwHFh9
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieegq8gwSS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OzuHOLGsb
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmloCmQaqks
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZycqMh9xF
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LcVJykN3k
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWSl0r80L1
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKl1JE5CrI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJnH53Z6Kk
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurkdrpyJGk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDahDu5JA7
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNliCjlM3b
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzHNVIEAgu
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIC3P8WcFv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2fc6F6Uta
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57mE5RAJMT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbgBwW990s
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs7D9uVjAY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5wOGluS6X
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpEjzSvRYp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYmerPpKPu
"Seriously? You have to be lying."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu6B3362fk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW8dva9TjL
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6xi4GTGeq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2qZ96sdKU
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptmISmpMmb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzo8NP99Uo
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2k6phehHH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nZIOFvwDh
"Like what?" I asked.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsuZZVrz40
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSjLe6jR7Y
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBNXNOtrvm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf6ceE7KyD
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZgQowyOpj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PVyluGeMZ
"...Stardust?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCojIiCM9lu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOcz9bNwEe
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlVXPoDlzP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIs75jpAuS
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVm7Lx3ugc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWQJDR8mkT
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT0y7rVxWs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaNvkPmgQw
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERyGwUr1G7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg1qd6fZdF
"...The what?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed9hWEcYEj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoqC43mz6b
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNbUyZCvoB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ194utV9RbY
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyQcIqYqO1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PjKgLig48
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4HlNytm4J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPPr6NDPXN
"Of course I do!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlqipF01iU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllMCfyto4g
She pumped her fist.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8q6luJ21I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcagMd8xq9a
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3hVjnvhd3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J6k75jDbr
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQG96pGlEn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoYIqWVk27
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GVxsvVIPt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOhfC8XtJv
"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–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbSD2SXbOZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsNUQsoIPC
"I already know this."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy1qvf0zSH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACttYU7csp
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxWcqOr0qr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu2uRSiDPf
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU3u3Q9fHC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIytwCeKtvi
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwafu152dbV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelzos0IhoO
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1kRwxDY5q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaosI8anIVv
"Eh? Why?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYhtCzkae5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxbqo6lMeo
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI6zEjH1Ks
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8pbhSsOlS
"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–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7wOt8ZRxD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM3Dh39pHT
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7hl2YuX1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAQsl04Alk
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifz6OZmN81
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPTHhz5IMy
"That's cuz I met her."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJa5rAz6Ey
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEwqbxvfOU
"WHAT!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZKBIPy9BF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkhltAjvmL
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqdsoTHNYV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXjfthSkNi
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBPALMlYNz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiAfLTjiqN
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CHiJDq5OC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TNZKiYPkA
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRQq1eQ3vL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnQfP0eegu
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85kDotxmdg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitrBRFqKbc
"You're kidding."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KBfnZCK1g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcejhgTWCs
He shook his head no.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWUNuR63Ut
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTJPQfSML4
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKVQmKFbth
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QHyJrMCv3
"You're making this up," I said.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrq0liFqxC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P6t6AALzo
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2mryllcQg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiyhxOeSp8
Juke shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf2HdkysMd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdy3xy5h9J
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nJytb0Tfc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwwy3DszAc
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMCUZHdefx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ152gysPzoP
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSiAJSvirY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmhpjKPJjS
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBlxP5CpeW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltbONwGLJx
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BxBmGLauU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiVElnoO1d
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO7zhX1889
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMERYkrT5Ct
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFef28RgXD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMYzsZrfGP
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBDjYXtS6T
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBho9fDmoZf
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEj6UGDWnp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviQEhlnlzc
She pointed a finger at him.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfykYGuBJVV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccOVfIQAMF
"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!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZqLCBWe1F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoiqFnUilt
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0nVDYfqHn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0XZFcxcJb
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxxYqOjpNv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEAig0QjfH
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWpBkbd1WP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0c1Jamd8C
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWs8hHZtAW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOZoTvTI1k
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH7C3ezJl9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJrkGINv5I
"--Ngh! You guys...!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkU2drHvE1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui56xeOJif
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeeujo6hqA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ZM3Lv6nJ
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljcQaAJZ8R
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaV0mMsKHk
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kiRCjYsgk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uy4m79Qb5
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOGU3NlIqz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AdxqRm81o
"Ya look like you have something to say."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga4scgN5t4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLaShE3lDc
"W-Well..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rl2XpiZdh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EXCjHXb9W
She turned her head away.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPaH8vJGO6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8oBOH8oPe
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmfXwq66En
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5J7RFdMtI
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNRqtT9r2m
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV9ErKi3JV
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC0JTUCbp6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLqq3CKpZQ
"Mhm, I told you so."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuLQSin6Vi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqVnJEaOt0
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLsobgFBmH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP5HFtBT4p
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05n06J0TAx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOpc94FRKL
"...So why am I not getting any?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu8hkAgBEw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mqTFrYoZf
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOYfQWCkMv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9adgvXNdXX
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–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpRkSozCMn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2oOTytVl8
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv9Znfv7Bu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sUMadTsvN
"Eh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhxK9QoMVz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovKU13CcWC
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttyH3Ophu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVIxm9T9GG
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hPWTofwdg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6kK3YEUQv
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMuZ68cA0H
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtHnQ45hPd
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMYzY65Ps8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDbcNItcnh
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu18kfbx2uF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGHvnfOg6
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmHse0Pr59
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIoOj0mTBl
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcBzHIco85
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTalOpoeUU
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYaXT1tF0V
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOP8z0i3ax
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG6UqDCpSx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm5SehbEMp
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpntCDTFZah
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRsGOD5dpa
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1cbtdQ1OW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVZwfIcc6C
"A jungle? What elevation?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHBMOLIT7O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGBpvDziXs
He shrugged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4P8sbdKq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXurHWd9Qo
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbwpGpX851
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP9l3rvxzB
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp30CrZnYQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV44K3nao2e
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIF6eHwLMy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5SGOTNVco
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyCuSlXkWP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p3xoADgae
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHbbzcflIB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeJ79pKdnL
"Why?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTVIXtZC3o
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb00xtcCSXb
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcywS2i20eF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gIgwKDKNH
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSLUA8EOt1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5baNGmH2A
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSlW0FJc3T
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW4KrOW7Qk
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSI3G9IpBj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL42mHFFnTO
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoi1U2KYQQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA3rH1RsGY
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGc1h6nUs8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CnRIKIYBn
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUtvsznoFA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjhnvnvmaQ
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HwT9q3ISz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ddKowANRm
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUtNGMuLTd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5hgHFgFMg
"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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tJYJxDzmn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QS2S2MSgM
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKc8AUpayN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uUNsAizPY
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAc2fGCoIm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgnK84aG1A
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPe5ra8FJ1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksy0mzCnVN
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXinpiNsvLh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqTwrZKhrk
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgUds1umRl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxblpPtPUt
"TALBOT!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ladv3iJR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZJCcAsmVZ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNKyfixUPB
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXIaUMyL8E
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCL5MqKU3m
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgvvagtY7
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAbBb2tsCD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvdRXITTHG
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzYlxMYOYN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5njeCwKlO3
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy59jQgXDAO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhi2peztcC
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBRDbNKf2g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxB22MhdPW
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3haHb9z9i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC23DYM3aX
"Are ya kidding me?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEityiRgaTK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClNsjxaCoI
"That's so lame!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN7fWp5foq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZf4eIUjd
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQxmcXNkmh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZtidM6lIn
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATFmhdeqBi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7CaWvBPbg
"What's that supposed to mean?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueoA4tqCoU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHNTQ9z1Lz
"Nothing."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQpy769aIw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ3mdmFWJO
She returned to chowing down on her food.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV9jvoufMH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7UoO7QAJP
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6USgornu55
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkrpdSoqNh
"Well..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTv39Cgu5G
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLvN0RJeUP
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEchqzVride
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB7X73oi3f
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre2c5AWkRK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L0Jhbhyxu
"...No."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tA2LTCLOG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEe3coAipH
"Eh? Why not?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNaI86Dpzb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJe3qi8TW3
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTc4Ghc4ha
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsfxA0iMXg
"Huh!? What'd you say?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlvjhwWMgs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnTseTntrr
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdecb5k0Rrp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWM1DQolsJ
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBiPDh1kX9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNCQENxOsN
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUqUQihFBZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMsg6OfLLx
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrx3fOCQX6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl44UkLReu
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ04PR6A3C
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMd82ZRpIF
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJRNwEU7eu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47nOLUipqM
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgBHJpgm4Y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW70nZMNGUO
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGXKb6yZvQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBL1UUCjfQ
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaFF9AKwHb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYhQR4OPQK
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT0v8rnTHv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4PdEs3qV1
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iQuZihY1O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzPM7wzP1F
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQWw5CIaus
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBQmNUVY2V
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyfUUYDbMw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCRQjmogWS
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXkszGXFLf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVI38iW6qT
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNspTa6errr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsCltJS6IT
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4x13ZBN7q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuSon5VhV5
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHwDvq9NP5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxnas4aUQJ
"Custom design? Well..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHpFAzjchE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnRCk6zmzb
She turned her head away.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtOEUM0K85
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fB9Z2BoD1
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFECjaHEYxC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoenzeo5i2P
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3N148SFaN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQBgJAFROT
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasqOAKwodq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeILE1ajRE
"Oh, this?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwYGE1UsUL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuFg9gKuXM
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujrOLREUBl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMBm7VOHxA
"I stole it!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf3xsRyiJy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sXXRdVxMt
"No surprise."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTWjzJXKgY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefqL2OtS6b
"I ain't surprised."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAg0qychTa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPk27rODoV
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNnTIyEw5F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKm4P1gOlC
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgtJhLVXT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8OPNQrfAz
"No."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26hA7GdDTs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskYnj0c0SF
"Not really."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDa1yPs1Hm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1frlnGkpGs
"Ah... you two are lame!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnn9PABCyc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8k085pBj9
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGbifXSLaM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNH7hNn2Jc
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYIu2pt5OC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrS9XXch36
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMVm7rtz4r
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYCr64I2M3
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDkCoASUuo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdelQBsXXL
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOPN2orOwr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknlZHT7QjC
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWZSz5SQTm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk43MGUfnT
"I-I see... I suppose so."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f6USxBM0q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRDBLffSOD
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCh0t2VmM8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmo0JjzgjF
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2y5EV7gZJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfmSG2Ldyq
"Did you have to word it that way?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVWznAQdUt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN6ne9FbEb
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyycSdeaKmQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPufLgxQso
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnSg19XR7v
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2YxtZwTLO
"Ya got it, boss."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBy46Hk1Da
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGFeiUFTr5
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijyk2Flwmc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrER4XHLb3
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNjPjbOuBI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B2VXJD96a
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe67n96YOY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPi8lIoxKF
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyj5KGLKxG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdmbEbfu3s
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnrQRRw9Y4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg2PZs6zsO
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0KBDQcHAN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcJSX4xiAl
"...Well, alright. What is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXO40Jfz6I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH4vQ2z653
"I... I wanted..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT7lZA8VUW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkS21XvXQ5
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1DAi65dez
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UhQ9aFJRg
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNKT94fkx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjJE41ZENK
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL3xIYDHoR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Rpb6U1bU
"Where's this coming from?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEi78vwkDj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA48doIdIf4
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDp5pxOj5P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVamlVVU7J
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEveKMPc360
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCgHRsbNFk
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0XV66eigK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBbaLc0mRp
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAFiG0sS32
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6LIJskAkO
In that light–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56GX7M438n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX1LakRXoV
"Alright, apology accepted."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOj029MqJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VqPq556Jn
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcx5avvYC9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsbmnOFv3f
"--only on one condition."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtT94PuJe2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKMBIzle0q
"Eh!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVXCXWIBIm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwR0heERNb
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2rBoimMVJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyetdNC3Bi
"That's right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7YxvgdXvm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM5oPCVrA8
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE9dEBPv2j
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxEyhU5l11
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyKE7IZap0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdcICfnHoQ
"He sounds like a priss."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU2H7v6qn3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxlfFfYKHM
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtcND1PuwC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVGqg28Uso
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPjjYZCMjn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUcuwpoVyZ
"Fine, what's your condition?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhPKMGt792
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWzg5wl8KZ
I pointed a finger at her.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TtZ4WHu1P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIShFKb7V4x
"We need to get along from now on."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpybxaJ9PV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhsNbGrMEl
"...Huh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBQfBT9ro0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexBSncAyaR
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKtVHT45zs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPt3J5p4mk
"...Ha, that's it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0musZ85njz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApPvtaM35f
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaQzBIN6IL
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YucIZlaUC
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuSjHr60Mq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKn8tCUHGy
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAPPS0WiqK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mFYNmlDZM
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZABSKDvF0n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcVonSugNP
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADYH0IX6kT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JcxGLaV2P
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DgK7J5OFl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXcxoUhSjo
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OZ0vXFuSX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpExvIaKai
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38SjucZQru
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCJedF64YV
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hsB2yEwwx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkz3IsGAEN
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnxwGTi3Tm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K62gLX7zO
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfJ5LmLIuS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8mkDC0sqX
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGaIzLU0E5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdhSFZZ8Ei
"What a weirdo, seriously."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMjzVb8xPl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm1tqZuEEn
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DzLaW6V5I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0JnP7O5mL
–
–
–
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4t4S8E9Na
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk3TqrxxqI
"You guys! You gotta see this!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj7TGVv3ZJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvlHRIo33r
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqEXD8Esol
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAUCiKgPAM
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.
