The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRh3X26JHP
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJbYr0gtbw
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaLb4Y0eMN
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tvxnwLsnX
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"Oh, that's a good point."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKNE8lv9gF
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GK32FgXzy
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**SWOOSH**220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVJCW8RWRA
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"W-Woah!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hXBD5edTe
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx0kpg4NNG
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwuYCiOBuZ
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JzFoAXj2z
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeQLyP9kdT
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBZzWbBfha
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"Oh, Juke."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLURV7EDM3
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6LACvCQ0i
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdJQ0rf0zR
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Juke tilted his head.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU3ONAytKU
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YbnWExvkl
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIXqZwXWMm
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmSXT8NJd5
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"That's a good idea."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLGVfdbRA
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlOPqFYPE0
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNqsu340BO
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMApYDN7BX
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtBq9SOJ6e
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQLLWNEbf
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**SWOOSH**220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRoV0KulpX
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUy1z5cyM5
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8OGFMq2ov
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE3C1HnVaS
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"That's a bird!?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaISWio4WSS
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK3GlCch6A
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kTBf67Fc5
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oT2IKAl0f
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvdNtF9qYr
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IpEB8SeBW
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK3p5oiJPF
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSbDYvcjLU
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ay44JGjW
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDtLAPwcAt
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlQfrCFNKw
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoptJeMJbjc
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"Hahaha!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5acwuIcV6
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"Why aren't you answering me?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzVEdyvlwr
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PiacgiJRn
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77trK45H42
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicRymusnw6
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"Huh? Why?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt2iICyQQA
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6gn4xcrmu
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"Oh, alright!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6vdC1VVmS
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD3m4bsEl5
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJqhztoq4v
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6hZpYMeQB
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtXRBstQrh
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHIiSM65uL
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9j5yhdWvY
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"Hold on–"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa2dBhNWjX
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0SGAJVFW9
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCrYdRSkBs
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTydY9pQrk
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2arYgA3liq
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIftLUvVVz
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6gdJvahbV
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNofo6fnajq
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2G7ERvhL
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxFKdlmfYi
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"...Maybe."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HffygHvaW
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"Why only maybe!?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyfOc0Cmn1
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2au4M2menv
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3fWYMA9N7
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WbNbBN2T6
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"Ahhh... this is the life."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD67Pv7Cly
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"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtnvLJcuPO
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"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw47iZH3GVx
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdwWhUE0DK
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY16b8dWzx
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"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTGP4kD2pM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO1MSGEtna
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bhq2gtrit
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"Sure, sure, now scram."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom0q90eee6
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I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo4PJa4VVG
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToOX7z1Mb8
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEhqF3w9UZ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMlX8zlApf
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFRTBEtDci
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XTi82JBaK
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPz01OXu09
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYia17x1qVR
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFud5TwhWF
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"A nap... hmm..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPJ0m7aRA7
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The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7DCZPADZL
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboOCtEb1Et
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtrdL4IZqm
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPn0CLykiU
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY3JchAiJH
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN72A7fzWyn
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5RDQnEfhy
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"Ack... this sucks."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3GRtWGVvv
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To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLkWf71Ju
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As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBZBTqtRyy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnwullx2iv
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRbQ3ltZM8
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM9ERrwXaT
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzidgWF23e
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvRUqnW7Iy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIMraBFJlf
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0EYE4XIdN
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgoLifr3jG
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86YspSgfUX
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesxtAZkvaA
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"---Alright, that takes care of that."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD9ABGI8si
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNktTiYhO6
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYF3ifjdCr
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNAvbACdEf
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ32pOkJpE5
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"...Right?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYQNAxHMKa
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusIFfGXRYv
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvXUmnBbx8
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"..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsriAtLpuNg
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Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTpiYtR8pM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFMJdN5BfQ
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBR4nW94lQ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJoeebOpr8
Wait, where the hell is she going?220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnXYqirsEY
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I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiUxAkypGf
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"Rover."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R8fbPHoJA
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"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgw7cyHUVZ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvOVHssezo
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXom3rGD0dN
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5WBKqO2nj
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzBK4TopvS
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"Nevermind that, where are you going?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hqBGBIFj
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She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTGQSc3iYX
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpPDSWXxZz
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9XZ4SAI79
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8eOKExFdu
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSFEanaMw1
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y3NzKa536
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdWhhiXCoA
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZztSyB2zj
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZJzXkNQSF
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ6U8KKb2Z
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU65KzHS6G5
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWchr2REWoC
"Oh, that... uh..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2fvtcPPC9
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I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWdLFY519S
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbbJwIK1Gf
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23mNbinN1N
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"...Pff."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirM65sxwX0
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"It's not funny!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHaLEvkFOq
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vb62XWWcH
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT8ssLnHfs
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCMglB7sEx
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbbbWVX4MS
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWje9AmA1E
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ99XqZ35nw
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N1OEAD8B8
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVazNkXQ4zE
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"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoeaCCReL8
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"...I see."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ748IVumfIG
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I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoSZJu8h66
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"..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfaxcA1Aeh
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9rDnIhmcB
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"What are you doing?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjLgZRVTPy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHHQ8YZcc
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWBUnQy6fS
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRlsdT8vi5
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFGK42uSEu
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"W-Whaa!?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQkk0zLA4X
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She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0jEGX73OY
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"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT45Qo7OJn
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuvxLFgU1j
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCNBqNleoc
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrtGy7qihA
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0bnHFgzMt
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She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCdc3RrrNP
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"I am not going for a piggyback ride."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZsEoM4Q6R
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8faBTLuvP
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfByCmfuqjV
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzcuQaiIVs
"I don't like you."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pWSDVw75y
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27i0HlJ0au
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIiW673yqp
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYPs0nu0pI
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLe7rhj4lA
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPH16yDMbV
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"I... guess you're right."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODffSyS1dn
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She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
