A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYnkBTnTIE
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQOY6CvzdP
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"At least... I'm on my back now."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l4leKVD8j
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnhog7wgYn
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpUPWkhTra
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT87BbUjfJ5
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH94mjTc2wV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewZSdGM1lb
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQJiWSrQxq
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"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSHBKRd8jS
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But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMQbkhNim4
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I was immediately startled.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNktHSImDWr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa2Oz3Hl8w
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydgkcREnd5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0UoNEQEky
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5KplRyuqy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPgB8aka9v
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2fpdU1b04
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BC6S9P4Bi
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKtCWVVnRp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjamoK07Svr
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUbQovcj8A
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykH498T0s
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGlQuiHmeF
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs34u5rZk0
"Do you feel any better?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPX4MMHDlY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvGIRCsXQv
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fjGtMu2ge
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"That's good, that's good..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVszF5Px5tn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsxWnTFLez
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW4nZuL75S
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DvbNyNrPr
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBKisI4OC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTmGF0Tb7w
"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBQ0lO0Rz6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZNW3n31iI
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aRrf04vpZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdi3ZUJAsx
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48WXQHyscy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGszZtxTNl
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWV32tqrPA
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtOGfJpjtQ
"H-How'd you know?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosKqMv67vn
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"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLerPbKsQE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAUYWbdHEg
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK1I1I3pHr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRhp41jTIq
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy5SWX5pLM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPxW5sJ470
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodFZZ2qONM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WWBECSLHP
Pars nodded.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDC3v6SFZP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PeOtjhVE
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpilbgyGCDw
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo69Rhz80IR
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU2Eby1u2x
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsmwBWvgFk
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36aIuNtUsv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG56wiOVuw
"Mutual what?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrscURBQd9
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8X2blVwpQ
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c9120CozM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmOLJDKdnB
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j4j9mRkCA
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJukFJaIcRp
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgX3MDPXnQ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwMcwpixMQ
"Really now..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6VJIi4FoS
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I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ5FykvqLy
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"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiTFOPh3kZ
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"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCspIDmmTST
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaT0vieCXW
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSZqdSL8Pg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wdnlkbcat
"Wow... it must've been bad."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Z3f9t94t
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmRDrctuk7
"You're almost as flippant as I am."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMXwllFNs6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIrjcJhcPz
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOcoPFD5dk
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNzPQ8jfjL
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u9r85kjk6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdBYVENil4
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RwoXYukBT
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zYHK902yU
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2ncLDJh1G
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSs6xsabD5
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7gXntbQeE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhtrn2sENS
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvrnGDsXAg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ40OCQIRRL
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphSGNhlaXe
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ12Muk72vE
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TKqW1pt1S
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC7ND3kQ4F
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVihXf5spM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVeJ4rDVbT
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEAgpU2WW
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ4NFezr80
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDdBIFTB6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7GgHFtGDN
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpDzxissgC
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"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY56OSCHIJ
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"I know."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbthBkDl96v
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk3CBeQI0x
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccFO3YhsCH
"Tell you what; I can't help you."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie4ovgvaiC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6DnvOFrx9
"...Are you serious?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRYyt2LECq
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGAvfPT54h
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW0ZY2YA1q
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7iUuwAo0B
"What? What can?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaVKZruZGD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBiNW6aGUC
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wx2kwfTeS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCFr13EvrE
"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n3vtP4joy
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxpT0JHp14
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtWzPu51EW
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3aUHLdd5b
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRaEQt15jQ
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCLLgNb4mZ
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"Give it a try."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi3ds20bSm
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSPq5fZYwv
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"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMz4AowkRZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKyN2hNFS1
"H-Huh? Right now?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Glfc2Do0S
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde7imJSACc
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0wPURvQ3M
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3YCpkxeEX
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5l7I9nYHx
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–
–
–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVqnhMHE9c
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"Are ya all packed up?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjUCWHx6aN
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7onCX6BBzl
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPd5FklCaI
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"You're the only one who's carrying anything"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb3ZvHcmJc
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6rmdpLmpH
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXBC2tKx9q
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2mdEpjqft
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fqhzNOmNd
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qiEUVnMjC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdalAcwYDTN
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkpIvrRuQb
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEqkJ0VSKl
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLfyudAIxU
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLHYmY0QGv
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW5BfS93Mz
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"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFpsECTua4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalRaA01EpC
"I suppose that makes sense."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmFxbVWEf8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6L2qAPgoe
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizMrAF5oLI
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz21igTKJY
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWlp8KorX9
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5LNLbj0yT
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiT4Dx0Gyf
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghpTCd39cn
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYONVmneEd
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM560c7HPQ8
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0L7bHDC1R
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn2WAvhjgm
"What do I think...?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa5LiQvwmn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa4gHfd7sb
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uJO08dkkH
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"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH6s0F1iBm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrYNRutc0w
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUJ3shtqV8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPNvvVDMVP
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6j6GaX10x
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf5yma09y7
"I'm asking ya, kid."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfguxEMXir
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVekqHNLz0
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PgyiQAg8Y
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"It had to be an Endowment."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2NY1SqYn1
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"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPa4VOCr3I
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVX8OZ02oE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYa3XEGIwd
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJkWFgCjRY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7gRvpBYOs
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT5qzhKMJ4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZMgI4A36T
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIR5UOpd47
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"Why not?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJsL603dCs
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42UwNk6TlN
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOc11XMzaw
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3E05puvuY
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQije2SeEFZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu2TYF2vKe
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kcoqn389y
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"Surely, there's a better option."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXcDehLIGc
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajV2fvX1Dv
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB5gZTF8Hy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon8drMwaeZ
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9rBVxSRKx
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"What if we spy from a distance?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttpRe3RpbJ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdMLBDZnXN
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZf7dMBSL5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGoAIx5G4s
"...Point taken."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEnpDwABNJ
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As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHAOC3iZMi
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5isnIhCpx
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5WZlRlDNZ
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WbEvThFoh
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2LS7B5p24
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVSTemSebn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eH9XP51uh
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICYmpagvju
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSIXQUxxja
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnN4kS5tEC
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We nodded in unison.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMJemm34qN
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"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyZiqqLpuH
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleGyYpF8zZ
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4LxNEy9U8
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At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiufyY886Q
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavqvfQeLcp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gDDwfQ7mK
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXcjP85cdr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQPiWtdSn5
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhFPQXpkJz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9oWuGl2zb
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0QrOayrCy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMIVwdTMO4
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEA4NEL0Cr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxzSvrQYDv
"Well... I won't deny that."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGQ6q6s208
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mTEU6xfmz
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BZgj0nO6E
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uZniIlgDL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJuDPLYiub
"Again? What do you–?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YRkSGRnJ6
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As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡien4nFWyNx
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEasj4WqDsh
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MzBuCO7ET
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"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPf1BvFeOE
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"I didn't ask ya that."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXlbZr8Kky
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfkwIEYgaW
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6NI63RRa
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"That ain't surprising."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuu0nmXn7w
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji7IyHmaSN
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfIbgl5ir3
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIzJ4vdINu
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XlOoymSNN
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YEq1VkTYx
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeI5cA6YFN
"Yeah? Like what?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXHCufWoa8
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCVfoejliY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUL2e6rNtL
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwzXf7nUQ5
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"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrLdYWaXUW
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jGsrvw7It
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsJyix47TO
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzAEWIB5u8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmis7Nl4hrt
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoW5myhz4Z
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I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iZFtYU1bh
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHLjTSuQwu
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86NJN4KULy
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjwzp7glNY
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
