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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTf8KBsfGQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv6haOI5ib
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71msXF6IC4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvNYTNwTmB
"At least... I'm on my back now."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5281i2kzI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97j0v8nWr
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmVbpQtIJS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurXvVo9DEy
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTH7jouWO0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrTRy0Otid
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyaX2kxfc2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWOcZGoouL
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiv35fHBy0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV8mAY6m9y
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFzser1fcF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy4Jv0ioL2
I was immediately startled.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxfvN4SPXj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmXXLFsddk
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HjznNVZuz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV3p1rFTGf
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNERQey2Vqq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfkK4PqpuX
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6hsCbL7ZT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhtWZq3fpT
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4eNAmsX56
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsLqLF2RP7
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9h3g1MJ9i
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm4nEcTd3W
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0a6MiAKaL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxMye7Ohi1
"Do you feel any better?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRS5UwZfRo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2anNG7Y5w
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zt2M3a3GV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlETTLAgqrs
"That's good, that's good..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ITxPgjNH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVVsKViaT3
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPj5xaIsE0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk7u2ah7X5
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ96Ht0JbXH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnDZHinr6B
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWPLNYcHwG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryHkru52bl
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVY2cogsiT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhThXsC7Rz
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukYssqUm3Z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD6fqC1AWg
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAkzJOyybG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzEJ0btV7l
"H-How'd you know?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iDfahi1Fh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82wysGs7yB
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYMQYaiBmh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p8EY4xqlB
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpTZLyz7pX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZDk1PwJDo
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWugmfA2Wt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZzM4yDX63
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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXMVR2CMIm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y794oaQZr
Pars nodded.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUeIpvfwJw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ryNhnBCu
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2XGl6q2hS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u4DTGevHg
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw5XzqytoD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE59oM48xb
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ2cvCkCzb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPHqdQ13iT
"Mutual what?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyQJxrRdDy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2r14nxHT0
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnufMJoZXE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLc3XOzDfu
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUVEiKUVPE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHxslhOktm
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXzArB3Sxg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8TOOvntQ8
"Really now..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0nzQWXluk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRGphwJkhS
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BNCE8OHMH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDUEfuvw8c
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6nOVRw3Nh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdY8ADAkqw
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI30wmq8L6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghUVYU6Z8G
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAiPdApkc1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6JM08SRfd
"Wow... it must've been bad."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHmxWRV1NL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZEq4w31wt
"You're almost as flippant as I am."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEczmRGECgc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCRRESou4F
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4CU32q24H
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJLz0pDNUm
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6DCa4rU8D
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8WNA5Nm5n
"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..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwFVmYda1N
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtEr3VjW6H
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDCp4yew3a
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3ncHN1jLl
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5ZQy88LW7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ZAe2JzBu
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QauZUkl4u
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2lR823FM9
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpUkTdOVMO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX988CR6Vh
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYNvDsxzCb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA2wLg8xV6
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpAeQeAbdI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡted3jFeJwd
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhoxebEkYh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zB0mAwn8B
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxQOs91NE8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOGVI9b8HD
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM506MMONN4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKWHR0gsEJ
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpMjfbLQlV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYtCyWz7Mx
"I know."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPWW0JGp9H
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeNrHpZAPy
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrzbybXFbu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNIaAECQEn
"Tell you what; I can't help you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVS1ywexSv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAbgotTveG
"...Are you serious?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSMX2eot7O
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmcMpbD13n
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVkh3thYOc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbGlQVhxPc
"What? What can?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRs6jOL47F
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IF8h7QGIU
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvCg4HgJwj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy6lRnryNJ
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk2iv38sAw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8s8FwpMPD
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG8eretAP7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB7FPHKPOg
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6n8a7MCPj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2LlI9UaYu
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1po1WEJ5l
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZQXFEtZ0G
"Give it a try."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCXkuGpZfE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0VgdyWgC4
He stood up and patted my shoulder.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcGsCJaLxV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0VaS6bpbq
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRePxE1y5Qt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyFE9s40nK
"H-Huh? Right now?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9QsJalGbr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMiUhdP3Ve
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt99sRCvMzM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60QyGI2WIl
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAbsyuXTco
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–
–
–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5QPCGik3c
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"Are ya all packed up?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6khhWL6zb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4G43AC1lF
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrFPpuQ0aK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7EmoSsdcU
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4tFOaNBRQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol6y4qNwhw
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloTiQn1kh2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1V4gyZELv
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9MpcRT9Wo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdEMfxpDsp
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FRuHVzUh4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAZXRyOEpw
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF72PyTCtKz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqmd2K2Yz4
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXww7lPF3Y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0vQ334csp
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa4dDVC6x3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3YUl7JsRz
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9E4SaoHFN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDHXbPRPIt
"I suppose that makes sense."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUhxUWVciN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm8mYCSNKe
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYU1Z8Dl24
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulIyk30ZZ1
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWnLFpDQGr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5F2lafbPR
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC137u6esQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtKa1nRkLI
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B8Rr0EKRa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5gMdgHV1o
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzZaipJVRe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIriJIEpy3
"What do I think...?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjen0L5Gn6E
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n7OAFXklz
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3qBAdY2gX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx6ut6qwnc
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKGBBF1Tm4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6rBYOQfny
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BlTSQ0c6A
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQtjqKXe2Y
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9qhUbuHhQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9x7sbi1LI
"I'm asking ya, kid."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7bWcfGtf8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs9cGLmnqw
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs5F9Pohmh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTwIFyFst4
"It had to be an Endowment."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdPiiDKord
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMrLFlspjU
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO109W61Ix
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M04DYiKfR
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFZ8gYrzKN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgj178YfFq
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWwF397sZL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zHYVDS0sQ
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa5vcfjM0R
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAiD4YTEZh
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHj7YX8ysl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5Eq8H1uUl
"Why not?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7q4Kpjcf2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVw4h9fMPv
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VSP6n5zaH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLm61t85ME
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKD9bbgiM1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0O6ZJMliE
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLxpg2pnqf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasFC90IXJK
"Surely, there's a better option."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoaHOzlOGD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5RZirREyW
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESFcxmSbKT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT6KvbzCyG
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3K1zepqRc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaSvgIADLa
"What if we spy from a distance?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6RRHic6J7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9vhdckUzc
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aTZd3WYHL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T7e72Mr81
"...Point taken."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFKbFsRZwp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqLnhLUGnk
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWuQPWk839
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxi3v7MwUG
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6M0Z6B44W
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoouVtkEWjZ
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukQtp3jXGy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGgOjsb1DG
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlguDox18qJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjNz1K5Wy9
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtNH9zZVhV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvLdsuVDM1
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPuG2BXprN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP93O1lIFN5
We nodded in unison.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgLecBc7L1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBt4GUvLFo
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrOtZmW7pP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy6YoxlnSf
–
–
–
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqezPjCl9HW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWGLoZXrDu
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUdKhI11zA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinjgweQJbA
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD44KbvCCg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF6gIVNMEW
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg474x5kDF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkutjDxXjN
"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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdwB6B57IR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgMaaA6zEO
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQur8yoItq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhaISgpHaY
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StLBpX4yN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPfedJoy84
"Well... I won't deny that."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kTeYYNa68
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8MRb3Lrp9
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLWAdy4Y54
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmSVHPXEfy
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXidtOkd8l
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92WSChIGZv
"Again? What do you–?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe3atqeIvs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOEIkWw8wX
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PQtv8bbGe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IuIe91IR4
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiVLAdQKAS
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHq1vwG8Rf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg17EsKbAn
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYrpOd1fia
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AfG8niif4
"I didn't ask ya that."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVUIi6lSf4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcC9Z9fwYn
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBp9MWn5YY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoOfXehAcF
"That ain't surprising."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABhHG6wkR5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRPMxusTg0
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQZdXJVZP8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkiq2PYrMJ
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vbPT0rXaX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLN8b75Lnc
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8asUesxFVF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhzb1aJPqS
"Yeah? Like what?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qW33He6Zy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo2hrUGgXy
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5iIpmVU7S
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrEiw9e3BY
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRQgOXScO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W5QWl94AD
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWyXyJnqIy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJAjPF288
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrBdNujE4Y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTqIa0M4AG
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHk4faluDT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1lWafNUPJ
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop00v86QOC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslVUZV1Z6O
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBI4tShRxK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA6o3QSxMT
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM3FH3tYqa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SkOE0Xwbz
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDVchKujB6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T6Jdi1s2E
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8pCxwt8mL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLRkzcs6OX
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
