I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVezukoOwM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpTky5gFrz
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL752fVQqy
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO0BvgPfOY
"How?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgDM44Pnek
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogivX7jllM
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8f85h7sce
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzpI6xV5fl
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5MdmuiLUx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0jsOTJBFT
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJ2597fUI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA5lCbmgmX
Pars turned to answer Juke.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdLiPHfXsg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM394jAmRA
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX9NgljeQB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW3bwYbkvM
"That so, eh?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEDOHxQvi1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO4D1thGX2
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPLt9j83Sp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigN1qXK29g
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKK9TaKX73
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsmPMxlf21
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAbgqBkFkH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ILYHd8eU
"Hey Becker, how's the–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7cFmle7hV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgjcTjzJq7
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuak5Rad6F
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfchHGmfytg
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepqA003dER
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NfNPdNARh
"Are you a kid?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmd2ULpgeE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RjecfMLXQ
"H-Huh!?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgm3g0fuJj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAADpSVV1L
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq0pKbX8gf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvrs4eit3z
"I said, are you a kid?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlphpfsSYik
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEuPsM2ZKv
"I-I, yes, I am."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4YwuKljG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ21qUclhMr
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgf5dASb16
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjArUzdPe2
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23N5Un3OuP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnozOXwX76R
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf9y2ADubP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNdIbouenE
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2y54JAovG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpuQ99Mght
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IGyORAFxi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GwMUAF5qW
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD2cKRu2XS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDVYw94AK2
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol9QWzke8m
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBArbsYl0eI
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY3wglzAaa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uD5qJsngp
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY74ADppAEF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmaqG0skOu
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzOFyw2sRH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqselgJ7p
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvOsT3bnMB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUUogrHIhq
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA479b6kDM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJDJpHFCtE
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKrBeDnU6T
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6HbSI5hP7
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt7fCxheye
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiMjJO4f6J
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMTjzxoIuC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLNW9RdE5j
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKWjWE9Dqg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW63h6uBDkg
"W-What?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAE3LlHKOF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWEoBnxdMb
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcipwkAQqSE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk8PRfrqWm
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfayzlv3rAN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsl9sBXJzG
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJJOUDKtxP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5IJriECUF
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMzWQdffSD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8uwoRRlp
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxM3gZ0Iid
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A9lL42ZwZ
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWTorz1rt8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrJ834wpau
"I'd never."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsFuV4dJb5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqKULVyG5
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyiWaTNYaN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjotSyggOPF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpMG3QNp2l
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIOS9gfkJA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInlEcq2x6r
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezA8nGWsOS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgpjrpAj0V
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcgtYono9B
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw3Ua8PXpy
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqMr3CuiLg
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UPLl2NgRF
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO77ejjOMI1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1r5MlXwPq
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30cKUnVFiL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3mdslLPUH
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aoRVvIFiA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx4wV52WKQ
"What did you want to tell me?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbntf61zNog
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpKfTog0Xw
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm6hevAqxC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP1gs6ClxL
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOZmPBeKl7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9dRmYvKfz
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEiVEQalaO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe6DMbv54z
"S-Sure. What is it?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5CaXOO2ji
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NGyik9X7h
"Do you like fighting?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHlNFcltGX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE3AUaRPLE
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGYoInQ7B3
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs27eNnkzU
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HyqaLmPsj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz8S5L3f3v
"Then, why do you do it?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz135DYqSaW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB281mFGQSC
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfQDvcEOvC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPpvv0DrWw
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF13nRIl1Qo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs9wWfHHHj
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡippTXEe2Q8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyY8fvXFJ0
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhXDJJo2R8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQVBwSx0nF
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTPuD87nDj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPBOAzTyME
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHrnlpSsdv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO2EE3TKII
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIImFS5tcXS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBspUOtQ9V
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoDQbnUmeu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQectz02lS
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iCTvVdkhw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKSuv5Wjes
"...W-Whaa?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZc22Thd5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVpMpgVkiC
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EYFAvXDdf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbLh9n55yn
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnTcos1tHy
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwUavVrAln
"It's... it's okay."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjHIg8YSG7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMItQkVsMG
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLiPKrddTl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbpSbcFqKT
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7QS5bE4SL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL0rT6HaCR
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9gnnCAhXr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUuat7vOIP
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzVoMvUd4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT91sjgkkDN
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpvGX4ia0f
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC42l3zNPJT
"...Y-Yes."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jk3YkOGui
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXuj6aH9C6
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiHoLhkmWW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtix0o0nkHm
"I see. I see now."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1VqiPCIgo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrmRPOXRni
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtPSUYVNTi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzVTEKZjI6
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPH4xY5KSs
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGjPH9dRLb
"Like, um, like what?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbO9sVaTMC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGFqZTVBnS
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbhtrdB2IW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgT9W8B7uO
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULVS4ltKLU
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d9Bi8HKCo
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS17BFfcRq
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKvuINWOpH
She paused to scratch her head.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvdLs6HwRf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHDsFppLYB
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgNAD8NAd9
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a7pYn9QSy
"I... I, I'm not–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbImeqnLN7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IoecYqn9u
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZGGmDusgA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNlnyX68mM
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJPwfj4O64
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIaT7BEhXW
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XrDXhY3B0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NpsOSZERT
"On the right?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNqB3D5TPn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5XlHspeX5
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaKQAmvhXm
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JIW9wu3I2
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEv72rihpe
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xd3ZrOhfW
"..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoBZWrTpGH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAeDdWHrL9
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUdyhMFXna
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOYUpFELy
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjojgTPEyn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYglIFjxxE
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZkoIqsRP1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkMEGcb1dU
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdZDmkUdVo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel8s0qCNak
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dxJe12EF8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDsZKCKFPQ
"...Maybe."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mQQEshAsl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSxldFccb0
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NPTkUpjaH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUODgUTr6u5
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
