As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8CLMSmuDz
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"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbGwCuUZwG
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"Right on."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3RvTcFT0D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn1q5PSplA
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rqvywrQ6K
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"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg5leOPfw7
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"Huh? Oh, alright."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT8OngrJ4x
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvbfPPJFZ6
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWAZNZHqTo
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"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGbVFlJJF7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJHHt4TpdX
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnNDJg590D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz1J0BGRwl
"Luck..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFgB6iRoOx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWSfUEqbb0
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYGoqN7GHE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSWmlCpApi
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tfxjg5tvd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxHqgi8fvb
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxnjFdWYiD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQwf1OCuxX
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSM34IodFm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uB074fU6Y
"You people are strange..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJEKLTauyh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5aCWeLuS4
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyGSWEfRNK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaH7jzlSfp
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYUYUoKYqG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxeYTNrpZ7
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupcXm7vz7h
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHbHDNr1Zo
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6n2v6YoQu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tVf0ZzKU3
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX3uUI7ih8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknkLhbIowH
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6iuKZoZpT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIxXWDZEDR
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD12Ixw5euy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aloVkb61W
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sLlPEro1x
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgRKqdtyKU
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK030cpFuA
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Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EVtVRdsRw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswd38yfJq2
"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotZham1j4G
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0WJtnaLru
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eBKPqsvlV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQuMetujWd
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2OznSBMLR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq224qWHXs
"...Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqBrfIpXoq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaoNs9sfs7
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvL3ITu0J7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfgqFeaHjn
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DxEjd0Y28
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRPyFj1nNA
"I can't deny that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxTWmfSVMI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBX9FOix72
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOJKpZJhIq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWtXcBbSPv
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5XckaWWFQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGiS1x5qZa
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg0oLQFPmB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlVD8o3Emc
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2reRLNpfMc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RhoJMmPcu
"You're up."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzku1azH5Bd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvJVQXfk71
"Right on."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW01wDdezY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyzrf9PZOg
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxPxTeVB1y
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumuqdK2fgN
"That's... that's incredible."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQwrpHPsm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmhuFy7WlL
"Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaaKqaJk5V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqLdAP91nZ
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvPaqeywjx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTcssbxPg0
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a6pSKxNQ0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQGcoalHes
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KgQfv5dq0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfFvfz7hri
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dQcIyZ3i9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe3fSFSXwt
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuylhEyEzsb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HnO7xtlkv
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc8AzRg8GY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoWA73CsfN
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6XbTtEt7w
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIaerUDCPH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOwFVtEH79
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVOh50nRwj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51058bqY9X
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeimBSov0s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsHfNF3uWH
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY7cB2UgVI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGm4vY4c8n
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi93s4b6v3X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCRrbdrRjs
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9qIyj7Hyo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRPoD49iRg
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG3DOA12hG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzMAK5hv8b
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauUC6BDxst
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNdQ9o0Sic
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKto59U1gf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAhuYhwILn
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjGBuPXBTZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GfT3r33pR
As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvhKHqETJx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP36PbHMYWS
–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfof7B5faPX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlObdmzEv0
"What time is it now?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb9VDThzWL
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And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv025234Xhh
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"Juke?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YxzrCo2cf
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He looked at me and perked up.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf75J7Cb2f
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAruNZMHexc
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OYXT9OMHE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMZE8KLA9m
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjm9qyrPmX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ1ByM3J2T
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh0DsN9Nss
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5e0zZiEEj
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtuXE6RmSK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5dCCdVPiU
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmiHKyVC78
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uqcp6M3zM
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumuOZ527Ym
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX7jNjc0w8
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXnjaiopaT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDmbA9T5ke
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85mCQiyiof
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAm66q0bqk
"S-Sorry, sorry."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPWzdSJx2A
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkGpChzsYQ
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu07tDRQfx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qqMiy1qbg
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGfMqAQdoT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgoiwktkgC
"Ah, shit, yer right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg3YXnmOhQ
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Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl024Aju72Z
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgel78iq7dU
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiItr0p5WR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5x7DBWIvy
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNdJgHrqrQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIu5oqeGov
"Did ya just laugh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXfqpOcH2W
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDcWyG1KFO
"N-No, why do you ask?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RQ4PKgZ62
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdDUM6Xjmp
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFRJWAdktV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1rX00ZrfU
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4EP72IQKO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3W6qCK6bp
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn5nXwZWvz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLvxzBLuuT
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpawMf4j0OD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUqHURwNKX
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB20Wk7zav
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE4llzOP7g
He narrowed his eyes at me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmS91gDatb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KEbsTYFNg
"I'll take yer word for it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinnhhqyYF5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA11Gi3ZZ1
There was a momentary pause. I235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMlr7FSXCK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM6aatnoOL
"So, what have ya been up to?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKx4CC1drr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvHgD78QZY
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF2H8XQFIR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoEaewo9cD
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayFOG80dFh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyS1I57F8T
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62vV4bVJSr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILhT9aenHS
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc8JKxIuzA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOdpisK93D
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1G8OnFYbV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDphLJy6jCv
"The sleeping room?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuWwR4IM9m
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BeSUvnNqf
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkCn7k8QM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3KbyiSVjf
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy4tvFSZ4D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodbhzMS6Tb
He cocked his head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRaQabXGd5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk56AH5Fsf
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vFeGG7und
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2A275nJwP
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEH2p70fVc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ3jVoPLWE
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxm6X1E1f
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5hJO3YGzz
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcDjjQj2AJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjaOpwsXM3
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fsX04DF3R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0YikcALN2
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPFdjH1pHJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfrVB85y4O
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N7vGRm0ra
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGFAgg63Ce
"Loose screws?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2HdOYLn4k
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"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBveGInKxh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVEPxIOrGr
He huffed from his nose and smirked.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76xzJw1BDn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9qF1h1VSR
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BweirRCki
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv1Or06mza
"Boring tales..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FWuwx3lpo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwpjDD0ZJk
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECt7YstGQo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpLuSOP0et
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirTrc1ysb7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEGQlrlK15
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjBY5xYWVM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eRFaSrahS
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeDtShexYh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNrXhrW7fF
"What, am I too young?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufvqVAj6oM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ZrVs8wvF
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Oeh3uQESH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQzeDEDeUc
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHnz3kly00
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqZO8b2EyO
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX16GvVRw4U
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJQvyky1lv
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna7VOjpGwq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbfgfwtLkc
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKnUJIRM4s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz64NH3kjPv
I straightened my posture.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8vJbv4c6R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbweUGxhD9W
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSUAboEX1B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeORr5QTZIj
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNeKmP7nFc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg3phn9oas
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnuBpAXOPy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQiFzUXikw
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxN8NaENjp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKcMbjEmi5
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1vMoPEoxH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsunXFvsh9
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwJuXVPWQw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhaNDQwhmn
He gave me a blank stare.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqJ3MPc8FH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD6wRcqC4w
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0tmdt505B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV258SC459
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTEzlJEGMt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg72VNdF7N
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxpzxsvs8q
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOo3VdG1E3
"See? There ain't a difference."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPcdwjWgRB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR3qSsSqBw
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV58OWIlgB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63BO3f0xX
"Yeah? And what are they?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DLIpm9hQE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqjUQlzpFo
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHMLQpbZkg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup39RSbViT
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDZZAIFAyo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICiTKHIVGi
To that question, I simply shrugged.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EIYmRfNpp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIKgeAFHnN
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgVIr1cSx6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39kgTblZHM
"What a load of semantical garbage."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EKj3f8NX8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwUZAvtbJ1
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBQzEsoImz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy2BP5JvWL
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtShlI2E9g
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLIsrDtGU8
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbxQylSgJn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiOKVvsaL6
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETNObnFp5j
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa93LyJanJ
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6PckZ1OFl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1XFIOjJbN
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLpbuTt95X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f3cWgi5da
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eGQOjMOc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yo0oIHnMV
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqukbYb5og
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J6E7HizTV
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRHW7Zeclk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N8qVDnnm8
"I'm starin' at one right now."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0mTnbCCq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqfcWWbKTr
"You know what I meant!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2HnbYCbHB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwfoUitQug
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgC1xCotcw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qlVEsDGaj
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAorEzZEV0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk3BauEhax
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdFvnet40R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFT5deAPnm
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr9Yni8uBk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf2pdzHo5l
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCajmRaey1m
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7IxUZo3JB
"You're definitely being generous."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMxUe3v4zL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEFEYuIbw8
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5CvXBuezs
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaESmiRH9n
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWt6RTLQCP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEL0X8MeqR
He nodded his head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe2UfxNOZZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2R0dTUJ0B
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpzn1yACnn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpW5glZVtY
"...Oh my goodness."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczOUSYTLMI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr5bWvjVym
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEjzHDFrqG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMxa366GRA
"What? It's just mud, kid."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5HzVb1P3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTzZP6odml
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusiL6Fpshz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DFEI024CM
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxat6LAiBjp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNLkp6s9iA
"Yes. I hate it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZLqwcBhQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchT7Q0W7N8
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0BGRcHYHF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCjV1gbYY
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3dpjhvdGi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpJXThyKno
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5RMfA00Q7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvbmcGfoCd
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjrZ8p7qHu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXyBTZDfgi
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyWBKzuxRI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbdR6EiQTc
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7ADInDzN8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7AqKhmdsF
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ics0pNK1f
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLIYEOn5Np
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOAq7iEw55
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ20rwcDbFY
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKXhNfuhqE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKjCt9far5
"Nah."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnRlDF7aFC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrpsXDYjWH
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOVvb3Ecgj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqICEHrtVw
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPzX6iqbL3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFHSHshQVK
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l7pByYP7F
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAKNmu3BYb
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHkmOPGU3j
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMIjPYyljP
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VtdHihvZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUazoHCPAj
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYVeB5TQ2s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOZ6a20SMy
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbme8KU76WG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWcb3aePNE
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfiX1SWrZg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA608qhSH1
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTgFwy8xm1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M7lVPNUWK
"Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzPSwquAxO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jl35TJA59
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyth9C7q7KB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGlAMRET92
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatkuUyArVn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aX7N5ptzx
"So someone told you as well?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6l5uiyvy7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTCXYawNDY
He nodded with a smirk on his face.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WfcISx71P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0q6ZiZFlC
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrvUxqPU65
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcIZPVDNFl
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxy1dPyvN9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Err3f3Qf
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zVoNN2Xbv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5C7lkLuyt
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd6OW9NzMt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanzd0kMVmP
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxAhJEO7jl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLbtgUXeIm
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN97fTdHDi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtjPy9YZME
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBtjyxOEVX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSiV0hheH2
"Strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6AzDWskPQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsZXX0rij7
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiXEi6luuY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi13WouGgkM
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ657pQY0puW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWNpyXZvSY
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceZWAxxwDH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBGEU6kkUU
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5LhthNbmd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKpnqOL1Or
"Brat is certainly new..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWnBopLAP8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEoShfnq2K
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwF5ARmQr3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJTpz27NTo
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk5FDU2xtY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcGxwdjIz
"Think like what?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPLBoltJXM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmJ4fLrWc
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL40WtwO6wg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CTdrVoW3e
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetxWDFE8Kd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot5nZRLhzk
"J-Juke...?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cHIenD7ER
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTHIZe069x
"Do ya think I'm strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAzh5wED3h
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tnui9ynCc
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0MRGcWkuJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0654in69u
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdAdDM4Opq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c445Gmfoq
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhty1DbTpE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CVHvJN2PX
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlj5tERZt8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbVrkv1hW1
"Yer a moron."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUtQpmsTEb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGG3llCSuT
"H-Huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQzXKTVJQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jJ9k4Vzju
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrCXWwG3sf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMPsC743Zw
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdazWkVHzUO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWGO3LcXzi
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPvwNrK7cU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ93j28TjYR
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPzJsIdv6J
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTicD2eL6KH
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZ2ZUvbLa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hf1c4l5r5
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4b3PInfep
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEowCfbRZwi
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlrWVjCh5o
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FnhsS8vIM
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ur66qgZW3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDoHGNOt3C
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWlbK3OS2L
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnyGorBPmg
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuEeDHvu1p
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFvR5f9yL1
And so, I spoke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSefcMDtjT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe9znbWj6G
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8SiYpCBRH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9uEfEZlGK
"...Yer just like that bitch."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ThWLHlVr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgnfc0TBx5
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T0yy2xm9X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIAIHlzhbn
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NQiqbZoHV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PaPN2IsXc
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zyoDrkFTP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh3fcVGq6V
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCAjxAMSuf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUsFc2bFZl
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphsY26MQAT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDQx6S6iHe
"You're missing the point!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQgZ62SVwr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ULBT0hUET
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQPXwwIFzZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dGpokbBtg
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85lI3KNjFm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcycrTmd1g
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdhXFUM07K
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGaEcYyGKh
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW7zmpffgI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL9kuBjPeN
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfWe27Gh4N
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn0zkrjQSc
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbimETVwq9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuFiCKpor5
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyXNvWbHA0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ6i5LXmEY
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKYEGBnNL9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IwfyhGwkS
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGdQDWuYzv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRrYWxiLol
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfDYdyJ2aK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80SfJQfj2X
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjhCoMQCU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLrOoVzGYp
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
