Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UxAxA2YWv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPx72dvP4c
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqK1NwHY08
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmQj91i6fk
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWioMs78Gi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ8TdHjDjp
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tgmlaHg87
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGhqotqPbF
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4QKL7AaE2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuf0BPwrPD
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP0qIQPiVV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu334A0NmcN
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4mHDhGYX3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT3nKgojhQ
“Well?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6we1LvXm8R
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRdICV7hn7
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9l3Uq7zc4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bpePDhIb9
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCsPpEX01z
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMjiCkIXj8
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDdqvjnQRE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYq1oWQtF7
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3wHrDpuY0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBLtumRbz2
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIneEHCllij
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup1z6EnbAK
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2GntskDKh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbb33vXvXm
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JtUs3w6lS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVy5lxcNXJ
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fjjp4hhv4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemcs3f8BKx
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxmCwDEI1I
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPweymdeyZ
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI3UuqOTJG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ7lK1c1Gm
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vAflvtgB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6qhw4uBrD
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GoWD9Am8m
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DsXrPofML
“...Yeah.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRWkpc1K3M
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VzaVDhxV4
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo8mLoW2dI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhjqHBUY2I
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv2PEcTLSN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAfRywwfJo
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hEeOymlqt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyJRN9iO5E
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF89488p63p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9VV3jpwgK
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVRDjVyxmP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuacKxAll3
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAZ5dVa5M7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmySSGCsoav
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp9mRw9APL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGowA66LkOw
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDz5ICySFt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyVNUcP8Zj
“...?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48INvXxg1W
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WLBfb2wLV
At that, I had to tilt my head.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kFALOaO6K
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13OCI3uebn
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNd9eLIrbX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpDbiJw3sq
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLZGQgEfC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquvu1O14k
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhXN2xqG68
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76uQmyhww1
“Dennis still ain’t here.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEubQEoByh8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP49iT4HrqA
“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZyaHnFFB7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvM9EkQRF1
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPMN6MwNPs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvky7hx7ryn
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqJKCTs2MV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ZXQ3R2xV
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP15fhByDq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17Zlmq8qMX
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9ejjhF3O9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhLLQchYM5
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J6kHwQEPC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EOWRczS9p
“--!? W-What!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF74lX12H6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjaoNm73hh
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1Gt70q7Ta
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtHxPLfVx2
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iebK0ckO2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHv9giLwxG
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoNCgnAA8q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxDMkD49wa
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV1NxECsDG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuE1EDTDwq
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG00V5u0kIa
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT1wn7gAPN
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ajh0Um461
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e2h9Bp2Nj
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvFgNKx5lc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexOT4IPJVb
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgxwlD4f7w
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGkTh1j9KA
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xuQZbDJME
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIsDhJZl8w
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMu9m7HNfS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOyabedY1u
“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53jhQoWTXZ
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I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOorClIWrFi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGeKu2O5zC
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eV0D296Ui
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7FHhtYGHw
“I-I see…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1ilpZEyS4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJGhfha8wp
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PgsY3hlko
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrSP7UtuJX
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyZa1LEtHG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kgzMLWkVp
“You don’t, ‘get?’”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjAWc98raw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9YiqwX2Yy
“Y’know, when–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWoo145XzG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx3uzQfwBa
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eDmSewinM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HUvLkc3SB
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKRGclgsgy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5D9cot7ST
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tV5hxtNX4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOUbu2V3PS
**SLAM**133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpayV4UAGPZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYkq2M9VaK
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjbKmDkh6i
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6MlyaLDmW
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErd4e89GYI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFctpbm8J9M
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSWNn9Uh7P
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUceKgdwis
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWIh1kuJOK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd0vXTfUNZ
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTALHwF0d
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUIuirZWaG
“M-Mister Dean.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ3oWMWSGN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PQZGj35I9
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89j1hVSqEg
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“Yes, child?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXY7IiQfz3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlSpZkusll
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qtq9iewsh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3dhIdBE9k
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGQ5NIHV7F
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAYdN2NUsK
“R-Right.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJAZWvvko1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7f4ilTTpx
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP4faNmgLt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNMUeOFx7f
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJfRSJijTw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSMBtFIDFj
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX2GKP7nSY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnHzkE8zzi
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y9EVN7Qs9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN1jlITLeh
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG9DjS648b
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspZBuCTuM3
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZgZ3IUoH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoOm5TVsZ0
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmj491Y7oD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdFcXoILhw
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbijfHkBS35
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPulaecybo
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryh09POvoj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JhXWIT1xp
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrDVh3PYLT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShYl20AXxo
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1tSuaKeW4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr8KAdQUso
“Haven’t you explained that already?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIgM9vxzqL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKg0VVLpyT
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f5imbRueV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouDFIyo9CC
“What’s that?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5evywqCIF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo7FsNMBwF
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdGZUkJIMB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aZOjRXMqx
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQBiCH5G98
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEPdyWX84A
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dkxmGg9wQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2hd0Xc0tP
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYGWP87zTn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlL5PkMLYK
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUuciPA87X
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2p2YnCQsa
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1nQgDq5Cm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLqMie9RFB
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPvZZbXnRu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK7RoATGRe
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh8zl9Q7W5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkBluTYYcr
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOPELokv8P
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS9xoo3hnH
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmanQxIDqL2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3xWNoaIw8
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgws1QwHQnM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbQay6f1jT
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dcQ1ccgxo
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9C8zS7uo8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0am08R8XzA
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7M4pymiKn
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“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn8bkDToN3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgbT6IkV04
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG90JEZq02R
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rZfCc1QDo
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dEHs46EPg
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“I think it likes you, child.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqsTbtXwtU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N6xu6nhJp
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFYiBq3712
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNIvXm5ANv
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZmD9HzlxK
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFNFJ77dLx
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“Hah?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphNjWSLHFi
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTnSOEIazi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbcmwW8kBP
“I… smell like flowers?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2VELeNpfL
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I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUGroc8RJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ47C4kc23H
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIdu61EHVY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPZcdtntXF
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBMNjGjhBP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5csFDRMvr
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhsbJbj1fQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE42LWZFO5
“Really? I didn’t know that…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2h1nGZ77r
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“Ahem, moving on–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhHgQ1IsUc
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTMiZNBcWR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ymVCCxtBV
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI93K1SmZR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmjlSR3aFm
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YJnSDBD9E
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S4vIKYSph
“May I know why I’m being told this?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Hr0kC2n3
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“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SDPSyu09p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KPiCYGatH
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6usf36Y0
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYf4bXq0hO
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“My help, you say…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvs9E5MWjX
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubfoOUJYyJ
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“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgRddObHpD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43ki43gNBK
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDzsNKj9Ak
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fRvKvNg2R
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFFzvm9adD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCqajlp5N6
“...Energizing potions?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaXKQlqb78
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd4p0echSE
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dJaRTuNqj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDhH6uIGTJ
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs9UC8B4lE
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsS9wOjDEu
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVypa00Jdp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD3HLZowno
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3rJXhfG3B
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sExEPt3jh
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“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxFRkFdwRE
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiOIvKq098
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“Is something wrong?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNDDRPoPRD
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL17E2Z7JP3
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“Well, kid–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO52ThijikH
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Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVczldX8in
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“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1joyvPCY0j
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNZwIdv74g
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnurav7ODdc
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“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycUDRlagTY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbMw59uICh
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAZ3l8aRKt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTCAaClGAX
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56ZmXBupNn
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“...Comfortable.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkimZ92GR6W
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY5XltNfZb
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRPOq65oAy
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3jEJeBrTo
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjAHgskrBb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly379Q8zDb
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn2fWxrEUw
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“...A little bit here.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOYvgcKogh
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It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtUyojk0zk
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxrtXGAVyr
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpIpJBwTvH
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As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWpRcnW9uh
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I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SuUQvQH9a
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“No time to waste, though.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDftkU8QeeX
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QHftmDye
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMwBULVgsd
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzkgn22c0b
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“...Crap.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwIuTv6qog
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0JUkrwPiB
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyoZG7h9vZ
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNDaEFiPf5
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffUliFkgk5
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“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcjNulA2Ii
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“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5L8SgbydN
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr1pNSV6BS
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She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr2QNXLmQa
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2X2Pp5M9p
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwV612IuVZ
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8PvkRL5EN
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkkXqk4uZI
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With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL8ORLlxAv
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEih2XTTvUC
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“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5EmdGUNh4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjXkSBksF4
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdmR9KmPjJ
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“N-Nigel!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74KqX8iWWC
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DGfG3gYdQ
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“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAtr2gu2Av
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He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zg7CTQg2t
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“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ts71zUPn
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“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYsQdGrPfy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFl0cvkyE
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbPlqgqIiJ
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“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYJ8yoIGXQ
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He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedJAZ1LZV1
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“Is this… a clamper?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIohJgzqpIx
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6QYNXIjWA
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEZnDQ1PDe
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“That I asked you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQZl5RIcg2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgYZczVLnZ
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszTqDqfM4M
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxOhdBxqDv
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhCfTpmNQI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gqbUL1ovw
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcNZzej3yE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbQe8ZC2Gt
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkko5NRMaQw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSygH4hV8Ze
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxyCcJPbei
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjk6GLQCcg
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2odRx8ytLr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeKvXqxB9k
“How did you–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVyEKuL7C0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkdy1q29qL
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjvOOzwhBP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEZIUoWsKQ
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi0KZw6aAV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWwLWqdfm4
He continued cutting as he spoke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlOmhNmqgH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBwcN84YeE
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzg7FJc7PH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YmN4JpaqH
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt8sMfLlG0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghzkpgkhRg
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKlryXfucM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogXAXt3X19
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi5cFXyswb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19824VIQoO
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOKrH3hYlS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kNCDiuR2W
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSmE4AjyfX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Z4qqQtuC
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIJZWx8K2q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaWviGlEHC
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbvcu1sXbm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaICVgEqgL
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pwuv493VB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5swboLz4mG
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTVEEL37aE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPH7JUXuh3
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmQH28pBPv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7AdhLnjSm
“I… darn it, you got me there.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERuQoteAuF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOXhY2hhCP
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR210Z1LPLe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW6objAOhO
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpekEF6ZD4M
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO5WrXshQW
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh3TDZ7NSi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu8vIqsOQk
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsGPDmznEW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskSnqycLfb
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1JRXhxfJs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQxhBA0kK1
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtc4mkxNkD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaBTvKg9Ea
I looked at him with pursed lips.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhop3D4nsgn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl28zwRcS1
“Why not?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhhcYs29ol
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHlcFisUGq
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfChFTmBog
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuvJH7fZCk
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvINI1SHSP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRYIdtq6n
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViN9IEbGax
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzDw5Zwp4p
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OHtxqVcx8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI3ya4wPFc
“--!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPGPHWu6O9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1L0VMihC
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUux2hztPv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBOVCefbf
“Did anything else happen?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCImGC3T2rA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvoKavEChJ
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKd3xuwKf4
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfyaOD1Uwz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcsBR8A555
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadmZSCQJcT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsK8CiTP1D
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBkQwSW2co
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lzy39tsd9
“Uh…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxWsUZTRRy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMqeZSfbeI
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB8dWH18Yr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v0BTnNGBR
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkK86e7Vun
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM87HoS45C
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefqipzv8m4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5GmOoRjQY
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rcBawBCyD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw74lhmvuwD
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgmikg7OSE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9GGWNOjif
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjXDKwB1zI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTw9Ts3tDC
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdA9rxBISd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7gAncmzdS
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUuJmniXbj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJlOahe9fJ
“...O-Oh.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sscg40v2d
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KB1jikpk5
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT00Zp093zR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqwmiefXmK
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYet2aspfB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAygqlRurPL
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B5BH5KWZ1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiHNaN0Gq7
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMW9uxtcsX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwuNL5WIPo
“Make sense? How?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerj0dVruqB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQShhmp3xH
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5znKstmRU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lenI7wONA
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu9MmwdltJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7irO6Xr1U
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2PCikGGgK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n7v8yDsea
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaIGozlem9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSxp3rPCrj
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKc2gG4Zvq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDWcNM8rc
“So she still fought alone, eh?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjzYzsfHvg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM6I3hhUVk
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEXEi4ZFSN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt9sn1HNHm
“Relieved? How come?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jOuUwy0KO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdldVVHGT0J
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsaci6Q8Km
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdLunZ0FJt
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6JvZJgTQW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay3vImfdky
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1La2AI5Xo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzWyKDghIF
“You’re probably good friends with her.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvCUzPePb4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgsZruuNJe
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN449TkhpD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVpn5DkbHp
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbvMqk5jXC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbnsDUwwM2
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ujdXVmdl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡium87CXguA
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX5fTIEi9E
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSInWMFKg4i
“H-Hurt? What happened?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOrv792ngP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdLD06fWCd
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjIm6MHqcS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhiJ9P4ElM
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBYkY4BO9C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6l2t9pEeR
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97OLPlLP7t
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Z81nmPS7
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KFNR3Vh58
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySu66WjQ9U
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMWHx3nG6Z
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnmehzwT1U
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRDK5TkAwm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbAvi5Jk6V
He shrugged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh88weZMGZe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdh4uqNlRg
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkZSHWX8Ua
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95ENtwRx8
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZmc8u0wXs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6XfyIq6nl
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrq7Bmwe0e
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjXrXr6pxz
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrENkaNT7H
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYy4IjmIS5
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsja6PNb2a
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUQp6vyOW
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuKhBOmBr2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXh7lpI0tq
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKcxgGp49f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5vjpbrkOn
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlJ0wDiftZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd9Zg6IxQD
–
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–
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–
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ061iiNhymq
“...Role model.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo8ShfX0cg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl8zVj27oK
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbTdGHDVUj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNVXRXpqDs
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDBSOq8ld5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcesVJfBkz
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVOD2eMXtn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoEsQVHPdT
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrbYAe2O2q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUaUzTmg1R
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1MrZ5wv6M
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTZx218XGg
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGYOSgXfUn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAU3NdapOR
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0Rq2m2W2Y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7cmIfTuO0
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡModwBfiRrK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqFPScTH8s
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
