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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb46yDPmlI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlA83bYbnV
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0qGmMhSdo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB5Vchiotj
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErYowO4PZ3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUtj1pc4vp
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuglSrMSgIa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzbXBhSyqL
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9hKR436Pf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjSoIsf4Mv
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSSd8oGLqk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptN85laNS1
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLOXFRvD3w
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDyYSJ2XlK
“Well?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZX5Bwo38H
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBTbh8UDS5
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz1x3VtMsW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yJRLk7ND9
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4MPrNpMlC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCwsD8MQaB
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidPW4gyvFW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKoJmVx5rX
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrWVnG0PWd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ghWssUSq
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehrcN3D0A5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLDvDlye2H
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz8bPAEHBA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkhrWQknpa
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXsqxsAP3q
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVhL3wWiLC
“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…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfim76cf0P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANzal2tfwX
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcmXJS77Eb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhPfGcYpsJ
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjXBqpLMsA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CtaB5LzrU
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ODZpctlH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMetVn2gcK
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauIAcUzFlG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeiejxRIiB
“...Yeah.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjB8Rrbyt7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhT6T6HaGF
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–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MEUtDJ95s
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk524sHwrb7
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO3aPUnkOc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbsRfh9spt
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ckKVAz7g6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnl0IBTIp8
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNa3GulfxD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6derl8dgq
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXcTrJCar7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ5dqM4DQ8
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZHd9f5ahQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRYDF1UQXS
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTHrwJcycf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7i9exHWPF
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0znZ2npZr9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNIj3uIOF8
“...?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDoGF17n08
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawfC8AyAIr
At that, I had to tilt my head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqhekPWDCp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgekT6JPpqp
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUcZ8sORsc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza9v3hRje2
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdij1a0JD6D
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEgmvroYcv
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2G61PKifo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPmh3o8Fln
“Dennis still ain’t here.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFFTxnvcc7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff4Z1vcNnF
“...”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndX7Cx8Xtr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1OfpLYr6f
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLjIfzrKnI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9itS045c4T
“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–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS9ZKGG652
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiDsTZas6N
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO06qWmxPjM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaKfdC1nPH
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb1awSsGMf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsYcOYxEhP
“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’.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZgRHFHgSo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcwKn2YLV2
“--!? W-What!?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDZrcesNQJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCG6g5eDJz
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXcEVcraen
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJEPzgEAZc
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNNCDeDIyG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpPpCZkqnB
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vXukVIeps
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHq0bcshys
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rN90dbQ95
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBpaDHxH7k
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. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDGKG5P8hJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8hB48N3bZ
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNUZ7ByYUR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26L5k6dnum
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3t1xqEtBU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ874GgVzY01
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSilXOdy2z4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzaMnJw8g4
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFwcBs6AKy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhmkIbM8rz
“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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcfA6Gp2BW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV6GpHmBjw
“...”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7Doh8KgRq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIAaKYt9jW
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lbmO7Xcj6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDTeuFCnbZ
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGgZ2qGm5Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhISbGmh3lM
“I-I see…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk8AoLtbJR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33cs0vepq1
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOqjQv9wXO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjdjpH59ew
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfzoRP9hMN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLGW3CHeB7
“You don’t, ‘get?’”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRAwGV7SfX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgEmFCmIVF
“Y’know, when–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19f99B8avh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5wmJv7wXt
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSwheeeY5Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHYc6RLgX7
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5xrIEoxqY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvs22OPSqF
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6jiVBC876
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ01wgjCpLJ
**SLAM**194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKs90kjVa1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MlQ7YAwJm
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnD2E96MJ4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9cQPDr8yN
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUEeYq8zRk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeg8K7gWlJ
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvq85ZVNbU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVo7ssj1Nc
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX4g9YWYiu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYRnYlZYtz
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYXPH4zOjK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHY1Sf6foB
“M-Mister Dean.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9On72W9p6P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5pE5L64nS
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYQsxYOgXS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSfQPI8Yhc
“Yes, child?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CMc4ZZwVV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoHDZsowhz
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OtbGsE65r
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Le34jbtwz
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QASdKlC3R
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPZetoeOe3
“R-Right.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvnXi4XsJF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkixzPxTNT
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPeIQRj0Dt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUM92QE6QP
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrBJOHzEsQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2eUXmDEYh
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDLJzfEwoq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmjgnG6OyD
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmQ4dBZfqk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb6fgwOzGT
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgpAl1502M
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1wugC9NhN
–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V4bbT1LX6
–
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–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSg9Ka4Uvw
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc2fKuAKkH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNtPlhFgO7
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7Ueea21ib
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsSSkokhLe
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhKTQJ3qMe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcZahMv9lR
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVBtzyCzNZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpPbzSxnpU
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–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2PCY1j1mr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHqLnLHe92
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx5YBKj1Wf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk97JZiScM
“Haven’t you explained that already?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BE6QH1QI5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBzlLmlccG
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnJf0MMtDT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki69Scgfvb
“What’s that?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaqobFQMzU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrRsEkZ5Od
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw4UbXti3n
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNruHh46omC
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFqJiHMGjh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVtyXgbSqN
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:194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh088jxUstE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNkpW5YMcs
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO1CbmLdY8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKraKggXvfb
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjbMovmPeZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHss7TBVdzR
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEfc2WeRlb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4aK5xQnMU
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7wtQ5OuAF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpx11XY32o
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdRNsZWhCe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRVkYI1y9G
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefO0ltz8zi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCHQXKIK9j
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaIFDKq49O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQwIYAjWiy
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpr2ADCwrW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHhS5T0Xuu
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI5dZf2tEo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJWZROTnpM
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rOto9d766
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzltvFHEuuD
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FEGSu3vDF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycVwyFrKSe
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsKVssdXXN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMezR9Pjnn
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p9PmBz2bs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNNaDmvuoW
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc6eKoPuAk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SPVwNHeBT
“I think it likes you, child.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M16ZIee3M
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5bzWzOGOv
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9olMKuNZM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIenMMOOGIw
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xLe8Nrx4C
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ttZ4yHTnJ
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqsnBVAm5W
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uLBm12zoU
“Hah?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UaO0sHp8f
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyOYOaPoQ0
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDAkHyACNm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDM7HXvd8J
“I… smell like flowers?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXycYJOz0g
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoCf7lwnTk
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvTU26Wxdm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPZTUIzRVh
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVjhF9k0TM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoY0O4I4sS
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4KUQpMKOC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VgO5mNRnB
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4kdpkbu4m
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJf4qxycU9
“Really? I didn’t know that…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiDaGSuZOA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqkRrGbjSs
“Ahem, moving on–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbYyT6kDn9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA43kSOC113
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1A43up4OU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoAJtM4lGp
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN6zx7SXM0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ9IEREnad
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:194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbIdDtlE3M
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiXlFn2tyj
“May I know why I’m being told this?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBewvWDXKP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0nO4EiRfa
“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?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4CInmbvQF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk0kT2svvx
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeYXSBhlbX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA4UVKElQn
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1iVxoAIJ4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TesOQzmE6
“My help, you say…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWq8Lg6kyr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgbpso0nW9
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28a2FTnoux
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxo9w5LNs
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrAgX2itXC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxHDOzf2q2
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gCg5LOHac
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkOYuFj9v2
“--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?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RLEp8nyVU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfU38LmMnv
“...Energizing potions?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGouVYT6mO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVcw7ceYjx
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStkJSNujCF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91l5pPdKkC
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGou27HJwt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjzirGgwiQ
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy3Z4yOUhe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TsUj500PL
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftgHP0Be26
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQNtjmVRHT
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkLOreEI6y
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWK2n1mtcg
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92o0fyHOJF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Cl7fpHo2
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vQcBnwnUi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xcz1L8cPk
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTDJZ64rrQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje5EkkVN3u
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbqrmnnyvY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a6epbo5YR
“Is something wrong?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUYB1RQ0yf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXiDcws2h0
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MTX3igItc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHgmSeNHAP
“Well, kid–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvY3X0WpWm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3wnOwMYjU
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNFcz7WD9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgR8faK473
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh7xZFOJyS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD5jnodtDc
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlgNJGVwH4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsmRgFJjAS
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OyX0ZHJ4S
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXWr784LzE
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrUvlMuPIJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0FWaoyDRA
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0JUOHSvfm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzvWRDfIP5
“...Comfortable.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC4bnN63Ml
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonoh8JBgzM
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3O01UqjMx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fa6s3eC9I
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe2EKy8qad
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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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm7wZnjb1U
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaEZkmOPbu
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFZwb2sW48
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTal2jDRGg
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AsuoUn0ck
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHlp0OPiUj
“...A little bit here.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZKxSwU18
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lDcVX5yKM
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. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqist7qbH02
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ofVmyZZMz
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPtN9PxnrA
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEKhf1CWNx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcuI4KLDVU
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILny70Jzhs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr96GpLdP96
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv2IdlVWmM
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“No time to waste, though.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGsam0kcbz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkgGbRztHx
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aayj60Db3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQGn2RvbEV
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCdiK2NacT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIllly6n9Tx
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4mpn5j6Nt
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“...Crap.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0jNbJczGZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci0eYEFdMB
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIehcya7Imp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeTevQqQFO
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAjgV8US23
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eS2RWOjr2
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkX08ghbYD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfliAhuWf8
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RRQ2Wzn3l
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApmArFJtHB
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlbEBg34jg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi1B4FTkip
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9EKPKiSBI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTpXz6SRX3
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsHwrStwNW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVQoibjG5y
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUy9MOOOpY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39AHMrkhVk
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEosm7Fkse
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2njUYmPfL
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYDpgPY968
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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?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DxCgwOva
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5ThL8lmiN
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GrMueB14u
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV06DnAwLX
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDz6WmTqf1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO07xCwvkao
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZSsc3Ttx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBtG0AKeHq
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WmvhMtovC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarDQnXyH5q
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE652k2k7Vg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWHrIWIFs8
“N-Nigel!?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94Hc4McZlF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2H6AgubGh
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOB3kNPBFK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndsRwhypuc
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI28vgpNq5j
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xQNwd1pYi
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipGjbfIa1N
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ReB4rKgO
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx1BmUDbMv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMngAXB4Rh
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j4GAVH6Sf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGinRlsU3m
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwGlWnxjnf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolUUm78Qxi
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0B72tMST
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhIfOGoe5s
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0lpxFDNtQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8axTXrDMDZ
“Is this… a clamper?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z9Qq9cZuu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHRlf5XePj
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5prK2ADW9
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–
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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.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXglMGnHVB
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi4M9BpIKh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu0MCamgRO
“That I asked you?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn17BVdD2bA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEgKFWarb4
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhualgaqWD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucmCBQaWzs
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEZQnMXLUW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYGfH59ny1
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhPczoxGIu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u1uRClJ3H
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZOEnzndgS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLcJnsEAmE
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppp1DJ8zW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1UjtwsI5a
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4oyefZkP9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIchy3xQne1
“How did you–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pbA7mKrA0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUED3By2Dgp
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB3AxjPNNe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJLLuQAKKZ
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDmYftXIp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXd2YpgP7i
He continued cutting as he spoke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk47CWU8Gt5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxdRG7YHWB
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjoHW9AjPO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmowOJYncP6
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aTCGbhfJI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKW1YsdxVA
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu8bFuslij
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ0C1xlfn0
“...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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5BP58Vz9s
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9XpNItTXM
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7mZ04J1vE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyZDudD10G
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKpafffAtP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVVU836p04
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJDS1kpptu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVg8WBPWH6
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9s10Rf3eE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uH8nFaTLv
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:194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf3tctXVRo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnASzligkLP
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8ysvIs7PI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xDNTIRSmA
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlqrLxqmob
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsGT8pUS85
“I… darn it, you got me there.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tnnG3ai40
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqznptdOh
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmx9LoMku
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo91REQtsR
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipFYZm6Aux
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1jVZnrLij
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW6Ln3xxbA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM30955HE5v
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pmAbY4wza
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkvLxCqpNf
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8glamjFCF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5AJj39Diz
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxh70fhQX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsEO56kXdX
I looked at him with pursed lips.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOFLGpjARB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC7HsZw1gh
“Why not?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAY3Pwy56m
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOYChvSK3V
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF13gKTOVw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALa8m2KUg2
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrVWFW9Tgh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHmoL8JPfb
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjVpv5Hj04
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNw6PnCK2n
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfOeul6cBd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOR8wKuCIZ
“--!”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50TYANfp6E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq0gycZd0A
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. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomDYUspPWp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z91ziN2LJ
“Did anything else happen?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaiPHYsG9d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFglyc8dtV
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqfhOT02U6
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzm6loKHh9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGdRGWRlwW
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5XtcQJydO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtaSVRfntQ
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7f4ngmvBU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgearBWzY6
“Uh…”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbIZVR0cJK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrnNEp3QMn
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ1lwEn5zq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuFtgGVANI
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdRcIZDLUj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNdxzfxVYO
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B1yXBN5Yn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAHu2bnaSw
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH45U5NLHD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarmM7AWTaT
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOC3C3KvSl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq4gIe7LSX
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rvf2raU4n
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv5GgUQJRK
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj84xkTpHxa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLjXpwgaNf
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7HiotS5IL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphF7EmTgYN
“...O-Oh.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeNa747PSL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1QKkDwe9c
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwFlUcrSF9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2dcE1pNZ
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh2PT2GIgd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLSmFgBNte
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4CV5c8m7z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTyo87t5JO
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqCDeta6G9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHuWgjzGX5
“Make sense? How?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoXv4KIld1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaybtQzt0G
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxAepRpHw3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYRYoYV80p
“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–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC75AW0QNHD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNEiQnyMAS
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkZxAAGHHg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lfWlv4115
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRTzIgdx7L
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5pmasJQdr
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqahbjbmZt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncOlnrUHTf
“So she still fought alone, eh?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV0c8Kx2cm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ338QN7uwvv
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ94Y8CcNTK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bT3xsUXk7
“Relieved? How come?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyoGskLKxj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYYK8VTViK
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUyva1tJUK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIazYFFSob3
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs2beOdftI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjloL3BqxD
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWpQk96E6p
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V5vGimqV6
“You’re probably good friends with her.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3W2Vrj0rn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAg7T4dIoh
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BcG2Xd9SD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg1g5QLaqv
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxlapjuFmU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VNzHGUggH
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwoWLl8pB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfygspEqLO
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRArGVeXe0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP4HTTx062
“H-Hurt? What happened?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxErl14ieq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVgrvmnBRE
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPaicv9OLA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF4OEKgGtc
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM8E4T5Tmh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdSTzucDJ2
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fh2xphxUW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMypxvvDmS
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2BbE4z3XT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld6PndFq6D
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn7YQLtN4W
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H0FrpEdfo
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltMye1uCxC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tz31wYYKa
He shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQzdUArPfM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEjlJhOC1K
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCMmLnT53d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlthxUS7Txr
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Lt8kv2V6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgRoRUvbqD
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQXlOIbRq5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRVPB6y5FW
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmOzVIoAGZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7TeK0tryD
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzipmpBGs5Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyTb3qhpk6
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD9QygUPEi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJCDLq5LdA
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLMSxBTRM0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0rxOzF88y
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dD5BLW3BX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iWNLC7ENK
–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3kmcNhzWE
–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fJtq0HGBQ
–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BTZuS50sT
“...Role model.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpz8ayD8Zr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaxvh2x76u
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgovH19hvv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUzBfheMcv
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ104PHhxDS5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h5ajFXzDB
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP7j0oHiDi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8r8HEcjFz
“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.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUhDUqmhxY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wTUlcHext
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9b3GbpUQ3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwX839XDsY
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dJhf2RBJU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9CNsr29Tj
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.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HZjmM5cL2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyQA0h2Kzl
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ64AhMrGRz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGobRGYnJL
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
