The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml9XWUN8iz
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kJL2DHm6u
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdHRUYEZzp
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg14GjmFjk
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdmxODoSXF
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRM4CMONBq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNen6VIRziQ
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYULgVCBkH
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrv9vXgcXw
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J1v1Telz0
“...”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi28LUDlvIq
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSyoPgGPSn
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fLwgvZebs
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqZiFEXTTy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfczuaZApt
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHLvluC5Th
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY1FqRACBT
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFUqAn3ISy
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“...”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHR0Mz0Aae
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNgIhIheRX
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuIovFcWgS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZAib66qgY
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K0KUwBKgX
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6XxUsPMYZ
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“Yes?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPPRfh5XVF
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAIzBQEGNF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVIFt98Whb
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FTEtL3Y77
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo4rVBWR6c
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjHpSKi2FR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORfbeWbi3n
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSvmfQAmKX
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B4fX7xhBi
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSidCVQAul
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEYkII7Ere
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FoEzUkcpe
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeaDqkiGV2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWjnwKiMMH
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRAfs3aN7m
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“If you insist.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUcIa4dAgt
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzzhGxAfcB
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“Kenny?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LZisj4UAZ
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxie4wimXhv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy90JWAVHJL
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJp3ZT6HAo
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm7pRmQ9Ri
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0jX2nI5Ag
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZsYXAqmtG
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmU3d7eiy6
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxIBxsyyX7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbtbef4QYU
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzAmnR6A54
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWVfbHpZic
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“I see. I see, I see…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cdvsUYNNJ
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlozwAKVA5
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrOVKjDZkF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvnzhQTAT0
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYBmd2Y6M0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmCErTbj2i
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr46pgKsdJ6
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She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD7tWcTqLe
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“Please?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyyvmbubzM
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97MYdthsDD
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sKasv6Hib
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnAG7ENgOP
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Fk6IPD4f
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa9rp2IuRx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7f6gVaTRj
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoiAo4mpGz
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CGmNevMaZ
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lbHXPgX7h
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDPK8FrVfw
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSHg1hA4l8
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf60u59s6Z
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“I started young. That’s all.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs049nqfFvN
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqZT2EkDtN
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL7BnFMMMT
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBTfVKdYby
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdkN4TGuML
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcJqyDFEwF
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9QWm2qEEb
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She jumped and then waved her hand.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmhoUvtXXG
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmGS3YcLLu
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“Right.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFTe078j94
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Sm5UBGfV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdAUCDaEyT
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Q9YFzv6K
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyJkuxJwZB
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“I– Wha!?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoADlK1ksWk
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCaMd0LGy8
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbZxzUICtR
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdKkJXaOiY
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“Your own… peace of mind?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuBXnx4eKX
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchbkIA8LRW
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48SBTrazXe
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCepXDtrKF
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaJgw00IWB
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU70GlozBor
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvzbjAttkr
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She shrugged at my comment.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk3K4SnXRT
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OpMJrnTnT
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOiGMcg6R1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZFZIKlCNs
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATvey9y64t
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdcTiSoo63
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHQwwLaLcn
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yeKkvDqpn
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“...This is ridiculous.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1PBAsXTEk
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiTPSHS6GQ
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sWgxqUdb5
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUeCrcnbfY
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGpgUK33uO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHR3O4HS9I
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDktXMXivb
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XZD4EJnPV
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURk9SGCIEa
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“...Hmm.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Y7LB2YPS
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mMmyJerCJ
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“Do whatever.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjSNgVLeEh
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqSPbY1EHa
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzg2HWA033
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While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xb9PZA6hM
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“D-Darn it.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s5khXPEY2
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9bf5ivFJn
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“What are you doing here?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yt3BxpgkR
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme9nMIMpKl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWaj5MZx8Z
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlp7fOJcd7
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“...U-Uh.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kijSJEu3T
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cMDvezgw2
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbUFE4ESGT
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuZNmeCvfc
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU5Z2ez9QQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgyPZVe28A
“I… I-I.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlN9kQmieR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4dxZtUZbN
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor5o85sVlI
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4FGvRv5EQ
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvy61QQPDH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRv6iTXB5I
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGrIGPRLE9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSsudLrRaQ
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKItaAKYvee
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyoV1qfeFr
“I-I’m here.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQd6iaHT0W
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGi53KYcYt
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8BkG1y2Do
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVPsdgcD1k
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrdYtYPT7s
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YcD0iUo80
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD27GQe6Dl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1TiRFkvKr
“I…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3oPwcVsq6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFizqnaAgSO
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhd0Yk1lhL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kpkXadSxL
“Hello, Rover.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb6ywWxxoz
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZSKLKcLgk
“Hey, Kenny.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhMlhrk4KV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FfTe47Pe6
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkUKWZI5WP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMVkUtlO7e
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucgdn3p6D7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtfxpb3xIO
“Cut to the chase!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSTutRJbOR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs22A4BLHsV
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xDe4r77xD
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1xf6GRVxX
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLR54hxyMh
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1jcB80oEB
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJK7c4rVob
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1qtQ5Jixv
“Y-Yes.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJWmvBtXnB
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd39uCqrzc
“Now who told you to do that?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iY4dAyWep
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KbcMe8c4H
“W-Well–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlBXLm4abo
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TimnZLMUI
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzqzUfH5Kl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR6HZZw5jP
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5qGfnPqBE
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1FLVUw2Yt
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfSjAr2v8I
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFHeoqawlj
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BXtFF40ll
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKB6GFSHyy
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tKq1sJAd
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPevHxShnN
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj68f5ghJLR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4c9FUjnwX
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe4ByS47mm
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbiULHrpFY
“I refuse your treatment!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp9F0fklJ4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLHaHWq05H
“H-Huh!?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dcb1hkTOR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKNQ0bNcA5
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHggL0TqE7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lHyMe9yDG
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKYTxKjGLW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmVVM9cHIj
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dq0EIesNQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NslQcYhs1
“I– Wha?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvapZI6bo4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLKGDnNIMe
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoivdU72qV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGqSTGHyr2
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ8zodo7gP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hzTsXmcZB
“Stupid? Weird!?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT1MOfAoif
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLdf8QUATG
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYHtC4UKFS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoYGmNVu3X
“...”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaEVOyogEY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbI899FIuz
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLEMSpk47x
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWqzGiYT37
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV5LHjCymq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap1grN3S8p
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpESFX2szt9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyFfl4h1my
“It’s because I upset you.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5QwIRX1Ob
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Jxw1jma5
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf6F1COEts
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzNrd0GYxt
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSo3pgSr4k
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjXDt14XNQ
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXULLnD079l
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP9hOd8Ugx
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi60gv8FHcj
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNHVILurrw
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24T2YOuRSg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ktCKCxuJ
“S-Sheesh.” 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdZV5jGxF3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTFgdpFzQ3
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANzzAdvrC9
“How do I use this thing?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEztjToaV8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dLp4VqYuQ
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcPU16azYF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKRv9otBkQ
“Drinking works for me.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHyyTvgXgQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V35rRgLVW
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIhAsA6gv4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge5Po2sdtN
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtylLSMgh1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jN6s0DTl4
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaCab2ld98
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU3WR43tvY
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEItM1YHNq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnnf7TSIKr
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTsQNG1yJo
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSsJbazdN7
“Whatever.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHWGqniVGP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkllI3TcR
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NbDXu6Qld
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYMF462bSF
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYHrVgnYfU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn82Sh23aq
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVFpgmFz5Z
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqiK3JhgwK
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoAzHXp6cr
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgjEVbcn81
“Leaving already?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSaNZdJLO5
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hS8ldNmS7
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3qPwa3QE7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A0iaTsRd7
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11TV2ZJ6LB
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X1Zf02iwN
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyIsLcqNJW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq0kv3zb9W
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFOcs4ljX
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BkGKwlelK
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjobFZt2E9i
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy6QsEzK7o
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwNBc1B3SU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDigUH4ic0
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit5oAnFSKh
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XMHYhUQE0
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNBvop3y99
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRkFJoSkdn
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnyTFOnEIr
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdVq7ta2MD
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r4wdcDdck
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cuS7Sp3xP
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlwWl45CQU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtYxFKKNZy
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ8jdHkBcH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjmbMtEmUJ
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqACErdNpCx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uMzNIuu1L
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKdFtKDhQG
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ6UlvmxTv
“H-Huh?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBA5AmYYAM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1yUZt05TF
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdcNsCPhQ6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysk374XjyD
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecIcLuwGxg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9PeTPDxhF
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07EcI0z8qY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB0QNUnhgO
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3wVX8UYnu
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulH3BQSLOl
“I’m n-nothing so special.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCjofU3Ohg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOzY2z8RnM
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUTR0K75vL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaaLZbO4J0
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPsVPNIW2Q
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeezqL6oJ68
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5u1Qbj5yT
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ih1FWqseC
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDnSvcJyTS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY0aZ23bFn
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHb1h2AtEy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s3hHXqQf5
It took me only a few 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NGnFh3MwZ
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs6GGMssme
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmRZa3lcXB
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5rCj8S7OV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcAzG8v3qJ
“No, really, Rover.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8j5JJM7os
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jx2TD5kP7
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNFBUroOGK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgzlTbpQmh
“I think I’m just lucky.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLharlNEbEA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkaFgrLrmR
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0qTaSezvx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPelQfdCtEX
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0lhPEOe1U
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2PcTZW9I4
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7DpVgktEQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWa1WQjAig
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5voLdD4Ob
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ44uYaeexn
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJEbgTZyud
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2pm3fN54q
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ftENR7mm
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIenHTqtqDl
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzhWFQZenn
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2zzR9sc1V
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEccU6wVwc
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“D-Don’t rush me!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYk22oqasj
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaRUZMtyoA
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqJkjmVKiI
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMt2YqyZaj
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGOztc37lN
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcF6Qaqcse
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“I didn’t say anything.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7I1C9HIF3
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qIsJukr78
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9nTLUDMNh
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHWdNmJ4AN
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe72aTYNWp
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc0KahcbmR
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“Told you all I did? What?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3DP7yQzmH
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She was caught by a wind of fury.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGFMd1iTMj
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqL9bVTkkQ
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwtzX6SQ5S
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“What’s so funny?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NixTbWCP8
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6tLFwG9iw
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgNiJm9V34
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF5sXUvBWs
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OVV4R2CWJ
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“A little crazy?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVmz8e3xgX
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljmRAiuVd1
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAp6yeEs3n
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ61crdeXfd
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“Well–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVT0cJhUEi
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4du1HwhZs1
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“I–”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS8H1mCSst
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAVDYmmDdv
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk4gS0kyTx
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“See! I– huh? You do?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYFeWe7vnj
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwBVVffLG
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZjXZnsWvC
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbFlNs0Gqg
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nu29z6Zmk
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylTHad9Qwo
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRNuiKmhLV
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgsYSFuxzr
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnk24izlUH
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub4Ihooo03
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“Ah, right.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwqT8m8u1Q
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwlek2VyZK
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxSaVOQ1qE
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eCyW68J1b
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjWO9mL1zi
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbPcyXkGXU
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“Wait, one last thing!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWk6ECnk7e
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FRMeAe8q3
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFJMk1EPtd
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“...”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbSm94OHsu
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I smiled.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYj2mJZ6w1
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“I will.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2XIXp1EEU
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5371lSgfM
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“Yes!”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXMSQ9bSaX
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf1iaHqbp0
