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.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ9RPHRtFC
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVtFo7g436
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIjeHcPiCG
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GmWSJYw85
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXBd3H650t
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33UhIt6QfG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1mhnMqKdT
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnIrCwItG6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmQ5hDMXgJ
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWtLgOtZho
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“...”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe4TJhejXk
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllzdBk7fFS
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS181bFaZr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSAtA4m6ca
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW6XEMqnl0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBfjx9J1sx
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vvQAgc7Pg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CxjPgZ5ob
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVaYjkDos4
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“...”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWtrSKvEau
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIhliQgKrJ
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Oqluf7Nl
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyyD7KC32o
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–
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLkoqedL0F
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“Yes?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjTTwGybkP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXAakFw2hz
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7WMXGUE7J
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRXjZ97xDs
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS42pVCDFr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsKedXVYya
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7R2b1ubMO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEG7DWPJpZ
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLjJtX9MtJ
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRR90kBoei
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD2g49yRTk
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKWmmtPQNe
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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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuOhMgt933
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrhyGcMRyg
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF3ZFGJDR5
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGIrZDlSap
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“If you insist.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BcqpAn790
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlOy1jUvna
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“Kenny?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGbL4XdJz7
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaMAiy8E75
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEnOej5Buf
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LaJEQ8iiZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlemmsZsKI
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0HpIj4sFE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM2iHuoxFZ
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3uvi1BhPm
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK6ihqqSIR
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNnyFkCVf5
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsASm81KMZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HvmeQ4nz6
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcPOwrwceA
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“I see. I see, I see…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK4W3acMeW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKhgqrVthJ
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrfWzYrK7h
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiNLcuNxJC
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtY6ZhwIJ4
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCco0zXZbW
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjT0V63x4R
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7bWdhhDmX
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGZ1jXVYbO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIWaUelOuF
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKbQaQ0wND
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“Please?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hSbrtx4KH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDYufnLdU5
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZpEECokXl
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyV5UpIl3X
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8qdFfmMF6
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjcRMnPDC5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G1j6LoMQd
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowTEY03obE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2F3yGQR8F
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIOucqtINy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lmX3Sv8iR
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn62VzUr6vz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkDrHqb6EY
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWABdWyi8T2
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4MSdgojah
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“I started young. That’s all.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGmDfnvexO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuyTUyl4AE
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1tIeVfhTv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmZZFZAuMR
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiHCJycTzL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6IVQwUwEC
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0VHnu44u7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy0zAMauSM
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Ca5rdGnG
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRDiNHXwSY
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She jumped and then waved her hand.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjYxTWRssu
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTShSR8c8am
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“Right.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPlpPIgCDn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfakL7V6RC
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjiV3v2rmg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6YtV4g9dd
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDVGt39zF1
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1riqUhOFeM
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“I– Wha!?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgpYaQ4aSZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoqr9dk2Hd
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI3uD3kiu9
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6eLYKWJcN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ZgNmeuPR
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyG6hSTTmf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Et3zLODWh
“Your own… peace of mind?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W53COuCKS
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgR2MDGpsC
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iKWbZei1v
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cu92Beteg
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8XRZPlfPV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgwICMZL6C
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KsYWd3gZe
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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. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ljwy8lCAh
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjOFS0bnrt
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She shrugged at my comment.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvSgdzeA4j
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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?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0unuOdqTU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dncFRH8vY
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOygOWgF0P1
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmqLM05KWA
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jK2GnzHbS
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–
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL20hjuB18
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiis4g0Fln
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r0Bf6gn4x
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“...This is ridiculous.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BYa5liV5l
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKlg7bQfX7
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZij3rZhnd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ378kmQxhei
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa49bZeH1c
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBEgzJFUof
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCC9qaOhVu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXn91H88iu
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRckyaIA7lB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vaowb8GLM
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggrCzygv4N
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBxxmeMP6K
“...Hmm.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXS9232rHj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaudNYqE0x
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFyoqo6jUX
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“Do whatever.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjtfIFluzu
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIgF1fig2A
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlTSfqX5gb
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCIdA9Ok9A
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvNUNCuBix
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsGX3wt1SM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2XWJzoJPv
“D-Darn it.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tYasC0yBW
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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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSsENJwZHg
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopnIahOK6Z
“What are you doing here?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0IuVUaWX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW73tYbBdsR
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDR4brbQu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoMo80IMo6
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvFid4ekem
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfry1WPXER
“...U-Uh.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iEJqH1zgi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap304uYPqt
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAGLpLFDLU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7MmQcjjI0
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvbJyyli00
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuIsyyOSN5
“I… I-I.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq3Kav4H3L
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ568V0CKQhE
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq6MBwzDVy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6d9VbYr4d
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb42N2p1BtY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1iMK2Fyey
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5d1WALtVc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFjkRbTpsZ
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yOL1n4OrG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkY62WsmbL
“I-I’m here.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku6EXacp6Z
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvjqK0Yd5A
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1AtJVnqLm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhnumyLhGO
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1vgArwSed
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxlR0FHOSU
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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq75q0bRzEX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSsgMAu0PG
“I…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDhlL0gAWl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB4AopsvqD
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbBuPvKXHi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQzy5Ji8Yn
“Hello, Rover.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU9JhlN10F
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgTjkCD4Vo
“Hey, Kenny.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtUxmz3rIW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwTMlKDnot
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkklvIoXMER
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUpYPVUP22
“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–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfqero6eCD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3WbxWjwWk
“Cut to the chase!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE924AcQQnK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwBNxVR5sJ
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xWB32FWqx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNVtWObCgn
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKVvwLdkJy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRN5tFSb3U
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTSXb2RymK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvdA9aEubM
“Y-Yes.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptcfq8TxL0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbhBZIYASV
“Now who told you to do that?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8SopFsPDt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLKSJFK3mg
“W-Well–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwEIPfFV64
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wySBoR89u
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKl4xZGQH9
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PF2LMRyMK
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxShrPm161u
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy4sPfmJo9
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcXjI53f81
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43R0c01Ty4
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q9mr0EOp8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAAyF3pgOC
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCMCoItDCP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IOFdY5kYb
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoatMvqDWo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXwK5fyi1A
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ck56ctm8h
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA2h6GQgIc
“I refuse your treatment!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ884HdRNONN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtWfgVAyBS
“H-Huh!?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qdrWrXxh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52eLSJ2lUT
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZhpQnf5MV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxKKz4qOPQ
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqq7OVMLSa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQt7FsHwxi
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ993t7xycCD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQez0KZ4G
“I– Wha?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gpeu6DmYC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d31TTDcbp
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1kLJSpQ98
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr56G74tF7k
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLjcJ6uGNm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKewR88SQa
“Stupid? Weird!?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZMOGo6OZD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb3aaBSVWZ
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAbzEZf1CZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1JS6jp8Rx
“...”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKTtae5j0C
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodSfpuhQAY
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrfDg3ALZM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj8Ly7OmG5
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIpzleC5py
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNofHAjO4
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkPka5exLm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDWvGLHg15
“It’s because I upset you.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmmyCXCoaZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIYMqzePLP
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaxkWcehy8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqs81lVYGu
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJafnl9m8hd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO9BJ5LKPk
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpWOl2MbtM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR9NFy5AN7
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgDMHWd1XZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCml3imGXv
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8HIiUVjHc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IqS0z428r
“S-Sheesh.” 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0XFJP6kGQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuIyhBh9cK
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.
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVUvrz01B
“How do I use this thing?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ucnwEY0WS
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ8IUeByiE
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nnit94jtG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUikA7wetQm
“Drinking works for me.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWT9weg3ND
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT2jEfTHd6
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IqmUuu2XF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6qnIrEwn8
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfF9uIKdnP
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPPpnRSf7i
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfeVkP5qHd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFyjpWBqOK
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl4gTDbc4p
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2THEjI9lmu
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gJprKZKDQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5pLPpDRgt
“Whatever.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCrkeauZoe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuoyI9PaAC
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. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc7Ns4qeWd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXldWUJtmhR
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnd4eTOKoJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nhwWnfOmk
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkagPY1oN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2vDBjXFle
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJhP0BriYq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vd7V7WWHA
“Leaving already?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJYVJ69rcD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGSEZ2Xnx2
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQIiIHcyN6
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TcThrZVIb
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN3hyx3Urc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzx3LHDQQt
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82TPT5dWHo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymTqBxJudb
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHctlz0RJbG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOiHCbXMw
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMflfnh7nk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsABXtNpF9
“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?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTTznK9Nfy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6AoBWSzSA
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlmhw4UQQG
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvLtl5vxds
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlyRUhNbTd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQQt9YLI88
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEtMBc84mn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SaXOBqqkc
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDoGH6pNqH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0uN3HNKGE
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXcny7GEBZ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu29UMbdyFa
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoo2Wr4ZyV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpFcRqYsds
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8jcplHtEY
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe3YsALPkC
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL9Rabl98G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOVWaWBRHq
“H-Huh?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteozyxhHTl
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WWrH5S6nv
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUwigMEaqa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAVCtnz9iX
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLZ2IkoWxL
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Fy8lKHFW
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM8yBfxAGy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwihVG1M7x
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBazweBuBn
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb6LnIpytD
“I’m n-nothing so special.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx37myYFt0i
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt66L2Alwa
“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!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JX6tgvtxy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuKk58cqD7
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSXHRX3Y1H
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpBasxl38x
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BGZwvDHPw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUobZDeAFjg
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rUitb667p
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRfd6vEjz7
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. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TZqtfeJc0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo6HkUsvEa
It took me only a few 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bkp4vJW5O
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDWkxEDG0O
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlQusXiyrT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaNnNcERe0
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxnsZxWl1v
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeOEVnmQMo
“No, really, Rover.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhBZVwdeZy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NcpJUuweZ
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpOCb7iBgB
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXL3Cv30sN
“I think I’m just lucky.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6mVWmUoOI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp72xzougjV
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKMGoQM7Oc
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8HTBfo2Au
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIhhlDkIsA
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67pSQ0Vtn4
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoG7bU5e8O
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tBFLacQwF
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDasCKq223o
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtXt97ztGX
“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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl6XaHQpyD
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun5TKxSDww
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07I0hsVK1z
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMbB9Z2fYi
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vQ1uYFRe6
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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. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw8BFNOftY
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“D-Don’t rush me!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiriXCDng7g
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcsCHLCTP9
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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…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1QBMZo7SN
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXulfCkETo
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2uRbWIY48
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEyViwiU3P
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“I didn’t say anything.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3frtD3CuW
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj7k8eMtRC
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78frWRyKEB
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAdbcgElGP
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMiQq5WWE3
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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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UJ7UigtmN
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“Told you all I did? What?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwObw64H60e
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She was caught by a wind of fury.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09SOij0YgB
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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!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OEqnUJuYw
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCVGflkGw0
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“What’s so funny?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYasQRPX7a
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNrLIByDM7
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIcoAedVHb
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErsbYftdQb
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchHd9e2AAx
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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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4JHHtlgMG
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“A little crazy?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbZfEkfmrt
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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!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0VLUwB0BW
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbyMOm7I9
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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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlqta37wRu
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“Well–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wSw2MqOgT
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISgpFnCb94
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNICQPbeOLU
“I–”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmmj2Lbdz8
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJtRMmCObS
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV8jKTDmHH
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“See! I– huh? You do?”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaYgITOHi6
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3es9UgkTF5
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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.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBTSZROhGL
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡretqa2916b
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMKafrypSD
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXbTEak4DV
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtcgHfApE6
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkS8zcAwab
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVFgbLhdyV
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5IiOMdA47
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“Ah, right.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMGzVxRQEH
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlhuT0jrYv
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHUBGJ5tki
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivP9EC580Y
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lI9lu654P
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu4kHDahmN
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“Wait, one last thing!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcNytUaRcS
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx8pdjULeq
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH0IfTmQLL
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“...”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4xgLjRHS2
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I smiled.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfZwLBpkBE
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“I will.”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM98TZwjNz
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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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd65TOn9dsr
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“Yes!”185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW06WMPTPR
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2CYQhaXRm
