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.
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“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yVSDhuCCp
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBHi7xu2CC
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–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpodv3sA4iR
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsBWvkfK4o
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RbyWTyK7R
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBa8aIM2pW
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTjHYgu7zX
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAf7mGq7LY
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVH0BJoGLv
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“...”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RnUuzFGzP
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9xZydNtFa
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnoFMytTIo
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YNHeLCkue
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nWY4aeTOM
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOseTvwMkM
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–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZodARF2Bqk
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“...”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURURXfFwgO
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZv30aQs56
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF1whhZdwy
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaXJGMmI76
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYd5P10G5x
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln54CXfjkv
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“Yes?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j2FZT0ehV
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWfhiuTQIr
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi24SVDHI2
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kopQH8A1S
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlKufEbMst
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJfHv33csP
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS98oCA8xc
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT8JQeTLyJ
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt6hURiSoc
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vXpNR3iwD
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFa2mYAGX1
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOGB6a4QZ2
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1qUcuyPdy
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XIjvlLnGg
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXtZEe52yA
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4WdwfQvYb
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“If you insist.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU2miWZLWf
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zebGwtPkn
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“Kenny?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrvSPxf5nT
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMebHMCimtm
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS4js7mrl8
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xw59MJum7
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I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3UIA9LoCP
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEbZlgwIcy
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IBg6samIh
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKNVqBADS9
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lHulY2lVi
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFSRJ2Wq6i
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“I see. I see, I see…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvPB5otlz3
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQU5D2Sj3
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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?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ldLLPeSDY
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8M6yVYLZI
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOyMKoTVNi
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzU5kpeWUp
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92G4Dtl6i
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRblUM9juT
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC5mobyoIk
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“Please?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPWxso8VZj
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBajQoo3nYy
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QhWCCRD7P
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC8YxRYyGx
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpf5WiLCI
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZivEjNStVo
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtetb0XbVsx
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4722ypUVfi
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRe6PDZuh
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY9ADGAL4U
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeL3aeSF3O
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhz2H3yHSb
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkbv4H5qMb
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“I started young. That’s all.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTdbhb1noT
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvC0qFN300
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR4cwY9Q8C
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3XcolJZu
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmujh4IpLa
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnUiRQIVlf
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f67dqL8YY
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oEBr76aBl
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She jumped and then waved her hand.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjB20DELvT
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MS7dZtsUn
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“Right.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf5itcrugI
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHR5JsFLVU
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwC98eZRSb
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJptuesXDR
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi40dOjftz
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“I– Wha!?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVvXTR2uh
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9PC4Jt1G4
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF4fCQ2AEQ
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe9qQIUHu7
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GabR5KoCa
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qeUvvn984
“Your own… peace of mind?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHESpS8E4P
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoozrlfVzHo
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQAuJshNsO
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LEYy9KQ2g
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCebXubsTB
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6AerdnWOp
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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. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicueiBESjK
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjpxM1JuhB
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She shrugged at my comment.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqMsrd8Y9O
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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?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bMpHXu8dG
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQgbCUjGap
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqriMamZylJ
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0nInwgexk
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSw4R7EyVv
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbsaANU0tr
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLlpZh45ud
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg2mtgvjWV
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“...This is ridiculous.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYLubJA1N3
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BLmORcbgk
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMsneQVpWn
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0cpXBLAGW
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLaPyfCiVJ
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHijvpgLiS
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jg2o4HKV7
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiNPTAXB97
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“...Hmm.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DbUg9622r
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JMKfUEOpu
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“Do whatever.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXmCrZUFJ
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf97TsQVNts
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifjRJ3Xl1I
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIZZ4bxqi9
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjTdhZ70F4
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“D-Darn it.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PSt767XLx
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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–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwK36vxSNR
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“What are you doing here?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVxEkSeUia
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoDsDqbzXi
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6K41rS5Ws
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrpEUL3gFE
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“...U-Uh.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI4G55shAb
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rx4ORU6UQ
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCybkYjdI4
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3xreQVUJa
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DhGicQdsr
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYyYUdBVMB
“I… I-I.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XCYn1VsQo
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jxYEZIWV
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxTdLs47kf
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MzscluL22
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0i5CaglQ4
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXwhsmYEWU
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNAjLCH48
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8iLEVV65K
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxHXxF88fj
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacaW0ovdin
“I-I’m here.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg54B45ALpO
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqeuUVBfPF
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ONR8xtqk
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkRkchcpja
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ6qTK6eX4
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN3tkU18g0
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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnY0quBGqz
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbzXq36bMq
“I…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I4ciYEx6g
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRrR5kXU1u
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKX6AgxE5w
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ2x44xvOT
“Hello, Rover.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBctHSjcgI
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB7ju6y5B9
“Hey, Kenny.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QA1qq8eLL
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMufkd9PXd
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48bctKrvA3
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6kEDjB8Qw
“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–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewK93Z8uTY
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBJnVHVPqv
“Cut to the chase!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2SVfYRXqA
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPbIsqAaek
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXyrMRrHzC
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVqjIliD36
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuILUa2uPZR
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbmlAqZ29w
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFhMDOuXkO
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN05V2FSzQV
“Y-Yes.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgPHVQWHvk
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ktzl0lIQY
“Now who told you to do that?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFalHajx2Jg
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZiJo3LMei
“W-Well–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e9gpA4g9b
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCLTnBEOs2
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Uu9v1Yf1
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJoTu3RhUp
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMltgGrxar
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh0rRtjaXa
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3A8C0GT1m
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5yr6GcR6I
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0JHk7StLp
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUMex1oUmV
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dc7Ea2QWU
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpuwqZSLhQ
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswmbUBbqtp
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhWJkkwldC
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZblETtF9q
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTiX25MJnl
“I refuse your treatment!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofFNLwfXwU
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCKWwDAALK
“H-Huh!?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBUq4Z9NEz
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WS9lVP0nS
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarCEe3RH8m
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfmCv63PKs
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMXigmWOTL
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInDPThqdzk
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69CVebOiu3
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9xLZeR0Uy
“I– Wha?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK3VzVkAb5
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQXe9jKnjz
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–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsYgREkE8A
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecfqd4OZCP
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VdxnITBB6
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJGjMOPHyy
“Stupid? Weird!?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxzGWVGLsG
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LI1zrIFYa
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdCVnxr9NF
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FFgtffimD
“...”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoU02yUtSj
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0AkzCDSRe
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbbNxBcMsM
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LMnV59OVu
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9qM6BEUH2
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nOCdjlmCc
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOr0zBa0yy
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WKzmp4vYI
“It’s because I upset you.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiv4cBASnY
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv12MNLd7PQ
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLqw1adSFe
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ouRIWdQV
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7LnzzDOgF
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZF17DiwdC
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfb2X6oMlB
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLm73OplFF
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAMKcv9ADV
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbGDVQms9n
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIa5BHrt6v
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LVRQr237w
“S-Sheesh.” 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnnMtGaUlX
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpfZxcKdUI
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.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5L6NqYZSa
“How do I use this thing?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJclbwhK1Kc
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHWDhS9saG
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEOLpUsULl
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp5cxcEohY
“Drinking works for me.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81keoQ9neh
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXeuRVYohl
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuJLWkvcst
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgaiQTTASw
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mcV3TsXAT
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyJofebK7G
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiVnnoSzNC
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ge68avSmo
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK78UopP2GO
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmqLzg5rHj
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgdZBDGfUz
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQU303RUli
“Whatever.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1TiuNjTsr
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WxOj2QHFG
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. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOInlQGq15
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPxIzyXW3d
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYw9DxmgOh
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJQt4XlXJZ
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE6OG8EKOE
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvKrFKTnVC
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob97t2Jx2U
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4moi56LTd
“Leaving already?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUKYjQSJgL
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn410t1hqTi
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwj8agHtgJ
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xwavXBb2W
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmPxUDvF4L
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aLiNpg5wc
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgXRmRsF9u
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOeuvlYELD
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzAbm0PYwk
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2lslVT8Hq
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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrKN4b6SSa
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPb9xsPbTs
“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?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLO8NKOTAf
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aUchvmrr9
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphHz3HXzSm
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZZ9zlsXF3
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4DKosNlpK
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9UwwalaIx
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXj3uGGni7
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto0WC6sWEI
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uUwB1Odaq
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYddjEGjXIC
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvon3B3eH3
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtnTwUlgi4
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FOHfKGBPh
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nAOP4FKZn
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSNoXL6XdF
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9f8E5bQsG
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQxyuZ3JIZ
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5TgUCjqPJ
“H-Huh?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEykLwlZn7C
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSFOIjUNhE
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xfULL9xf5
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqm6GfVyfB
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Dstz8jb9
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI4gen6SOB
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ4dlzfiXB
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubvUlfaUj
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFKnNi1taj
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WwYS58vBW
“I’m n-nothing so special.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5qbNiYRdl
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdY2oCwqWY
“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!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaBK0g7AJM
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Rp306ykB
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU1upjK52b
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJw53qng8f
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmcpWrOmwV
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw1u0z6FCS
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuTfyz6tNy
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCGQlWlBFo
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. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHT5vZUpIt
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0AE6gEG8n
It took me only a few 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Kx0jLbFg
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk9KXataRW
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgB4CiD4UU
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pDe8k0dbn
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvnHU7wfUR
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o90fe3APz
“No, really, Rover.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB21QvaieI
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXlI8JTEmR
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqXwX1gPKZ
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdnHZ6MD7B
“I think I’m just lucky.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFhz1yYEvh
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzjPlxlytV
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uLxx5kNNA
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOOiRaTlLi
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItK0TtdmWi
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bKS76pPqi
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTVXdLsbqV
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4CT3FoqLZ
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFOLdznWyX
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8YnN13rVS
“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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlixa3CWnF
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofDctBt0Mi
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAPaimGLQ8
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycpLP6y5Rn
“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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjO2mPVhSf
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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. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3sn68pWo3
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“D-Don’t rush me!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHKBdp3M3v
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ1xagoymz
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGnZ75OZFL
“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…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YeG80F2AY
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSyF2Pc7HQ
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24BHfLRLCl
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA6FREcXI6
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“I didn’t say anything.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGaVnfHjWM
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fWDbfX9Vw
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6TiYyq3NK
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0eHenSREW
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgVD3ophx1
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEpgVRf3X0
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“Told you all I did? What?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1wWg3AMiQ
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She was caught by a wind of fury.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsgI2e3OFd
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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!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmeZ4Kmfqn
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JOc0PKdDR
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“What’s so funny?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi23Pa1E8Sw
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhILWEx3i2D
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03fAkL5BWc
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQf5MBEWs2
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLP4X0PQeg
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“A little crazy?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvLyWSgSq7
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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!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDah8xekdXb
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF4NLRN1ZJ
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YNrC0LEdG
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“Well–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pzo5m7V7Z
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFV2xWZPZq
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“I–”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc39d3A6EBe
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fjPFaKrUn
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBRkLD0JDc
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“See! I– huh? You do?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotSSBashQW
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa50nISL4gY
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6AfNL5gAb
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG3THEuWoE
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0lrqmzw2b
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWR4M4qdN3
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPqDrSW8GF
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cHZVfhidB
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKfFKBlh7c
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2zYiBNJpn
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“Ah, right.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EN1QvfSmd
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC06RWe0rm
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwvUwSXtwN
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk0iBv3sBL
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7lCAKO2Ae
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUDNPDH16q
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“Wait, one last thing!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzho6FHQa7e
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO7n0My5Zo
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cpyjk7XOP
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“...”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN11ceFGh48
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I smiled.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUFwM5gbie
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“I will.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VnYBvsB7G
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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–127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvAcaJ03u
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“Yes!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9GmzB37aI
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroeZf4YAzh
