The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGOlUO8BAL
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS74gKuHvU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjorIkA8ce
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiHJWUKh4P
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTSbuWbXgR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleMVPpQoE7
"Oh, that's a good point."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcgXlEhmT9
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJit820uewV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YwWmpwGlz
**SWOOSH**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aKH8QgrmC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetT2IyBvfg
"W-Woah!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqavmV9A7tx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJChskgY42O
And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pW87AlJ6F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamd0VaZjcl
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGol8JZNI8l
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD2JI2OR0Y
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV5UvBJzl8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J1kczFu1b
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz0rb04evO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KocvrTRlj
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZZd16BUBd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ftEQyV5J
"Oh, Juke."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeHVtmvmLA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRkzreCnsq
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguxCjzp1Eq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrcICwUiBR
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmASjIlTSFj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vhpI4qiLs
Juke tilted his head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp8PzCCYpv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBste0LDThG
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YN4BK4AEp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ513Dgmu0Jl
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FewxAJt8L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa7rGm9sfa
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1IeX2mP2D
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"That's a good idea."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14yTrOEP7h
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2bJyLVAFJ
I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf528w0vVG
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7908CjQ15
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU6jk04kxj
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZUn5n6bF8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuxAy3RrJJ
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd26ogJfZf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqauwvKT78
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbkLDXtn6e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9a452iI7j
**SWOOSH**176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIM88Ck733
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lOaJLtO5x
Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUCO60nge7
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz84OABkJI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeQ1GbjHLU
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MpQSAFGjl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprX92Wh97p
"That's a bird!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJAEaQV7J1
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAvhUtQmwt
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3nruDybLU
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2OJquaC4w
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nx6y1Gn4u
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ifPv0rXkn
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVnwjar2GO
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVncg07STDe
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSMNAImzHM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfldsbN10D
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuTJgUnj1i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHicOFiOG8
He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWKOR4e9Xu
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzxHS87Trs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiDCY5cJnu
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5qMHQ4MkV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R31fIwECU
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGqT8z7M0S
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"Hahaha!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzud6wzCds1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfpdk67ZOw
"Why aren't you answering me?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMMzNRXKaq
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR57cqvYeZ8
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1jiUTyr4Q
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7yM3CslO
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"Huh? Why?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtBTMG2k4S
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKgmnHn7py
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"Oh, alright!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gmo2TheQK
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj0l2FN1R9
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZbQ7zq6pG
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Jlh5aOSO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tNZ6yOvk1
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11kgYEfMaz
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeapOdE9GlW
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfusgpK0uI
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"Hold on–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nHGa0ctGr
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9hXPFitoY
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCRuJbVt8R
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkufS9kSk9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBKJysN519
"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWLTZPpbZH
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI73OkIXE0
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex6GpuxQ0Z
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvmd7z3WwQ
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmftcjGyNfs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbng4xeqqN
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cMRZgw47L
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70BLOOA6kp
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqhKyaQ7UN
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"...Maybe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgsJo9S2ej
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP4gOrgDUy
"Why only maybe!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWneZy3eEv
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvSuZK7GJJ
"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzZZgkg9Se
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6vPubtXXJ
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCStMQPqUkw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3RsF6bIkE
"Ahhh... this is the life."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPwabyiS45
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCB0IpvEHN
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCKHOuRvw8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH4rzyWLKY
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I87tAMBl7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaMokP5HUc
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmivrUwkqlN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Og5mDDHeB
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKkOjgrCvP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXY6i6Eqdj
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7JVxgq413
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVdAQrQxWN
"Sure, sure, now scram."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCCww8lFb7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDyynIxQFn
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoAeEnC8Gc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5xPuKS3eH
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ype1Ikic
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrCydKo5li
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbrq1U0NQl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v0lxgoZkX
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRV2WOoD9n
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xrq5ohz9V
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQqdCdX5u1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdWUC5JaQH
"A nap... hmm..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbPSyhGhZN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJBymCw7W3
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nrmUlLBpg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtKyVxPmIb
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xQSa9VNqa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV16jG0lW33
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwEJh5U4U0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vLmNni3yB
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOT5HiAjmV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiwa0PU9HW
"Ack... this sucks."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkfoY3K6DA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U4K7FyGhz
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LprPMQhN0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPbG8jJdMW
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wWvsEpkum
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLb0gvMGN6
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s0rn3PW2d
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EPv7dXqKb
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80T7ypz4J1
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWJNFnxDg8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmjuRuu89V
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXQGe1sxXy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLzkKVNOQU
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9B6zFRbeN
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx2lpgrv3F
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DlrTdxl14
"---Alright, that takes care of that."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3yVAiMUUT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirT2UqaFqN
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHQsMfcRxE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBBB3q0DCs
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TkDA9SKMg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx3r9Kc2Al
"...Right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OVwA0jX0U
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49q3fhD30R
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf6hQKP89R
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyJtpxtHNV
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNnkG6RvdS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyO63rztJz
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgu4ipEivR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdULKU1TyAQ
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIomEgW88PR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRuULZIDrX
Wait, where the hell is she going?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZiqtzXqaG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ZmQfEDo2
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHpJDf0HT8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fed7EiVrN
"Rover."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVfi1z06ia
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8cFofneW0
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcCxXwiiAc
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgSsdTP8P5
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHAZPai8xE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvJZxcBRpz
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgDTeuTCNl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGXwiOvJn2
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mTg0WL910
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMroucAk1T
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zBzoBxI5S
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUgrkSnyRV
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KYxKQZkbf
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8TMH5q9LI
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUMLBLB9tP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmim47d7FY
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhRS6EevW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVsRC2Yo9z
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHq58L2f7P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNZtSKTXzD
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6FNUf5fdZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jYdMtTT12
"Oh, that... uh..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTKTDOTrc2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeG1hrNMzC
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxp86My8un
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8qCB1kKHe
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAgdxkHW6j
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnePxD7DNw
"...Pff."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAcalTGmf9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfnVDAv514
"It's not funny!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n3TTnv2ox
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tRftht5QS
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh92e5iev6U
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoskamravV
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3HqKnrQ8g
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxuU1uYWhG
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUs2PtUCm4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0cTzKgFSO
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMJjlzPdLo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvjVGPEPCK
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPl4vrtmU6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfk5MouYNs
"...I see."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpO6DtvW68
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxCQlulDBK
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMcgSgQYbs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg108hoRsPo
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDlmXSGdSy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCBxw5ZnQ0
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4N7dycNH9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lpkO5L1RQ
"What are you doing?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV0mfGQ7P4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2m0CRsidv
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xgvPBvgdZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4dFaG3G0r
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8QVZE0db7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZgxepC4Fe
"W-Whaa!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkozhzRF6k
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJWSzGVjFc
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNfZTvBAKu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73gufxPCyt
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPHE8Xrkkr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx56V9hRCrp
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoOnWnhFLy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn790FQIPGr
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LeEv9zyVm
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1shCahyrlH
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOpfSwBTaN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcrQdtzTAY
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX3SnSz6fp
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgb8Dy6WL6
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0x03nsisI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4XIt8R5oe
"I don't like you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iwkZGkNEe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ8WvbHIwm
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8ACDAAIds
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHeEMwGYBc
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCnluZScwO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcUftIF54S
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijWljReRg9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRp55YeL87
"I... guess you're right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uZxWYGR7G
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UxOeZ2wpf
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
