I was blessed to be in a city like this where every resident had all their attention on the task at hand. Where every resident couldn't be bothered, or couldn't afford to spend time ogling at oddities occurring in their environs. Truly, I was blessed to be in a place like this.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIaxzRNLW0
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"How's the weather up there?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlSAA1g9IM
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"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlUnbES5r3
143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡube0HLMCKG
I had my face buried in my hands. Like a child playing hide and seek, hoping that people wouldn't notice as long as I didn't notice them. Rover wasn't assuaging my shame whatsoever; with the way she boisterously walked, putting one foot in front of the other, it was clear that she wanted attention heading my way. I could hardly take it.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uo1Lgegrf
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I knew Rover was bigger and older than me, but I didn't feel it until now, until the moment when I was carried around like a wounded child. That was because I was one.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkFHOpNl9I
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"Sorry, sorry."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsUfUdLU1L
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"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxohJq90DI
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"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZLXgMzVQJ
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"Really? I doubt... that..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWd6nZx84I
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I opened my eyes and put my hands to the side. Surprisingly... Rover wasn't walking in the main street. Rover wasn't taking inordinately wide steps. Rover wasn't talking to every passing face, yelling "Lookie here" and "Isn't this guy a loser?" She was by the sidelines, even hunched down a little to make me stand out less.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYK71CQnus
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"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkb2fKSC5y
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"Huh? What are you talking about?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKuKyZVhla
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"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttDQmfm1BC
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"You're not making any sense."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT3GCklWlh
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The tension in my body evaporated. I slackened my arms and rested my chin on the top of Rover's head. She began humming a little tune, and to my surprise, I found it very endearing.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwQ8XFtrdR
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"What's that song you're humming there?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMPoSvSknW
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"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzSVrbjkbx
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"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Rt9C1nXr
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She lightly shrugged.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ27GeSK5N
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"All I know is that the song was really good. It went something like: 'Did you ever see a whale, with a polka-dot tail...'"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubOiViFUgr
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"That sounds like a load of nonsense."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHgpVGLV9f
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She lightly shrugged again.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlnH7Sxgtb
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"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DChGqqy4h
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I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykuX7uBCJz
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"And what makes you say that?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQpKGFctBc
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"...Well, across the sea are the Flatlands, right? I always wondered, what was the trip to King's Peak like. Did the founders have to overcome other hurdles? Were there monsters in the sea, too? Or was it like the lake, where it was just really pretty and calm?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFDq6GWzi5
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"..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG1u60oSgd
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I looked up at the sky, giving her words some thought. Naturally, I've never seen the sea myself, but if it was anything like the lake, then it would be a nice place to see, wouldn't it?143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhQj2DL4Q
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"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTDslOO5YH
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"Hmm? What are you talking about?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnF55Uchg9
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"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYiaWzEP0p
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"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tx62vNUGi
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"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL8x4Wlkj5
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"It's not an obsession!" She immediately yelled, ramming her head into my chin. I flailed my arms not to fall off, then rubbed my face.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tM4bAxdXB
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"That was excessive, apologize."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHJ5bKaqNX
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"F-Fine, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, it isn't an obsession. I'm just really interested, don't you get it?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jdsLemaLN
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"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKhil7LWxR
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"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tmydoWeNX
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"It seems pretty stupid to me."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aLVyFj2pF
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She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3a6uowXtz
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"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DVyjpZDGA
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"You don't wanna go there. I have a track record of proving doubters wrong, and I don't think your personality can handle the sheer awe they will inflict on you."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6MFOnwGft
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"Whatever."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFKQh0aUMf
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We moved in silence for a little bit.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SdqDOliJk
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"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38p453kQKh
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"Kenny, I have some bad news."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mti1L6Yw5
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She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIzWK1V56N
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"You don't know where to go, do you?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UTlJEUafS
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She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql4L3Jv1o3
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"I don't either."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV170qpuYWG
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"What!?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx0CoBLrT7
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She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwayRPw60H6
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"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdo6GILsMK
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"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjGOfucx9e
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"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEXz2IrbJT
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"Hmph."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rbi0UYnuK
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I sighed at her silly behavior and crossed my arms, tapping my finger on them in rumination. In that moment, we weren't lost, because tracing our steps would lead us to our abode easily. However, I didn't want this trip to be for nothing, and I imagined that Rover agreed. Thus–
"Alright, put me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Just do it. I'm going to ask for directions."
She tilted her head at first but then released an "ahhh" shortly after. I made a stone cane as she lowered me. Though my right leg could hardly handle any pressure, I was able to walk by myself just fine. We ventured slightly deeper into the rowdy streets.
"Uhm, excuse me, sir–"
The person walked right past me. Rude, but understandable.
"I'm sorry sir, but can you–"
The second person ignored me as well. Considering how heavy the box he carried looked, I didn't become upset about it.
"I'm sorry miss, but do you happen to–"
The lady spared me a glance but did nothing more than that.
"...I see the issue now."
The very same hustle and bustle of the street I was thanking a few minutes ago was now an obstacle we suddenly had to overcome.
"This is taking too long," Rover muttered, arms crossed with a sharp look.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait for the right one."
"Are you serious? I'm not gonna wait around for that! It'll be nighttime before we know it!"
I simply shrugged.
"It's annoying, but we could also just walk back and wait for– what the hell are you doing!?"
River stormed away from me, now deep into the traffic of people and animals. She turned her gaze this way and that way before locking it on something. Whatever that something was, it was close to me, so I looked around me only to find nothing. Then, Rover stomped back, moving more to my left, and picking up a person who was just about to cross me.
"W-Whaa!?" The person yelled, dropping his wooden box on the ground as Rover carried him over to me. She had a triumphant smile, but I was too deep in shock to reprimand her, let alone say anything.
"You need to think smarter, not harder, Kenny."
That asinine and audacious statement brought me out of my trance and into a fit.
"I'm the one who needs to think smarter!? Do you see what you're doing right now!? Let that man down already!"
She looked taken aback at my sudden tone, but complied, setting the man on the ground. He looked shell-shocked and anxious. I thanked the crowd yet again for somehow not caring for what easily could've been a kidnapping.
"I'm so sorry, sir. My friend didn't mean to scare you or anything, but–"
"My cargo! You brats made me lose my cargo!"
Somehow, the man was more worried about his cargo than the fact that he was snatched up. Somehow, it relieved me.
"I'll get it back, geez! Don't be so uppity..."
Indeed, Rover stayed true to her word, returning to the mass of people and coming out with the fallen wooden box. She handed it over to the man, who accepted it after standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. When he took the box, he had to bend his knees down, muttering how heavy it was underneath his breath.
"What do you brats want with me, anyway? Is it something about vases? Well I'm off-duty right now, go make an appointment at the–"
"No no no, sir, we weren't here for that. Honestly, we just wanted directions for the stable."
"The stable... hold on a sec."
He narrowed his eyes and scanned my whole body, doing the same with Rover. That was when I noticed how well-groomed his hair was.
"You two are foreigners. Here to deliver something, I presume?"
"That's part of our–"
"Blah blah blah! Nope, nope, nuh uh whatsoever!"
Rover looked at me with a deeply perplexed look as to why I just yelled over her. I gestured to her to lean in so I could whisper.
"This thing is supposed to be inconspicuous, remember!"
"O-Oh!"
She put her hands over her mouth and took a step back, nodding. I wiped my brow at the arrow we had just dodged.
"Our business here isn't important, sir. I know it's unfair to ask, but can you point us in the direction of the stables?"
"Meh... sorry, kids, but as you can see, I'm busy. Chow."
"W-Wait!"
He turned around and began walking away. My yell caught his attention, but I didn't know how to follow it up at all.
"That box you're carrying looks heavy," Rover suddenly interjected, "If we help you carry it, then will you tell us?"
I let out a sigh, silently thanking Rover for the sudden save she just pulled. The man looked at nothing in particular, clearly mulling over the offer.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgWcYV4d7v
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"Sure," he blankly stated before walking to Rover and handing her the box. As expected, she held it with ease, and even the man was surprised about it.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfXpnkPGxk
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"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfcQqVq1Hz
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"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa8hrF6aJz
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"Huh?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK9HeBbWjJ
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She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAQzugf8ZQ
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"B-But he's right there."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPHY7KDOHQ
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"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8GiYczMhz
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"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYXGwZuwBf
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She turned her head to me with a smile.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtP5yrkTy
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"See? It's fine."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3bORzYVU
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"...It doesn't feel fine at all."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCGQNdJZjv
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Despite my mutterings, I got on her back. She stood up and followed the man effortlessly.
–
–
–
"Just wait here, let me talk with my colleague..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZMue1yhXF
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The man entered a room, shutting the door behind him. The room had no way of peering into it, so Rover and I were stuck outside. I could tell Rover was getting impatient.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI7AxJtt0d
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"Can't we just–"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50RRe9TKbz
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"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA0FJf67IN
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"Fine."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnJneGNdd1
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A minute later, the man exited the room, wiping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He pointed in a direction with his thumb.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzm8VBMGI2
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"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhB0sCmKPB
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"Uh-huh."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC0he8IAjk
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Rover didn't sound very happy complying with him. I understood why completely, but considering how she scooped the man up unannounced, it made sense why he'd withhold information from us.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi69VwDvmVr
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But still, even I couldn't help but twitch my eyes at it. After all, we were carrying this hefty wooden box to a carriage not too far from our own.
"Do you need me to get off?"
"Heh, who do you think I am?"
She tossed the box into the air slightly, grabbing it with her arms underneath it, and pushing it against her chest. Carrying it like so, she boarded the carriage and placed it in the designated area, wiping the dust off her hands after a thunderous thump. When we exited the carriage, the man was talking to a woman. The woman waved at us and boarded the carriage after.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, "it's none of your business, redhead."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
"I meant the one with the darker hair."
I pointed a finger at myself, and the man slowly nodded with a smirk.
"I wasn't trying to snoop in your business anyway. Now that our business is finished, I thank you for leading us here, but I also suggest you start speaking to others with kinder words."
Rover nodded along to my words while the man gazed at me blankly. After an uncomfortable amount of time exchanging eye contact with him, he broke the silence between us.
"Say, where are you brats from?"
I put a finger to my chin, wondering if this was information I was permitted to disclose. I cast my gaze down at Rover, pointless as it was since her slight trembling told me her thoughts.
I figured that ultimately, it would be–
"...Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Hmm? Consider it a census thing. Since I assume you're here to deliver something, the origin of our customers is valuable information."
"The way you phrase it makes you sound like you run this whole thing."
He huffed. His smirk turned into a warm, humble smile.
"I'm a part of this contraption, but I'm no one so important. So, tell me."
I narrowed my eyes. This man was frankly unreadable, but at the very least, he didn't seem like someone from the Eastern Country. Even if he was, a city that was based purely on communication wouldn't have any biases, right?
"We are from Zariel Capitol."
"Eh!?"
Rover expressed her surprise, looking at me with wide eyes. I simply winked at her, hoping she'd understand it was intentional.
"Zarielites, huh... ah, that's good."
He chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, his stern demeanor did a 180. The man in front of me was amiable and blithe, nothing like the sly businessman from before.
"It's good? Why?"
"Well, if you're here from the capitol, then you're probably on important business, aren't you?"
I felt a sudden weight form in my stomach. Rover's grip tightened around my legs.
"I dunno what, nor do I care. I'm just glad, cuz it means you might be able to send a damn message."
"What do you mean?"
"Oop."
His eyes went wide, his chuckles became lined with hesitation.
"I can't tell you the details, but security is sharp. They aren't letting many people send letters through the Pillars. But I'm sure they'll make an exception for you brats."
"...I, see."
I didn't know how to take this information. I couldn't deny that it was useful, yet, when it came to this man, I struggled to express any gratitude.
"The name's Dave. I might run into you brats again, so I'll see you later."
He turned around and walked away, his legs moving in a strange, irregular pattern as he waved the back of his hand to us. I watched him disappear into the street with Rover. We stood like statues for an amount of time I couldn't even tell.
"...That guy's a priss."
"Ah, so that's what that word means."
"No... I just felt like calling him that."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind. Let's get your stupid leg un-cramped already."
She suddenly turned around and stomped to our carriage. Dennis was nowhere in sight, to our dismay. I theorized that he was likely heading back to our abode. Anyhow, the carriage remained locked, but Rover and I entered through a secret trap door underneath it.
Or, rather, Rover dropped me to the ground, and having nothing else to do, I crawled under the carriage and into it. I entered the back shortly after.
"Alright, here we are..."
Sifting through our supplies was tedious with my body glued to the floor, so I used the carriage's walls as support. I located my bag instantly, rummaging through the pockets until my hands touched a familiar cold glass surface. I pulled the bottle out. The liquid inside was a dull purple, perfect for loosening and correcting muscles.
"The Tea Mage said I was overprepared, but look who's laughing now."
I took a quick sip, and immediately, the pain in my calf dissipated. A moment of flexing and stretching my leg later, and it was as good as new. I got on my feet and exited the back with a pep in my step, making sure to put the potion back in the bag beforehand.
"Alright, now I'm– wah!?"
"Hey."
To my surprise, Rover– or rather, Rover's upper body –was in the carriage as well. She was holding up the trapdoor with one hand. A moment of silence passed by awkwardly, and instead of breaking it with conversation, Rover helped herself inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, just checking on you...?"
"You are a terrible liar. Come on, tell me the reason."
She released a defeated sigh, putting her hands on her hips as she tapped the floor with her foot.
"I wanted to find that letter thing Juke was talking about. The one with the royal's name on it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You heard what that guy said earlier, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, but–"
"Then I don't need to explain myself! Move aside!"
She stormed past me and into the back of the carriage. I followed her in a panic.
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning to go alone, are you?"
"Eh...? Are you dumb?"
I let out a sigh of relief. At least Rover–
"You're with me, so I'm not going alone."
Nevermind.
"W-Why now, though? Why don't we wait for Juke to join us?"
"Why should he? The guy's fast asleep, and it's not like we're fighting anyone, right?"
"Y-You..."
I couldn't deny that, as Rover sifted through the miscellaneous supplies in our carriage, she was making a decent point. Still, my gut was going haywire.
"I don't understand why it has to be now, though. Can't we just wait until our full party is here? I mean, really–"
"Hey, Kenny, you did hear what that guy said earlier, right?"
Her tone suddenly deepened. She sat down and turned her head to me. Her face was void of frivolity.
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Stinking liar."
"Now is not the time!"
She pursed her lips, but the 'whatever' muttered under her breath told me she understood.
"Anyway, the guy said that security's up, yeah?"
"Right. So what is... oh."
I pinched my chin as I slowly came to a realization.
"That can't be for no reason, especially if these bigshot towers are the ones being guarded. Something fishy is going on here, don't you think?"
"...I'm surprised you can infer from words this well."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid!?"
"No, what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying now."
If the city of communication required its stalwart pillars to be guarded, therefore inhibiting the process that is this city's reason for existing, then obviously, something was amiss.
"Point is, I think we should get it delivered as soon as possible, then high tail out of here."
I would've nodded along to her suggestion, but the sudden thought of something unprecedented and dangerous coming along left me... peaky.
"Shouldn't we just leave as soon as possible, then?"
Her face morphed into one of abject confusion. I had seen this exact expression not too long ago.
"Are you stupid?"
"Whaa?"
"I said, are you stupid? We have a mission, we should see it done, right?"
"R-Right, but this unaccounted factor–"
"Who gives a shit about that! We'll just deliver it and leave before it becomes a problem!"
She slammed her fist into her palm. Her look was stern, and her eyes were ablaze. It was a visage of determination. It was familiar, somehow, but more than that, it was assuring.
"W-Wow."
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, robbing her of the definite satisfaction she'd get from being validated, "Y-You're right, though, let's just get this over with."
"That's the spirit," she yelled, pumping her fist in the air, "Now come help me find this letter!"
–
–
–
We were back on the street, far closer to the middle now that I was back on my own two legs. Nothing worth mentioning was going on that I haven't mentioned before. However, we carried our gaits with a more definite purpose. After all, it was our reason for coming here.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvrO6wtlTF
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I held the note in my pocket while Rover carried the package in a bag attached to her belt. It was a surprise to find that the package was in the carriage, unsupervised, prime for stealing, but it was more surprising that it could fit in Rover's shoddy bag. The shoddyness of her bag didn't seem to bother her, however. She had a happy look on her face and a cheerful air around her.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ueFuq7wI
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And then, it looked like she was suddenly struck by something. Her smile turned into a grimace, and her brows furrowed.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf6H0kcYwJ
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"Is something wrong?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FGhazP0de
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"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv45rI3rIUY
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"..."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngKtSq1Gzh
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"Alright, fine, I'll talk."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BSLEhK5dS
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She kept looking straight ahead, hesitating to speak, but I waited patiently. I waited and waited, and it didn't look like a response was on the horizon. Until–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzSQg5faZN
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"This is going to be a dumb question."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYGkMMj2sa
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She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlpvKAByLr
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"So don't make fun of me, alright?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQLtwDCGzh
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"...I can't make any promises."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEEPjE1jlW
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"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ427FMueTIZ
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"...I won't make fun of you."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y7s2398Us
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"Okay."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH2TLe9K93
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Again, there was a long pause between her next words.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtva87h7IJw
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"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwbgCCluWt
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"Oh, same here."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOzlR2dQ8I
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"R-Really!?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHWySMJqv8
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She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbkrJUePuc
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"Actually, Juke butted into one of my missions a few weeks ago, so technically, no. But officially, this is my first time working with someone."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWjRhGEN4s
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"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFa92bHFCj
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More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx9KRvDwMR
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"Don't you have something to say?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtI5MfmDz
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"That's a weird question. Not really."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJXES4FlqC
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"Oh... alright, that's good."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dTaSPILSR
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We kept walking. I noticed that her feet touched the ground with less stride. She clearly had something more to say, but I didn't know if wringing it out of her was a good idea.
"I'm gonna be honest," Rover started, "I don't talk to people very often."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXnY7Hcsbx
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"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUqyDIi7ai
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"...It didn't make me feel better at all."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV53Yl90rv
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"S-Sorry."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSfd2b0wjZ
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After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT3e2r18nu
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"It's fine. But, well, uh.. when you said you didn't like me... I don't know. Usually, I take flack from others pretty well, but for some reason, that didn't wash away as fast."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7rHZZN2Qp
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She pinched her chin and directed her gaze to the sky. She didn't look nervous now, but deep in rumination. I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid any risky blurtings.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2bI9Irr47
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"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KWx0yN7yZ
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"...Kinda smart, huh?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL9itcoI6r
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I followed her gaze and looked to the sky. My previous decision was overwritten, but for whatever reason, I didn't feel any pressure to say something meticulously.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz9Xl9Ut0n
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"I'm not the right person to ask. Honestly, I haven't talked to many people until just a few months ago."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGlkCiT45e
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"How was it for you, then?"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7izOnOggh
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"Uh... I guess, it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just a natural at it. But, you know, people often tell me that I say stupid or insensitive things."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26uG22Cvag
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"Damn right, you do."143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBr8ZXUiCS
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"Case in point. I'm not the right person to ask."
"Maybe not, but I wanna hear your opinion."
"Oh-"
Her wording made something click in my mind. I snapped my fingers in realization.
"You care what I think!"
"I care... what you think?"
She repeated my phrase incredulously, continuing and not letting me elaborate.
"That's dumb. I care about what everyone thinks. But I don't care about it for long, so that can't be it."
"That's a very simple idea. I also think it's inaccurate."
"Why?"
"Because... hmm..."
I thought carefully about what was going to come out of my mouth. Not out of fear, but out of a desire to say it and make myself clear only once.
"I guess when it's somebody who isn't a stranger, their words mean a lot more. That's how I always thought of it, at least."
"...Huh."
She was on the precipice of drawing some kind of conclusion. What exactly, I did not know.
"Say, if Juke were to say he didn't like you, what would you think?"
"...I wouldn't take him seriously. He says all sorts of lame and stupid things."
"Are you sure? What makes me different?"
"Well, you also say lame and stupid things, but when you say things... there's always a nugget of truth to them."
"I see."
In some deep recess of my mind, I was hoping she would chide me. It came out as a neutral statement, though, and I didn't know how to feel about it.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq6tJA4eS3
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"But if Juke came up to me," she suddenly said, "and drew out a sword, and started calling me a bitch or something, then I'd probably be sad."
"That's an extreme example."
She shrugged with a slight smile on her face.
"If you did the same, I'd probably just beat you up, then I'd be sad."
"I'm getting mixed signals. What are we even talking about again?"
She suddenly came to a halt. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were contracted.
"...Is this what my mom was talking about?"
"I am so irrevocably lost."
She paid no attention to me, continuing to stare into whatever void it was that caught her eye. Then, her gaze swiftly shifted to me, and I winced in surprise.
"Hey, Kenny," she said, shifting the direction of her index finger from me to her rapidly, "are we friends?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Just answer! Honest thoughts only!"143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMrz1IPbDu
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The heightening of her tone galvanized me into speaking, but I didn't have a proper thought to articulate.
"Well... I have my share of grievances, but we've known each other for some time, and we've shared a lot of good moments... So I think we are friends, yes."
Speaking it out, even I was surprised by such a declaration. However, Rover didn't look happy or distressed, just confused.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2YBpn6DWx
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"Oh my goodness," she began to whisper, "when I was telling stories at the fire, or even when I was giving you a piggyback..."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
Her eyes contracted, and her expression froze. I was ready to shake her and ask her what was up with her, but she violently shook her head before I could.
"Sorry, I just realized something."
"Mind informing me what!?"
She straightened her posture and looked down at me with her chin haughtily raised.
"No. Let's keep going."
She began to walk away, not even sparing a glance to check if I started as well. I rolled my eyes and followed her, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
The pep in her step returned, but the look on her face carried a hint of distress, just enough to where I was unsure if I was simply seeing things.
I decided not to pry into it as we kept traversing the busy streets.
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