A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ873KhRjDLt
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbSr8qCzCj
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnKRIDZVRY
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oyuUfnWdz
"At least... I'm on my back now."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8vwzkgk5U
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvtUZ7LnRO
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4Hr0RXGWp
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuOCSwkesm
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD7YiirzNV
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBPvGP0juj
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZeSTQSL5b
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaZXPSr8jD
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwq1tENKs0
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi9OHTSkwc
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdC1h72F3e
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0DVjQyv4b
I was immediately startled.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwXEjnPjG1
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQYOPWHu8m
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEsFIGTzNc
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uxuuvtOL9
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg2gV4UKVu
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbKdG2IopI
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY6PjjZLKK
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDiPQj0p1A
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniujok5OOA
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95mO3vTGNt
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpePJhyLfn8
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJW0DfJLJu
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzIbNa1tnK
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9XlajdhrD
"Do you feel any better?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWXO8dqYsv
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRSyZe5oln
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgZHRGRSHi
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJcRT9nucl
"That's good, that's good..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N3saNK5kf
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvCFsMnX9M
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1TPH72xXH
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFD2UfYBLF
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHRgDH0j16
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUwrhVVoTG
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqi60SS8BX
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyibl9fqz7j
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQwodZxzfJ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLmkIc67FT
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVChWCWULrS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT1nFlHa7R
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZbne9b7jg
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWQgXy34YM
"H-How'd you know?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JrJ172SxZ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqffF6AmG1
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7auA50pvJ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuOYXScIHV
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbIXBNtP4E
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVPZJVGlB8
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrniOcFZJkJ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcUrH83iHr
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy1qMeIFQ3
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM12gZ94Gvj
Pars nodded.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35P9usxuDA
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCEMxIGpc0
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCRc2BAEcj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIigpsaBvu
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnJc3d7mra
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxEdYwlC17
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z3zAf9zxB
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfax6pQqdaV
"Mutual what?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF6IAR9jEO
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsdnwY5H8J
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFw4bDHwZp
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqUp7xCYM7
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeTrstiF0j
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSfxEa3acM
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxDQsNq0dY
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOZNBCwxk7
"Really now..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshhaadV84l
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuUJTsGabl
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMA4UQULYV
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3J8vzzK6M
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRrYbWPbXv
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB3YCu9JJl
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBsNeoO167
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV3YUC9B0j
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppw7wS5FEv
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrniCmUa4E
"Wow... it must've been bad."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA9kN1EMoH
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GRaDUQdW0
"You're almost as flippant as I am."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolZPzb6rAd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tmSQGX6Hb
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwxSZGfA7A
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwhAgyaeBL
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEZuxDmJlr
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cwh1FQwlQ
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogqLVirk2f
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJovi8L9Lbl
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxT4ZZ2PM6
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtAp0DX4kY
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTmrVd7BgQ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGKsfdZkBx
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtI8chWXCD
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx8xD9RLjc
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMfaWaUbqd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOW18h1L8c
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MWHcI4yZ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULfxZgs5Ex
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtOKedD9Bm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4Akl36gfj
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSVcg0DVvS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLysZSBqz2
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4LLtDyPXn
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4sZEqwyCk
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zrETlhmkz
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdpWfx4jZy
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jl1WkE7q4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ8I8gt06N
"I know."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJHX2NLysK
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnalWfyXvdX
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pz5xDLsIS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu1XXyABGK
"Tell you what; I can't help you."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXwjR3b8kz
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKOolAtV1h
"...Are you serious?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDdlqUieLf
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0hjg8trfi
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINDh1zjRw
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF064m5ZTJx
"What? What can?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3OSJRbtwc
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjsj6v6f7A
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNczXvAKd3
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZE7LwuMld
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxA0alvC4M
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRShxWqWqo
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NR3rRy9nN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz7GZQs1yw
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5O5Ieay8s
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqDBokVNi5
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP9m4ExTeo
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNXni2ZTo2
"Give it a try."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJM0RsXIZY
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g9Ilprger
He stood up and patted my shoulder.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldeUgZ0cPN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTi48wlAgX
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hyrz3in12
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1BuMtbKN9
"H-Huh? Right now?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCPO6Ewuj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6J3Oj6IzM
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI7nPJmiqN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZjRH0SXfK
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9AkhVxe93
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEilipgSiT
–
–
–236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW04iborI5
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmFwWb4Fw1
"Are ya all packed up?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9DfmVHpM9
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS7KZabJfX
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgYfwSlQj4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffOMPyUtp4
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfgWwFUda6
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNL4dx6ThJ
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsiP72XUes
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2CCLibxZb
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn23fnd1uh
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnbDkw3UtO
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg80jVdiex
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr45FcTuGwE
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbqfX3noey
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw9Jm910IV
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKGi1HXyTU
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ND10cJ9x
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0esOP3j12y
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDwucoHTzD
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc1uT3mqNB
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs4km9Gxju
"I suppose that makes sense."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSDCLnpZrl
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mw1ZYcChq
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtnKBTHejJ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgeg3kDfVV
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7MHVPZ2AX
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJPDh4hbfd
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGZDIsSd9w
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb437j8AaV1
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDCo6KYZoP
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfcBRjVPTI
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCaj0cRYS7
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUms5n4sOM
"What do I think...?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAJG9oRqTb
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYswePXquW
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuyZzyWgws
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwhUBCNhjv
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tfVqRXe9I
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8hzzGw1aW
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNPUifna8B
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcJRls50fv
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnTtQRU0cq
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv9830WNVG
"I'm asking ya, kid."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21CvI0wHNi
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pLmAy2Euq
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tCsN3Xqu4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWjnGZEQiQ
"It had to be an Endowment."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVkpgFChr5
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN4HM3acUf
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGQZn8WQZc
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2eWEKI7p6
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTepEpY6li
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83vR23toGp
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkGzwHITtL
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SAaDuJsPW
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVKUMh071Q
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw85nWLSj8
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFsEjxeql0
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloJuPqc6De
"Why not?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH7zd6m2bp
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv03TiRiPI
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7XSLAu7T9
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDGvYESWN4
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5b8qaARfH
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboOsMDQLcS
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWiqC65nLf
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3G5eseVNI
"Surely, there's a better option."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdE72FoBjv
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGAUUXk2g9
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqiYaPBgg
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKN4Eqo0NK
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE7bC7tBUC
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKvuajoB1I
"What if we spy from a distance?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YwkxEytK5
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn95hUBN6L
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYI1ZTSrxZ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmDfo82rsN
"...Point taken."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2uKoTwmZV
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvtvVGPp3r
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU4kR6D4V2
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsztY9l9SCp
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq71rAnXWo
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxICncUeWLA
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqtkaMrjQ4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW18134xkLq
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdTugZum6T
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLywKdtWVF
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEzqxu3ckh
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMVRj42W6A
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW63INagGG
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xtLmerdKs
We nodded in unison.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVmghnFVOQ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26YPrenYDx
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggY4RINqU3
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP80FaCTCht
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkxmm0Mvuz
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnIjBkxLQH
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wNym9hbwP
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsnrwBnlbZ
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fUPmumIbX
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2YQl985To
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrl84I8zNa
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglu69fqCy6
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bXz3Sqm1w
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlzRZA3yrK
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX9SLb6TRg
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrbDiSQ6ym
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09YSlmHgpj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjiqaTh3hS
"Well... I won't deny that."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRVarH5kQU
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy3zvev34w
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YRkoZzKd1
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqCkGEFxVZ
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsHKaMCA5B
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpbu8JTFR7
"Again? What do you–?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdMG3EAbdM
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeBaXlXiuX
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cox2lDj7H
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvrWN1Boxs
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBcyq4RWDS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaaG8Z04xF
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsfpbGxubC
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdspjv1LO4b
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqxDflxH2x
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8w9beMdo0
"I didn't ask ya that."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWQUKQQPXo
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRc872JpWM
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDqvJ7b6Ei
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pKnlKa5Ad
"That ain't surprising."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaNgFDITdu
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDqQSws4P9
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFonj0Rzmau
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOykHVlWkjU
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6WLS8d7GE
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZpSZYRJCM
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9cgOJ1ohd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxhp5DPQCV
"Yeah? Like what?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXBAwwAsL3
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqbazhcTRg
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SPZmRTNz9
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JlaGuQrWV
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06GIFvW1ct
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxE62JBQEP
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DqUCNQaz8
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM9Y01hNgN
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcixRjBIZj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJK5RMbWiS
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgQ97oxb6P
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nNVNgIAlR
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f0aJI71RE
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyUrgRWlzR
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk7GQaxxfJ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUqAdGmyD5
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLXumtbGnB
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCMEkTaBeb
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt7vsWbs2k
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbZx9trc0v
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uLsZFl8Zv
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVJDoX5QvD
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
