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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgOkdcVlvg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOxl1WtMIB
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MJAQVOFoz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGFNBH7LpO
"At least... I'm on my back now."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKQWRVuFAL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeUyEem5R6
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rMYNmKuKT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83rHOlXN0B
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49QBaJ6GeW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTd9GS5whM
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEej7GTZ91z
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWhH6Ym56x
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMs52zSKm0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KjJ2lZwGl
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZYCND0oR8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyJiTFnCsf
I was immediately startled.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoueV6J6Bm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LPcXL0aCX
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9akF4ia5T
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpzY8o2u7F
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrvO20Dogz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchHUeqyVYI
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAblaoR9N2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjxAdjcNe5
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8iH93ASOH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtd3araiOz
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3KHGsKd2u
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJskATxr9s
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp2pOP3ar7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW0f3JXwmx
"Do you feel any better?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoRK8X5Dck
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaod6ulOEiY
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1wWPDpnru
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW99Aqyh3wt
"That's good, that's good..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHMwK6UXx3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHrQrnwXmr
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamFK6gUUX9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshTjvr2zvA
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhUgoBaQn5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe4XfyLjEf
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Pf7M7b6j
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GXUImihZO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04gpdvMlz1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5rDeUSzfI
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuu71wZOuk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOt1LaQAfk
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vx7sAZC2L
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsblhCoBuuE
"H-How'd you know?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvlKFGwIL6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWjOIUbFrr
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pG71TeqeS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4LoAYxTbJ
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy85wCzRktC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLFkSeMcme
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzdEdJ6OrU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGJ0UkiTaV
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?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qv2rKtNQ9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ro42nmDEl
Pars nodded.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5y3xlw6vU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilMa40Vc9S
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Y13FcU3a
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdBVXh7OF3
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gfMZ0Wmri
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFr5NQpGrx
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q5845oYKv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddK3Gy6gdw
"Mutual what?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbWk8f4dfX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtUByUbLLi
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgURYdE5r7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiwUhat0gX
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡledyzySstm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHxdJCN7U6
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hajvc7AGs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZIRVzINXF
"Really now..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WyfwD1ws8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Dehq3yqZ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfOFrD7Bko
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqcLRXMElc
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OTnyPsaxk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08N3zXhcsZ
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hfAs9kR3o
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfusj70S4B
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxg8tWxIp1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE4I0dmwCc
"Wow... it must've been bad."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BUhAc80yM
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tonHuKX02
"You're almost as flippant as I am."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMEdoEbJdT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGMnFVEIFv
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVn74YEwc3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmazBJfsrMP
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LPhK6sNUa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv3EbYLGF9
"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..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5WjdwBTr9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiy2XYjn7Q
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWQSZizgSJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bEQD2PZ5B
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd9FTVSbxe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTKrcoXusO
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVO4fszBiR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPuRryxUQ1
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDf1CAzbL4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZhpyNIp2P
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrYM1MlQwQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0ulvqfVdX
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7uT7MbB53
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktPuVKTSPV
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3hRv3slgf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtcyyrDV6F
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDB9gIVGa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CU5o3eOU7
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK5dkCM6VO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD50OVXOZF
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPe8gAMRhF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfhrsafvnw
"I know."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcx5EgONtU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5okVh9mpQ
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXF3O8ZzdN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmD7pNUgUt
"Tell you what; I can't help you."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrOjy8e4gS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE3iqBiwMb
"...Are you serious?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrlcHR198i
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMu0v2Rm6n
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gjUCr7P73
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvaSPPNb4y
"What? What can?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoTx6pmyX1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOemu1cGkdz
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdnGANcmCg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV5JOzC2mG
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ka6pkA43V
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KCM19AWKm
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxry6LslRTb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeluw1F9mD
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOvw0jlUfI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVCyLsPFdf
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZDZAyNAiD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqeIiP5MZB
"Give it a try."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvK5NGAzzk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSAWStbBXw
He stood up and patted my shoulder.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarMGG1qPWm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACjTmZgXoX
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyggKlvVfvp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuQBWM8peR
"H-Huh? Right now?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0AlJDzC8y
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNNbsJDg0I
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeWDQ785N8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Ymd30Pr1
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYK3f1SwYd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XIUhhJdms
–
–
–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVePbL7ZA8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE69iZBYEw
"Are ya all packed up?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXGD1vU84H
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMFUDaKPjF
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHqAKdlZ7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp0R5Ogns4
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt2YR7Pvqu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLRsszH3JG
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDbksoCLBR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FmFe4p5BJ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66McH332bH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpaT8hLsYR
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva5e9iC9TA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEqJDYpyRb
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IUNFZt7Ov
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozGtn4MNmy
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA50luDrGH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme4kTyRSRx
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H0pd6XxQa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9E8Kcmjk3
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPWaxB3ZlI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GtseXkbuQ
"I suppose that makes sense."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI0ncIyeXr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkViTtCr1cq
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Et7sorsea
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRGuiqWh0H
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISogWVeLzB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilCCrEbQrK
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MeLyAAH0h
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoYOQik4LW
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHVHDL8l35
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvINXZ5ErnF
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ31dzYniux
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tc6Er5Sj0
"What do I think...?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhxumkgJdh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1dMEa4NFO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrExbZDdbK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPprmoPL7bz
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQXSJH8CAR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4hSKIduCv
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEFJ3jKIQE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObkGFTry2S
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uhjcYijBo
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJunwiXNu9
"I'm asking ya, kid."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Bl4FIJ3x
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8uQoTAQsV
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–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPHORoA1uR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ym1uouLu4
"It had to be an Endowment."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJldF7d8qA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1CNY1tZXN
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7EIxJ16aM
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvToM9vO75w
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSQHJLDHY3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdgkbDOaVH
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF7bXlFIp6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQJX0liWT
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyctFPEqAMf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrsVTqdfKL
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXeQJSsGD8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW92KCKa6d9
"Why not?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgDMBF5a8p
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8zwOwEfuv
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxRRSf5cf8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtetDaNkb43
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj49UpbwTGG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmTZbQFQD
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAKtdIwcb6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU6N11aBOB
"Surely, there's a better option."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59UiVExlIF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsxza1OD0C
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB3F6nh4i2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c5X07zdoe
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLL7oeg9RB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjIsOxf53A
"What if we spy from a distance?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1k444q1UF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIeYdTqThm
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkqNJfb6ND
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp3PHRsWpH
"...Point taken."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSLMHwc3Em
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpqOVO5lT6
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvSKCdI0S8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgKqTpIVgM
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGqEv4WoiD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39xAU8B8US
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK72rQ0Y4sE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmiAPkZXu4
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPqBNnZYFn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cRATAYAtT
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96kjDqOORO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6jjLuWvGo
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDhT8yuoct
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wVmcvMci4
We nodded in unison.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRhVnCP1Wp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CNHUeNWmf
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluqQGOXyTA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFPbbVirtT
–
–
–
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7agJ0u46pU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0VYdce93J
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3RwI4VHr4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU5TrxneOA
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjl2PuABzn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVHTcXpYWh
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWezg3v4qG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbvvBc1k6g
"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?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTbcT0qzE9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiuG8W3Wrq
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYUMmoZ7Iw
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDiFKk6iih
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAjWbx1tJ0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8pQFmyDpC
"Well... I won't deny that."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNcn3fi943
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe7BEbNVDN
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN6eLpgkkW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2GCi4IWq1
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ME544XzEE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ScAvg23Xf
"Again? What do you–?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uGftMvZHW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGWhDTUjZw
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEeuv04kSy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHNO4Gr3vt
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ubh2QMdVb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbLmIg3gz2
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlxN9pUYi0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbGY1LByhk
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccgZhqj6QA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta4qKitvoK
"I didn't ask ya that."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2FeC6e5nX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw9JhCkOpk
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkl5NPVaBK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVpGrS6qgW
"That ain't surprising."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoQ8HiEzcL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgg6Q7Balg
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjSDhWOYLR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQxpFiWdqY
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdg68D8UTS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E98urS3Zb
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrVEE0N0Sg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV3YXtLrQ4
"Yeah? Like what?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFSzGYpUnK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwGA9jGIsl
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkdS3mQBgB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuXEHjBNQ9
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA89EPov5P
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXIAswvp3O
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UX1HErAd9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIynL85Fi6o
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0EZeoXgff
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qQErj3CX9
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jSsHQyc03
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TkIuMlZFJ
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4QJ0JxKzj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AEhXMUzMh
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlQHaBUhUT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cgc22NQnC
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij9VrgAwwB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pOkNykURK
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–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3uLQxSXcG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOOdNDnfGK
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0RIbnx0KG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6bV7CC1gN
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
