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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjIKnfdgsD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXvc92PyUJ
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpL1dDhPm3
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"At least... I'm on my back now."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb2y1aqNHj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbJ9TNRGr6
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWFULWnwBy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtS6C8eiYp
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF41LItxCj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1qcKbpsdB
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU0ADGTyWu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ1btoM3nr
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wrlucrEF2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYdweP6aw
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHMQ8sDBtW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoA18JnqPP
I was immediately startled.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwYjBtOR55
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymEudwTQuy
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUO2g2jnwS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXpOZ6RrPm
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR667GujgK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRjzPLmRpC
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyZpo1N9EK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD4PnqKWL5
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYvYRDjq7V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDahjWTbnv
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvbyho8rTg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3MAPEXlC6
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5kiY9g18Y
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tyodENnm1
"Do you feel any better?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHIZpD1M4i
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPWL9DkCmk
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84py5JL06e
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQD7ZG03z6
"That's good, that's good..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUADsIYGLw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw6oMBp65R
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwxbSw6kYT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjw0DpQ0h2
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxBTSHXwsn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezSt02Skkc
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtws4DLRwx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vKTtkyC7n
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjHDMv8WcI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkPupgcNNe
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKdFkfo4cV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR0NY8qyH6
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RmJND2pGk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqlxS0Erg5
"H-How'd you know?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHPQqRqRfZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoahNBdFiTu
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ITqnSdkVX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNrzxBCZVz
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZJ53AFDqd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nvE8iJMAc
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdS65EneAT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FBeWMY5Iq
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?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Mx4aya17
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2jNfsoLgk
Pars nodded.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnCLfllgEt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav9EOvtJPo
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBAaoSZGIk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLJXnWHrmH
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfknjaydGD3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZL6pGw0cH
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUbAQd7GC5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWx5T3DE4b
"Mutual what?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtfLVJ3NvL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikGHAbwo8a
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDCpE5nEf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxsmhwLobT
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmwUygmloh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpPW75iJqx
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OeWigqGUJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3grI9i7RJ
"Really now..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9QN5zF36W
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDivzU8yP6
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHhaarvCqu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGLRolKsp9
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEDNWTLXl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9wCphFtgo
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XOWPbjCJx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1h6UknznR
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxJU2UQMfr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIL4uBkmji
"Wow... it must've been bad."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8ieTfF5d8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F6Nnjb6Tk
"You're almost as flippant as I am."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8UsQymX6i
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I7I62b7hX
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuVShwyBzw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa8d4FlXHC
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4OnD8FfhF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUt9g72QLL
"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..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHtJ8q3YYY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOUQMTCT3w
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W2Ek5wW9z
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm78DAORcP
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBJKDoaDHp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qvzD0AmEV
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuqa8hSbRL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92x5O40TrW
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHYoY6NCRx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2bzXcalTa
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRk5UbhIA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IfwylJBIA
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqutxIMAQA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk7ni5IsFH
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItpvBSuXpJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7A1i2jnms
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMXiUqxYck
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlQj6MYTkK
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU9NEmV1UQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdoi1Z9s98
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOGm9j4tmx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87IlwyFhrZ
"I know."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2KK5Ppw7P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjSfJR9dQj
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgyxHTACZP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2h63CCIEX
"Tell you what; I can't help you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61xXkgkwmx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmbm1IheKj
"...Are you serious?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLDojkGrC5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ98GMWhKw
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAVFc4Q5Tu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXLPUQNXnz
"What? What can?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8sKaLpltL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsz7hBDz8h
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1JcTJUVZa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSmm2ApO5Z
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIWnx5V1we
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoamofpXLH
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXtjVdR7vA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T8mKwO6ll
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qop8pbxPp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa79EeDiKk
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoTKkC6fk9
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"Give it a try."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9mprQmYOb
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOBpfYSyX9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K4nblGIvA
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnixO6xfMK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqxc0fy4jp
"H-Huh? Right now?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHfROsSRFf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjpMGKhZL5
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGilklKHUD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkMW48u2si
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e9r5ZMDd5
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–
–
–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63raKFjI60
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"Are ya all packed up?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70QOWWrBv1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI9FrlY0Li
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKlruWGM7K
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IBTPnZYHW
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvKC3n8T2G
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrx1H4voL8
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFq0Hcmf3V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhxJUyysPO
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDPiTooWN5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcKBEPWdTK
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6zdpkNeLs
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl1xNncK18
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rzkew77k5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxVYNyy1f7
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSus0TwxuR0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0PnaZHx79
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelkGAjhieU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOX1o2DwvX
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz13feBM0O6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD8SyKcAge
"I suppose that makes sense."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcWiEoIdvJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsneL0HMpoY
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6aHaFWAfL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P5IwcJ3Id
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbHHr5QvRH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIEzCP5p4z
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG5v2AtbKx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyYEHksYo3
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaf5Vxgd68
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMVNiUZRHK
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQBScHSr5b
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY7NOoBoE0
"What do I think...?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIK0B4zry0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNZFzlTpgR
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnQQahEqrP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKT8I40TJT
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnaHNKJQsF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmvKNTx3Zm
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3gOpWnIom
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwqm0ccgtZ
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaglv0n9Rk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTRRFwJetY
"I'm asking ya, kid."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5sW1hxS3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hjQX5zGjL
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–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTenEIqRqT2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxLF4aEwz8
"It had to be an Endowment."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo054RtkOvW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡser34G5rSt
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUXul5IyYd
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3lbeyXjNe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFQESgoehR
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXMkE7Xw6B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KqNj1nJgJ
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAaWrpT5eK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ034riP8MO
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pKCdsgmGP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl01PgKUx5
"Why not?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPTFxQ08yt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggONSqdvqA
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFhILYq4xz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcWAPbbLk5
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDUgAFleDi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9thkFIkvO
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgp4jkTkkL
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"Surely, there's a better option."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeLe98VC4e
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchhH82TNLF
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOjVKb9f35
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55f4SVOKK7
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1SSVM74Qr
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"What if we spy from a distance?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ba5HSjYnL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryecNHZdQu
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3hbYeoYim
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeQvrm49og
"...Point taken."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3VFaxMvch
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIiy8iEx3d
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZio3sMt5dq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9wzVOKwsm
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtzpLlZLVX
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3P7chVKmZ
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7La6CvPm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cy90pZ1aB
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMkv2mqOVB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8RCMFbHJM
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZgYpEPTpY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU8n0rrIAD
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CzVOiT0Q2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQMnbGXGgq
We nodded in unison.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanvXs529Jy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0JA9ScVFW
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgCM5TvQ4s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx3QIqdVER
–
–
–
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaGUGpBWcA
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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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ifhZi75b
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WE3ARzIwZ
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1E5I9B5Ok
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTGsg8PSrt
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIQIjNa1YA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8h8ufP88W
"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?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij5goVTsSh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkfXNoufu2
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzQ1gweIwq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy98EXRgvB
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmRNCPROwh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIqyAYv5tz
"Well... I won't deny that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FttfkgeRM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeQZqrafxl
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvYrA6tsd2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17StGDpMhZ
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7VOenQA9P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxEjktXAgp
"Again? What do you–?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmswmYm2vQ9
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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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl2IT6VacQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBPLMxaRvE
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGglhX1DhKK
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIxjRXZhTU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF7g4NInhn
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmNPtrYBve
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHA7CWcDqw
"I didn't ask ya that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TKsIZdKOj
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"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aEDddvJ5R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiv7VbqsfI
"That ain't surprising."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEJ9DxJD6U
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7pJJ5oXgy
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTKOnO3DoJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rFSvKQMhW
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZhmymNa2U
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw5JFBAsO8
"Yeah? Like what?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMosXvefj5
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"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsmOhLXPF8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzwwLJTM7L
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzphA1pRDQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlUVs4fHcl
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkAmhJv6Ly
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOQcvi2u78
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMySS9Jgix
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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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Au7SqDD1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAMCTMhubo
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ183pIIwUFg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCOESk65fJ
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKcBgwGuav
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBEyZOS7sp
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnaPotMtaP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh5UwEDCNC
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–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y4O1zMWcd
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclD9YesDNa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUtvQJ1cpA
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
