Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFb16T1Fu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmQJqgDd3X
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN5BXdT2Ed
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0D9qtWgWE
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyF5CdA04Q
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0oSyOIpNx
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9kDEziMuo
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L7nXmkrYv
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC73kfq7KSf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcwZOGA6WM
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0VPglD6vI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BM897d7Od
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCAMl0hDae
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKlhgGDl27
“Well?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaO7IiSiVu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ8xNPlmO4
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75E8GX1nTX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGobOGrSsv
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYbBJwbQ4Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO2fWYbDow
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQc0p57tTr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14IwDycB4W
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT75HXyOP3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosL41J5aJ4
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAY05SzP4j
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA5Miemc7J
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde8i7YyrCq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUKL7XS4A4
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFGiC3mr2b
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclnsIc8xsm
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k6m0sKYQS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLROCnwbQi
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT3diykjFm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtcKhQfZdn
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSjtHdM8AG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2mNflLckL
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaUtKou7LL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqRaC8BTEo
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCdNTXdhLt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXQPNIPAbf
“...Yeah.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs70ptlnqls
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajxehFWFM6
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0uSRqCgOj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7XYCTeWLW
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpln3YCqpQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjZKiJ82bs
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs9NHON0Sv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0kzjZNkWk
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFbc70fQPA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W3rM3QY3X
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzB66t05hs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceMp8WeQdp
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W78ZMGRvO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s7VpSDl7L
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc31eEqUoEI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMci94X8jL
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVNcT20iNQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xb0QsDxpF
“...?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxIU9B6X7w
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYxv2BwEHA
At that, I had to tilt my head.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ObL3D1iqL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFVsiJH3qr
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5ytj3Df3e
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj48CSnWln
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK5hgKCMI8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IocQ5cyM9
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohzOCvofyt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jh7CtelkS
“Dennis still ain’t here.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCuj6S75wk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV777on5Loi
“...”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStTpRIAYlL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiQcjSCzgo
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTLGhjs8CW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVrPeGTUGC
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwoM2TaDuO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe84QlaEjt3
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqlsWsDw51
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlzdgEQaqR
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEAkg6B0R8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3jlXMiW4N
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyG2nIjp6V
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CdV1Tg7P8
“--!? W-What!?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KbupQUBUO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnyJK7n4Kn
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHfhH2tkwp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHnN1EPRNh
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn19pb1s7uS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE8BUF2uTO
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27D6fRFkmH
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxz7ysO2HL
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zmghV9jCE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bFGSJsCxd
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb09z8y2TG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l2rz4L11L
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZJYrbuL1F
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx39ZCN9QD
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoFMSqNcmS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqyz8OULfy
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTeGVjNSJ6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItBpRkcq5G
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWTRIZS6Qi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58wqqvTYid
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp3XEHJaKD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxvqtTxCAL
“...”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4et7rnp4Pd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmRKFp6Hlr
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPz9qPoRY8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFd4TsX7dw
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwY3FutHBG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH9mPRnN5u
“I-I see…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMNuONdeKX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2AqCnlDx6
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxIgzGbKLD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQIEKLmaPn
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz30S5Tqasm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8Pji2bjl9
“You don’t, ‘get?’”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UGVABMzhl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qQnjVmzDO
“Y’know, when–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMU7tfczgv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu0rrdNH03
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQHcMfhwvF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsVflgEw3l
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g9UDhlCQj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6I36SBqRo
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxfNNK2YsR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMttG2RNOd
**SLAM**131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvydmZB804R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9eBVk43ir
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvemNIojPT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27ebTjoeoQ
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFgZNtOMoj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfmNgH40rF
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUyFeRZTbz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WJ3cUL1CV
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnhO13oFuV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSxNdYmt8C
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNuDhUUlhC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZLYEaOYoW
“M-Mister Dean.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rETrYbAsQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uNnQ3uYr2
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXSyW0o117
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM65QITtdDV
“Yes, child?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7wT49IrfN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z63OHJUNg
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBXYtz19y8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHGZQKHhcI
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFLKmub2vH
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqImXZolUF
“R-Right.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib2K6N13rq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpUGWXMkuy
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl633AErU0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtLk4Wq7E9
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9anF3y1R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKVPZ71Q3U
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszfBicY3pn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaekVhWYSmJ
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwL4m13XUi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UGn2mdXtP
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV9u2XvVEk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEh8G9YmPY
–
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–
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–
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxIWMl3IW5
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZYVvMqSMa
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXSwQpduso
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QTHmfyUBb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LTGJ8LkH1
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACIqVRJn0F
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz0momZlxM
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkRBf4Oqxd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS6gzZ49J9
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBNb7OesiV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUbqeiaMVE
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD1EHNjqmc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx3wdmOALj
“Haven’t you explained that already?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkpMpovDyW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYNNzGB4O0
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIbpGilfHU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlekRomms6
“What’s that?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNkoyED3Wm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F8CsJ0h2Z
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvZaBUjTwn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7gVwyRTSL
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFboFsFreyh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct1S1yKTr0
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gDzjeQ9FN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShZP8VXmWb
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMH8FRKzqp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElZFcOTKzS
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89J9D5FpxT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWScLmCK6zP
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2gnt6iraa
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ2EST4hRF
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2npYBE47W
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GyuhbFyol
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt6ezsN81Q
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS8YPXQbyI
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6AAhR9aZ9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7jCJWWP2j
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMTD7RPbG4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvITFyEYJV
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYomY4g7WR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoh8u3VN2Q
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3aiBpc0RV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wys6qZN1d
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEPs9W5MFD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUUVlFP1EF
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tkMiwp2By
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“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3urpBaJ3Z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDofix28ru
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIt3pGBRs0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZDKkhGLXG
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktB34jIfiT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YodWTaX7s
“I think it likes you, child.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I165cSAdQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJFy8jWZvI
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiggfTAqm3J
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgga6I4c0D
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90ILVhl84F
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUU0PmlFjO
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“Hah?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWq1RV83bN
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAkrTgiHrk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwpTfDCsN0
“I… smell like flowers?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLFjuPU6Dt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytnXJyaibU
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qNZdLQ64B
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCNnSTiqBx
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwS8FDYwgc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre7rPoRDv4
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBcs0UW9wV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXltM2d4AXy
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIw4bXfsTB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXtogk7yL5
“Really? I didn’t know that…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIR3jitw9M
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“Ahem, moving on–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4JHLywUl6
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRyCIvFBhZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xWmAItiRP
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF0dfW5buG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnzX4s60hr
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIV1Y3CWzs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJfYXZ0Lxe
“May I know why I’m being told this?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHpfkd35wW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5J5BHSuAS
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPZkYiRA3Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC7kutEzFX
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeggWsI1Z5w
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdMeyd698Y
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wPMps6KKB
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“My help, you say…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCkzIJTzxw
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsoUMM50iF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKLJWguLFx
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBgio2WxEr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0IgENC07m
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmOzX90uA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWor3XOADZP
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibbZw0xySO
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“...Energizing potions?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvreGFU8YQ
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWagbpcjEu
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7OsMWetZT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwg21XJ8u6
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69wQr8TOfq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AOZi38g6q
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxttUzFsqWl
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbMwccmEiX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDVSj6MA3L
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz71FAz63g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGDGDSOok6
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1a7MkQSM1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi0QHrm1PU
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JM1eAVj9U
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhc4PMLMKO
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“Is something wrong?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p3yd1hF0o
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7jqWdaeSg
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“Well, kid–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSwvJGzOB5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4P9xyP5bV
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb2ZlsJ5AF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkArd6O2iry
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq602pd8d2e
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ2bfdPR1U
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb9D119HYE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VRLrAZEov
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguYksa4vNg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBGGFz8oOw
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0WMnBg03l
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFjcqDBfL6
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjC7waDnnM
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“...Comfortable.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBizpjVBNj
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7rSIXTfZR
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH2N3yK3Tr
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBb7ErF7t0
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgZOTlvcr9
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Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBqNiKbc4U
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“...A little bit here.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvVgEc2Npm
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It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPz93gVl4l
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXeCUozQ82
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB5eyT4M6D
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hO47ABmd4
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF99RBKTqqZ
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I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALiUF5ySMB
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“No time to waste, though.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88BYWdZe1D
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFrizNJZMJ
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsW4IOFnnI
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvbW4LjWR2
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“...Crap.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4dkfsTBZx
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa80kbXjoW
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDteFaXDycK
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfrzCbcCEx
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C4l9WAKZ7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6LjHtBO6k
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadD6vy9eyl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY6EHAJRdu
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sF3fiKaeU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LUtHQwC7F
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaihCrIvH0n
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStWnEtusSV
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqkS3AnNQe
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsChiqf24
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYNXC6IHG7
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KuVgH1Cm9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOmMrlOTO6
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C592cup73
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ879kN9de4K
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39n0n25sB6
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nLyHkGjFX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WUOrxMcxM
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VD6f3tEs1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzTxtVSGCQ
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pC0A2F763
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“N-Nigel!?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl6ibzzOHf
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfPG892UkB
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“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRNZ1naA8g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMpHemkttg
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuYixRjFsr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaxJie1XBY
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts1Gms9asT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2v4GV4VUr
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vkdxUYcAW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdOhDPZD8J
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DMihAr1FO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE0FtMj857
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnjN6bI1DV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLnyIaBHPN
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkD2FBur4I
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“Is this… a clamper?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t0MceSiUN
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzeN85IYXk
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w2nc68siI
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZYyM9WlIf
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“That I asked you?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI7c9OlGMc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffXs7sV2Ue
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekNVyb7oFl
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX2huJyY2N
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6DUwikYdw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1XkmYtkVW
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4CFHcEdv3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnkPctf98J
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWHdvy1L2R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQras29rRJU
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQlawdIAF9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jRd6LJBD5
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJtcC6MCLe
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt7yc5d0td
“How did you–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROOM8iaTnA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY03D5ONDLc
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv1T639Ex9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6maoV3lnG
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHvVVOja7l
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhcr7pImLT
He continued cutting as he spoke.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdUslWgu1n
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdjzn8QmDT
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LULfVVle1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtWIFTdK2G
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquQv0PXf1O
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ5yquJr1k
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjuyO1TSia
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOswX5MOuiJ
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBcDANbsjm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B1uFri3QT
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJOBViRqyg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVMGQd5gMA
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGNoLgsYJg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB1Qzo3k2h
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBZQXPu8p1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKOYUvu5nm
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioSTKUoMjh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13k11edMno
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc8feUsYuS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum2f08M8ec
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLOD5G8Id4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HsIbbmUZf
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlZi0mZRHz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdv8aa6sB7
“I… darn it, you got me there.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfFnd3doWZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN78J6jbx9V
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI97aOOFQLJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ9xOK8DqH
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRWReewDCY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmGTJrWUV0
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6UPEdEOa1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWnFRNJoSA
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVwftbovHc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOq824YUlI
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ukUQVabB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn96wkA6H7f
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTDIVBj1JN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflOMbtrEG2
I looked at him with pursed lips.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyiJVfCnpY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpTEF3x5Wy
“Why not?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZQtmp0cn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2VNUbSpbQ
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzveEZka0gc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3zoNSqyZ7
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcLdxUjJ7T
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzagGuAdpoo
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGilu3OwdyY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcNAJDEMAq
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhgxE07DLN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpvek9a2dL
“--!”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtkV6bS04t
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2adlU388b
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhKfsMHoie
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhozUTaBuNH
“Did anything else happen?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4EOAwlVpQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbG9U7WmiX
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8uVpJUQ6o
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbwp4Ypib3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacXIHlrBXA
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuvjAzplEE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFskdrhrvY
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfKRcz6H0y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mkZMPTEgt
“Uh…”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx0YPO2XDh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXwsGolomf
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vqBrmG8fB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaktrq5Ruz
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrw7i2XEoG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNYDL0kxJx
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUBCwAtLWx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuSAkDJgoU
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyEzD0bYJP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3YpDDdKiZ
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YnlVNRE3J
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEixVhh862
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB26DPTNqrs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jixF3FTgu
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTncydsq0K
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKwT7ezhXR
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbyggVeOj4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6LWhbdj3e
“...O-Oh.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0zFokcyk1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwIKSDdz8c
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxXAAobPep
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VyvZQas6N
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU7VKApFDi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAohibFEiss
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdpRL3nx3g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlX05GdhZs
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7q0bf0IEQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDWHKY2omX
“Make sense? How?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3JyjfxEpc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIcj6nhjZb
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfQmxZHadp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7LIlYJTtD
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjSK9qVhlr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkORXxAPWL
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwazlKLwTlJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I3FHFqfjL
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHaIOI2bMi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYeZL7V1TK
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg2I2YQvJM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP0ReiRznP
“So she still fought alone, eh?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7087uy2uON
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79MYcGdCkJ
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndojAw7vQ6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHf5xhrp9
“Relieved? How come?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM88kNTSIv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gn8zwtKdb
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMtiJsSZpk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XFVzWTVLg
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6TL8JtACF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcxxZbmMK5
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxcY3kxDtL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3om8n4YldK
“You’re probably good friends with her.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSuCujXkLw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoLVad16NR
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt39kociNnf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUqDRQ8FsT
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjbhyoJa8u
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXkyqTC3gc
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeGTkkDMqW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvyvUR3lkl
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqUI9jNtEf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRoV47IwjX
“H-Hurt? What happened?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooHjXiVBKk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo70VFzw3XM
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqkcb7EGbw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1B2v40ZSh
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxJZCBxt0s
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYMe7cPWsw
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk4XXqLtlA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBCoJeKktj
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisyXMTx3cK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uoudAWMwJ
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfldEU7xYt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUKbYTKQfG
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivcf8kRfgy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxEON3LdUx
He shrugged.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFiY7e0hsE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlV74dXdxY
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseLm86KYbY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEUpcMT5Jc
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo43zsaw7D
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLdjCW75qe
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kDI0rOAyG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkAs3sVh36
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWtgUY4q6S
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIsjxOfd0C
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjURou4MF3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoJjOALmzs
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSgRU1r3ri
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HiXOUCVuf
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXhYoxOgYb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fCJVAqa5y
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mLioMERWL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSns3kdI5t
–
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6LTZJatm1
–
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCu6L3wlmK
–
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjq7UbhZXj
“...Role model.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGE8cHmYiE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEy3Fechkl
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjUxzoyUq1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvhoBqdadD
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn4kkbCd8Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM19S7INYw
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyvbuTKWaF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV153iKLSv
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3l6vROtwN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPxx0cCQf
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR3IMHASHk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ut25ewcWM
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVIzZO2QTL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbXAbN937m
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksH7tuodLN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJfhjESwpX
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6SLTy3D5H
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c3poRQkU3
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
