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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4DLuQEMYC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJhdTZX3rJ
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwmFhuJ2kx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTcCFQNqtp
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVfrfy1igR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86tS54MuDN
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ45sqZ22JB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSXZsfXLl9
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8YeLUvQbe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlUuRcOkmr
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnLquJSis2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRc8lEkF05
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYbrN9KtDB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM6HYPyBYY
“Well?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJfXhCnh3v
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXN2g3LPa7
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjL8I2GGzc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUrdY03sr
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowYlh5NAuF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0721x6F81
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhPbvPDltx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocIf9ZZWzv
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoWyNDjVM5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmkhYHiNgP
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYMKyBOFds
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhfwgWHzqK
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkATCDBAnqV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLa10GfaXM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQVD89q6m8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAWj8naCEq
“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…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk8bFqRLCE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gyPbve7ZB
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYev80X97
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uPrGcFE3y
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbqYDOBNTj
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez4aEdEFJm
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MlslcRoQ3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wvSg9zWNU
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfBkLhbiry
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe0Ju7LhgU
“...Yeah.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYBAJadxfM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3fxAqPusu
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUBVGSTdg8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16wKx7ReXT
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOZ5LjqCAr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1i6AioM1D
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J4iiCCLmC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOh0IIn80u
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc2Gv2YUhV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30UmZsO8KP
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS1SFJFKXi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydw1iUNY7K
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa8xq3TzRP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtsao2ZiUM
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzJVYjM15l
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0FJgeQll0
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDsK4pFgqu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnu37eb4RO
“...?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSLDCEHGby
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6YRIFfZ8U
At that, I had to tilt my head.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAskAUa2vN2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1fJhJsOyS
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSJcY4DH2b
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwBGviwqt1
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt00LsDtIcn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6agb1Srq5N
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBED23kGuDe
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtYSr2haVA
“Dennis still ain’t here.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFp3Pb8xki
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9ytQlrDqm
“...”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0MCg1Xs54
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgAsQBGLZ4
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvP8R3UGNB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yzaavza8a
“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–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVV1YPda2X
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo8EfZBRSl
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQphLnaTHuY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31PYehGySO
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW8HHI0n2c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNyO751GhY
“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’.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tfJFANeMa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0G5vmqtuN
“--!? W-What!?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuomVPgF81
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oWFUzOn1P
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxwZ0Nu4sR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhcjOUBxVY
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDokk1hjLv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsqRXOMiE2
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5w6LCBdvr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5E0i00z2c
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipWv7o1vl3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y7uBEF9i3
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJnjtp0koV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7d2kbbct4
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJaKZaWqq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkidrfxniol
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtd2AE1ArT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ753Dit89Wc
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86itmf38AG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3uddoear7
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfitH07JLL2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIIyab65R3
“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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSueXwRMRp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4lLU1vLNx
“...”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vjUXXlj15
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7KLdEfuiz
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEQuLQ9QhT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjLMYHApA4
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFuHTBo2Mm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCxiyuN7lD
“I-I see…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91VEUmPWIL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTf8z4dHM5
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9jIMJcpqB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTjSmZJPFK
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk82LVUrwI8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPXsNDjzmq
“You don’t, ‘get?’”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotF0HwvJR7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfb4SMIGi6
“Y’know, when–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTXHkpafsB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nyDLj7vI6
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB56dqKWXBV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxNcdB2SJv
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3N8uFSTTw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg6sjMRnpr
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizlhacRQRr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGNqSLPy4P
**SLAM**192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomKGTdOcg8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCdsYYeJy
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1ITaudUCY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O8mPEKOcs
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VO8lEk90R
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySBBiSbEvH
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRsc4tToSk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgeIPLGQXM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDNRHLfQO0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXNyII67vU
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywEW0VHGf3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuONdLrWj7
“M-Mister Dean.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuMxUrWG3V
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1WGns2YKs
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeip986KD8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMp41kCaIe
“Yes, child?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecTpcnCU1W
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnnf81qv9v
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW7pmn9Crb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SKjIJHaYO
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1bwS8bTST
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0FobisaQ8
“R-Right.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Wwz76hT8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxN3P6r0UK
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuabFIf8GFd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Z5Otsxok
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgR72GUfnR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx5At63I8y
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc9pm0htq9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKVmNUZWnx
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3xBEYeYKl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMQpC0OFG3
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCYwANJsUY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZZkVVPXV
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XMGcIyuYB
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMW9LPRYYV
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLRZYb0h1J
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UqnepiKkg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo0jIX2Fd8
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkTo5cB8z6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumLK5WU290
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzXJwY2umJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Ui6MHTuQ
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoegCSoELa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLweQDlaS6
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ7txr6kP1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhl5BWb2Dk
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUSpakRlRc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav2n08NHeA
“Haven’t you explained that already?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ3rpOC0Qa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIr3hl0NKI
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0V0oHFsZb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53aJLd8SHL
“What’s that?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpN0vCt2zP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbiRr7sqgy
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cOb6UIuA8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm2Tz3nrK0
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpe8rgoexy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdfDrjd6zv
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:192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ULmd1ydPZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LNjHcYQa
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kvIgLPGvm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8HhLNmlD2
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgT1gu7YvL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszcmD6UT2v
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P79xE3KPc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkCzzVCmNv
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdozh1VzL67
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN66HCaJT7O
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcpmqFCD3m
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiYqqYd4BF
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ceEFbBOr6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUegCwOxwyL
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8spQkhIc27
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA2PtyKudP
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qe9G7trLw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyvrXFKcJS
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGvuz4OMxq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuOQbYALSN
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bbaQDfgCE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnqboef82D
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB6YLbQD4X
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGs65yhZyn
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI7YaZi5DI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoeIsMlZMA
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgmByx1ZMW
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UFXLJJeNk
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhwT9iZvLN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVmfo30OCG
“I think it likes you, child.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3FLUNNcyP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW86njs42Fp
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm20V8KRWz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwlT0916Y
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhfVsYbFpg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h8COzIpl7
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTCZkvbnWw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E2e6SpmeW
“Hah?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGXT0alkgZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoVb2vkps1
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvszbYMZyIz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnvz0RyZIm
“I… smell like flowers?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVWu7xuFPX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO9MSEjO8a
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREGlACzY06
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nnCp02CPE
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhl7TjR7IV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONo2FMSZ7r
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZbWtwLfQB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1zq3UeBox
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5b61Q46IP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0CvPnHGHF
“Really? I didn’t know that…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwDWxy1AKV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxqQQTuioD
“Ahem, moving on–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9l4Apcdjt
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tEz7gMsM7
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpClEmu4IhC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hXpQMEGkK
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1YF2XYAji
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3E8FAMXIR
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:192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwzWMteEF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOfEv2e9Xs
“May I know why I’m being told this?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZGjzIXDh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKWrE5sQsR
“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?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMGbdRZgON
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXUJIXPLpE
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHksA7z6NoH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKCSkFpCkA
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Gzqnxruq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq7o4YI2Kk
“My help, you say…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEfy9V4s8D
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1KhjXpdZF
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDvqDVttHp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhodcMYoaJ
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLQ2GNdsDs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EF4NgS0KO
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh8PykIM6E
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEytdTGBv0
“--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?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0kSU1wePA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgKsEMlmX4
“...Energizing potions?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy8RgCUwmE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueEAitmMhh
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1rJOOtVML
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlurGSiey2
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWa6dqkCtv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55h5UcbZsZ
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y0hI9CD0W
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdONqnN7vZq
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDTvXZYqYQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSKsZPwVFD
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4dwYLbS2E
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4GJqXtSGN
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqHrHaXRU3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgDUM9SSnV
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFqxQLysMK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n628XbknJ
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7IZauG8r5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc63NHjq7sZ
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuGH9SBR23
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uGSKjycdn
“Is something wrong?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkaUpRUkZr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w3gmGyZFD
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs16dkpcwOt
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6fZy8VISa
“Well, kid–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOEEDPZvlH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhmMfujlkU
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuEHz9sUdp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiSeWZg9S7
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGzztL07Np
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XyIpXE4wx
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOw9H2jkjs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gz9vqjvrx
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxM5082jAk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyeNDcvwbp
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrVYACfSyQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23rjMtjno7
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm5HrARZ85
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCU8o4ePuN
“...Comfortable.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6bcJMnUIU
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G6t86I9RZ
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxMWbqPdiq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFSXSRbimD
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsS8sHVxe4
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzNxpMue3g
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5BkAjFfA0
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UthH7xtpy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxEJ0npMZ0
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKJ2mJbbRK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAhczQ5Vee
“...A little bit here.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFhY7QNti8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL3fHMDUgR
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8OLAcG8wV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwcUddrV4N
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuWt3C0n5l
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUHHHHEkrB
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATI91qiB9Y
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXgcGUVPdR
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW5IphB4Qo
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX4cH3MhzU
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp8Z62wMkh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCECTxlJCa
“No time to waste, though.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhDWwABK1h
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m7hpuHNRq
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfpeFQxZI4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVfUcQeIta
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMGfV6PsAa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LHIrj1wAO
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJkuwYAYV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZSKgDWeTJ
“...Crap.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvstmmujQqC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7f4YiRNZX
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnTyLxiX9z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtds5OvAo4
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy15ZkkGPE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7wtSyTbNL
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCYPU4QEW1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK6AR1HGRm
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzAvxsKwXv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCcuqijxl1
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNzyfB3l7c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBj5td7v4h
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAWKUmA7yZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTenXOvO8q4
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq59M1SkBjO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1sPnDhJ6G
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmIfZwjoVI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjeOZodPIs
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ftrQVtU1r
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS1VAWLXUC
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjOSBvtmI8
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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?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjbUcRTTp3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYF4PUboxh
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfgkvOBkci
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTYTRrXY7e
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ064ubewxdb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00c1CdKNf5
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh65jHjkZDE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvHmzflWjW
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6kHcvJryR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MJFlKwTrD
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZjzw34ZPy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB27lXQw7Be
“N-Nigel!?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5xk4aLhZa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ764bBgjMdh
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl8EGCUhyB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9g2F9MkKB
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0aYkSL0ki
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpP03hvAeE
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN28b1w3p2s
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7M4Nug6gl
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVQAoqJEw1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCjYSWQmuj
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMYS26THrN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMm4iRB9V
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMwEevSMhG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjwT4LqF7r
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGwMwzgCGD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JTzchTB6Q
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIoeI9WoIK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqhDLSaVrR
“Is this… a clamper?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdY01fSk2P
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP6QxAEkrP
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdMNpwCjFO
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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.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetYVAirC2w
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSOr7zWoll
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsFdnTM8hw
“That I asked you?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6cArWtxLC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cGMYSYtkv
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ8atotCuC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySUBzBZOy9
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ge4dL2xAS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWgd7jpjJb
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBgPxs20bJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlVV0PHBoW
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv46R4I2eaL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtyg2fDO1t
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyNPFFaHvL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhy3NLchWn
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeDeRlbgHZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8US8WgRba
“How did you–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMrpTG2C0y
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMC1TsYRYR
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYBmaquh0V
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzusV9H56c
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixqFmAs5xh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEsaera2Jz
He continued cutting as he spoke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw1I81w9id
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzDbMMA7Zn
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfL4FyPsxR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ZoaDwqXI
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNzOScCETd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6PtVC1bWr
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ6gVt3Wh4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPmsL0XRcc
“...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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6diG0sqS9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU1vVuQmkK
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF97hkCeff
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4T65JK4NS
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRL4G3aFVf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUIqUqpwdH
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeJyCmdrGu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMbSPKIMS8
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCrySQKHGO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d1gO6MAP6
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:192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdCRNb9Ki3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cUh4cyaeo
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcl9HIU91
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAdOFXRzbM
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnqTYWATNI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84iPhHB8Ff
“I… darn it, you got me there.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg79bODR1LN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0o3r3NXq4
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78dCev77AB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGp4CmNb2l
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXzdjcm19h
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlorMtf52zd
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUeMgqgtc9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zVM1VtVo
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh7f9YvX3Z
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFwJPxtzlx
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsClSdfGSPC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY126EwVrP
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrWGJnbvDR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tSCptMF4T
I looked at him with pursed lips.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdDpi64z63
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuUedgpRuA
“Why not?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxiERcBA4m
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ayXSaGxtt
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca160fvrYy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuLHayC9fW
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BirNmYvb0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2mUhSskC4
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRuJoWBp4U
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwGmd0moLA
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBVHXGj4bq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvzji0jSQF
“--!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ7F28cSQY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhX08IYp0n
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. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiwFoLceqA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA6vshhZyh
“Did anything else happen?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKOasMzj4j
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPzy3L4Oqy
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqip4cpNLjK
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqh53GZe4J
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jwt1nTF9y
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT17YShuvqm
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vNE9eC3BZ
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUVOLF7bEN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrZ2ty2NRF
“Uh…”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4j2vN1hxi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF6IHTMjNt
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG73xb6Ax1e
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp97eEduUXJ
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSNaHFGzoF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvdlhrwgSe
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOhs5OnXED
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDEfoo0Iwt
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1VEt6lBM9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4Zg5bNBO
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7t2DxcMIx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFajBaIsjJ
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWBMfy90Da
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6E2UbVojj
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclnOxXx8tx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdM0X8ePwV
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPv6GcrtPq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlIObkYPyK
“...O-Oh.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG7lwnvrQf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuo5LhN3dG
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXxezB0PoJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N3DtyXcUN
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClsUEsEWGF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk22lGQfWOv
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsOq0feShl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsy25uRpXT
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxMYfLhWRr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xt2LdTOvy
“Make sense? How?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKlbIa2Cua
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBEDlnAVs2
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRyx5TFh3d
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsEaxNsxLV
“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–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWs7geLCOZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7j4h307OX
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEC1WYK0du
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltSbsEo5qw
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l8059gCBx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlGLTzVWBK
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0I5BT2P9V
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtomqWqcSzE
“So she still fought alone, eh?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvMSvZXuVO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3NgbwlHVU
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQlokGmEMX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRAOSiocXb
“Relieved? How come?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsaNnUL0ej
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bjpSR94dq
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhb7KXA06a
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpQCORTm9U
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTuKVdWSLn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzPIWwkT4Y
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwr9lsug3G
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0GWSRfbWA
“You’re probably good friends with her.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlw9bKt5GM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Iufq1byjw
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOdl8WR6VJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnNSXXDy0x
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcv9O0MZyy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDUGRkXzNt
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteyX0NFhfy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1sMg4hWHq
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXwsa4UynJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QovVuB5wg
“H-Hurt? What happened?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbiPc3uAhB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i6hRK2qte
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWk0f1pc1v
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tJg3Mxyzj
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOPLZW406x
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7rypkeOl1
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoz36VvJaF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPJqe6dAQB
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplpSqD1enE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3oRDOLa9j
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4p1luUxrT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIEteDiKol
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiYWjU1lMz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Ao1GLA2S
He shrugged.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YclCFjm4x
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJXcTP1b0M
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9K5VOtSs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0MVXNxg0G
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFq1nH7OHd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA7lu3s8eM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8WHIoGgnR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXFcZpOoJa
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HQkUvIhHv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnna3g2YI5L
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE5ZLjLZOR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nQqsheEaJ
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq2gwhlP7k
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7u0tHcVG7
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rI7TwQY8N
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUy0qhXuyr
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs9lF4XfFz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx40u3ETDrn
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXNC2NO4uw
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIobrSWNC5s
–
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVpOQSXWon
“...Role model.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fQhWTD8YX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAjLDHbC9N
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHwWnbDKTP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEZ7eucE05
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Sj8mfknu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd769kOdNNr
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dlzkBjoaj
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDeZawd5Wf
“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.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhNw7obpJa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLDi9sur6l
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EswB7DbMR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi42TtTjZv
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTjYqwV0UZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGzta8s1B
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNOTWSuuQT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZaOhrNiUM
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcgS3ioJCZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJq7hQaAq8
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
