The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
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“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIK6EykAOo
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A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIrbGa4XRu
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmqR2IamJ7
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I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLipxyLCUOd
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Doz8xbdD
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“...”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcUvFJzwkB
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXHVJLBFgE
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqz9OpaciL
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRPdQ68WFN
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFJGJaMNxh
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Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rr8Mf712N
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“...”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzqKvVemEX
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGI6N9ukuK
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit3c2lcbAq
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVgAAfGXFC
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY0VluV9a6
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“Yes?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGSghoALwG
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHINhyK6kh9
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“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyCA27lHzb
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFSaZy7fj0
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I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkMsMTVa7I
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPcEwXTp7n
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYELpYohacu
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczDz1sF1qj
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I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ3RuOCsAF
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnfsfuAOaM
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“If you insist.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8juokB7ygy
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT7GZv7Ayp
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“Kenny?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GwKcSLY2j
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRmyzui3z
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“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXsAcWcRPD
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I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0mW1XypyL
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3E4OeE9uX
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkP5OMe1QG
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYSxCDrEiF
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlegek3n6ZA
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“I see. I see, I see…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyv7VtSJHT
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjppQNrJBv
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTGBl7Kgxy
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“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bv1x6dJ9H
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“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaZJt0n40J
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She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekAC542JLZ
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“Please?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8vb8kZjMW
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9GJfzNyl5
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AmSgsvZ0p
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“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAZmaaKkYA
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh53ijlwD6l
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“–How long have you been an alchemist?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4kUooFXuY
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKuiGz553M
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnpssHtoJy
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYlaRr4NA
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“I started young. That’s all.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nf67JdDX9
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReJP2MNHfo
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“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZo71Oe7z6
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NBirmDgS4
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKj0rn1pvq
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqgzqjhdqI
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She jumped and then waved her hand.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELK1U8VCmF
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc883QZHhJ
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“Right.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmMaPaY657
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRQvslNRKk
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She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2VqM0vMTa
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAquokyDCdg
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“I– Wha!?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtiFW5i8Up
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ4In9OFtH
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIQAI4Gvet
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFw7Ciem48
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“Your own… peace of mind?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNQKTxpEcv
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOZT7xQbPJ
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhImSVViEJR
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhJapnbovK
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGMHc6y4AV
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruOoDTQg6l
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yhsq9hbgZ
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She shrugged at my comment.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGlM7zIZx
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd73NlqqJ66
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJQhdgWDwo
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“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldFDyClEq
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlyq7iz3ko
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOB8yr8SLP
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI53h2jaPP
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“...This is ridiculous.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcfcsR5jBQ
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVYxdDtlY1
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUhY9aPQ35
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In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqekFnTBMo
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Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpJyJ9qa00
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQetIllnav
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNbnfG67M8
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“...Hmm.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNIIA9SO2Z
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWJZpwtPLX
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“Do whatever.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczCkRBbHmo
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi9X3rk84g
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57qNzo4Tk7
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While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5OEAzABDZ
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“D-Darn it.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI1IlfMqpR
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lxlHzMlwq
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“What are you doing here?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5xMkVqAVR
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98eA2rngQ6
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHWTWjOXPK
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“...U-Uh.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eRBaL1J9P
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All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxm4JANNuH
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GkENkfW8c
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3eoqSLGoQ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWsyyIfOb8
“I… I-I.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiP774JmoE
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw98gXnAifQ
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlvFApEXqO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel811lLchU
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQjiN8RuGo
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGoYXNrNJO
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOpZPFCCFK
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOla3puRCM1
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa5EXyjiyJ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsiiVJ0IQ8
“I-I’m here.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zCw8fMpEW
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87PUUXSoXb
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQwIssehay
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IB0ej8UGy
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoShhHXcjr
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtEBhF797P
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ewQnZTYm9
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7W04mqmtP
“I…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vUwwobEcv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WglQchE73
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlh8Ww3Zyp
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2BFuOmIxs
“Hello, Rover.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtOJrI03BO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtZVab6IeO
“Hey, Kenny.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfEIC77GhW
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSQdqT1Pdp
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaY7BhpEf1
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqgFKcBbu3
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOolgNKxcP
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6F3G3qmIJ
“Cut to the chase!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRPdWNWCZh
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqZJlVyedh
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1mcuBNaM3
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaEQyowZ4o
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig7vWLxzAl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkTtsWj5Up
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrn3xDyLrV
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g1yqXCeO2
“Y-Yes.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7BMkYAZSO
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNG4PkOoYq
“Now who told you to do that?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcCPxCIbJ6
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2itezj1Efx
“W-Well–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiB5EiG7dx
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcZSPHZfbx
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOqz7xRMky
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS5JqVCbkT
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmVImMQUCT
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD1N51JWQt
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1viLR5MTJl
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVW0uWPQO
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBQfv0LlNW
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ICT3vl2oe
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj79ZhX30L
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zVHaUs44D
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58noUMONHt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIbqWXPlxO
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh070Ne5R7
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaj2wewMI1
“I refuse your treatment!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGStcDAmpto
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“H-Huh!?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mUre7bY36
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo0yUajvhn
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkBUFx0Ltx
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhbFoI4D8d
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bk8j1KbRE
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjhaMv02jk
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ8YXKBrwh
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vNcFFevvo
“I– Wha?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiksbKlV5c
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I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqDPCMpNxC
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16enprlPUZ
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7LBamnjyE
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvFbRsHAD7
“Stupid? Weird!?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAS82LQlj5
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Odq5Ooyl
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1jHyhmZ7A
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUSCJaD32f
“...”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7z6gujfZP
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The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmIovFmCFt
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1vEESCvn
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yPUGP9MNN
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1VJfwyltn
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5daSJab93
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xukt711sJ
“It’s because I upset you.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJApmWL7X8z
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPPTTGajV3
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEa0Y0eAgu
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Z6xu13LH
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vf89UW12n
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0w1oGc800
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQluf0FzMe
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrr7FP871E
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuEd3PI31H
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZixGEiz9M
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYiDCesk3I
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ25ik6hvlR
“S-Sheesh.” 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCNSJVJWnv
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I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX860aoARdj
“How do I use this thing?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9RrPqhPlK
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEsTowglw3
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8NlahBnZP
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93BWAZzx70
“Drinking works for me.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvOkrfphDT
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7hXQlYEDB
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gramYzgm0
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U0OwDTO0E
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K5sHwwget
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94UkK0Ngim
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vEa0yRE2Z
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8AQ5BGgYV
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcBVS3SAqZ
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DcHjnGrgh
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDvqvvC10Z
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPcETjME7z
“Whatever.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv9Mk9x52h
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYFAn7icjh
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAE1uSeOBD
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She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvtromPG4b
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiE9ip6v6v
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6qNb4jHur
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But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsBacBDZqL
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“Leaving already?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8MOmwu0Dx
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“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT85KxjBq9
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw44ra6SpeK
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4wcgmAToD
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDO92ovD14
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk1GEy9tug
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“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r47JwDevy
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She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1yZaRG1YG
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“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvmZJnnKL8
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI8DL422bb
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtur3drGPaY
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTdJU0sBWq
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t8HAQFwuY
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2bZO0awK
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhd6gwz2Pc
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0nQKR6r1f
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJpeUGZll7
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gpSIAjp4S
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWkTHSvOwq
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RNH8WwlrJ
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4cPKOYl3E
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRwp50xqpG
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IETPrYeyV
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sbJtpqR5g
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAJXsCxVbx
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCSxkufQjT
“H-Huh?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGQ4UYEa5o
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RWnedjvqf
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm45G4wdRH
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“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3KJ3C4uYr
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGPoe5voWY
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zxGEAKXdB
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4qY6ul7ZI
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6lpP7kB9
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR3yjOulkE
“I’m n-nothing so special.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGkdZkdbyi
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“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Cc0lLD03
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekUwDkf1iK
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgL4o3gTD
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6lUPAlQ0
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIqoQbWb1D
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“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj360Gcw3f
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2fCqmNjmJ
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS42ROwm58
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It took me only a few 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A3BLFqGhe
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYhPVQDQVR
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“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsle2gdpU4
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“No, really, Rover.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3aKH9aQ0K
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN49MyrwPXl
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd8aaAUqUA
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“I think I’m just lucky.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1cIFAajsz
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoAIxQeLa8
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzI6kBoEpZ
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“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e5tCGOmEe
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMangtvyQ8h
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoMa5giumV
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshrEmSBBmf
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp1RuTnO9e
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“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsMnytq8Kr
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpsrqfugBm
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxnKtlLAbv
228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDraFHocF9
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JQdEuJC5p
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjsfI6Y10m
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“D-Don’t rush me!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPt63wPzKG
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabl38dZ8ID
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0WDFLL0P6
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxubKlHh9c
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbw4xhnja4
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RYe1OI4Nm
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“I didn’t say anything.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBCQdrZ4Ca
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sc1udVFUH
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN1H18wINW
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQdKdeaaro
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ngIkjp3HM
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs8VLIQlJJ
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“Told you all I did? What?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIitdPCXvQD
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She was caught by a wind of fury.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNQe3VyQ4r
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB1ziUzKdZ
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS6d8qByLy
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“What’s so funny?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufLotwREVw
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XRS2PQLiZ
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCagX1m7xp
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MhoTtkLh9
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1rCze2qTl
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“A little crazy?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZokJgrEfX
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIAlujIYS2
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfoqX039i1
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3uKRaqf6v
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“Well–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBO7VcRHtf
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cB2JtPCIu
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“I–”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBjtQIThcj
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsUXQ4F0de
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2PwTiUrTC
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“See! I– huh? You do?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyFtVpbGO5
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RWGq4EnjR
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH3KiuMYz1
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8v4HcN2GU
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb5mlfNcl2
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hOcMPwV7s
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHnhqSUd4i
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1xvHBASGX
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMLq0KIVpT
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYDLUYvaAn
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“Ah, right.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB1Oy6jYkA
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhyRk44J9
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dFj9Bi5v7
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZZItc3cRe
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivcYoBlr1H
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeeCYII842
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“Wait, one last thing!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTtflqP0su
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MOHYmONu0
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4hjbbPAq0
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“...”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyIV1T29Ur
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I smiled.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9q42keOix
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“I will.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hu6COoGZT
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6iJseRs1O
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“Yes!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHio2YMlnCQ
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEARtKSXPS
