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.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9d75Fi3e5
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDlX5HO7Ga
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftBgX7ybML
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWq58ojq5S
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzaZsB8q6d
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPDkLob91
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsytCGTGfRV
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSckbqv9Fg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRHBpekueo
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8kLySQtNl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29YUDXnlcM
“...”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarFBRB1mm3
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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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKF9c8kjVw
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7vi30Ktz1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp9orseazb
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzGcvKuQVT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLBMJSVuQy
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUak3Ri7d1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlt3kfdUcN
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HQi5N2Hzq
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“...”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFum3HsD6s
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2bXIOzl8a
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBe6EHmNs1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UKyeE8Z9Y
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHlyG2bl1H
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlDW1SCWs9
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx7aWwWJsD
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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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1YMMF5p2r
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“Yes?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XBkh7bHfl
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmtocXSBVM
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6ZR3V7UJH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8IMPbSVLx
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFjHZP4Kc3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMaom777AC
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3hby13SgG
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76VX6Iv5Xn
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMkivkrE0Z
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudSNU3ti0N
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J10KbTvpv
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOElNgYwK5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5JY3BKNsa
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JPIXnUwFR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRetJVL0ZN
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmEttcsL6D
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyIicFmjOp
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOe3Phj1xT
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“If you insist.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7gulzBbwV
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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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbujSsjPdt
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“Kenny?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckaQ7jDgwa
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyT1Ze6PUD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnSJz7vUV1
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqP4lxA6NQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLz1RKvfC4
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0Ph33jHgH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V15VDJpno
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRICQSRQcm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQB5kKK3J9
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrAc4agWFM
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBLzTVh9uP
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZgrUDmCK9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVpHFPPAT1
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX7RQAa7I0
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“I see. I see, I see…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwJB0Cokwx
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbu1TviUHZ
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBInUg1BQqm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FNzsNd9wK
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI8b9GBES8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIRdzZ11lG
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQADqCVwVvV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4fs6O3wgU
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYFhPgiZuF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QMh3kBmEL
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgghE5PNxF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxNr92dE94
“Please?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDlVs2oerI
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW0qdSRUN2
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQHS1yxqXm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVdWFjYHyM
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJRfRtSyCd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BxiJYVgoI
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6PArz7CfG
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWISHcaFsB
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk27vgaF5Y
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHDmwb2EXr
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d151gQSvS
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc4pDOV5Ff
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFs6PClPYt
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT8Fbd5TNv
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWyXEG9tY3
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRbT3GI4F5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9gSMRSFAy
“I started young. That’s all.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Roqwp8rqz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dCrVH4bMq
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVzRRY9FWg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK3Un6VStA
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPXurtl7P4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21C17hIlml
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoLoV9fTSJ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy954IcBPv
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetORqjHwTb
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDXkMYqpd2
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51RyCDgKoA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ORR8fkAAB
She jumped and then waved her hand.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DjroAyR62
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhydcsvNkGx
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMFCtFYX5y
“Right.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDC6K9pu3D
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5GJoLOw7f
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYggB8eN6vd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfKrABt0gX
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOLZ4vSmRm
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55DSUJroer
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“I– Wha!?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHLS6koXWA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVxOB3AOGh
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl63TRbI6X
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNbmcd2q90
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oPeCGK8aa
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4igZeGOCAa
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR68B5Qrqf
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCQumvpQCw
“Your own… peace of mind?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS4oTj5mHZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cv39TYeVx
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfboSjpJHP
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN7DXVNJrN
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YX8SVF4GI
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rxTqYDU0p
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdWjVC2LMg
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgJqFvzcLU
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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. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jOTufhbzm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99hP22KGSa
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBm4xnvVff
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She shrugged at my comment.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOME2zIzra
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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?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj1I1XQ1lS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6MgN5Fsxb
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YPqXJEISa
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqYQQgxT9E
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimK6VstcV9
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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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj31m2YSKp6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM5bpjqsMK
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCszrcmHDc6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikk336LEG8
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eaT1DoQxH
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“...This is ridiculous.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0GcGkGpaY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24B5rc3RuT
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRClWWdFm0K
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAehctSKGq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuIr9HarnK
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylemctrO6J
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXEZYKpaZF
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoIL1qjhJS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZmVXEmUyL
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkABetCmU8z
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgBMELJjs3
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPdYZGNerE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ewQNWYDQX
“...Hmm.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C3ZriQy77
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULS8s8xQYy
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLrNnSMbpv
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jwC9QiEGE
“Do whatever.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG2LhBmlws
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s9W8LRIri
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeolN0J6wfQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdclWa2n3h
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yPfT81j7g
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0YZFEQmfY
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pIK1DxgWS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiUZG9a1o3
“D-Darn it.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPnX7Ri8Yd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH33rOhJ0X0
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlnrsqBi5t
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNBOjDLhRm
“What are you doing here?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV3FPddu2u
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3VvUsXePm
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaQvCGh6ss
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYrqSDMKVE
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwIPYArCUR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PyfalGDhf
“...U-Uh.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1CufRK3pi
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekU6MhwwuM
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooFnmodnFd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWzqZCZED5
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5cyAUrmjV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVcxcHPtoA
“I… I-I.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOjHkp6sKI
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu96KfvlmYN
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs86X33I8p
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PYDtLn18w
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGBLlVm3cT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64zxIg5dfi
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW62ynPpbua
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqItRDGNlEZ
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPguZhSTdM7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2PQVsinvH
“I-I’m here.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScYDmKj76d
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGoUzTadwg
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22iftZanvV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvANMvnzRB
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2hUVSHnzq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAVjCX2Wy9
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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTPvUivEo2
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFGlt8vZi9
“I…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoDgBYE0F
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ZBKUehz0
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaIonrlInH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt7kFh8X8l
“Hello, Rover.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkdvdRmI20
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OLFaQ65ot
“Hey, Kenny.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNbYFZUmWU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgkp1pHJG7
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY8kDIe3F5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5gPjg8g4p
“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–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6umJ27l95
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw9f5VVEUK
“Cut to the chase!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK2gMRb7S9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve5eeeGiAk
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrUCQIWvAs
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R3fPaSFSO
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VhB2yftk1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ziYLxXX5
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqOT3naHvr
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY5QqmKi2x
“Y-Yes.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zm293KMIT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QlLa1ZEyE
“Now who told you to do that?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQwn2cFk5w
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0kIYFiJw8
“W-Well–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNQu5qTksk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5YVI5YeEX
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpDH4hwRUa
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhSbMDUoRj
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobJSU4hIFV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVljVMpfvJ5
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDubzXmLo6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhdBv86XHb
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBeXmHb9J
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb2yajLFtW
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadpUKWP9BA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVas7LqVQ12
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RFmBFf4Ya
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ7XLRvOOp
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJflN5kWgz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKPgZ45jBx
“I refuse your treatment!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznWGkE20RL
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkfEkC5XoV
“H-Huh!?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvNRyDhRXy
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVyuQIJo5R
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyKA7WhD7h
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhGHQaW2AI
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK50VGnGuf
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JpbTN0bkO
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxwAEuAPcU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBqxHC8DJn
“I– Wha?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb5XnCOgL7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmEk3R0Rzb
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–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQb1NInOrC
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4T0qoVx2n
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSQ7qwjuJG
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ehoXELBJ
“Stupid? Weird!?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmPHQTy8Jh
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrgMTktfXZ
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvB6fIpDIs
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhQvnjdPAA
“...”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFklv019MmD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR6b7l1nvR
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiZl5mvPrt
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8vIH5CU21
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AxplQuhVU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3oInoJF4t
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeUdiH1rE
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtUirtTbLc
“It’s because I upset you.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BV1Xjhsg3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm0snkrxLu
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh1jEwO2GX
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn74n4EfcG
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGNhffXYGd
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0LrOYWkBd
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxQSbnZWN5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWsoilPYJr
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU9lBZxTyW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDvtioqLv
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpehyJz30uU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirDrmNnzIO
“S-Sheesh.” 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23BUQgahGg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUN3csZLT2
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.
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKqVHDJqAV
“How do I use this thing?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlhRWMQVsR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYuuul2uB7
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BHwmhBkBA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oO3QxUEvx
“Drinking works for me.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn78sEXbAZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGxJkljNRn
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJxV8e0bbz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc5yBwp0tk
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMWik0b81T
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdfLIC3cu2
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0ze1hqRju
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgwCPdqg28
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GZDfgg7Ft
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZAHRuJcY5
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0J4jBji5Z
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKyrDbM5jQ
“Whatever.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nrTQU6doF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbREocDxEOs
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. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtzzEVlfHZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlawYyPinQn
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IpNnz66ks
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMa9vSHaMA
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHahJq4sx
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfAj6HiNeD
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR0UKkL5r5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrixucWTjzr
“Leaving already?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid2Dth2OwP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVerNak3UQZ
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Qi7Mc5aj
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt10mWZSWv
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzTcidFQct
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ZcwpvGaT
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIwmQTVMkR
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHVjXdTbZf
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIES9GCU2m
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nL8vEAzgf
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5F1TpAGSm
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWE4303JPD
“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?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb616pbk5wF
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjFUPq3d3x
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMcviq67EU
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXJsQXPSiA
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt4QDUtBfq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacf0KW2xq
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡethDWWSi4z
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ00JK30TDj
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbzJgbKlkP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemsyPiOLnP
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jDNNCvgRK
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1MiNE8775
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucKpEjSYeJ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVmeN3pyed
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefKs5wRsuO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH62jEzmvlI
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlKCl6eNBz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVnYF4xhTe
“H-Huh?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAcM8u3I53
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4DAPL7Efr
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumE6Ua1TGp
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05XNbCQUEa
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatDroSlqTz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79hJIQ1yYZ
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dTqJPu5Tw
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX1dMNLCzM
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vWHMvexol
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrOZoGBOjC
“I’m n-nothing so special.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZblmuJF8g
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBePUMTUjd2
“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!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouzcDdbsoC
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOo49YWDp4
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDBj2srLUj
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1WGXHXmff
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ODrc0Mxu
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUMg60RfAn
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAHIEKWKmo
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMuVwXFxtI
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. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8CD4k9dSD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXMmGsC5UN
It took me only a few 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdETz2Z8HW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFr7eJhYhk
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHAonRcPSu
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNsrvOceXQ
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpchnpc3JTI
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXgAc4mG0G
“No, really, Rover.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4WvbuYVi1
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgEj7i5iHi
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGx9rNcKxk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4tmXZQx6A
“I think I’m just lucky.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMWzsGVLcs
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOVqyE0t4b
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb1P6M5XN4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8lbAWpd8X
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76GddfLw4X
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS5bRWnroa
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzQF4gvlQv
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17w57k88yK
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfOgc7twxg
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNKbi727T6
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYig9eVmhQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBPsFgyE3l
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HlLizemsY
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACBOUJ22aS
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ31c7vyEe
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMUEy65Cct
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlq7n2vjcJ
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. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cqP9Skg5Y
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5qL8HSCIU
“D-Don’t rush me!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvunt1J1Pn
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG7SjGBjY0
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WWiCgTSCL
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwrmEvrY9S
“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…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QEaltmBCT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrkbOcsd1
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpAy3HVoJ6
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxRp6iJLbD
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbdhQFJ868
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv7kT4BcVH
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWktYuDYr7
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZjidf2QVA
“I didn’t say anything.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXhVPSfnv5
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeUk16rECi
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKeYk837rs
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3SW27hPAC
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KPb0zmgwA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz0vsxxTgX
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPSXRwBpJ8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAGgbGhB3K
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2YuPcH5PW
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRilv19WoX
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaShLQNPjAP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyLx1guxlb
“Told you all I did? What?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhatNF5FkVu
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQneNermpCi
She was caught by a wind of fury.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpAA5Ey0op
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbiGqD8gx0
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSu8t1hi8i
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopcppeDYWW
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatJcKC2x2c
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTHPlss7rK
“What’s so funny?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGixFRbCnsx
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwdW1ytlc3
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrvjB1tbaV
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMbkYKsD3X
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqMhtlRflw
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsek5quTnyg
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90rKODslP9
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBM43srNge
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlw15jt3w2
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wV0JvcT7H
“A little crazy?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ351TSb51T8
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhCAkGFBug
“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!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq0McrVBAA
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUDT5x1YkZ
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyYIGDBATH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxMFMJCXCk
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2d4zBrhYQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9MH9nBXMi
“Well–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7GBZqbN78
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBsEyuEafI
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisRZlCMFRD
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP8Vj4eDqU
“I–”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig8dJIeBOS
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeVy53SLiJ
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Spu1jIQ9C
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwosABP9dXR
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu2Zcd99Di
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhyd19nnJb
“See! I– huh? You do?”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5pMBS08c2
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmHIBtWHdt
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGSrCof53L
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4RNQcps2m
“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.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb2HsqrFjv
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FWHiY3d5O
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFUvA7UYH4
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q60C4XI4a
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJfz8JPHWk
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZF4HWqCqy
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5OULw15Gc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXAdcx7IyT
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGWQau6Cmn
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub43OngcO7
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhuPXENFxQ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U3zPgaISV
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hO3DMpHHT
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZvH8lMymu
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVXOme0YbN
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VwM2vpjYP
“Ah, right.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdKFHnU8z0
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSCfEbz3Ib
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ7GNBJikZ
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtaCTpACFe
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY1NKlKnay
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYufR3lE31
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByBgXTGqqO
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvPy7qdonz
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnmdKjUxAz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZcuvxifAk
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.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsafxZ7lf4M
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH7RUGxboj
“Wait, one last thing!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CxJFSvNsz
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfDpvdiilZ
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnKtTSvgQ3
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXZU7ryCmc
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKpGzr4jb0
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkUbc3qWvt
“...”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRXb9izpmq
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhEKfA3mgK
I smiled.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J0hKv4DHH
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHMoDnedB6
“I will.”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbywkwWDXYP
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbrjrQWSUf
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmoHL3EsIh
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinSGel5anY
“Yes!”126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNucbF4s0pc
126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfLiYJBPT0
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.126Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL9UjCX1LA
