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.
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaLwfD1cNl
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRXD1xduz4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TJx5cVTzX
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–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvb0miZyxl
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7gLL16rDw
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLuxvRnR5x
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvN9mwYHTr
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUFpVU3QuJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVaeRnDc86
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMl8Ovb0Yz
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2nnxlwzeD
“...”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6QoyDJgmE
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLzVg5aVnv
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FfpnC7xDS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjOMiTOZSg
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdGdjsQ3WR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpKpQJ7IzY
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaIEANo1jS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPLksl5e70
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZwGzzN3fk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RIllSKzJx
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–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf2zr7K4Gw
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYueKF6rH3d
“...”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOijhTwpmo3
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnVe4Taca7
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBUOMU6LHB
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmX4qSukfQ
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzmyN24Jxn
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqclBmiFQNC
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2eAV4TxiW
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEnpYIXJXV
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LjXs4Knmo
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH8Pg17MvG
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfF4atUw9g
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnctgjI5fdn
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB4xHmIHJ8
“Yes?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJhhdacgWg
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZVDYHyWN2
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20xUNQiVsQ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUO8o929Ye
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVDZCdcdB2
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97d3o5ZoWG
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalnWfgR1Q0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvcEWUXOCl
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnUaNk8KpL
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpigENFSJwv
“You made this in eighty minutes?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRR7zlZSok
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPFcceIiBa
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vGRQiJlRB
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFQGaEyB8I
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknkwAUYfMk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRazYQWxCo
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDw1afXzic
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4wcyiRLhE
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfKtIhYZze
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YG4JJ51LK
“If you insist.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rl23mSJHm
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePdblEqyrV
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2SyTRSLUh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAGGCl4axa
“Kenny?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdPaCwjHzl
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv0r8gE4wJ
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjVDzSKP0Q
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUoQFOwlU5
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5V1KrtL0h
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqrANi5doo
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Ys4VTTJq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBGlLiIZk9
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfEVIR4qNu
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN5kgKyGwn
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0DX66Ymhk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bMEuO5JsU
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fbAL4zWPI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXwou78gAm
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUIz6kYW5F
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG4rUvUcyh
“I see. I see, I see…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJV2nBTDvD
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiH3Oy6i6k
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz6GManSn0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrjXFyL6IK
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheOqENmlSS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jg8cSw6WZ
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzYPdBWLPN
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy67caza3r
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9DDNmRn26
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqFeniJATT
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD6SU2FJZZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56un2yiRrD
“Please?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43lWzaD7Ud
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYLXbTEkgJ
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPjhdp0wlr
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9QZIUFLqL
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQXKP7tOxs
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2w61OpoKS
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qsyw5AVmb
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11nR7FFnyz
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1Jlx01wuI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDCU4Ovk9y
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1whT7rk4Hy
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJdcSc6tog
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiTAeeJ8MS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5WVqX03vM
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMcD43WMn5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Dx56Pxls
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N3Eyfy39S
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2HI0VPNUP
“I started young. That’s all.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrZFEEH2Rb
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FHmVBsxMQ
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcXZFbw0A5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z17V5tAXf
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RrnBonIJc
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ7MzLQ1Lm
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7KN4R4XnY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CZ23ntIct
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf5r1itvpt
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IMfLnEuxU
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyjsiVlobn
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ401418PJxl
She jumped and then waved her hand.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWerdLek96V
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9NbUqhuFs
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJI9AEGGk7
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5RrfzPug2
“Right.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf0NVv7zI6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ845nFozQMY
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48dGrRcMOR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCY3ZymiFa
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjCIEIGWfo
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5QUkwACae
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJx4B91vJ5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj64ZgB12JS
“I– Wha!?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZCAyCXHwZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjZR2cLWb
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QFGgD2UmB
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBeM6tegRt
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhptm8NCFUf
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQOVlZbhdY
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOynjbCq0I0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWTyg2FBOR
“Your own… peace of mind?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA4cr4XliZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw5xzqELOa
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeFpJZRDiv
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJViW147k8
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPudabLmZU
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5AH82BxHZ
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeokbUuyoMO
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2gAovnCkp
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFnwl7j1IL
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F1pERgIl0
“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. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4SbdO8WiV
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOHbiu2AyE
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FyaiiwV1M
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IUxMAn8da
She shrugged at my comment.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTe0SThNuh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUFFG39m77
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6AhgL7VVN
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLVki27mvZ
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBQXiAlibx
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJtyjdkMR5
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLZiOoH3m5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KZt6pYIkB
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3hGLKnTJa
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVRCeGRFdX
–
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUl4juZCx9
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa7gQPlMMU
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayFg2JLFQd
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ9Y2HeLZy
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg5GVC5rI8
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFILoOZFRK
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojeUsM5fHO
“...This is ridiculous.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhh0WAac25
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v66KTnnS9
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VY87uTNKV
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClDf4Pdyw2
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V4qg27Ysr
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYqhC1KazA
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y8EQOHfe4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDlV1kFe9T
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEPWS3QVHG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNDLUxEBkF
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzez1o29uG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOUxQBBB0Q
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5iFpo8Vhu
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnsW6v5rJy
“...Hmm.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupPrG8ZXQI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljJgYWKvTM
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRMJ4T60yD
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6nebeG5pC
“Do whatever.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZOINOKW98
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL0YxCM3b9
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ6SR5nDQs
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU8W33Mh1C
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP71RC9sCC9
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ5YcONaYl
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCGIowV3o6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRT6nanwFj
“D-Darn it.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf93CjZwbJq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iKh8JV6cp
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–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq413fyDriX
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY45Jqdv4Y
“What are you doing here?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGBRwxv0Ky
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWX6r31ZHz
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaul13FPNpl
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAfVyNc8K0
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VFYF7IqIM
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtgnePy2jg
“...U-Uh.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3giaFTQA9p
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o9971s7vv
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHEB45VXf9
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4inyuTk6gy
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPqo8mf6ig
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzycJnNbY3
“I… I-I.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknoOv9ZghY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMjvn8AaJa
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8ajRMrvMH
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4iCmoErbu
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1QOz77B1Q
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PxEjhFYt2
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc5de3EHbn
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ns56BjIPh
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLEsMIhBrG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdityfhilo
“I-I’m here.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhSuCNINpA
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wFbqXRA3W
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u7jZ2KWg9
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtvk2OCT58
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeM4cxTq11
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO6EDUuEpZ
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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltM5545cYb
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgMUoL88ZI
“I…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnERAqFO1HZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sM1cIAnxh
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SJoAKo8gp
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFoQ8z3dMh
“Hello, Rover.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFdqo3BDde
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXEelid9Mu
“Hey, Kenny.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQz6dJ2kJz
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEGoUzTrOY
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdakG92f4J
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HFtq78rGA
“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–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyncqw2FCdw
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWw5LDyuUj
“Cut to the chase!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqI2ehhxnT
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDbcgxea7r
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPeZ9WXeYY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4KjjzsjSk
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimPgfdBwqF
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnYnWuEkUK
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR9kqj3MuO
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLV6Qstw1N
“Y-Yes.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO7VpdRlqt
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9TSPHrGMU
“Now who told you to do that?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkeFz8CwZN
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGqyyuciod
“W-Well–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKO5oDC13v
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkIGvUa8DF
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57WpG69ZeI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOR9svURZ2
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlK8Oi6v3a
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR8oqdkl7k
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8QB6HNqgf
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CIFwp1dQr
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJu4Kw0qyh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWvKpAc4UG
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtPwaJgPAm
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D7BcyVAuR
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1KGRppMbh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tz0iNn2tb
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDuEFdgINO
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYaus96MyO
“I refuse your treatment!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB8PCXoq9r
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUDxxLckYl
“H-Huh!?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6DNOOUCyZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mmeCl0whF
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeofhXwDFF5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiO237ARAu
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qty3sVueS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb4E0BiWlH
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhaOGZQYmZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKhC2G46sE
“I– Wha?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzy9t73lhd
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ7M9NZsnz
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–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMjCyPyN6j
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqAWhAybal
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPoBXtyL2W
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgtK0KZSUC
“Stupid? Weird!?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9kcFJkMPR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnTNdcHZEd
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjGXyDWbY0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTinN5s4TOt
“...”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnwOSYociq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkiGczCGtG
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aNoS85ksH
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eLSxh2ZOS
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb53oRDO6xJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5uKDdVWeG
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ZICEpd5H
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnQNCztAW2
“It’s because I upset you.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5SF24CvX
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH54IZK5fcb
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6cPY1TAQC
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZvUQTDFlA
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBQu6F6rHh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FOXSMGOQB
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhpK7FUPhN
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu4Ua3OPvR
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9zoOC1lPk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulYtHZlqu1
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDETKCNEbv
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRVQI6S600
“S-Sheesh.” 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ZspJ0BJQ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rQykWXAQT
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.
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjxhMkwHbp
“How do I use this thing?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvGMwEEGOX
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm5CX5zUcu
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfYR4AB6yC
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulJQGw4qYK
“Drinking works for me.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSj7uUdiSm
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4usW6ebmZ
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzus7g8mc0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bGD6WxVwF
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqrMlBn7WR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpz4v6DX7J
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli2605MKS4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLUORPph4q
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP651V2EPk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ohn11x9U
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4KHHJzXgq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj9MzgsL2K
“Whatever.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNVVXIkHto
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6nTA1Ohoj
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. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRdLvepZIv
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt1rtrmRAd
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRGaqvLOCY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGmVXE32yl
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiclT9wfJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxoekn6zDS
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SUl07EKEX
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqME2kztA
“Leaving already?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJ1liT1tW
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ezLa28MAy
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHOKaIWrFi
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooWOuQW479
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jkcRmqldI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOJd9gS4ZB
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTFdQdiUSD
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRYsdyqbTx
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Wj6OcGFR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EYzR0j3FT
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl5TWihE4u
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH76z22G9E
“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?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmaVS8A1z8
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZSCaoEivZ
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRf0mS5OjX
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiVDijNK4j
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eC9Bt4Yjb
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhs5ryUPbK
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCiKF0pJe8
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EhSx3YmSG
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCRXgmhCyB
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyg9Dzq3sp
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAjmGfg7YK
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWtHRjacyY
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZKsvO20UR
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTJHLqqMpK
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLhIkCwUH
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpq9UaCYQz
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXufEYNdUh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyMZMptXmX
“H-Huh?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG684Ww405
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCMreCIBky
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqLWPrGwm4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ESM2Pkjy
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrSOKzI6dT
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8nVcrxcwb
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSFNs3b7RL
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09XClGi3bJ
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11wst8uONm
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF4TsyVZ43
“I’m n-nothing so special.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA4i0ydS05
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwLi3qJKYl
“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!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakhPVrfvoF
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BJMAnu6sH
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywrDtqQJcJ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G43BoCBMI
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B78zdAnWL
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybQZbw7OON
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEb3wMD9W6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy1IMC0jIf
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. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomnBuPKNn6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FT6w7JHm0
It took me only a few 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30FYWGYRXH
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5gHtPxchH
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pUJqUi1TP
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Zon1twvN
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCWO8QbOQI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vargxvIeD
“No, really, Rover.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NX9miRWYd
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EwOUOdDcv
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvopDbRsRKe
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcHEMBtFwA
“I think I’m just lucky.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybmaqkvePI
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1pn6kLbXb
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFSQQ3Z1Yy
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAtGrAXF5m
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQQJnsFZxr
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ek0cwrdAW
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRj5qvoePq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l5hXNS2CP
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOLBeXN3oZ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYJyNDq6Hp
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGwj2OCIsu
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ArOOeYV9
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu30HPP4La
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjtAdQHh8Z
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B4IreUBYD
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayVn9rvCCG
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDlVhJOkr8
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. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bGENeuUO7
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZztx8T1lvB
“D-Don’t rush me!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxAA4bkhFY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqVGgEIrTX
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg1lIkjc3G
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiKHn6vyCW
“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…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhD4fhVYY4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ9Wu5QPoA
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0pFAbnfPV
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZwx29B515
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M9Zgy93X4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCHlacZ25
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlwuyahbOf
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJqCT5T1f5
“I didn’t say anything.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0XTgzKm9m
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTQv7J61K
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyCH7fVLa5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWqEEIO3mX
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ThzhW3yd
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcQVuGIaXD
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEGOKInhRS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BpDIOxKSU
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNGQtW4Kam
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35VxRWW5uY
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcSRMPB2p5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFvByduuPz
“Told you all I did? What?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOShjL9ON
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZiqCHCkK4
She was caught by a wind of fury.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZmWarkvt0
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD6kcrkgy1
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JsgoNRV6u
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCirXG1NGj7
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxJhTIZZYp
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQgUg3OE8E
“What’s so funny?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AaTKzHRX7
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs52t72Hdd
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGQjlU5kpP
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAssWqUlRH
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH94wWCAruQ
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcUchdWkZG
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotzlXTtn0g
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UJIFQFUFe
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNF5r6Jwt1
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQmxTFOXq2
“A little crazy?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7oy616Ish
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3XS0KU7Ax
“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!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPt8HVXQLA
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWf1aZgTsy
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdEXCCzZFS
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk33X4woEm
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHGPVAKlvC
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaQAti7A2E
“Well–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyReibU3Lbq
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6IO8L8VAt
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIhR7oN5C7
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWdkBXQ7Nu
“I–”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5oszAtcLh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL5rTDEWHc
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nsK9GA6uK
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E7HZdvAvV
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtjH6VBi97
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Fb3EspwO
“See! I– huh? You do?”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U3rBdFfza
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA5ygXEMZc
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzJm4AXWhM
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfPMGdXZe3
“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.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzilfnmSvws
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3uA7NO2Zs
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwAuTdp9YY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKrN7pefHZ
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcpHSZQ944
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9gnzkSdqi
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMETIRVDRj
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy2r9FthkX
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiu9xS9pPm
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8RWYpOCv0
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDLvITo6W
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJce9HlBKPc
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9DUkwyHFO
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNR8NLYqoZ
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgABQAAc2k
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuSoVv2P3u
“Ah, right.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsqvK0ESY6
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorpXHoWEbB
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3poaAtAfZj
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadTEq4kvtN
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5JWlyKPgK
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMM5Wi7hd1
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaxAshQfRh
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkqx95ovB7
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bl96HYaPY
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KbT1tJKfB
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.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinKLhcwMm5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaopSeWXYf
“Wait, one last thing!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4SewWsWxC
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCzaakB02b
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8U7OV26O5
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8tO7Lft38
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJc4zRpRJb
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn2Ud7nZ3j
“...”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFkhcKcfTk
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiItgMonCp
I smiled.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPrMHS4a7W
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19enzaLIPs
“I will.”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZqqKx9Zo4
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjTTPPGbyl
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1yucJkGNF
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm2Vj24qit
“Yes!”182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ702n1kU5hN
182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShrBP2iCnt
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.182Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenmWA1vBOp
