A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.250Please respect copyright.PENANAf1xT91Tw5S
250Please respect copyright.PENANACEBQm0vxic
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.250Please respect copyright.PENANAfa7q3aaULm
250Please respect copyright.PENANA3egJxMmZkr
"At least... I'm on my back now."250Please respect copyright.PENANA83v1zlPYts
250Please respect copyright.PENANA4frd5IA2ne
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.250Please respect copyright.PENANAB7KRLsXtDj
250Please respect copyright.PENANANAHXM5HBDm
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.250Please respect copyright.PENANA8rcUv9Fmu9
250Please respect copyright.PENANAVXBdxFXC4Q
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.250Please respect copyright.PENANAX7M1NU9PRT
250Please respect copyright.PENANAl95ib3fJ4c
"..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAVbQOkK6URD
250Please respect copyright.PENANAyebCjQ0nEw
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.250Please respect copyright.PENANAKlYu0h5fNO
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I was immediately startled.250Please respect copyright.PENANATtIdhzpSNC
250Please respect copyright.PENANAx2SZGPZ1KV
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"250Please respect copyright.PENANARQo2KuHD9o
250Please respect copyright.PENANALKcSWPm93m
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.250Please respect copyright.PENANAbqO0ocZtR7
250Please respect copyright.PENANArucLx0lRYX
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"250Please respect copyright.PENANANERvYt0Tn2
250Please respect copyright.PENANAqw2c16DFM7
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"250Please respect copyright.PENANA8gpS0tiNpQ
250Please respect copyright.PENANA1FKGWg6CtL
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."250Please respect copyright.PENANAzLnUvxDlhb
250Please respect copyright.PENANAPdLFhOyUzL
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.250Please respect copyright.PENANA5bnyjpxNnM
250Please respect copyright.PENANAduDpOyDJOB
"Do you feel any better?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAzC1l1JhL1g
250Please respect copyright.PENANADig0ki7qfA
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."250Please respect copyright.PENANAoqOqFKc3Uw
250Please respect copyright.PENANAawFqoKjY2d
"That's good, that's good..."250Please respect copyright.PENANASw0dwX7bHV
250Please respect copyright.PENANAtodbOalaw2
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.250Please respect copyright.PENANAlQH8dywakB
250Please respect copyright.PENANAEq1liTPb6H
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAKQX5J0CBhZ
250Please respect copyright.PENANAQGv4tgD3gD
"..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAbVtQebgijk
250Please respect copyright.PENANAWfiu4gmM9F
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.250Please respect copyright.PENANANdiqTfCC3C
250Please respect copyright.PENANAu37jBmSeDH
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.250Please respect copyright.PENANAlOzAZ35Qt3
250Please respect copyright.PENANAc0ZECOmMdw
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."250Please respect copyright.PENANAn12P1S083a
250Please respect copyright.PENANAQEFtMiuhHJ
"H-How'd you know?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAtFma9IpQkj
250Please respect copyright.PENANAFRz9K2Z4EF
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."250Please respect copyright.PENANAtA1FwS1hhf
250Please respect copyright.PENANA6kph4MzJaQ
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.250Please respect copyright.PENANArfj1IU5Ik6
250Please respect copyright.PENANAQBusDHqpsW
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."250Please respect copyright.PENANAv1ul6Acfb5
250Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZX2Naz3YV
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAIDfjYiONuu
250Please respect copyright.PENANAcWSYCBKwB9
Pars nodded.250Please respect copyright.PENANALrpXYS4Zsk
250Please respect copyright.PENANAfKwB3lliG7
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."250Please respect copyright.PENANAz72GYfVl43
250Please respect copyright.PENANA68UJn3AlnB
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.250Please respect copyright.PENANA6oHvwtNh4q
250Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kf7pYbSZd
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."250Please respect copyright.PENANAtXo6R1TKRp
250Please respect copyright.PENANA5LiPM3t7aO
"Mutual what?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAGoTgTLCkmR
250Please respect copyright.PENANAe15RPt9w0h
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."250Please respect copyright.PENANABkHOR29RKm
250Please respect copyright.PENANAjLC3iGqIjd
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAAaiv6HYRZA
250Please respect copyright.PENANAwPsHaso78l
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."250Please respect copyright.PENANAruYFBL11of
250Please respect copyright.PENANAhJzjjgHuoI
"Really now..."250Please respect copyright.PENANA240n64Qzv9
250Please respect copyright.PENANArg1hUbLr61
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.250Please respect copyright.PENANA3X8m9Lwnj4
250Please respect copyright.PENANAkdMzq7GVIS
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."250Please respect copyright.PENANA2CRz9oSxmC
250Please respect copyright.PENANAOAKEU4Vp71
"..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAshufZUUx5S
250Please respect copyright.PENANAH53cvkFcm6
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.250Please respect copyright.PENANAKxorXDnSiB
250Please respect copyright.PENANAFY1NLl34kP
"Wow... it must've been bad."250Please respect copyright.PENANAeKyPspmGfW
250Please respect copyright.PENANAQU2OBSJMen
"You're almost as flippant as I am."250Please respect copyright.PENANAWVkflqw4Rx
250Please respect copyright.PENANAB7LsSnABfj
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.250Please respect copyright.PENANAdYTWDKdCRG
250Please respect copyright.PENANAn8NYqFVKTw
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."250Please respect copyright.PENANAGkkZRCTlOs
250Please respect copyright.PENANA2xP4K41cho
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAyGhRSxOXTc
250Please respect copyright.PENANASIN0UfVYIW
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAprIVPc99Ow
250Please respect copyright.PENANAOXfH64ik4s
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.250Please respect copyright.PENANA2kAEblKOk7
250Please respect copyright.PENANA5XNRDuKjvY
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."250Please respect copyright.PENANAlLQiQalH8D
250Please respect copyright.PENANAqiEcpLk7nO
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.250Please respect copyright.PENANAUaZAHf7iB0
250Please respect copyright.PENANASKkX1pasTh
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.250Please respect copyright.PENANAsLt0sOXZG0
250Please respect copyright.PENANAlzEii1pZL6
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAL9EQtjggNC
250Please respect copyright.PENANA7XzqCbtFtQ
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAZr3jBSeIAe
250Please respect copyright.PENANAjmcQJ4HE8i
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."250Please respect copyright.PENANAr3OpcXFHDA
250Please respect copyright.PENANA2SgJH8Ip34
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.250Please respect copyright.PENANASLc9QwdYml
250Please respect copyright.PENANAjCi5fqWUEZ
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."250Please respect copyright.PENANAlcSl7KYFod
250Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2FS6zwEg4
"I know."250Please respect copyright.PENANAcUdet0I8z9
250Please respect copyright.PENANAFnHKU1L5B3
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.250Please respect copyright.PENANAKu6UldVXCT
250Please respect copyright.PENANA1r51vLFgBF
"Tell you what; I can't help you."250Please respect copyright.PENANAXzrZjavnuG
250Please respect copyright.PENANAy0zy26mEvp
"...Are you serious?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAkIFRXpgF7R
250Please respect copyright.PENANAIYD2Z4mGo3
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."250Please respect copyright.PENANAEK4XkzFpnm
250Please respect copyright.PENANAUSt5T4O1ze
"What? What can?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAHd8y4Z4O32
250Please respect copyright.PENANAM1lo0xEgxJ
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."250Please respect copyright.PENANAgqbYwiTGai
250Please respect copyright.PENANAZCPEiByXpP
"..."250Please respect copyright.PENANANClIaVjzpr
250Please respect copyright.PENANAacDhZutqEc
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.250Please respect copyright.PENANAKcVOIGY5x6
250Please respect copyright.PENANAnjcnZOANJx
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?250Please respect copyright.PENANAW7qCW8rftR
250Please respect copyright.PENANAOpgwiZheFY
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.250Please respect copyright.PENANADw6JcSFCoL
250Please respect copyright.PENANARmmhOfjZRC
"Give it a try."250Please respect copyright.PENANAUWIZSilbYq
250Please respect copyright.PENANAuwlZMmhrmZ
He stood up and patted my shoulder.250Please respect copyright.PENANA7fCwTVPiln
250Please respect copyright.PENANABzRJCXyUot
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."250Please respect copyright.PENANAGTJPPHaiEy
250Please respect copyright.PENANAtbAp43GusX
"H-Huh? Right now?"250Please respect copyright.PENANA0LPqVRMxDX
250Please respect copyright.PENANAiDXM8OH0fc
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."250Please respect copyright.PENANABZK7yg49ih
250Please respect copyright.PENANAyQopwpFl9k
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.250Please respect copyright.PENANAUWpaT9M4Gl
250Please respect copyright.PENANAy16cfCeKMD
–
–
–250Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4MCVZY5E4
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"Are ya all packed up?"250Please respect copyright.PENANA0WC3DA8VTE
250Please respect copyright.PENANAJESZGqDHwg
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.250Please respect copyright.PENANAERXskByggv
250Please respect copyright.PENANAiKPOa5fsbM
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"250Please respect copyright.PENANAQIFBFKS1Dy
250Please respect copyright.PENANADbGdCZpZRS
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."250Please respect copyright.PENANALFHYyC0KJs
250Please respect copyright.PENANAOVNOlwljdL
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.250Please respect copyright.PENANAi0CSZoHsnL
250Please respect copyright.PENANAdHtIRbKijw
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAEQwCgj0Kh3
250Please respect copyright.PENANAAeN8KJFtWf
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."250Please respect copyright.PENANAGLJTuU1WaN
250Please respect copyright.PENANAErtioo0SEC
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAA4xQiQcvT9
250Please respect copyright.PENANAnaeAlznCdz
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.250Please respect copyright.PENANAeNzQ4jrnYE
250Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3APRiX1h7
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."250Please respect copyright.PENANAsUjnyYGNRP
250Please respect copyright.PENANApsZC3bsFwR
"I suppose that makes sense."250Please respect copyright.PENANABPLFYYdwDR
250Please respect copyright.PENANA4E9fpdfg7P
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"250Please respect copyright.PENANA2z8aq62puU
250Please respect copyright.PENANAyWJ6st1WqI
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAwuTXCI3h8g
250Please respect copyright.PENANAT2zCM0oN6o
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."250Please respect copyright.PENANAoUD7zMvTLg
250Please respect copyright.PENANAmLwkKZxdjN
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.250Please respect copyright.PENANAL7s1EMj35c
250Please respect copyright.PENANAr9egTELmrW
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAV3Si3YGFEo
250Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7lMuwndx3
"What do I think...?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAH39CO9NuWA
250Please respect copyright.PENANAkPvOtS1ofQ
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.250Please respect copyright.PENANAShUbYQ5UQi
250Please respect copyright.PENANATkpwd5ZSfU
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."250Please respect copyright.PENANAa2C9CTn1dy
250Please respect copyright.PENANAndlghkWKg9
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."250Please respect copyright.PENANAS9398PvtNK
250Please respect copyright.PENANAqEfjwsQRJo
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAVUPisNQjQv
250Please respect copyright.PENANAN0GhLqCjaG
"I'm asking ya, kid."250Please respect copyright.PENANAPVu2vCwYMk
250Please respect copyright.PENANAuOKZSNs0ku
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–250Please respect copyright.PENANAKI3qPdyBuC
250Please respect copyright.PENANAzSEI6Ilzzb
"It had to be an Endowment."250Please respect copyright.PENANAdSoUsXNP9w
250Please respect copyright.PENANAR5MY2xyh6e
"..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAT7w9ADasTe
250Please respect copyright.PENANAxOtuHzmxRf
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.250Please respect copyright.PENANAkOF3eoBrU7
250Please respect copyright.PENANAeQUmTp1LVe
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."250Please respect copyright.PENANAJdpC8x8GWW
250Please respect copyright.PENANAbrwCktSIbD
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."250Please respect copyright.PENANA8JXbJ3aryU
250Please respect copyright.PENANAbfF7JWcNMp
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.250Please respect copyright.PENANAtwPwg5aBni
250Please respect copyright.PENANAy9iuxzPawT
"Why not?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAXJSHLK35Vl
250Please respect copyright.PENANAewi7GGnZfD
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."250Please respect copyright.PENANAil81DVWhLw
250Please respect copyright.PENANA9JRGUC5c5i
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAyRdU3CUNaU
250Please respect copyright.PENANAgiddJ24kZF
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.250Please respect copyright.PENANA7ATCTinb0K
250Please respect copyright.PENANAIxRBvu7vNF
"Surely, there's a better option."250Please respect copyright.PENANAIZMaqV0lE8
250Please respect copyright.PENANAluyfp2ZJAQ
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."250Please respect copyright.PENANA9BwZSFnfWL
250Please respect copyright.PENANAY9WNhWlf7d
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.250Please respect copyright.PENANAQhdVf3Yk3H
250Please respect copyright.PENANAF78uSniNCr
"What if we spy from a distance?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAq2FV0qY59i
250Please respect copyright.PENANA7Dk5jM9oWa
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ3fn1LYCN
250Please respect copyright.PENANAcKoStSyyRH
"...Point taken."250Please respect copyright.PENANALlg0SXVpIf
250Please respect copyright.PENANA0u9NqxZA1Y
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.250Please respect copyright.PENANAwcZ9UPQxta
250Please respect copyright.PENANATMzH2KKZyN
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."250Please respect copyright.PENANAWmWvrNlio7
250Please respect copyright.PENANA5Q1amVsD3z
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."250Please respect copyright.PENANAaPECdcHaqM
250Please respect copyright.PENANARgcUxX6ftS
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."250Please respect copyright.PENANA2OwjIL5e7d
250Please respect copyright.PENANAW7krNdrJ14
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.250Please respect copyright.PENANAMa5uckCmdx
250Please respect copyright.PENANAepGasSHqJv
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAYQlRSbGMz9
250Please respect copyright.PENANANBdlViGVkv
We nodded in unison.250Please respect copyright.PENANAiIq5z4afgD
250Please respect copyright.PENANArC6CwdjY5y
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."250Please respect copyright.PENANAKiVRwLB1TB
250Please respect copyright.PENANAz5hbAbsNgf
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.250Please respect copyright.PENANALOIZnMn42M
250Please respect copyright.PENANAuJ7IW0dd6j
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.250Please respect copyright.PENANA4LVRVclrqt
250Please respect copyright.PENANAMEJFFYKJUO
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAu4HSunyWCt
250Please respect copyright.PENANA1xfPXPCfmE
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.250Please respect copyright.PENANAK6oJs8g75N
250Please respect copyright.PENANAEEHiFNBGvu
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAFajJCw058d
250Please respect copyright.PENANAfPPW534Irj
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.250Please respect copyright.PENANAKTyCZZRplV
250Please respect copyright.PENANAMy9CTRXLd0
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."250Please respect copyright.PENANAfW4wJvdmPJ
250Please respect copyright.PENANAyIk1UGhvgr
"Well... I won't deny that."250Please respect copyright.PENANA2f0i6Fie0P
250Please respect copyright.PENANAjJQQ7FkqSx
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.250Please respect copyright.PENANA1ckcrbhmmj
250Please respect copyright.PENANAMja6rSCRw1
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."250Please respect copyright.PENANAE1bzmJ3if8
250Please respect copyright.PENANAHKZli3MYXZ
"Again? What do you–?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAZx5rJip33w
250Please respect copyright.PENANAeG1wZh4VUj
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.250Please respect copyright.PENANAkZQfzMxzt7
250Please respect copyright.PENANAsCxAr0VDwc
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."250Please respect copyright.PENANA7ens0doGiY
250Please respect copyright.PENANAUUpG0wUDod
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.250Please respect copyright.PENANA7xN5xTObcY
250Please respect copyright.PENANAChLuTnjN7N
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."250Please respect copyright.PENANAb2Zcp3dyz0
250Please respect copyright.PENANAXVGEhzFvmw
"I didn't ask ya that."250Please respect copyright.PENANAvfFSCfM3tT
250Please respect copyright.PENANAEhrxwwKYJ5
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."250Please respect copyright.PENANA9kUW7qb1CP
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"That ain't surprising."250Please respect copyright.PENANArxQU5aesDY
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."250Please respect copyright.PENANAfO7LaCYyzD
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.250Please respect copyright.PENANAN4ZQgR8pEw
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"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."250Please respect copyright.PENANAAz9feo0Pwg
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"Yeah? Like what?"250Please respect copyright.PENANAQEO4Pb1jZu
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."250Please respect copyright.PENANAwrtgB3ElCN
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"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."250Please respect copyright.PENANAf4Mez0CcOB
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"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."250Please respect copyright.PENANAO9XYhlc3hR
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.250Please respect copyright.PENANAtQXgWdA6cy
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.250Please respect copyright.PENANA8eWCYziz8s
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"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."250Please respect copyright.PENANAwRcEuqffg7
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I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.250Please respect copyright.PENANAy1aJBKinWk
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."250Please respect copyright.PENANAeBOkflClXb
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–250Please respect copyright.PENANAF1ZB2zahF5
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"250Please respect copyright.PENANA6BxHGqcyEf
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.