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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO8G2g27Xn
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrWux6GLsa
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"At least... I'm on my back now."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy8DNLCG5x
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe837LQOVk
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDTKjQB4RD
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoana2B1Tu
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZrw8w6ub4
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJhZLBslMt
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I was immediately startled.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xPW9mJN66
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"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bNzFtaLTP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87P39Ha9GM
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaR2XFUnwu
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"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTMimRwrNH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7RRfaReM9
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR8Yjc3f25
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"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2kjRAQbrq
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKFMX5FYM4
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8IkjnkMco
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"Do you feel any better?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1sMghaJXM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07HR02V2Vs
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44aKG3tOoc
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"That's good, that's good..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHTMn1tPIM
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He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFacZYzFnWU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk10REi2cb3
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeqAFCPY7M
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtoYzK1hib
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fHsspkdtz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbEUDPUT2V
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmFgsBrqHG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IKt5xDx6l
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwuu9XSB6Y
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1NTcZSIk6
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMjrwEjL38
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"H-How'd you know?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVukn36f8N
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"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgVfRzIjCo
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I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhET34YUEzY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuyeAaYCt1
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCAb3x9AeU
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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?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCLDTx306Z
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgId1P9wW9
Pars nodded.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFVTLzOZgw
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"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zIFxzNvrw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzWekcevEy
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee4eGyFveR
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlSb3xOphW
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPnPiFRoMH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMprH0A7JHD
"Mutual what?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PnJurmosS
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TvhZbXVjV
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GHcO0p6Du
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eDEk376Re
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRzCK457z3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu91YvBOa9
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNy3FmJNf2
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"Really now..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAuyK81qwb
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I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioDDaU8G7g
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklDJloLSmZ
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZRlgv1wWo
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVP4JdpGMk
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE4CYK8XXw
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"Wow... it must've been bad."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdBr8u4vJX
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"You're almost as flippant as I am."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeC76WDtox
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He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICSqBYhH0a
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7sJ8JucN9
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdXVskaufk
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCXCHQc6ky
"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..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe59yfHZo9n
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31VSCMyPGk
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLjWrRxzy
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I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5pxnZkdv9
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiyUWBzcoq
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpQxryQVb1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk7vPAs4vt
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz5KuVV5gI
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Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIlopNy9c6
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjjO7HBRtI
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWGZKZHvAJ
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"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1V3dZIlCb
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7K4eQqnoF
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b8LRsG9qv
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP1xQef1B6
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"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJno43PLoj
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"I know."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvNJXqBwbj
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Saodzzpp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8tMtTxkvq
"Tell you what; I can't help you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NG6xv8GDL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGWYo8kpML
"...Are you serious?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjfoUe6ZOK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rFB2mucB8
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J7ga8Q0lK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpSgxnc52Y
"What? What can?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc9teMJNKw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZI7KMrdjc
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTSLnHFwms
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNx3mXHMVH
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo95BpNWBli
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His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqHQl8dwA7
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOPNAfUwJb
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"Give it a try."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPQBR8Og27
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxRzDccveh
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"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡownQEp94df
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"H-Huh? Right now?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9XGmxt1iK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXWkoZx3iQ
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOv6TBqG4t
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX3q3y5tSp
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtpK6ZlwOU
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–
–
–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Hhz3Sk4U
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"Are ya all packed up?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJmoTnupMI
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbKv6rzMxm
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"You're the only one who's carrying anything"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtibr2DEAKf
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"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zcEYpuNR1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe7rhEQ45D
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LJmYzCndw
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncx0RylqWM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4ZlYzcMEM
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9z8sTvrSn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw6SBzLCpc
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAPbxCEYxl
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He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzWhUuirwy
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"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQs8ifNqoH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC5P945qjJ
"I suppose that makes sense."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTckSm7JgAy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfMC82DJSF
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpOwLGSMdQ
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"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnsfxtB3pZ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fq5n2e38N
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHjV6alXro
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I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuuPmDxAnd
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"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rU3TxLuCU
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"What do I think...?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt46Hn0qeL
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbiZKWTKzM
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"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtDiWzJxgS
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7rsN8wjOE
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59bviMZDSn
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"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZF2Z6zqOV
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"I'm asking ya, kid."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGykIchNvJn
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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–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJGetkWfg1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9UjMh95CK
"It had to be an Endowment."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u22FWZnsR
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ628f59kuT4
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zik3vr39i
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKpSbuujpm
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqpmGNd1Ew
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"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S4kldBPOo
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapdijzhuGE
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ9sR3RVYd
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"Why not?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXOPOHrvMj
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"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn17MlE4tlI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMSuCoc5Vs
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY3hyUCTSL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zUD3MLjm1
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrYtL0rEBg
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"Surely, there's a better option."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wGrCYoY9s
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN0kvi0v78
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmTJJTZRlI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJJ1Eks0ls
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMiyEGNl85
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"What if we spy from a distance?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqCVrgsLUh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiZvJcXCkC
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScD47BOxA2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeuh4ZdAQX
"...Point taken."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQG7LqzEG2
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLravg7Qaow
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNAO4vrU0f
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK24g9Fsvd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVzt2Blkdk
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFC7OkZnwI
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"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRsdktmHkd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCKsJQgUl
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7rdFi3al7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TBP0vgvVi
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qzKUHexrk
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We nodded in unison.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhSMQUAH4g
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"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLghlEurqAy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1B0Klmqfb
–
–
–
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA6ooCrJbB
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxehvWXxfo3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiBtex58VA
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBdWgvbMc1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgErxqtOJF
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaIPPpta2y
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRMpqXMPzx
"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?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BanxU4h9o
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fIw0AxgkJ
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIxeuDiHiN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC6iTEKOvq
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA0HYwj1Jd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eGatndHTr
"Well... I won't deny that."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Zp0OvstA
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60v3yoo0j3
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTql3zeTuoZ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZtnB5CgvZ
"Again? What do you–?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaNECsL7PM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveftNK5ci1
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiH2SzjOVf
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfS6UhAiFo
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdzBc68BzN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1kb1AL55N
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6SRz8vocP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTPMga6zfY
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3ysb3AOxQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlWgjjoi5Q
"I didn't ask ya that."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gdT6yJ6zK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnZGBhT1Lv
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllDfAG5wnx
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8wywlr3Kf
"That ain't surprising."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmnf5MlBim
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig2LASIkak
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeQf8SAMAi
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqJIlCBN88
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljm0BO1lZj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhQZwjtTUr
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtsR5bmqzV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpD5TdD5lL
"Yeah? Like what?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWC1nUcjO5
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2W2Ok1C73
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF5lmMXOE7
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSTAeuEsok
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxb4wWko5m
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o166Gmnhg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbznl2FL8qG
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UdOfy1029
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP7mpmEHca
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLc5AX3PEW
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR7TGXwseC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnzn4QX8Zq
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97xHaSDyuB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fKJP4ldMa
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jd64BLRIm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w7lAKT9oA
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–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH7Nh2nnke
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiyBt94aId
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqmSXnWXW7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKOTovGsQq
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
