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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisQrpM2ala
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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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflZhfwyFEr
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"At least... I'm on my back now."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oBe7NVwTU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyQddAaT2O
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7shg9CVawY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqgqPnXwJu
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBzm0Niine
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7llStP2J5
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWXyOWfsa9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG1uiXh21Y
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxG264gSPk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4mzsyVO1H
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi3Qv6j5Cw
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I was immediately startled.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1iEPP2pdO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfOf9pivcD
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvXXEaPCOF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PYc3am7x9
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XGhyWO1Uv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDC2hW2N52
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQnsvCClLY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0kOFPFUhy
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpEKgqqwlx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwBxDT3wz2
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYoyn2MsKl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7GzDGSGTY
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4lkFcupPW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83JDhksicf
"Do you feel any better?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPtTsQ996
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKs0udBk5u
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3xDKBftFq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vPiUTgcK2
"That's good, that's good..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTA6nI9kow
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Bobh7ACB
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6VZJrj2rt
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMcASSEhEW
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdrh209rjW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE7WlSRlSt
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvkkBhifVC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzgzO3B1Bs
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxTez4m6Ws
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtHEg99hZI
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGdWyCHCyg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H0ZpsVCpU
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2ucCTeUR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB9iNCoCgL
"H-How'd you know?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoTunxxGZY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uygGDk3cX
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ104KxKoiOj
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp78wbuq3qP
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnZTKppnIh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY43KOyIc7m
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdqMis5D9z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUBirDWXNV
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?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ZqlW3DGU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP7vwP7RJF
Pars nodded.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0rzZ5ydLG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvsmc0mZ0V
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQAIPfDvGb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9INxYI9HsO
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZeYRSjgSq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOc1aqMKF1
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDTFiev5yd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yFrLZrpgJ
"Mutual what?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1rd3er5if
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUkKonD7KI
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGwzja93a7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsfwcfVCL1
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeDY18zCXI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDz4vjoCRx
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hsZ4N2xw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOW29ITfiE
"Really now..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeJEx1vprM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYG5g4wnr6
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunmanK3MoY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATZSHU5Inn
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk4tvwJ5GE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHiBEYxktg
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNtSaC4pRk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBwTXeoFtf
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7R8pIUqKb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxZKAx5vwf
"Wow... it must've been bad."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouA83q6gp0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQlHwsCh7c
"You're almost as flippant as I am."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj1pRnxHGo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOGJbiORjb
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JfyV6Khyp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1REHTqqNU
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIz4KC4DoS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ3zo0gcdq
"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..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQpruTohmI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPLiTfYRlu
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScUICxZNQ5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fEwOmPOHB
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTnAXJRmHs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6RxyTLXzF
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimDV8xz8gv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWggAPhqM1
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6N7HyeHF7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RfjCX4pSd
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUIc9RRixD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsef6eUEiA
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANJbw8EbY3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjEYBl7yHc
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerZ4xWrOby
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8uqedtt8L
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswBycmwgku
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuFDc7P0Ts
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaGDfToN7f
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdD4utAQqX
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1HEOSnZck
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER0uenrDba
"I know."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJHb0tpefL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFw325pbHy
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOKqr6Af7x
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieSSk9578u
"Tell you what; I can't help you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZlMNUZX5W
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy4OwpT9L4
"...Are you serious?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NisCSkkAg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dfpbcrGJl
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z9hjXooYW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu9v9UcH73
"What? What can?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaBJrcxE8b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehDw1zB9tj
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00VBUfWP78
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PpWWTZWuY
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhsOTASqC8
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XH2TCh8xE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37zDFTf95W
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvmNl9b1nz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo7hkKdduF
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhG8IM4ymC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGZa5PaF36
"Give it a try."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC97l6bAPL
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUCqBtHtj9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW5ncezYEQ
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK6AhEEaJi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD2SBe6rLz
"H-Huh? Right now?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMx1RktBWm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BQXUihtiU
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK1DWymJGd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡParcq4oAC3
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZxhjjyNqJ
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–
–
–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo12YdydTPg
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"Are ya all packed up?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTv2mhmhcI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTYFBOdNUE
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2aDj0J82P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqu1fMhvr6
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BCGVVSTTn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Y0XDWA17
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wNbmW15Xs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHnLdVdQgE
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLWjCKo5rh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MOrJs90hU
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61aM1dzV5L
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkybYZ0ABLg
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY7zHl6yxm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc2sn2i6GN
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNysglkZVn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGczhL2WKW
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjupXYirrT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YOwIWEUyp
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorWPoEhPpP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15bkIUFYLS
"I suppose that makes sense."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVu4rRwkkx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKH742pDZr
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdSL2V4HAu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u1xoLsxOA
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiipAmblsa
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrCmRRX9q3
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaZo7LF2kx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFWMmBSVa1
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJAOGS6rEN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps6TGMn0C1
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuElC2SYUm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI408yUzIUr
"What do I think...?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI484Edzz0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxvc4fJtrv
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRi8RnBNFx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLbplbarEp
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvx1a49EKs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEQ05iS7YK
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ272SiefY9x
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcZKhBkgL4
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ueB4pQfYe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDBG2rzfWM
"I'm asking ya, kid."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3NsPQ7Vqd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyRmyO7fY7
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–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzSRn2PTLT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfToSprwYU
"It had to be an Endowment."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbVCKWjjiA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp7QdRR1NA
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTc8s28fFv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ423znBS1EG
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGgVyLMLf0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9FRC4NL0F
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZy3Mlokha
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KrDzZ0BZB
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBUnXsjkZd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwoWXK7A6q
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmlQx4uZNA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXSTrhCyrF
"Why not?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteL5XiWSfo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJewrQQEKI5
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rx4BZUR6a
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S4MtQCIUR
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvwtyQwdns
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW2HkMzo6i
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgaeymq93W
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24CtR1xn8y
"Surely, there's a better option."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5CouvtIzM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEOw9eBuWX
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUsvnk7G9W
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRGlmCCMNp
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATvgEjc6KR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUDrdUk46t
"What if we spy from a distance?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdwqrtEMEI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsQ2sGBAEx
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDpoY19fJC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w3L0DWfgr
"...Point taken."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWyUdvgRhI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrDuUwGz7B
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvDITzDatQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLmTbDzDoC
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmab1LvwpdI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV799oW8qoW
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1feGWCBtg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SCvM23Ve9
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBumF54xPK3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCvQePjWN6
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsUdxzBi2W
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65bsvOSZjS
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlyid5XXpv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHNpXtNcp9
We nodded in unison.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09kxj0Y36Q
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MEzNi040I
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSYSoQZWcm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAldLMgvmX
–
–
–
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYpkleALV3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgL3rYabrZ
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAA4wWBvp5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEObuUY8lEJ
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm9NmPT38H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxLQkWAjXL
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpXancwau2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IgZZllC2l
"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?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYMHmf7qEq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm5Asa8Txa
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84yf4cx1Cm
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVylvF7M60
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiQFoSZ3iD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdyczACrgD
"Well... I won't deny that."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpQtBubjaV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ642H9N6RBu
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrJdBhrxno
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3rwSYytXS
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OvUUy9h0p
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhZ805jHQb
"Again? What do you–?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlDvau5KDl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDvIEn2L9p
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZIUbGGlNF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDUOt2XwUd
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwqW8ZsgL3
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptzOvfaCXb
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITG1JU47hi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEZCgEggBI
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrfb8FcSdD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelEOxqT3ir
"I didn't ask ya that."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVdY5DqEjD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6gds1jx9r
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbRuYJOkrF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlU4ctHvvy
"That ain't surprising."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ2JTaWirk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaq8vfG5cu
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm6g0EhhCE
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukavGyge9j
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM52Af2zexh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadCn7FBlX4
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUpf3L8DHI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ySFFhdFtN
"Yeah? Like what?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE35qWVV7K9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMrnUWw0qP
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwZCbJMc2X
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQxRq4vAwH
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXazJjm2AI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoZvIHGNoO
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNNoqZCh2V
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJirCrrlP8I
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEh9J2Z8kf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyDa1szj5i
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNutkQaSuQo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EEeqQEPA1
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJEwyFgBvr
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lc3dyDu03
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWD9OqkP3P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY59epchSLj
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldnKHPbJvo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRriEXK4hPS
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–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4O3ndlP8J
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ0Byf1C9P
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi3mPPkts9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejOsohZ3tD
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
