Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIeefUpfgJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw87i9mwqso
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHvkVgXkDm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZATIArEg4
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0InE6uVw3z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwTgsErjaU
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynQ2jpfKGW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rXjbnB6YH
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p3mhbCVKF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Bc6zaUkz
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhAFAHhv4J
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bJTTXHsPo
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0dPSdSAeG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WJfEyMApJ
“Well?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbVNcBk1N
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Xu8LhHsY
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I0rnIBZnN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoduq6vKxS
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCcUNvlzQQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FSM8kShB6
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrAo8h1tE3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR60h7crFL7
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGubvlTdKY5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3KQd2l556
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUG2MWeWxI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPqNOQFRSY
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQdqMvohw6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmTHiv2Vpm
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wfThBbGkk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJH6ph2i9
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljbwN3KqVO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQseykeYvJ1
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRBwbvUMYU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmKlCzRbtN
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHopO5bbQs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwpwPQlOaw
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KUgQT49c5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eekHITP1P
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj6FIxuFoX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn7os8uM2A
“...Yeah.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqIrWyuKRP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91vyBSA5KP
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKOhianh75
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKdVS0YJhM
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h9aVaZanF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPKQzCBwVU
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EVUgaExsX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgbzHlIGON
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJTkhUxQj1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m6BFLOisw
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYuRQBQehk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4mfl61IHy
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl21qXBErfk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFAYH7N9P2
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe0MOczMhM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwo6DnVzrE
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TjwWi6ROg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyoNcYeswt
“...?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIQR7cO6Dx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUpPR8RSTQ
At that, I had to tilt my head.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5jmZE4xA9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHq5RYioUQ
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBLUUEIZIS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziUt0fJRMR
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAsKw1cb9u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn8AtBgGTw
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GRUKdwF13
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOYt7eA06e
“Dennis still ain’t here.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXQPni42s7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz3x64dOAN
“...”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbO4BDqaZm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4sw8trNQX
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhgroW1lNX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SlI6p11pY
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP5zQpjXNr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqJvLAxwb7
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsawbLajH0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g4qeuurFS
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW96CXvgx8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywsWndnVat
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJwSpnxY1L
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio4b7SVyj5
“--!? W-What!?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfeU2X5DsR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wiFxe5Aoj
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ubsNosWr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QJLEqp8rI
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQlL3ZXtVQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg11KiHTwOr
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaqZwbuGlL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpW90vKXyB
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfuhe8Zt7J
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cAX2SzJ8l
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7T410zaFN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlvY8VaED9
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBfupeqWXp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoG3wIGLUZ
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWea4CWrGZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwG8zP9eHs
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAgXpPi0JK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WU9f1tEPr
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLxIBibchL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMvtoTlNzy
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCcy8JgdgD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCrG7lQgr6
“...”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX2dAHajmf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx1yfrf1hr
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbMB01gmhL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwlBJ73qLl
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZZiP33Al4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OkYQt0A1a
“I-I see…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6mO0YC3x2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPs5pA6sCQ
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CYVseTDSb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCpft78dN4
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8dJ9nAPfo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyuq1BhYAC
“You don’t, ‘get?’”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5FqnRQCbL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlnH5WD6UP
“Y’know, when–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRMiBDyaWp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGwrx4cSs1
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpgxMnCZFv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGz1WsSO23
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkKbzaLNzR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTmXHwrNv
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7266Mag1PT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjC6L9p5RU
**SLAM**175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvM2eEp1kq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTebPNxtm
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrjpg7LXYV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtcdJGOgWN
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQeIaN9Cca
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6eggVcN8a
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPcwnT5LOc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYms8sp3fr
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxStmVLXqzV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz6VbLNsGJ
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg1SWwpHLz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPVyTCTsE5
“M-Mister Dean.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHrsvuIbps
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7BQ3GQJfc
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8pQ3GGUQl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwSPoJGDbk
“Yes, child?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoaruBPKGH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jXPz9kvgN
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYhFL1jpdE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ohaw5bWF
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kIpFxD5o
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjdxk8YYYv
“R-Right.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrgDIOESfC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4Hf1vZMRF
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0J7lAecKj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI9AZmgRpc
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGp1ubQ9xQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC37BMFihCr
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dyOeMcCNf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9wzLRAuYn
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxgbB8FGSn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHGVcM4952
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ftzEA6qm7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXHD5KfdMJ
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgusyFsp9D
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmolaGZ4uDJ
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvDCD3num6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzGbUKOWma
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAfakRKm7H
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjYoKlVAiq
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1JQ5QqIeF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lu5ru57sv
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEdgcs50A5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OAWGcQhGc
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiyWApXvC1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzVcNZA4xP
“Haven’t you explained that already?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XAw8Y5eBj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF99pPVNXC
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8M50GCqff
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAtVa6YF6q
“What’s that?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ4qlTKXhz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLKRqwCYQi
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdPeDZ7D6I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6392l3E67h
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyMOGKvL2H
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQCGhHrY68
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVy1hqc4rM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaN56HCFnj
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvNuZHt9iB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq33bzVOxRq
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF5xl5Qd0r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyOIfuEvjt
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZXKwO7br7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT83CrArq45
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqVQCcyamJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtyt7vnrir
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY93ZUGWcv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFlmvMYNzA
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAU3FHtYYQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLOEvFad0D
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY3PSTyXKI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcEnjaueVW
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEECoic8DeJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva5qphr0Wh
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHohd9Wm59u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ184t5dG57D
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3m2U7gjPt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePJd5XuPb9
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYsicElW3k
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFVFKlbQCB
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLNR1TXezj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcU3hmc23E
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ00toXO68
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr5yw5kfAj
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupKAhGBSZ0
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“I think it likes you, child.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWjYHQwUNP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedt8CZks7o
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9FrClhpYU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1KuJMWMsn
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMu2FgFz39
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Pm3yDivm
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aVMI8FzdG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k01NZlx4a
“Hah?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhjKnqWM0x
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFXde9xUHM
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn07PpMAR8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex86xJYYXi
“I… smell like flowers?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlSwlgTBR4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhsCUHP3aD
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2PfcKMxVH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJFx4tmaMi
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd2yexWNoC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89SLoFK9rE
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzW3ekKc5N
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“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX2Ff2I5OX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPY6YdQSN9
“Really? I didn’t know that…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTOXquDvuZ
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“Ahem, moving on–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwnoFbTBI2
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL6fdT4Xxs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtbBAy2Jxn
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sMRaff9gv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtv6GrGwPM
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjDEckZA61
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01aJayH5k2
“May I know why I’m being told this?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXY5F5x61R
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsGtrgRqCl
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpnXI8hIv6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPFwpcfVD4
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRBgKaWStD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FFgy4SVnx
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf1EcBhue5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAshgoxj17E
“My help, you say…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMXdd3KzKy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVXB0tpHYj
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BA8FacaNa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo27PR7qqV
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT9FiTwTR3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJLmMXmrOw
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OYTeiWuG2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTaWwCQhMt
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedLWbNYSI1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP6pM7PKuo
“...Energizing potions?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddZ14vMLDz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcpKYK5pEd
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5If7FCScW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3XR9hqaaz
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLxLnwRcr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa4gzjxTbN
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF0wGPRhLx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TZgG2ufiv
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALoacIQGc1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywZbwlEiAN
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgTgArXyU8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK2lxprNTm
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLJEt9WGml
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEyKAtKkLE
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI0yqY6ZeS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlR3U3U6Ge
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTMjR9WeWn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAA6zxNxss
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhj8nyw7lu
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“Is something wrong?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jA9E0cLim
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Dn69qY6R
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbN1tatH2p
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAwIMdvdbu
“Well, kid–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQe1lCJYfH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQm3Bnd2zR
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVAbwLTm0z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTSZRVwutD
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5vewxBTOy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvQfNxHqtn
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dDMkWEq2i
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FJmXQpaEl
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pvdQguYEd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgjVydQDdr
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9XJqGjXJd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2iY815LdX
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KlKoGDLjh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBxurbTwWK
“...Comfortable.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzWvX3dni2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKRvFdIvG1
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PZcDMGyqI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zsReaPAe4
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOPmdzu18x
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVonsxJS74
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GAxOD1p3v
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lDiQWEFK1
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrdGlHlcad
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMhxvDoOx3
“...A little bit here.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYy5ed4KOG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSowo5mjrB
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vtDjTS4AU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WresinrgV
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmJ9DtqAWe
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRid0Dj8iR
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5lJJU9qYb
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As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQqxMCOsx0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxZLiDRXVO
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCnahZpBfp
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“No time to waste, though.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpfWlPIu8b
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLITuUq66Y
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJfyeNGhkI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw10YnuFdZ
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB266Nj0L8
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“...Crap.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiQbpAS2RD
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ75le0Onx
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo2XcnRvp1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmg77ZWRFC
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtydhXIk58G
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5YNH7oUp6
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fu6RmTQH1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHT9MbfWLr
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoojbI3iDJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppFMoWrc3B
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4UrpxKcdP
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclFVYsejbZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgiR5E7niK
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGegeIgN492
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjq08RBtWw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7oLipCGVE
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsA0S8HJ3M
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyTF8deaW3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecg9asWQb9
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvSxPxxlpU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51dQBo6H5L
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnOaix8TkF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqW0aSuCoR
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KEUC9ewtJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ibM8zrvIo
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhe6kq8PN5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQp76vSGpC
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43xElzJ3GH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DlXYDdmg7
“N-Nigel!?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYZShXABep
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1bULwibi5
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm4xAet83W
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bW4cavd7t
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqeo3LHMw1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwOlFmCGEa
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFUreBTT1f
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqloqeqx0w
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch5vFNshL3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBB6uZ0Vxw
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphiTCer7Ew
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X2cuLD88W
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lqijR9gcw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGHZx5auLu
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRBKzURUCD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P311ocJAW
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPAs0j4KqG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HKRJugzsU
“Is this… a clamper?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ihiFWDaac
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm9WjJKhpN
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs1AucFuHJ
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysHrkCUgAj
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“That I asked you?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfesbExnyi
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHrDkvTjHo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOUYd6ItRT
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCklYFWByF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3jumEwyS4
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZsgdu2Oyo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPeH9cTkXX
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikShnBWCUB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnm8gA5l1p
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBEJn3fc0I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xQ6VqbDTw
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwEWWAXTE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb05kyEGU7
“How did you–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpxblJHJWD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQfATMID1m
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA0qL54waV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1iMlKWrVs
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbxedakPE8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ620E9AKwbL
He continued cutting as he spoke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0O2SCovh7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMImp4RPbNZ
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatzjk5v58Y
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuzYbwRKnT
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXphP6SL2ca
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0jEtItiv3
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmtnc7qsqI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA75Z3JtUHp
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHzRHGsOPp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfS6TITsTf
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcEJ73R72u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX7uzsLbvY
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7uind3Vrx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOucS9OWEA
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCgHCZuGXX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYv7MnUujN
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuZRqobwcR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlEqxZ1nX8
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwiJ84ai0C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmmLjIbNjX
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf5BDmSXVY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkOviicc6i
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtWf301PCv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kwt0yMkcc
“I… darn it, you got me there.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2dWZ85XMU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4JBrly1Do
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxxP8YajKn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhjpowSph2
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2XUY0SVig
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGTxRXRhv2
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0U0A7oymK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lT8vbBMGb
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL6ns3kSNu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5BlWGXqxo
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hkN0KIom
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrjP3NZjXu
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqv3sZfV3y
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkPxZarirs
I looked at him with pursed lips.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5MtOb8lIg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpOlVMQQ3h
“Why not?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4kIrgLr3f
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCuqYN9jGw
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrHAJdy85a
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ye0F52hI
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvljTT1oiuj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTilbBvVLy
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLQQ2iGMLH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCnoczkh10
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0olb6YRFQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IK6QfJsKC
“--!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKcYSJadg2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkjRFekrSp
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ4YWOdwvr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu4I3kDS4l
“Did anything else happen?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupMTX8Cnnn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq8Icl6Bjj
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBSTwVOh6r
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu0Mclq3kt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyAmnBtt9J
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92XuloHFb8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTwyOMPhkE
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRtD4I2KXm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CN67hwDEp
“Uh…”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfxku9zkRH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRB6MN2ut1
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdltJtNokd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwY2EHpqA2
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykNKJnZwie
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWz3QE4hEA
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5qTi5bjQS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesT5MuHg0H
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy24Fy3g5n
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEC8K9jIov
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6CWYiRmsq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpS05ot513
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5IcgwcDOU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7oi4mfGmR
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSShbf6L0W
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TR9EaGk7l
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGhgX0g8Ym
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJOlzar9kT
“...O-Oh.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJRziqP2hw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCbbgBMIhL
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHj5vKt2NY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9rmG5fCZM
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8pSVLFnHy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWH0bheQv0
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkncqlSTVkD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVBF2xVKtz
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbd9wTor5R
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9z3ZtjUyS
“Make sense? How?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4bq95IwBc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzX7EnbM1h
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tc62PdzxP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ058MYPlxPm
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZARIpXJzS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfygJzBp7o
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLHVOAS15f
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8w8cPvfh8
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC70gZdeyhL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlln0KrVx2V
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfTBRea6P0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAU73f53Hl
“So she still fought alone, eh?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O6SMb51ET
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdpioVDcFS
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoW9cJSI2Q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdw3q9TF8O
“Relieved? How come?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMyk2wXOpx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRLArTDLsI
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJlgfv8xDn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm0aqqoB3O
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG6necHrbE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6yktf8Aed
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU7gXnFcJB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FBnHMh5vk
“You’re probably good friends with her.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUGW1IHJhw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHlZyYNWI9
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZr5cVYpyZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0nnu8r82L
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA0LaVzvKD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvjk9bQkW0
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah3Dejyu4w
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SLNY3euXb
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOzQ7wMMS4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqj4yhFPuE
“H-Hurt? What happened?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel3D4M6qbR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK98mfvbJf
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTNrMfwynz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nNex8cL3B
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbAlPvAvRI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDmLOrZhaN
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m6W4NcYeV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMQIjiX46H
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTHnWgB9vQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz90TdV09N
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb6yCHNpyX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtepJKpLMex
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TSBlNLDMQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINhFNO1dH8
He shrugged.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBfwHkUQpI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK83B8nbxAr
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPQW7qoak5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1fOoBQeml
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkENs0cxsHK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf20gQKx0OQ
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmfsCM0mav
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd1EKGGejk
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBf8GpjOga
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF8pbONytN
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIisycRmLB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhABGvtVqol
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt4DMd1nwX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoqCBFM62E
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sUqUSYnBF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsyyfBafeE
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5GxGnr7BA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2icE86XKr
–
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchSZ7zDk08
–
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHbWgYtQaL
–
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YZob3dT18
“...Role model.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz3JX50dic
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkGUMu71dP
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZeNFXhLmn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq3nkOhJ19
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUULk2Ket2P
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeM8EzOSio
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdtMdxPidt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHrcknJSn0
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡircK0YxN5A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPRpYAuQwX
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1JPjp64hR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAhoHWpK7A
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygT02zNPWw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz93FALyfw0
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVEHuZQLNR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i0xaE4wU7
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMoufo67Np
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvn6l3ML3h
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
