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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwMkEvJtK9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaWs9YYR2G
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg1tPxlMT1
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lzOGJcFl5
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLBXjovKH9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytm1I0HHo4
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sBhA2Y5hU
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“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf4Is4RImg
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1dLr1KmVz
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4KewTl7SH
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavjFX5J4Qn
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsxdmCCrWO
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmxuRz86sb
“Well?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmayLdsydIU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwxOmFyISg
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRsuPZyN0C
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK83qdT1tH
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvgHfVPbv8
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWp2z2NI1m
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0loJwBQRi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKKICUAr76
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIrrEKUpfz
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aokZh72Qw
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuilhd1OVF
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0VolR2YwK
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0MFW8L3l
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V4Q2ZNmea
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwWQN83eEU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ328M7AZT
“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…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwsyVPFmY5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOi7dapLh1
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o15dWZsVo
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p3oxvOkce
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTf827nXJs
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTYku6IG6M
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPSP9LEzfl
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFbJlV6tnp
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnCoBV0o1O
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBeA4HnP0f
“...Yeah.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNilYwiPPML
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3At7Cx1DZ
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–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6euVKp9Mq
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIQRqq3Ix
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxyhlXC2Ku
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VPhZQjfYW
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64UMEJzdB6
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrVTYPXdNm
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdXLhR6QuG
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bz6HKnmUG
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YsbtLOv0t
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hyuzWveNJ
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGi9sedUgg
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“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWS0it2oFQ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWIORLRsnV
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4TGeEQRjt
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cDRSPyQQj
“...?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVwdQvmzPd
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At that, I had to tilt my head.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoNT1xnrGB
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“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyc2gdZXYd
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw90D31wcX
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL1HSI6JCC
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYPOPDsJnc
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB5dP54rob
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xSy3FVqwh
“Dennis still ain’t here.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxQSQSRTyX
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ64tj56X5
“...”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6dW6KgKAL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp3I4rZCMQ
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyxAmZiURO
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ63vL0ZGWx
“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–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTs0kKoYa6
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj8kml5pFL
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCEI9yRCK1
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kl7cl1exg
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOllneocbxY
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRQZriFkx2
“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’.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp96hF3w1KU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOfRue4YuA
“--!? W-What!?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp71ppnFU4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2SgexWSwX
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG7JsLhNU8
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ217Fmme0vx
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKsjuFNosb
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1oqIFGtT
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g4RbhzSuC
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyDqLBPg38
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j4f9CCIOd
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA0lTJR36N
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. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJVkGdIkHm
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb5fohjOB9
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtJGu3ftFP
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT91UeYSdPQ
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYWWVzo751
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dTHarI2PP
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXob0tULaDd
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjpgQHcUCL
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseVCkxWMbH
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcgFLLbDoc
“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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ2GYvGliU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoN6Lh1t11
“...”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhadnYdKsW
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSJNerBZiN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zhmLG3jpJ
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKutj6MJync
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdNkp4pInG
“I-I see…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhak6vHeMIh
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK11fwOAa8j
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwo9lT4ri3
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“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiV6wnZtqv
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVAAtTGTDE
“You don’t, ‘get?’”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBljXREfOT
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“Y’know, when–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVLku47PHm
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE94EdBLBjP
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQZyVAC4RL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvOYkXKf0h
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYMyRTINkj
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7T2TmPL9Z
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNSx0oZbeP
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**SLAM**241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt58K2nSPlK
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dNUqYFB0J
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9a7FnfvaB
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ8jUsxMXE
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf92k7EpvDZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6v115TkKr
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVS4Fdw0Qt
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAP8um9s4d
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv3wp9PaBK
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“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm8V4i4FWP
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“M-Mister Dean.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNDxjleFAC
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I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVVYDxUKwN
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“Yes, child?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWOuJUJQ8R
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMKevsyw9l
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZoK8gipEb
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1WWPHF0zY
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevoG8FspaA
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“R-Right.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxMTLOKX4P
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I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreUT2Btci6
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“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKUTmAaABi
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“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB558R285K5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyW5ZnZk33
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbvBZ9TMQN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1riqzLjoVp
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHm45ad76x
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexlc4zxnb4
–
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMNH1MmSpA
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoSs0ytCxe
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j1fHjDFfV
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“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBm54rtWCn
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkw7ME7XPh
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVLdXMUIZy
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–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88SH3BmqeG
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbyeNDJ374
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpHt0Imj5Q
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc3Stj9PSA
“Haven’t you explained that already?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUlcvlHx62
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY0We5XLU7
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hkd2QRwjM
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsblODysU4b
“What’s that?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4CCy63NgQ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUQ5j1il78
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMPRuBW9dv
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPJybyRLFV
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5XKhIkzd7
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fIjJDccFE
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:241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkGGcgHC0m
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAFj0rzyG8
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0vpbHKong
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtZZh0cSpq
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUULFDck5X
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sC67HNHV2
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54PJgIJWbb
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfGOf7PTt5
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBMlaPfhbB
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JMP6x06j4
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMBAxzORhD
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YzoBaB3aB
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWdzFZjZ3
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eUctpMszY
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE9lb5zZ5u
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj6cHO3Tfu
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNVljwptPn
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg3HBjiL7h
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTmCo93Abi
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllf59zVUNB
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NAhnZuPAU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3JS3qui0V
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs3GWL4Tz9
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“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bGP23bjWE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLchkb3oulB
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6trrvoGFLc
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“I think it likes you, child.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnShrFcyQFk
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UktYO4Ewb
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCZooAjO6J
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVatOwjuFrq
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKLbckeVtE
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdLmML64ya
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“Hah?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZHyDhcH1D
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuQZGi2dbj
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“I… smell like flowers?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAb9LNc038
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Gm8e5D1M
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3llOcHTY53
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5zs2uN38H
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I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zowKTidAX
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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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ5jqTEiPu
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“Really? I didn’t know that…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgTXPH6bdm
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“Ahem, moving on–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p1QDoW2lm
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt57HCpUx0h
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“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6cBfBpj1K
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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:241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO9ivhBqLe
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu60sozV62T
“May I know why I’m being told this?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbeDIzS2SN
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“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?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz3a9cwtXE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLddpQlalqg
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNWZSdcyvp
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb6LDyQZyO
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“My help, you say…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVvqcVIS9X
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljhkv0yah0
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0V0ivdaC
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRtpwDWFc0
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSAAPjqqnc
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“--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?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku0J3eZCoV
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“...Energizing potions?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwAdRLi8kK
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV30xqvD5T
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiMiNIqm8E
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsUEWQ9uAh
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ746TQFFYIj
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NaMXqY1sI
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJ0YU0gLi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4R2G6hUir
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev9e6Rfxki
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetJ26hQELU
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“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVLcQipyVq
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ4diRxBST
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“Is something wrong?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGakpAr61yf
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiTMynVPSo
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“Well, kid–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZHybjzXyN
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Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5fFNWu8S
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“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBbNHIa086
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk91Qwmu5ad
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“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhdWUJTgMR
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e96veDZcW
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjPC8frT94
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6k0sF6Cs
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFrBPUZYkV
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“...Comfortable.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhdggEamv
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF1rve4BWI
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7EzEIa35n
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE5IWwfPLe
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaoQQOhTIJ
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq6qa6YDnJ
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“...A little bit here.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JKohPjOFp
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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. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ358rDKL7
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nSqJBPS8U
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiKhFoMTcT
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQuPilL62V
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3JmTeteAN
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“No time to waste, though.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw08MDcVOeV
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFZxFEsoO9
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQH03RvMjF
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0y2d8RuJA
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“...Crap.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg3eMZwXtV
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs3q0hQBoE
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIbqCOxbvn
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKooXfZ3SQ
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF20aaYEhZk
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“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmomX8QiIL
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak9uwJOmsD
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ECnMiy0O
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxiCHAk00Z
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GdFIwGUH2
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARCU24hMGF
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3gloVyRJG
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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?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ln57vq5i
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORBVYcga8D
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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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc61QgoxcW
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ2S9NMNIN
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlz7e067Y3
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0XnWrXziy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ABAxCou3g
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTqENhHOJM
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“N-Nigel!?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3O0icmGog
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzmjiAfPCP
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“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfX1tm4zJQ
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He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zefJHQ9Nv
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“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCniSxLDro
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“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AeNMU6xJD
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwgEK9Pfop
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMhtjFxNol
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“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKFvAPxdAa
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYVCLHhEbs
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjbwiVVVhZ
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“Is this… a clamper?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFg8dovzQM
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqmeVSCO4z
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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?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZanslj2JOS
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“That I asked you?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZre66RUI
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r62Vdeof4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1wg2IGAs0
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8vb5lUeNw
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“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmTtfnh6nS
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTdqYAzyFU
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdNSxl8O61
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpatR9R74oK
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4UssXS2cm
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlHk9gODrg
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlyiBQXywD
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“How did you–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYZj9aM5SE
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOzy4HjF5Z
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxJIV7OYog
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N47MyIYPu
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHFUXF9QAC
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GqRcyU23e
He continued cutting as he spoke.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG3os822pn
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOs1bhRTRW
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVhzO3htKD
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKav8wapAD
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANHEpf3XjV
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnb3mwxm8y
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Qq8Qrzaz
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhevDWlRefs
“...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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcNJa0z6BF
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAdoYb4J1J
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg6eLtRJM9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKKC3yJUvw
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jMkV6gEwr
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DMm3zWkHj
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlEDZbdSjp
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7W3ONLs0i
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYZYnTifrf
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88ZNQqEfD0
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:241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHutxMuqc5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEecdjwvtY5
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dk5wrb6eV
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWslaEJGT2k
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURPSoI3J0p
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXFjbMCQdF
“I… darn it, you got me there.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbqgQA973h
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UymxDcBLo
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoUdrNmgvi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiw3SjEN9p
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8KySzkGyK
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKGIV6IFC
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKbMNoYFhe
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAbhMAkKUW
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXCTiJVGpH
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsln9de2if
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxnWjXaMMS
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUxrYMSMKv
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2RdIokcTv
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq49QoYcVDA
I looked at him with pursed lips.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6fwPfTsua
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue0Ax2E7M3
“Why not?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTNf6oyCkR
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1qWyBCYW8
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLhCrmDm5z
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqv3kmGfUV
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefC709DG1R
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JV3mr2A2r
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGZ4JGGTz8
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrJ8w1E2is
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdhsxVloLu
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ6NhsQyLw
“--!”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmFxyJFJC3
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M6jMJz9Ck
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. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbJVACDk0K
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFLQBU760Q
“Did anything else happen?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80W23n0pgn
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53lVQEOdnc
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gk0TKzHqG
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElFUC5MmPZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF13Buktxn
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35WO0HxUn4
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92h7sZWcQJ
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6tBclvckU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk9V9y5Cl3
“Uh…”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8hqYsl2Fz
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCAo3FR8Ub
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFi06GV4Kw
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FduUxeLfj
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoqytCLeX9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTtoNVsuf
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7aIrNtau1
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvDrRqWBU4
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWYPn3e3e0
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujmTxsx28r
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg53JOxDbUy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiGprcNpY9
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl4LN3Sg0Y
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkedliGZCgB
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDGGHeOJD7
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5HbGdJORA
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIio37AT8x
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMzk6Ggviy
“...O-Oh.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3TF8sXxtk
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lK5nQByvW
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6N1bnvDNb
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTJ6A0cOvz
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98mGIfNjpg
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6YKhW44Dx
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2du7lI4g1
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth3oYu9f4q
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQu0n1fK8
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenHb7d8cE6
“Make sense? How?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi2fohiU22
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckVbCQLb56
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjANx11RWi0
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtV26Kt00m
“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–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwuZttRqGo
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMCrWGmJxw
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09A6mRAgfC
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDJPvAuZMg
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh2CrZoRWr
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT6rJntNso
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8oLJZQuUM
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpFuxxxrW5
“So she still fought alone, eh?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwd6lV13d5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QJWwIVTaA
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QHWMSnupM
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNTG2qO639
“Relieved? How come?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiGJc1Ljse
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dADUC6mXK
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI33dN7IE9
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHszx3Z1mw5
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIFaYgHHwy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNH6bHTP49
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrElqPlwf7
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto2QapiSUF
“You’re probably good friends with her.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ8FWPlNVl
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiZdZglpn7
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHPhvZhYBJ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IIWBKuIXQ
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTMCloIAJU
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PEI20a9iG
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNLCQPaDSy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetRs9VhqG0
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MTtCVeBuy
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4YdwYadRA
“H-Hurt? What happened?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU0MvWsV0o
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIBI3ZoJbk
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHd9GPaWSw
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3phWO0lXGX
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZXf0IQMMs
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fmqSgVHNH
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiEFMcVfl3
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOri9YT4YsY
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GF0yOc8vv
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4t1692KJU
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNpNZ29HU7
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2dC5BKU48
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE94A8GFEi
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajQTYkSllJ
He shrugged.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJeSn4HmJW
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hNhsAvLCK
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFth0GsJ6BZ
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn26W9jOIT8
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJFVCcEtK
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LvY79PMOl
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj6e82tXvR
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H1taTvqK6
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ij3Bk6zxt
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ygA2VmJBj
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO8mTLFAyA
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLTU7yPkCX
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yzrcWZflH
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTBMSsXlQv
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFtskCKXhA
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFX73TfipU
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRm2fmF9qT
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKEBgR0KQE
–
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–
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQrit9hd6v
–
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEukekAnz4
“...Role model.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ipXyTtSWp
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPw5QH3iEI
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZudgyQUjuH
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRF1uRlChq
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEASBssApur
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gsW7dqe4u
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcZpyYKJ7e
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUquJcYwfU
“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.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq368NHTqI
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrcPab1FV3
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSRx9BWYpw
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCroHyujT0
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ehfFeDot
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM26jAnqoH
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.241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUgLpjnUi5
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZCOnXHs13
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlwrrYt5vV
241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMcFtwhbXE
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
