The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XKKknwu2R
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1kjEytUHk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH8xvETjUv
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84YO7ae20V
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJw9KpW4JV
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplslm6xWJB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P56SKHgv5
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatgbkJG4ZW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SdV0MKJUa
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOIyVlczLu
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10HDnUBXaM
“...”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRWiaogCY0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJdA1zS3aZ
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q43JGoX0p
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnPgkub9m8
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8qkVC4Klk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSppSvHYXiQ
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDozuB98eNX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pF4RCD55v
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPPA6Er9aE
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MQ21IWCgs
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkiEdlroqP
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyYrQz5Pee
“...”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkT00kuuc9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA940gOzE0
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ50XsELkt
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgJ5mniwbX
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k2vvmSDa3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8ybR5NXtv
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgs4tbXrH6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUEQjcmwOJ
–
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196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt5ozSbmjv
Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW0LAS56FB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLPjjpJFs6
“Yes?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy12d6rrCY3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1X3Yg5HiW
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFzUxG9pCZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz0PyuZYUF
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqmwe9V3Ob
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Et56opp0B
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfvtPtBWKz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTxgDLIHWs
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgWxQNgys7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGWueAcoAn
“You made this in eighty minutes?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NrVcrQOum
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6up1TWExP
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xrDmlhHH3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AY2ITi1aA
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAq7vRJbqf
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL8IqYDSQs
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbur93d4VF
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsVn6FDUqw
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGImdpmeBl
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLJIKyR1nL
“If you insist.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQh9cFG0T5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij596ED90N
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PJYrYU9oL
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66iZl4Xvrd
“Kenny?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD8ipj7Fw6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z9qbeK1iJ
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabjHcqtFTl
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuMtxTDd4E
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxC7Cf78EL
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyCRUgZJ3T
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MJin84wBF
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KqUFXvpG2
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqXh0BBVYk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUj0Yk8bka
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvsTCFrY6n
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xfEOGKaEx
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RSfC2AfKC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e4UVMdDa9
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw0i6v8aQl
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjm8bF0KBw
“I see. I see, I see…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrWZ23y7O5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZLgnVkb2S
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtH6SS0mvx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp9C8Sq5Lb
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MSqLbPwzm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8L7wT7JPI
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn64CKJpoez
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODvGL5QozL
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrxNmU35Qg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWjajW4FVv
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGSrlKMnkT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9io9Ncqoz
“Please?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRqOGNdp10
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHg1IKl0mk
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGN8Z3PzgM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XyYw3oumr
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHSFBtejYe
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm77vKR0AhS
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpfghXkJcn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6ByXYOKK5
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSR9MBRmkn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJJvJOFrxH
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviZzu40cLN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2zZ7gfBXN
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep0g41QCUR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygAahzZzD1
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IAgL2Od30
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO67KbMdXAw
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE2eClyROY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u0YiEC5qx
“I started young. That’s all.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fqyUPYbzr
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RwE6WK7kj
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOSrTFOzBc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzEx24FnJM
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxv2TyADKo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gU1A2BYP1
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGtuA0IX4a
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGKrNIE6pk
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclBhDnBfuH
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegnbTHvVIo
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPeKnplVm9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNb4RDGExf
She jumped and then waved her hand.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM7Ns6C5h8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1WHn0CnA4
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49rzEix0LT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSpQyieXjh
“Right.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT5q8A5Xd1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VIRpNdEax
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3go8CfHBtc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNPDw4EsPs
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Ui8kXuqm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gkujbXUTW
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MGItdbtPW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXlG4LDAUO
“I– Wha!?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cynZOfbWy
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDVXHx5utx
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jcL2zY7a0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z2B6qgEBG
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh1ekA3wr2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya0aVKfhjV
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHVHPmpGmU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2oKC3E0F6
“Your own… peace of mind?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl3nKNxFGS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpsfg8IUym
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1QuRXhX2b
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOwOu96rRw
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrK6jJC1Av
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2KAWYe3aV
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjKplaB1kd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTYkfu6gGl
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr7DuizRGf
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC4ixjCj7j
“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolX6nwCqvk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTshbmeJn5T
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTxvUARlaU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFY7hCQhuG
She shrugged at my comment.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4koS7nSz3v
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoG4uZMubT
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr6pZ9mgW4
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUqsuSua8F
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNe3xQmxGM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfU3ynpaqR
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF2tSS3408
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttoGkigy07
–
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196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57n9HN8Wf
As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UXWqZ8tPN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi5pdGmZHk
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0GoeMrXJU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gtaCCOjkE
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO4nNkdTHE
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1W1nCZslE
“...This is ridiculous.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY192AuPIzO
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDfXJqwcMl
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcK94ovt5l
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JV6CN2qDC
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4bWPgcuvG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqQMMbkAtT
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBvqDBr5Ib
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRbTd9UX8v
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhPx5xHF0w
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRVOEtoc67
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVNk0UawzT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtmQwt7rhN
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDkWMQcQ51
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2POv0Js3T
“...Hmm.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF9XNorIwD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nfPY5KNS8
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTXoBG1QZM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7m9YifQYp
“Do whatever.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifA4LbgAR6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8YX1X8re
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92Q13IF1v
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtlbjsWqy
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSwBLD6StQ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsbK6Pxd9E
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC8nwEeAsm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOk2a7KVyV
“D-Darn it.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDHi1mTOYv
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLWA9w1xef
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSg8n4o7dC
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41EbVQWQaa
“What are you doing here?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITrrC9fIcI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzYIZFvXa1
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQE8tKi7fF
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCZ1j5t8k
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvduUBL6Qm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qShKVjwC0
“...U-Uh.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iZvEMwWEX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnTKzDA6wJ
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4B53ElpVR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfY4wFQjvr
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TUtzOHKfA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZrpLqlGcJ
“I… I-I.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TyUbZisBS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79lkUVjWhW
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4YxjuW8Hz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D3iePfbIk
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9AtF0sGY2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzZIKpmYE6
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYmlu8QaVe
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFG81UbQTP
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Zdx1MXLD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhPIhBuG1B
“I-I’m here.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbpQIeYy2E
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAJ4jIMAe3
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15wqFc82GM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE8X14wz0F
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xhKUShmTo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7vdkUCuNo
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8f0aVbWee
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIb403NS7M
“I…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdjOKItAVI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxQG9CtZY0
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDl2NkOdMn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORKfUUMghB
“Hello, Rover.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyDZ0vTF6g
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y8VCNwpLI
“Hey, Kenny.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7croYvcdGI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquMrKiNyPT
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yreUoUqmM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVXPU3FHkk
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTpwTPsoGD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscppIIObUQ
“Cut to the chase!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjebZOWrDF
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKEniI335Y
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qjvu6ATL7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXWSH1UBGI
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B2AGKGrQ0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl9mIqZFxC
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCHeTJTky2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmMDO4RIq3
“Y-Yes.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScvUjoS4jx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmgO3yWqzJ
“Now who told you to do that?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv4XyiiLHn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRAaTdKEH8
“W-Well–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NM68JCLOD
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXXSbDzYOp
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkU5FsOiX5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GMIsDYj2z
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsA0B3dtly
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVjiLxz1Ar
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPzDnQUFHK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr13ovHx33Q
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7tNvATxkx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFjvPxDaLe
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7PpciGLn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKWZyjQOce
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCepR7j9bI
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvYZfx1zoa
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlqrNil0gg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Zbe2OnOwV
“I refuse your treatment!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9pTN5KolN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawX5NmJ8f7
“H-Huh!?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIWsYaKkU2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe5xf7WBu1
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF8lyvX0e8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1H3fJRIca
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmRih63ZSA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJDW2DbS8w
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxqAzjJsbJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvsbIBbiki
“I– Wha?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9YjHV9xRv
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRAWzW9Lxt
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFGzbfBlfB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEtccDHONg
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnjxGx06c9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbfW748udu
“Stupid? Weird!?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSYkzpY4d8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1OgOxvO4c
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aky7kbNwx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROrBeO2dky
“...”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7PWDu4w0C
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AR2prFOsp
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXMB8XvmMd
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxmT1yl2qK
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFL44Jzp8M
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTvzplYl4R
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MvhyHFxFJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N7Lk4nrg3
“It’s because I upset you.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAu1UnDLGP
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBopqqJrmsF
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9yqhVjnh
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQRSFPW8G0
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsko0FFVbGo
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuk19dqd2o
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbRAfQ1S0C
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzytcRyQus
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8wYSqACO5
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETJcFPhSrC
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XgfyQbc2W
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfDxRD03uw
“S-Sheesh.” 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAFLKCQVwT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWbJJtSZry
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiRprzCzh3
“How do I use this thing?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDQWFuFSvq
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ub2UOq60
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuVI2cRbam
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6SWWLXcba
“Drinking works for me.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO4rzwnbkg
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXym0chLBB
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tDQQz1U5H
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcchkLSxRDd
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhZM2Zft3Q
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjW6pS247Z
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35z0TglDN2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b1PdlldB0
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTkDlhPjd1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzUosPMCz9
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK7AXg0LNi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMccumnS2Ah
“Whatever.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEVF3QETAZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ0bvAV97Y
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwYOKl7u3d
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w9gJ1llUp
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXs6Ss6tc1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk2xqZphdM
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCcoeXYd7A
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvHiDbJsbY
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOUewo6NQG
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYv8QtIR6S
“Leaving already?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaesTpZC0B
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLboRpvnQ
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGkHSdsWoc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ32VgR9bN
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlMEF43Vy3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbEN2uUbsY
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTLgqwpHtk
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfvB3dFvEz
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDWw1DESda
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAocB5uwSgr
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZJfQ3d1ra
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRG1Tl1Wr
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN46DSRYSHw
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3xYNdc8kw
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVClWoBvy4r
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjxb7Q0KJy
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVLuNZgpU9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n0EOsWSyk
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaYIM1890e
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE8kuGtHM2
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS4mOQZdWb
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmDSdHrKEg
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp5cpiOEm7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPtSWFcGH7
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0BAIRPUbJ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSNl5SLQ6r
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONQvMWk5Gi
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF33HqGbHu
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQQlgLclgx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZXQZmWhsK
“H-Huh?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnncu4lcNo6
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p47hTwAde
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWH1AOMmq9
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStT8CpUx18
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16NXV6VSC1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaeLyfP26W
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqSIu0Kip1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcCmh5CT6y
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz73uYgwxL
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KQNo9jmTz
“I’m n-nothing so special.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiAF7rUgGm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmOlLXsMgr
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgZeuTYGIR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LSaBwSQQj
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD8eURsY1I
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nj4J5LcAZ
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC6oHaLrZZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqCmce6L7h
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsQXY8Y1t0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoEnZ3Pt6y
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvta9V9v4tS
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7EBLp8zEE
It took me only a few 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MHLTh4zy7
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iN45j61GG
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz1SPLILNa
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWCbfa06mT
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkLIBwQmne
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5vBYCqzda
“No, really, Rover.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiWqAcDICz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELjHPmRcw
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ISNLai9Bj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEpOIusxk5
“I think I’m just lucky.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd3rzn28TY
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh6jckT2jr
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvjdQp0D66
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfdWRiUkcN
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQFfzoG1uA
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHvChqwKTF
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RR8yT2oDa
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfb3K9Z7jk
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlhcwOPy9D
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEy1p84qRw
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbMEpaLrjx
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMCoQSXziY
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQki0XPFOIU
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp5ixuZuLG
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONll0vjo97
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDfAJxj6L8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCBjg7pSOe
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhcmcBQoa
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT94TKr1Mt
“D-Don’t rush me!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzSkxpfGYu
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj34Tj5XGsl
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHH6n88jxv
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOdH5EJ0qj
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Eyda0T7P
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W5leKnWMQ
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXeYF4gs4E
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuOEnklrv0
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UY8ArBbxW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7fkv272wn
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t3Xq8Nvi1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIHbW6CSmq
“I didn’t say anything.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB3kGe1KXV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ML3hN2s3f
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH2DwRvonK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lWZxp8Iln
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiFUiXNgOt
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u80HJfGD7
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4plFDiWiB
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgYNJXJmy7
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmAtytKaOX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv15t6XOJo
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy75AvwMGKq
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB9R8fxhri
“Told you all I did? What?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBnSJ3FCBw
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I2ox2OS8y
She was caught by a wind of fury.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpL98i9VeN
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe5gebwbnK
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPWs3kO40H
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9gZEHbWoQ
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5cGLXXW1J
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qxikNyrA3
“What’s so funny?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXMTFlrTwX
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKpbrlXGYx
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzGu7NN9mT
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapdjVw6arB
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWpSQJF0JW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PBRQcGC7k
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmy3tALCIK
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVweew7RKS
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyMg5XXeO1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQAC8Tcpup
“A little crazy?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4qCJlEEC3
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs37IVZl9cA
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKLqPv7MBR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRcxrcpNk4
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00qySx9RCj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv3Ln0oeCG
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaO7scXqs2
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRgHcFQlB6
“Well–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgUcVSi68Q
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uL74IARBB
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizWQN4Cfol
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1LETUPXuR
“I–”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnYwWtna07
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyWX6pf7E0
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQea8QSMtp
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiI0j9aRXI
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtysjIOmGzj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9C0RD2LUz
“See! I– huh? You do?”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYvcpMpyB0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jBmLu7jY5
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0MWXPtojn
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd3fBARO7P
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeDOSxxmM4
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9XEMwZA3b
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo3UyeU6ja
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPODNui6uR
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dpuy1qdyz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaZ8ZQIBjJ
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHu8voLrzu
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWM9yOM7Jd
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uYDEbNkl0
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNF4WVrefx
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3RZrUsMsQ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQ2VE6CvJ
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaRyAqNbgM
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXJ7sacHrl
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12OY1E0Xcc
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5vo7PUSIP
“Ah, right.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafGVMozjqW
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpY4pZsb31
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUp0iAGB57
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM1XBWU7xc
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyHBm9T9wV
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zunUbFf9K
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUGg6HJNZ4
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6hNZ2MnVh
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKlHqKnEjv
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvSRox5Tmm
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50RP3bmShv
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3O1V6PptK
“Wait, one last thing!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUwdlWbRyj
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDpbg98a2b
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtRXE28EnZ
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJzkjZdiRK
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTWhQuGKgR
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn2hD4dAEY
“...”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzstjBrdom
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0wHoLTgYz
I smiled.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XBIGUHdPz
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO95EWMlUD
“I will.”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E5X4D4zx8
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Dz3Aeazo
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WzqgmyZPm
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjp4MQYCOV
“Yes!”196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzh2BgvmN1
196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxzxbQ2qe0
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.196Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6Zi8ZMdfr
