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.
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEdIcTIlDf
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD3h3xAfaN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNmNb8KSf0
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdZU3Hlxxx
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5TIuLZU4y
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV83OXLwM4
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRZlUBGUZB
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLwLttpvF1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlMK3yh6cV
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XYSi3cDLP
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“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e3sHyIr1Q
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR5EIsxaAO
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CtcT829ea
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWe8HZU4sP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADzYSnlLMl
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zaZgCJv2x
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4wrrREwcC
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArjM3cd5o2
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“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGduObMi3C
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqw7HkXP1w
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXEvQ7hJYp
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5DYRoX1D9
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhTsHY3mb1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98McWhyiwk
“Yes?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdzvjZUOOC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgnv4FJiE9
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnOHsh2KRt
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp17KjIPE5j
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeTXbm7uey
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wPcUmdC8n
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhLHcv1JD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixwMU8HPdT
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPyQCnhZc7
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHas77uvSLf
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71KMka4k9Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAs5LEhyIL
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN6P7FpXqh
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsPvBeU7QV
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BoaIYLyzH
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoJYYUI8ae
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“If you insist.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV4hDd8Mlh
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWHYJlKR53
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“Kenny?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwmkieAe8d
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCtBDt52AF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX46sLwtW7
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45QEY0PB3D
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4nOBkHg0S
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnm0sgk1M1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWo4JkHLfz
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDpswj0bw7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUvpStr5tw
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvUmgc3NIB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv1kg81Tp2
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn4l2BtVhq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHTSphUEVv
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz38IDMq56t
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“I see. I see, I see…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xpiySdLSV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eDqy1Zg8i
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouxDwjF7rL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSYUUGJacd
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUgyErSXLE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomd9KYIn2p
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzJmP3aBwD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRqf9NoDLa
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRoxJAmVpm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURopbZbqP1
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeX6eKYO9a
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“Please?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAghSszR1D
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpbubk0GVV
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNffVEBvqn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EOwngx5w2
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK5ans3sQC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9DugDxX0d
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hP4ONPqGS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaxBMribgz
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjseTV8NjZI
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wnYkMqurL
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJH5bfqAxL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuwebZV11y
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5leljY2Ia
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhozjAL47o7
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DfsqQrzIL
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwga1YxSus
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p1FE8baSZ
“I started young. That’s all.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLe9bYOXQj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v76TrlFfY
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg0MzEEX90
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKz1J4T5jL
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJIoply0Y6
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2S9m5PdLV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TSccj07fj
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS9HN3B5Zb
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor9w4kZPYT
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She jumped and then waved her hand.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMbSh1jLub
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL0Zxsjjd1
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“Right.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl6pnGuvUl
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfGGLINttY
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZT671ghih
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngeahwGZJS
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgY3Fmjq1l
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“I– Wha!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIUQm4jWQd
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDnT9puRgp
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJiqp5tivX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3moLf3mYMN
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiliIzwS5H
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3I7wnkhyn
“Your own… peace of mind?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoZDHq8wlt
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlTOnWJHWO
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FLutueqXL
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT6dF2l2w5
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Uj5gRGZ1
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“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. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAYairgoHQ
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeqD8m2uj5
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She shrugged at my comment.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuCSyWNbPP
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr3wVawlIm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TM1z0KbaQ
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTOhExBvf3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISEXPkuErq
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMEedywJDo
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAzzSpxyu5
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iof0kB6Yy
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9hMAGwTIU
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“...This is ridiculous.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKUegAtNKy
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMEv623IAw
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJn6fPLYjM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSq9qGtpDa
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5LZuxjbvV
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbhtGm9sMC
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW8ks0foW0
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut7CBCllc7
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“...Hmm.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD11JTO0g0d
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ok4HiFyHN
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“Do whatever.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP9gKEyz9y
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBJjYvhNGG
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzxsoNFqgz
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSLaw5vkHQ
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“D-Darn it.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVLJDXJ9tU
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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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFApg7jJDpp
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“What are you doing here?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbBZuF3JMH
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XFNqETgdH
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9GLMWOVfw
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVhDKUmMIL
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“...U-Uh.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0Yas1sfvD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCBzqxvpHX
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYwS5R0dfL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuA21IjRpV
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslDidOEuCC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV26gRL9BR
“I… I-I.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB7YjRC9cX
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMScwtC54yn
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6e6F8xuhU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5kSL8ZxNG
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYQnHdyGkI
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V0z0iulUU
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTzxMDysYq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18kUwfIag4
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPeGLFvhWl
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVN7nN6rDw
“I-I’m here.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lopbeiJXD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6DuyHbNRn
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0msFL9Ynw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8IgXxyols
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWyi8IpXqF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVFKue0n7d
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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy2NzDCQwj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFWpqiEItk
“I…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4yYN3lpg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMukHcVJxXo
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hx58ueRT7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvxdIhmZQS
“Hello, Rover.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZH350p8Q
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wsiG8BxoS
“Hey, Kenny.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGo6k14Xvf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lJuXh0id6
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0HvWqAUdJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUQPPJvMQI
“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–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WW44UOIh7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YR5uHMzxs
“Cut to the chase!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKadoyF3PqR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkchd8TDOYI
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQxxRITwac
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeKpoeVcRm
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEbUCmK55Q
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa06IyoAEID
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9AFXDWDzL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3mj0ExapF
“Y-Yes.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11WzlJhVrT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDNkhaj8oA
“Now who told you to do that?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2L0zrva8I
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo4JfqILae
“W-Well–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBMeTzzayR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhmhaCAWeh
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRIcLZH5he
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkNJ8Q2QjZ
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqef6L2goy3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5uUcr7sAS
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGoSS8Yv9G
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKLvRi5wCf
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZrnQxFbiE
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwbgnbPme0
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3efkoejAt0
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZR95fcGt1
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX6qPjyu4n
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jlT6Airkn
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbfYr3ayhz
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAVx64jaU6
“I refuse your treatment!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6233dizEF
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL6LpmbLiR
“H-Huh!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqYRgLfPIn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40RDmMHQUu
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4GWPby5Ii
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbJPVjryHS
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqpSHhMQdg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII0tsZnJCq
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2kZTM2zR2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5yvIm8fHw
“I– Wha?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8sxmGMq4j
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnuRNjr0ae
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–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhDv9DqnO3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr31dd6TZ3N
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgvnS15yOA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqclTrCQC9
“Stupid? Weird!?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD32u5CBq5I
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2bRVcetgW
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFJzyJE8yB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdSeS4ZXTy
“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOyTCd9duS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxJHQDQ1Z9
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz7nVu4qWU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQqsO2IYYp
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcCCTEjLdo
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KZGvM8uDC
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Gxnlawl1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgYEGU3WzJ
“It’s because I upset you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmHhcKGSv9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uZOCM94W1
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pDo503hcf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnZ9qEZBjq
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ9tT6KNQ1
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvgNpgFldP
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI8hXuOA6s
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoGACNO6Wb
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmejaqTcAXm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdQC0O6AE
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yhngf9319
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3APIg21McQ
“S-Sheesh.” 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzrAqg97St
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6EJgeRN8o
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.
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FX4o2aErt
“How do I use this thing?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHrMnNnWvl
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyl2AXlauX
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOfSuRi6Ah
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyqS95wxj6
“Drinking works for me.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChlLES5R5E
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegywgKT6pk
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeKOOJpi8n
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7gcAUwJhL
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiv1iOD1Ij
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUpYgSjMR6
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRWUtFb8a5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRU25gSxKY
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfJbWsknr7
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qXm70ZDPm
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMFD8DIkpq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4375b34kYz
“Whatever.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF4eyLDbaT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWia6Nml84
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. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GgdIBs72X
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaey970yQb
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WeCXUu38C
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGFbI7Brpm
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD5V4JIC7u
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26D89T5MOY
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsonVWCOtv4
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaxizN7r3D
“Leaving already?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a578HWOpW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkP6ND7wR9
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIHqZ7dcv
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3YVaezHII
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8SHADNKy5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ZLExGjrG
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQcamTE4Gu
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l2lCyVKBW
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4esGsGPlXa
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahDdtlYZbE
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DmankE2cr
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaSXhLHKhh
“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?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKtwp8C14Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAygTDbGVH
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cEpCMYtNv
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscXaQl5DxX
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnIRNAtxAe
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoBuXIDD2h
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRs5k84f2O
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc48ejSCfb
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmj7L2NQD2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSSg7E6Y1s
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgdwC2Nfeg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFhd8ABzhA
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltHeWLLmpd
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6n3svUVIy
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VTXBZcDWY
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8kN6h9Xkd
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W5zemOriA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFuYxOzagf
“H-Huh?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEliFUSzfM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTWK9TvaD3
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8M19ReO9U
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM0W6FgtWv
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLjayTCCQO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OKLI9bIVM
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZCaMNV6w
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ27Lccsep
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlj53Vx51Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzuX51gkSL
“I’m n-nothing so special.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXwgbLnbAS
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCoB0dLZAg
“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!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ9ZOoA0ms
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKtDEa3CRm
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFikOfrFvH
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXKjB5Roaz
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ntwwTuK5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAK8smFkzK
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44RD0puWaq
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw4E5WA0mU
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. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvHh5aMole
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXLW0NpF2R
It took me only a few 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdXNDVbKA3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT9tcUfmAc
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSfL7wLI22
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv15hccxHV
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5buSG5FZZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqZvhpmqDP
“No, really, Rover.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z4Smhy1ZW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3liYyiBNpt
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI5kFeLJjM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWQ3GPIZeA
“I think I’m just lucky.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgzyt5xs1b
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlLuLpKanO
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ru9rmasn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJIpwnjFhc
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeCzlqYl4g
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFSEZKxUHH
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMHkPj4Dia
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBYXnNyUv7
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiGhRRd57D
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYJUzaXPpi
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYOTyCta1t
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuEWZha9gH
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORVaEyZx0H
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh1Vk5Mn1r
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgVBkdZhLe
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylQYKPJkvf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY56bcdGb1
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. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw6lZU0WaD
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLj8ukpckH
“D-Don’t rush me!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxaQZ4M84c
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkfQPuN2wD
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuVFrjuxrC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3oSbeJNpr
“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…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4whFMaqus
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu37WqtzL3
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEdYyhiUU3
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGEQDDXQPz
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAU3HfOV7z
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjcO1Sqss8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpBNwb0uoX
“I didn’t say anything.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9ccZ38ldR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC9Hxt0iaf
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7wolS6dwC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSLBISUnyi
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33FzMRv7XL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtThzH0kT9
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfqqZ6m0C6
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iMeuzfnuQ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzrGIcdx0I
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5e9kC3o4r
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkmFQr3dg9
“Told you all I did? What?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj96wJQMm7s
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgq1VAIzyX
She was caught by a wind of fury.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmYxn39HXO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoXk4O6RMa
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU702gO6RU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ1GTCcU9K
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTlXNMQeOr
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e7K96CslW
“What’s so funny?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRSm3eRjPg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK0lJCF946
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRggG2HMqYf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI1Y2RfN10
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX18Q5usYR
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLWm6YOkrH
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“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6mGbVy2Fb
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabenALB844
“A little crazy?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIp8CQKvDV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksKLaEdI23
“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!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKcS0P5TtP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOCybrW4VA
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH9ddNK7Iv
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1taCWFz0v
“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7irfUjVSF
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“Well–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBPQsyFULQ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xkn3MzLMZ
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWodrkQjWoL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZpkJKczeQ
“I–”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdbaU2otEj
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOYQiJ4CgJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSggb3KJDgx
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohpQsRJqRm
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“See! I– huh? You do?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGI84J9y4H
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4qVKJDPDR
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“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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM8vA96JEB
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0A6zkHitK
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHHpoBgzhL
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOKqL9PQoQ
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdy3tbbBn6
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7XeKo3Op6
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGNUGxXjGi
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIOmwk8fwD
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapy4uKCYDw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p7zKf8foK
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5gmCyaOb9
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS3wHcTMj6
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Z3nO12kz
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“Ah, right.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN88FWpHBbK
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHcPvFp6WI
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Ujm0wRT1
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHSTDYSNn9
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rS6TC7Vcj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fmWHlzAEy
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCKMu84FDd
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIvveU88iN
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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl8mTryMPv
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“Wait, one last thing!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj4Nhd7E2T
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxmvptKBvy
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcVbWHOSri
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivEkqAoqaI
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“...”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nLnKVLvpD
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I smiled.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVpf4mNP3p
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“I will.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D0ugDCXOA
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyk1t0arfZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yqwZbDeIk
“Yes!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6dHtkr6SG
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCy01Kh1gO
