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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX2QKA3ABT
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsbLYXeVxP
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvSoYakWt3
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–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MsTSxgh7x
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDbX22t0Kc
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCdQM2vaNY
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV3EdK8cyf
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0Nthlfacj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfYKhH4jnJ
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzOg1Jvbnp
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5LwMp3v6s
“...”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNza8D8Wlh
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk1tNmJdC8
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cbPUrOeaw
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5waF4KMxf
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuQJf7SF7I
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qscnHDxiG
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7tKjsvVoo
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxlWDmCwxT
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSBBHfz12b
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDL7tONk9
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–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wy9JXhP8v
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEHfqEoWoB
“...”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUVNurt5bZ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkFGbDxlGp
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZckL6JIaz
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaoryeV34d
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVcyjODEpR
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2fidzPdTZ
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00M2wguoyu
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvq95y9yct
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“Yes?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Cz5xnS4K
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbFwY55Tdn
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzov3VzutxR
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1zZHneG4x
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWya1kAw9N
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTLLmd2HL5
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UcxuohJFK
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qdUrsFeIE
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXi33uQouN
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90DfWG6xt
“You made this in eighty minutes?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepVMM5LrSJ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9xHvLBQmn
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SvfWY7q0h
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6e2XNgxeX
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvmG4skHkh
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0yzfZQCqI
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxKYRlFCjP
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXWb1gejF1
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22ZC9QIpzA
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnniG1Sq4mp
“If you insist.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cmaD45QKq
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9JO1fN2dQ
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RJFGYfnEu
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“Kenny?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSn8FG6m4y
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJJoQvshyb
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNzi2IQbzL
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOKkhl7zW8
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49kf9tHLMk
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i9PKEPisA
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJFfWeaJW3
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PmLcUaDMq
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSvaYkgI3T
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDnu09nYyy
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVex7ekHoQ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TRbq7sRwY
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMttWBJBad
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZccnvShCf
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7XWZ1CmSW
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1YtmkmjyH
“I see. I see, I see…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE4xK3Ulv7
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4AMfe4dXJ
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvLv2GHOIV
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKDMsxSXqj
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat2mn3rXfj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OWYKOmxqy
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27BYNwrTwD
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjpU250sco
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e9XYNShjW
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuzJIyKXFm
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxgFH1sPFY
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaBqX9sjxI
“Please?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyECAnf1FR8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CJbXQYHep
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYaNipWTJB
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoC2JISr0Q
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ178NjtKukH
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LehzdwuG5
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycyqovCzrb
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGnc5mBlzP
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9FWXLsYfo
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZbQM8sJuU
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdxSuTMjzN
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQkwcxzEjG
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGhZ4CuJK2
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Zqbcx8mp
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vsOuYYv4Y
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw9MN3Kewa
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjibARJE9Z
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWZTcCB9RG
“I started young. That’s all.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZoIOwvLWe
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsosZSIH7VH
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqt8upiorn
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEWNdenOou
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWatAw6GCj6
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKyqmRKQVW
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkz9M9ELav
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzhlYHqSvp
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sF1iYu8jS
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5jiuTqOPQ
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsVFH0SCAo
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36N5XsB2RZ
She jumped and then waved her hand.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OPReE8xgn
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEniYmSb7vR
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7igrMStn20
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWNJAgx5LS
“Right.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V7TGLGmfz
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f8mK20gin
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunhgcFL1Yo
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENcjNjsXnO
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFpkPhvHzj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnweC8VJL6
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnxdI3Y8jH
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0RMc8zHCx
“I– Wha!?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAk6sdQar2
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX6iOxJx31
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XXCQBfryS
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYqiJ80V47
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Yy7ingZu
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHwRUMh6P5
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyEsszndaG
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox5F70HM1l
“Your own… peace of mind?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTxX7jYrH9
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatEidBNJGv
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1tl36yp2w
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wbO0XUpoH
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY1N3OZxac
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA3sFwv0Wv
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OCnfHrj2R
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcawxtzcVLw
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmvm1MnbAn
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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. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOrEzGO5S8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlsqf10vi0
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJhnOSx1dk
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmftDPfeyip
She shrugged at my comment.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl5ZybgbYD
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Itc3Uf0x
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3AMwx0PxU
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcmt5ei21
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE52Ege4E52
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjwj9XWz67
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lkJWwR2xr
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCWVtktyux
–
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0DPjLg0oJ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq69Be83Ut
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDXPs0nBxy
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF6EHfcz6n
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmrvupgHWP
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI8c2qDVup
“...This is ridiculous.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUCrBERy0W
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB3IsBucyG
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIFGIn0y4k
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0HU0azp2M
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJYkffOfeh
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLgSJVyAO6
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaChGM3numa
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ7cDWQ5Ww
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtghOICCNWO
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GyMKdX8XC
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3BBzo4V9g
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNbYblYqtu
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyitqKeYdv
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbVscv216S
“...Hmm.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxwZYKM2Xn
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JMSjTOiI8
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMG7Nbvhis
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnQukMv3n9
“Do whatever.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1O0UI5Wah
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCJh6onjDf
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUzBggI2oJ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RzDUAP8UF
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGQIWA7RU9
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3n3XXa0j6
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpgf0XFE8J
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLoJsAW6cJ
“D-Darn it.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmTDNcln8v
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlW2w4QlTj
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–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iKUgtjIW1
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg1bAMAEy9
“What are you doing here?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXJTN8L520
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdNIXyRRLT
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ262Tapp5p4
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhERbccsG0a
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b4eSrUcG1
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWNIshuC4i
“...U-Uh.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpJvUKQ7zY
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wIbEz8bVZ
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQAGBeHXUw
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXXYuH4MXe
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKseH9lnVA8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpMcJZSKLx
“I… I-I.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IGTsDLm7w
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpe2GvTsOT
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ300cyxSXz1
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRexDcrOkpT
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAlPhoraxn
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH07AgyyZ1
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dn2R6aHBF
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmzDjWmhWR
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ZNzkjbNm
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoS2N1pRdc
“I-I’m here.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvnypvrMUI
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgxNJcWUCo
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpLXX3n2rX
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ceH5EwUxA
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmubrWSdX7
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNljubeYV7
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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r0B60zgNw
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bi9YtQnHc
“I…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwb2ygUilw
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxp0Axx0vU
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvC6zAfUCY
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6kTbY7FFl
“Hello, Rover.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7aTGy3hzG
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMoQh1QJQt
“Hey, Kenny.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPusJM15to
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWNIHBFuph
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmDglSDQT9
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGvP7RDYI2
“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–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWqbHFywkF
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ4uLV8CP2
“Cut to the chase!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLud6YfzqM9
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmAcQiOgbv
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4meuJO0hCv
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjexiL5qdP
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzenqSVAfiJ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrNI1QynhP
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJhSBw1WeX
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrBPXNr8Qq
“Y-Yes.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse8VyGUyVi
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DYs6eyRZI
“Now who told you to do that?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoSkbEv8fJ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE997N74OU
“W-Well–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aKDVck9un
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8jrOavMf8
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2S6zweOpn
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNOgbj4AKB
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8JpZh7YfU
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXDmKuMNvq
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgWSOhIU4r
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4EyxEmI3T
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztDoS7Yvul
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqg1LabOte
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpPdwG8FkV
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0nLTx3H5R
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8yDDjEF6K
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQE2oeDQmx
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5KLvmMmOa
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4OcevHf8
“I refuse your treatment!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixfokGZRmp
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM2W08d0NX
“H-Huh!?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivGdrag8eD
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTwR7q6aK6
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLegwc9Czt
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsN9mhXeWM
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFrDxop1RT
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutT3YDvk3z
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGBGvwB8GN
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCy1WjuYox
“I– Wha?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz6x4QMRpM
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0v9AOWsKK
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–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7YoKrjdws
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiAsROmeiY
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a2M9VQ6Bc
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X9C7dFbau
“Stupid? Weird!?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nAgLrxkJ1
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fqKCSXS0N
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFDrj1uULl
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7PruG8lhr
“...”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZMADoQ1xV
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiocnQXCfi
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZfV9QsyNu
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos5pVLguYC
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNn3TuVLyx
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbIbpEL17D
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSi8NYkLRF
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdOGclWO3k
“It’s because I upset you.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuRz521FUQ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSySPZYgZN1
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysyWYRcKF8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZsRjxno5m
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1nIrpYpFm
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OQeudiDOJ
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQhc8RzmXx
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv8gAYafq5
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOAd29Zcde
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu62yHQYNU
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC46WaT5bAY
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZWkU3dd1X
“S-Sheesh.” 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE8epnHeu6
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6gUOvrT3L
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.
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVpQpGBzKS
“How do I use this thing?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9klznw18p
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPXpVxT6fE
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JI2gMFNkO
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaGm3aTJGx
“Drinking works for me.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rH24mTJJR
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmowlRfSsdK
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1UnfX1EBo
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1xBipwyo5
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nIgRojUQZ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtIr1k7l4y
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEFU8f27Ol
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK70ngzivJ
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6x2CO9ZUk
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBZhkipaVw
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7oZ01Gt92
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSV9t7wjj5
“Whatever.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6biSkVjkS8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NrdLizdXj
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. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPSG9x1K2c
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVO1jpyXrq
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDCH9510CD
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzDEniSEaz
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pgCfUgTdD
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVBzmVevcQ
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn5ShPyrSM
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksdhPTGvHp
“Leaving already?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IjDJLa2NL
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AgiyoU5zK
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz4W23SUld
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLXdAK4zrZ
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBwjfK02Jz
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY21E6shT8a
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iaiINVUeb
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw6ZQaol2K
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir7QeEqqEP
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wzXu1hyc
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUuMZpje9h
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1l3KbSnwQ
“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?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZcQ6bR7U8
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUb1g7pYpQ
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFFS5JPRoj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNtuZNnZE8
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l5fHXbzOR
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZQRxXEqR
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT5o75VB5C
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz3DsDeVMs
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna56kOg9Zj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYmIcwOLkX
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuZd5650Vc
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aagGBFPXo
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGLUUExXwB
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEAFCRPwAF
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVMRjoMoCa
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1lJGW4CKq
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmgqHm7Oav
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Sm1ZGV8j
“H-Huh?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ8fA3FGHg
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWrXOmkHyD
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkoIQbQX8c
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXhGaTdW59
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jiOaQQAEq
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡios055sn0p
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAo36ybbO7
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmvnTjOBcP
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7WaWbR5av
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkt1TScsx9
“I’m n-nothing so special.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH4V2xiEDE
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NvB4Vdcrt
“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!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF81ODoWg9V
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNog3GY08KQ
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmMXqdh87I
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv5SWOEAR7
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvSfeZ14VV
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2cnK3NGft
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUUme3OBK
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dpo3Ykar7
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. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3paZY2T7I
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD54LBK0Q3
It took me only a few 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ968c0G6NVh
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRvnxc0E8g
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5N65Mz9tk
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9cAKvtTNw
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtazSPtLw8t
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6jLgzYEDH
“No, really, Rover.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDynOHucMyE
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrlIwnA3wt
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTtLH00buw
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH7kGjsglw
“I think I’m just lucky.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqxKTZIuCZ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHePa7Z3fk
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7dIGRlLiX
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD7Z8bxN87
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiawh2y9PO
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78csyhQCP
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIISSXyiuj
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjF8hcmvyS
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSmBskhRV2
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbUg4VenTT
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDE7R7A3WX
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmMXRPuNmS
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7YjhB20kW
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0soB3cAdm
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AfhTJKIP3
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEGlv6e936
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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. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfPzh4vxfd
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgDgtUifol
“D-Don’t rush me!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qhL8vj0xz
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIJzTb0MFi
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOaELRWiX6
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HRHS0yeV9
“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…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bRltm2Y0S
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9Djrh5ccf
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFQ4trwB53
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELEL13EbGI
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nZz3kDHeg
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5d5QKsyRe
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“I didn’t say anything.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH983eQrWO
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2w2X2aGEn
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFu57el8ZN
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kblromGoD
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7g4NYjc8E
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLrZb7TWfa
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwjyOR7HlC
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“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOeZadCgQB
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“Told you all I did? What?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZtVflkeDp
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PyL3I6qOb
She was caught by a wind of fury.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ9puhAyvi
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9a720PVkC
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZoxFbDqgQ
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ek0IvpaQ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ix4ut3cMx
“What’s so funny?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwzYACVdis
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO6Rf58sS6
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q20Wbfrlk
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFWaYx28Qk
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWyIJ7av7p
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTUAps6zhl
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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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu8LB4XM72
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“A little crazy?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhakUbtWXA
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“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!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKAfPxBjwz
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgYxH0rsEJ
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRacpC6adP7
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vHqUNZGOR
“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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIIXV9JNdm
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90wxsbMaOD
“Well–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWbladzOB0
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyokgxIn80X
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXsI2JSML5
“I–”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtE11LvebF
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGAYoPvkst
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Mxi2HVbp
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“See! I– huh? You do?”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMsbI1ov9a
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9gbF7v5Ng
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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.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsnmYwabx4
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcEGSUMP8I
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQPKPb9n7x
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmMmqG5KIL
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoysGl4xMx
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3iASD6Zzf
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡred7uj6pHh
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKpuMlOD7E
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60wJoFIccF
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULkzmbHMbm
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“Ah, right.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jxBBSuLea
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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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB1uQaTzlb
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9bVsRfWmS
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLNTDWZAQZ
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AUd2Ie2ZU
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J2NChQoCV
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CMzTNRO4M
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.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLvMKlu9OM
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“Wait, one last thing!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j2gPv9FyP
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMsf62Fpgc
254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGab0H0OLDt
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymOTKN5vTk
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“...”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds8MaxNZyg
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I smiled.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRWyFE5t2S
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“I will.”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACcMHHZe1M
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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–254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUJrkwP6XI
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“Yes!”254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDcMoZnvBH
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.254Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmwwQUG81
