The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
196Please respect copyright.PENANA4XKKknwu2R
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAz1kjEytUHk
196Please respect copyright.PENANAXH8xvETjUv
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–196Please respect copyright.PENANA84YO7ae20V
196Please respect copyright.PENANANJw9KpW4JV
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAplslm6xWJB
196Please respect copyright.PENANA3P56SKHgv5
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.196Please respect copyright.PENANAatgbkJG4ZW
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8SdV0MKJUa
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?196Please respect copyright.PENANAXOIyVlczLu
196Please respect copyright.PENANA10HDnUBXaM
“...”196Please respect copyright.PENANAxRWiaogCY0
196Please respect copyright.PENANABJdA1zS3aZ
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.196Please respect copyright.PENANA9q43JGoX0p
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqnPgkub9m8
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAz8qkVC4Klk
196Please respect copyright.PENANASppSvHYXiQ
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.196Please respect copyright.PENANADozuB98eNX
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8pF4RCD55v
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAYPPA6Er9aE
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0MQ21IWCgs
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–196Please respect copyright.PENANAQkiEdlroqP
196Please respect copyright.PENANAHyYrQz5Pee
“...”196Please respect copyright.PENANAVkT00kuuc9
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqA940gOzE0
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.196Please respect copyright.PENANAvQ50XsELkt
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMgJ5mniwbX
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.196Please respect copyright.PENANA5k2vvmSDa3
196Please respect copyright.PENANAO8ybR5NXtv
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.196Please respect copyright.PENANAwgs4tbXrH6
196Please respect copyright.PENANAPUEQjcmwOJ
–
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–
196Please respect copyright.PENANAL4bk64ssLL
–
196Please respect copyright.PENANADt5ozSbmjv
Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.196Please respect copyright.PENANAhW0LAS56FB
196Please respect copyright.PENANAvLPjjpJFs6
“Yes?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAy12d6rrCY3
196Please respect copyright.PENANAi1X3Yg5HiW
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.196Please respect copyright.PENANANFzUxG9pCZ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAfz0PyuZYUF
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHqmwe9V3Ob
196Please respect copyright.PENANA6Et56opp0B
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAtfvtPtBWKz
196Please respect copyright.PENANAVTxgDLIHWs
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.196Please respect copyright.PENANAEgWxQNgys7
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnGWueAcoAn
“You made this in eighty minutes?”196Please respect copyright.PENANA7NrVcrQOum
196Please respect copyright.PENANAp6up1TWExP
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”196Please respect copyright.PENANA5xrDmlhHH3
196Please respect copyright.PENANA7AY2ITi1aA
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAuAq7vRJbqf
196Please respect copyright.PENANAZL8IqYDSQs
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.196Please respect copyright.PENANAZbur93d4VF
196Please respect copyright.PENANAKsVn6FDUqw
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”196Please respect copyright.PENANApGImdpmeBl
196Please respect copyright.PENANAlLJIKyR1nL
“If you insist.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAdQh9cFG0T5
196Please respect copyright.PENANAij596ED90N
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.196Please respect copyright.PENANA1PJYrYU9oL
196Please respect copyright.PENANA66iZl4Xvrd
“Kenny?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAQD8ipj7Fw6
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8z9qbeK1iJ
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAabjHcqtFTl
196Please respect copyright.PENANAEuMtxTDd4E
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAjxC7Cf78EL
196Please respect copyright.PENANAbyCRUgZJ3T
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA4MJin84wBF
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5KqUFXvpG2
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHqXh0BBVYk
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnUj0Yk8bka
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.196Please respect copyright.PENANAZvsTCFrY6n
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8xfEOGKaEx
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA9RSfC2AfKC
196Please respect copyright.PENANA9e4UVMdDa9
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.196Please respect copyright.PENANAbw0i6v8aQl
196Please respect copyright.PENANALjm8bF0KBw
“I see. I see, I see…”196Please respect copyright.PENANAjrWZ23y7O5
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMZLgnVkb2S
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAmtH6SS0mvx
196Please respect copyright.PENANARp9C8Sq5Lb
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”196Please respect copyright.PENANA0MSqLbPwzm
196Please respect copyright.PENANAW8L7wT7JPI
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAn64CKJpoez
196Please respect copyright.PENANAODvGL5QozL
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHrxNmU35Qg
196Please respect copyright.PENANAgWjajW4FVv
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.196Please respect copyright.PENANArGSrlKMnkT
196Please respect copyright.PENANAb9io9Ncqoz
“Please?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAQRqOGNdp10
196Please respect copyright.PENANAOHg1IKl0mk
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.196Please respect copyright.PENANAXGN8Z3PzgM
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8XyYw3oumr
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAdHSFBtejYe
196Please respect copyright.PENANAm77vKR0AhS
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAlpfghXkJcn
196Please respect copyright.PENANAK6ByXYOKK5
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 196Please respect copyright.PENANARSR9MBRmkn
196Please respect copyright.PENANAdJJvJOFrxH
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAviZzu40cLN
196Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2zZ7gfBXN
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAep0g41QCUR
196Please respect copyright.PENANAygAahzZzD1
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”196Please respect copyright.PENANA5IAgL2Od30
196Please respect copyright.PENANAO67KbMdXAw
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.196Please respect copyright.PENANAdE2eClyROY
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8u0YiEC5qx
“I started young. That’s all.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA7fqyUPYbzr
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8RwE6WK7kj
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAoOSrTFOzBc
196Please respect copyright.PENANALzEx24FnJM
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”196Please respect copyright.PENANALxv2TyADKo
196Please respect copyright.PENANA4gU1A2BYP1
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.196Please respect copyright.PENANAdGtuA0IX4a
196Please respect copyright.PENANAvGKrNIE6pk
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAclBhDnBfuH
196Please respect copyright.PENANAegnbTHvVIo
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAhPeKnplVm9
196Please respect copyright.PENANABNb4RDGExf
She jumped and then waved her hand.196Please respect copyright.PENANAEM7Ns6C5h8
196Please respect copyright.PENANAb1WHn0CnA4
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”196Please respect copyright.PENANA49rzEix0LT
196Please respect copyright.PENANAvSpQyieXjh
“Right.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAkT5q8A5Xd1
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0VIRpNdEax
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA3go8CfHBtc
196Please respect copyright.PENANALNPDw4EsPs
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.196Please respect copyright.PENANAA6Ui8kXuqm
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5gkujbXUTW
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”196Please respect copyright.PENANA0MGItdbtPW
196Please respect copyright.PENANATXlG4LDAUO
“I– Wha!?”196Please respect copyright.PENANA7cynZOfbWy
196Please respect copyright.PENANAeDVXHx5utx
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.196Please respect copyright.PENANA4jcL2zY7a0
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5Z2B6qgEBG
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”196Please respect copyright.PENANALh1ekA3wr2
196Please respect copyright.PENANAya0aVKfhjV
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAWHVHPmpGmU
196Please respect copyright.PENANAA2oKC3E0F6
“Your own… peace of mind?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAYl3nKNxFGS
196Please respect copyright.PENANAmpsfg8IUym
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.196Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1QuRXhX2b
196Please respect copyright.PENANAIOwOu96rRw
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAjrK6jJC1Av
196Please respect copyright.PENANAO2KAWYe3aV
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAZjKplaB1kd
196Please respect copyright.PENANAUTYkfu6gGl
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.196Please respect copyright.PENANASr7DuizRGf
196Please respect copyright.PENANAUC4ixjCj7j
“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 196Please respect copyright.PENANAolX6nwCqvk
196Please respect copyright.PENANATshbmeJn5T
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAmTxvUARlaU
196Please respect copyright.PENANAZFY7hCQhuG
She shrugged at my comment.196Please respect copyright.PENANA4koS7nSz3v
196Please respect copyright.PENANAJoG4uZMubT
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAvr6pZ9mgW4
196Please respect copyright.PENANAbUqsuSua8F
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.196Please respect copyright.PENANAqNe3xQmxGM
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnfU3ynpaqR
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.196Please respect copyright.PENANAzF2tSS3408
196Please respect copyright.PENANAttoGkigy07
–
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–
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–
196Please respect copyright.PENANAV57n9HN8Wf
As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.196Please respect copyright.PENANA7UXWqZ8tPN
196Please respect copyright.PENANAbi5pdGmZHk
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.196Please respect copyright.PENANAW0GoeMrXJU
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0gtaCCOjkE
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.196Please respect copyright.PENANAgO4nNkdTHE
196Please respect copyright.PENANAK1W1nCZslE
“...This is ridiculous.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAY192AuPIzO
196Please respect copyright.PENANAoDfXJqwcMl
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.196Please respect copyright.PENANAdcK94ovt5l
196Please respect copyright.PENANA1JV6CN2qDC
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAB4bWPgcuvG
196Please respect copyright.PENANApqQMMbkAtT
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.196Please respect copyright.PENANABBvqDBr5Ib
196Please respect copyright.PENANAsRbTd9UX8v
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.196Please respect copyright.PENANAEhPx5xHF0w
196Please respect copyright.PENANAeRVOEtoc67
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.196Please respect copyright.PENANABVNk0UawzT
196Please respect copyright.PENANAPtmQwt7rhN
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAnDkWMQcQ51
196Please respect copyright.PENANAc2POv0Js3T
“...Hmm.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAvF9XNorIwD
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5nfPY5KNS8
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.196Please respect copyright.PENANAGTXoBG1QZM
196Please respect copyright.PENANAF7m9YifQYp
“Do whatever.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAifA4LbgAR6
196Please respect copyright.PENANAVZ8YX1X8re
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAJ92Q13IF1v
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqxtlbjsWqy
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.196Please respect copyright.PENANASSwBLD6StQ
196Please respect copyright.PENANASsbK6Pxd9E
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.196Please respect copyright.PENANAYC8nwEeAsm
196Please respect copyright.PENANAsOk2a7KVyV
“D-Darn it.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAzDHi1mTOYv
196Please respect copyright.PENANAOLWA9w1xef
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–196Please respect copyright.PENANATSg8n4o7dC
196Please respect copyright.PENANA41EbVQWQaa
“What are you doing here?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAITrrC9fIcI
196Please respect copyright.PENANABzYIZFvXa1
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.196Please respect copyright.PENANAuQE8tKi7fF
196Please respect copyright.PENANAcwCZ1j5t8k
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.196Please respect copyright.PENANAmvduUBL6Qm
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5qShKVjwC0
“...U-Uh.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA5iZvEMwWEX
196Please respect copyright.PENANAJnTKzDA6wJ
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.196Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4B53ElpVR
196Please respect copyright.PENANAGfY4wFQjvr
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA5TUtzOHKfA
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnZrpLqlGcJ
“I… I-I.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA5TyUbZisBS
196Please respect copyright.PENANA79lkUVjWhW
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.196Please respect copyright.PENANAA4YxjuW8Hz
196Please respect copyright.PENANA6D3iePfbIk
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.196Please respect copyright.PENANAi9AtF0sGY2
196Please respect copyright.PENANAJzZIKpmYE6
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.196Please respect copyright.PENANAuYmlu8QaVe
196Please respect copyright.PENANAmFG81UbQTP
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAS9Zdx1MXLD
196Please respect copyright.PENANANhPIhBuG1B
“I-I’m here.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAEbpQIeYy2E
196Please respect copyright.PENANAHAJ4jIMAe3
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.196Please respect copyright.PENANA15wqFc82GM
196Please respect copyright.PENANAsE8X14wz0F
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”196Please respect copyright.PENANA2xhKUShmTo
196Please respect copyright.PENANAT7vdkUCuNo
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAA8f0aVbWee
196Please respect copyright.PENANAoIb403NS7M
“I…”196Please respect copyright.PENANAqdjOKItAVI
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMxQG9CtZY0
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.196Please respect copyright.PENANAsDl2NkOdMn
196Please respect copyright.PENANAORKfUUMghB
“Hello, Rover.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAhyDZ0vTF6g
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y8VCNwpLI
“Hey, Kenny.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA7croYvcdGI
196Please respect copyright.PENANAquMrKiNyPT
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.196Please respect copyright.PENANA9yreUoUqmM
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqVXPU3FHkk
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”196Please respect copyright.PENANACTpwTPsoGD
196Please respect copyright.PENANAscppIIObUQ
“Cut to the chase!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAsjebZOWrDF
196Please respect copyright.PENANAwKEniI335Y
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA6qjvu6ATL7
196Please respect copyright.PENANArXWSH1UBGI
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.196Please respect copyright.PENANA1B2AGKGrQ0
196Please respect copyright.PENANAwl9mIqZFxC
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAcCHeTJTky2
196Please respect copyright.PENANAUmMDO4RIq3
“Y-Yes.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAScvUjoS4jx
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMmgO3yWqzJ
“Now who told you to do that?”196Please respect copyright.PENANALv4XyiiLHn
196Please respect copyright.PENANArRAaTdKEH8
“W-Well–”196Please respect copyright.PENANA0NM68JCLOD
196Please respect copyright.PENANADXXSbDzYOp
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:196Please respect copyright.PENANAWkU5FsOiX5
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0GMIsDYj2z
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”196Please respect copyright.PENANABsA0B3dtly
196Please respect copyright.PENANAWVjiLxz1Ar
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAjPzDnQUFHK
196Please respect copyright.PENANAr13ovHx33Q
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.196Please respect copyright.PENANAm7tNvATxkx
196Please respect copyright.PENANAJFjvPxDaLe
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”196Please respect copyright.PENANACj7PpciGLn
196Please respect copyright.PENANAhKWZyjQOce
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAPCepR7j9bI
196Please respect copyright.PENANADvYZfx1zoa
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.196Please respect copyright.PENANAQlqrNil0gg
196Please respect copyright.PENANA6Zbe2OnOwV
“I refuse your treatment!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAs9pTN5KolN
196Please respect copyright.PENANAawX5NmJ8f7
“H-Huh!?”196Please respect copyright.PENANARIWsYaKkU2
196Please respect copyright.PENANApe5xf7WBu1
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.196Please respect copyright.PENANAEF8lyvX0e8
196Please respect copyright.PENANAU1H3fJRIca
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAVmRih63ZSA
196Please respect copyright.PENANApJDW2DbS8w
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAnxqAzjJsbJ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAfvsbIBbiki
“I– Wha?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAN9YjHV9xRv
196Please respect copyright.PENANAWRAWzW9Lxt
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–196Please respect copyright.PENANAhFGzbfBlfB
196Please respect copyright.PENANAGEtccDHONg
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAwnjxGx06c9
196Please respect copyright.PENANAVbfW748udu
“Stupid? Weird!?”196Please respect copyright.PENANATSYkzpY4d8
196Please respect copyright.PENANAr1OgOxvO4c
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”196Please respect copyright.PENANA8aky7kbNwx
196Please respect copyright.PENANAROrBeO2dky
“...”196Please respect copyright.PENANAw7PWDu4w0C
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8AR2prFOsp
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.196Please respect copyright.PENANAYXMB8XvmMd
196Please respect copyright.PENANAGxmT1yl2qK
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAdFL44Jzp8M
196Please respect copyright.PENANAlTvzplYl4R
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.196Please respect copyright.PENANA4MvhyHFxFJ
196Please respect copyright.PENANA7N7Lk4nrg3
“It’s because I upset you.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAqAu1UnDLGP
196Please respect copyright.PENANABopqqJrmsF
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.196Please respect copyright.PENANApl9yqhVjnh
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqQRSFPW8G0
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAsko0FFVbGo
196Please respect copyright.PENANApuk19dqd2o
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHbRAfQ1S0C
196Please respect copyright.PENANAbzytcRyQus
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.196Please respect copyright.PENANAf8wYSqACO5
196Please respect copyright.PENANAETJcFPhSrC
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA6XgfyQbc2W
196Please respect copyright.PENANAQfDxRD03uw
“S-Sheesh.” 196Please respect copyright.PENANANAFLKCQVwT
196Please respect copyright.PENANAYWbJJtSZry
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
196Please respect copyright.PENANApiRprzCzh3
“How do I use this thing?”196Please respect copyright.PENANACDQWFuFSvq
196Please respect copyright.PENANA15ub2UOq60
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAPuVI2cRbam
196Please respect copyright.PENANAV6SWWLXcba
“Drinking works for me.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAmO4rzwnbkg
196Please respect copyright.PENANAlXym0chLBB
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.196Please respect copyright.PENANA0tDQQz1U5H
196Please respect copyright.PENANAcchkLSxRDd
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAGhZM2Zft3Q
196Please respect copyright.PENANAXjW6pS247Z
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”196Please respect copyright.PENANA35z0TglDN2
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8b1PdlldB0
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.196Please respect copyright.PENANALTkDlhPjd1
196Please respect copyright.PENANARzUosPMCz9
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAeK7AXg0LNi
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMccumnS2Ah
“Whatever.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAZEVF3QETAZ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ0bvAV97Y
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 196Please respect copyright.PENANAIwYOKl7u3d
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5w9gJ1llUp
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.196Please respect copyright.PENANAkXs6Ss6tc1
196Please respect copyright.PENANAyk2xqZphdM
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.196Please respect copyright.PENANAnCcoeXYd7A
196Please respect copyright.PENANAVvHiDbJsbY
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.196Please respect copyright.PENANAjOUewo6NQG
196Please respect copyright.PENANAKYv8QtIR6S
“Leaving already?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAYaesTpZC0B
196Please respect copyright.PENANAFwLboRpvnQ
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAxGkHSdsWoc
196Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ32VgR9bN
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAOlMEF43Vy3
196Please respect copyright.PENANAGbEN2uUbsY
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.196Please respect copyright.PENANASTLgqwpHtk
196Please respect copyright.PENANAlfvB3dFvEz
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAnDWw1DESda
196Please respect copyright.PENANAAocB5uwSgr
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.196Please respect copyright.PENANAaZJfQ3d1ra
196Please respect copyright.PENANAtZRG1Tl1Wr
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAN46DSRYSHw
196Please respect copyright.PENANAk3xYNdc8kw
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAVClWoBvy4r
196Please respect copyright.PENANArjxb7Q0KJy
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.196Please respect copyright.PENANAaVLuNZgpU9
196Please respect copyright.PENANA7n0EOsWSyk
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”196Please respect copyright.PENANALaYIM1890e
196Please respect copyright.PENANAuE8kuGtHM2
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.196Please respect copyright.PENANATS4mOQZdWb
196Please respect copyright.PENANAbmDSdHrKEg
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAgp5cpiOEm7
196Please respect copyright.PENANAZPtSWFcGH7
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–196Please respect copyright.PENANAh0BAIRPUbJ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAzSNl5SLQ6r
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAONQvMWk5Gi
196Please respect copyright.PENANARF33HqGbHu
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAqQQlgLclgx
196Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZXQZmWhsK
“H-Huh?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAnncu4lcNo6
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8p47hTwAde
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.196Please respect copyright.PENANASWH1AOMmq9
196Please respect copyright.PENANAStT8CpUx18
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA16NXV6VSC1
196Please respect copyright.PENANAvaeLyfP26W
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAlqSIu0Kip1
196Please respect copyright.PENANAfcCmh5CT6y
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAlz73uYgwxL
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8KQNo9jmTz
“I’m n-nothing so special.”196Please respect copyright.PENANADiAF7rUgGm
196Please respect copyright.PENANASmOlLXsMgr
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”196Please respect copyright.PENANANgZeuTYGIR
196Please respect copyright.PENANA4LSaBwSQQj
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”196Please respect copyright.PENANArD8eURsY1I
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0nj4J5LcAZ
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.196Please respect copyright.PENANANC6oHaLrZZ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAdqCmce6L7h
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”196Please respect copyright.PENANANsQXY8Y1t0
196Please respect copyright.PENANAjoEnZ3Pt6y
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 196Please respect copyright.PENANAvta9V9v4tS
196Please respect copyright.PENANAc7EBLp8zEE
It took me only a few 196Please respect copyright.PENANA3MHLTh4zy7
196Please respect copyright.PENANA4iN45j61GG
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAVz1SPLILNa
196Please respect copyright.PENANACWCbfa06mT
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAJkLIBwQmne
196Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5vBYCqzda
“No, really, Rover.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAKiWqAcDICz
196Please respect copyright.PENANA6ELjHPmRcw
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 196Please respect copyright.PENANA7ISNLai9Bj
196Please respect copyright.PENANADEpOIusxk5
“I think I’m just lucky.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAxd3rzn28TY
196Please respect copyright.PENANAOh6jckT2jr
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?196Please respect copyright.PENANAAvjdQp0D66
196Please respect copyright.PENANAkfdWRiUkcN
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHQFfzoG1uA
196Please respect copyright.PENANANHvChqwKTF
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA3RR8yT2oDa
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMfb3K9Z7jk
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.196Please respect copyright.PENANAPlhcwOPy9D
196Please respect copyright.PENANAIEy1p84qRw
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAIbMEpaLrjx
196Please respect copyright.PENANAMMCoQSXziY
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAQki0XPFOIU
196Please respect copyright.PENANAPp5ixuZuLG
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
196Please respect copyright.PENANAONll0vjo97
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.196Please respect copyright.PENANANDfAJxj6L8
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqCBjg7pSOe
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 196Please respect copyright.PENANAMjhcmcBQoa
196Please respect copyright.PENANAuT94TKr1Mt
“D-Don’t rush me!”196Please respect copyright.PENANArzSkxpfGYu
196Please respect copyright.PENANAj34Tj5XGsl
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAtHH6n88jxv
196Please respect copyright.PENANAfOdH5EJ0qj
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”196Please respect copyright.PENANAf9Eyda0T7P
196Please respect copyright.PENANA4W5leKnWMQ
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.196Please respect copyright.PENANAiXeYF4gs4E
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnuOEnklrv0
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.196Please respect copyright.PENANA5UY8ArBbxW
196Please respect copyright.PENANAd7fkv272wn
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”196Please respect copyright.PENANA7t3Xq8Nvi1
196Please respect copyright.PENANAuIHbW6CSmq
“I didn’t say anything.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAwB3kGe1KXV
196Please respect copyright.PENANA6ML3hN2s3f
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.196Please respect copyright.PENANAgH2DwRvonK
196Please respect copyright.PENANA3lWZxp8Iln
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAPiFUiXNgOt
196Please respect copyright.PENANA3u80HJfGD7
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.196Please respect copyright.PENANAg4plFDiWiB
196Please respect copyright.PENANAsgYNJXJmy7
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.196Please respect copyright.PENANAgmAtytKaOX
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqv15t6XOJo
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAy75AvwMGKq
196Please respect copyright.PENANARB9R8fxhri
“Told you all I did? What?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAfBnSJ3FCBw
196Please respect copyright.PENANA2I2ox2OS8y
She was caught by a wind of fury.196Please respect copyright.PENANAIpL98i9VeN
196Please respect copyright.PENANAxe5gebwbnK
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAKPWs3kO40H
196Please respect copyright.PENANAy9gZEHbWoQ
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 196Please respect copyright.PENANAI5cGLXXW1J
196Please respect copyright.PENANA8qxikNyrA3
“What’s so funny?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAYXMTFlrTwX
196Please respect copyright.PENANAlKpbrlXGYx
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAdzGu7NN9mT
196Please respect copyright.PENANAapdjVw6arB
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAxWpSQJF0JW
196Please respect copyright.PENANA1PBRQcGC7k
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.196Please respect copyright.PENANAvmy3tALCIK
196Please respect copyright.PENANAkVweew7RKS
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”196Please respect copyright.PENANACyMg5XXeO1
196Please respect copyright.PENANAuQAC8Tcpup
“A little crazy?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAo4qCJlEEC3
196Please respect copyright.PENANAs37IVZl9cA
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAyKLqPv7MBR
196Please respect copyright.PENANAwRcxrcpNk4
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.196Please respect copyright.PENANA00qySx9RCj
196Please respect copyright.PENANAiv3Ln0oeCG
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAKaO7scXqs2
196Please respect copyright.PENANABRgHcFQlB6
“Well–”196Please respect copyright.PENANACgUcVSi68Q
196Please respect copyright.PENANA2uL74IARBB
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAizWQN4Cfol
196Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1LETUPXuR
“I–”196Please respect copyright.PENANAlnYwWtna07
196Please respect copyright.PENANAnyWX6pf7E0
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.196Please respect copyright.PENANAKQea8QSMtp
196Please respect copyright.PENANASiI0j9aRXI
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAtysjIOmGzj
196Please respect copyright.PENANAB9C0RD2LUz
“See! I– huh? You do?”196Please respect copyright.PENANAxYvcpMpyB0
196Please respect copyright.PENANA2jBmLu7jY5
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.196Please respect copyright.PENANAR0MWXPtojn
196Please respect copyright.PENANAHd3fBARO7P
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAPeDOSxxmM4
196Please respect copyright.PENANAt9XEMwZA3b
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAzo3UyeU6ja
196Please respect copyright.PENANAmPODNui6uR
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA4dpuy1qdyz
196Please respect copyright.PENANAUaZ8ZQIBjJ
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.196Please respect copyright.PENANAaHu8voLrzu
196Please respect copyright.PENANAUWM9yOM7Jd
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA9uYDEbNkl0
196Please respect copyright.PENANAHNF4WVrefx
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAR3RZrUsMsQ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAECQ2VE6CvJ
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.196Please respect copyright.PENANAnaRyAqNbgM
196Please respect copyright.PENANAuXJ7sacHrl
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA12OY1E0Xcc
196Please respect copyright.PENANAO5vo7PUSIP
“Ah, right.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAafGVMozjqW
196Please respect copyright.PENANAKpY4pZsb31
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.196Please respect copyright.PENANAoUp0iAGB57
196Please respect copyright.PENANAHM1XBWU7xc
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”196Please respect copyright.PENANADyHBm9T9wV
196Please respect copyright.PENANA0zunUbFf9K
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAHUGg6HJNZ4
196Please respect copyright.PENANAd6hNZ2MnVh
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAdKlHqKnEjv
196Please respect copyright.PENANAqvSRox5Tmm
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.196Please respect copyright.PENANA50RP3bmShv
196Please respect copyright.PENANAF3O1V6PptK
“Wait, one last thing!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAVUwdlWbRyj
196Please respect copyright.PENANAfDpbg98a2b
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.196Please respect copyright.PENANAgtRXE28EnZ
196Please respect copyright.PENANAwJzkjZdiRK
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”196Please respect copyright.PENANAQTWhQuGKgR
196Please respect copyright.PENANAKn2hD4dAEY
“...”196Please respect copyright.PENANAhzstjBrdom
196Please respect copyright.PENANAY0wHoLTgYz
I smiled.196Please respect copyright.PENANA1XBIGUHdPz
196Please respect copyright.PENANAGO95EWMlUD
“I will.”196Please respect copyright.PENANA0E5X4D4zx8
196Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0Dz3Aeazo
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–196Please respect copyright.PENANA7WzqgmyZPm
196Please respect copyright.PENANAYjp4MQYCOV
“Yes!”196Please respect copyright.PENANAPzh2BgvmN1
196Please respect copyright.PENANArxzxbQ2qe0
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.196Please respect copyright.PENANAP6Zi8ZMdfr