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.
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwZSk3kxfz
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4k9kntclU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1igQacuvfV
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–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jl02exedO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcN0kapK2L
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZew5f2PHX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VxSE16BlV
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ006cL2L443
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5UEWuo0fP
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezgCYhHV0E
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pqdZA2CDZ
“...”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yn5UCb88j
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwkgO1n7bC
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC3Rk8A5B3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqd1MiaBK1
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJhcGxRMus
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnJpsG7eWm
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkTR8LcCoL
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tc75JQXPL
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YNnsahSNf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJtlaSfkm4
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–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XUvcaqYVI
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi25cuW0F7O
“...”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIACxvA1mF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8L0LWbcrV
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYR0ShNbj5
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wfWqUNvOv
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRHnMPtftt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3riu9ysslu
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbn7qyimXW
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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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCkqLj2StN
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0OELgcg37
“Yes?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlQfuz9kDY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwh2DDkKvP
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ48mpHg7R
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4LC9DmXfb
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCGFXMwSCG
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQzESAiS7A
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvUSzcQ9Uu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8oolJiDpf
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkGpRW8IFZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iAd3vQS0u
“You made this in eighty minutes?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt08zg0UGPb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT1ZYlWUWW
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTef5W4nUtM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlcBa5AwlA
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKEm6lrpAs
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2TI9TZ3hc
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXbbCRH9UO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgngmrceGY
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YHeMoMKk3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzFdruQVoP
“If you insist.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3HoBRBrnd
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhGJLb5og8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxSD3Xfcpy
“Kenny?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKVpfj17bs
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFR8HYxchE
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeW9Vyp3V7
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9CBboldS3
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2nhXqFhBl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KD63mj9lT
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuMll4E5Ri
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2LOn9Ahhu
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqNcH8bozx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvleQaOB5U
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXGz2zQ8Ul
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis86wGFFzp
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ0R14PZze
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PF7o5kydp
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZBL5HcUdX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cEXvVV0ac
“I see. I see, I see…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJRmsfhvzj
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPEEspS0Qz
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6VdvJzG3U
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVglW58WPeF
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9GG0GXxnH
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGRHA3VEz
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF7lNrQDUW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOE3rgRDRh
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JFYZ4V9jO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBMIuB354d
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE5INg1Y2m
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI4lOJNXUS
“Please?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A01stOGDn
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUYSUYkov9
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zftMbsVmx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dbicokzSG
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE6pAvGtgv
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Qq4qajgD
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPWN552aBm
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TAUxqTyf5
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhnoG5ZYof
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSdGojIMiO
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y7IlyGl41
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW80RD8IcN
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxVHicyxxS
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf0ozVMKBN
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHmgfGXWhX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz2F4t47wF
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubHqjInd09
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXppKVhyYdi
“I started young. That’s all.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1UpbJ1qun
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRn1tXUJ9E
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeIRK9FUOX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk844aeZEVg
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYSkv0uuCl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUAHM1CzXJ
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdWbbLzQR4
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV9cGTVpD9
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVLNdgUxgq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLodTSctYV
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpqXA5SLSF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFBifSfI89
She jumped and then waved her hand.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxiPIG4Bh6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRdauodNYT
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2pP1YJbb7
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2cnRyoAfR
“Right.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMq7PBsD46
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG94pTxa4f
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiu65PlxH5
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nGzYfjYWV
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP96Ymt7HY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4UllZBawj
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhsPTKAHip
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26RNWWcvEj
“I– Wha!?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UjOmL6WCx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvAESp1QTJ
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U17lp54jX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ZwlkYSwB
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnuYRpML9o
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3y537xTk2
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQQSpM1MQV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnyxSr02Bd
“Your own… peace of mind?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H3HRRCYNP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLAxwTiFrg
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZnRrD5x67
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajPMJyEMcX
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbKhDItzDC
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY0e9y0jAq
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeUcc8Mis9
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOvOZcbqGq
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElP938AokL
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9csDgNZPx3
“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. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSGUmZnFUB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBi7a0jS0O
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7YzPMaFRc
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xnAkVc60c
She shrugged at my comment.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83rkFEkZwu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm5ExAdJCh
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn8PfXA8dz
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAamw2mzN6
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWOTqoKfJi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdyXZM00YS
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRVQVd1Pzg
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnTVr9HYiK
–
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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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0DmvmxnmV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3MQ1DAbyt
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q9k6lpWok
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJfiLWO6lv
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYDhzOAGni
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9goWOpIjt
“...This is ridiculous.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJesusA4Oek
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWtZARyPoD
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84qabNrDLJ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS52hy6blf
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvOUT6CtfU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIVjds8A5s
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DG21GeWnz
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINoCTN4sTz
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC97Mm4yIhQ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6FZa3vJCU
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2jgYyEs3T
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqhmQdVofL
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzruCPAR81
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnRny0UnFf
“...Hmm.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrNVf83Jai
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLeB0LTArB
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYyVMNSeMD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ciDZRA9N
“Do whatever.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTRVXnTBeb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rwthk3BGb
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIwSqTiADB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINJKQbJYP6
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2inVB9YrNz
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WfElqjeow
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj70TIUx8N
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY1ubIxEfZ
“D-Darn it.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkrkdj0eQJ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJDqAaoYP4
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–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSPW2wE0Fl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxAxkzhWwU
“What are you doing here?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsawEJVkIQ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyKWe3iguk
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhrOhh34vN
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SRHeSWQxl
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVJjAizOAt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEdFRyvBdF
“...U-Uh.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsMMOFA2yV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x8pu60WWP
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvtJOXavSM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQNYTNxiQs
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bxxHRXAJq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBmCYFfBy6
“I… I-I.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4a2byvLKF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68BBeLRXUx
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCCfSfb9uM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I5kmPeIQL
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMOaQjSi4q
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFWOOT3qQw
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgxEoHHQon
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NYES54juN
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIRulj5JCU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAKRe9t7jC
“I-I’m here.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAV5OJBYbl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgimpgWV3f4
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTESK4XDue
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmdC06cwMh
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuysRfZZD4o
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEPHBabSH7
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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCugbS6jA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCW51tKrmh
“I…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSkDFjD9Mo
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36M5C0AnS6
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKJbbDvfY1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaucS0jOBLp
“Hello, Rover.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiyHWhOFZ5
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27eHyraIZj
“Hey, Kenny.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtSN8lAoI4
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QAZi6ldEM
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U8806awMB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ibc8RulmF
“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–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwChaImC4j6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3eRmzsu2k
“Cut to the chase!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K3XOewPqT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnuWDtdwV2
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQfTPZyMaD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVGDI50Nwf
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9450T5W0E
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOfFyf7KrS
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0Ybe4oV3v
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfLZF0t7T1
“Y-Yes.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N4DLvdHvn
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNMuRlER6K
“Now who told you to do that?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCpfUBPQ0D
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwg6Lx4P27
“W-Well–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHenWjouDlI
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk64KYbrShM
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ifrh906pD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoyHSMZCJS
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4B5HKZrxY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xk06dPufx
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCASjQzCY8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrajCRaQKVZ
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAgpxGd9dI
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ZsUaIZNS
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwkcbCkd3N
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8K0R1a6wd
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7x7NbLKGt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaVvT1Tgob
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfU4FDi2Ek
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KOKNMBAAH
“I refuse your treatment!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qx2ac59n6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ39fSoWApn
“H-Huh!?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUixhLuJ8dL
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG7sdMqQVv
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jttd8wUg2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouXsVmsAyf
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK74bRRGEm
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaoyEvnuZM
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqEj14UvR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkSX0xDKS5
“I– Wha?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZWnuVUy7h
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCBGpmAmwm
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–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF69YeWoUP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ8Hy5BZgk
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxx5cPbKgB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ989vuTSeyt
“Stupid? Weird!?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6jz3Ypbtx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDw8tBW9oj
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX9FNaxZnM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoERI2p8j4n
“...”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNHfyion6p
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnqxZCq0Zh
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ526n84KcWc
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nuhZPCKMy
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMdgJLzmTZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PUbQc7Xrg
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUpg5zikQJ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmgdxGMWvp
“It’s because I upset you.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGexu4gBLkA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDoRxpI1yd
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7PNXNbj1V
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eYVEKeGeV
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfxlBcPsWF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEREdEWH4Ig
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPeV0uvJ96
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWShvfdIyw
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYhxYRM2e6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPr8SEhss5
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufqBAG0rc6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRPj1l9bdb
“S-Sheesh.” 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK54ox7z3S4
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupWi9plDgu
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.
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHafb4tla1t
“How do I use this thing?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBglMx2DovB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5MqJIv72h
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XYhpqHL25
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFZ8L6oArH
“Drinking works for me.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwDGtXlDTE
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyESu8EPxK
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYNapMSKuX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv1u6KMgTD
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwo0eiM4ti
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraLw4XqshI
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQZOR5lBN2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfHlAJ2vW4
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxMpYRLgGz
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLfnrI8Whb
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKd9gPKKjG
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5piCrIQjw6
“Whatever.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76aHyOiQAH
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H6yaV3JAH
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. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkK3Auuden
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ7nq9blfo
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdyFwNUqJc
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXL3p8FDvG
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawPaWQ2bu7
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r8lkqFFOO
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIoMirXIG9
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK075pu45Td
“Leaving already?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN6grBUGYu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyJ6cK5I5F
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2iCmMj76l
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCCVXcIXNX
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0s7ZnzgFR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdPBpetbj5
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8mz0kB7U
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tZMvy62t7
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWbq4Arnzk
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2NosuIE9
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6o7NrQ0tT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoVTeTkpSd
“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?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo7ENmzle9
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpp3Q6O1dp
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGrRkRfvJC
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWyFuFE4D
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pibhdendb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJGUoY5cg6
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJToMwDOPbs
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqibgp8wkMf
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigTqOyf1DT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXU9HPw8SI
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa35NLYz6Fa
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKtETAJfPB
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhnFrSE7Mj
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvrq9zpQgO
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSozWEhtAxw
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjHwiGHU1A
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQPul52tj
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZZ0t7QVHU
“H-Huh?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmz7nuD9hq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8IfApi49z
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWYeFkNd4t
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O0e56TCUg
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWtqZzk1vh
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnelOT7i9Qx
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHpKrs990J
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjtYBoXcqY
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8MhsH6mje
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG46s7UsR1Q
“I’m n-nothing so special.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaiqB8tA2a
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxIpvor95S
“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!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqb6oB1tMm
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3zfDB61xf
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP7In4LdbT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPtAjiPNNv
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRR8WrpZJR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FF240YLPh
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0LtaAXvQl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a3ttrbz7Q
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. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJvg1u5bk1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0n4sVOC9e
It took me only a few 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4SYb6peAp
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtEaNoUa6j
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h0sHIic5Y
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwJCHpO07G
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjhK0TUVh6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNJjN9dcQC
“No, really, Rover.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qTcZ1Clxi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwFp7GEOw9
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiIQsg9RS1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMPh57gz6x
“I think I’m just lucky.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN5PsnGCmC
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaQAnnROGe
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwjinVWCzF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN9T9kCSBj
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiJAlHhSEb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrfu7ovvMs
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36aJKfjox2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDeErReuXP
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadTAJyoqC8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4UyRjhekD
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU865f22SZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpsumGaFgr
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUQHfKx72n
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IKuhDMr8F
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL28FOpfM25
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoYx3w0xTk
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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. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdnrgvaD3p
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF52fJYjSA
“D-Don’t rush me!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG9sUlhVdf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGMCCxKzE
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LDTp1addY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8arNHPIjp7
“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…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPV2XkWW2R
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYKci8dr2O
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYJRHX3HyU
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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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMydoTD3NsU
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb59LkO1uZh
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjE06er0sY
“I didn’t say anything.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq1KUf0Whu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZlQUCs1J
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQJ0hWq2ju
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16qnSWnlTv
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHdqrF5C33
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNzF3il8fH
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tCjkFpCns
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxc6DasKo3
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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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLYYolNBHi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjW99ZE4La
“Told you all I did? What?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWexxZiDk8Y
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwLOYY4E8a
She was caught by a wind of fury.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBTNxhiz9t
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyIKsB3QFj
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZURX29HV9e
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRLlagNWns
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBrG4FOjHQ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN2ET0BhO2
“What’s so funny?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6Ho8iELsk
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7JcaVGGZV
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBQV7VebVU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21LjsOis16
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hoIay03W2
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqqEz2nvQw
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDIyrE6Em
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmEBQnyyFU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcxoLgHQE0
“A little crazy?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ovJnNv9qI
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYDukKAoWf
“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!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQA5XZaYHA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjEdBShQT9
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOum9rata9
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlGeh67T1v
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi45W2E8z1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrzCisdE5T
“Well–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt3IJtOauV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQebgbFnxp
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5THg8sCzn
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1prb264TfB
“I–”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qhPgZtLwk
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZeeRuizT3
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFuMzjzJVW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVTDmgLdEK
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncJwVrgNMk
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpcYoJiTXt
“See! I– huh? You do?”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgvC7JP3f5
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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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBmERnRTMq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ449l5M340J
“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.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndHbvO3Srt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEveAKzzn5Y
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvsh5Jwhpm
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJkVEC1mfM
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObErGZ4iKU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjiGT3C4Ux
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2A4CGGNd3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlN8O1McyT
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDYjzX8vD3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7JY4bMmLr
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXDO5EyTns
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M3FBowy9b
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhpakkVsk6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV29oQEDceQ
“Ah, right.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL94MGSEe3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9foZ5wWkXb
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgq4t3Smdw
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXmipgPWMJ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdFUCNbLfC
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz0V4rhksS
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdR5T1AgXp
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpYmRy8RhF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6apDa8SNFz
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.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVeOAc91Jb
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“Wait, one last thing!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXLNpETCfn
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDNYs9E7mW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7GKsl2FqT
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutTcRd9px0
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“...”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQQoV279i2
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I smiled.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB7i2FgyT9
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“I will.”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqpumvDIa7
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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–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6Mx7YaUk
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“Yes!”207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0CJMjrm4m
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bOszPoR5P
