My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.194Please respect copyright.PENANAqoGyutxzdM
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYVfQSRGxZH
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.194Please respect copyright.PENANABnWFDin12C
194Please respect copyright.PENANA2BMtHiWzI8
"Haa..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZVQm8sgYdY
194Please respect copyright.PENANA2USdKuflZz
"Are you okay?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAywtHsHJg1n
194Please respect copyright.PENANApfPFRdY1WW
"Phew. Now I am."194Please respect copyright.PENANAXQP3zReXza
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxalAjiHqfC
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvAj9FrEMZn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAt5RfAd8C9i
"W-What is it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA14yLLnUxkB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVgRTlDt3Mf
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."194Please respect copyright.PENANACZgC7108BH
194Please respect copyright.PENANAKjKbHJKuym
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."194Please respect copyright.PENANAGedcoW7GrB
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3FW3it2c14
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA7wGssEL7gl
194Please respect copyright.PENANAq2MNiieKJq
"Well..."194Please respect copyright.PENANADfWKhgfbZ9
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhhkG9MlgiN
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.194Please respect copyright.PENANA0ztXoEl0td
194Please respect copyright.PENANAinv0ooJMJu
"Come on, tell me!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA25GdyQhHAi
194Please respect copyright.PENANA39yP7V3bwo
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."194Please respect copyright.PENANA7d7VNbr8AR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAAlTPiSEZtb
She sighed and shrugged.194Please respect copyright.PENANAv54zesI4Si
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXWrArzoY9j
"Are you feeling nervous?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAzTRwcXAOHY
194Please respect copyright.PENANAv0gPVxPOXS
"Of course I am."194Please respect copyright.PENANAmIXb1IwB4h
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWQ42k5m2SX
"You shouldn't be."194Please respect copyright.PENANAWi9tAv26ZS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAa1q3UKENQ5
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."194Please respect copyright.PENANAQCIv4XbzBj
194Please respect copyright.PENANAjl2zTNkHUM
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."194Please respect copyright.PENANAzOtv2d4si7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAeHDu3ua3SK
"...What's that supposed to mean?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAxJF7FLIeTS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAq7pTZnXfRI
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.194Please respect copyright.PENANAI2X5pdwR7i
194Please respect copyright.PENANArncvQXmmOW
"I think you came here a little too early."194Please respect copyright.PENANAlx3HWnd16w
194Please respect copyright.PENANAt54jlfWO2S
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."194Please respect copyright.PENANASXtr7tO2cr
194Please respect copyright.PENANAoWKrrhgmSZ
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA5Gsz7TXORt
194Please respect copyright.PENANAiZweFlBz0i
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAJIwRfXdGEu
194Please respect copyright.PENANARZ7GMeftbm
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.194Please respect copyright.PENANAZGKRT4ai3B
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPAZOXEQPmk
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."194Please respect copyright.PENANAeheTXWsOds
194Please respect copyright.PENANASM30PrErM4
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.194Please respect copyright.PENANAc5zh1eks8p
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxBhOlLOyQb
"Aren't you going to say something?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAbZroAaftfg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAK3bg4rql76
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."194Please respect copyright.PENANAhJOrOWHHYt
194Please respect copyright.PENANAtFdkqSOPHC
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA7JAqeVC4QG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJgBv8XSoF3
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.194Please respect copyright.PENANAu8jTWmgXuX
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfMlpE7sMdd
"...I-I still don't believe you."194Please respect copyright.PENANAnh3h73cqW0
194Please respect copyright.PENANAp2hjBfoHvz
"Are you serious!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAVUBtWPsHW6
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOAjw397uaE
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.194Please respect copyright.PENANA57Rg4jR5VA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAG9cIszrK29
"Can I at least have your name?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAJkO1AxswMH
194Please respect copyright.PENANACgIZYLH8Vn
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.194Please respect copyright.PENANACg4fMT3t3K
194Please respect copyright.PENANANUVeIgISUm
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAhxGAdCoBeG
194Please respect copyright.PENANA7azdTLgowk
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.194Please respect copyright.PENANAytAN1YaEI1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAClTHncTXeL
"A-Alright, I won't forget."194Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8CQailgu8
194Please respect copyright.PENANA0Hu05CUbjP
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"194Please respect copyright.PENANApcwgA4PDTw
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4S2VnMKVPK
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."194Please respect copyright.PENANAVL7d8PL8Jo
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuOtDXiaPjZ
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.194Please respect copyright.PENANAg5IApSyZwi
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQEgYuzLxDG
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"194Please respect copyright.PENANApmAWBkV1WV
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3ypkgRDxFG
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"194Please respect copyright.PENANALrh3d0uHf9
194Please respect copyright.PENANAu3FfJ8tg6f
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.194Please respect copyright.PENANAkKQf303w1k
194Please respect copyright.PENANACPMtyHZ9vG
"She's not very nice at all."194Please respect copyright.PENANAX8Y9wPQhEC
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsEpXV617ED
"I suppose not."194Please respect copyright.PENANAa5niP9d1Wl
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsYlVnfhIom
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."194Please respect copyright.PENANAWshphgWwM5
194Please respect copyright.PENANA36vTnP6KJi
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"194Please respect copyright.PENANA7VAT4fg9El
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVsGSaOQL9B
**SMASH**194Please respect copyright.PENANAHlClmPHE85
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMOpRL32dHK
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.194Please respect copyright.PENANAgz4ImvM0su
194Please respect copyright.PENANAs3jwIYMliV
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.194Please respect copyright.PENANAiFxCM85PsS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVe6CAtTjbD
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAYIDzLrj47d
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcviWHbgVvL
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.194Please respect copyright.PENANAQXmNb3jHPM
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3fK1YLDs27
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAXqb0jmZ1kc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwHOxZFQrwk
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."194Please respect copyright.PENANAY1epARXrJX
194Please respect copyright.PENANApiBL4sa0sb
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.194Please respect copyright.PENANACZ7sKUfgVQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAZYHXY5vQYB
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."194Please respect copyright.PENANAOJ65jRgDTg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAEFgHAE1zsO
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAX2KtIGCJMk
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfinkfFNL7O
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.194Please respect copyright.PENANAqsPMo3dkAg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAH07PoXlTOd
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAXIUdHKDFEY
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGy4nPMAPV4
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAzp5pgDTbVT
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuHJ8i9yWtx
"No, not at all."194Please respect copyright.PENANABg2kZFgLSh
194Please respect copyright.PENANADVUsY5VZKe
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAh8nUHS6oAF
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIuMXtHeLy5
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.194Please respect copyright.PENANAGmniu9W1xN
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPgB3QX0jxj
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."194Please respect copyright.PENANAfvH1a5Fat4
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVURrfLy9Aj
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.194Please respect copyright.PENANA4f1dZT7msx
194Please respect copyright.PENANAaeGBOfCVI9
"Is she our teammate?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAgPkg8bU3Ko
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwEKbjPnpzi
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."194Please respect copyright.PENANA9osVpzwDmt
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOiBZs7afFo
"That so? Lemme test the waters."194Please respect copyright.PENANA0WztiE6CCM
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4YkO2qSBVG
"You'll regret it."194Please respect copyright.PENANAwbulb3TV0x
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4h9mZYMEpG
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.194Please respect copyright.PENANAZutKgMCbCv
194Please respect copyright.PENANAO4bNc2ZhBk
"...Wait."194Please respect copyright.PENANAgMhlcnnUjz
194Please respect copyright.PENANADbUtqT69cV
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!194Please respect copyright.PENANAvNAU1m2yuR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAagTNdDTBtv
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."194Please respect copyright.PENANAHqK5bazu8A
194Please respect copyright.PENANAItuE0inx1b
"A little? Just a little?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA24QMjs2BKQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7FeGShc8v
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."194Please respect copyright.PENANAQGwlEg3n2B
194Please respect copyright.PENANAvKYR382uSJ
"I met her five minutes ago!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAHM9gWA2Hvh
194Please respect copyright.PENANA79Q73iUoIU
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.194Please respect copyright.PENANAngq9opiqu9
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVzmEfzha7k
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.PENANA2EVTfi2w65
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3yeVcBvNa6
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."194Please respect copyright.PENANAyVWA6SKlOm
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbVG3MlRESa
"Really?"194Please respect copyright.PENANALtW8OXP8AV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfm0Z3yClNu
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.194Please respect copyright.PENANAa8CjdnhpE6
194Please respect copyright.PENANADExNoi7PEL
"What do you mean 'really'?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAbXPgTzZufG
194Please respect copyright.PENANABdcj0FJq1D
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAmTqWnmXiHI
194Please respect copyright.PENANASCTWj0p05N
"--!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAf66HcNbrh9
194Please respect copyright.PENANAs9EUl80t5O
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.194Please respect copyright.PENANAuQmI0ErpW5
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmoupOqxBtp
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."194Please respect copyright.PENANA3jzg3Z8T3S
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOWh0r6DY2m
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."194Please respect copyright.PENANAx3XayPUrZv
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYNJuw2KdVY
**SMASH**194Please respect copyright.PENANAiIeboDpaXK
194Please respect copyright.PENANAp9DEDSvgrk
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.194Please respect copyright.PENANA2ONJQAPR3D
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3OZddfh83I
My jaw dropped yet again.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvYCzRmZjVD
194Please respect copyright.PENANAecbseWUKGz
"ROY!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAk9SJLHZA7x
194Please respect copyright.PENANANFFLK4ewIq
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.194Please respect copyright.PENANAn4Fr7XufgE
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYRc7K08xMR
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.194Please respect copyright.PENANAMpSEQrM3bs
194Please respect copyright.PENANAgcIUJq008H
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZFDUg6WYxb
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3YOtqQ79A0
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3hVufjvia
194Please respect copyright.PENANAc0K0Dl8pXZ
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAVzvb5sypZY
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwSkGcdPVds
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAfq6POoO20n
194Please respect copyright.PENANALWPcSJzG9h
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.194Please respect copyright.PENANAWVjfFI3m8r
194Please respect copyright.PENANAF78FFKGmsD
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."194Please respect copyright.PENANAX99CZ3Rnjy
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGoLHykbVPS
"R-Right."194Please respect copyright.PENANAUyTO9KOJhr
194Please respect copyright.PENANAdzmxjwufKb
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–194Please respect copyright.PENANAQbe9YWPfie
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2wK5kmFpu
"Ack!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA6fr0IlNHiD
194Please respect copyright.PENANADktOYtANQc
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.194Please respect copyright.PENANA4AEDuQVd34
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGdfgZdIsas
"F-Flinty, what was–"194Please respect copyright.PENANAa13m9IwEYp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAdmmq9rv9Hv
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAh3DdLme47x
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJuA0G0qSvh
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.194Please respect copyright.PENANABF4ko8EQAQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXDHICeCi3V
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."194Please respect copyright.PENANAoMobGztnDE
194Please respect copyright.PENANAu5RcK8BAv7
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"194Please respect copyright.PENANA9qxnWSLXzl
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJzMkl4kTXx
"No, I'm not just saying it."194Please respect copyright.PENANADiWJcZRZhg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAZi6K9Oen1B
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.194Please respect copyright.PENANAtH8CqzrsH1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAO5qZu3DeWA
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."194Please respect copyright.PENANAey7DYpc0XT
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPXH9811s5d
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAtqrhMdNK9n
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXEmHpFjaaF
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5cryeVKGl
194Please respect copyright.PENANA5SBdMcs3ey
"I–"194Please respect copyright.PENANABAdmI9bbQ2
194Please respect copyright.PENANA0bksXyvc1x
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ff7NSQdjd
194Please respect copyright.PENANAy2U5hmBkrC
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAnkd8heWxZC
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsewTNRudUJ
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–194Please respect copyright.PENANAnHltrUGKli
194Please respect copyright.PENANAHVgA1JIRyN
And yet...194Please respect copyright.PENANAu7Fg2H17Ml
194Please respect copyright.PENANATixYguPS89
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."194Please respect copyright.PENANAyoFuSVc0rk
194Please respect copyright.PENANA96rq6vDhFW
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.194Please respect copyright.PENANA8AmqSQzgtj
194Please respect copyright.PENANAzrxR7x4bXy
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAc9PNFjq06u
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsDts6B6tUb
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.194Please respect copyright.PENANA7cEdFBGTUz
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWjtN0vFlL4
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAHnqtbCn9nW
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwivm9H4tte
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."194Please respect copyright.PENANAeDJjsfKbt3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOKvUCboW4F
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"194Please respect copyright.PENANAxNNrMWo7d7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmYcl7lIKV7
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAVLnGj5swxR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAeTjAT2cJov
"O-Okay."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxU1m1jP11B
194Please respect copyright.PENANArpDl7rkYbc
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.194Please respect copyright.PENANAdZiindiziS
194Please respect copyright.PENANA34UKnQUU1y
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."194Please respect copyright.PENANAHftUi4VBlv
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOJwHWLZp0L
"Okay okay, fine."194Please respect copyright.PENANAF0ga5anxR2
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4Eg7rkt55h
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.194Please respect copyright.PENANAGQkKpOrdku
194Please respect copyright.PENANAEsvGd4Bk5u
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."194Please respect copyright.PENANAs4dZzzOtGR
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4w1JVfzdS8
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.194Please respect copyright.PENANAnNMw60pOQ2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAtgIlB1DpdD
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.194Please respect copyright.PENANAUD27aWDt7v
194Please respect copyright.PENANAFh24EABzM7
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.194Please respect copyright.PENANAjL7lJWaKkb
194Please respect copyright.PENANAf6nIAI3IKI
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.194Please respect copyright.PENANA4oGmowMqLn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAdfxqcN39X4
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAqyPYFGCDAc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcGJykA9W0s
"Huh...? What did you say?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAlRXp3DC0a3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAtm17HCB9ap
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.194Please respect copyright.PENANAipOaM5IQ8J
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJins2OF7BG
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAoeMaEpYqbX
194Please respect copyright.PENANA2xRyYOL9lf
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."194Please respect copyright.PENANAdlLifdOGaY
194Please respect copyright.PENANAC0AtlenM4k
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.194Please respect copyright.PENANAS3ZdTUmJEw
194Please respect copyright.PENANAzLfI4XUHaG
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA0pn13xwFU1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPFDY5s1jqe
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."194Please respect copyright.PENANA15yVtsdbIb
194Please respect copyright.PENANA05iKAeblLl
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."194Please respect copyright.PENANAUAkvmTQxkP
194Please respect copyright.PENANATsq2gZQdM2
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."194Please respect copyright.PENANACs90RIuqsU
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGO27zGxrHC
"Note?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAizScCsExdn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAr512R7kMbt
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.194Please respect copyright.PENANAb3jixyWZhQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANA5zb56mpNXM
"What does it say?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAR5kpuGEEi1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAku8qdQpKcp
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxfr8U8xSiD
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJbTPeA8qGL
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."194Please respect copyright.PENANA8oCbUAxmQk
194Please respect copyright.PENANAgjfqZqVdHF
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA8qqY8gcncA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAiVhrmyjLc4
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZjqA3KZdtX
194Please respect copyright.PENANAZEM24ZIqeX
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."194Please respect copyright.PENANADMMe02Xdil
194Please respect copyright.PENANA0oZvQJinJ7
Juke sighed and put the paper away.194Please respect copyright.PENANAyRa3sn8KT3
194Please respect copyright.PENANASRSTpcKED2
"So, how's about a story?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAvrbLuN3ENZ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcbAx1eE4rS
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"194Please respect copyright.PENANACgMt0RGrsW
194Please respect copyright.PENANApjMi5d9817
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."194Please respect copyright.PENANAn6fY7Ffzp5
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4K4GlSmFNV
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.194Please respect copyright.PENANADTgwfeRVCb
194Please respect copyright.PENANANuAAGqAHGj
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."194Please respect copyright.PENANAXidK8OztMG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXomoZtuWGT
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."194Please respect copyright.PENANAEwrnQpk87G
194Please respect copyright.PENANAivcQ1L1Bzy
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAquIDxQyjP7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXSpUd5nLvx
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvKzjl5rgyA
194Please respect copyright.PENANANwQzQUtHHi
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAGfjXTz7mvG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAlWXtPdY6sm
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA51O4lyehm1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWbS6BipyWL
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"194Please respect copyright.PENANASWNLt3YDG3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhCDXnECUna
"Seriously? You have to be lying."194Please respect copyright.PENANA77SvKU6lMb
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQG0xK2pMLS
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."194Please respect copyright.PENANA3W4awkeXwE
194Please respect copyright.PENANAe0ysLxt4qN
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."194Please respect copyright.PENANAZiFf1rWhVz
194Please respect copyright.PENANAayGqMaOlIW
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."194Please respect copyright.PENANA6ht63XgpJR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGgUZBonyWs
"Like what?" I asked.194Please respect copyright.PENANA5SmfsrfOUz
194Please respect copyright.PENANAyB7iPVBnYI
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"194Please respect copyright.PENANADFC8j37EFS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmctjsEoMts
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.194Please respect copyright.PENANA5zZXMfwD6D
194Please respect copyright.PENANAHdUP4yP4hG
"...Stardust?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAlhwCfOkwxQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANALp4MQv5de0
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAfXJBsh1jVL
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUmdoaZdaNs
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.194Please respect copyright.PENANAnhNzcI6NMS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAtJdxm7ZnJM
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAphSI8zGayk
194Please respect copyright.PENANAKEV6xCEyrO
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAgznZswkm2j
194Please respect copyright.PENANAG1iwcPt2dn
"...The what?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAbQBOQ9UXPN
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQlArYRR1j7
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.194Please respect copyright.PENANAXcNzYCSTC1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxCp6SWwaaC
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."194Please respect copyright.PENANAGfWOfnvTkA
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4XDrq1GSkO
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA6IffHLubcY
194Please respect copyright.PENANALwBRMhHNyN
"Of course I do!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAbCuA138lsz
194Please respect copyright.PENANASYfxMQbGr8
She pumped her fist.194Please respect copyright.PENANA72CBgSa7fK
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8t3qWt1Le7
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAxe9qribN7b
194Please respect copyright.PENANArkSibKlhUo
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."194Please respect copyright.PENANAXIRR7gVwWp
194Please respect copyright.PENANApbGbd5NxfG
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.194Please respect copyright.PENANAaob60fszpq
194Please respect copyright.PENANAyYygkzRgOS
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"194Please respect copyright.PENANAqVbL0FmpOp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYRONA0U4za
"I already know this."194Please respect copyright.PENANAwneSIG50xo
194Please respect copyright.PENANA1snBpQv2lS
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAOaIq6KGe9O
194Please respect copyright.PENANAZ43xM3EjBT
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."194Please respect copyright.PENANANeme1LKGvQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIjWLMHdB01
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."194Please respect copyright.PENANAdXVNix2VKp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAlF3JLrJ7hg
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."194Please respect copyright.PENANAbpjLGJEwKI
194Please respect copyright.PENANAynyItMSSr8
"Eh? Why?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAzgM6bSurY7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAI5sN4N7tpF
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.194Please respect copyright.PENANAnuARtVaMNa
194Please respect copyright.PENANAoCYj2dGesF
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"194Please respect copyright.PENANAKWMiMwxTgT
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwg7OIPRPaL
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.194Please respect copyright.PENANAfl5JwUw7bi
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQcFu6wI10q
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA8MPP1mQFa8
194Please respect copyright.PENANABHkxC7UEoP
"That's cuz I met her."194Please respect copyright.PENANA8y5ZvA1CLT
194Please respect copyright.PENANABnxZlrAcgV
"WHAT!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA3FzaAxZKy9
194Please respect copyright.PENANAjuHEzcmo7Q
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvWK60HW6Oe
194Please respect copyright.PENANADgBi8czUkA
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"194Please respect copyright.PENANADCzTH9Tqqb
194Please respect copyright.PENANAv5ptzcWYq0
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAa0d7jeNEB3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmNXWSMniZu
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."194Please respect copyright.PENANAKYAXRicjbS
194Please respect copyright.PENANASa4XQDEpgT
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.PENANAEC3qSH1BwB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAvbercgvl5K
"You're kidding."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIJiGlRsJTy
194Please respect copyright.PENANA5ECvoyW2h3
He shook his head no.194Please respect copyright.PENANA9pTRcuFn2J
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMKnACaw0Qw
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."194Please respect copyright.PENANAbgbdUh5qLa
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbW3LCDcKVH
"You're making this up," I said.194Please respect copyright.PENANArVMWyLVPXB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAX9vkf9QrDY
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAZnHxtMxzev
194Please respect copyright.PENANAL8TVYMGj5H
Juke shrugged.194Please respect copyright.PENANAyyqNxF0gVp
194Please respect copyright.PENANADmm4AkX50V
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."194Please respect copyright.PENANA1eRD9bTwo1
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3TDcSNr4i6
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.194Please respect copyright.PENANAEpJjuGnmcL
194Please respect copyright.PENANAvrEMp3xj4M
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."194Please respect copyright.PENANAXGuQdhjemJ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAK4kcyhkuaJ
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."194Please respect copyright.PENANAKZj9Ds2kb3
194Please respect copyright.PENANA0QuOM2iouK
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.194Please respect copyright.PENANAPfFibVqzxa
194Please respect copyright.PENANANnIuDD7Yqp
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.194Please respect copyright.PENANAVNR2r0JanW
194Please respect copyright.PENANALY6mZ3mAgZ
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA9OycTN8TA6
194Please respect copyright.PENANANTmtdjjHhj
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.194Please respect copyright.PENANABv12yzKlVT
194Please respect copyright.PENANAoe8c13Lm87
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAJPEI2Zz3db
194Please respect copyright.PENANA5mrE70yIyB
She pointed a finger at him.194Please respect copyright.PENANArs5x6Ync07
194Please respect copyright.PENANAd8ncXA7CbP
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAWSko67QnBH
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMUfvkMWO9J
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."194Please respect copyright.PENANAHNsdkcIpWr
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUuwWLwvSQI
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA11yHNCYSiw
194Please respect copyright.PENANAa6WduPtar0
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.194Please respect copyright.PENANARcHNZ4sc3u
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhchugBBa8i
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIJuSwdYmo0
194Please respect copyright.PENANAqRAuePeZPK
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."194Please respect copyright.PENANAfGFyrBEQGE
194Please respect copyright.PENANAixVOpM7Za1
"--Ngh! You guys...!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAkC17A6FkUK
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxWPaZv7OiD
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.194Please respect copyright.PENANAWxHq2t9QIk
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOo0Tw3KU7j
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAaahBS6eSRQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3KqFDTidvF
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.194Please respect copyright.PENANAG4GQgOWQfA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWyKDNttLXf
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAti3KetdFxT
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxFCkymOiTk
"Ya look like you have something to say."194Please respect copyright.PENANAoLzWtGL4gC
194Please respect copyright.PENANALoIShOCvDh
"W-Well..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAyPAgk7UPOR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAKXgl0wqu8c
She turned her head away.194Please respect copyright.PENANAavT9hNsppW
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbwtcJrvouq
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."194Please respect copyright.PENANAC8YuT3Tz4m
194Please respect copyright.PENANA0uWBs6bxrS
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.194Please respect copyright.PENANA8pzlSJe05x
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXsvzZRWmOK
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."194Please respect copyright.PENANAtOQbsuS30v
194Please respect copyright.PENANAkHml0o0xux
"Mhm, I told you so."194Please respect copyright.PENANAViF7V5TI8j
194Please respect copyright.PENANAB1snYQyyBc
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.194Please respect copyright.PENANA3w7xSWfD6b
194Please respect copyright.PENANAW3XcX52TEl
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.194Please respect copyright.PENANAycnMgfbHv6
194Please respect copyright.PENANABAZfiZ9AwU
"...So why am I not getting any?"194Please respect copyright.PENANACuaZH0YHWS
194Please respect copyright.PENANAwBAAIWs7vu
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."194Please respect copyright.PENANAjtsrQfKHVK
194Please respect copyright.PENANA2UgZPlDaB1
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–194Please respect copyright.PENANAliXLAR046h
194Please respect copyright.PENANASmaMv1uonX
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAGRccW4GF2z
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbxpQkzTwli
"Eh?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAeRPDnMgZAV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmg02WiC9au
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.194Please respect copyright.PENANAtV6zoYRB2E
194Please respect copyright.PENANAOPYiKp4ho6
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.194Please respect copyright.PENANAP4GPwDDYZo
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsW1eibQVU0
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAUdsIqi4fhQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAr6ZpSvhXfE
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.194Please respect copyright.PENANA1brM83MUDX
194Please respect copyright.PENANA37BFIXNo4N
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAtlsFhQ2cz1
194Please respect copyright.PENANALiT75iBZxk
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."194Please respect copyright.PENANA1uNPHXXAjn
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8eWXmPLPaT
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxfxMeK3eAV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAjF4jgAGdSs
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.194Please respect copyright.PENANA5SpG10agox
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8dOvHQLuWA
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.194Please respect copyright.PENANA77AgghjfEw
194Please respect copyright.PENANAM0dc6UHrtB
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAitF5u1Iic1
194Please respect copyright.PENANASMKXSpMjZz
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."194Please respect copyright.PENANAKMxap57OXi
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcsF0FbMu9T
"A jungle? What elevation?"194Please respect copyright.PENANATx1sbupIuo
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWnxF6Z2mR6
He shrugged.194Please respect copyright.PENANA31pflHBRmw
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPkwa88S0Ih
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."194Please respect copyright.PENANAENd7NJGCC7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAq1nlovBgN2
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."194Please respect copyright.PENANARCmlPBhkB3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIydQgKjbYO
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.194Please respect copyright.PENANAVMXAcQGly1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYE45Pe8WtJ
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAoUrpQfMBJ2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAc0WP8LhxsH
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."194Please respect copyright.PENANAmABgu2PrSd
194Please respect copyright.PENANAeDTeJtHfyh
"Why?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA1n42VopSC3
194Please respect copyright.PENANANoEQed3KUx
"..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAYxuvXwsneD
194Please respect copyright.PENANA1DLQbZSi90
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.194Please respect copyright.PENANADDRVSJqK4m
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcw98fUyveC
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ8TrSXocj
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmaAEFgu40s
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAX7IvflbKmh
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQtq9opQiFx
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."194Please respect copyright.PENANAP0BNKJUNjD
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWNeAidKmNY
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAm30fCyhYGK
194Please respect copyright.PENANAeoUTRdTOPO
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."194Please respect copyright.PENANAhVL1JAh9Er
194Please respect copyright.PENANAch48RKSzI2
"..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAVLUBl333nP
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfsNS3Ij2Fm
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.194Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZQI3ts94k
194Please respect copyright.PENANAHCGYLDQSsm
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."194Please respect copyright.PENANAeJlWxDzR2V
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbtoCZa6lYs
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.194Please respect copyright.PENANAfzEqX7X6Du
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVTUDW3pkBE
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIVU49JvRpa
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQnbcEur2wX
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAIZdNCpQ7fn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuoLmX0kixt
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.194Please respect copyright.PENANAQR2Ze5ZQM6
194Please respect copyright.PENANAPaCLyCcdSS
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"194Please respect copyright.PENANA6V0IVWrYq0
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmiw744L17o
"TALBOT!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAxh8F7712eP
194Please respect copyright.PENANA7Cen5g9HG5
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.194Please respect copyright.PENANAfNl8pey1NC
194Please respect copyright.PENANA7whiex8Qlr
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."194Please respect copyright.PENANAcOULMF1Mdu
194Please respect copyright.PENANAE1m7YZGNFb
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAe79WAFraM2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAf33WkqDzrz
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAujXcxrTF9w
194Please respect copyright.PENANAP2P2vFgNsS
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."194Please respect copyright.PENANA9HtqOJceof
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsQQRJmCu0t
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.194Please respect copyright.PENANApxPttsKXoR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQhOhZL8HQ8
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."194Please respect copyright.PENANAP7gQe6Bl1c
194Please respect copyright.PENANAALJIeTyuxc
"Are ya kidding me?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAm20gzJUkwW
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUaB6G8FgUp
"That's so lame!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAroV5rna1fc
194Please respect copyright.PENANA1o3mzHBjkp
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while194Please respect copyright.PENANAwphUn92KiB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAvVJYY6VG6b
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."194Please respect copyright.PENANAMR6SobsjQP
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5DO9uSGeq
"What's that supposed to mean?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAKsSFnUm1pf
194Please respect copyright.PENANAemMJ1pEgUU
"Nothing."194Please respect copyright.PENANAgtHAZNnBQr
194Please respect copyright.PENANAZVj8NnKuEQ
She returned to chowing down on her food.194Please respect copyright.PENANAyXgsw8UaoN
194Please respect copyright.PENANAKLBNAr4cuR
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA3v7ME2fAOo
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQi8bpLWEd5
"Well..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxjdNgiojq0
194Please respect copyright.PENANAI2orBRJWNv
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.194Please respect copyright.PENANAfpVmPupUDZ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcNWCsSRw4w
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"194Please respect copyright.PENANALHedRXu2VM
194Please respect copyright.PENANAoAoAdsGiV0
"...No."194Please respect copyright.PENANAQWJZmcMSgV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAivoMVpHo5b
"Eh? Why not?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAMpkDoUy3Yf
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMdKrD4bhVM
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA8EYdn3tkee
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXItKifN2Qc
"Huh!? What'd you say?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAc4hx7nyZYQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAieM6BQj8cr
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.194Please respect copyright.PENANAaXqujggK7e
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhm9YcNcmmM
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA1K8Q3WEmbG
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8Xf0lZiFQ8
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAqnQquAPc0w
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUKXlIfQOJt
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.194Please respect copyright.PENANAiQSEbJVjkp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuXzrQn5CWO
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."194Please respect copyright.PENANAWTsyVQ9QUA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAyduW9flF53
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."194Please respect copyright.PENANAUrzZZo1RFV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAckefwXdYcw
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.194Please respect copyright.PENANA2HVvp1uFrI
194Please respect copyright.PENANAV9lGbsZKxf
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."194Please respect copyright.PENANAMNmkBaHntI
194Please respect copyright.PENANANfhnXgnsmy
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.194Please respect copyright.PENANAsUlJSDf1Xp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmA065YlxQa
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."194Please respect copyright.PENANACAu7zFdo5G
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuwAJi0QC9A
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.194Please respect copyright.PENANAp3tlibSCCN
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8k2QOxfXBh
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."194Please respect copyright.PENANA0iHLE3BJRG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJycqMeNqCF
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.194Please respect copyright.PENANAwJlteTiGZG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAonv4jTIXs9
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"194Please respect copyright.PENANATf37prECp1
194Please respect copyright.PENANAdmLMOl2yZ1
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAjIOztYh4qq
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfaTnJD2q3a
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAFuTgWefF3H
194Please respect copyright.PENANAocVME36acR
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."194Please respect copyright.PENANAGvdL0LoABn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAzuMX5hXnSq
"Custom design? Well..."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIGxxXYfBCc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXmsSso37ot
She turned her head away.194Please respect copyright.PENANAt6PStzhyQc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWjyv9B4xtu
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."194Please respect copyright.PENANAcEhxieBH5C
194Please respect copyright.PENANAuFmTuBD3Yo
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.194Please respect copyright.PENANAoTqlQlNVNx
194Please respect copyright.PENANAVgyYSDtRFL
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."194Please respect copyright.PENANA79w2385NMm
194Please respect copyright.PENANATvaKYmY3kN
"Oh, this?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAY7gyBAiUII
194Please respect copyright.PENANAkRtphKibOV
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.194Please respect copyright.PENANAVI35vrl3lL
194Please respect copyright.PENANAm9cnqblvTD
"I stole it!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAjYBCdqqoTi
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcQERySm4jq
"No surprise."194Please respect copyright.PENANAxTJfk4kKwG
194Please respect copyright.PENANAtxwSq0Hw3K
"I ain't surprised."194Please respect copyright.PENANASaOaJ5s9hH
194Please respect copyright.PENANAsrBTSYsAxx
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.194Please respect copyright.PENANArVGzxmQ97k
194Please respect copyright.PENANASLTcrX2rfv
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAnUfV20gds2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAKU1rdmwCZW
"No."194Please respect copyright.PENANAvr8SvOFx8z
194Please respect copyright.PENANA3hmb7E1Nap
"Not really."194Please respect copyright.PENANAx0wk2NjxBc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxiFZGKIYUl
"Ah... you two are lame!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAvEqrb0kobA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAJs37IgFRsP
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.194Please respect copyright.PENANAWlMufnfPWY
194Please respect copyright.PENANABx18pkkinP
"..."194Please respect copyright.PENANANX3xFEm22x
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIt3BytWD34
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.194Please respect copyright.PENANAlhU2hDwgIB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQALxI8zZvr
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.194Please respect copyright.PENANAgwrtER2lfP
194Please respect copyright.PENANAiyPRP5ojsV
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."194Please respect copyright.PENANAqStiVqqJ6F
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhAfcTpO1BB
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."194Please respect copyright.PENANA6KswN2Wy0Y
194Please respect copyright.PENANA9dg3Lj56px
"I-I see... I suppose so."194Please respect copyright.PENANAGUSrHQOGZk
194Please respect copyright.PENANAp8AuvvsHYz
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANALayUWpP8cX
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUo68y6NkOO
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.194Please respect copyright.PENANAjZeIKwx9YC
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmZrOC5G0q2
"Did you have to word it that way?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAthccdEKzpc
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWeBBe0hVym
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."194Please respect copyright.PENANAwpXJnt05h3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAkddId3Eavw
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."194Please respect copyright.PENANA7RArU2RckJ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAogKdOaJp1i
"Ya got it, boss."194Please respect copyright.PENANAeDDX0D1VCN
194Please respect copyright.PENANA7dFmvY7GDl
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.194Please respect copyright.PENANAbvQYF6C9Jp
194Please respect copyright.PENANAi8d7QP6u4U
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."194Please respect copyright.PENANAMPwz0GDTVC
194Please respect copyright.PENANAaCPOZyklwm
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.194Please respect copyright.PENANAoBHuMHR15n
194Please respect copyright.PENANAqHo8sjlqHN
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.194Please respect copyright.PENANA0Wrrk6QBCO
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMgAQR9HoOi
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."194Please respect copyright.PENANAeItBpPxPi3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAQAA9AsCpQl
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.194Please respect copyright.PENANALKxHZQakJj
194Please respect copyright.PENANA8uTh2WRM2v
"...Well, alright. What is it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANA1nEfs0e4kd
194Please respect copyright.PENANA1jSuGqqlDq
"I... I wanted..."194Please respect copyright.PENANADO8eebjM58
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIrAjVE2rAW
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAa5ygyRzEpH
194Please respect copyright.PENANAEceRjKEDSJ
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAQHxrVHwnss
194Please respect copyright.PENANAIKZehbbH2P
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.194Please respect copyright.PENANAkZVu6zdjDe
194Please respect copyright.PENANAjjVkScgEAw
"Where's this coming from?"194Please respect copyright.PENANADKnadH6pXq
194Please respect copyright.PENANA7IdkbXduCl
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"194Please respect copyright.PENANArZ4dOGlyKr
194Please respect copyright.PENANA317JYtixHZ
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."194Please respect copyright.PENANAj1ts1ZzXqV
194Please respect copyright.PENANAWcrPhMOSoi
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.194Please respect copyright.PENANAvsbwIbYUE2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAMbxSmyInoC
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.194Please respect copyright.PENANA25wfnAlzb2
194Please respect copyright.PENANAm9PyYJDOfl
In that light–194Please respect copyright.PENANASuYwLYvvC7
194Please respect copyright.PENANAeBP4EGvgmk
"Alright, apology accepted."194Please respect copyright.PENANA6W4T83nMIw
194Please respect copyright.PENANA6GbTjerPUi
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–194Please respect copyright.PENANAAPiuReRwP3
194Please respect copyright.PENANAweLauGSTVP
"--only on one condition."194Please respect copyright.PENANAW6y3HzOnnI
194Please respect copyright.PENANA03p6z97xbT
"Eh!?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAPeK0iyMW0X
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4QrZvh1ZhU
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.194Please respect copyright.PENANAlmWukC6ozj
194Please respect copyright.PENANA9LpXtK3ke5
"That's right."194Please respect copyright.PENANATjNM02J3er
194Please respect copyright.PENANAXTDa2Ksy57
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAgEsF5Z6gOn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUsVOU8nSwJ
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."194Please respect copyright.PENANAkLwb3WQfzR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmImT8KVDNF
"He sounds like a priss."194Please respect copyright.PENANA2mxhZQqor8
194Please respect copyright.PENANAgaJGTlyeuY
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."194Please respect copyright.PENANAr3Iuiz6H66
194Please respect copyright.PENANAYrT3qXCx5C
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.194Please respect copyright.PENANAXPftqkTdZg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAr0s5LrEa9g
"Fine, what's your condition?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAB1uP3pfYQd
194Please respect copyright.PENANALGSdlwBTT2
I pointed a finger at her.194Please respect copyright.PENANAVvfkk7A3Zg
194Please respect copyright.PENANAfznKJVhnvW
"We need to get along from now on."194Please respect copyright.PENANAIbLUdJfxzu
194Please respect copyright.PENANAxKAj4iYDot
"...Huh?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAMQH1ZXNzfA
194Please respect copyright.PENANAHRK3WFZpou
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"194Please respect copyright.PENANASLmXDSCe04
194Please respect copyright.PENANAqpH2asb8GP
"...Ha, that's it?"194Please respect copyright.PENANAuS9tLHfLUE
194Please respect copyright.PENANAGZIAAOgz3a
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.194Please respect copyright.PENANA6kvzRwManQ
194Please respect copyright.PENANANISmER0HiV
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"194Please respect copyright.PENANAnpkZh66fUK
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbl35ziyaF3
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.194Please respect copyright.PENANAX6AG80ev09
194Please respect copyright.PENANAouN8QWEyl9
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.194Please respect copyright.PENANA940C79A8pK
194Please respect copyright.PENANAk9poJxdvVZ
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.194Please respect copyright.PENANArgF8kBIzF6
194Please respect copyright.PENANAbbtlKxdfvL
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."194Please respect copyright.PENANAqxxcHm3wtR
194Please respect copyright.PENANAcVlTuw5mJi
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."194Please respect copyright.PENANAm7UGRlmcVB
194Please respect copyright.PENANAmksziyHA6v
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.194Please respect copyright.PENANAFCh8BondvZ
194Please respect copyright.PENANAX6Jv5pX2Fr
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."194Please respect copyright.PENANAtOrNOEsvei
194Please respect copyright.PENANAoSgTYG1dgQ
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.PENANABR6vDEXeHj
194Please respect copyright.PENANATruukdxepl
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"194Please respect copyright.PENANASlXaXNmdBA
194Please respect copyright.PENANA6nsoQ55Hei
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.194Please respect copyright.PENANABCj3F6RMKD
194Please respect copyright.PENANASzF9QWBN1H
"What a weirdo, seriously."194Please respect copyright.PENANACTZteFSUOn
194Please respect copyright.PENANAUIcFKtepJb
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.194Please respect copyright.PENANAeXoZFsYqD8
194Please respect copyright.PENANARKYr6KcrwS
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.194Please respect copyright.PENANA8f0QYDodCW
194Please respect copyright.PENANAhoT3GzxZR0
"You guys! You gotta see this!"194Please respect copyright.PENANA5AIZSzWaOW
194Please respect copyright.PENANAagY1ttLOYz
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.194Please respect copyright.PENANA0qG9xejCTN
194Please respect copyright.PENANA4KEsQhh3TP
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.