My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDLx89WhG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5htlsmCpi
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PNvz9Aadh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tobEFkiwI
"Haa..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCSzslNkYs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsFpbLBSFV
"Are you okay?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajpEvXHigv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAHAQ5cbD8
"Phew. Now I am."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4q7bZvupM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb8FI49MXj
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yBhEjI8DS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXqjkf6S32
"W-What is it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVmafsN8Gq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQBXD3XTGu
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1rermyFOZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg12xhDiVUF
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a5DRxP0Hh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f3FrPaRG3
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOB7TT3lg8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtqQGIfzkO
"Well..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WQ8lwGjMy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8V0Ehaabm
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJovE1mkWFH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBmsuwtXXR
"Come on, tell me!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdTVIJjM8E
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyBPkbwF4C
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr1mWAXrQM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcFNnSRMMv
She sighed and shrugged.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrmjMwXHXD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w4EHNb4xm
"Are you feeling nervous?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZRBIfObp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa6KhkOkur
"Of course I am."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4yl0NeeVA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9R9VndOXw
"You shouldn't be."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwTkGMefIX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTOi6URoH6
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhRZrgUaPD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr4rr9QkmK
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCslEWpWiN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg75GDbbg6F
"...What's that supposed to mean?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP2dNt18W8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5MXhSrzim
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchDKjBIWZI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i3GdQY3sU
"I think you came here a little too early."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYahtwQuHfq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQN2ZdH7UN
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnuJn1K631
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguS3jIgDZE
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbhiWlGzYD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5AxkSI1Gw
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!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOaOBShrrj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTIQFSGLTj
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YX4EIbLBF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSIcl1zDh1
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdnmJQIpIc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnVcEiboWM
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZaPfoy0W4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9B7wpCKMK
"Aren't you going to say something?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlgvYqXL4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgVTRfhH8
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS8fVUAeWH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQOwEHJOkv
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovENgVUbiK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEzVqW3jDg
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkfRJU7CPH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4rfhLjiUl
"...I-I still don't believe you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcIrZipC7j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFU41zPh0j
"Are you serious!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c177LoF2P
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW38oZpOONI
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2hftKOeHF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8AcHcWQbi
"Can I at least have your name?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgX84N5BbH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlihoum4f5F
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXillo9YcUn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErWYQRJ0AE
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo3pDqqTOP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHkA45nwAq
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidc3JKDmv5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1NOcZrLZ9
"A-Alright, I won't forget."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QhK3WqN2Y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk848W0VfNT
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfRHI4ehG4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNPLpr10EM
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTXtGH48AD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlMsZsbMfl
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hLs2xZMDH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6udpjRQ3X
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0deq0jVVRf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEsmCjP6q2
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUGtQcI9mi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw2uOgaa6p
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsGXS5iuK0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAwPcs5N8h
"She's not very nice at all."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIova88RPP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN2TmSfNEf
"I suppose not."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaF9RRmLwu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIV8gVF3qf
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJS71P52tN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBtXEqzo2F
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VdwLVOQep
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxBtbM3jQq
**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4AUcFbDQT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiXYdsFeBz
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ732jmeocg0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BQKcdX4JK
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO0qVgp2VW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXqC96GmSV
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qxuLdGNFn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzspai2G2Gy
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rVYlgfwxU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinI0Yn8lEg
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF29Bjdofj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdD6c3JXfj
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofkRwZBQeo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIkrYjElHg
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPgtTjNVOB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSnCOdiC4O
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSxmavSg5m
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPgWPm51Nw
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf2RNwtRhz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUIDvGIssf
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr5XboN9V1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx60mDGoco
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qrUuGeKdJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ624PTedDVu
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8byUk4zCjm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sXMyaHiGn
"No, not at all."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXxjDlqBOP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Wsxn6mLb
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeK8j8eWu1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jA3Xm75Ds
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G1qFStsI1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H9h1m0Cxh
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0l7SxLIRQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLcx7NiXhb
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtg4Qxv5Jo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6P6VjbwdY
"Is she our teammate?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28qE01dsLb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINne67NFN1
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmRxoynKgt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9jsBqXCLb
"That so? Lemme test the waters."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OLmMKCeSW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU5BbPvQlE
"You'll regret it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbEjqUoobp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx5aBDd60N
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD22c0UAivK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QGKvdubY2
"...Wait."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxMxHJDSxe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLe9O9ggpW
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBlq4j9nJd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ76E5jDvGR
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvr8K0Xduq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfCGU7Srju
"A little? Just a little?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMT26FL618
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklRub65c06
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5K90AbzDC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsxQRlkGgK
"I met her five minutes ago!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZKx5cK9wm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtUh5O8sfi
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Aqe9oAGJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwEr9f5DJL
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3svQ21vww2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjWMOU5aHl
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrINX43snB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHqYCA8vtH
"Really?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb31qPfxW4y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqbgg6yypr
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsMYwu58fN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWItRsKOaGg
"What do you mean 'really'?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2oN9PKsZQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4x6hOX2S5
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVx8YLZ1RU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFp37R78T
"--!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCxm21xgwT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBm9xDYXPK
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGgiJck9Xm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqlVOpi6fx
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG7jOUXezZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFmJX1fhx3
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XMmoplqSa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEQ8IobnVB
**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmM0CssIQL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplPM320CwM
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsKWINJwzF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBxMhuzjwc
My jaw dropped yet again.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRpjF11kyc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSAsDpnc4q
"ROY!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbhZRkvWh7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDENQKb9lR
–
–
–
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBxUbwSW71
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI8ADF2iiL
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuYFCbxJGD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1T3l8v2hD
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWls6Z2yOsd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3K2D699QR
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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRhpdf8XgP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaovLRIM55A
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZXAdwIgLe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeiqY3TLN5
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOpF08rxVO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcIVHw0vYg
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFbJhgPCFB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJq9ink41R
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkGgXpT3kY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KZ8OyhpJl
"R-Right."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Y191H5fX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BSnDif1KX
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ50lfx4PvZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJL6krwKZb
"Ack!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr7AaPzDur
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxhsL0fR03
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmoE6PaUJZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMmKnwcQ6v
"F-Flinty, what was–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME4xtOxfHm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDip6jXSLW
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KRY50rdWy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiGPCgkIOS
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiY49EWVhs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo53YAuyOC
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NJReiuzlA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2dQ7Gjcah
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchuBIQuSzC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIac6cuzVPh
"No, I'm not just saying it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUpeZGYZo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSREV2djZmv
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ022H338b9x
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Fj5wgip8
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyWsiH8oL1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2mknNG6AV
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplbYxMGdHn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0owxyxQABu
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJYBZRQxeg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEg6QvKew6
"I–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmoYQsMRJ9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZQ8d1DZ04
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrxuRqaBG6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f8bnqSK0R
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84P6tJbW9T
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aUmBhpLP8
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lr5BqJOwp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbEbyo6QvS
And yet...195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XcHfDvSrq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYj92GkxTe
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcivF8FdLTV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjjEMSdpws
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCRSi3fqZx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlEpB99USv
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcv1hhbfQx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x7e2cIXfj
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjotvU88zhx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQPGxMjR9Y
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc7G3gdqAi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9CsvuYWjb
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA3mvA8apo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVOoLm8rwn
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo29j1MK5ir
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpNopf1iw7
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo06SsqwvpW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hltTl3v29
"O-Okay."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hsZWT9PT1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Di8kVNPaQ
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiIUQvfB2S
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPLLQckC8X
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT1btuHRc0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeClnKlbsYM
"Okay okay, fine."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGARO1cstB9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dypkMMP2x
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBp6VFiILG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstkTADk8rS
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj10qH1xkaM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadp4NDWz6c
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRGBU1EMun
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifpJDe5Dqa
–
–
–
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjW0jQfxES
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlHHexDxSG
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDvqv6RM9Z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H1zxAx13T
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcalsfRFYaz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDuMxZHItX
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQeIeN5s2Y
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiyPRz2Gpq
"Huh...? What did you say?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQC2oMeSv9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHmuSRORRc
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLLa3GpcIb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiqDqcKVHs
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3p6CcA5Rc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8R3IFMr4W
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0QhEkOCbU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8NM5Xpggc
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4EI4xefMH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2y59abgax
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMZFPu6KdK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQYoQxk8E9
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5m3TN7ivQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5r8PWbldi
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLveGXgRwZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46lxkhuowq
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VEuzJeymf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bTPgwwvaR
"Note?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZePi1vtWH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5pHaxxSUi
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2xFgsGExr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHeVK7lZam
"What does it say?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj63GUW9x9q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPzHwaJO3p
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUolHNeGZxY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopj1iYTlX4
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7tbtLLZ8g
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRUCFnZYjW
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62kDRoC6WG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBQLHHvTI6
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KHT7Ahlcm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7uYXxVo3L
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMNAOxhQf8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiC2F6kj3U
Juke sighed and put the paper away.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoti2Mcmfn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiyJzI9gN1
"So, how's about a story?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvXNf6muOY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAMk2jWW2V
"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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXbSBPKySL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C7QLtaiAw
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0zU7zWTnM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJfyPAGFKD
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc8hiO2ejX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4A77wmp6B
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6WMOV20uu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBWOHiob74
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9I6jLQQ1f
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrmk6iGFkN
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGrx71x90R
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwmdyQhrM4
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaHfniFSGs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpGPOnL9pP
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNej7LSfUwa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG4rg0hzdh
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq03U2RU9pX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeWZtDihlH
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSVX8YgMYs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbfXh9SOAd
"Seriously? You have to be lying."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxSZUtmIk
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqwByxsEz8
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplidKBVFZT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBg9QH0Ez3
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAca4i9QqDg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmPc26283f
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4XGdPUBn7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf0XisfxF1
"Like what?" I asked.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLT3QFiQu6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqWHaWpLXt
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrjI4upjvp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2B4BZCfKF
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPvxm8pHqO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGADS4FXOW
"...Stardust?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeaCz1mAav
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF3NWdUuAl
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJcR9qRlb3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32lQNU101h
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdPSM4n3zd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYnnZNwyFf
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9s4ZeDkZM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JcNJwIfN0
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4hwoBn5RL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Xp0qnM3d
"...The what?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQDw7f3SYc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqVKKbSkHq
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp6HztXqni
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C8eZc9GNL
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEslrJv8kl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmrr12grqO
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBXT6WQEdu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPDVPKWYsW
"Of course I do!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGev6Tjnztu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gQjoqb9sq
She pumped her fist.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcBxVym7GQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqSTEZXz0V
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzmwUrpmae
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7LtXnxNpP
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZupwwwv64b
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08L1TrOJRV
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt87Uk37zth
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EItLhGhVG
"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–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexfJpAWQSf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4lcL0H5GB
"I already know this."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJkZftl7gL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GOJ5MtHNx
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiczd2U7bBj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRwt2lMaIz
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG3oyKhwrM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkMOipm6PQ
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP86s12mHxx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGi0iRDhhK
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda6E4mgIEM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttWBjePFco
"Eh? Why?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ILuge64Je
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpTYolyEvM
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys2Y1097bP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOAiKd2XNk
"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–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSNN3Giw26
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dh6u5joOv
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqoOozyqeb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGUNH7JmMZ
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplc0SAkvxY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtspstJrFml
"That's cuz I met her."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXok6ywj0He
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlsj94ZJGL
"WHAT!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GSYVQvont
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhhXewC4t1
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeeU1zKg9o
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5GzHKlD3Q
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpsnrZAzkO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8AxJEMIje
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqf9lLU9go
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMy7NKnG3e
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLltrE1ow3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdamessnbQM
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ZyU6aSeH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZiyLvIghc
"You're kidding."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6XQjnqMpt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV96hpjMBJR
He shook his head no.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTlTDvJ9B6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNLJsfLCmu
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpBGqpcw4o
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPvD4v715j
"You're making this up," I said.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9uwBGoXHc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXjzNQjL2m
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q7t95QoOI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBoqKPxyUZ
Juke shrugged.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3AaMk54KX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyyCNHzSLO
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzLfatbA0E
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KhRdOlM1Z
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0PGAg7Kg6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZNAqB95Rr
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRlyE3XIjr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB27VoL2k7h
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FBxPsHcoT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EeV3Y5PSp
"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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvPnLJiNTt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsb48dWxZf
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAvpQZ8K9q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta6sbVb47G
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mJPDI2grI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwaCRvdrav
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD49t7zcZJA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm1BZg4TJr
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsDonvMRQD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IIxNYpDU5
She pointed a finger at him.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLhfMlJtmg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM8jGd910q
"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!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrrzUwqq7d
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX5BtymSc9
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MNwTtIzts
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0Bb6A1xbv
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxCrprTcjB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXUdn7cr1b
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TecnAdJPH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikog5yqD9d
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKSNXzc1CQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldiFgCD5zB
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedGfBQMxFo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3die70PrP
"--Ngh! You guys...!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY1mowNZr8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOG7OkXPRn
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RPCYxpigt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1PQWJ06h9
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrwDgvEJ3g
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdGLRvV1u5
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciVjWtkBhC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6amJLxoX
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivQABdoOFz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS7zKMVNLf
"Ya look like you have something to say."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQPMVXEXF8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInp4779Dcl
"W-Well..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL4KdebY2o
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDexknetd5b
She turned her head away.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7TeW2Inzj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LUeknAcUY
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCngy7wT4Zb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXldb8x8Anu
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo2uPowmBv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa5LrkXC8B
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW7WOzTFxi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgsdu2cGLm
"Mhm, I told you so."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8upSUmRwHx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfmgeyQYra
–
–
–
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UraNjoLX1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK3RFzFFYJ
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqaRYY7tWg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtqvar0pNr
"...So why am I not getting any?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLJZCBA9XE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5xKpLbff7
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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8PEVLypWt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t7anyJ0UH
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–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIGSS6iq7N
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczb09H8sn3
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRbAaoBpiD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePO705iqqM
"Eh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE8yzYLovO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3QSLfzSYi
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf6M5G532j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzxA8GViE
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRjwfqNXX5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELHwaSzcUs
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRXpbo7VBJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrjiLz0vSW
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvxMaPmOxC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDcFSuhJWt
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNfc2oNSSX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosWM0k9zTg
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Otz5S250
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfhDdvvRI7
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfbBgznP5K
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIJzWwXW9v
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoIZvMkjoI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV0dkmwTHw
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW7HnAOpvR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwWvw9r58s
"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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexDgqft5bV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56iPWuHk4G
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKQMqA9Wdo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN0zN1mhqv
"A jungle? What elevation?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBlmnz0vIm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyIrr2JRKz
He shrugged.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPJYYvyQ25
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6n20BPN71
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNsOIDyGXT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOREC5sF2c
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeODShzBnQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCNRa5ZnHU
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncUgRFu84n
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg2wj87BzJ
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyXkts6vcr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXaWddT8Ph
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Zdxb4KRQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhczrNfrr4u
"Why?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkS8Wib1Ak
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX4LQb2TZv
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DYswoT3JL
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnWIbGHfzS
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPfY1mYpW6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52jRJ1ywzs
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr7XbStm7I
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUwuqjox66
"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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPOhvv2NdB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aAyio9GQd
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYqcAsJ8Lo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUtO7KjLrB
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufndMVkMue
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl93REUxAU4
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzXFY5PNri
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS8F6d69hy
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaIn7jhujA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseq2nJ6Fjx
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp39FDnph6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkABhs4EbA
"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."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yykfepqI1
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6E36LW0tD
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cqUkRlJYb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBX0jwPGGs
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGTcj0dxvW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AjyjSeFsc
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCLUXxJUIp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsU6pNnybA
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4P8mFc0xA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUDBtKGLxJ
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe9JfOHCO3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhS25zPpIx
"TALBOT!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc4K7JbJTJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KWLxjfIWY
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4OY7vDVOi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq7uEYq6BK
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGSHIxetJl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBaQwFpsTO
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprm3oqOsIN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURRtrq9pfx
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XBb2oXDoX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GmSfkOWHu
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmvRTSstsz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIaXtGjj8l
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hq3qnCTah
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pwHIf5V8r
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t6Wh5liOU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJCQw09TSl
"Are ya kidding me?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPDMlZBHlx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j4O7ToY6V
"That's so lame!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4kD2fT7XJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqMJNn21qZ
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGoyEsAZXF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtCuwBDPcG
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ116EU6B3k3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXalh3I9wqQ
"What's that supposed to mean?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WaHdoHII2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16XDTB8T1K
"Nothing."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqeFSJaDwW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZBmSqHVZ9
She returned to chowing down on her food.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcakjZ2MIBr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdI7zvNG1A
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7owI0tza8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuVN7lEfEV
"Well..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXHPFEqOpo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvgVwa5WXY
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzynihJF96O
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtJgYIGaJK
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R9e6AYgyP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJrFAABlwZ
"...No."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2WNsWXpO0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFIb8qYAB
"Eh? Why not?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvtuaEkQd4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMn47DcTN2
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdou69SS0Ux
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1rizzFADT
"Huh!? What'd you say?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPHZ2SMrdV
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozEjKXp9Qz
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKlTummFUh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY69kcku5F
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEuj6xZGRJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGXLNuRfxk
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9VHfXE6cZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEfYpsMr3Y
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp4QTuakrm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEAPCeMjSj
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Chw3RGw6v
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NJAhoaNhh
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWYuO1l989
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC8jgWA6um
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2tA1AB5ad
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpabhS8eTmp
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk3JEePxa2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIStfg0Fuu
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFGGjRsoPY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7meOSFVQ5
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdveSTRpOh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaW8EEUjx5
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJcuMISyrZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEcR3ImX7N
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMsSa9JAXT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XOFwqnK4W
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIFBAyAjv4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXE3E7wPP7
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVgw0wFfv2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa5S5Qc2S0
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBvKIyWcBZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkC8UnIQvh
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ236GJgPJe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYRr1UXAEW
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo0N9mt90M
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hzjPoyXmh
"Custom design? Well..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCBotTKNZf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAWLJTTDUu
She turned her head away.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon35SewsTq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Jaba4TPu
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKDLTloziC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxqOOe7gf5
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybpLth4pJY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LwCjP1CUr
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkynI2NgVh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv3I371TwA
"Oh, this?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630kPMmT0r
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwRD6BoweR
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGSC4HxWz3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3r4SzWvin
"I stole it!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBp1qRSgvZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJAug8vQIu
"No surprise."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMZ39FIKzM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhUAoxGSms
"I ain't surprised."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE6xhZoewb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6zGF3gogi
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIczCV8pA28
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPEyDycuMe
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDirlD5JyaT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuEfLzZDPe
"No."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnWm7ftSeA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRJEMtPoM3
"Not really."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevYOuB4MSD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwckmEeFI
"Ah... you two are lame!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpUEgZTPzF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oQK239aky
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PdXSk2Zb0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz0shYQnmW
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOMY9u9VKu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz26k0oaYO
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsS5GIosst
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNc3Y1kpUn
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoftSAjtt3t
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpG5yUPye4
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSyMNwkWCP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42s3ckmu4y
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJYJgVl3PP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcxpiT7id0
"I-I see... I suppose so."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6xuw1ROWC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkOkCHAepc
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCJBqBQjws
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBEvurQZko
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW6fm861Hg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6uUDYgnfA
"Did you have to word it that way?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbzBFyEMm8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJvpcNplnW
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA4b0eIYFi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6dtGPMo37
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvg28dgJ9h
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyRJm8IkwZ
"Ya got it, boss."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvwWLwvJTW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufyGpapFAD
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxAjLjssoQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBWqw3Z6qo
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz0IeDX9Wc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oAKvARqTn
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdyUilN82b
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcTlbhJykb
"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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaYBl2F1Dz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWUDBWH5Xw
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0wrJqmWjO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OdoSkTYRW
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ269COZwXXU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5CU6axTwe
"...Well, alright. What is it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5jNrRcztl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfpOx5YYrx
"I... I wanted..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I1kuC4s9P
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnQyWnvJ5i
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5FXW4FNZC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktaEvxvipF
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDxnQt0RLj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8YtaBY0YU
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp6hTSBCE0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0OVoO64CW
"Where's this coming from?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCvW2vhI8n
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1CltqcJbA
"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?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUdyqb8Ngf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwIqDNqLok
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV7lRAT39Z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW10uZ8JXd
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq9D5F53dv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnw3FCzfzP
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjQc71VyUP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODqOLkG99A
In that light–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGUT1HkDCS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYjqrF3dAe
"Alright, apology accepted."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yQ0LCFH2m
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIP643Jj4g
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbJ4pywTdi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUQj6NqVwS
"--only on one condition."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDWOjeTJZm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YNPEYJV9o
"Eh!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2mtI6Q1qT
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAdDYHooXk
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJUDUE4hJU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r8p0qZyvP
"That's right."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY90V7uJQ2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIct0pDaalS
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3j95CJliU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQenBYkPIx
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwbHDpe6OF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rQRtew9ib
"He sounds like a priss."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPBXNwutpI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SDW3ojQKo
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHp0NK6fMf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhSYnviPYR
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFueM0J80BF
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSGDjlXOid
"Fine, what's your condition?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ab02XCKLy
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66TPCVmemj
I pointed a finger at her.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4S5ltiBIq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpUG5jsUHg
"We need to get along from now on."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaunxE21Rqr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW5LfmFkJo
"...Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP1xXbbbIg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWNbdsA79I
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOkOCrkaje
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnrBipQOt1
"...Ha, that's it?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXtlDEMsHP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqDi02Zr41
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50nm0kl1dq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ilpP48af
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6jxxVSAY8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQme433Mln
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrK7mw8V7C
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZal7VMi5
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstO2gVDaPw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5hYCIer5x
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46NNlOQ71k
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GugmUQzHF
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtogsz3YPs
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1EyRHUQXA
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxXQxRCgNi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KY64BrAq3
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW8Ju0oKRU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iiRm9W6uP
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXSuhCcEa6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsEeKfnjMJ
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZpSpHX9l9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQi39UBLJk
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjfWsV4Rpu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiO2WHJTEd
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1W9isip0K
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBb59lq127
"What a weirdo, seriously."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2bNpC4o69
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61m00BZ6Ge
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIA2knG5wh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPzwS2ifSe
–
–
–
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjbKrifBdv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf73hO8w41E
"You guys! You gotta see this!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2uZ1NkXy2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mzR8fIQw
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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBiG7hlj04
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUBqUwc9jf
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.
