My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.192Please respect copyright.PENANANq224NPXlP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZXqnaYFyF1
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVpryyAkz2T
192Please respect copyright.PENANAIKlo6Q4YZP
"Haa..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAwK6c2k28CC
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPndYOUJVDO
"Are you okay?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAR8C4Fj2dyE
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMilAuY8jlF
"Phew. Now I am."192Please respect copyright.PENANAtmLy0Re5sW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt9uAz3Yjse
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANABd5LQfk2Uk
192Please respect copyright.PENANAv2K5F4wpJk
"W-What is it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAF3rYuDeIEP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOHjbcLfVRp
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."192Please respect copyright.PENANADlr3yQJFL2
192Please respect copyright.PENANAA3aq3r7yXt
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."192Please respect copyright.PENANA4Z2Be4DW9x
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYALHNFFDSZ
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQO7vA6UjW0
192Please respect copyright.PENANA83sAZq0k7d
"Well..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAHB2NnaLfGN
192Please respect copyright.PENANAi8KAf5jJTX
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAEyZ2JsraCZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXtQhGxL7qA
"Come on, tell me!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAKbjcHC0mI5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2CMlcOzqzj
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."192Please respect copyright.PENANAKKld91BFdV
192Please respect copyright.PENANA86fZNV6UcQ
She sighed and shrugged.192Please respect copyright.PENANAUWhgKGB9mj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGCSSyNm5an
"Are you feeling nervous?"192Please respect copyright.PENANALh06SWvenu
192Please respect copyright.PENANAC2PWLdTvvx
"Of course I am."192Please respect copyright.PENANA3TmZG1GsvE
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkQnuLY1aPg
"You shouldn't be."192Please respect copyright.PENANAq6XUXgHbr6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAx9Dm91gD1v
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."192Please respect copyright.PENANAaaVJNTUsLF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjKtvOeZNXp
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."192Please respect copyright.PENANAgVkiCkUAGg
192Please respect copyright.PENANAefGRjRPVs5
"...What's that supposed to mean?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAXRCIvflIEM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAylsFOcVWJp
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAnooS5X1Y6b
192Please respect copyright.PENANAO4l1H4NH1c
"I think you came here a little too early."192Please respect copyright.PENANAYPNrNjShV9
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3TBORgrVHr
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."192Please respect copyright.PENANAn2yaOFAs2E
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAZoD3lpjtH
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA1baRrzyLVL
192Please respect copyright.PENANAVH5HiILuNI
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!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAJfl9KNCYDr
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhuDuxhcXwp
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAlNZcGp8uBc
192Please respect copyright.PENANABWSgEVQhBK
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."192Please respect copyright.PENANAKBs37ILS23
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwJzRKALBqH
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAUp6nNwx8l9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKW2Q7wcdfT
"Aren't you going to say something?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAR2OEp7WKSx
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxDqzvGQ4xS
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."192Please respect copyright.PENANA7zZ5XtHL3Y
192Please respect copyright.PENANAW8SSxIpdTS
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAOSxfJxBL8t
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhh4hBirjDB
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANARVBANGIDZM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQl7Ofennj4
"...I-I still don't believe you."192Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ti2MiGGSE
192Please respect copyright.PENANARvpYfmdBdi
"Are you serious!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAYApA2z06CZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbwI3BLpcoq
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.192Please respect copyright.PENANAwHQD6lBOxY
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeH5M54w8Cy
"Can I at least have your name?"192Please respect copyright.PENANACNIP8V7kR5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1nR04K6dC5
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAp9ImYkKR2e
192Please respect copyright.PENANAemcQgZ7NSn
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAiDwOyrOkRW
192Please respect copyright.PENANADF72xIoMWx
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.192Please respect copyright.PENANAHeiX5QcsjN
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXMo5g6qV9I
"A-Alright, I won't forget."192Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z7tsuxsyF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZHsmQM0zPG
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAac8fmgCzxJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8DtAqj3Uo9
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."192Please respect copyright.PENANAgN52Ki0YEx
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8WrUuSrfp4
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.192Please respect copyright.PENANA8CrQIm0W6p
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8bhKeSbeP
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAZXIx3wCAAF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4HbX89R1C
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAL8zWHGwbCh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeezePJdlvQ
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.192Please respect copyright.PENANAopPaygwuUE
192Please respect copyright.PENANA14rbaRcI3G
"She's not very nice at all."192Please respect copyright.PENANAOg6MXi8Ykv
192Please respect copyright.PENANAiYfO1PcpGk
"I suppose not."192Please respect copyright.PENANAIBB42GLde5
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvrN40jt57q
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."192Please respect copyright.PENANAeu7g1R0Igd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAd0B6ihJy92
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAZSyp4fNXY3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhK9LWfbB21
**SMASH**192Please respect copyright.PENANAQenDOFTE55
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvoTjien8OP
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA69V7cH6I0m
192Please respect copyright.PENANAiRurrItFGk
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.192Please respect copyright.PENANAwjhtL1Xzf3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbiorom4JUW
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAnfyiLZmwgQ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjrNmZX43HV
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.192Please respect copyright.PENANAGfHuEprqg3
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9kJI9HsHxV
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAqLRlwvgf6O
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1SuYmfLOlf
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."192Please respect copyright.PENANAJKXMvj1AHI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOOu9L0NX9d
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.192Please respect copyright.PENANA37LYO545fM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAshNzWTDvVl
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."192Please respect copyright.PENANAEQMKYSlUCr
192Please respect copyright.PENANAY5pRsqe9Zr
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA2vSCEbLUGz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAnrXwkmM1fu
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.192Please respect copyright.PENANAwjbzzujVtJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAT1AQy6wnKr
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAmFtZKslvYq
192Please respect copyright.PENANASe5sDQghhu
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAlDCPhhvpmJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANApQkAJdTrth
"No, not at all."192Please respect copyright.PENANA64XF9D4GfJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAVSHqoNhRU0
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQAooApr8C8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKO8qydNYnO
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.192Please respect copyright.PENANAk1G6EnSp0T
192Please respect copyright.PENANAuHFZff3e3o
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."192Please respect copyright.PENANAYSoiFx3FoW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4OOf60Bgm
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.192Please respect copyright.PENANAkVMECt9Yvt
192Please respect copyright.PENANAo8GE1P2msZ
"Is she our teammate?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAtt9NvZu23Z
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYKeVdcj4Pb
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."192Please respect copyright.PENANARcR8IRgCQS
192Please respect copyright.PENANART0ZnwD5GI
"That so? Lemme test the waters."192Please respect copyright.PENANAjkGZBgEvjD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtvj6ULxKGC
"You'll regret it."192Please respect copyright.PENANAZngM0lhzjn
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3XmjC2D1n9
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPtO3M5JCOZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZCreD9CScl
"...Wait."192Please respect copyright.PENANADdwGVv1xgH
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7f4n1CZPzp
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!192Please respect copyright.PENANA9yl6FpdODd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGR9Rvb5A44
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."192Please respect copyright.PENANAQxSVo2qNs6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMVfBzCVH68
"A little? Just a little?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAZByGzN7v8S
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbLtZLrKM8a
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."192Please respect copyright.PENANAI5GiDaZlyt
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1dPcCiUijl
"I met her five minutes ago!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAjvV3BRFwZy
192Please respect copyright.PENANALbklXmPmcQ
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.192Please respect copyright.PENANA7Lu7UK11y5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7nAXmW3O2Q
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."192Please respect copyright.PENANAuph5j62mwj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfePN3Pdk4x
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."192Please respect copyright.PENANAtTw2frjrlE
192Please respect copyright.PENANABYHRlSUD6C
"Really?"192Please respect copyright.PENANATjbz3qPQ3g
192Please respect copyright.PENANAx6AQsICATH
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.192Please respect copyright.PENANAN7HBJyrO8j
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqFlKLxGyjQ
"What do you mean 'really'?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAL6UWbnP79x
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9v8yH6st8d
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA1f0qXhF5Cf
192Please respect copyright.PENANAavKpCb98RM
"--!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAeVWSCzyf70
192Please respect copyright.PENANAnrN6f2Lvrv
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAkpuvAAYNFV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAT2ERCdws19
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."192Please respect copyright.PENANAOX5BaP5iX0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtLXkzER1sa
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."192Please respect copyright.PENANArjmCYsaizA
192Please respect copyright.PENANAU5p3Emfudu
**SMASH**192Please respect copyright.PENANAhKtdqJuCCX
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbijWcAyKU4
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAW6FNVJJ7Z6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAiCOZffD3VG
My jaw dropped yet again.192Please respect copyright.PENANAJlLMIPEHeW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOX7WCiprqq
"ROY!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAvCSWCzusQw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAIKv9UmyYbz
–
–
–
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAtfWhVcvNN3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAcQRBleHX4x
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAUBcCT3lgSF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwH185DR3jR
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAv7E4tZUHEn
192Please respect copyright.PENANAY5pFfbCRJW
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA079VnAumQT
192Please respect copyright.PENANAh4L8fekR7h
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAHV2rSNAuC9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAuK795NvUVo
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAhCCp7jlO14
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbQr7h6UT2J
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAGFP8OSaYmG
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1cvhZ0ERtP
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."192Please respect copyright.PENANAeDBkMJNObp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAoHJPBrTEXh
"R-Right."192Please respect copyright.PENANAHhq7WYT0mJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAu8qmheGgzJ
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–192Please respect copyright.PENANA60Y4wnPiet
192Please respect copyright.PENANAiNu4hFLOHS
"Ack!"192Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZVOS3avxm
192Please respect copyright.PENANApQGkXvSfEI
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.192Please respect copyright.PENANAhERohTZM3O
192Please respect copyright.PENANATn4pmcQvQB
"F-Flinty, what was–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAUZAn4letMS
192Please respect copyright.PENANAove29MkH5d
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAa6BHjXCBnp
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9ozE0ZROy3
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA6rJWkrOAvs
192Please respect copyright.PENANASTotGBdr95
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."192Please respect copyright.PENANAIlQeBj33Ll
192Please respect copyright.PENANACE1Q33BStE
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAhF6kAJkrpd
192Please respect copyright.PENANANoqjN85viL
"No, I'm not just saying it."192Please respect copyright.PENANA7Izd9hSkA3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFuL0NOHIK8
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.192Please respect copyright.PENANAjtQjEbZGcq
192Please respect copyright.PENANArpf5WMxmD6
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAEmqmmmjmyt
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFOPZHFdVsJ
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAk3LzKeZb1c
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAOkVBiZRVf
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAB2q1CV8Wqw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKdTc4Gq9FK
"I–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAAFeai6cOy3
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8GwHBwlx1K
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAgQNY9FGU5R
192Please respect copyright.PENANAaswXOZrdSG
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAhIhXaFEtIA
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQQwhSvIciI
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–192Please respect copyright.PENANAIi2nISwuVn
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOS6dVGtrcY
And yet...192Please respect copyright.PENANAlaS2rXrUa4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKPrqamEs5j
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."192Please respect copyright.PENANAA3yXr8YqAs
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmOZl5SvJu6
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.192Please respect copyright.PENANASlBVNwWhLo
192Please respect copyright.PENANAnqbDsiNqt2
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"192Please respect copyright.PENANARndFuX6xDJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgLGAtXv7SC
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.192Please respect copyright.PENANAD4eEPN139t
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYMDWTlPXWC
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAFZhHxelnLe
192Please respect copyright.PENANAR865eHzqEg
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."192Please respect copyright.PENANAcMxFjPdsYT
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkap9rBJayq
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAPVdcVtTjhA
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZzFwr7f7Zv
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAcp9JD6d2vU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAISoYsUuBgz
"O-Okay."192Please respect copyright.PENANA3WNAlO7chI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPBAC5qvvLN
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.192Please respect copyright.PENANA3adaiFUTpU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOB1110ktBD
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."192Please respect copyright.PENANAPEHLtl2ORh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAaijVBDdxTd
"Okay okay, fine."192Please respect copyright.PENANA4aDL9h1QBL
192Please respect copyright.PENANANNvvcL13kB
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAvTZNhBlRtJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXFWT7TRW1l
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."192Please respect copyright.PENANAhSya2Ey6do
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1xSLywKpaX
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.192Please respect copyright.PENANAOFq9IoLHP6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYjtpLwDwHi
–
–
–
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAljnTWExmE3
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8PCHPL3A71
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAIwcS3J55pe
192Please respect copyright.PENANAx50aWsJHuY
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA6nVECG7U3F
192Please respect copyright.PENANAy1w0ZdnD9s
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA8CGM1XQC97
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWniDZ6Dj6b
"Huh...? What did you say?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA31ngPpcUk8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkgfmrJ4b5i
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.192Please respect copyright.PENANAxOFofjyzVr
192Please respect copyright.PENANArISgKbioAX
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAXh8giOM0Ap
192Please respect copyright.PENANARTgcQQb2d2
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."192Please respect copyright.PENANACyTXbRsGst
192Please respect copyright.PENANAyckfFpGkFL
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAfDhzS4zgaV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhsRguZovj2
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"192Please respect copyright.PENANArDFBXTTAoJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAah3VAsOgAR
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."192Please respect copyright.PENANANRS4Nl6krs
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFNf3iArXuQ
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."192Please respect copyright.PENANAJFiAM7AYd8
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2o4p0vptTW
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."192Please respect copyright.PENANATq4urRNxVY
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFiO9MMdekH
"Note?"192Please respect copyright.PENANANchBGG3mth
192Please respect copyright.PENANAL3F6TxiOCN
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAxY5ywIvL0N
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjLVdFEe61g
"What does it say?"192Please respect copyright.PENANANQUA3cRSAM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAm6ZqHJORm5
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANASbTHn4JBDS
192Please respect copyright.PENANArRWFMOVA61
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."192Please respect copyright.PENANAPdJ748Q9lo
192Please respect copyright.PENANAA1sVNgtobR
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAglLthvihDD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPwjv2OQfJa
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."192Please respect copyright.PENANAvYHLxx4q7e
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAYTdUu2kBy
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."192Please respect copyright.PENANABsCkjldY3S
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1ae0eSEYEe
Juke sighed and put the paper away.192Please respect copyright.PENANAUzHX4e2WAA
192Please respect copyright.PENANAllmqMhY4uV
"So, how's about a story?"192Please respect copyright.PENANApYlOoBpwt8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOM33mlldeH
"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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA9o6Q53V9ti
192Please respect copyright.PENANAttgy1mSVMe
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."192Please respect copyright.PENANAyKxyVr7oW6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUlmzNDm9DS
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.192Please respect copyright.PENANA8ng7Zq4E06
192Please respect copyright.PENANAdEqUjYKLdC
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."192Please respect copyright.PENANA7Dm0TLTD2B
192Please respect copyright.PENANA662MkPHbdn
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."192Please respect copyright.PENANAuZPF7c7eBC
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2fEBLIu81v
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAGeo6kjsGx1
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5hnCNJqoB6
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAfZH06WyCjd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAG4wD0LMJlu
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."192Please respect copyright.PENANApnIC9CRc2u
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgpETZc6zbw
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"192Please respect copyright.PENANA14k2amJGir
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxmvNfF0jn9
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"192Please respect copyright.PENANArg0aEsignQ
192Please respect copyright.PENANALlTKkTN5rF
"Seriously? You have to be lying."192Please respect copyright.PENANA0vPTP0N1YH
192Please respect copyright.PENANAg03wRbHVnJ
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."192Please respect copyright.PENANAvb3B2nZ8mb
192Please respect copyright.PENANA78TKCbrNzy
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."192Please respect copyright.PENANA2N16yfKAwm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlMwUyRvn1d
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAmEoV1dKhMa
192Please respect copyright.PENANAEXlakVTlMj
"Like what?" I asked.192Please respect copyright.PENANARlyEYkomUc
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8ChqbyXWan
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAOZDlqFnMNV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAB9tWtTugNi
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.192Please respect copyright.PENANAKIzF4VLbPu
192Please respect copyright.PENANAC0xJYWdUcj
"...Stardust?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA7jAHtkjnDB
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXr5L0NJDHh
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAe4zLVI1Muv
192Please respect copyright.PENANA283Y8uIVlw
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.192Please respect copyright.PENANABEKt0ZtYu9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAI6KFuLEuSU
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAzto2incgmt
192Please respect copyright.PENANAaAyRULGCTz
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAaXtMgb8zHa
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeTKjhEWs7q
"...The what?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAMsZHDQc75C
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfxMAzLNxLK
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAja30sP3SKB
192Please respect copyright.PENANATbNk8P4Q6V
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."192Please respect copyright.PENANAqQBldx2Ysb
192Please respect copyright.PENANANKn9CtBQnU
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAyiB8eit2qU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUByHeUsYh9
"Of course I do!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAA0jAtAI7cP
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5v3domU7vy
She pumped her fist.192Please respect copyright.PENANAzQaqBybcUz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfEZANufVvI
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAHdJtBp5mB4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWEUOwTks67
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA11qNYvrmWV
192Please respect copyright.PENANArkKeOR94uw
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPBtySNhB5g
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQTpPT3yo3y
"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–"192Please respect copyright.PENANAj2sEuP8Kca
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqORKNoYNms
"I already know this."192Please respect copyright.PENANAn21jvSPaQS
192Please respect copyright.PENANAE6gNgpcvs7
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAApnhrAjhet
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfpU4fZua6b
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."192Please respect copyright.PENANA2yzVQI0dZ7
192Please respect copyright.PENANAdT5mgqGVQC
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAlc7cbtlOiG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPwFNYl7B8C
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."192Please respect copyright.PENANAZnhGfShKuL
192Please respect copyright.PENANAcVMYnMVpPq
"Eh? Why?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA6tEuvos3xN
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7gcVbgRBh0
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.192Please respect copyright.PENANANM7BOC1q74
192Please respect copyright.PENANAO3wzekY3cW
"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–"192Please respect copyright.PENANA6h8gHtYDQ3
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5GSpIuPnEV
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.192Please respect copyright.PENANAXNlZpJ0K5w
192Please respect copyright.PENANARuO3qn6VP6
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAAuXrLEfjXk
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUphaQ2L5OO
"That's cuz I met her."192Please respect copyright.PENANAYscfP6uvLW
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8Q1vaK3wk9
"WHAT!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAztgmUjgPDw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAHUVpK53oyF
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAyd2t2tiAmi
192Please respect copyright.PENANADq7bvi6tGs
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAhRqE38eoSj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJhzpS2NW48
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"192Please respect copyright.PENANADkAn1kOaKU
192Please respect copyright.PENANA0CQZjTbRBQ
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."192Please respect copyright.PENANAqBupZRt5GX
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwMBjJV4HnD
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."192Please respect copyright.PENANA4vk2Oo2SHw
192Please respect copyright.PENANACDYkErYvl3
"You're kidding."192Please respect copyright.PENANAjst4vOWeup
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFAwwBWnL88
He shook his head no.192Please respect copyright.PENANAA4mjVnmRBG
192Please respect copyright.PENANADNhzBXqk2W
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA5BKO64BVLm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAU5CsN1cGXX
"You're making this up," I said.192Please respect copyright.PENANAyekm4hffqS
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9FNVKjSJTp
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"192Please respect copyright.PENANABeBUT8TJIP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAygNJKjKZnh
Juke shrugged.192Please respect copyright.PENANANoXoDkrxPN
192Please respect copyright.PENANASPOsBivBbw
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."192Please respect copyright.PENANAx0pFVKwPCP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeDVOALocPO
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPVjwZXmtfg
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsJpdwzofii
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."192Please respect copyright.PENANAH9NOqqBLxK
192Please respect copyright.PENANAHGj0WQjfZi
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."192Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZR2L2qLXm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlAT7S0jNao
"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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAzeDQuNN8RC
192Please respect copyright.PENANAEyOtiRp0z4
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.192Please respect copyright.PENANA7lYgBSkB7L
192Please respect copyright.PENANACb37bfE0rB
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA28DvETf3Nq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQLvrHK9jZ4
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANARhV8x9HGeD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQNHq9cWllS
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA8nvDEoBrFB
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfnGy0PIfCw
She pointed a finger at him.192Please respect copyright.PENANA3Z9nw0dK4B
192Please respect copyright.PENANAue26Dbvuam
"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!"192Please respect copyright.PENANA8lvgBdz98s
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKDeWREsVTR
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."192Please respect copyright.PENANALJEN9r6OBb
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGcwrNGXpez
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAsw5JGeacc1
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvxlsP0FVD3
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.192Please respect copyright.PENANAoFY23OMdWq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXrsfNFpN7Z
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."192Please respect copyright.PENANAhEbVzEyatT
192Please respect copyright.PENANAHaIoIZIRXI
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."192Please respect copyright.PENANACJWGQWAhF0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlRiUK1nNXT
"--Ngh! You guys...!"192Please respect copyright.PENANABOhAdiQkIX
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqL04MaAKoU
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.192Please respect copyright.PENANAX4NLmGlwuk
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQrd0pobmmk
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAVaHQJDQ4TB
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt9bcNoX9it
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAocU4jcEIYh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWUwg9JBb4i
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAUmmOc7z55Z
192Please respect copyright.PENANAIhuiVZ2Qod
"Ya look like you have something to say."192Please respect copyright.PENANAjHk081fmNh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAuYoq0RdnK
"W-Well..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkD1A9HMFXf
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhUnpiX14h6
She turned her head away.192Please respect copyright.PENANAnxqYlBvMd0
192Please respect copyright.PENANApwNimP7sZc
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."192Please respect copyright.PENANASMxA3a7Rgn
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7tUALwzxjS
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAG2trmsi00I
192Please respect copyright.PENANAitqmLLpEa2
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."192Please respect copyright.PENANAgksBTVeR4D
192Please respect copyright.PENANANQdDPV1gYE
"Mhm, I told you so."192Please respect copyright.PENANAR4GVk9R8fF
192Please respect copyright.PENANA07LpaSH4lA
–
–
–
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA1lMXHVakht
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFzy3az8a0f
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAvhDvxV9mJD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAuspU1RWD5P
"...So why am I not getting any?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAFtMU97KR8Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANArvJeRC6noi
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANABndGaY7HG4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAHAAkW5kc76
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–192Please respect copyright.PENANAoXq1abRNb9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkerVh93iqB
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAusTHesVliE
192Please respect copyright.PENANAnbP9LQVGmH
"Eh?"192Please respect copyright.PENANASkUVIstBy6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAifYAc6wYFG
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAwC98kHPMbj
192Please respect copyright.PENANArlBMJJSi46
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.192Please respect copyright.PENANAOcccCvq9Jw
192Please respect copyright.PENANANx4Nd045XN
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAJLIbjA7ikN
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFM3FyqQWNj
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.192Please respect copyright.PENANA57tPqowgxO
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqQ0RfkB9ze
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAyxJ3AkZbgq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYDcguGYxe6
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."192Please respect copyright.PENANAQLm6A6R1w8
192Please respect copyright.PENANADtrknkNIL9
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0NAydulpy
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPLxTXJ7TwW
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0wD8BlIad
192Please respect copyright.PENANAr6j0dKjn38
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPZtaR8RU6f
192Please respect copyright.PENANANuMQGp2pOw
"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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAE2XT5RFphD
192Please respect copyright.PENANABncNp0CTZc
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."192Please respect copyright.PENANAayHD270mg2
192Please respect copyright.PENANARqzTw0Nbg2
"A jungle? What elevation?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAu7xwKCKU3R
192Please respect copyright.PENANAl9ebXYs05n
He shrugged.192Please respect copyright.PENANAWFT6sACwIX
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1GJ3089DR2
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."192Please respect copyright.PENANA0U9DCcn8Mi
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfuFZSXY6qA
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."192Please respect copyright.PENANA3PTHnAVk2Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANA6UFGZrKriF
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAQYJUGdbFPP
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5J7UjP1uh5
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAnCeVrBhDG0
192Please respect copyright.PENANACc5yvs49fl
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."192Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5RZEudkkY
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtTbcMhGDte
"Why?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAcOc6OiexYR
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGm0jcRXDTV
"..."192Please respect copyright.PENANA2rzF1ydoty
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2hznDzZpfu
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.192Please respect copyright.PENANAXYnRatLdFr
192Please respect copyright.PENANATp03ae16Ig
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."192Please respect copyright.PENANAjsV8AuJQAg
192Please respect copyright.PENANABUOFZomVqO
"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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAwdzgWcbLTA
192Please respect copyright.PENANAdUaXUuliGC
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."192Please respect copyright.PENANA1a6pzBAET9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAoqmaToNFqI
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAcrd7Vxd3fD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZB6bbQxLac
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAzhUfYWMBcj
192Please respect copyright.PENANA16yLCF7q23
"..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAfYi7hiO6tL
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgscaXlSRPj
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA3xb6MfuMMl
192Please respect copyright.PENANAoZJ5b0ex5b
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANASxAWIfnY36
192Please respect copyright.PENANArlHM1Zrfcn
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.192Please respect copyright.PENANA7nZ2xUWtQO
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgFPdRZqf9J
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."192Please respect copyright.PENANARo68ArLZxI
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2mAajJakCf
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAoedkAOTtRV
192Please respect copyright.PENANADyprA6auCV
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAvCwoJAHVu7
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPmaxrbNFIr
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"192Please respect copyright.PENANA5tHHUd7CuJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAVu9QTQZthm
"TALBOT!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANANXysTn8ae9
192Please respect copyright.PENANARKMkT1wOXb
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA1cfXUzyztO
192Please respect copyright.PENANAP1CfML1m3h
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."192Please respect copyright.PENANAo3AAJeVELI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYYeHqkZIWZ
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA2g5eUmgaKR
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvJCyPfvNsu
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA3nYbeMdO8U
192Please respect copyright.PENANAy6nhKYf45R
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."192Please respect copyright.PENANAEkaasp7GaK
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqi4VRq7vMy
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.192Please respect copyright.PENANAT1vhMDzHc3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAEsYH2ZSH1P
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."192Please respect copyright.PENANAA22hmShxFj
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2j0e9a0Lyl
"Are ya kidding me?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAFYM0OjuL81
192Please respect copyright.PENANAuwhpiRZPI2
"That's so lame!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAz5fB795s5h
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWSGsMJxePb
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while192Please respect copyright.PENANAYZdI2XcXLg
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxyqd1qWXBd
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."192Please respect copyright.PENANAH0RHZ9Hvli
192Please respect copyright.PENANAuiRdAU2LLD
"What's that supposed to mean?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAHQh1tzpLsm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt50NaTYYlo
"Nothing."192Please respect copyright.PENANA3nBvY6ctsZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYxBI5ZwYjp
She returned to chowing down on her food.192Please respect copyright.PENANA0dgCz6xkkF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgcqYCWicBa
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAiMg2tmMQbx
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9YPNg55ZN0
"Well..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAo0ifA1zZmS
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZzEnV6JpH
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAS0P24ifOhn
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqSM2B7AOrz
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"192Please respect copyright.PENANABQFli4yuWz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAH7ztgcP5UA
"...No."192Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y9B6bOXA5
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvSdBJXgESx
"Eh? Why not?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAWDZUMS3xnd
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2e8qiaWeUO
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAjgaWgFPx71
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt0vqp9K3vF
"Huh!? What'd you say?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAv9wfxuej2Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANAK8s4BJAQMz
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.192Please respect copyright.PENANAFFg8egCGWq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAffzpKbdKkF
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAjwoBUfMHmz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvsbYKFHR0u
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0VHsdGu78
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvWNmIU50CL
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.192Please respect copyright.PENANAO8QTguPTFg
192Please respect copyright.PENANAaTdzYuUYNL
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."192Please respect copyright.PENANAykxSP1ckc0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAa2OHhfNvAh
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."192Please respect copyright.PENANABDxZugXBSb
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt9ticEPfdk
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVHQIFF49O3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlT8icfd0Tj
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."192Please respect copyright.PENANALIkQQcwwSB
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYQUq3wR8FK
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAWCf6804gFu
192Please respect copyright.PENANAViT5C9wePe
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."192Please respect copyright.PENANAgRZ1HARNKn
192Please respect copyright.PENANAq2YIzCGiXC
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.192Please respect copyright.PENANAoZycd8wnBt
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMSkl3XGV5w
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAVUoF9YwxWW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAavD3Ggfil9
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAQjVbH5sLsX
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8boq7LKtRC
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"192Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZWG5LXigT
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbm2dsPvYzP
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAv3MfCTcQGm
192Please respect copyright.PENANARKI6XjhXu9
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAdgc7ZgEbfB
192Please respect copyright.PENANArytLtaWV3R
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."192Please respect copyright.PENANA3gjJFfD3Ac
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwmTF7CnVhE
"Custom design? Well..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAoPPHF9Tcdx
192Please respect copyright.PENANAHK9wJvZu8X
She turned her head away.192Please respect copyright.PENANA4s3pawONnc
192Please respect copyright.PENANArOXf19p9SS
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."192Please respect copyright.PENANA5VbndxhXuy
192Please respect copyright.PENANAj7XbA2JTTP
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.192Please respect copyright.PENANA8DlVmCTIvH
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJG3LoYgkEE
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."192Please respect copyright.PENANAaSFL9iH3Ay
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKH1cGf4mWY
"Oh, this?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAwPWfHdE19B
192Please respect copyright.PENANAErqI7XKeHe
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.192Please respect copyright.PENANAA4jQ7fbzOw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAyH25jIRNyI
"I stole it!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAOMlb4IkSH0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAepduMenGUD
"No surprise."192Please respect copyright.PENANAW6vxsLhuYe
192Please respect copyright.PENANAM7FBUIhjjR
"I ain't surprised."192Please respect copyright.PENANAp2daIuvgAd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAn4q4PPHuYP
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.192Please respect copyright.PENANAxgUL0F7A5x
192Please respect copyright.PENANALdEnyPpxuG
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAo1BShi8TSs
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZGopANBzos
"No."192Please respect copyright.PENANAi7Bzzu1xuY
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWGkyNQsUt3
"Not really."192Please respect copyright.PENANAPLBkcRCgHS
192Please respect copyright.PENANASMf6awAgam
"Ah... you two are lame!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAUib6K1AcRJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANABOF7TnZbbo
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAZvCwP5IStp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZfpDFulIMr
"..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAWuaUeimnlj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUcM24XrKtQ
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAF2k1Xnii1w
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvIKEtfvpOO
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAvw7VoN91BR
192Please respect copyright.PENANATpInCFH42Z
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."192Please respect copyright.PENANAvzXmMmui55
192Please respect copyright.PENANARhcXxlHEkL
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."192Please respect copyright.PENANAoqaAUz0qY7
192Please respect copyright.PENANA0Si6eUBaVd
"I-I see... I suppose so."192Please respect copyright.PENANAx7sKFQPEpz
192Please respect copyright.PENANATSAsHOQ2Xs
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQKUkn5Z45g
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgCPtfR9M23
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.192Please respect copyright.PENANA36mwq3aEUF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUD7p9mK0nL
"Did you have to word it that way?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAda3iMZLUUX
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9EM1DlHK8
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."192Please respect copyright.PENANArQumLzOBX4
192Please respect copyright.PENANArO83Pa61An
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."192Please respect copyright.PENANAnZFVkTpABl
192Please respect copyright.PENANAM7lgQyuZHv
"Ya got it, boss."192Please respect copyright.PENANAPZqgMqGwcd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxLNgj1drhW
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANApUiQ5Eg43z
192Please respect copyright.PENANAiXWobhiDWT
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."192Please respect copyright.PENANALVRzJhlrvO
192Please respect copyright.PENANAetDSHxhVEM
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAjN2ZBOIWHI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQiTDru2WhQ
"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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA1H4Yg68Uqw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAR5mAwEHUM8
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."192Please respect copyright.PENANAeZK9PE7REJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAyFxijivvcR
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.192Please respect copyright.PENANAZma8X9sYIq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPCPaEdw4J9
"...Well, alright. What is it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAf6Ra0UM0Uu
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxmNMaazqdE
"I... I wanted..."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkHlUusD4LU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAyNz1ivKwqR
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVygEJS29Qm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYXUnIRSutC
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAlzbNMV4Zkj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkUP2O0bsxE
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAjHCKQ3VHb6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAYU19UXd2et
"Where's this coming from?"192Please respect copyright.PENANANBKs0ahHg2
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsTHEYI3TE8
"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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANABRxJPSeUtW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXqRgvZX9y2
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."192Please respect copyright.PENANAgjKkDQj2rc
192Please respect copyright.PENANALzuX9qMGDz
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAbKGCkpLywE
192Please respect copyright.PENANAStrOkvUpd8
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANANVgdGZHUcm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfY91ILLSRu
In that light–192Please respect copyright.PENANAQAylCJrlea
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJm95Z3rRLt
"Alright, apology accepted."192Please respect copyright.PENANANRbq98fWO3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtWtbWvzQbc
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–192Please respect copyright.PENANASLNqKM4Rqm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxOMq1U1PHs
"--only on one condition."192Please respect copyright.PENANA0UaNDmPXO3
192Please respect copyright.PENANATBDLqTH0t9
"Eh!?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAuyOASW8uc1
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAGiDcp6yV9
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.192Please respect copyright.PENANAHIG2zPI51b
192Please respect copyright.PENANAN35T7a6Wx3
"That's right."192Please respect copyright.PENANAnlCM6hI8I6
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3t8l3LvVMn
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQxw6yQJbXc
192Please respect copyright.PENANAi4zI0eROhr
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."192Please respect copyright.PENANAvcK6D2yOFP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAXu1iXX9vzN
"He sounds like a priss."192Please respect copyright.PENANAwArYCmdXua
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGskJvRptkM
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."192Please respect copyright.PENANALsWGwzytNF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAK8L5ckKiN0
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.192Please respect copyright.PENANApdLyNjNOsG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWcz21PRZt6
"Fine, what's your condition?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4yCYKn2xo
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWCpDSV6ExX
I pointed a finger at her.192Please respect copyright.PENANAFhm9Ep9rvP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAU87fgOzdSR
"We need to get along from now on."192Please respect copyright.PENANARqUFeTrq9p
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbLEh9YU7bH
"...Huh?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAPqUBSwOXf2
192Please respect copyright.PENANAOsNET2kL3n
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAS1UE6hT8mV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwH0VM1lm6V
"...Ha, that's it?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAZtqi9ShMWp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAV9b2PR7Tl0
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.192Please respect copyright.PENANAT3JODqEX6Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANAebOpYeTHEu
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"192Please respect copyright.PENANA9r6jNtIwdz
192Please respect copyright.PENANASIokHcWZaU
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.192Please respect copyright.PENANAAqtQLxBoNe
192Please respect copyright.PENANANNdzTfBwYZ
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANALQLG3uYQGw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkhOjnnH2SD
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.192Please respect copyright.PENANAEgqVPnxRlh
192Please respect copyright.PENANANmzwtgElvg
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."192Please respect copyright.PENANASzyqyC8Za7
192Please respect copyright.PENANAi1G19tVdZ8
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."192Please respect copyright.PENANAbDUiwngY23
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3Wmag0svCl
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.192Please respect copyright.PENANAZjy5BakmMf
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqKjTm2DnUg
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."192Please respect copyright.PENANAyCeRmuPxgd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkH73n7nxX0
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."192Please respect copyright.PENANA4OqLVS3HFI
192Please respect copyright.PENANABnV1Mw8fuL
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAE3vGtqB2mr
192Please respect copyright.PENANAffsiLJ0F1h
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.192Please respect copyright.PENANA86C1wuHzUZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAABPUJibODg
"What a weirdo, seriously."192Please respect copyright.PENANApHK5K37YM5
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGIr8WEySU3
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAJrZPMvjJMk
192Please respect copyright.PENANArIFWtweRfQ
–
–
–
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAmGa98BU3eP
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKMWYmOAtnC
"You guys! You gotta see this!"192Please respect copyright.PENANAwbB4Ygsndw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFU74kIWAbt
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAxljEnBSqkV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxR7tgI0Eo7
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.