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