My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP7wtVBsKC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYial2HimKF
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7iLZwuPaU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZbTQrGDVD
"Haa..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pkET05asr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPtYu95wq7
"Are you okay?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObDl7hq4un
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG5z26xxzt
"Phew. Now I am."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdb1eHIdtP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH87E7NB0Q0
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx6CdSoE0Y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3952pgaZGg
"W-What is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YROeSRIuK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUA8rz4dQx
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOViD5ypZf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9nPq3Gh6w
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pmREgOebl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFSAKskSI2
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7ZRNEueEs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5cZq9YS6W
"Well..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBYsk5KzY0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7QKFiMwFI
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIehFWvPVlZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFdvh7WSaR
"Come on, tell me!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJFnPYJCJX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfaYh7j482
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUBaQJPZVS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P0qNBDgT2
She sighed and shrugged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZdYFp3iYs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVSV2vtWhF
"Are you feeling nervous?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyomDbAZwPq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26c2RdeWNx
"Of course I am."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXybE6HjLG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOO9TcnI5f
"You shouldn't be."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2RVC8Xr6t
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDonUdgt54
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J1rUHhCuU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcULvlcFTFj
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HY9zGnChl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fi3xHIfwA
"...What's that supposed to mean?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GafR6INdl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P8haHAPAe
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFbBo90DtM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i22i8KLpQ
"I think you came here a little too early."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NCyJ1T8ON
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUtDTlQlV
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArifCFvc5s
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l6N9T05iY
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl45RbQw2HG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMsbsMmctl
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!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ZSmIPIMF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3UgT6jPkl
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30GMo1HgRL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPxWDwT0fE
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c5gds1BmP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts31bKcGVg
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTS7dGnYA4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJkWjoxEX0
"Aren't you going to say something?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdxlcKbiv1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3AeHb8Rd6
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesYW4R08xL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW12xJtmkB
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0h89tI1bU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWP68oEcoX
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI9si4lYPq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIgbQ7N7kh
"...I-I still don't believe you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSGZE2Ubzl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDULF0D6yo
"Are you serious!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iBducOkBt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovog1gxX0b
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyBSqOx4UU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIup312MHJA
"Can I at least have your name?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtxqgT7JoT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26wucs8Q65
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVniotKkjp4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmOL8rXk6x
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosFro7HMqp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82CYydErjU
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93re2DmjdT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYAzs1WHv
"A-Alright, I won't forget."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd25X5vv74
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38wDeJueZe
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0wicUiuGc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDHHjizSEq
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRATUsyKwJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ974RBj2XJD
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nqv6lj63M
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiREmOAqYYv
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvxAy0gNIN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtuT8ouY5w
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56OChYWE9p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvdLLKL8N3
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWFt7BzcV6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HxvL9TC18
"She's not very nice at all."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3W8CvCeeA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv7RNfVv2P
"I suppose not."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbmn6QKZ6C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T3WXoaVHe
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qhl90aJzb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUqaXx0Pfo
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS2E5pIDRQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6io3xWKh
**SMASH**133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aeyLmifBs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi853ZUDQT
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTUbeeOXp5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS291qKfWJz
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaJmOrKIrl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo2JojMtwq
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG4Re2mYHp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4MiOF5EhX
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqjiWkhUEf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAjUbhdYBK
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCaAQDLB5q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY1pb959Sw
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2T53iryfp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjAtHNG0Xx
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0fSGygi4w
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBsW4ICwum
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFD0LVT0t6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIvEatvxOS
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gF6qMUo5i
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjPWcaiBhJ
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrWsdL28s0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYXHlIOduw
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXgHRoCCzy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RFWTQNBOR
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv6z66KYab
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyju0q94EAj
"No, not at all."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKGfmOXOGi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEqmyWonnI
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsJB94Lrxn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV5BDszLHL
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DoVh8FI9e
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbMpdStUDa
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6vsXjAAAw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE8aLYXwZh
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZypQhYVVIn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GxQdFWgM4
"Is she our teammate?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9g1YvvJQ0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r1I1sMgAC
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pQeUoC0Cs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8dT77yJhr
"That so? Lemme test the waters."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nuqlmdf4u
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTADRnnEjf
"You'll regret it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1TKARaJkq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUzpZJd3Kl
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC3NpydiTo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3TJ1wn3KY
"...Wait."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUmqHz2275
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjrgpBEQyr
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNu319Zf81
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwGOZqSFfA
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF9zk5bjpW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRtK2pMXDG
"A little? Just a little?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsfsPcSsyq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEljfGkv0ZS
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx5afRHBlf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7evjgBZjG
"I met her five minutes ago!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYIVN3J1q6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcGaCVkMJs
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXj04EGmg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c0dYWo8DZ
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJxYT0pHon
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk7gLSzKVC
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9h8QZAgmu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EaZX7vR4f
"Really?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnUQdLtj2C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KdtjGg6c9
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXhkbAaQx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjU6R9zpKh
"What do you mean 'really'?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlJ9QUzMVV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gMQpfCKZ6
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HSxUaPtbo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU02JLp7lE
"--!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuAgF9K2jx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0VfoEXTFP
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJKAd7XaDp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqve4AAsh8
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJk1HBPADd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgB6LgaR7t
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA3pVCnprW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTR1kROrcP
**SMASH**133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsg6DhtpmA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq7KxrcDry
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUlsD6Cpji
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk9IP5RLOl
My jaw dropped yet again.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4H6qgvrog
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9k4rxnVbt
"ROY!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJcpeaN1fc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU6aF1WmHv
–
–
–
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAGjozID9k
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPjQbFqWni
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2XQNgi9XI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31DOxT7PhF
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡestqHF3a0R
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV8MJxuU8X
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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsiNVRlh5b
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeDrXWsKuL
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YF3VTwOZd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA99OZasQ3T
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOAjmBAAvA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBLbCxdmLh
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8y4HkzRBT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9sua08Eg9
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWzZgYxWcZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDS22tOtRz
"R-Right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmooF7nrrpu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUCX9LH7EN
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–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVIkXQr69A
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn5Vwzlmcj
"Ack!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlrYwhKRbW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qmXNgiK6h
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRQTCsRy55
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCevwDhfS
"F-Flinty, what was–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3zSPZcZhs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBYGSHp0Wb
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm35cRNHQke
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJJpdwdQyB
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhGS4RiL4Z
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp9cT59UD9
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPpQ67BRiC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NWnMy1Wh6
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6BgZeflEf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyTcQLvbBs
"No, I'm not just saying it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMkTOP1Al5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg5GzOEv8I
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah4md9RYBA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUGTchZgiN
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhTPSzJkck
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7EROWuSeQ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt25GIkRRcD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0CNqa1QMt
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XmjDbMnLO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A8NlyGx8z
"I–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GdegkSPvH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezpTEapue5
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD3XgKsmhk
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGinTDTXvFO
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ309i6eAW0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWnI7hyPgp
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–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpGPlLNgmz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GZC27qxxA
And yet...133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dI8QjjcNw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFryUvq9Du
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxv7XUZLBR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGnBZApQI1
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFXQCvUO72
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCdT2688zZ
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL9dO32Om6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWFQR6awr
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCYGCZzeHL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy6ciuplyd
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNEkhATxm0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMWqjEjOj2
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr4Jm3BUdq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3xqryglnw
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlMJTL9RYZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvTXvJK3H0
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD4KOqhDJX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4pxjCfzlb
"O-Okay."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT0K4b4uh7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzab8nzUQjZ
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J84DfJFbx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh7Xyry2Xe
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC0UXZssqp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuamis6SMsD
"Okay okay, fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMUYceYiJz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVlnjP2RGC
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDcluXWI2n
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhSOHu1TE1
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI4kMz5rm6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfffPXk4o3
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTiyrjNFDG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLKSF2acoM
–
–
–
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ9noGKkq7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFghQ4tTlq
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4hxSjg4xc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1DScDKsj4
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi28Uv0lBJ0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlbLrRni90
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mFEX9jada
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeadkbpbWO
"Huh...? What did you say?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitMsfYqB3n
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vrNuav02O
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg35A8BwWQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN27rop2eZ
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1xNIe8kLu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr3Nw8DaD2
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5L49l41pn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41nunWKG2D
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJGdv5hHgL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs1GoQWmBk
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q1Fa1urux
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6IACuGOJt
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xR5f4snkn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGUdE9AiYe
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c34Xq5yMb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFhOBt4bA4
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRMXyiJ1BW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxRcWi3OGn
"Note?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3bb2o2ANW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYlO6Ux7Ij
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WZrJqYtGA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQzSnqTq8i
"What does it say?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ3rhRH9mp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZaMDRx68G
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsYu2wd9vq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFqHaphTs
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqQXpyEOIe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWrb5442sT
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SbokLJXlE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMjUmIHiu0
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmOPyFT3it
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1ofI8jiZ
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64VvV29cij
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoREZ8D103K
Juke sighed and put the paper away.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt1I3jeRd3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7YjvXEjLO
"So, how's about a story?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqfmW7h7YI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZH7a3M5Zu
"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?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHHepqCagw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbbjhg0Ekf
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sQISlGol0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjForrWCi0
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgyGAB8zUx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOGpsEVbq6
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgeLHNwP2P
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17TGImwhNM
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3snwr4pTM2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KhFMMxPlS
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcnR2OYzet
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCuqqndeuZ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi5vbEoKsU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF0R5IMTSY
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnBZd4h9am
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYShiRjp5kl
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSbVN6h9Cm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhKFjiewdr
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeNBNmFPly
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H7LOAqXJV
"Seriously? You have to be lying."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0fBBzZlg6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rz7ZevpEg
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmgyz47vNg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0IUzG1d5w
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXuaPKFci
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NaTxWP7ke
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevfnkwxrto
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQMobW1N8w
"Like what?" I asked.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJtBaCT06n
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt2xf35NF0
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UHvuUaANx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BSDwXmLau
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlqT00NYrc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VT18Vpioy
"...Stardust?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HOdWMyN4W
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bvHbQ64Hl
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVv2YSfLU8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysYIZCIBd2
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluCg6Walpy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4OUVoR2ic
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF1cXloIHF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYZb1s8pKq
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWl0thJZqT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfBZjJsskq
"...The what?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGKyqMaX4t
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnsB9PmUOS
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SXbOWCZ5G
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOFUvRaOqB
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aboNcFfeV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSy53yqTbU
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck1Il1WmFg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoFdzgBksz
"Of course I do!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZt7Oir89i
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkCyIZLbJ4
She pumped her fist.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycIIGSlZbG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OdA7d4Oa6
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi3Yx7T99T
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LSBvWwws4
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4YhRvDhb0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsm0RuSOvq
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk31Vhb8EIy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWebBDxTtOy
"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–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVRCp2sqFv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxK5tHLjGH
"I already know this."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO8XMAJjZ6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt75AWnK6K
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBAk3ikt5J
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyo0Bk3Xlu
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLtO4ABCwc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCnJZnNej
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiR0tE1U9C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfCcLzZAu6
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkQ0GeleEm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4713WWB38
"Eh? Why?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6nJqYxHBm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHGvX81221
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxghoREuzh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ345NndFMbu
"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–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiRrokR8UY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwVNxLzHqq
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNVdrkAwGS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkcWMe2c2v
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6joJzqNztD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBgmeBjck6
"That's cuz I met her."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QTDolxduj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BmgrgNGT3
"WHAT!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC6fNClzCB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFk38frX2W
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKwYCE2osr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9AJRABlu2
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mKRSzPwRD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGvYe2RC6V
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPgv2HbY6y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ7SbgzTEg
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1EfDAOJeL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3sW2mszcL
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvO0wgaJCy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe10ZZLdCEo
"You're kidding."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBO6zzGC8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVXJvcLZZp
He shook his head no.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSXW81m0y4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EnLBfpDaD
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpViZL9pIx2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFk7AGBC4P
"You're making this up," I said.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusPISgXB5q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13zkZ0SS5P
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4S54NarnH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl3aR3BzlG
Juke shrugged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXz5c1k3PA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gwfdzHH6r
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysdnN2Ghbp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBT7tspQub
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLrPxuk6Iy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFklEwo6KPO
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69O0vBczDe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwuo2sRWFv
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmUVinjBV5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZO1TUqzSW
"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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItI77IjDnp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2RbVtDfbE
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04CKnPgttQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLhXPPwCxe
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHXzaRNHm1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZLUPdP3pr
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN2CgoOcbK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNNZGXSTJy
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TRJY8IUo2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDGzHDF8Dd
She pointed a finger at him.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqDZ2QrAKy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oZoZoxTgI
"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!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXesj11M1X
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUeomjun7W
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHML1OcZoI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s2NHvi4sM
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz7MfUB2xL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfw7Y22Cyg
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4rmZCJQ0A
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtKd6rAG5C
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIliP6E87tL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiLrhDxFJq
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc0lMJwg8Q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs2jEYJs8Z
"--Ngh! You guys...!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0STPgHj6V
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLporJG0kNd
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn95W0PlGxp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcmV77dUDd
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA83gggzAuj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnVItfKfgu
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtJ0Kb9cGR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOzwyNmaNg
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA8Dw7Kpv9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD84F7uY6m
"Ya look like you have something to say."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsIw4BCENV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim47WZnAyH
"W-Well..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsKAHRz14K
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW3YwYgril
She turned her head away.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOIXQ5YN9Y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsMSxvk2KR
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSV3wh1OLj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPs4xxeZq3
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJSKxS68jF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tmFNTRdUZ
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvN5qbLGTZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TJvNgHSYz
"Mhm, I told you so."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2om2GFhVyY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3NtwnsMCF
–
–
–
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE32xTJ2ia7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8oRj6cCVw
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rjjspmQmE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b7acuI24a
"...So why am I not getting any?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLC2wn4yCQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMmkKxr831
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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOygCfAQvTL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg4AmEWplB
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–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXamcoTI8D
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTram9yvU9T
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYorJMAqOPt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b6E7bVElH
"Eh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI8SGeXhZw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2TnhvD2JT
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ7wghm0N0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf4TP58KkW
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZLc7Zg812
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41rCLbxx88
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjyWm73rzY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPES1mhoaPp
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaGAuJEHMi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ECWhhP7Z
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ315Im9v7cY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZFnQbe1mw
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVbD5qse0G
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRc4l39gO4
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPUsm47AHj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r74HmIMJY
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGrBjwGudQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4IZNKjHzd
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmks4wxnDu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLM2dUtqRe
"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?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu1F86mytT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3VHlV7jFx
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFe6s5JwDt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3oO2mVmpp
"A jungle? What elevation?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewOioTCCWe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zL0SMmFFE
He shrugged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww5vDNuNrB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMJf2rJCrG
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDCRrC4YjC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNLGCy97Gn
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCxY1bWHmn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh88IJW9Tr
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLp5zbEOgV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvwKgRn4Du
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F6mOtpjgI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka5iJbCOWF
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUsN61tvtf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPxPnGEgWm
"Why?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbQF5CwNdD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Ldmb1AyO
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzeqDpUxf5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13jt2PRb4J
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIErHbxGW6a
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04fgpECeA2
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Uxn6S6bO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS4GD0DsMa
"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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSWyqe4BXI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJpglqOopi
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvycn5sFMAZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVjrjP2NLc
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwlCuWHTPt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb7etnkVef
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvRCnUZxgr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoAqgPbpda
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq48EfI0WY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqofYKQVxYw
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxuUopmQu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Cgetctda
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMtfoqBwac
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8h7pJrq56
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmk7pvh9zK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BeveGdvMr
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnyEu7ubJ6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgagYFDsyI
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleltidF1kq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e99BJDldo
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAmEYyR0FC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTMjyLgOGl
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEljO3kjqjy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwt1G1PNrG
"TALBOT!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2Zz3jsVDF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupGmvlDr1j
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxAQATaFIF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0m9RWVknh
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3t3ZDG9Dx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O0cSkbeis
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwifu5gzPK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu64zCZXQl
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLwqFlLdgG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU2jjVCbII
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedJJxDurKk
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPxc5GV0au
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeo4mfSyI8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK94tryLgm
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GfWHzbEq8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmigxXsIZJi
"Are ya kidding me?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvgnUiVYLJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMquo0UsjK0
"That's so lame!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDi2Yks1kw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5kji9FIsD
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7twazkXDo4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjLij3aIfX
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyad0MyZGd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl4RXloIfQ
"What's that supposed to mean?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7bUHggrg8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdsEEWhev1
"Nothing."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0OXqahKDY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHcbokGvo5
She returned to chowing down on her food.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9zJSCo3ra
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMn0YfRmsd
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbRBzMieAo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJYf4ryLRh
"Well..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q1sZQXsn8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWd0Z69BKD
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoTk3VHWDe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDqkidJMY0
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpMNFmRoDt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXHmxbKiQy
"...No."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBtAAVhxcZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRi0OJZdyX
"Eh? Why not?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmyZrHnfd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdeBtwnGmI
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtD5smVZOB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayZECzb6CD
"Huh!? What'd you say?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvhZOVB610
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWB13fcqf1
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQRaYcYqQe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAWmgA8Xf1
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKecY0rUex6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYRPBbt3wr
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08maLwNtDg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIt0ZrtFsp
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXi02GWnAj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDwrLvTLgG
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg9tXBsi9K
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQXgdroAKh
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC4XvMsygy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LVUs35YJv
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbcjvbDcpO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf4MODesWt
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMmBYoFca2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoIgVMiwrY
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce1IDSAIXg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRIl0D2wPW
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALWuAyp7B
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLF0hdTjTh
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt3iE2H3eG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo57HZwSJg
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDbqtPiqKF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N0qkqrTkX
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmdegx3kQo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36TbvSqddv
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuagLM5hWE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47aoPGEgPS
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfOPJReb46
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5PwLqoXU8
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbTKJCWwKN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB6g7rylM4
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B3R8vce02
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbMhVZyYOz
"Custom design? Well..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs55H8jy5y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR6RInbrqc
She turned her head away.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15HNwHkamF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrtUGygAfy
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IYPI8EpxW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4uaOmVwAQ
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLTGaezXgf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccgy8348cr
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FIk8w3ZpE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeImePEjEW3
"Oh, this?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTz3TCuM3C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h04yqiaVB
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9cLUTJgMA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x2Re2Ny2h
"I stole it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgsJMsfZMp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL5DjQoq82
"No surprise."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmddtk7XtM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDTwRoqRBV
"I ain't surprised."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcIBO05xqQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9lfGuXT6k
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJlK59zt4V
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpyjmnELPj
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLhmtAaVBV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyY6cfrzOW
"No."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDmdfMakhH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jzkiagSW0
"Not really."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmxw2eNx4i
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoMEEgYw8N
"Ah... you two are lame!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ovoiuyij3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciBZSVzdOR
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK0MTwGGP9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfYnUj1SXl
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5R0c4ENlh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIZxZDAECL
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlN25ui9r0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEq30aRTIj
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qBbhyy0PI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kFostJCjK
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK1PKnfuhI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWPmGmrEL4
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRbifYedDG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8Mud74T3z
"I-I see... I suppose so."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd40PcCl249
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvnCK4lang
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIo0bQUpZj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPogNlq35y
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Bb4BmaGM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfLwFsV2md
"Did you have to word it that way?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPIos9RgKh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgRo7bkyBu
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhn1CPRtHg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIixTiYXhIG
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYjnTRVXXZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPAhbKxLY9
"Ya got it, boss."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC13g7CPs7b
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7WpQnU1f1
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIYKOHlOaZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH5L380mvl
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0djNpc0UU9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSv8jHwUk3
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoCRe1YYQM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GjGVUFOMa
"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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFP5PU0TLV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Delf1Mbi
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwNLN4GJ1n
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTSIS8K5fk
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fvqcSHtoH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62PlMZFl1B
"...Well, alright. What is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMht5ADrYyd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKFBBd4ixd
"I... I wanted..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5w720YDgn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyWzvKCdTC
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5uSXdXlTN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgN7E9uC9K
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjW2UmXyCz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zbGFs6JoA
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIvcqykQ9c
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0XKXXQy6p
"Where's this coming from?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqJjslU3LE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWC6DyNrQC
"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?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaEXBMxZPJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXHWQDaur3
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsa446IJc0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlu5DMtr22
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wUxXyFkl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHWg9vaOqr
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31t194Stlk
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7p6Tz9zmI
In that light–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJnPnOH50R
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYqpgeJwaW
"Alright, apology accepted."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhs5SUGGhV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hvU1jjSXC
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6c32nQQK8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9rXKCY1Mb
"--only on one condition."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro8cvjFO3o
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkKEIeBgJa
"Eh!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7hdwty7rq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB8jn64Dok
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsF6KRkz8q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xnDDr7t90
"That's right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aqkHQVzX6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8EoS724Re
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNHW8iTtD4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfPD3no6dN
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO3ubp8LS2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZahdWDtfX6
"He sounds like a priss."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5aBRjKOru
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f9gyGv52j
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPqEqCJzG5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pok5N7wKe
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURTVUrJ4xi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGC0b3TQm0
"Fine, what's your condition?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgVyANWzks
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8WJDzvlTA
I pointed a finger at her.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXN3SeuKQP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSEu5fXZ7M
"We need to get along from now on."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEzoTJY05a
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PVRi7coSg
"...Huh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjIzPyy5XO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q9cwwgHSD
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj7jgk5Ui4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviUZzOY2Rq
"...Ha, that's it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVmCQuZ0ou
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnQNKA0WB1
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3cScAxxhE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjwVwyfNC0
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZExxN2OdJY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5E2482QWa
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7zC1v4zy2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLGn0HPhYQ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMVkPJ8oII
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtswCR3atcl
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsavNisEW8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk9MJYb60d
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2HlSdz2Xt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2IWab0fXf
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAroDfcpqBu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG9dBhPvE2
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcaqb1T7e
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1N82PMT98
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZTpKA6wPz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGpRi7PUqn
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs5TArr32U
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnnPt8MFoR
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Qvi9RrHY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCcabckdMl
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpcWuhJD3r
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8dEYCdjJa
"What a weirdo, seriously."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pPR6tbtnT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0nnmB3G9
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ408iSMgapT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPreHEpQGBo
–
–
–
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26lqVycLEm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirKdZimWAa
"You guys! You gotta see this!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBEbyRuyvc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jmNtGqAy4
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JMtz1VDde
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp24X4mKTIg
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.
