My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.188Please respect copyright.PENANAQeals7MJGg
188Please respect copyright.PENANAb5Dddevqav
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAHVJrnCkbzH
188Please respect copyright.PENANAEyX2zQBxct
"Haa..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAa9ERqlkPyc
188Please respect copyright.PENANA3uu9CMoE0U
"Are you okay?"188Please respect copyright.PENANASoV0qOalCu
188Please respect copyright.PENANAK17OEYugzq
"Phew. Now I am."188Please respect copyright.PENANApstcA2QVML
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJX80Do3mL6
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAPHHR5sA1ci
188Please respect copyright.PENANATky1I3mY7K
"W-What is it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA3kyf5dTTMJ
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4RAQTPpfJw
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."188Please respect copyright.PENANA6XSMIJgbKr
188Please respect copyright.PENANACqBaFebumI
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."188Please respect copyright.PENANAOTEDXGHTEu
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUIJiqzIS7M
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA715LEexpjF
188Please respect copyright.PENANA5d6W8WZ9W8
"Well..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAscdQHLoytu
188Please respect copyright.PENANAV62YjqCBPz
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAg3CRC8fIhJ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAi8AxBicvVi
"Come on, tell me!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAfj85LH4X8K
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0IIQOApVu
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."188Please respect copyright.PENANAdqAwiUHwKj
188Please respect copyright.PENANAC7j0AWJxRd
She sighed and shrugged.188Please respect copyright.PENANAvFTb9DH34X
188Please respect copyright.PENANA6BeEpSRljT
"Are you feeling nervous?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAoSnGiB4OD4
188Please respect copyright.PENANA0rzX3quZ2s
"Of course I am."188Please respect copyright.PENANA5oleYrFtTM
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9y0ZVJOhEx
"You shouldn't be."188Please respect copyright.PENANAsfeiucHbLs
188Please respect copyright.PENANACYdtpwEAdO
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."188Please respect copyright.PENANA4TyH2J4Y56
188Please respect copyright.PENANAkD1gAs4wpD
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."188Please respect copyright.PENANAMPPMu7csmf
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHndPFAROW1
"...What's that supposed to mean?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAXnMFIeyVbb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAWM3Rc6mVqJ
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA91kgPSOwRd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwEFVK4zEOG
"I think you came here a little too early."188Please respect copyright.PENANA8cCZcAxiZ3
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjk9m1pjRQG
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."188Please respect copyright.PENANA98dMwvEO1D
188Please respect copyright.PENANAb4Ksy8KCTF
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAYhAvCfApLF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAi6RVQqLKYP
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!"188Please respect copyright.PENANArs8FNCxRSy
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9EDTxlJXFJ
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAh4pPdA0s4T
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYrWweDYASZ
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."188Please respect copyright.PENANAyHL8pc2Z1O
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUOuZlmzFZq
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA4T9y9K3wgW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAew4qNuTmcT
"Aren't you going to say something?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAMbsPp3IRfw
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2bgdlZn4Yc
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."188Please respect copyright.PENANAK7bvYr3hlq
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmMRa9cz4Si
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"188Please respect copyright.PENANApS7misyI1H
188Please respect copyright.PENANADnxDYCTHmo
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAW2lIviicWl
188Please respect copyright.PENANAupLDiIUp79
"...I-I still don't believe you."188Please respect copyright.PENANAzXOPRCG0Ye
188Please respect copyright.PENANANwSS3bL01R
"Are you serious!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAM19i7yAjZ1
188Please respect copyright.PENANAnjL0aGBrYY
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.188Please respect copyright.PENANAEncXytwUJp
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHXhy6WqAHh
"Can I at least have your name?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA1xL3B1YPOv
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9hWaZJ7VGm
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA8ua8TGq01g
188Please respect copyright.PENANAMaslbJwZXh
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA2NH6DMV9ER
188Please respect copyright.PENANALSay2DX5Zq
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.188Please respect copyright.PENANANJOCR06t8x
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqGlnAKG9a3
"A-Alright, I won't forget."188Please respect copyright.PENANAGHEODkYixF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAN0FryqxcV9
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxhqc6vhsJh
188Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ50lrr4G4
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."188Please respect copyright.PENANAq2ddSwXf1X
188Please respect copyright.PENANACJcb4F8UZZ
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.188Please respect copyright.PENANAa5vswLS5ja
188Please respect copyright.PENANAGLLBY8GnG2
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAiYRNpJiVl0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAr8pAiwuQ5N
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA7f24cS161j
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJqoI0WRK2L
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.188Please respect copyright.PENANAnbu9lqOpKR
188Please respect copyright.PENANAiwZxUiC0qN
"She's not very nice at all."188Please respect copyright.PENANAiDH8D2FGI3
188Please respect copyright.PENANAy9T8JgS5EZ
"I suppose not."188Please respect copyright.PENANA0mrlZPQkfB
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUOBTnV1lbV
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."188Please respect copyright.PENANASkzJNZnxPY
188Please respect copyright.PENANAoGybJDNCgz
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"188Please respect copyright.PENANA1RoPFDmAOa
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjvaaA5th8b
**SMASH**188Please respect copyright.PENANAVb7lZsJSKL
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9pT6jV7mku
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAwOp770aZNI
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUd5gZVgOtb
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.188Please respect copyright.PENANAGshXyrFpBH
188Please respect copyright.PENANA00fKyRhXiF
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAn5ijmKRmEN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQOISJN0Icj
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.188Please respect copyright.PENANA9jvvjtdUeC
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9vU0qXwW8B
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAZEkQ4VL3fA
188Please respect copyright.PENANAEzkDZII3hr
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."188Please respect copyright.PENANAIK15HMBDFC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXDCDh9a8UO
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.188Please respect copyright.PENANAr6DQ02fmiB
188Please respect copyright.PENANA32oLFU35ur
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."188Please respect copyright.PENANApoBeCq6LZh
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXZsYj2aKZt
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"188Please respect copyright.PENANApnrWc1RBEy
188Please respect copyright.PENANAelY1JrUuGR
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.188Please respect copyright.PENANAEsgmi5rott
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4ae2C0I23s
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAWCM5yb7Nah
188Please respect copyright.PENANARGKr0pAzkb
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAfZeNSACX4G
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPWBMhXxLkq
"No, not at all."188Please respect copyright.PENANAbQPSjW9fvP
188Please respect copyright.PENANAV9g9nJxaX3
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAnskxiQMEbU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAh9wkiWBoUp
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.188Please respect copyright.PENANAKnS7RhLZsF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAd1U2HmLhdN
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."188Please respect copyright.PENANA5orvzTCjlF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlqDQaSV6rV
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.188Please respect copyright.PENANAtGYlJmzsVz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXKrsnfcces
"Is she our teammate?"188Please respect copyright.PENANArxhlUQFujR
188Please respect copyright.PENANAshuRILMbbP
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."188Please respect copyright.PENANA4rezQHbcbq
188Please respect copyright.PENANAgOF4RxZMEX
"That so? Lemme test the waters."188Please respect copyright.PENANAtnQvOKeVCS
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXFmIsGu6tI
"You'll regret it."188Please respect copyright.PENANAJhjUPTJzXb
188Please respect copyright.PENANApgXwaXyLjJ
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAFgxl7CGbZd
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2mdcklkKFO
"...Wait."188Please respect copyright.PENANAyEEV6aOhTV
188Please respect copyright.PENANAimEogmYHs6
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!188Please respect copyright.PENANAnzebVuHub5
188Please respect copyright.PENANAnX3vmkNbIK
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."188Please respect copyright.PENANAVBbY0wZ3OW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAer7HOGBG3E
"A little? Just a little?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAydvdQKcMMN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAaFjmBbC334
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."188Please respect copyright.PENANACxiqV4ZYcE
188Please respect copyright.PENANANtDbSWJM8I
"I met her five minutes ago!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAIjdk28HJLc
188Please respect copyright.PENANADbEp5tzXJg
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.188Please respect copyright.PENANAfnUyu1MZ8O
188Please respect copyright.PENANAflZIHY8iIt
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."188Please respect copyright.PENANAM8Vb9oioAg
188Please respect copyright.PENANAVtHDlw2Op7
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."188Please respect copyright.PENANA8VpWwNhawb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmQe0WG0CF5
"Really?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0FEgQAOyn
188Please respect copyright.PENANAfQfns2nd8C
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.188Please respect copyright.PENANA42driGVchk
188Please respect copyright.PENANAAqy21Lt9Vs
"What do you mean 'really'?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAhLeb01seC6
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjVjN8jPWRk
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"188Please respect copyright.PENANABEiTGJnt21
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqRPM2QERXj
"--!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAliZIN4rrJs
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwN55WnW59s
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA7BhCXsYlA0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPc40jo8iAe
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."188Please respect copyright.PENANAHDdOfX7Msk
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvCYPTyJ3hk
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."188Please respect copyright.PENANAj5F5EEPwiA
188Please respect copyright.PENANAgyaKhP6exR
**SMASH**188Please respect copyright.PENANATeW0xhg4X1
188Please respect copyright.PENANAOPsMGZZGkT
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAUaqxAwRao0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAA1fSOZx3dS
My jaw dropped yet again.188Please respect copyright.PENANAmrvjTIMseB
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUXpBqJ1hgD
"ROY!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAJLvu8UIDgW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJzmA14Euxs
–
–
–
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAKK6rgZG6rO
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPBQWSDk8sS
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA3TIfoM1rRr
188Please respect copyright.PENANAD7BKe1JbyP
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAm7tPYsLklV
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtiroKjrnil
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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAaFQY4h9s7A
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmyM3wzbA2X
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"188Please respect copyright.PENANANWl4M8b6Dm
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYAgFfIeaEb
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA8n78oWJDnE
188Please respect copyright.PENANAp1z4BkvGxS
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAtSJkuIo1Q4
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyQqe7XmV9b
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."188Please respect copyright.PENANAaXAtQws5ph
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXHublKVGtL
"R-Right."188Please respect copyright.PENANAh3Jsn2Mf8R
188Please respect copyright.PENANARb1Dx1DBPt
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–188Please respect copyright.PENANAoAkiDvbVuF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAFa7q4xTNaw
"Ack!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAazoXPnVpTv
188Please respect copyright.PENANAgNtmfbn0RP
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.188Please respect copyright.PENANAVcrFlFc8xv
188Please respect copyright.PENANATxTiuslEBd
"F-Flinty, what was–"188Please respect copyright.PENANA4PpZs3rLN7
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlxe6GSkQZ7
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"188Please respect copyright.PENANApHOq4xZOqN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAi9KfCCqBVK
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAehDbCa2Gd7
188Please respect copyright.PENANAc0luM4MsmJ
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."188Please respect copyright.PENANAi9txcwpp69
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYveFVGbHEp
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"188Please respect copyright.PENANAIR1Q565PYW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAeKgGRPmqJq
"No, I'm not just saying it."188Please respect copyright.PENANAft9WoVI4DY
188Please respect copyright.PENANAVrAonSq8AN
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.188Please respect copyright.PENANADx2RltXZfd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAFahzTngy5j
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAOQ1EhO4xKf
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwoN3XgPqkv
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAnG0LQ05EhT
188Please respect copyright.PENANAI2IRHL4NnP
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAU6tVNiYs8Q
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuRL989RZj4
"I–"188Please respect copyright.PENANA3fbPzqgyqS
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7LzE3Gib7l
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"188Please respect copyright.PENANALmwaKxhGv4
188Please respect copyright.PENANAkkSAcIdSvV
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxVRZMtWidi
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4TJFnMl6y3
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–188Please respect copyright.PENANA237mkKbedZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAFfgem6mIAs
And yet...188Please respect copyright.PENANAXxy4rcplDh
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqRgvaCXPwl
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."188Please respect copyright.PENANARaYzymzKtl
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqoh6vSpqZR
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.188Please respect copyright.PENANAePHD89e46p
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7GZWKGwwcX
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAE6KV8vqZlM
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2tPGdhXaCq
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.188Please respect copyright.PENANAlxfc7D3s7h
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJT6p5vfPjY
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAU1a7ULXadA
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmsWzpIBevw
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."188Please respect copyright.PENANA1ajsgGiXOX
188Please respect copyright.PENANA0VSQrqOIvc
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"188Please respect copyright.PENANAui5nx4i9vs
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlvp7vMvVn6
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAfBLkWSld22
188Please respect copyright.PENANAevTCNVnHr8
"O-Okay."188Please respect copyright.PENANAPZFRgv9ypl
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuqenQSxKek
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.188Please respect copyright.PENANAkGpgdLtSxF
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZLRBjMEUV
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."188Please respect copyright.PENANAsg9IOYffSX
188Please respect copyright.PENANAfY7jyoycwV
"Okay okay, fine."188Please respect copyright.PENANAWA46zdRkUy
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuD3gzXNNey
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAsg8U7nYPut
188Please respect copyright.PENANARWzBkFwYgq
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."188Please respect copyright.PENANAB11cQ8xPvC
188Please respect copyright.PENANA96Zbl8bEfo
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.188Please respect copyright.PENANAQWj8XS7zOD
188Please respect copyright.PENANAFngLZVAFQ1
–
–
–
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAMg9Fg1fWGL
188Please respect copyright.PENANA3d9jjjc0Xl
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANASq0VgKmLAf
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYZ5ad4hVSb
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANArduRdihAvP
188Please respect copyright.PENANAkWVe9OV8qi
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"188Please respect copyright.PENANASlcbNU7U0j
188Please respect copyright.PENANAcMed8QPnJ9
"Huh...? What did you say?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAECjM60Z9IC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAcXqpCCw7No
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.188Please respect copyright.PENANAEyAhSy1ASU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvZ8qHd7yMa
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAS2UtXTrwj2
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlW8t9GtXCK
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."188Please respect copyright.PENANADkJnkFl4am
188Please respect copyright.PENANAbEjwDYcqdL
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAoCkkF5jtaH
188Please respect copyright.PENANAbVa5BbHTcF
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"188Please respect copyright.PENANABejhD3O0KJ
188Please respect copyright.PENANATMa3w7rrXO
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."188Please respect copyright.PENANAf37RU2RWjF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAcFK7o6o87y
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."188Please respect copyright.PENANAik7TjjecLv
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4P2fqUahOF
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."188Please respect copyright.PENANAyYqsW9isWZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAsbHAJXXAMT
"Note?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAzDjJkPl3ix
188Please respect copyright.PENANAo3YTOIgvRV
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAOEZYG0WN6x
188Please respect copyright.PENANAh7EX64qeQ9
"What does it say?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAbwTgJHwxAY
188Please respect copyright.PENANAOeKXDM90ua
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAIl52XVmOdr
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9bfer8LTNg
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."188Please respect copyright.PENANAi6WSEQU22W
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2PWTpBweCv
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAN5i9UQhePz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmRYU4XIIHj
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."188Please respect copyright.PENANADyFUdJPKr3
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyx1HwmT6Kt
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."188Please respect copyright.PENANAb9gM4nBsMI
188Please respect copyright.PENANAiQUhLwpNhn
Juke sighed and put the paper away.188Please respect copyright.PENANANEHCE7J0Qm
188Please respect copyright.PENANAoxaNTAYkYt
"So, how's about a story?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAp6W4pBvsB0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAxJXF5cTTuI
"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?"188Please respect copyright.PENANALMT4hCvIXn
188Please respect copyright.PENANAicqMQhgO9O
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."188Please respect copyright.PENANAjkxvoZdnJu
188Please respect copyright.PENANAFF5m1P6XPL
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.188Please respect copyright.PENANA2FsMyCI1et
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2QP4rveXSv
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."188Please respect copyright.PENANAu7rrHGs0i8
188Please respect copyright.PENANAa2Kr1JVC0y
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."188Please respect copyright.PENANAMw4FGcVCXS
188Please respect copyright.PENANA08kUX3uClG
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANArwsajpalcG
188Please respect copyright.PENANA1qQWtFQIfS
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAOON65M6rqj
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4TLCmrIJis
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAMaZ1qdFzCj
188Please respect copyright.PENANA1aATV4iec7
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAkxZVpZ4RZT
188Please respect copyright.PENANAnhauPDyzlf
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"188Please respect copyright.PENANAofGBGgAuzz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZfUArRUzrK
"Seriously? You have to be lying."188Please respect copyright.PENANA9gXM5UKPNL
188Please respect copyright.PENANABug9bHnsFh
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."188Please respect copyright.PENANAfNdy9317HW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAhqNEVJIYTB
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."188Please respect copyright.PENANA1cwZw7JuuC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAAsBs6HbDay
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANATN5yNDGG7v
188Please respect copyright.PENANAII8jZJItLX
"Like what?" I asked.188Please respect copyright.PENANAXBPbo71A24
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9QgO8hlW98
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAKogTMorUR5
188Please respect copyright.PENANALek804YuXc
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.188Please respect copyright.PENANAsDAXsKSIkN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqLkXkAQLfD
"...Stardust?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAtBbRsmbjL8
188Please respect copyright.PENANANNxmPaSsjg
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxnqnukbyBg
188Please respect copyright.PENANA20C1y8WSGn
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.188Please respect copyright.PENANA9w1imSCc1j
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHw8DPMaQS8
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAunNZrutM9V
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJHsHvCWVVg
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAbWvuv9UtWf
188Please respect copyright.PENANAb6YEyiounY
"...The what?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA35kUI3gTnu
188Please respect copyright.PENANAekcCUVS4Sn
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA7YxpVXk9WR
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9EXhOY4RNs
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."188Please respect copyright.PENANA5OYQSbpFUQ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAr7EBoTZZdJ
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAbjoWO4L2W4
188Please respect copyright.PENANA40MPAvWcGh
"Of course I do!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA5vBZicylhc
188Please respect copyright.PENANAbt10G1edP7
She pumped her fist.188Please respect copyright.PENANA1V5Tk286I9
188Please respect copyright.PENANAeq1sQ9qTpC
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAhtMZO1DgVK
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuuRyw5rRh4
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANA8Wb7tPreNf
188Please respect copyright.PENANAIHF0Vg6BHN
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.188Please respect copyright.PENANAMCMi129tgs
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJm8XKDBzi6
"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–"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxi0oKMFSa8
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYntzR2bCTf
"I already know this."188Please respect copyright.PENANAVBB5k0jAfp
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7PRB9VUt3s
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA120QtvOlXj
188Please respect copyright.PENANArrN85WASyo
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."188Please respect copyright.PENANA452zUnuReL
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUcMEbLAs0d
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAgnwNecXozE
188Please respect copyright.PENANADekvtAUNdY
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."188Please respect copyright.PENANARa3hY3FYvI
188Please respect copyright.PENANAr6iTclz6yf
"Eh? Why?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAg80kLRQRGO
188Please respect copyright.PENANAABztUGJukG
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.188Please respect copyright.PENANA5ri9EyC065
188Please respect copyright.PENANAfd20vq5Pjp
"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–"188Please respect copyright.PENANASoIroB4FPW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAEGdA5cj10L
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.188Please respect copyright.PENANAC435ph71Tw
188Please respect copyright.PENANAIEFV0RC1Jl
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAM3SM0BNcUS
188Please respect copyright.PENANARFb9IuGXmq
"That's cuz I met her."188Please respect copyright.PENANAwZtBGXCsE5
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8PkXIh7AbF
"WHAT!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAnf3SaAxdMC
188Please respect copyright.PENANA6K5GC4YC8v
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA5IWSUDc1jz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAL5XefVJyws
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAiletCq8E4h
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2rGQLCX0Y3
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA7k4avk3tTH
188Please respect copyright.PENANAgp2aShPaXN
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."188Please respect copyright.PENANAU1NDTSVbKZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZsSNljBqQ
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."188Please respect copyright.PENANAEgjqxUHIG5
188Please respect copyright.PENANAP0E5YsvDGD
"You're kidding."188Please respect copyright.PENANAA3RslxP4aU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAzcMifB5dC4
He shook his head no.188Please respect copyright.PENANAXiDAnsEX2G
188Please respect copyright.PENANANB3sCMoX0p
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAyNwMy8CoWE
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXQRpLRVpdr
"You're making this up," I said.188Please respect copyright.PENANA7yOQM5Kkgz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHQDjUSPt6y
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAOb9h9ndqLM
188Please respect copyright.PENANANlZ1wa5Ffv
Juke shrugged.188Please respect copyright.PENANAkeTBiUalmd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHg8iCpUGlj
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."188Please respect copyright.PENANAFFXOQok7JP
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQTWpkm4uj4
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.188Please respect copyright.PENANAr7gJHoNXBB
188Please respect copyright.PENANAb8s1JGi3Nz
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."188Please respect copyright.PENANAl2MfaKEOKh
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYpQyT9SMEZ
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."188Please respect copyright.PENANAaaCbi9vdHc
188Please respect copyright.PENANA860FH1BmvA
"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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAMXHOBb1UJW
188Please respect copyright.PENANATefHSf5R78
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.188Please respect copyright.PENANA3dYul6Pcfo
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8KluDMYtsK
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA0UzJh5SFoJ
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8BcSsI6K6C
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA5UMULsURtw
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtYksw2SMU9
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAG9PfJYG3IA
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8wwRn17WjM
She pointed a finger at him.188Please respect copyright.PENANArS0MGgHokG
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQPWXZDDscU
"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!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxO7EgXrNp7
188Please respect copyright.PENANATEObBq7tuR
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."188Please respect copyright.PENANA8Kc2uDsuX0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0ObaN32nr
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAikpbUHtyy8
188Please respect copyright.PENANAIjpqnyDY58
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.188Please respect copyright.PENANAVZT67UgKlo
188Please respect copyright.PENANAf0uUDSVJfw
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."188Please respect copyright.PENANA2teOQomTWm
188Please respect copyright.PENANAALHFHvAFlF
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."188Please respect copyright.PENANAY3z5yzjutk
188Please respect copyright.PENANA6jSM6fRGUH
"--Ngh! You guys...!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA8YGHitdbBa
188Please respect copyright.PENANAONGTmTMQ9l
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.188Please respect copyright.PENANA3b841Daeyb
188Please respect copyright.PENANA2caIZdR407
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."188Please respect copyright.PENANARDSkvkciuo
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZKjZWDXsnf
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAV9bLxg3ijC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyAuR23exQg
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAPG5ULY99iu
188Please respect copyright.PENANALxpBP5kXyX
"Ya look like you have something to say."188Please respect copyright.PENANAN4rKh01ICM
188Please respect copyright.PENANAWc2fJu2LTI
"W-Well..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAEoVdewLrSb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtWsRE7M0Zo
She turned her head away.188Please respect copyright.PENANAUDFLeaWnLa
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtRHZkiFm2X
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."188Please respect copyright.PENANAegBJsOB5zW
188Please respect copyright.PENANAT8BatTSDwh
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ6UcgY0tf
188Please respect copyright.PENANANwJp9ZYz2I
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."188Please respect copyright.PENANA0mpRjZzSGo
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYllRtf1UDv
"Mhm, I told you so."188Please respect copyright.PENANAB3nVIQObUY
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4cm9Lzs1bd
–
–
–
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAm9FzCL7KNs
188Please respect copyright.PENANAnaD1zuPu6Q
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA5fn41LTf0H
188Please respect copyright.PENANARiz5QVnf9b
"...So why am I not getting any?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAOjRPduCwtF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmBgqYM1Nod
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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAjIHJtCdY1D
188Please respect copyright.PENANAe1sCY49D3x
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–188Please respect copyright.PENANA6er12IQvgz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAEBpDD8HzYa
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAH8HpvSmOdX
188Please respect copyright.PENANAWfz6MAnHpT
"Eh?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAAwnFb8vRWd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqC9tSCzZQz
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAm2OOrKZLq4
188Please respect copyright.PENANAy99zwSzJur
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.188Please respect copyright.PENANATWKjxTizTH
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8KK46wg4OE
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAIqhCXcEHhb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAVIehjQVFeE
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.188Please respect copyright.PENANA74QVLMNB4S
188Please respect copyright.PENANAE7PjAqOyGB
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAtg5JSNW7KQ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuRwuVSU2Dv
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."188Please respect copyright.PENANAnTq03A7nKR
188Please respect copyright.PENANAsO0paHdHIp
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."188Please respect copyright.PENANA0tlR5Q6EN0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmU0trn5qdP
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAZHzuJOG278
188Please respect copyright.PENANAsNHs5Wmfaf
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANABguf62AgZ5
188Please respect copyright.PENANAc1yjlizHMd
"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?"188Please respect copyright.PENANATQmT6LG3Vy
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjKqgb46uR2
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."188Please respect copyright.PENANA0k0HSO9BqE
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlhAXvu3x1Z
"A jungle? What elevation?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA9VGTEpChpk
188Please respect copyright.PENANAApXUEx6OQ5
He shrugged.188Please respect copyright.PENANAuK3bvslHGK
188Please respect copyright.PENANAsDgNHUrUIQ
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."188Please respect copyright.PENANAPrZRTJzaJg
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wy2AJwIId
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."188Please respect copyright.PENANASVSys6msRM
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQfYdsmfk6c
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAWUMCcodE0B
188Please respect copyright.PENANAv60quFgdan
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAkwhhLYgRIG
188Please respect copyright.PENANAiljiJtbhdT
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."188Please respect copyright.PENANAhL7w3v12ba
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjuz355Wfoh
"Why?"188Please respect copyright.PENANARxUR56ymms
188Please respect copyright.PENANAshgLbXJFDX
"..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAWYx1nzkDMi
188Please respect copyright.PENANAh6PHsf7ZAW
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.188Please respect copyright.PENANAtGn8SOycqv
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqGAAheoJaA
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."188Please respect copyright.PENANAQExBVBtpKb
188Please respect copyright.PENANANO2NJYBxST
"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.188Please respect copyright.PENANASrMOyiW9XN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3vWCmtaVI
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."188Please respect copyright.PENANAtHQOCuQdCk
188Please respect copyright.PENANAff87cPdC1E
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA5YHujL0dFX
188Please respect copyright.PENANAexroDjAPxG
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANAZXeutinuIZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAmXDz0YK7fg
"..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAKd4ckk3pGM
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjG49Cd7XjS
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA9UyKYfkoYb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlieQ3z2ipo
"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."188Please respect copyright.PENANABtfgNrQPyt
188Please respect copyright.PENANAdv2AR8VHtC
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.188Please respect copyright.PENANAGzFRmLK4tH
188Please respect copyright.PENANAkjmnSEzBl1
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."188Please respect copyright.PENANANoHZVzatbd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAgsdQupH40I
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"188Please respect copyright.PENANArGEICkHWmA
188Please respect copyright.PENANAzwpwaq0kFi
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAGGeDf9H5Kd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAxoTiAutzVO
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"188Please respect copyright.PENANAEdPLmALQ85
188Please respect copyright.PENANAnxaolfM4rt
"TALBOT!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAP7xQWwwG5n
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvAAh656YDf
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANASQ2KlYOQTT
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQCRFo1LDm6
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."188Please respect copyright.PENANAQZiD20I0Cu
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4CbVo720t2
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAYCSxUE3f5j
188Please respect copyright.PENANAaZzTYxdUTZ
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAd3pEWEYjSn
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4FJz2jdnbZ
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."188Please respect copyright.PENANAEMPI19r90x
188Please respect copyright.PENANAu8Rgcdavk5
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.188Please respect copyright.PENANALc54iqXxpX
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJHW3bG3bE7
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."188Please respect copyright.PENANAegr2W0WxNS
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUItb6jwVP1
"Are ya kidding me?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAaH9S1LBWlk
188Please respect copyright.PENANAs3ekc7XDn7
"That's so lame!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAbZIvfUJxFh
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8Rzv06qJp1
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while188Please respect copyright.PENANAfidKciKp0d
188Please respect copyright.PENANA46UvA23dvH
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."188Please respect copyright.PENANA0A2U2GmCT2
188Please respect copyright.PENANANkatfxftRh
"What's that supposed to mean?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAhiNclVHwuO
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjtCZx4C326
"Nothing."188Please respect copyright.PENANApA0yCPeqrX
188Please respect copyright.PENANApAMeHs8lh0
She returned to chowing down on her food.188Please respect copyright.PENANAcQm47Y0vZc
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwzYyszzKE6
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAuKdJzQXQV9
188Please respect copyright.PENANAeRdUALqjbw
"Well..."188Please respect copyright.PENANANWYzzvA9ie
188Please respect copyright.PENANAzzX7FixZJZ
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAF5rKElzMPC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAJoVt8Zbe1R
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAZbmEi20z9e
188Please respect copyright.PENANAY3O6fB5eFO
"...No."188Please respect copyright.PENANAuqCRfJsmJb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAzbPMoJwtKh
"Eh? Why not?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAkoWJ6HGRt3
188Please respect copyright.PENANA5LaiBJVtgW
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAp8HIoWSmJb
188Please respect copyright.PENANA4LUniQ4Oxr
"Huh!? What'd you say?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAR5yJ75AZYc
188Please respect copyright.PENANAuIhCpMh78A
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.188Please respect copyright.PENANAWmxjnWgWQr
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyb84yyfTqt
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAI8qve9dnLg
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPIRO1nTYyg
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANANtciMc51wF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAhOJWXznbN7
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.188Please respect copyright.PENANARBQj7Zgk25
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9OUTMKeycu
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."188Please respect copyright.PENANA7pFxgR7oh6
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqyBYLonnvp
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."188Please respect copyright.PENANArqZIoRijGv
188Please respect copyright.PENANA3pde0ymcUX
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAoeh8uvVpLT
188Please respect copyright.PENANAporai101xQ
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."188Please respect copyright.PENANAQilnZyRNDh
188Please respect copyright.PENANATh4ZhRvxYl
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAZPWlhe3dXr
188Please respect copyright.PENANADbuSokaQW4
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."188Please respect copyright.PENANAZdJ6KtK5dH
188Please respect copyright.PENANAsrniY7W9Nr
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.188Please respect copyright.PENANA4gBbFRs7ZE
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqzkRK4bvll
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAARZuVQnTr8
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtI0P3ZOc6d
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAy43CFHozPF
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvwAF2N6DSm
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAuF3VWI26L1
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9870F5JxgB
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAhgXMyeISrh
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ3FzzsuUc
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAabYJGW3nG7
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPndUJoEZ6E
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."188Please respect copyright.PENANA1YUaYoBFQZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANACoVYbso4Si
"Custom design? Well..."188Please respect copyright.PENANArUVQ7FBm5M
188Please respect copyright.PENANAWzh3I5NVHt
She turned her head away.188Please respect copyright.PENANAkWpIZWsc0c
188Please respect copyright.PENANAet2n9ylt9m
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."188Please respect copyright.PENANA1yw5qOf8jR
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZRU2gWT8ka
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.188Please respect copyright.PENANATNv7R9SILJ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAGQd0JsMRC8
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."188Please respect copyright.PENANAQEFkTCYnUS
188Please respect copyright.PENANASH8ZbwfxlT
"Oh, this?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA0KaF2Vtkwz
188Please respect copyright.PENANA0eQ5Ko7nWA
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.188Please respect copyright.PENANACIGweD1rW8
188Please respect copyright.PENANA22dCZAXcRp
"I stole it!"188Please respect copyright.PENANA5PSeIsX22B
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQQdB9Zi5AH
"No surprise."188Please respect copyright.PENANAupdZWSQXES
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8C2FNZCHoW
"I ain't surprised."188Please respect copyright.PENANADjslJOisFu
188Please respect copyright.PENANABMhxDZks3s
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.188Please respect copyright.PENANAc9IG3qOvlU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAVY8wygQewR
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA7Jkd2W7tY1
188Please respect copyright.PENANAeDH6bBoOQV
"No."188Please respect copyright.PENANAtXUMzVcgIN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAXmc9qbEFgJ
"Not really."188Please respect copyright.PENANAhe6CUbmDTL
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7c274Ay6Zn
"Ah... you two are lame!"188Please respect copyright.PENANATxP6QsdGTl
188Please respect copyright.PENANAQjkNyoHNqC
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAV1JTVc6i0g
188Please respect copyright.PENANA40852RNPSx
"..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAlVrDMDIIae
188Please respect copyright.PENANAGYqeacxoQU
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANABkg0Wvda5U
188Please respect copyright.PENANARJny1Os4zQ
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6g5sOMCcB
188Please respect copyright.PENANAVR4G1GVYB7
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."188Please respect copyright.PENANAOXiPSJZORI
188Please respect copyright.PENANABEDhl0Zsdc
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."188Please respect copyright.PENANAyap8uAUpNu
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9yqKdV9yla
"I-I see... I suppose so."188Please respect copyright.PENANAImjWXYp3Tw
188Please respect copyright.PENANAHKGsP4XlGu
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAwgVK6qWsst
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPPSiVk3uA5
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.188Please respect copyright.PENANAVXFoZcolVO
188Please respect copyright.PENANA9GQuScP3Xr
"Did you have to word it that way?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAdq4qpde68i
188Please respect copyright.PENANAG59c8HGTyd
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."188Please respect copyright.PENANAabjQpixqTE
188Please respect copyright.PENANAeNKFKtrpkz
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."188Please respect copyright.PENANAb15RHrcZAB
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZXnz2ADyQN
"Ya got it, boss."188Please respect copyright.PENANAFqraKJGZYl
188Please respect copyright.PENANATEayq3tBfl
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANABKY4i58xsl
188Please respect copyright.PENANALK9IvUb1iY
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."188Please respect copyright.PENANAtcN6A8RPAe
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYbGivSJjwY
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAhY6eIz3Gos
188Please respect copyright.PENANATf4a5qbyCG
"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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA9fTg7vF5dU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYKFmgpdq8F
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."188Please respect copyright.PENANA3BCLxabm3I
188Please respect copyright.PENANAfUlroqP5C8
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.188Please respect copyright.PENANAE44LBoEt8T
188Please respect copyright.PENANAhYuXVPB38T
"...Well, alright. What is it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAWHQigRxd46
188Please respect copyright.PENANANZX0ilEWY2
"I... I wanted..."188Please respect copyright.PENANAPccgtot7sK
188Please respect copyright.PENANA1BCMComwyi
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAEgHP5BgV6q
188Please respect copyright.PENANAUKYPGMH9cH
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAFXaza6JZ53
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqhjwcwJZrE
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANA21xIqVwIT0
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvBwX0ZPey9
"Where's this coming from?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAhjFP6850gt
188Please respect copyright.PENANAAsaAGrOYmd
"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?"188Please respect copyright.PENANApxBXUJJqJD
188Please respect copyright.PENANAoyJPJBMDN3
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."188Please respect copyright.PENANAnWyxlE52C6
188Please respect copyright.PENANAMjJbp3F5v5
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAeF2QzggnFA
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyXs6OLOL0h
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAGwcdf6Xd7Q
188Please respect copyright.PENANAaArl2Q7UQ2
In that light–188Please respect copyright.PENANA9iawbVDJXb
188Please respect copyright.PENANAePIZGhFBcv
"Alright, apology accepted."188Please respect copyright.PENANAklRptXIQke
188Please respect copyright.PENANAxDcsRqBnPc
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–188Please respect copyright.PENANAwqy2xjPjkX
188Please respect copyright.PENANA5SDxNxrecG
"--only on one condition."188Please respect copyright.PENANASGR6lI7pD5
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYui7KFVQsP
"Eh!?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAFCUvwYoPym
188Please respect copyright.PENANA7cenr29nqs
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.188Please respect copyright.PENANANBXQ00PO9k
188Please respect copyright.PENANAZFQ5Rbw43O
"That's right."188Please respect copyright.PENANAOP3xzrGodo
188Please respect copyright.PENANAYVvFe0o9bt
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAcLlFhtNSfK
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwrquByzM3K
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."188Please respect copyright.PENANAr1tGvuXvC4
188Please respect copyright.PENANA3gc4096nfB
"He sounds like a priss."188Please respect copyright.PENANAdaqC9wg1pK
188Please respect copyright.PENANAP6JtYuWGWJ
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."188Please respect copyright.PENANAOpMRqDv3VN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAhkqpKerzz7
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.188Please respect copyright.PENANA19IuFcteqZ
188Please respect copyright.PENANAEeZP6XALi9
"Fine, what's your condition?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAlg6faQYmg2
188Please respect copyright.PENANAyMttdHGqLf
I pointed a finger at her.188Please respect copyright.PENANARzgko0iUGS
188Please respect copyright.PENANAjRKwh7gyjR
"We need to get along from now on."188Please respect copyright.PENANAPy7BITQY3A
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwym5H3QXhk
"...Huh?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAVbWGsOR8ja
188Please respect copyright.PENANANWXdZLHH6p
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"188Please respect copyright.PENANAUGRTvXGa3m
188Please respect copyright.PENANAPlCMTsTzuV
"...Ha, that's it?"188Please respect copyright.PENANA1rNr1cTFLI
188Please respect copyright.PENANA5QHQh0YinV
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.188Please respect copyright.PENANAJxiRTfGDwU
188Please respect copyright.PENANAoElblKJy7G
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAKVIvqiJSPd
188Please respect copyright.PENANAGZ0D0eSsO3
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.188Please respect copyright.PENANAc8W9Fgii2d
188Please respect copyright.PENANA8YTgPhx8A9
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAGgdkzU9RZp
188Please respect copyright.PENANApY8tfvNxRF
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.188Please respect copyright.PENANAeRdv1zDZFM
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwio4ta7BFL
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."188Please respect copyright.PENANABsBzD6EeyS
188Please respect copyright.PENANAwfQPuMcfMS
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."188Please respect copyright.PENANAl0oGopiu4B
188Please respect copyright.PENANAtec14XenQD
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.188Please respect copyright.PENANAaKm6yj6KKz
188Please respect copyright.PENANAxbVC6Ue7MN
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."188Please respect copyright.PENANAp7Y6k0tHnC
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqAkK7edXjQ
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."188Please respect copyright.PENANAESxFK2UGsV
188Please respect copyright.PENANAX8wwvgfpzC
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAxmad2WufYN
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqRJxYAigd3
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.188Please respect copyright.PENANAo8hqTFwKQE
188Please respect copyright.PENANA1vNP4TbNvn
"What a weirdo, seriously."188Please respect copyright.PENANAVNXIayDA1q
188Please respect copyright.PENANAlDgaV17OsU
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAcUqwSTrSXt
188Please respect copyright.PENANAP6KrTOqTrL
–
–
–
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAPyvIM4WtJm
188Please respect copyright.PENANAqY2MqeviyW
"You guys! You gotta see this!"188Please respect copyright.PENANAtUklm7yymc
188Please respect copyright.PENANAV1MUTd0ZCy
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.188Please respect copyright.PENANAOekoJCOWRG
188Please respect copyright.PENANAvupBh8PCw6
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.