My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.31Please respect copyright.PENANAhEThzExQ2Z
31Please respect copyright.PENANA6w1VfQ27kV
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAhzjojOAncO
31Please respect copyright.PENANAnwMOc9JaMF
"Haa..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAYmNrVySY7P
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1l4GtTP6UJ
"Are you okay?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAXpx41zM1Z5
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8ANb3KCiRg
"Phew. Now I am."31Please respect copyright.PENANAXdwaGr2z71
31Please respect copyright.PENANATtRYVlqEu5
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAMz7syAX7Hr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAhCVoK4zJNv
"W-What is it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA7wKKQp6z57
31Please respect copyright.PENANAE5HXJLmwft
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."31Please respect copyright.PENANAxfgRzaQIwt
31Please respect copyright.PENANA2gptw0WkxT
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."31Please respect copyright.PENANAWkfastzNha
31Please respect copyright.PENANA6BDmuSIt5r
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAmOvMdi6P81
31Please respect copyright.PENANA5A8EMBID34
"Well..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAp4PIrCEduT
31Please respect copyright.PENANANLZpmR3XcF
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANABxuMBCr1yr
31Please respect copyright.PENANA15TBaiW3tg
"Come on, tell me!"31Please respect copyright.PENANARPTi8ktidn
31Please respect copyright.PENANAHjIdIARszi
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."31Please respect copyright.PENANAztp7KYy2Iz
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFcUbS3HexU
She sighed and shrugged.31Please respect copyright.PENANA72y2y1hZue
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAxvoYcJwiD
"Are you feeling nervous?"31Please respect copyright.PENANALyTIAVwXZ7
31Please respect copyright.PENANA3whGCWnfY9
"Of course I am."31Please respect copyright.PENANAbldTf4ql7b
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQrbqUg4Z7p
"You shouldn't be."31Please respect copyright.PENANAQGNptHU6GM
31Please respect copyright.PENANAX575yUQ2OH
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqpiNuM9EW1
31Please respect copyright.PENANARmEy9PzXyy
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."31Please respect copyright.PENANAkafJo19cQ4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAGPVfoBDH0h
"...What's that supposed to mean?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAC0zS0wlNOT
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAhUWXD0oL1
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAIk155PX5Sy
31Please respect copyright.PENANAzoXOfEXsDj
"I think you came here a little too early."31Please respect copyright.PENANAkBqwDLlOlL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAmj90y5oWfM
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIADIj38h9X
31Please respect copyright.PENANAoPy8dMQ0ha
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAc37sTtjagq
31Please respect copyright.PENANADTLh7XmwwZ
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!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA4Omrobr5fL
31Please respect copyright.PENANArmMHnjrsDx
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAI90wA6bYFK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAI6Vbgo7xy1
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."31Please respect copyright.PENANA5CDTDwR4En
31Please respect copyright.PENANAK50EaLs8ze
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAmKfcr9FXe2
31Please respect copyright.PENANAqQU87lmFYs
"Aren't you going to say something?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAbqZR1SVrWZ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwu9hqYhCY1
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."31Please respect copyright.PENANAtaDGrKjOql
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1V3Z8BRcVu
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAnOLZxUUAb0
31Please respect copyright.PENANAMZKWy2nZo8
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQRYlCmYgb4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAewv8PqTp6E
"...I-I still don't believe you."31Please respect copyright.PENANAyClxo7TXz2
31Please respect copyright.PENANARiaBHPiAZQ
"Are you serious!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAil06pcVto7
31Please respect copyright.PENANA4jexhz3gZX
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.31Please respect copyright.PENANAnop3wmg5m2
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiok3u0w4PB
"Can I at least have your name?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAhnS2JMlOBF
31Please respect copyright.PENANACGVaAjIzJV
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAWoiVCvPitK
31Please respect copyright.PENANA6XeWmHZGBJ
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA6HakwHS2D9
31Please respect copyright.PENANARrmThprsyb
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.31Please respect copyright.PENANAKZ7CcWWZGt
31Please respect copyright.PENANA2kswhD3VLW
"A-Alright, I won't forget."31Please respect copyright.PENANA6kY6Wo8jy6
31Please respect copyright.PENANATwEhS0ZmxD
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAErqs22UbE1
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9Hgqj2IF9D
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."31Please respect copyright.PENANA4whnOKY5re
31Please respect copyright.PENANAgQUoiidJaM
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.31Please respect copyright.PENANAmXNSoLtYwX
31Please respect copyright.PENANAaio5hP2f1w
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAc3mrwWxen0
31Please respect copyright.PENANAC2iZEwy9On
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"31Please respect copyright.PENANASbRpgGTNqD
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsk1TNvC5cY
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.31Please respect copyright.PENANAJqUDpBOUiU
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPdC3pMjNW1
"She's not very nice at all."31Please respect copyright.PENANAdfUlL7mJyj
31Please respect copyright.PENANAADVcYPlFvX
"I suppose not."31Please respect copyright.PENANA8jn23cyE9W
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFyVG6YPp2d
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."31Please respect copyright.PENANA3vyuq0lSn4
31Please respect copyright.PENANA6TiG6SkFwJ
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"31Please respect copyright.PENANADoujtLdm46
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWqlI9CKaHV
**SMASH**31Please respect copyright.PENANAYxgzRmAHPK
31Please respect copyright.PENANACnrPQAq25B
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAGfU87EqKD7
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwy4UV3FwGS
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.31Please respect copyright.PENANAHYAk2JJSov
31Please respect copyright.PENANAN6lZPD8Hoc
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAh7EGT3K2gP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAA3oOIqmxWa
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.31Please respect copyright.PENANA0GEvUXa3Mg
31Please respect copyright.PENANABHJrgyYYYI
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANABtFIICNlnK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAX8x5Xkjf4R
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."31Please respect copyright.PENANAjqU1FcxBgL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAy7v8Nbi4aR
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.31Please respect copyright.PENANAZ60esGeSe8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAeodsjtWS9C
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."31Please respect copyright.PENANAalDkWIpkEC
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOlQJrxRPcE
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAMOc2Lsvo3W
31Please respect copyright.PENANANi8DZqlsmU
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.31Please respect copyright.PENANAiGewNwTmOT
31Please respect copyright.PENANAR9iBAoGDWU
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA7p2yK8xXeL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAVmmjlMzjSZ
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"31Please respect copyright.PENANADwvfApCwMg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAEc80hxEzHl
"No, not at all."31Please respect copyright.PENANAS4uBM7rApy
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiDLeP8Ck8f
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAQJY2VpgSYT
31Please respect copyright.PENANARBmD2W7t50
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.31Please respect copyright.PENANACaLcmas5Zb
31Please respect copyright.PENANATLwZC1AbwZ
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIK0edWL5eX
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUXN8jS6jVC
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.31Please respect copyright.PENANAMBzCIolPpE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOs1xgDdYJ6
"Is she our teammate?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAWpqrndouPH
31Please respect copyright.PENANArLO4VlYuK4
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."31Please respect copyright.PENANAJTj9QOxti8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbqJE7Ttgyl
"That so? Lemme test the waters."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIveUF8CzQV
31Please respect copyright.PENANAVhP5TcysoH
"You'll regret it."31Please respect copyright.PENANARQi2YZDxth
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQPiJ6yXm8H
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAciE4oSW19A
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsV7reIshGK
"...Wait."31Please respect copyright.PENANAHssJ9J47QB
31Please respect copyright.PENANAn0W0qWiriH
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!31Please respect copyright.PENANAUgHKsVycg1
31Please respect copyright.PENANAotPtLNJbCV
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."31Please respect copyright.PENANAfJ1q8E2fg4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAuEYtllwiCZ
"A little? Just a little?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAadRPyxeuFA
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFb1JXzpYp0
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."31Please respect copyright.PENANAJnFoJ6zmG3
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYsIod2xpwP
"I met her five minutes ago!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAQtmmcg1twt
31Please respect copyright.PENANAK2t0wIjgAq
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.31Please respect copyright.PENANAwcnJF6HPxK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiTalQU3Vgv
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."31Please respect copyright.PENANAZTUgINYj1k
31Please respect copyright.PENANA3bjikv76st
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."31Please respect copyright.PENANA7MaK5uvFiG
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwfzKXrJNvo
"Really?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAf8D5DQWYQ6
31Please respect copyright.PENANAE7HeZnwoCV
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.31Please respect copyright.PENANApc9wmcTlyH
31Please respect copyright.PENANAeEV9TDb3mM
"What do you mean 'really'?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAVM9rdQ1j6A
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwWzLBV67RA
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAcUXaeuCzuP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAutQz7QCoJH
"--!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAvp6qGQ5Z0S
31Please respect copyright.PENANAJIcmqzjUVT
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA8KyxJO6O6C
31Please respect copyright.PENANAw48UuG4U9C
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."31Please respect copyright.PENANAfEZrtzOmAI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAyCQlkrHbKc
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."31Please respect copyright.PENANAugWYoF159C
31Please respect copyright.PENANABh389hs3x1
**SMASH**31Please respect copyright.PENANAOCc73mQEi7
31Please respect copyright.PENANAkhEQ6m2r2A
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAfCryJg2Jdv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAo2taLyeorD
My jaw dropped yet again.31Please respect copyright.PENANAR5ZamIpq9l
31Please respect copyright.PENANAfBCq3V34F7
"ROY!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANACy62YbuaPO
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdUKcZJcZvi
–
–
–
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAjXEeNbGIj9
31Please respect copyright.PENANA3TtUvVoh0d
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8HpkLvRGk
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8fjLZQ7iub
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIl27a2q5WK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAmIE1MiLD27
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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAToMeWmkKjq
31Please respect copyright.PENANAKu1TWUJu2Z
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAiWV87gLcdr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiIahrOcF41
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7fQCPffln
31Please respect copyright.PENANAyx71tYdVnw
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAMWEGZqlApv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAP4s0noCGWI
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."31Please respect copyright.PENANAl9Z8s3Ko99
31Please respect copyright.PENANABnAB7080BQ
"R-Right."31Please respect copyright.PENANAP7Z7PZpghE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAefK7MUfgQb
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–31Please respect copyright.PENANAkJh2hOvHbz
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiyS603mJEd
"Ack!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAXzJMMZq85R
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtYteTK0hk8
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.31Please respect copyright.PENANAC2cAbzpbKx
31Please respect copyright.PENANA3bR42gFCZi
"F-Flinty, what was–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAqJQRBSBGt1
31Please respect copyright.PENANA7tPDaAMbUz
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAr3eJte5Ozg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAEm7oa6zRiu
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAnDjbBqy3xL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAMdRFQDCEeC
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."31Please respect copyright.PENANAQuVX28fgiC
31Please respect copyright.PENANAgwfSt91NO5
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAp1HKxyA3Bs
31Please respect copyright.PENANAn7sMRiiiqJ
"No, I'm not just saying it."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIsfcZa9pyQ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAjQPsgFCxIr
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.31Please respect copyright.PENANAAUwWtJaguV
31Please respect copyright.PENANARPkVoYYS2I
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqokVhMvSzJ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAynSQGa8mJx
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAAVbrQWc9je
31Please respect copyright.PENANAoiaafbZLFX
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAWnRIelriVX
31Please respect copyright.PENANAnXe9C0hcEB
"I–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAxXqa0YLR4m
31Please respect copyright.PENANA65l6TiZezO
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAUhOczKalb1
31Please respect copyright.PENANAKYhulLChBc
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAIRH437ipeE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAemMWI7mden
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–31Please respect copyright.PENANA38XIhlJbtv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWZpZePqCD9
And yet...31Please respect copyright.PENANAPP97UOjrSQ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbiBr2djzpq
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."31Please respect copyright.PENANA7RtUdfm4X9
31Please respect copyright.PENANAfJBevkf6eg
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.31Please respect copyright.PENANAcye6CTdK3H
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtPnh1i24ds
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAb25VdbAX1u
31Please respect copyright.PENANACnxaPWyLwv
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.31Please respect copyright.PENANA63Xkyi8bls
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8ViydASOBF
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAj3MaTiULTB
31Please respect copyright.PENANABbVu6Is0P4
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."31Please respect copyright.PENANAm9UebXHm5T
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9qRkGb3NNU
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAXj16P6bnJ8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdDRiKo631g
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAWp9jDa8CSK
31Please respect copyright.PENANA7cO49rismD
"O-Okay."31Please respect copyright.PENANAjloOiNA4Ir
31Please respect copyright.PENANAnAoc9zo2Kr
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.31Please respect copyright.PENANA101qQH4Huq
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQCvPpPijcj
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."31Please respect copyright.PENANAg1B8bExnev
31Please respect copyright.PENANAuzIVbtUCBH
"Okay okay, fine."31Please respect copyright.PENANAcOSJS8WGjf
31Please respect copyright.PENANAloobpDD6SR
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAvVoRiSKIUj
31Please respect copyright.PENANAhoKR2Yfas4
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."31Please respect copyright.PENANA09atOL7cvl
31Please respect copyright.PENANAkLFjaypcD4
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.31Please respect copyright.PENANA5F9FEiq8qW
31Please respect copyright.PENANALbgWmHxpGr
–
–
–
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA4uGoW0X80a
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8PDyveBWQG
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAgHuCH5IQw8
31Please respect copyright.PENANApFR7XMMLZJ
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAT44n8wZAQV
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtv03uq2LNH
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAEIaipULCyr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQOEbp1a4rf
"Huh...? What did you say?"31Please respect copyright.PENANACXKbSFxTTs
31Please respect copyright.PENANAlzL4TkKZ19
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.31Please respect copyright.PENANAVbhWSRNm9A
31Please respect copyright.PENANAB7l9W8KYNo
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAen0qNBrjtr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdf69FiUAZx
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."31Please respect copyright.PENANAEteI53rMrw
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWrErWQExkd
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAiq9T2M3W9F
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8JmM0u9Ddq
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"31Please respect copyright.PENANADn8nZWBcoT
31Please respect copyright.PENANAn3RqAy8jF1
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."31Please respect copyright.PENANAuQfCOK4HBn
31Please respect copyright.PENANAybYOWQ5yyb
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."31Please respect copyright.PENANAUPyFv0emYE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWWBF8hOfGn
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."31Please respect copyright.PENANAErrrfhsAhO
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtmDy8qeUdf
"Note?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAVa4ipUBIj4
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8Up59Sz4of
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA1aJK8Gxan7
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9Oy2y9zqMQ
"What does it say?"31Please respect copyright.PENANASd0PoQPTV0
31Please respect copyright.PENANADAjpzRZKqd
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANApzz393CgZ5
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1z8WeJ9zds
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."31Please respect copyright.PENANAVFdzDtx2zz
31Please respect copyright.PENANAVNhZs89LER
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAHZHw3rLRXG
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOgZpjiQh3h
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."31Please respect copyright.PENANA6GVtXsaJUJ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdVGhrldjiw
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."31Please respect copyright.PENANANTou72Bba8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAk1vX6iccZF
Juke sighed and put the paper away.31Please respect copyright.PENANAJ24qlkyaSK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAuzOo1JHm8
"So, how's about a story?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAiY7l6og7a8
31Please respect copyright.PENANA5vMRFIXEFz
"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?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAZbQRA4XXLE
31Please respect copyright.PENANA3DW2OtcAFF
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."31Please respect copyright.PENANAlEfaD6TloH
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYV6PGt0NAk
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.31Please respect copyright.PENANA750Mo7ecOx
31Please respect copyright.PENANA47kkHIWqsP
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."31Please respect copyright.PENANAMShm4Mf4Bs
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1WFXnbqVC9
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."31Please respect copyright.PENANAKaYLtsHfb1
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9jciRzqXs6
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA6FaAH2besN
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtP1HsSoVtj
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAwsPI49nwVw
31Please respect copyright.PENANAnSwRump7wt
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."31Please respect copyright.PENANA6xWHLDTCxC
31Please respect copyright.PENANA2X6CXnZTrz
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAfeEht8logF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQrHcffur3G
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"31Please respect copyright.PENANAphiog7f63u
31Please respect copyright.PENANAuu7iHDUEf5
"Seriously? You have to be lying."31Please respect copyright.PENANAkK2wM4xR1V
31Please respect copyright.PENANAMUNozzSIud
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."31Please respect copyright.PENANAhSFF7QiAvZ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvQvTotBXbh
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."31Please respect copyright.PENANAg9cfwJxtzg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAb0kHTU1SqW
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqRiNaisKNK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvnbM8qhWXJ
"Like what?" I asked.31Please respect copyright.PENANAscQMNltDx8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAZQjZKPVTvU
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAUyuktiArC2
31Please respect copyright.PENANANUidD18Yn9
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.31Please respect copyright.PENANALU19kYqSif
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9f0LJZJcEl
"...Stardust?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAFK7UgdBfAS
31Please respect copyright.PENANAHoM8xj0VLo
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAvYDv1bNiPM
31Please respect copyright.PENANA74UB1mwo24
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.31Please respect copyright.PENANAs6QDQk2urU
31Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZOTwz76PT
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"31Please respect copyright.PENANArDe0chWc9X
31Please respect copyright.PENANAouAolDF7aX
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAY1Fjdfirn0
31Please respect copyright.PENANAueOrvFp4xC
"...The what?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAFaBjYPqWma
31Please respect copyright.PENANACAVTFB7diZ
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAdPJFArrZiU
31Please respect copyright.PENANAH1L2jysjBw
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."31Please respect copyright.PENANAuIPhLDl7rZ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAjOG7EVfddQ
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAUDkpQiRDGW
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1484MtG4u5
"Of course I do!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAkUMAtRZeS9
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdCwyTWXkPf
She pumped her fist.31Please respect copyright.PENANAAd5HszR3Sg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAnRvmaaMdW9
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA0yIydGuoJv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYoYUeiooiC
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAkzzkEyrMWt
31Please respect copyright.PENANAmWlCKqn9ZP
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.31Please respect copyright.PENANAjtS4gNrJiG
31Please respect copyright.PENANALWbB25Oqs5
"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–"31Please respect copyright.PENANArPoFSNoyRq
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1aRP2o1IoT
"I already know this."31Please respect copyright.PENANAHZH4l6qMMe
31Please respect copyright.PENANASb1iv0At3b
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAgOLNxRYRFi
31Please respect copyright.PENANAcqM0v5LwdH
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."31Please respect copyright.PENANAx26XvxF0Oh
31Please respect copyright.PENANAEflCCNCm4L
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANANNbdAwt947
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9ViwuueFup
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."31Please respect copyright.PENANAon0NOT10AD
31Please respect copyright.PENANAeas6XabgVg
"Eh? Why?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAALoumRhwx6
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwMS5nZilcn
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.31Please respect copyright.PENANAbdd6QPpAkK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAD0MTlBPHP9
"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–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAyvhqWKeHFs
31Please respect copyright.PENANAECqZ7mYXyl
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.31Please respect copyright.PENANAhQNeteJ4gG
31Please respect copyright.PENANAazv3zzh03s
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"31Please respect copyright.PENANALM4irvbNhI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPFXAPKbpWD
"That's cuz I met her."31Please respect copyright.PENANAHgHb9y7lP1
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPGk9cQ7EZE
"WHAT!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA9RR8Pnpjtu
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWrsmtnlN3q
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA5JbG4GoTgF
31Please respect copyright.PENANApjhykJBwDt
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAfKTSap5reb
31Please respect copyright.PENANANYz9IoW5mn
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAehyLGlgfaK
31Please respect copyright.PENANANcqDEFi0rY
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."31Please respect copyright.PENANADTQwjksBQ4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAqw5THV0gF2
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."31Please respect copyright.PENANAIjAtkjr4Hg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOgjxjqA0up
"You're kidding."31Please respect copyright.PENANAEjk0okFdKg
31Please respect copyright.PENANA545RdWM6RJ
He shook his head no.31Please respect copyright.PENANAh5jlXE05DG
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUT3a5KrYMk
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANA46AeUY41wJ
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1qeDOVAknt
"You're making this up," I said.31Please respect copyright.PENANArXCIIdacm2
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUnvoyQMZDG
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA0AMJ5DpZq4
31Please respect copyright.PENANA876xThZtlX
Juke shrugged.31Please respect copyright.PENANAe6l350hcr7
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUrB53z0D4z
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."31Please respect copyright.PENANAfHdQEfRhKq
31Please respect copyright.PENANAk8U3sejEx6
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.31Please respect copyright.PENANA3OEJw8CKEE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAemDcVHfvu6
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."31Please respect copyright.PENANAZklTGWvIAT
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAtHw3ppkdB
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."31Please respect copyright.PENANAflmAQgXz0L
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0NIeLvOW6
"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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAKT4MDf4xp9
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1p7RjxTMPQ
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.31Please respect copyright.PENANAVQQXHLyPlP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvgA7wG89lw
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANACK0g8ZX0CQ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAADzTAom1D0
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAWjeTdBlpwO
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQXIHVziHqV
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAZjw6DSdBvv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAZDw6htC8U2
She pointed a finger at him.31Please respect copyright.PENANAhrKKYJjdEH
31Please respect copyright.PENANASTFgs05ASb
"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!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA3YgHF2j4o2
31Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7sxdMAcqa
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."31Please respect copyright.PENANACjVIfqldNH
31Please respect copyright.PENANAkzR2M7t0fR
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA6iPne6YdF7
31Please respect copyright.PENANAb8uZEMv2gE
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.31Please respect copyright.PENANAPEsyLNSjg5
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPfAxamTxqg
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."31Please respect copyright.PENANAzVRbWOtdg2
31Please respect copyright.PENANACSxjhfmIqp
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."31Please respect copyright.PENANAf2yirDm0Cg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbY2D3u1X6W
"--Ngh! You guys...!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAqvm8mjh4rn
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdTPWyiAhJh
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.31Please respect copyright.PENANAdZjgY5nGrh
31Please respect copyright.PENANAaedNebCvS3
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAe8XZTf7fzt
31Please respect copyright.PENANAxqZduZSr1Q
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANANcZjeIBqfy
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsNZfEgWcf4
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAIxD8vc1kQg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFmWjY4yodE
"Ya look like you have something to say."31Please respect copyright.PENANAzY3lmYJduK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwWPjooSMCC
"W-Well..."31Please respect copyright.PENANA3qaKAJAxY3
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYcDxAPtpJX
She turned her head away.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQt6LZVcvUo
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFfUlHwRN6k
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."31Please respect copyright.PENANAbrfLGTizbZ
31Please respect copyright.PENANAI0u7cFvVlM
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAAEa2R0rBcP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsFEpx60Dgi
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."31Please respect copyright.PENANAyzQhKi6BoV
31Please respect copyright.PENANAxafXhDFssl
"Mhm, I told you so."31Please respect copyright.PENANAiCbdnNJleS
31Please respect copyright.PENANApwv9uTUGKE
–
–
–
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAkYlekz63CX
31Please respect copyright.PENANAK4XdaGgQdE
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZcdtIS9BF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvTxYrENgEt
"...So why am I not getting any?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAhZyfIWKgUr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAB4mkQqVy8S
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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAZa7nAaVOGG
31Please respect copyright.PENANArow94R6kjg
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–31Please respect copyright.PENANAOidZzSqfle
31Please respect copyright.PENANA964EyXcnyP
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAej5X1KCKJa
31Please respect copyright.PENANAO0l9tYn2zb
"Eh?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAEsed5esLU3
31Please respect copyright.PENANAyYOfJPhTRr
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAOoCJN7lI3J
31Please respect copyright.PENANATVVvIwC8VS
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.31Please respect copyright.PENANAdXZw30WdiQ
31Please respect copyright.PENANANaShx8he6z
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAderVgNZK3W
31Please respect copyright.PENANAX2LwW12e0J
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.31Please respect copyright.PENANAgN4RCoXokS
31Please respect copyright.PENANAusycYBTUyx
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA2wBDU8ChON
31Please respect copyright.PENANAcoGQKnAtZI
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."31Please respect copyright.PENANAxgU0hyDz8x
31Please respect copyright.PENANA73Fjudp9Mi
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."31Please respect copyright.PENANAmFif4Cspwt
31Please respect copyright.PENANAgXMReiHlje
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANARPXoTiwKEy
31Please respect copyright.PENANAwQx7SJb4jt
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAHmn621dJc6
31Please respect copyright.PENANARboVoi4EQe
"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?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAVOPPmF9yuX
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWJIkpliyUL
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."31Please respect copyright.PENANAQv3ZNVo8e0
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOXG9yC96yf
"A jungle? What elevation?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAEZKK5gO8Hb
31Please respect copyright.PENANALTAf35hIti
He shrugged.31Please respect copyright.PENANAqlyhRHZ5rI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAZPvhtrm2Vh
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."31Please respect copyright.PENANAktfOWc5j8b
31Please respect copyright.PENANAN4FlWzacIe
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."31Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZsiSRLepg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1FHqtDzg1
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAx67IBENQ1A
31Please respect copyright.PENANAuKv6O81sz2
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAlR1aFionur
31Please respect copyright.PENANA27JcMqGNHn
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."31Please respect copyright.PENANAonHq10Vthc
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1IMDr310e8
"Why?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA1jfUrXltQi
31Please respect copyright.PENANAi2RsbDfZjk
"..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAe30cc0FRBO
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUigvJkosf1
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.31Please respect copyright.PENANAOd0sMQ8AA5
31Please respect copyright.PENANA0lx6v2VHQb
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."31Please respect copyright.PENANAmeBBYaTf5z
31Please respect copyright.PENANAA6IfM8Va9t
"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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAyWgYA85y9Q
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYEhxNOcrKx
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."31Please respect copyright.PENANAQC6pC35SOS
31Please respect copyright.PENANAJ34XuKYXCe
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAg9HUc2rIXj
31Please respect copyright.PENANA19SFiGU5Hm
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANAei9xfrKAlN
31Please respect copyright.PENANATaWGx8W1Ex
"..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAsYi6Oxstty
31Please respect copyright.PENANALZ3JuWm1Bi
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAk006LMnYZw
31Please respect copyright.PENANAuRQ2n6kTVa
"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."31Please respect copyright.PENANARHDLx4A6lT
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9gla7R5zq3
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.31Please respect copyright.PENANAz2Bks0NR4g
31Please respect copyright.PENANALFbV7FfkaT
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."31Please respect copyright.PENANAugPD66m4pB
31Please respect copyright.PENANAap0ev8FsfH
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAeBn7RdbUrK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAABtfZPbyUq
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANARZvEzLNpxs
31Please respect copyright.PENANALZv66XQfPy
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"31Please respect copyright.PENANAGaXCoa5KIE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAaakIUaDYmN
"TALBOT!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANACtbNQtrlML
31Please respect copyright.PENANAghg9MZb283
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAde8kFReOvY
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9HHU8FEUUP
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."31Please respect copyright.PENANAflSJSGgVdE
31Please respect copyright.PENANAHzDgs6e0Ap
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAuIHqy2407B
31Please respect copyright.PENANA0QG5BNDyiI
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAelIgG13bEL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQtb7N7Xra7
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."31Please respect copyright.PENANAOfNBp9Ry19
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUqWEmmPteG
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.31Please respect copyright.PENANALkyxsnfoef
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9fNVmWvmtS
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."31Please respect copyright.PENANA0VSpNq1MoX
31Please respect copyright.PENANALzEfLhnAH5
"Are ya kidding me?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAUdYFJGwg0o
31Please respect copyright.PENANAm6TQ1THa72
"That's so lame!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAKbTdCie3Ym
31Please respect copyright.PENANAVMxuFayOit
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while31Please respect copyright.PENANARwJa0MGSNP
31Please respect copyright.PENANANspsKTNavX
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."31Please respect copyright.PENANAiFUzSL1a3r
31Please respect copyright.PENANA0qclMnPfS0
"What's that supposed to mean?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAa8Hjs985Mr
31Please respect copyright.PENANAqvVORgfTS2
"Nothing."31Please respect copyright.PENANAXjvbrDOgml
31Please respect copyright.PENANAzi5mvIoihb
She returned to chowing down on her food.31Please respect copyright.PENANAyPPlMDcsZ6
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUyeR8FQZjy
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAYJzSOALFBC
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPUawghVUIN
"Well..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAlEyk5DoPTB
31Please respect copyright.PENANAeaeSV3BrFm
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAujOfWpG3WN
31Please respect copyright.PENANAo4haoEL7Gv
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAWBJGQwFI1Q
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAFu70JCegR
"...No."31Please respect copyright.PENANAdr0DOzcmus
31Please respect copyright.PENANA9pGC4AjUEl
"Eh? Why not?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAWoKweqGAz6
31Please respect copyright.PENANAYdcI5bcC15
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAS3yrbs5CVS
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPW6WAWfbbo
"Huh!? What'd you say?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAJPf4uKkwuB
31Please respect copyright.PENANAh4wYgvUZfL
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQMNBTk0oEb
31Please respect copyright.PENANAOhNp4uqr3m
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAeCFj1FyaFz
31Please respect copyright.PENANAqaCz8ChkW1
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA8dUTmQKwIv
31Please respect copyright.PENANAThn8n78cUt
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.31Please respect copyright.PENANApzvgBb9JTI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPm0fA6GOfF
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqNZotqw07y
31Please respect copyright.PENANAcIyQWcoBDv
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."31Please respect copyright.PENANAHCp0X9QEzF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAp8QNdWd1dW
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAm9qxcjIYVO
31Please respect copyright.PENANArHsZ4WiWvJ
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."31Please respect copyright.PENANAJQxCmEWt03
31Please respect copyright.PENANANGwfSGGQkQ
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAoJWGg0NZsI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAGee1OON4M8
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqLJvrrBhNw
31Please respect copyright.PENANAaKNiqPRjjk
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.31Please respect copyright.PENANA95nWyJmfsm
31Please respect copyright.PENANAzgOUsnlTDh
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."31Please respect copyright.PENANA9DTKqmH5gY
31Please respect copyright.PENANAyqN7LGd5PB
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAGY0CZFTXN1
31Please respect copyright.PENANAKiYxp7wAeI
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"31Please respect copyright.PENANA4TWiA0oDuM
31Please respect copyright.PENANAWPA3MWkq1A
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAE11nZkxzpq
31Please respect copyright.PENANAVaVy5RMX74
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAL9GIpuFKHj
31Please respect copyright.PENANABhnlgNI1S0
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."31Please respect copyright.PENANACLx5Evbz9s
31Please respect copyright.PENANAfVhK3aVwZ2
"Custom design? Well..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAi6Ds6k7MKS
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsrvpx2qaCP
She turned her head away.31Please respect copyright.PENANAljmChBPO1B
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAggxjgjH8S
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."31Please respect copyright.PENANAcOeAKfYxls
31Please respect copyright.PENANATZd59vqD4k
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.31Please respect copyright.PENANA26ygLucRT5
31Please respect copyright.PENANA1xArvM8P98
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."31Please respect copyright.PENANAhwvvNFxD4s
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPt4Tg97lYx
"Oh, this?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA0KXXot3K7D
31Please respect copyright.PENANAxhblnZht1S
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.31Please respect copyright.PENANAWNNtJM8rTg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAzXTipRDhNh
"I stole it!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAF0EATYBVp1
31Please respect copyright.PENANAmJf9DngbHH
"No surprise."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqZjif1gYnU
31Please respect copyright.PENANAiIzO240CFb
"I ain't surprised."31Please respect copyright.PENANASDVTmRDua5
31Please respect copyright.PENANAx1Bqr4kQRN
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.31Please respect copyright.PENANAr5TqSbwA5J
31Please respect copyright.PENANAjUzTXLbt5X
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAMOUUO0DPMK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAdCswV2CUXz
"No."31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0JzLwpc3R
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtgZloVQYe3
"Not really."31Please respect copyright.PENANAirBR4XEL73
31Please respect copyright.PENANAFn282tNWev
"Ah... you two are lame!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAgg7lF9oBGG
31Please respect copyright.PENANAKcLDP5iS0D
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAiq5E982pY5
31Please respect copyright.PENANASYzsU0dkuT
"..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAFXDW96J4Aj
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsVYPCPGUGT
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANANaVpyNOpcF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAS2aaVdEaX5
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAoCE1AU06PF
31Please respect copyright.PENANABeoOs7N5vM
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."31Please respect copyright.PENANAdKlqtkiVSK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAPs3EaukcJw
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."31Please respect copyright.PENANAH1ObeDXu4l
31Please respect copyright.PENANAX3n8Zz8PDQ
"I-I see... I suppose so."31Please respect copyright.PENANAU3e8F2h4cD
31Please respect copyright.PENANAJj7Jxlp2Vq
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAwTqUrUVWAI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAj2aY3NMc5b
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.31Please respect copyright.PENANAOyDVWT6iyz
31Please respect copyright.PENANALcbmyoVrfI
"Did you have to word it that way?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA5cpR9uwSO0
31Please respect copyright.PENANAp2hX0BHvBW
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."31Please respect copyright.PENANAjDaK7oD9Hb
31Please respect copyright.PENANAqebZNbvIv8
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."31Please respect copyright.PENANAcCHyr9FiEu
31Please respect copyright.PENANA8hUuMdpMe5
"Ya got it, boss."31Please respect copyright.PENANApv8lK4RG2b
31Please respect copyright.PENANASNPBcrEgEt
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAo8Urt1k9Ug
31Please respect copyright.PENANAv6NNwHc1zj
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."31Please respect copyright.PENANAbuteJOaK0M
31Please respect copyright.PENANA2c2aqYOfIA
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANANOVzOCUKKF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAk0M3p8ElMw
"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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAcI6noal5IP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAlAM7xVezTx
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."31Please respect copyright.PENANArH4WMO0nkl
31Please respect copyright.PENANApDU2FonZmY
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.31Please respect copyright.PENANANvLNE5Hl1Q
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsFyuKqzEEw
"...Well, alright. What is it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAVP4SI0Y88O
31Please respect copyright.PENANAGqoKlVuzXN
"I... I wanted..."31Please respect copyright.PENANAVWaF4F6qbO
31Please respect copyright.PENANA7qdjO8OdaL
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAHzQhP7CaFl
31Please respect copyright.PENANAY79Lmhc9RY
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAYdmAEeFpXh
31Please respect copyright.PENANAJqnsYDc3wl
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAaIfjjRkjNf
31Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5ebhsJjNI
"Where's this coming from?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAEdE2B0DgWj
31Please respect copyright.PENANAlCcl4okjje
"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?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAtqso9mUKb2
31Please respect copyright.PENANAjKxaHtqVEX
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."31Please respect copyright.PENANAqxU6yn9mVt
31Please respect copyright.PENANAm6SqTfurwJ
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAvGo2YrpGXV
31Please respect copyright.PENANAD7Cl3kVM9n
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANARlN6tV5SVx
31Please respect copyright.PENANAfa5RIpXWy9
In that light–31Please respect copyright.PENANAPTO0390DGB
31Please respect copyright.PENANA6UuW5TxZ3z
"Alright, apology accepted."31Please respect copyright.PENANAwAmjmEqy0h
31Please respect copyright.PENANAtfow23RFmX
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–31Please respect copyright.PENANAv887Odrsst
31Please respect copyright.PENANAczB2UB0pos
"--only on one condition."31Please respect copyright.PENANATRgaO75s5G
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbl9UiTOIm8
"Eh!?"31Please respect copyright.PENANACQKfkXQjmp
31Please respect copyright.PENANAEMTxbylc98
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.31Please respect copyright.PENANAsyFSIB0Zkh
31Please respect copyright.PENANAkS4zRNqjzB
"That's right."31Please respect copyright.PENANASGJ0in4HJu
31Please respect copyright.PENANAM1zjcO7ZGU
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAGiI3C21MFy
31Please respect copyright.PENANANfM5mlEYxK
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."31Please respect copyright.PENANA9YZtj96SFp
31Please respect copyright.PENANANW58r4Nhs9
"He sounds like a priss."31Please respect copyright.PENANAKb1K6TIFhD
31Please respect copyright.PENANA0IPSiWGMuD
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."31Please respect copyright.PENANAvZb1qtNnT8
31Please respect copyright.PENANAsJvopaWRZW
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.31Please respect copyright.PENANAQocrdq1FKF
31Please respect copyright.PENANAO9H7PoHZXG
"Fine, what's your condition?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAuCYQt2wO8D
31Please respect copyright.PENANA2aNawh9F8z
I pointed a finger at her.31Please respect copyright.PENANAt2PROGNrGL
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvI9UXDbiuU
"We need to get along from now on."31Please respect copyright.PENANAWMFJV04RvP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAcki7oKNqdT
"...Huh?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAmaqtM9tAsV
31Please respect copyright.PENANAZ35ESgGES4
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"31Please respect copyright.PENANA0yv9nyuFIz
31Please respect copyright.PENANA5uCXGrgIJ8
"...Ha, that's it?"31Please respect copyright.PENANAuJltHVPONM
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvzBIZ62MyU
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.31Please respect copyright.PENANAB2NvoTycQI
31Please respect copyright.PENANAggC5OsnyjM
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAGAMOxPlUCc
31Please respect copyright.PENANAX0dwK10RzA
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.31Please respect copyright.PENANAFlpYMnYa9j
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbokXd7N8Oy
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAMyQYzcw2Tn
31Please respect copyright.PENANArF5EFgRbxg
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.31Please respect copyright.PENANA3G4ZqdHJEk
31Please respect copyright.PENANAAmVV7TYYjA
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."31Please respect copyright.PENANANbsC5zL5IC
31Please respect copyright.PENANAd9GaMGcf3a
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."31Please respect copyright.PENANAie7BbdI1KP
31Please respect copyright.PENANAI02P1J6KOQ
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.31Please respect copyright.PENANA0OLpHEnFjQ
31Please respect copyright.PENANA4PWMFTJ3vx
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."31Please respect copyright.PENANAmBpotAFwgT
31Please respect copyright.PENANArtvXasmcKT
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."31Please respect copyright.PENANAVi2Mjpy5E4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAbrB0fBAKhO
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAPydjwyWPja
31Please respect copyright.PENANARCX57m86MF
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.31Please respect copyright.PENANAwcLwuWdXEA
31Please respect copyright.PENANAvdErob8YaB
"What a weirdo, seriously."31Please respect copyright.PENANAvOcWDVCzAK
31Please respect copyright.PENANAUGIxHtNFdj
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAtRRJuHmRH4
31Please respect copyright.PENANAkIUbtkKMHA
–
–
–
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANA0nKPltwvZW
31Please respect copyright.PENANADZg5bwi5tJ
"You guys! You gotta see this!"31Please respect copyright.PENANAfJA6tzZsNg
31Please respect copyright.PENANAXNEalMlwMD
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.31Please respect copyright.PENANAU5ABdpa6Iw
31Please respect copyright.PENANADUykfRLl80
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.