My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ519zYg3WNg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4AVmmmt2Q
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3lddO4FdF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwQWfSwEmY
"Haa..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvppwXQRHtR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEk1XGROPT
"Are you okay?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLQxWJPxuP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JFODTKHOW
"Phew. Now I am."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAizdhKQAeS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0tGZBG30O
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIejjC8Hk0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46rPxOrVwF
"W-What is it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp7UsER7Dj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3DJjypVrM
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pnIIhiwAW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRGcKiFQXo
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQOgK4heIc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8UI3kyBBW
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpiMMIZ8YZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ioj7Ak3Bz
"Well..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iZWlHkCBC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjmE0glYZC
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHFHdjzbz7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCuVAc6GHw
"Come on, tell me!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Mbt2Q0s3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMtUHpHH8S
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOXpviAatY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkNa7REPAa
She sighed and shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfptQ3dNcpW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHszl6r6UtB
"Are you feeling nervous?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U2uhALCfE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRwN77xOWg
"Of course I am."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvyHkjPmch
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvHFytxm4R
"You shouldn't be."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8OaITNBrM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBQJPZCH0O
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGTzBL7b7Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjRI8mB1Hn
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mHVk5dhOV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOhcacBwA2
"...What's that supposed to mean?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uObmqDQby
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwtWg8mwz
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyuKofiKG7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVKog7vnz9
"I think you came here a little too early."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHHFEVIsPb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bb2VA6xfW
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDCrF9ane6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxfhDP9oCm
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJGWxXHAXB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYw4LMWQi7
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr8fsPk08U
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsW743Ccsr
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gSbJHc2mN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwLcJfQdJw
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP4NIuMEOs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTSQvzNacV
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoZVeSsb2C
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZNFeWJa7y
"Aren't you going to say something?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohBwux7WxM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RN3zXejqo
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFnLZyjHy5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKZiwkGOkX
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNXXeqBsv0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NcwvYhVba
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xv6qkyIJc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbE8dcJGlP
"...I-I still don't believe you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkCkjwDQIW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB78J2GZNnE
"Are you serious!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVRTPXJaLn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhoXmBD6zp
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOqZpHCwa3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfvRHNHV90
"Can I at least have your name?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NCCq2x7Pn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKg9sRTHq3
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxsYqmRxTO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBWrufUg9c
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIhr2mijJQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKw5bLgDPZ
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhaM4htypm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6B5x9ymnZ
"A-Alright, I won't forget."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbmvyyEqjC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1NHQJeZS7
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAsOiv84Uc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOm32AFQ80
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoDtesHzJo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKmKe7QvBE
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy1kdLQ5ul
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxUdZmVle4
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaryP41TyZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAhQMOSMKF
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjq2fa5uPq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJNeRw5HN7
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEDcJ3x9dp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpmIT9UwUx
"She's not very nice at all."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaq5Y00sOw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L8PTPWi2R
"I suppose not."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48RhWp275G
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMxPPTBhqL
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQGaDGwm8D
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YXoevTSJi
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8SNTw4a1u
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElNWnHCarj
**SMASH**194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFsJUo7xrQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsuScs38ON
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxYro5vJjs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBw4r79V4F
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV985tCKVzb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVGJRk9CVv
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIUHcguGNy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjvhYiVgLD
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBcqLBio1U
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eaueB1eq3
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaFrVztKhF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte1Mug0DKz
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ3CMz4UYA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9onsWH9lb
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqqkMjkotT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLRSexbAsO
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HCZLystWB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnlIx22k6P
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5CkbdKIzv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjXbcevnrs
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQjTHpzZS6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRif0ndg10
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuQs3tgf9d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oI53FdRbA
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0j85DzbGX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jxfVYcSA8
"No, not at all."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry4YY1vogA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntTzAVuqU3
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNaAaVukgR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNCWZKaQeu
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd09QOTcxn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n8fFQOPjd
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4UXVTcue0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4IQ5i6uUe
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeHOxTAWUk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTWJOirKg8
"Is she our teammate?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMAI568w9T
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeGwv7uui4
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ahkDevqy2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEPFCTYDx3
"That so? Lemme test the waters."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B2VYtE7Lj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkWWNJvhuP
"You'll regret it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrotwUlj9p8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVIE6OgCJD
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCrkWRG55w
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgKsIsE7Ee
"...Wait."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5XbPi6h8a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR23sj8oBKz
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1g3CXfLDE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ585fglw2Wd
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxiYFOfF16
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5wk8yVdKr
"A little? Just a little?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzUUpNMKQc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ1xmo3GWj
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXkGwu6k6k
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zW8dqrW0F
"I met her five minutes ago!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rr991T1ei
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH9jSXNsOj
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosJbZ8lyzG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWr2LeYj0c
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ36wS8zDPj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtMEpakBmL
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe0gRc6PFe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn1xsy8Pm9
"Really?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6szsjL64Qe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UlCQ9IBKm
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56OnmgyLtH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7idtfZvhy
"What do you mean 'really'?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHMFfskGf5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUfDSYYmLA
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0p7A9EmMU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIrK8ccgj0
"--!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1wWJEFaOM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYFg2eJ1s0
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7QPPtrJCy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYHGIjmbtY
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnNPQrJueH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA4EPXZ5sU
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR5n8M0cdL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtSLXVOykr
**SMASH**194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT70xeyjyY4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ujE1hCaUG
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyr1o7E00O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV5kZh923S
My jaw dropped yet again.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGRgnhBocP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPZQjJrXQL
"ROY!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz2lO29Ggh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ399CW9y9LR
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAFS1k5SrL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK577cKTvt
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvIqyTEux8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RsIDVskWQ
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe6p3dFvFy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXKS6ESFNC
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47tKy7NkRq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N8a2cURzH
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlfEps1CIg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGouHaV53pl
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjxsKbXY6l
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2vz6djcwQ
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6frkSwmLV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul7WsSVLKS
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPW1zpiise
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pOCnD1lwv
"R-Right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPxJIbxkkt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHBp9JNrSg
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQgP8PQQlK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i8wWr1zGK
"Ack!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyivL16pBla
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfBuaOuq0l
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pkvYBY4b1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NdixMJswG
"F-Flinty, what was–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN99RyHuLoi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbEOZaXROH
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIQOnyQ216
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqM3TCDHwh
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbQS2ZkghY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0IF2khQwd
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtdUoDxCfn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91EhFDPUml
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCW3Ro78BE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzflJ5K6xl
"No, I'm not just saying it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou8T4cWEpI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlVKABWJ5i
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY4mr18tZR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH2fiEdtWO
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORa9YvGG41
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZPloZeuof
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D2RDF1Twu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0mibf6faZ
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oK1ln6zY1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMyWNfBfOG
"I–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8g86twB2l
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrEQphoocg
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnRVCTtuic
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGLgeE94qQ
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXTX4hjJms
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGZBaeEe9C
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45pdXgw3Xb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUzejIYN9X
And yet...194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVC5RaWucP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi8vvJ0e0J
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq3CtcuyEC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIWGU0LKNv
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOofXaXMWaT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCR4oSIA5J
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1y9pRtRMU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCYwxSFnOe
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOmF7Os4i8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyboRqV7QYY
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqHU7tlbV2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfrWR40yut
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09oKw8tjiM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMecI3ILkw
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJl1fJoQwU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte4yf7SItR
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTevgZY2eK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtMMkZ6l5S
"O-Okay."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mooVDcMbT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKgNkxV3Kq
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmzg1MA8OL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2V8bNbW6K
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeE0QxieGe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdYcL94Qcl
"Okay okay, fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1g5soBnlT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV1pyxM9O5
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5NYZA48PY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWG4s8gIef
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrJdqtJEoB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzq9Ogfxqp
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jdURhT2j0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdcQ7DklOA
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaWY2Kq0s2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oogSldDBa
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF15q60MwH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT74R5S7vp
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XfyrIPneK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03DsTEMMbB
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIOV60uIR3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8zpCLbIkU
"Huh...? What did you say?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttglwRuANf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3UhP593hP
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7WBUBDD0t
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5z38QsEIu
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1KgHyXF97
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIeOam0lpn
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2CCHIzTTA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxvc89FTUK
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTHMDfheR2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAxB1SQuZM
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXUiAovMqI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCXkgfkejC
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0jeLzlke0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJEpJ7donq
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHp7lhMCX5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH7cS9CtWQ
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLoHFknbrg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Plvx1nUzd
"Note?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PGzJ3OaGm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwMg8KhxMm
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuVU0C7gN8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw84wiwunn
"What does it say?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpTiYBbf6A
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGdcFlZoWB
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrsGSX5D7E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPrNTeXByy
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5LejMhwpN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ0Qrc1m6Q
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcEgLT43M
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlBMQSB9jA
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFCFbdaKLP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0agfvuiqV
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbWK61TaAZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58d5KEz13u
Juke sighed and put the paper away.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOhpq341Fv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEKUoiJyiX
"So, how's about a story?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrbKK0UWyM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrMsAsIsHt
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJE89D4LK4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg3y885QpZ
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ22iDiqUYb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESGAOoCSzH
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgVVm23DkQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVv2ZlpeOe
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk6v0E5AsU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9JzkMBJIw
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxyuKoEnhe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pxVcWoeN7
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWsQBqhpQs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M2SpkJA97
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kfP01R9dX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGaV0RVp6G
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWScBbpTwqE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpcUd4cApI
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotb06SO2Zk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Akk6i7QIm
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LmJVufEb4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XivvDMtfD
"Seriously? You have to be lying."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKC7RPjLAD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpExKYgHHnT
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDjjRUsCnP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEgNA2dFK3
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim590HMzmb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0KSMGn7Jr
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAHbFT17Y2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpup9euEWa
"Like what?" I asked.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5CTLqYLOi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDlQ0qeQqh
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YJxc41G9G
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6fU7PWYv0
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1yCRWh6J
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixhbg55JvP
"...Stardust?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvjZdj0qYG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH97oa3Grsr
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLEkX1QIpB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDC7eOaMm6
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj46oLOlV1d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFkIBHUKa
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17WDAOHKf2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZboGWeOlGL
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX40la5Hri
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjfYLbMcmE
"...The what?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhJwhUCRJY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V1BOY2PeN
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8hiwnSKlb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguWlZ0ScVA
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCLMjXmJrR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeiBUTUlF4
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Bl2mVmhH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuCryv9Viy
"Of course I do!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMALLeWxoEY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfpQBcRJ3J
She pumped her fist.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSPjttEyzG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3XBVHXArO
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9zGz4SfFI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa1qPGEEbj
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2tcIFIkrM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzljFShwRZ
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxt4eJf82g
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2rCTOYgXr
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIP34EoIWX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yYUAUi4Vq
"I already know this."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMH4x3N8cO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tB774453c
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk9GOR3syY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpwHpR5ji1
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnb1Eg0NCc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLe1vH7rUd
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHNxMxPd0h
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjZoJ3xWJn
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B69szuNmT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyysc2D5iy
"Eh? Why?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGHpuLQGaF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9wXUpnjfW
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMEhMh6LOK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cH0V0OnOg
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCgyXk9UFZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFRaC05c9D
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduIv7n88d2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH6ITlMxVv
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmLYNNrDrZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncOGcxdRPv
"That's cuz I met her."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJmcPLDFlh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRZQ6urnW2
"WHAT!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr32kmoolt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsCJC6wgRu
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkhQSElmFy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhIjqReCVD
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQgmRh7IWa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Zvb16EAB
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dAywthg9N
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uc8ttdj8S
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsYMhPffki
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9PP7exWIY
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOmmp4YErK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIv6iM8MLC
"You're kidding."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7d4VbWFPA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ645Vj7NreI
He shook his head no.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRJFMdOkBa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjvY9sRhGl
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6Lmwip35O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkTg1vTHi
"You're making this up," I said.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUGv309K63
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWttFTimEA8
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8J5wRctOY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP5H7XfdfA
Juke shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTJ2q24i8g
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IlKtxRicO
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi7z46wu7O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldWnEWqdJX
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0HFuPuGtI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJQtxbSNXx
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pHSGgrmF1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ1TKnsE3J
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlKr4OGaKv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9KhS5BF37
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafdb5hZi6p
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT1wvwq5iX
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MGdRdKdlD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOZbyiPg0L
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc2ClNZZXe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlG0tB3rH4
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4woC7XcR0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MNr2fmDKQ
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRpvuow5qu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWsJv3EoKN
She pointed a finger at him.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMmd5zls3P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eNBOtlOHP
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbdE2usu9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScidTL7l9x
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbUNTHnRO1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnPgmFnhPa
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhktPi9uS1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ORhe4LFpI
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXWMK2JzrE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPGEME5Fvx
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u1w7ibgZc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHZtDv1bLR
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrxPp7uibu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BgeggtTnN
"--Ngh! You guys...!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQWp0fu9Xo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx247scblCN
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyFcMZdcvy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumj7UjEaP3
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPZSlc96eb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTxxtB5q9o
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSx1cywvnB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco0PuOM84T
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYRoRzlnyB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8QyLvCwMn
"Ya look like you have something to say."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOekkJkcc1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQel9M3DMu
"W-Well..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAPixZnxDB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxef4dF2Iaj
She turned her head away.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWkTCLt5Ji
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9qrOSzG7p
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtyWoeQSat
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBjAMm3pou
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrDNQYujDZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBRTXGBI00
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQnHmBhtQI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM5XdhSJFC
"Mhm, I told you so."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡostGen22ya
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q8r8ey4hh
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiF4PytUgl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRaeI1M3C3
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgbvRi3DPT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecJuXpx9kp
"...So why am I not getting any?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur7u1izV4x
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ZiUB4zNT
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMkPc5gLHL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBBjQeyxkM
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvTViuTgwG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaObGAg65pk
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGbgxy8r4P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrweh09NyL1
"Eh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ghnm4wL4O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkM08yCtTO
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nLxeZ2Ysa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FOYNuzupT
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54MDluE8nL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeqRRdr0oo
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt85RoX59a8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmTsuMeDvM
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwEF6JAPcY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwlSGz52RB
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbTn0ZkFVw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB95Ti1Qf8
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtxB0sCkvT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CmRHffNtr
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznyrSA2oTP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWemoInhLz
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhsByxDeqq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYO5beAaPZr
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7K3347FYy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAxLviBIta
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dhnzObUNC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkET8u5jwr
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV1foMngKE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DR1AvFcYV
"A jungle? What elevation?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbdMsOj41z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbaCyBzMOS
He shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK2V1ODbLk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvXucqyjzr
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR8mS9WiZ5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzXFnVMWmF
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqWvfEBswg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i2ZLAg3mW
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcH8ud3bwd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW3FPto7J9
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFHCj744xX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaspOujnGSl
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT8txszHJq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZbZ9SZzYe
"Why?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCVXTjh3lI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6z6qUg7WG
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqKz6yTyo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASOxhfKBs9
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJBRKZQvh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeE0pafGnH
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXuaRK2chd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3X6Cv652n
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsAEmAQCeK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIHBcmg6XW
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmMg9YqRKj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMsDzy63n5
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBm57wPJ7a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2e5AK9RO6
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74oGrh5j6X
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9YkZfLN48
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplXbcCUBKk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzVYevwqoN
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y5RjzgeQW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiM2DuzzZg
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRfVmtULod
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UDgXTF6Cg
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7bnToTbQg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OqIN0U0I9
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6uKJlmrtD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv85vhE7K9
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KU0wcMzs8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6arvHfDB6
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcCDti7p01
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwElaLCZs6
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73rrbGdzL8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8z4lXNR4w
"TALBOT!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldxgips2tl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkquRJCm3aL
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHULs9Nxj0o
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOX1SuNBeW
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTZFOjyUb4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUbZW2iA1v
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQXnRfi6Dp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FXa2swoS2
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FBOBC6bjy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMtwJmOCH8
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2MSmDi4F4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06jhkXJguZ
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9fyA9rpb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRC0CQx4HX
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFeOnAFc70
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCqK5a4t2n
"Are ya kidding me?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZZxyHC8S1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeTayzI3wO
"That's so lame!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb0KtS8FGt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdCndEALrR
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6MZ206eRz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkpCDo9Rdy
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JqV6cWY9b
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpioY16I39
"What's that supposed to mean?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2CgNc63zw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpuoqoa7bD
"Nothing."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX3sfviP6o
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZje2Dxvz2E
She returned to chowing down on her food.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3oFzPaYye
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKLGgVVAnC
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVSIL8zGJt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dxpXXglAr
"Well..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KpWbnxblT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJg21yA9FH
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLPzyG7w65
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK53XAs8nCU
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblVcRzXejC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthqSs1ESsh
"...No."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zc3aFgms
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLoAZfutV1
"Eh? Why not?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVVR59Hz96
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvuKs9ORCf
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhkWsBLatC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhhx9Go7F2
"Huh!? What'd you say?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5kq9qYxJe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvJPUtDJwW
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtRLlzukQA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEawuCpjXE
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrANyXknLbw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8rg709T8u
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOVKQkn9p9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukMaHz9Ne5
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhImdm0evp5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYijYaoud3q
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHQgCm68Lz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimXhgWOdsh
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGymTVKqgn5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6DA0RdvgF
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72PLlBF67r
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjPgoFtZrw
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSbjHZlcOR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nev5q3Om9
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBNlXezaGH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YhP0T1E4X
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SDDnwQ3GI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsVrcj1p0V
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVZHPpgnW0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKTrnBp08I
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoo54H7rR6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76mpkXe9o2
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O9DhznGfP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHKm85paJF
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qxa2JCu8a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMIaVnsE0y
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz1hPmtco4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6MpVPXpzK
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom8QGFAFwF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZWc84x25j
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0rDHWNafI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOAicSozE1
"Custom design? Well..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8QmTCAAK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGPbQHExqY
She turned her head away.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1PeNixsOw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjh2HheF8t
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHE4N4V2ik
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruJI7alJOH
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYE7RrSYnz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46346M0l47
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tm3s5jj0A
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEF6EVGPCH
"Oh, this?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDZqrhXwX7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3FdYqHpga
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHP82Fkfa2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FdY1rK2Tv
"I stole it!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FENol1eBC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwmkAmIDCv
"No surprise."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL4wNdoduL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBWIF38DE6
"I ain't surprised."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxYMgNNBoB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr0PGiojv7
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKrx2BLKFf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrdncWdTwa
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnNzqfJ4YG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnlDVEQ3MT
"No."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYd3PBpivM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFwvWhxeod
"Not really."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP03YVk5NL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTPl1pWGl
"Ah... you two are lame!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKegCso01a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f901RlGYL
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqXQrtlphM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl2is2EQHH
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVlOzSrWy4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpFxjSArEY
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwuZ8rDrdA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIykgEOh8Fb
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKiKwEGxce
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KchsPKgpf
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA3k1xH5ox
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv6vR1trQf
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE7wX0v6Kc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFp6zd1fiw
"I-I see... I suppose so."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXaMroCb7L
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfwngJj4ok
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYajESXZvb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9apFkCI80f
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJj6iwqMg5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVknBVqI2
"Did you have to word it that way?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88TyZVI2Iw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7IZM2jFUa
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtLKQbxZg9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPKxHBtWnq
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSYKsqAWO2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhvoO4JTCZ
"Ya got it, boss."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk4uh5VWe6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EfxPXfq9i
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqifKDV4HMJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa0EWJS722
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3ecXSmoLj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfym8Gvsq3
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIbCahRTTJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHyuy0k9E8
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDBaCdtuul
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsnYaD6ns6
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuA0uUBVUx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9TJ3eACcG
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxH40AleVO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKXBO41E6o
"...Well, alright. What is it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rIvKIj5Gn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdF06wst5N
"I... I wanted..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOYxu9BZgi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eCIM6gIG5
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnfEucDnRi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjOy0kNReL
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bj0hVeUrW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxAnTUlY9k
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c0DBvwCc7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLehR6SGRa
"Where's this coming from?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPtNILQ2F5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNldICciLc0
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWwPw8cA8J
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n6kEK0lWj
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Uh6Mffdc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzsVJrewKq
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8dc5RPrjH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Il6wbOmz
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeRTwaiL7d
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW9rDuJup2
In that light–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcIiUMroVU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOtTh93PGj
"Alright, apology accepted."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ983ImxdJNu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Lb7haK2D
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ628fFaW282
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mcz3DzNJf
"--only on one condition."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvKCWyWrXu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0CtA7ZzYy
"Eh!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhQmoBDlCX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DqLJDXdLI
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgt6GVZymu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmVJSAMh8R
"That's right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QLrzrIi8m
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOqZB2g5id
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh5MYb4QVC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EHgFUDWYB
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhT1wo3TaY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVvZ4cWqio
"He sounds like a priss."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLQHiPhRfP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WnbqXYRVJ
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHpuYaNysN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPI2jcSSJ4
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrpXMHzA1s
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qsPHzvB94
"Fine, what's your condition?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQTpQtKWtW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GoY1sHMPV
I pointed a finger at her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGaXrau9AZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L1gRcglEn
"We need to get along from now on."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhNEKhUWJE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQb7JidHSF
"...Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgDPme2tOR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VfRV3OV1w
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAiexPPg0i
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAC5KW9NhO
"...Ha, that's it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ejD1KoHy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KAAAlE1FD
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmksqgY69a
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P0PL6Lxcp
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLJ2mAReVU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU20GjI9yZ5
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdttP5Z92p4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrASn9V4jE
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDsW1RUPX4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquns4cfwhE
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k0KMe2ySH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAA7Tdsgkb
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUieVrLewN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpmOxlzFzi
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkgHE9V2E6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpmDq4NROr
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJqTw8jXhh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR09I6kfgcU
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeLtCjLQvj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkMNebDk3Z
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFPCFLmD9G
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafX3vF5eit
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS2sbULh2m
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRH4iAvUCz
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3UHSObDRG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZim8ld0EJ
"What a weirdo, seriously."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGTbLqvv2v
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡducXyccDWm
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHUHVGhlRq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCtmu9UAa7
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe7uQzMG0x
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlxbdVKkPY
"You guys! You gotta see this!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFRhnBJMj4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG4Rt9SfNB
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktUgbPY28I
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWPgeFy9oZ
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.
