The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRrfVxTCJE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1flOUPIerX
"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0L7Q8roKN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw5RGeX88q
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfsoob90sn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tSYM8G8xP
"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpJFDDBcMV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPgwnPA0YK
"Oh, that's a good point."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaA7wHp9xp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5OGtrhaiO
Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV2R49BR7P
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGv2vs7WGz
**SWOOSH**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8YCjF1o3d
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnzYKuUFTY
"W-Woah!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa9Q28co6M
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oDY1dlVma
And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLo66mha0a
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JketAPlJa
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqvfZXc64j
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXacULC0yz
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIghYKSd3Ct
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc3pzLC7HO
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNVNepeDUe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB54NqyKPJ
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAx23v2hAJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJimmC1yk9H
"Oh, Juke."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCadrMDguJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLBynpCgSx
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda07v5jqlo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwceydA7YB9
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBiVvNuV8j
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6UmnJqL9
Juke tilted his head.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7iR98hEYE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbPaVmAoxv
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuuvkqLJBG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp3BoNPPhh
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp5wZjEJkH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxtfN2wxCx
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZilLHZaVdO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhciEdgcNTZ
"That's a good idea."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g8qc5rP47
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIECHuVknUj
I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb2ql9aQA7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrU2Tta1Pd
"What's the matter, Kenny?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SpbjVaEQE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXnONddAv1
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNqAoGIt3F
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Q1SOvA1Y
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmbvvHaWTX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeg23zVnDj
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2E7zXyGSE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOjUKohLsO
**SWOOSH**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR9JtlQQb3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhTU8swg9i
Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BoUVCwCYw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYgjOMxOgA
"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnKb1heYsH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODxOCherya
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1FQKGrNG9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fNIVcpgwz
"That's a bird!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfvY8nngmM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGReREyfB0t
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNm5xnAkIT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP0hYrjPc9
"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlXsX2Qb1D
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcOfVIawV2
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz8YAn4CKg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyw1Qx8R6X
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ3P926Okk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RdgTs7APb
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddU8YqkqUL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFSi7mrYTr
"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFkL6vHEZB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvYjTKzCGx
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiumZF38iB4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uolPuPAn5
He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ScDrkGCCi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmRptNOJyk
"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyochMDvJ8A
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhyW3B9OqJ
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm2p80jGyV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3cu4NXNcz
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ03XBSyvi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndYdLMkUIu
"Hahaha!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2JYRUc706
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkdoCdBbYw
"Why aren't you answering me?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bsfDypmvQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnAvCVtaL3
He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG9W6SJK5e
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0YqP6Y4ly
"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdPF1DioD9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TdL1SzzVP
"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHUQBzPw8e
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4U4U4ku7i
"Huh? Why?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OleY5Nk3I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSYNMxeWkN
"Purely for the sake of the mission."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIbx2M6liZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJSivd2zSi
"Oh, alright!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAImT0vsqi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocKia45pkX
Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gj1ewfp7x
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqI9G56tRt
She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd5aukWzbn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvnMo3N0kQ
"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1YFDMzDzE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUr6zLOAcu
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVT9dhyGh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjm6XwtHNV
"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXH0SzTeHq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KSWstYi9y
"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqYwmJIfqW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TOpJwtlEK
"Hold on–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbQNmS1Lb1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyCXRR2xTo
Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ018oKyiJiP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtrsHd7BI6
"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2czlgDyV9
"See what I mean?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqNscoWUE9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB7m8jvJ0O
"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2pBKXXZ4p
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlwCxqeOwS
"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIs3TpLdoy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2cD65rbId
I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHAiFXpJQs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eNWRL9mUv
"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz6QsoPuQg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz4WPnYAF8
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxePq7jkwQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJOi1zwR1S
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPvvqe4WxL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEeDDTxGWA
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhoB741R4s
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ74W9BHEm
"...Maybe."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq2zASxCPe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXEPYh3Z15
"Why only maybe!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxpJAXA9tt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c3tieNR37
"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquXGda6WQG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxQlVUsLcT
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PMhV4Uq3M
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa8HQVWTi2
"Ahhh... this is the life."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9RfpVjHvx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVya7eVKToD
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSBNrqD0Uu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gjAUGuRqf
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nVcMKTtJZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZygcfqvbHB
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbPuBzRITF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQGokIt8kp
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3utiUzbjSZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVtbjUrmgw
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77QKxpdcLL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcILuLAXwV
"Sure, sure, now scram."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTNHq8OR3U
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIg0G8FZVi
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l1K91Asdm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdkjL74FMG
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMz2b82TDd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsz6RHe2HV
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO9tXTa2x1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxq3Nu7SyB
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxs5sJRFli
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeb5ZXZKpU
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2yDdG25sf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYH7OPI1L9
"A nap... hmm..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomkTa3k3Tu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqZakLE4sT
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcUufzLhYy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutk8lzZx6W
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZsqJEpKG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03YeaalgXo
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyulpWnGu2i
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX872z4eKci
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymf7pX6E9e
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1FzSoDZrB
"Ack... this sucks."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWXxh7k7hw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgSTJGLgJc
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB70F6u9uH8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC3bqHUCPQ
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OQut3Qma2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hPXTrRJ2F
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq4Wa1fnVy
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnkfZ8zqqC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewFdC44OPW
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aQMbzdGe1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoh4Q3mTp2
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hP9uThmHB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAbVPD53St
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU1Bi5TIOY
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuILuDnNan9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCsNZpNc9I
"---Alright, that takes care of that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NLIz9raGG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNk3lbN1Rl
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMW7e5GJ8y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPhy6CXPtX
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kQH40Finf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXTqY4rSXa
"...Right?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzVPGNeeWW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiQbgAEecj
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcwsF2JB5G
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduhPuMkOYB
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuihvzqi4S
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg62VjENiAb
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8No0oZN4D
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcoRYHIVgQ
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv6B8ACv1q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDvUdMEqkT
Wait, where the hell is she going?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3OTGL0Wp7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwRFPbSMO8
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH9z0h5ER8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxib0LfLov0
"Rover."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wWnokT2Qx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBWdz2yDer
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOobmXJOZM8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrBFulE6R7
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9wZLtY74f
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nIBeyEIur
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VV2kBDAhf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79R9NUQc4f
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrBF8iMeqj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2fBGZ2wRa
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF7fPg1yeK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORAJB8qaWS
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATFSBjasOA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyON64c7aM
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaYSpI3m5l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmtjdbNG98
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxIjn5rK01
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Vzu2pnTP
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VXvrJypl3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECpjrf0v2b
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybqV7pi35q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1YVLLs0aU
"Oh, that... uh..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1sVNPxcM6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5NzywWpnp
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjIs1DKwjn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitbOCqxdgM
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCRQlf8RBJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y1TMoZQi8
"...Pff."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqycgj3aoeO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ7KGUprUG
"It's not funny!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaMx3CnF3l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj8NgVTwkZ
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABh6YHEd2q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mBzBBJlnY
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhkzjzbkVE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3yrHEIe81
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER11IcqK95
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGxDFzxovp
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZDzavrcA4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ho75MizyT
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoYATRLm2S
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IO0Smwglp
"...I see."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HkMn0bHbj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡize59xtDBA
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYXLelFY3y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2SYpwW7Ko
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZN3RddHXK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPhuLnZgcM
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb4r2JFFES
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbkhtuF07f
"What are you doing?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnZXzLOw72
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b19FlhU4Q
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6jGsK7lSr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzhuea86YS
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5E0lLiyE8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz023wiD33
"W-Whaa!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ubnf3u3TN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh88DEXWCny
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz2Yozldum
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ah2CFcaCr
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqcfOCCyTO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k0caeoHEa
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwtFuMq2t6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIH03zTkZ4
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsofvIAWBwF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLugsnusJS
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcuz5cSLuD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4KGVIKzuQ
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqyQx6APRS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb1HNDypSl
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxLQgOexK2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ghUv08b4w
"I don't like you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5QrNqvB6Y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfByZVHm34F
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC63yQWI3rZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJNkCKb3ev
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9WzFbLJe5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4kadkrMzp
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uWpyXvexL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCgxSNgkdn
"I... guess you're right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsVhA6laxq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMVqwuq1Eu
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
