I was blessed to be in a city like this where every resident had all their attention on the task at hand. Where every resident couldn't be bothered, or couldn't afford to spend time ogling at oddities occurring in their environs. Truly, I was blessed to be in a place like this.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7P7CraRhl
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGF61iM39H
"How's the weather up there?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ9INdaz3f
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUm9YSCtFH
"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Qyi4azBr
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpUchTlA7S
I had my face buried in my hands. Like a child playing hide and seek, hoping that people wouldn't notice as long as I didn't notice them. Rover wasn't assuaging my shame whatsoever; with the way she boisterously walked, putting one foot in front of the other, it was clear that she wanted attention heading my way. I could hardly take it.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvyQ246DFk
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2d5RYlVS
I knew Rover was bigger and older than me, but I didn't feel it until now, until the moment when I was carried around like a wounded child. That was because I was one.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1SSZmj9PC
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3wnqPcIMc
"Sorry, sorry."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJWMsI6kRq
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ghCdnkKEW
"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAOCZTDkcX
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI3VlSAYRw
"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oY1HV2j6u
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYRqNzjkcg
"Really? I doubt... that..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotwyv7d5dl
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJTFaMJSGC
I opened my eyes and put my hands to the side. Surprisingly... Rover wasn't walking in the main street. Rover wasn't taking inordinately wide steps. Rover wasn't talking to every passing face, yelling "Lookie here" and "Isn't this guy a loser?" She was by the sidelines, even hunched down a little to make me stand out less.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueN1Ez6pAe
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cW0E9Xx2C
"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7qlzxiLpD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgGLVcmyic
"Huh? What are you talking about?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dckrCphtd
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ol11SO5DA
"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMRFY6Y9XD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYFYMTRYnx
"You're not making any sense."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZQbW4ERn6
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebXVLEH6L4
The tension in my body evaporated. I slackened my arms and rested my chin on the top of Rover's head. She began humming a little tune, and to my surprise, I found it very endearing.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Dogu5MdT
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWoLWAEyQ6
"What's that song you're humming there?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R48vjyHjo
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO1MIoW2sJ
"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnI8DYyfTL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaYa6gI8Eh
"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpce4CzrxLr
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIH86ynf16
She lightly shrugged.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e8UrCe72T
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMVSKIObJw
"All I know is that the song was really good. It went something like: 'Did you ever see a whale, with a polka-dot tail...'"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECVg1R5LtK
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHqexBET54
"That sounds like a load of nonsense."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1IPHgmA7W
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTWdXhZ5Vp
She lightly shrugged again.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEkDlCLe4h
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcbjU4M9X6
"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwPpFkhRNp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNQKPRiC2Y
I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi8PC2ZB57
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq28Qnq52Um
"And what makes you say that?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDdR3toKTR
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMWv6SEj9J
"...Well, across the sea are the Flatlands, right? I always wondered, what was the trip to King's Peak like. Did the founders have to overcome other hurdles? Were there monsters in the sea, too? Or was it like the lake, where it was just really pretty and calm?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyysiTgxJL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8LV9Ve619
"..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f5KnVH1Qp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x2iSxneC1
I looked up at the sky, giving her words some thought. Naturally, I've never seen the sea myself, but if it was anything like the lake, then it would be a nice place to see, wouldn't it?203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW7bfpye7n
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe93vV5wofY
"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15aSpcylpo
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIVevIYCa0
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQE5kgGMhw
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGscwJSG8se
"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELqhP6IwG4
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmNdu3rNTy
"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEZsaqs6Xi
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhkdQh8zBN
"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK41AnAS2o
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59Pr2gQyxK
"It's not an obsession!" She immediately yelled, ramming her head into my chin. I flailed my arms not to fall off, then rubbed my face.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmEZElyt3B
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lhiu2zZTA
"That was excessive, apologize."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmVvy8tQtR
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRVBnnfHtR
"F-Fine, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, it isn't an obsession. I'm just really interested, don't you get it?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88y6NeiLWZ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gdHNpdBuJ
"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsLHkuAV5W
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkV047YXxv
"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwekusG07JC
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnx0QxREAO
"It seems pretty stupid to me."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2i6Cf2lfH
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo37wP7ZZAR
She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW3TFDmmQb
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RK6H2Sy98
"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbOVnU2vDh
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiyWm8O7pT
"You don't wanna go there. I have a track record of proving doubters wrong, and I don't think your personality can handle the sheer awe they will inflict on you."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXkAu19M40
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPU7k6EQiz
"Whatever."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VowgAD56u
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmojNqcxV4
We moved in silence for a little bit.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUuiCyzdEY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqaue8idbV
"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM85KnsHKoL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy74w35YdR
"Kenny, I have some bad news."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CCctVaL8i
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5MfLI5uEr
She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7C0tAE60Q
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiyVSGWeak
"You don't know where to go, do you?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTLfAUUbTy
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IE1sENy1Z
She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsK9qnspSj
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0VbR3D6Yu
"I don't either."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXqgoBZ5DY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYxwz3obko
"What!?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWeHhOmTfD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWkL18zU5i
She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGyVhn59iS
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhorAtTi8W
"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Y8fPC5f6
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4eDN1kIjv
"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORWH0nl2Zk
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXBJRFmd1L
"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKFIxW13rM
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xawGF74An
"Hmph."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WE1gF7nLO
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHwNisZdVg
I sighed at her silly behavior and crossed my arms, tapping my finger on them in rumination. In that moment, we weren't lost, because tracing our steps would lead us to our abode easily. However, I didn't want this trip to be for nothing, and I imagined that Rover agreed. Thus–
"Alright, put me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Just do it. I'm going to ask for directions."
She tilted her head at first but then released an "ahhh" shortly after. I made a stone cane as she lowered me. Though my right leg could hardly handle any pressure, I was able to walk by myself just fine. We ventured slightly deeper into the rowdy streets.
"Uhm, excuse me, sir–"
The person walked right past me. Rude, but understandable.
"I'm sorry sir, but can you–"
The second person ignored me as well. Considering how heavy the box he carried looked, I didn't become upset about it.
"I'm sorry miss, but do you happen to–"
The lady spared me a glance but did nothing more than that.
"...I see the issue now."
The very same hustle and bustle of the street I was thanking a few minutes ago was now an obstacle we suddenly had to overcome.
"This is taking too long," Rover muttered, arms crossed with a sharp look.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait for the right one."
"Are you serious? I'm not gonna wait around for that! It'll be nighttime before we know it!"
I simply shrugged.
"It's annoying, but we could also just walk back and wait for– what the hell are you doing!?"
River stormed away from me, now deep into the traffic of people and animals. She turned her gaze this way and that way before locking it on something. Whatever that something was, it was close to me, so I looked around me only to find nothing. Then, Rover stomped back, moving more to my left, and picking up a person who was just about to cross me.
"W-Whaa!?" The person yelled, dropping his wooden box on the ground as Rover carried him over to me. She had a triumphant smile, but I was too deep in shock to reprimand her, let alone say anything.
"You need to think smarter, not harder, Kenny."
That asinine and audacious statement brought me out of my trance and into a fit.
"I'm the one who needs to think smarter!? Do you see what you're doing right now!? Let that man down already!"
She looked taken aback at my sudden tone, but complied, setting the man on the ground. He looked shell-shocked and anxious. I thanked the crowd yet again for somehow not caring for what easily could've been a kidnapping.
"I'm so sorry, sir. My friend didn't mean to scare you or anything, but–"
"My cargo! You brats made me lose my cargo!"
Somehow, the man was more worried about his cargo than the fact that he was snatched up. Somehow, it relieved me.
"I'll get it back, geez! Don't be so uppity..."
Indeed, Rover stayed true to her word, returning to the mass of people and coming out with the fallen wooden box. She handed it over to the man, who accepted it after standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. When he took the box, he had to bend his knees down, muttering how heavy it was underneath his breath.
"What do you brats want with me, anyway? Is it something about vases? Well I'm off-duty right now, go make an appointment at the–"
"No no no, sir, we weren't here for that. Honestly, we just wanted directions for the stable."
"The stable... hold on a sec."
He narrowed his eyes and scanned my whole body, doing the same with Rover. That was when I noticed how well-groomed his hair was.
"You two are foreigners. Here to deliver something, I presume?"
"That's part of our–"
"Blah blah blah! Nope, nope, nuh uh whatsoever!"
Rover looked at me with a deeply perplexed look as to why I just yelled over her. I gestured to her to lean in so I could whisper.
"This thing is supposed to be inconspicuous, remember!"
"O-Oh!"
She put her hands over her mouth and took a step back, nodding. I wiped my brow at the arrow we had just dodged.
"Our business here isn't important, sir. I know it's unfair to ask, but can you point us in the direction of the stables?"
"Meh... sorry, kids, but as you can see, I'm busy. Chow."
"W-Wait!"
He turned around and began walking away. My yell caught his attention, but I didn't know how to follow it up at all.
"That box you're carrying looks heavy," Rover suddenly interjected, "If we help you carry it, then will you tell us?"
I let out a sigh, silently thanking Rover for the sudden save she just pulled. The man looked at nothing in particular, clearly mulling over the offer.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPW7b8xgZl
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL4LOjxfvm
"Sure," he blankly stated before walking to Rover and handing her the box. As expected, she held it with ease, and even the man was surprised about it.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu0uEKKVPH
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIPma59uNd
"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESieshComS
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CPdCYh5nY
"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkCMcS1Dh4
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfG02I0ciM
"Huh?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A9Mefot9V
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lhzfyWmjx
She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCZPqvZJyD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ro2iCxX2V
"B-But he's right there."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJx0MWp47P
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGkeFMvb8U
"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhGWXTyMHu
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YKkk3nmPj
"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qDzRtKCQ6
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf85fECFHQ
She turned her head to me with a smile.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWXoPhog2
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyyQbyscbb
"See? It's fine."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtsZuVkpTL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT0FpT6VW9
"...It doesn't feel fine at all."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrE3wOLE5f
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dc08rhfMw
Despite my mutterings, I got on her back. She stood up and followed the man effortlessly.
–
–
–
"Just wait here, let me talk with my colleague..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPQhQbfAs8
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpHHCjZoiC
The man entered a room, shutting the door behind him. The room had no way of peering into it, so Rover and I were stuck outside. I could tell Rover was getting impatient.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r2AHWfZzK
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzFzclzoH3
"Can't we just–"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29drw5U7X9
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi6FVAzlrm
"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs8Jq2PrIp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9qR7WrAvA
"Fine."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFOptAQxrD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBjBZhYjSV
A minute later, the man exited the room, wiping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He pointed in a direction with his thumb.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcISqPrHKAF
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW4nalA0sC
"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ6CN5dGt8
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZovHZYzRkG
"Uh-huh."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37dehE1tpY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0ZfbB41lL
Rover didn't sound very happy complying with him. I understood why completely, but considering how she scooped the man up unannounced, it made sense why he'd withhold information from us.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUUJrMvBmR
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkWKxPagtF
But still, even I couldn't help but twitch my eyes at it. After all, we were carrying this hefty wooden box to a carriage not too far from our own.
"Do you need me to get off?"
"Heh, who do you think I am?"
She tossed the box into the air slightly, grabbing it with her arms underneath it, and pushing it against her chest. Carrying it like so, she boarded the carriage and placed it in the designated area, wiping the dust off her hands after a thunderous thump. When we exited the carriage, the man was talking to a woman. The woman waved at us and boarded the carriage after.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, "it's none of your business, redhead."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
"I meant the one with the darker hair."
I pointed a finger at myself, and the man slowly nodded with a smirk.
"I wasn't trying to snoop in your business anyway. Now that our business is finished, I thank you for leading us here, but I also suggest you start speaking to others with kinder words."
Rover nodded along to my words while the man gazed at me blankly. After an uncomfortable amount of time exchanging eye contact with him, he broke the silence between us.
"Say, where are you brats from?"
I put a finger to my chin, wondering if this was information I was permitted to disclose. I cast my gaze down at Rover, pointless as it was since her slight trembling told me her thoughts.
I figured that ultimately, it would be–
"...Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Hmm? Consider it a census thing. Since I assume you're here to deliver something, the origin of our customers is valuable information."
"The way you phrase it makes you sound like you run this whole thing."
He huffed. His smirk turned into a warm, humble smile.
"I'm a part of this contraption, but I'm no one so important. So, tell me."
I narrowed my eyes. This man was frankly unreadable, but at the very least, he didn't seem like someone from the Eastern Country. Even if he was, a city that was based purely on communication wouldn't have any biases, right?
"We are from Zariel Capitol."
"Eh!?"
Rover expressed her surprise, looking at me with wide eyes. I simply winked at her, hoping she'd understand it was intentional.
"Zarielites, huh... ah, that's good."
He chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, his stern demeanor did a 180. The man in front of me was amiable and blithe, nothing like the sly businessman from before.
"It's good? Why?"
"Well, if you're here from the capitol, then you're probably on important business, aren't you?"
I felt a sudden weight form in my stomach. Rover's grip tightened around my legs.
"I dunno what, nor do I care. I'm just glad, cuz it means you might be able to send a damn message."
"What do you mean?"
"Oop."
His eyes went wide, his chuckles became lined with hesitation.
"I can't tell you the details, but security is sharp. They aren't letting many people send letters through the Pillars. But I'm sure they'll make an exception for you brats."
"...I, see."
I didn't know how to take this information. I couldn't deny that it was useful, yet, when it came to this man, I struggled to express any gratitude.
"The name's Dave. I might run into you brats again, so I'll see you later."
He turned around and walked away, his legs moving in a strange, irregular pattern as he waved the back of his hand to us. I watched him disappear into the street with Rover. We stood like statues for an amount of time I couldn't even tell.
"...That guy's a priss."
"Ah, so that's what that word means."
"No... I just felt like calling him that."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind. Let's get your stupid leg un-cramped already."
She suddenly turned around and stomped to our carriage. Dennis was nowhere in sight, to our dismay. I theorized that he was likely heading back to our abode. Anyhow, the carriage remained locked, but Rover and I entered through a secret trap door underneath it.
Or, rather, Rover dropped me to the ground, and having nothing else to do, I crawled under the carriage and into it. I entered the back shortly after.
"Alright, here we are..."
Sifting through our supplies was tedious with my body glued to the floor, so I used the carriage's walls as support. I located my bag instantly, rummaging through the pockets until my hands touched a familiar cold glass surface. I pulled the bottle out. The liquid inside was a dull purple, perfect for loosening and correcting muscles.
"The Tea Mage said I was overprepared, but look who's laughing now."
I took a quick sip, and immediately, the pain in my calf dissipated. A moment of flexing and stretching my leg later, and it was as good as new. I got on my feet and exited the back with a pep in my step, making sure to put the potion back in the bag beforehand.
"Alright, now I'm– wah!?"
"Hey."
To my surprise, Rover– or rather, Rover's upper body –was in the carriage as well. She was holding up the trapdoor with one hand. A moment of silence passed by awkwardly, and instead of breaking it with conversation, Rover helped herself inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, just checking on you...?"
"You are a terrible liar. Come on, tell me the reason."
She released a defeated sigh, putting her hands on her hips as she tapped the floor with her foot.
"I wanted to find that letter thing Juke was talking about. The one with the royal's name on it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You heard what that guy said earlier, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, but–"
"Then I don't need to explain myself! Move aside!"
She stormed past me and into the back of the carriage. I followed her in a panic.
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning to go alone, are you?"
"Eh...? Are you dumb?"
I let out a sigh of relief. At least Rover–
"You're with me, so I'm not going alone."
Nevermind.
"W-Why now, though? Why don't we wait for Juke to join us?"
"Why should he? The guy's fast asleep, and it's not like we're fighting anyone, right?"
"Y-You..."
I couldn't deny that, as Rover sifted through the miscellaneous supplies in our carriage, she was making a decent point. Still, my gut was going haywire.
"I don't understand why it has to be now, though. Can't we just wait until our full party is here? I mean, really–"
"Hey, Kenny, you did hear what that guy said earlier, right?"
Her tone suddenly deepened. She sat down and turned her head to me. Her face was void of frivolity.
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Stinking liar."
"Now is not the time!"
She pursed her lips, but the 'whatever' muttered under her breath told me she understood.
"Anyway, the guy said that security's up, yeah?"
"Right. So what is... oh."
I pinched my chin as I slowly came to a realization.
"That can't be for no reason, especially if these bigshot towers are the ones being guarded. Something fishy is going on here, don't you think?"
"...I'm surprised you can infer from words this well."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid!?"
"No, what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying now."
If the city of communication required its stalwart pillars to be guarded, therefore inhibiting the process that is this city's reason for existing, then obviously, something was amiss.
"Point is, I think we should get it delivered as soon as possible, then high tail out of here."
I would've nodded along to her suggestion, but the sudden thought of something unprecedented and dangerous coming along left me... peaky.
"Shouldn't we just leave as soon as possible, then?"
Her face morphed into one of abject confusion. I had seen this exact expression not too long ago.
"Are you stupid?"
"Whaa?"
"I said, are you stupid? We have a mission, we should see it done, right?"
"R-Right, but this unaccounted factor–"
"Who gives a shit about that! We'll just deliver it and leave before it becomes a problem!"
She slammed her fist into her palm. Her look was stern, and her eyes were ablaze. It was a visage of determination. It was familiar, somehow, but more than that, it was assuring.
"W-Wow."
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, robbing her of the definite satisfaction she'd get from being validated, "Y-You're right, though, let's just get this over with."
"That's the spirit," she yelled, pumping her fist in the air, "Now come help me find this letter!"
–
–
–
We were back on the street, far closer to the middle now that I was back on my own two legs. Nothing worth mentioning was going on that I haven't mentioned before. However, we carried our gaits with a more definite purpose. After all, it was our reason for coming here.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3G6Bsb2Rj
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pwgu5vKES
I held the note in my pocket while Rover carried the package in a bag attached to her belt. It was a surprise to find that the package was in the carriage, unsupervised, prime for stealing, but it was more surprising that it could fit in Rover's shoddy bag. The shoddyness of her bag didn't seem to bother her, however. She had a happy look on her face and a cheerful air around her.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu1pLYfylL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyNNryVC3S
And then, it looked like she was suddenly struck by something. Her smile turned into a grimace, and her brows furrowed.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVyQaDLdlO
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcQvoL2NJc
"Is something wrong?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPagTUw9z59
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi6oTOAxlI
"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN6TTc25ul
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVkmrpFjzA
"..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF1n0774wa
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWEkxpBUAy
"Alright, fine, I'll talk."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcZeCJwjRX
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QSOiAoZ14
She kept looking straight ahead, hesitating to speak, but I waited patiently. I waited and waited, and it didn't look like a response was on the horizon. Until–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4bPXAQ6Ni
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZadwF22Tt
"This is going to be a dumb question."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfDAgxOppP
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2UYJ4LsDP
She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID5hwGsc1L
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NwbXPbxPZ
"So don't make fun of me, alright?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU8spT2ivL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11aMeV6v1B
"...I can't make any promises."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5BJaJ77PN
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA3tQFHQ1Q
"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB8PiHqbLq
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsvzTwNqIJ
"...I won't make fun of you."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkUIa3MBnM
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKcJdoIb5G
"Okay."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi5m9BY4gv
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpESvJZe4P
Again, there was a long pause between her next words.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99nRTNTzrn
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpucrwtvW4
"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNGKTixSkv
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq9ht8HgZw
"Oh, same here."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJa5qL4IZP
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEDiV3wR9m
"R-Really!?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh29A2tJdVp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1sgaAV1j7
She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPyx5RfsCY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj86CjTiRm
"Actually, Juke butted into one of my missions a few weeks ago, so technically, no. But officially, this is my first time working with someone."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Lj3YYgXD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHVSQwN7Kx
"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe7pe6kqaf
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiSfRJRQyJ
More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVpF6RyJgM
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN0w0C2J8w
"Don't you have something to say?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXiTFBFyI6
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA6v8OoPoe
"That's a weird question. Not really."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrnOhmq8ny
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wz7Vh1ig6
"Oh... alright, that's good."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR015a0Zax
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwVIsO0FdZ
We kept walking. I noticed that her feet touched the ground with less stride. She clearly had something more to say, but I didn't know if wringing it out of her was a good idea.
"I'm gonna be honest," Rover started, "I don't talk to people very often."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs26KZqTHxt
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8umOZDHJjv
"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV06OSrsyno
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGawNGlM6
"...It didn't make me feel better at all."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs8p0m8GYT
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVzah9Qahu
"S-Sorry."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFLppbnIpg
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjBBJtOQta
After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHjgmR8SVE
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71mQFzUsDh
"It's fine. But, well, uh.. when you said you didn't like me... I don't know. Usually, I take flack from others pretty well, but for some reason, that didn't wash away as fast."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD21lh8eLau
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Y7iQStCx
She pinched her chin and directed her gaze to the sky. She didn't look nervous now, but deep in rumination. I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid any risky blurtings.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7nU5Rshu5
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1uFVqec3Y
"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPbdynuWEZ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuOpEeYHFB
"...Kinda smart, huh?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX81E1mI2ug
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzZIEYXkTK
I followed her gaze and looked to the sky. My previous decision was overwritten, but for whatever reason, I didn't feel any pressure to say something meticulously.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNC3rpXq2D
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMOXEy1vnF
"I'm not the right person to ask. Honestly, I haven't talked to many people until just a few months ago."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggx2O141zp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv4v5Wet7E
"How was it for you, then?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Azi2lqiuw
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfReTpQrOI
"Uh... I guess, it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just a natural at it. But, you know, people often tell me that I say stupid or insensitive things."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMeMXcIRdp
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLJF5fkH54
"Damn right, you do."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlOju9gTG7
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1PZ9LeoAt
"Case in point. I'm not the right person to ask."
"Maybe not, but I wanna hear your opinion."
"Oh-"
Her wording made something click in my mind. I snapped my fingers in realization.
"You care what I think!"
"I care... what you think?"
She repeated my phrase incredulously, continuing and not letting me elaborate.
"That's dumb. I care about what everyone thinks. But I don't care about it for long, so that can't be it."
"That's a very simple idea. I also think it's inaccurate."
"Why?"
"Because... hmm..."
I thought carefully about what was going to come out of my mouth. Not out of fear, but out of a desire to say it and make myself clear only once.
"I guess when it's somebody who isn't a stranger, their words mean a lot more. That's how I always thought of it, at least."
"...Huh."
She was on the precipice of drawing some kind of conclusion. What exactly, I did not know.
"Say, if Juke were to say he didn't like you, what would you think?"
"...I wouldn't take him seriously. He says all sorts of lame and stupid things."
"Are you sure? What makes me different?"
"Well, you also say lame and stupid things, but when you say things... there's always a nugget of truth to them."
"I see."
In some deep recess of my mind, I was hoping she would chide me. It came out as a neutral statement, though, and I didn't know how to feel about it.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnssoY413Kq
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEPDSeHu33
"But if Juke came up to me," she suddenly said, "and drew out a sword, and started calling me a bitch or something, then I'd probably be sad."
"That's an extreme example."
She shrugged with a slight smile on her face.
"If you did the same, I'd probably just beat you up, then I'd be sad."
"I'm getting mixed signals. What are we even talking about again?"
She suddenly came to a halt. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were contracted.
"...Is this what my mom was talking about?"
"I am so irrevocably lost."
She paid no attention to me, continuing to stare into whatever void it was that caught her eye. Then, her gaze swiftly shifted to me, and I winced in surprise.
"Hey, Kenny," she said, shifting the direction of her index finger from me to her rapidly, "are we friends?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Just answer! Honest thoughts only!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedl9rLXhbA
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaAzvETNnI
The heightening of her tone galvanized me into speaking, but I didn't have a proper thought to articulate.
"Well... I have my share of grievances, but we've known each other for some time, and we've shared a lot of good moments... So I think we are friends, yes."
Speaking it out, even I was surprised by such a declaration. However, Rover didn't look happy or distressed, just confused.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneboxxz9v3
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKPQ45gbtr
"Oh my goodness," she began to whisper, "when I was telling stories at the fire, or even when I was giving you a piggyback..."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
Her eyes contracted, and her expression froze. I was ready to shake her and ask her what was up with her, but she violently shook her head before I could.
"Sorry, I just realized something."
"Mind informing me what!?"
She straightened her posture and looked down at me with her chin haughtily raised.
"No. Let's keep going."
She began to walk away, not even sparing a glance to check if I started as well. I rolled my eyes and followed her, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
The pep in her step returned, but the look on her face carried a hint of distress, just enough to where I was unsure if I was simply seeing things.
I decided not to pry into it as we kept traversing the busy streets.
ns216.73.216.144da2
