A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGDWHhlXgb
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoWfhVDHf4
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"At least... I'm on my back now."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzZFsqMJS6
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCxodTXkZW
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUodATooa0
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9zUYbupzR
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH6Op8CQQK
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynTnBHYZrk
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlJ8exLgIw
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6AGquTml1
"..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR3TN4oIFA
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZdRP8EISU
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJGlWnQPS0
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I was immediately startled.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2wC5yD3YS
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQDBnu9e2C
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEysD1Mrhb
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOfNV26yaq
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrCpi4jW7I
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HKGnExYvT
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81hTjBBB7n
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNJDM2VMRf
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQk0N3dIPG
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQYBh5pLvc
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKpCSn8dxP
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1IoGk6VkZ
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW94Eh7FD7w
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV6Qm2dWqx
"Do you feel any better?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uimIVrPiZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqiJx0576r
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNjpZNYlzx
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN53h46d4S
"That's good, that's good..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3xcJbDkDC
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGCXHUr0uC
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVX7ljFouf
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNPkDyOEGG
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlSJQwActz
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpyOXf9W5Z
"..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeV4POYPvX
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzh7JXMsgg
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB934iaZ8rj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmvtODdbSz
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpzY8UarGE
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ZXChh6a1
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP3rjstNR2
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLaDA8RVnQ
"H-How'd you know?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThdbgsQVVn
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU82rcppIpt
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOQ5ZZJZhq
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId5KUiZ9ZD
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMQ31ajfDR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYZhrIsL9l
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeESi5Ycd7c
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYubF1GMWS
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPebDWl5tMF
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrdvL0Qswq
Pars nodded.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoMX5rTGVW
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuqXtfuKRl
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx37g3NFpUR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AEePZf3bz
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMSWmWinBw
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaHrSeyL1Y
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ylMchM4Ju
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOY4iZvCOn
"Mutual what?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFxeVu70Po
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoarXDw5gv
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSQthI99uE
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WI5XxEJBL
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAgHiJeroD
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JwvhfnLRo
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL0WjzEfTL
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rx2JQcwM9
"Really now..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOxGmWAxNR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceq0ZkSdk6
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KsTNoNmpE
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePRittrn4
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ahJMcyRW
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ827Y20XCDY
"..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLajTYj0m8
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I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCIeyJG9Wt
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"Wow... it must've been bad."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0UbDVYPFS
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeMVNRpT98
"You're almost as flippant as I am."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvVTzkpF9
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0xBlQPZ1l
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrCbUiFVxb
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGqCuXFE96
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GVJ9lEOHj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSZVk155ap
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtFakQ5OdH
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXB7V9cqns
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFM0QmZasm
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDS4jsBlio
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiwja2RMN0
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAxFk1dOaz
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrSB94ZLBE
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6BjqU0Qr2
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4APyBI6GNE
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEubXN4Uv7c
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANg8vuHXjQ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRps5xV2915
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksYPlJTS29
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4WMYyUsiz
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wnu7eJBNc
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFcXfP4icc
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX0MOxS5Dl
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPpX30i9H0
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2VgkwrohR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mf0Gcw8nq
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jpkdRO2RX
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvolNOlqEZo
"I know."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudvssb1KV9
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6SpDjp6oL
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHNHUCLT0w
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvITqdQzKT
"Tell you what; I can't help you."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NTKgtUsYR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCxvUzDDFw
"...Are you serious?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxaQaPFWZm
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0ogXGAmET
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdag6quonp
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgS055v0eD
"What? What can?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ALKd63fD
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizqgD6iVTp
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12XXW66OLO
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttDg0dIDdU
"..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKeyHmYXrT
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqfjQD3CYU
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOFkkWKoDZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQlWUYgqEa
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDS5v340O4
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL8LEBNPtj
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtHyMTogFM
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK304R2GxUU
"Give it a try."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaco8LXVnZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMMGUs6cP9
He stood up and patted my shoulder.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLziE9viTL
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Lv7vXK2L
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUAdTKBWX5
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImn5DGGmVF
"H-Huh? Right now?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwOIbx2eSq
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy72EqPg15
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyVwCbl60l
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15zD6lVDqu
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNLqrongD9
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–
–
–249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNpRNfcgjl
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"Are ya all packed up?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5OWXOupxZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEbb5Mxoe4
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz2ERsNGqC
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxWDJHzfRi
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zv1mgwpU4
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmBtxfurQg
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIzmohiGyp
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUE3IslY7p
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ASSde0Qv
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmDQLIhkWB
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZuYPckKoX
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ421WbgvjjK
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2eju2IwEn
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mv68XC9QV
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJxA4jVPD7
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmr6l4U8l7
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn0lsFExvS
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6qD6e2T4f
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEbRKy8qco
"I suppose that makes sense."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkODrTveYW
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Da3rM0CD
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsFSDbHJrD
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpmJDTyiOT
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymI3gwDio6
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB6n3iGUhR
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuId9EZx4IY
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaW3reLBdV
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5ZGkxUmE5
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO3H1Pg3Ho
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5IQz2zDyl
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiffiYMgmp9
"What do I think...?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfdw7gUXu2
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhCx1btSZ2
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCKDE0hfeR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe3Xt4jqU0
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjP24kn6ki
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDIz1d0udp
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9NxptUjTN
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcM548wTyy
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bhMPtWW6L
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCJpduwUfy
"I'm asking ya, kid."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypq5LJq8Jg
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wE5VRS0KG
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Vov8f0Vq
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MZAPjyCtR
"It had to be an Endowment."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98w4MqMLJ6
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnJsX9aw0u
"..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRbnOOBNaa
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCLIZaNuip
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4CCxx4j59
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLftFsXayAZ
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMjzOzkCOM
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JxKYN9hds
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgamGG9wziU
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORGN2lZri3
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRNpukSXAz
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaDtKR8hyu
"Why not?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshE5bM5Nn7
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHq0DBb46l
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz42t5eSgW
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJvaOhGuku
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhlyxxRVXf
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFAl2x4iKP
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIc2phgAAk
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tvhNwxoLe
"Surely, there's a better option."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmHEcQ8WmL
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKayzbkya2G
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGdBm8FxZR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BUYAJNtGO
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKDrWjeTMV
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF3xIO9kNf
"What if we spy from a distance?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9DF3l7s38
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8obmaXZmIE
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIOyVvXOCn
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlGJKAq1oF
"...Point taken."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSYtsK9yiS
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR24Bmd71l2
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uyixolyfp
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MOTfA7dFv
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxedtoxKZVR
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgTV0MmRlB
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AktIKowhj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaXa7DVsH8
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSjkKZO8t8
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3gTBT1IlH
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE5VLMNKwj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiD5xq88id
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3OEJFX1d7
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL9dOauPav
We nodded in unison.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz4j1cCeto
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWHebmBDR1
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkANvxcXLc
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWLO5ZwyVn
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwDNFMrsvy
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yg80C6G3V
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUGzJM7fa3
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4wQSpxmEi
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4OSnuns9m
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8VvC7QZHe
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTINbuBxaug
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd6drQNCfz
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdb2QJxgPw
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElBn7UYPsX
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWD3NVCRDy
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wQ8eeewtn
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKakTkD01Jx
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavACrufjSr
"Well... I won't deny that."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3AZn3PJJw
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wWHw0Ur6
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVBsijPBcy
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFnUe1vB2u
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32GvYz3iNj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAiwgVh04O
"Again? What do you–?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Iq6YSUNaj
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8oQIKdEP8
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcweow42tM
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLSXBipaT9
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuuajgePQi
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0dv206iD0
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYk4V4RvO1
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ag7VXRZWn
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNRaMjzwKz
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGedNSTIk9G
"I didn't ask ya that."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC4rNeLoMu
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnOvCenemo
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf3Tj9MXfP
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEslPBaf1Y
"That ain't surprising."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdMSfd6uhB
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsnii7OWbS
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHn5OyEfhu
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOTl3LaYu0
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE2tANqtck
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rhffSI7DH
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJmp3HLPJZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CKShj77gj
"Yeah? Like what?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoYZU2B7vu
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5SqQrRxf8
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUy2zADinD
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfJtvv497l
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJhotrMZzJ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6MvrA6ms
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2EVTsxYqQ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1TaSsSoCn
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElLwhayO41
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBTQAKkrbu
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFimVgyKAa6
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaxkq6W5Qn
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGPZSRr63I
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37xfr2LLvB
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUFNGuAUNG
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS3UkhVQu7
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnh4ivhgfZ
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCLAEf2sbK
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbhZ8MHe92
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmh3UnQVwC
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sHLJm3493
249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlBySGXqTb
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
