I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTw3fykQGX
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pz3jVUc9V
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPoTVi47Jo
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfcPOW1Poh
"How?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI3BhcD7Ls
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2cyGvA5qS
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqj3yG9q2N
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1saF1E1Mgz
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwYCWdvg0s
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OmxZjGN3P
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUFRLft57D
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQAlQDS4YX
Pars turned to answer Juke.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGYDL04hf8
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOC8OvbDtw
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrStFgCm9G
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3GQ0nIJGd
"That so, eh?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA96wmMyURL
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmCKHcZslO
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwCoUVV3Yd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpGyTAiddh
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRNry7qhv1
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZaRGLLc40
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Im3HGWmMq
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31bGnBaIdg
"Hey Becker, how's the–"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNXl4AR0o
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAF4fIu0M9
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkq386lmlb
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEvR8JWpbT
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM0CTlDQfk
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZBqs46EPU
"Are you a kid?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgN2Z6jG8E
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GqiOtLvDb
"H-Huh!?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjwZDWjMOS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyFcY7O8gE
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFht4oWSI8t
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnugje1P2wJ
"I said, are you a kid?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6QDJKG7tP
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRC2VfDaJZ
"I-I, yes, I am."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPPvsXjm2I
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AXwF4H1h5
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6TZIJeL8t
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomP6G9zDEd
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hSlQvH6uy
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIwJvnG8e0
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbugAJfNgxR
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWO2TFZgJa
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2WFmio8tN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX7bf3mS52
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZPzwx2xVt
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjwxggLCMu
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajNpKsEieS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl84JGGZaUP
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ALA5bUd7I
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAsDtZrvhA
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSV8528Bw
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqGD1w2EUS
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxQdaCbf4G
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkrS18SEIy
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLB35EAudp
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB9JMhgNFK
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P5qhQx2wa
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAs9M9QK8W
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuziIldvoN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagi4wegAA5
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FUQRMB1um
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhTUdgbgjA
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQqBVmsGy
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWnytIkvJe
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjymP118Sj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5KPWaqKpR
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFaAFga2Vx
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxRNAkSfOc
"W-What?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCIFwYm1W
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwzl3MBTht
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSfWUVn8fg
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgtMZ2HRPl
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt1NTx5qVh
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81zzFcEmx4
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFOwLkD0lc
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdoBSIEFjA
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtorjAgY8QS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPNb7TwEev
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwf4zN9XeI
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ270V25goEk
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuomSp5aTS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnzyjYBzoY
"I'd never."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL7WudjWOP
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AhNWBvZgn
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBGqvkaerj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcesUfpWPSZ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzumuN2Ibzh
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZNQdzZuCn
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fAxdtUlYD
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAgh51SyQH
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuWpEQYC3Y
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcYd5QymjW
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnSZTD4PO7
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8uM48ua6x
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy0Grb3DLJ
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkf6fJthkm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mb58SKd5A
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRpRqS9y2n
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkC7jLFox1
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vqBF8Htm6
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEa67DgZ8R
"What did you want to tell me?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetCPwO8VC4
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93YR5baumz
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OgOUYQL7q
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9VHa0Vvlr
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDHFoRBwUR
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstT26QHpBQ
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvhDYapU8m
"S-Sure. What is it?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihDsYy8jGR
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE245WTHD6
"Do you like fighting?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPaL0aLWHd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2NsrTcTI5
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoHJJiqUSj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7o4NQNz9t
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9uMxxlY2J
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09dM92Xqgb
"Then, why do you do it?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFQJUsgctA
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7L5YcQLZP
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xBx9IKrcD
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabJxnroKw4
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZiREakGVF
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ084Yxomw56
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6x7TIfxpd
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCIWWnOU85
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoBcYBT6Xe
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDOBDDbJxM
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGgEAV7fUX
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5QiFvHSuc
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3HvFZUNzw
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7reAlFy0i
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE10avca4ht
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsFh4XiDSU
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDHkRZnBe9
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G1vIXgabF
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8VT9NM7jR
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68kiWN8kXX
"...W-Whaa?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VhDDv1B9n
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHBlCUkXnf
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqsjI8PtuI
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMazXxehSRH
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpNQOsYepn
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGB9bnDv2Y
"It's... it's okay."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZXbr3n0eI
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXqhSBC6PZ
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1TIDUMqfm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtIakrJXgj
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocB5ko6Yn0
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivHQ3wlNva
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs8gFzWIVL
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg8RE6AyNl
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTONvId990b
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJFyjEeqPd
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw67X7hrh6
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJSClLubSe
"...Y-Yes."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwDpP5INGm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsmfVEYlCo
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5pd052PXM
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY0DgUPMth
"I see. I see now."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDD6Ij2I2j
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeUpZTxqe2
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAviIzXMcU
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MS9rwxMeJ
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGZRg0o72F
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxvXcCw0vy
"Like, um, like what?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqIt17wGHn
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieHqgRPAc7
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdllOfOKyw
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuwgidl2dT
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiOQBorjm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfT0btevRC
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgvpzUT0tg
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsHjrhFCJn
She paused to scratch her head.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxGUEM8gBA
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiVpAcMtWz
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKz2VMxTaN
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRNpO6nw3Z
"I... I, I'm not–"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g8K0hVksC
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHgq68mOAK
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWGohh8llP
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUmd9cmsjK
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLYJgmZbgt
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd78W7D8kIp
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7R5fPplHn
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWN1QnHUfG
"On the right?"236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yJjtPblpj
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lzczcXOiM
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC2TX2rD25
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxyW3Vo4QW
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qjaBYTltm
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xr6wQ45Hy
"..."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH0FTgRXM6
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CMuWlsmfo
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0e92EVZFr
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuZChLjx4F
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83yKGCYIRW
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ96CVjleq
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmlFwc10oc
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt164yVrcnM
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiiXgv25AS
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fHOdayUaG
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd5FQMYnP0
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAza4ujZLY
"...Maybe."236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MzG2YMYZD
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz13fgUUQuX
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxsyOaznEw
236Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yji5qidWK
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
