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?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCX9iDwMvs
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooqWGJ7jhf
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8EzghYfvm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyqwNjGNL3
"How?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FbUQxEfaR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rI3aBnqSs
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7bGCa4jwS
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZvF0kLUnd
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMch0j8bl1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWEHNVHNkp
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsRHMRcaI2
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEnz2m3omU
Pars turned to answer Juke.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFH71W67bv
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LVStp1Y4P
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdIalSpGPe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmY4LoeARf
"That so, eh?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA9G5SaXXJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAbFocsoqx
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE72SwBmHm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s9nGI0zp8
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT6BtqTJZD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsmNvXyZTs
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7pk4pmBlk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpttsnPH7B
"Hey Becker, how's the–"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEj6XNHXhI
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb6TJpB20I
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf450GCBRO6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOYZjHLUz8
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZxhgptDCr
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna2uwFGrNT
"Are you a kid?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxe8zEVBl0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBRxLJiUMZ
"H-Huh!?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZWBg5toaJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxXdsF6IJH
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6x0JhysAP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUOIt00kal
"I said, are you a kid?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zvAJpThW7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxAHNDXlFG
"I-I, yes, I am."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWePoGsuWHY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLmqllzNkL
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrwmvgpRmf
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXKOw6milz
"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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTfVGdT3b6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErx6MXLOt0
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aSqAjYDOS
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qnbkfwdn1
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpqADXjwXH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybtKjnvWxM
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AHeMNz5Og
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzDwC2N2ir
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrdcL3dHnK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJACRO1Y5k
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Z7S4aZUY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9qHvlTC7m
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1v7ug9oWz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguBg1TVX7P
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8FlzLK11m
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX1oiLifuy
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbhQLALBHU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XzyGxLSWQ
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu4j1D8Y6f
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhXcNxOieE
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvix6DFkUk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMV2Ug4YDT
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpEP3u6eJT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50H5ug8rnj
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1nPOdMAB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlxiHmY6B6
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrCO6kEVAk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQvWzOh2Nj
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgh5QOo6Xg
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpfOpLUp9R
"W-What?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6KbUfIRwQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgBIybO1EY
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKZ9s0yRie
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWW93tFTFG
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcFtTfKEJq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKUyPLWX3Y
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUeeRTybzq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqmBpuYUCU
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjx383Wszu
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhxSgovDEh
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAxOM4dQqV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5E1Q8QVd4
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRHhMUGEJz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeuw0q9qP0
"I'd never."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqnHCKVtOM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc1Hb2OPGx
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Ok2fb6bI
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE3y1olWmu
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBE6jyjmyY
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QyAi8XTUE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK9b49qLNd
"..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfbkRtDUAk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjxk8I8id
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?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObrtBVH0np
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaEl7anOXG
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTimANflLZ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IWj2OoKVz
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDfCmBuPsq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiBg97Id4q
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnskmKBnNga
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxre04XoiRX
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxKJUgtPwB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KMlek9LRJ
"What did you want to tell me?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Vac9kwIV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDiYAa1695
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7LsmAnXtl
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq15EMlMt0
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMwis1lD2b
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBgUrXK2s4
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Wy2DO0vr
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2H0PMjm8v
"S-Sure. What is it?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnKv7pqOkF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbP2Ly37wC
"Do you like fighting?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfcq3HpCQe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4lUCAzTTt
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwhyy8AKN5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUhstWNGCC
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNajDMivoC
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoZGAAQBxz
"Then, why do you do it?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFWfVX9b1l
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6NvUAzUvr
"..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBjwT8e64y
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapipGlsWct
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN9SGxzP7r
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKcB8jRPYG
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIkX2GRFKi
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpdl31ooXb
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrOGP8Odua
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPTr8JKGIP
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2bCltWvs1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pSkahyHA5
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyzEZdPErc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmaVclbcjn
"..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv81dNjYgF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8DnoF9nG
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWicneisvb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFesvLv9vo3
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy1pDETzUe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaYfsQps3O
"...W-Whaa?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uhYVyd3I0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YjYzPs0Ry
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG43QFmgP0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusBAidlnGA
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaJe8l1Fb5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIq8Y0eIGo
"It's... it's okay."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAg9Dzk3JG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu765LOBWz
"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?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2nuBOOR24
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRAW2T4f8s
"..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdnt11gyc0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yWjmETM4k
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCElD1QdWc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1W4Egr9by
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIMlMC34O9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyenCwRjc8
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48uKPy7oqZ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyj5bfGvdH
"...Y-Yes."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8VJslBHa6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSvCywd924
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCwXjki0fC
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9urqRBEYSZ
"I see. I see now."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpIrA5Q6wW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42s2S3nACt
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10dHKAUsDR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkheklDGwN
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkDLK8tJ6s
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb17JBRWS2H
"Like, um, like what?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHESfkEWvBz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxrLSPcTZa
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MngsBDJfs
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPGdX4f03n
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswjh9rj5nP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCMsCXFEfh
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0yy6HnJq9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcgdIEvTI
She paused to scratch her head.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cdYIWz6bN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvUzGHGMvH
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PkEjjJ0De
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA79HqkqZo
"I... I, I'm not–"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfCGeHJGm3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIrLGHr1Zg
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3zpZosEeE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP43SXvS3N0
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DhbhRRMh6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHGlYN6hu3
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjihKAy7Hp0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeapGcXRJbs
"On the right?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthqNudfOU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V9r9bsdtH
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpxCnhGNDb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwc9JAhScc
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p8QB283sy
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIfU1Dk9kS
"..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkGqH746kv
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFMtN87zoP
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuVTkR1p1w
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtPn6ZcjEc
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T7qYGTNHb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsTVrxOsZe
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQAMaVfzZd
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGlzBwgLh
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpbyhcJpRi
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4r8D3ltB
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOg7IKBePW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaDgLfdmrM
"...Maybe."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SBAM25THH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqVxHz5KQ6
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w7Pa7tNHw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmTpNEncSr
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
