Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguIOlPk6rW
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Vdo5cU0B
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g4xllWBSQ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fZcQUOqVf
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAjziz1fHY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dm3ZuAIn5
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnYAeR5KSn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUQd1gh3Ky
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7ytVISm9v
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9o0waCrW3
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ0KR71xmg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIA6nLwHri
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6ectQeFUd
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhAZvNCKGF
“Well?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPXpiQpAbX
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua8NgUKnBB
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3YY1xWEbC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxgavqGQlP
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRDhzgYgDk
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgAX2HPsWH
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2LD0gqV15
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTxbI608Rp
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllePwDZlTE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NUSdNfSmS
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkzva3lweD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jdycj7UPm
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vNCuBGajW
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrwuaobE9f
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6upJtE0RWQ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKAqL0IQdD
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXQ8UBhYeP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRH0OjPIkx
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GtHOPGMVr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TAGh8bwss
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv5Twk7ORf
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqz5sxjIeP
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUc9lOYFoZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3KUsI50qP
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjrDqofVPV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNBs4guYAE
“...Yeah.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxiPQMgz9m
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoWBrXE4MN
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPOZ8uXxoN
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bcDDvP7X4
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaYJBNctqB
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpGCtWhdOU
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB5AMsoyBy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIY6JaEEcQ
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRpPSGK8OC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDnC31HNLQ
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YSKoN6A0t
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715HAUxsIt
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ls4rE48u
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBtOs7spu7
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBt2FgTt5r
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQchONvh6H
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkLL8xWXe5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7Jw7ToB8
“...?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrub8mCAVDF
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMRgHjcyxA
At that, I had to tilt my head.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXgXdqH7io
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdgQapZjI9
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx0pac9BeT
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyowITRSNtI
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInU8q0Y9NO
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcEns1aUBv
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXDuFCtiek
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAezD2lKuhs
“Dennis still ain’t here.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Z9QWjsiW
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHceyGMXSyP
“...”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDtdASBHZm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMdR5T83jD
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmM3yLS6Ux
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPbyDPggjE
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiVNihuTVm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMqH480km8
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUjjnn9kYp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GVUxGW7Ta
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm7FnVXU0z
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPi12zMoVp
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTJ2xtVuqN
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu43BESleOv
“--!? W-What!?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gl91Z3cvU
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRbZ4RcgoK
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oIAjcj5uL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuQ4q6hRDX
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UDyQlwLMj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LgBM4zKzt
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlkkmkZI5O
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CbomPMeFT
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG5ykpjK3j
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXHdIkABRG
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3BjqKcc3G
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H0Wze3B0X
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBOFg7CsUS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgygoBGy8y0
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIepaD8II5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHHjm2KcyX
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH9GL3UWWm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fzUDpHchp
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5fYVgWA8c
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABY5AdBule
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMksHG5YBaU
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaJesl2Z6U
“...”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEIPWl1RsN
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGtmnfX0qS
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuawoa3KX4w
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Uu7y8ClW
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA66rKzbHss
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6FkbOZoZ1
“I-I see…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP8OvKfE9B
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UD0uDr2Gs
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYboHCRNJs
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaTsskL3A2
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FnBKPshjD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaeb5dnh5D
“You don’t, ‘get?’”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudqVBQzkJ4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAn8Zrxc9P
“Y’know, when–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQDMMlFfG5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv8pFdFmjX
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTBoWHLZJ5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPMqGLaQxd
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLDpXyYuvC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSFDCff16P
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4LyOLQk8z
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaPWJqovmi
**SLAM**137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtTe2cFnwj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wicFxdAz2
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvOSpb1m7o
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTgKsBOl4r
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXy3I1n0Fi
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItkUxYRd6e
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WvWxiHscY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG58RyP0SLo
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEhxP7wLgm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR45fsUxkYT
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANzAwWu6bq
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOANK1LyjD
“M-Mister Dean.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy04EEuX9OP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDzLKeWRLu
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvNF7n6xLZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79TJtgyvjc
“Yes, child?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p3iFjX4hs
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0hWOKWp89
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hiqc33c1w
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5PCuu55i3
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2npEhpmk8x
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSOYC4LyYZ
“R-Right.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NHGy01UZK
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN9MknV7VA
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72YPTill3P
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ForKCG8lZ
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0f0ArgRa7
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlujJWYqSWY
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xDlXVTet4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJVAHgbT8J
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLSX8a8VgL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXaDNWU6yg
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEfZqm6uZd
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGu4dxhQva
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UlTUJRyVS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkSDXnbUfm
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL15HXuhPs
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK1lMdfMlo
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2eEZMLunh
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVdu8f27di
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcoIQEh9cz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEa69CwBL9
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mdPCh1qq4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9KWtjLxFa
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq7iiHJJVu
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P6EyPCUpE
“Haven’t you explained that already?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmpJ9mXfe1
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6vBuNHn5v
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n1528q5LJ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH1vvlEFnO
“What’s that?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXXtSWPETe
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdRNc60sHR
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuVEIIjVnY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV8YiVmgBY
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl7dGe9g0F
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN0FzuTeqW
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N3gEcVdGK
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U7JaOAcsK
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfl6z1OE8j
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDh3c3X7gT
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Bz5Q9RqE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAnbBgnt4H
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tIOvBWAH
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdKZa3uCu0
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ngHFtTzC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJA3ef0zuO
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM6VYMcB1e
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Xa1c3OMQ
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AwRj71Edv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2JLVvoapm
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN670lu27Qp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVNLHcSxKW
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaDLuAr0rX
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“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkRVwhYJ4M
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNzGUxE7j5
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A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzPd9ebcmM
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“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVFrJ6Xxmj
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“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehZ23EJvp9
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The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHbuyFpwWK
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“I think it likes you, child.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNZaBiFShu
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“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyTs9oUqbr
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDoyZt8vOF
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZkFiCYWyz
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArqTNJAnLB
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“Hah?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjy99u2f0C
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm17EQmqZNI
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLywcytBKZY
“I… smell like flowers?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAEbZUev9D
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I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl0ybNepYI
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqQrpB9ign
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFY534hAxp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6DnWo7QHD
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKMsCsWaEe
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“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzup8quk5sD
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“Really? I didn’t know that…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUllJFgt8z6
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“Ahem, moving on–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2srMJ6Oz4G
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R4SKx9bVI
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“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX81H3OJcBs
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bRddZX8HF
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0Rbgwy1dj
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“May I know why I’m being told this?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxQoxoeGYR
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“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY6VHkbB0s
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Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEUkFB88QY
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLM3bf3fvu
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“My help, you say…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61tM7JycZj
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgdYYN95B2
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“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LtXEeAaTQ
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsvTGXXRwJ
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“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpew80lXpv
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“...Energizing potions?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqMQAWO9nu
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiLh0lwiVs
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrB5WrEq5b
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUneASoP1l
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzNz6jr9rL
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95jhfTUEJ
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gGIra5eLP
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I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6orE6fYEO
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBGhdSOto4
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“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnXWhh8LSi
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzytMGPkqn
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“Is something wrong?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOwMkxsdHG
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhSeai6BOA
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“Well, kid–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLXkpGNxgU
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Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBBh0L1gRe
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“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeResVBNdR
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After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjwf2cxrJE
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“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi69LqGqpD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkMP3J2hzT
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN1zp0UjK9
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Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjimVx7ykQ
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“...Comfortable.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YthswKOnZ
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvymuQ3aFe
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt4nPMWw0q
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmX4AYNWCJ
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlmF2xemcj
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Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyYiHO1hoq
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“...A little bit here.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHzPKcI88S
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It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKAqStd2Fs
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdnFGPPy35
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Ll79k9rO
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As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFaKbQJExO
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I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsJBdL487R
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“No time to waste, though.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahvTPfsktE
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipaEGqZ5To
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHXQgLz5c0
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3wdVdo0rB
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“...Crap.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8dd5B6FRq
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pgep4INUn
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp5qnECqai
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55gitWYpLY
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dgBRMnsmL
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“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0fnEZwPR6
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“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHLv7pgoKo
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNRosS4MTF
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She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGbtAOZk2b
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFdkJ1zKUx
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY52pfyQyS
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyssuEkyATQ
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLNhpbyIz6
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With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1O4IpFP8Z
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkckdznv1Xl
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“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1MREcuaxr
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I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfamN1OM8ON
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“N-Nigel!?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqiQD9CfGz
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnFkaDVqTd
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“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1fRCnWPWV
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He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM3UpqOQrc
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“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR9wL1LENi
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“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDShqos57w1
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“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebZLsBdNh9
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“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJMP5xENUs
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He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNePmc6oBuo
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“Is this… a clamper?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTztLjtgXGN
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrWT63lqGm
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmBDP8btDQ
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“That I asked you?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElSJSFmizc
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9UuDrZaCM
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“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tzi6el1w9
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“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F6QreNSG6
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He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUPdOYLsmq
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCpKTpGRNN
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB1HRcmZNG
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsN0JW9nXz
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiGNS5JbZI
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“How did you–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpolOICCXi
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“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUSvgD2lI6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JSL26JQ9e
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXGmAJpcff
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He continued cutting as he spoke.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7MxR6z0IG
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“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oaduqJj4M
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2xGvjTBL
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwTztqCj9u
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vGCASxArt
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nlbm1xYuZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBNONUJqr8
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQRkDVBd8W
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9VcXOhNxZ
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I7xD1cc18
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5weZbAoHOV
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ6wH8neCb
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTb88EjicP
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKevWKom4Nz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8P5eeGBv4
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx5XEVwDQF
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kQM84PIia
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zVvfXWVRl
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjIv8oZeto
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPrKVPrhHp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m3LlRSTjP
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlC3qZcQBk
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEFqYzvTST
“I… darn it, you got me there.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL15tbp6VA
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I continued peeling and let my mouth run.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2TIVjNQBv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G5oZgbIeX
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SwDB0r1tj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK6Wukh957
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY7PBMs9gE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2KfBepzL5
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2L0r4a6iV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVqgI5roFR
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8dYfJmbfz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjj5M3qzWb
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9dvwimtH
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I looked at him with pursed lips.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2I9btucxu
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“Why not?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqzMWyTbk1
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjVzGn4PkO
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndj0QTrQL6
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2VH7rcF4F
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuSw0O3qC8
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He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvcFVepgWw
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“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw2Ry28Ujg
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“--!”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvJQHknbmP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQk1R7LhJI
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHyaoXOfRw
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“Did anything else happen?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhY7DvTrYk
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz5zTjO07V
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPi8JJAgyG
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn0HnWpB3K
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpxHhkIPc5
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPaQqSs2cc
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK2ERl82xG
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTa09p5pFz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOxb7ahx4n
“Uh…”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3oWzgcl6y
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprTG7ksGnw
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwKJQNoHBN
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“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe7aNJTuna
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECGtS4bZY
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKckzU5VUE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwzRj9IDHr
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLdkFfsjoE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWjkZJfSjy
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRnyXVW0GV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6q8BmaWKU
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffY9SPCAK8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04VxU0xZIl
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE44hzT2cdS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOcD7yahtD
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjtGArmiK1
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EnPPS82IQ
“...O-Oh.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw39983HF9b
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I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPfJRiCWYW
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“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuiIS7di7u
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudhbv684bt
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKPtBO0xCy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCTaWr8Y2x
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FcU2NQLtw
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“Make sense? How?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZuWHxSAHE
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He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nUDAJXPlz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRBi3r1wKc
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8FlEUOx4Y
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“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ba6EU2a2
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Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSygcFTDWr0
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“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKqHpw807p
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgwQAGKCVc
“So she still fought alone, eh?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GHMGlHczn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ku131b9Y
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyAWt6GT7I
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzZtX0uW2D
“Relieved? How come?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYhCwMJrpE
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I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcPWBhdGqg
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“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Ycz2SU8Z
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He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkGnCt4mcJ
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“You’re probably good friends with her.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSYbwl18mn
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“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgai1v7zse5
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUllxR37j4u
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N9zgkOUXL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMgQgmfvXI
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CpCgRIu2L
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G3vNLf0f4
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBxHSzR2sB
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“H-Hurt? What happened?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eLLDKsy2K
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“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kdc7pokv0
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqyEIjHrGy
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuccrmvqw8I
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“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPt0nwyete
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ynpx66HDM
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcV66Ls1yp
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hnLRcsN2U
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a5Q0F56eD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21hDBZrcdW
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7d7toptwe
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He shrugged.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRePDjvgmfV
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“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mc7DqMlun
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTV3BYEcVi
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYXiXFgyzC
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I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq78a5QRJS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPr4cUvHFt
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuAtMMSElo
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui5cHxiV5Y
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtZG10oP1E
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqCIYM7YWy
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV6fIPzfgy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibRDX0IuME
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyB5n4YMmo
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0xPulygSG
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqsEiENOlt
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–
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“...Role model.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb8x3qa4sJ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvriMPpzxT
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdOZiZJxs
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“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsmWkljozV
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He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZZ3Fqqabe
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“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzOagnnvBJ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWNdhicPdK
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh9eqqrzPX
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk1rQIEJSP
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDJLSbkoO3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvxRxm6rF3
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh73FhkYYjc
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0XgFp6SU1
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHX6HY5EVP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vbkDumsmP
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
