The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorsBGCf0Ta
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfjVTHyAIP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoC0Nn25fg
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvwXZ0F6nc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpc1EDSk5b
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8rWp5ojBs
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp86trUho45
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yPgGsBeFj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YRWgKy0jJ
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTY5DmHjnn
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0syW15s7KL
“...”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRvZ7GjGjY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswByz070A6
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKqKbaIK4o
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OQn7jli4x
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sm6rALzTt
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu6jdFz5nT
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FiwfhdRNr
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsQhJlH7Li
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegkURVyBTD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HMjiQxcXH
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s0ebwe596
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK6bsNdPWb
“...”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjmgfEaQ7w
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnwwR2IELl
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yIVo5QA7g
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qrgJaXPBN
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRJZs0Mmcz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEld4U50578
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliiYPV9w2B
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMsOrzvSjs
–
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–
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrlS4WYHzp
–
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAMY41ZO19
Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHZrfaRY6z
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRGZUGj8wo
“Yes?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOVmbzVWOe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK74e3H2Ko
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUjUvylrCZ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYchL6LJVYO
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqdOtpYHkk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsLRhtVdIG
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUSrDWRx4f
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkbsqpfcG0
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuSQcmJHiY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrxeK1yxYg
“You made this in eighty minutes?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcquJfVALzS
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cnOgBqZqH
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96e42mFFgH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIAGz45yXS
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq0EtPa9HX
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JExV8b6Wn
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKl58COSAU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JDINVQyxi
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhAoih8amq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp8gwkH6S7
“If you insist.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE1B6n4p5Y
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15iTGtv7Ui
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6L7V5rUmv
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EUkpS8Rhl
“Kenny?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tm05bi2Cl
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFrLSZUXfb
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrgDeAGEdX
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjZHq3e7Vn
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWfEOBnxA7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRph4WCPgv
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9NjPfrD0I
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjcdleTgcz
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3NKxCdgVm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaDIPrpWlb
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWvAvMjU5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV2xpCkbd0
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDv9QYAFHG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrMNdt7Owu
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiyDpvkQcR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc3qdDP93d
“I see. I see, I see…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ns8gNgvZt
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5gjE3B2kP
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGJUF5OlvL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxT3b6Wsxn
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPe9RBI7Jk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCiDvM1T9r
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrzHzV78dU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYfMeKInY
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT82MUDVJeh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85PdFtc4Su
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66IFJvFCEy
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz7xhpGeMi
“Please?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDOmOT1Pwm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9AafrUn4T
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGRQ929hxe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0CNwG3Ydh
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ4e9q9gMN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3kEKllDwd
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05K1CRmbr4
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9oT3itQrL
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQE1f3qlnP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjNzh1r4vq
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIEB7LQ3Pu
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQord97v6vr
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xBrFLUMtV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm1WuS3980
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J0sKbtTmk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjIC4EHqL8
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefuY6aabjH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPmjisq4Pe
“I started young. That’s all.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G52ZKBfcK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xssUhWXfI
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTOF9fF0zA
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHejnZ1oGe
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWP7bwW3QB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv44bK0DRv
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspKxtS0CZ4
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxMjWeoObB
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUftyC8sVsF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARpQyhoyk3
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmueCMqcKPe
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3JEh0CtQV
She jumped and then waved her hand.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrazm4T7C5H
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTbQtZB1rQ
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOny8BOW7RY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl14bdCvacg
“Right.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7TD6QneTN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrxt6IFBQd
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhbtjTIZmg
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigUqRyB1rY
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8jH642rsK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHB6CMgorS
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRqyfamzjz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AxSSEXBqU
“I– Wha!?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0pejJ1QGV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mEDbmbGob
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4S5thZuGv
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntTI1ZQLzh
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrYertaBje
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSn2Yr5Um7
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UJjsB55TE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB4LI9ngkn
“Your own… peace of mind?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObaaX5LMWH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eqKstgv5r
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTsBAlBbcz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6vcEYUgCT
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN4bEZNEKK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyCtRYXLWo
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimGwBdKKRw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4sMt7JVgQ
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn1IK1x7EI
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAqZrvHXzs
“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOyr7iSUG3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq36VKJmBm9
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHKjteR4kD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuoI220V01
She shrugged at my comment.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIXNDIUgwh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yHvVZ4G3B
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhoXiyVzgA
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYc0ZBzDOC
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RiKsXVn10
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWOgBzkPvf
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pmyF5x7TL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD2EZSekFG
–
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScgitR3aUk
–
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–
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QQ5LLc3wr
As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLFO7JcPte
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t6Tr45Y4H
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszyy3DuFwH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7wkKFk66
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfJLWYWXUP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxKocWcM38
“...This is ridiculous.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEbHjsMDCF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYKN8MweAY
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDwzPGtPvY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJmg2krY2j
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuz7UlMoEJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14KH7sX6sS
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2W4XKIdlG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHakEu3VLB2
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4ys1E4NES
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2D9ixXuro
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfl5AasO60
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCBMhbw176
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBY16zjkd7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIuiGwA989
“...Hmm.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ5lOQORck
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWevFQcu5DW
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUi0agft0i
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZlmFCSPvJ
“Do whatever.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpRLc6CQMV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SA5XXR5le
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRem9dK47V
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xyBZIrfod
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3srTfzDkV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH87r4Bg37
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xVMPWBxBW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHX1FJJxm6
“D-Darn it.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MmOugfcWT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5XEeqX4as
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYpuHYf2aK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86zt7wOPuE
“What are you doing here?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhhLeGmRyK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlTRZCkSOq
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk32Qiq4Ikt
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdTPthSgV9
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDryufT6Uie
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW97sYTuUi
“...U-Uh.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rMr67RR7Q
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu25ePCCP3b
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdjHXBqG89
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjMGzJMtGG
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma9V5syM4r
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5inM3lpp
“I… I-I.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo27E0MaByN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ojwO2d3qG
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSsuUBgfzD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFimAPG4UlF
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSs1elFddG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPCTCOVsif
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxGbsy88oI
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhPoD8TJEI
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9vB8fk3jc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYjSiaUrPf
“I-I’m here.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX68Ye7uUQm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgilnPOR6LN
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyZsjYxY3s
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJAb2PBGNu
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl4nVfVgtR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83DDfly2Ug
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhc9R8sMWK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObAdgegImq
“I…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP0MuTuesk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOST8w7Gj8a
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ8T65ygAm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuowZpn4rX
“Hello, Rover.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAZQnhXj3l
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkxJVTH9kM
“Hey, Kenny.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEMwAFXEPK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp7aAYx3Kt
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEEYOFJCwR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHTFhNXt2X
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IJqqiZpDp
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lmvpgmdjO
“Cut to the chase!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NM3hu7yZM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEnzCs2pYg
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZN8CmgxmZ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMEbdhoYy9
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwFbQgKgD4
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA1xFuxzX0
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7t4Dtw4hT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwujuP9GTq3
“Y-Yes.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWr9BcApr
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDOABEjvkO
“Now who told you to do that?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLtfMT2GgE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhfMVTotsZ
“W-Well–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHSQQwdtdB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEQglSp1OW
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKo00xNuWN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrHzBYR8PX
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KHUobXyOz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NvY36wcax
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ630O4wlU3J
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxNHPNyQT4
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJSky8Bakd
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXHSuR69Y0
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJird1hKiEU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGUrAMnBni
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloAjTqTJSK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GRdyyaOyI
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIPn5PTgde
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFS1pF2jLq
“I refuse your treatment!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszX54FstBn
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YXEqB1RqO
“H-Huh!?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6LMSyrgZu
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w2eCfmaau
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCtUb3ZRQR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6bsA1VsUC
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAruTFkLTHJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJKZzPjtn2
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFa0q61p9v
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSkG9NGBGi
“I– Wha?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4eOFQ0qnU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEeSaLmkSR
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B2Qeg0ptn
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnaHORtdKt
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XJl6tiZZU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZMilBCWWA
“Stupid? Weird!?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rSMYz0xuR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYyR1pFDhO
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LbzsO4wcW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLnyOSUq8l
“...”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8BEGoAFzl
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNfkVXHd6t
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb2CPlNpp5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJF7p9yK7w
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynLKju5uBh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqzkd0XRC8
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vteiThJvk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BacuKemtI
“It’s because I upset you.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2K4ZI9X9b
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVQaPjNUvD
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HJkstVIQ1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjACgJvOLv
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelEY1aAnCE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3mCCXyeGK
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsj6plZ0CM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREJ05YSMbG
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CzoXVWBpD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXq8gmPESo
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9r6QfQ6aB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs1UQvsd7j
“S-Sheesh.” 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XrROhMmbb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L36Q7H3C3
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6kjwBzovR
“How do I use this thing?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF7dSOr9sa
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTTwQyicy0
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HhVFoThH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqBRdKmW1l
“Drinking works for me.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGOCANqxxS
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V6QodlehA
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyrGo4J6vj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbA9xz4Fp
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dOORQc3e3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljOmEmbRCN
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2y2LROkEv
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXcG3S0wfe
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mAGjCvEPL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbNug9wGo4
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmfBr7dRqR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoVJ0T2zKj
“Whatever.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0bt7DxAp
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUtxT4g7GG
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokqEhoYrN3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycoeGdAhdp
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag5rZvvVkR
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDm9lA30r6
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Mn37aDRf
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hYNX2SOdQ
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlPe40Fv6t
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JW9g4Frxb
“Leaving already?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNatRj8Bms
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLycb8R557
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7rAnp1Xw6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx9yeDu2mr
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BbvwAKvAm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmomG2JC3x
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxrcfx398k
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugW3hVIvLA
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4iUGMgaq1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVIYcwJbam
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIuWwPyCok
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW9CZZ73Kr
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkXpBJFmXw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm3ub1SpV5
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKxL9uv8R6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1uNqKVldq
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFsOFpVYxQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg7G8jhQVF
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO75VSPQkM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqxakXROf0
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxAo7MiwHl
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdLN4l937l
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIB1nluF8R
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoAfLLsw6C
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Q8h3y3na
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah1oGisSJM
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuijdaUGE1v
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxZb3ifbqj
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UkVaxQOKE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tIzwrNscB
“H-Huh?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEvyXp3XOy
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MIAVY7UpP
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFW84oeUF9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3gVdDAL0x
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIzhLBkJi7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p11TsvE9d
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAF8sAu6FY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJFYgUYA31
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4W4s21bss
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TQsVT9Fhx
“I’m n-nothing so special.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhka0Sy9Ed
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCFZcZ30JC
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2hM9fr5a0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHKd4FKdXQ
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSfLsTHNPh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCa2PdwVem
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlIYR5yo0j
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBJfoTWfE5
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe1ixguVr0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJItu2L7g6
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iQ5TlW3H5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6yjflfBnW
It took me only a few 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK49Pida7l
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ59R8BUhqR
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeNfi4Ieql
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLMpMlkqkh
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4qRMAMsY9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6aYy5TUHT
“No, really, Rover.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6MbrnZk5g
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVFS8dYSex
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmX21ZfYIy
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi75Hlb0vsu
“I think I’m just lucky.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKquP25S321
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TTWjMoNWB
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4EMJNuSm2
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOO7hrZ6Us
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs5v1QoCka
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lNDoNmobs
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqULX5zKb42
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE1EA4rq84
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ87EHnkLE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnafcrC8Cpj
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckH06yQfkM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCisbCb85ul
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClPrWfsIAz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ2PKHTaH5
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoZDxu9xfe
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrbqDxVNFr
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ567Iu0ax
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOBqut2boE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7cihU0Bjc
“D-Don’t rush me!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjyWTOaEXw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNT0BMrsTt
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL54lUuico
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL4EU0qhNG
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvTjZv3jN6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1L9fRX43o
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJsumsBYGB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgW4xUgfCf
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWpPNWaSIc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuFx748Pkx
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BIclCrCwq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIyQ0MrBfz
“I didn’t say anything.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIhP9rwuDC
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n3Ie7gQ2k
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYXYBlIyB6
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hSIwf37CG
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV77vIMHTSc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2bGxmwAaO
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWujojbeUgG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5A5IWH4fi
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2udyCJAX7q
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0aHKOuAQo
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3G7Og8bbq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC0iSlrakX
“Told you all I did? What?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S70JvnOw3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D0hA1OXn1
She was caught by a wind of fury.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f4mV05xhq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2g9jdY1Zf
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAjLZbklyy
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjecyv43QE
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntFMo8OZz5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40CtaNEEoO
“What’s so funny?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOmQjYBkYW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJVIbRYjFP
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqu0vEZNcA
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKN4QyOyN2
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnGYOQGp5b
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOzCHNtKQ
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYbDhC9n78
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDglpc37oX
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tTQnWfJqq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCd7zHvWOD
“A little crazy?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mKwhtmTAO
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vpl5UhEbB
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsqifbAcSJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZImx4Xpbn
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MnamNWHTg
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdD1b1FZJr
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ozG6tkYW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyrXBd3QZm
“Well–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRROSMijs3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19hxfwnjog
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CzTdeDtcQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHZ43BGYYZ
“I–”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuskURcpq4S
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp9Rew0Uip
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGadQx3Qc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlbuoZ8Vdm
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lLagDzCd3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzhscyBsLp
“See! I– huh? You do?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtetAJsw3e
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5dQ31lONH
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JqqUphdLT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItC6HXbWxO
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGvxgYcCjB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq6e6bZqlJ
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvDwQ907Va
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyJ1VWDG1O
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO13SzIfNCq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98WTVxrMN3
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjDOvubF30
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSEUovDTQh
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBx2qdsOod
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayVUHrfJJv
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb28iwrIrrF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUAIcTjWq3
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLBr7BvEp2
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwyZkX0u72
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCCTSXWEEj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5tmIhoYJz
“Ah, right.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNeGN24Gxb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToQQuVnlQ7
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbOHCQHsO
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29rhdc8Q17
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE86kkdBCn
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdpFMz1vtu
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK9iTOA22O
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTQU8quppB
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0geMZRl7X
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYePMlkjX5
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYfVx8sIlj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkd8DXAQdJ
“Wait, one last thing!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxF905Qbwj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZrFWolzD
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2wDWgfOFa
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCbtrlBhCn
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqAM7EsPlo
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogrF3Q8H5u
“...”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU5zsftsNl
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOSQFItPFb
I smiled.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmExofy7Ed
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcY5fG2Vba
“I will.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMqnAaDxax
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivlPBWXHao
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoulRu9zV9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE7n2HZblz
“Yes!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaVSRDrSr7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsbao450Jx
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYikwuEwhc
