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.
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XdQNMQb3P
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3pQF2fm0V
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHeJS5VwNl
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ4mcxQ278
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerK5CVYfZM
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzLYTUGRXE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxigLaApVYb
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCpnIAH5Aq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aITuP2kWS
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWzUcgrHuA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHd8ze7WnA
“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LnWk8ujL2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsWLgDCCyn
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIkIYs2jSD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oJd23uBFu
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx2VYVccUh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSQHGsR586
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoaKq4eG5q
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbVSqut46h
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYlMhvBDPn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNlCvB5VLY
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyGscjT7Af
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wlwbzwUsb
“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YGIR0Aafs
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq8NvRSm3V
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nU1EFvffj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr1X5U1OkW
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJuVgd2pJG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTucEPPHTP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHws6VaNsV
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–
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3JLJfH6lw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyAtH82LV4
“Yes?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvaAlZriBA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RrPeSs7HH
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoBrY8sS5Y
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR4LTSBADf
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL7JsiY8A6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qJQSTenmT
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEWgsjcj9O
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41J5mc7gNG
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ537kEDT0q7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4di8pKokjn
“You made this in eighty minutes?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10ETnhX1S6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKS9FddhoW
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6BaV3Hx29
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJQ1uPTrqj
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwX0acxQLB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0fqabxA1v
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACLhSyMhrd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jtZWXdhJc
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDq83G2GoD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jpcBlMkmL
“If you insist.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTxxtdljeD
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKoy8DuYQX
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“Kenny?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59PMPzHeZd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixZVvhBkvY
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWXJ1vHl9c
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YQrD3q0Ww
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyCK03SuPR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNC105hnWp
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt00aimijmG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrTj8DLw8J
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHIfx1scGq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAV8Rgid3I
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFRm05KhQS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6av6f4R9
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhprIB1h3u
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHGtCvEJcp
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0IOQomLai
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“I see. I see, I see…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqxpCDfLvR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2nTdPj79u
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrm6wFIinu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2QFDTZ7dw
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5q9KXSoiP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFIhnht6KF
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb6et2aKYI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDRyXEHYLh
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G7F3w80og
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxSRCWSZGF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rqaFpxnNA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQiLO3MjT9
“Please?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd4mJwbVxh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeOYu4wX03
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIARHmTkmLF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUt1dUrAIH
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdJk1nsIZg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQlic09KRx
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DzSLc0uZD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvKfs8NvQq
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKXTFdlPc2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsuBcKWgwO
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS49DNnP9Wk
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtPBItEnsE
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2drCc3zgV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3HdDvjGI3
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRtahrbC4d
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyefrtMZ5zc
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY9RO5BJbp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcYyShFHbV
“I started young. That’s all.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfRZU706LP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgD14eCz9i
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxabn3rZj0j
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft7YZ8xkyq
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR8RGRCrLG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9rkbDFRbi
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRwnfiU8cU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3dIwQ4HBR
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68aa9dGIRL
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBArjRv3EXK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcfboWWLJA
She jumped and then waved her hand.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs75vfv2Si3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvfqMs2E6E
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB2506cck1
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“Right.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ejFODhHY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O5TiYT491
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpXLles3F1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjrmWnZIex
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYp94vOfxh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYUxNUomaF
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40bTf2EnD7
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“I– Wha!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRUD1WvPTQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5pB0XkwMh
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e4KGoAreN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2cWv2vAts
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKfOv109tH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmNeN2FTlh
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXDVKghOa
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCtOV6uk6W
“Your own… peace of mind?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLKJ8gYXzq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K8iGmO5qT
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB49YeTOtjy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zNDkHcR1
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoWdgauMmx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeSRsf6wzI
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYI4wtwGak
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkItlKYjdW
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY0G9lxk0e
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“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. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdduZvBmxX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gtX9uofiR
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ0clS4c5i
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She shrugged at my comment.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBiGYsemyj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLj7ubaFJS
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguCnYeFPyN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPAWASxKem
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3J2LlwrIP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomQeszYwSF
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8y6IINmDA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDZDGyL9KG
–
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2LygYcGc4
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ5b488Eui
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bMeVhhU8x
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPUD4CdxMH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7AdjDmNLv
“...This is ridiculous.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy7q105Aqi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jkh5k8Qcs
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj6qtj9PcG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsrgqfd9zn
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX5VnaeJVs
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxdl0YRAkm
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxu9EaqiNt
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMujOifyBv
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98F1PZOJ60
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mn20JylEv
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKFsxyBMQN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyla6BG6Am
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fTJkDy1lm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeRFU3Omsy
“...Hmm.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7bb7gktFM
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXfpgb3IoF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJIqJBwTGA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL68H7CWhKa
“Do whatever.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG06Uxuom0r
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuurBHpDGLl
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SrHgpRqj5
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKFAbpXZnX
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb7BjGHAVr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR6Qk3irDT
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt9ZEgaYBL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG70u5DXJQ
“D-Darn it.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji5uChOe2J
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qZ5bImcJj
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlMS0yGM4B
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWHlPPNyT
“What are you doing here?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsZlvM52Ic
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl91mv4Evxv
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUSYuZTOVc
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfZI6WEiHd
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvkeLcoeRp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJamJFsVhd
“...U-Uh.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj9aIQQbNN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg7ZDrp8Ww
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcgM63bEmF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5itesIRIvV
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4gD9cXXSg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVf2w55Hqf
“I… I-I.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5Hzrim2Mr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIppnj1m6K
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sRhRVhrIQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ra55uCBNF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsmEXFRa1i
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEtKHoY7FX
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBZANKY95u
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxddu0sJTIr
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRibSYvRMp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK5h85vJ7V
“I-I’m here.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas9ojm0gQk
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuDpyo5jD3
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsaTzoJCrK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pv9HZXxFA
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtDntTXtxJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzbWQQ2pL8
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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5aEkyJi9X
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufeEVnVeIN
“I…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw3QFQSYKL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLaCUWKPTJ
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu1QtlGxoH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fvRlfdzyt
“Hello, Rover.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft9fE43dT5
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqWYhoTOGq
“Hey, Kenny.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE9LtPc17S
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7LvlgREAG
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2kFaKn7gC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6guJ9MzZaV
“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–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wFWpfx4BW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22d9Qa53vV
“Cut to the chase!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLBPxCwOvm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXNudwZYa4
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO3L61CtGE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrom1l3p7c
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbkR0yxwm7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45YHQhlZ38
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzUA2YIEBe
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGa0KprKYe
“Y-Yes.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kvFei3FXA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ7u3idEaQ
“Now who told you to do that?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbWqfFNrBq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ukprQIKec
“W-Well–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvmTwq7uO4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMV0GgCBF2
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZGppGREAX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsICO5igjxQ
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkZmLqL0vC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YmdqiC0ul
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6INGLnzB1J
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvP0I5vCCc
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqR944cMkU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefgOLV4GWd
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLiMWQeT8y
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdMzkRwypX
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53ic9xXDBL
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qx3UQbHN5
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ncGtZyUC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAmN6SWf8K
“I refuse your treatment!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bBgW2d8le
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3grlkiZmp
“H-Huh!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIBWPwkjjG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJx8rI2jv5
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8j7utN5w6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDUoWKRcDx
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYPv9sa5Bm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38VpSZzorf
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFh3CvXTeE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YxP8yHA1L
“I– Wha?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5i522ltCN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fvHfih7DX
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcVmyYPHkX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfys0BkexO
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekWFyZA10y
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy7gjAxiQp
“Stupid? Weird!?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3jaREWxpv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC4bMl89pF
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73qVAZrbiV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4iLyE5fkD
“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAi2i0zwC8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzw1hKp5gL
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Si30Wxtv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2wMb9s1wf
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE2NGcr0k7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL3vz7AfCC
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNeUC09jgu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz8C9nGZ79
“It’s because I upset you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAahnG0UJS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P6AmWQDcU
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOfq9wX5PP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUCMQH8gD4
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbowkxQprkO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KqY9CpQwg
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBze34VK5D
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHlrncUnmP
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25vAe2asR1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiRuNYfzJI
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kMsksLHsC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeccPxZzMP0
“S-Sheesh.” 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yrlL2bPdY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13tXIoSaJj
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.
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMIgyOBLj
“How do I use this thing?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqHgGTbtDI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJLbSGiNSw
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58iltDl05a
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hcpTvz7WC
“Drinking works for me.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u3EvznNbR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfrI6NtuHV
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOTUJhjf7G
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BMEGjKvp2
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6lMUtqeIW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8midHPRSC
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqd8M2dry3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSIcC4Mz2C
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSk8UpxDug
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoYLkuKJAr
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRTskbivDE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTVvZCECTx
“Whatever.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaTw7GeQ0b
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0SoJkB4Xp
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. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMAwRsM01A
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2D5xTlFSF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSZWk225N
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy6aFfyv9h
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziPuz1cWcd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0b9GiKVFv
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUGN0vLYH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6PjY9IOIm
“Leaving already?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sv76c9JwD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLaC3CwKrl
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkGsyS5HE9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlX0Z8sd7f
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YUzJwKRwi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbheVRLloy
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxq3P6XBdV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HO3l6DSeA
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEpgpL4At4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlyIGeOUMw
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94kFqG9WOj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MDtXtNLb4
“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?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOpRl0GoAV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoMTEELIaY
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMxJ6xLqyZ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sH09XTk8c
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0hA5bHQUv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OZEdeHa3v
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3u8nqoBAK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMZXvKwtml
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMz3Oi70z8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO3UW8OOYX
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdNKdZdAGy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjXJFS6GCE
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgV1BoQGZy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsQWjBMOj3
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkspFaWtKAe
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmm3M1SE7M
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuA6itpayA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wGrzorvEO
“H-Huh?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwModzkOD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtiTHCsk5f
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdThZ2G3wR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jVJ0b8LKO
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU896xTdxf
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ5gYFLJSj
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3N6RF1rCz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ku70korl
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9NRh57ZED
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGd7JUSLWZ
“I’m n-nothing so special.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWreaVmnAe
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQOmo0mlda
“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!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRJi7P9iH0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXMqKjjxWj
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3I7d5031n
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCez3sSWdv
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnXHR8mdxq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG740dFxEY
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYj4nORMS6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFYukhupUv
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. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOTGG7iL5S
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9GtpIGdEn
It took me only a few 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgesEv93rq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlzbUW5t6j
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK4PEdDEp7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZjHw5RlvY
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCslnb2FuIz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJULlJtY5F
“No, really, Rover.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOeUx0SXiG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnbm473wYY
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGAc6gYu7W
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRpucpTzUf
“I think I’m just lucky.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQae8RJDSAh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qM1Ychflv
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINvj7Q2Bta
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr47zioY29
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91EqAH9p6w
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr49HrrrQIW
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d4c8fL2mS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1OEur7JoI
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnzeh52dm2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle5YLUHwF9
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrNbCbWfwl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXzn5Jdvn3
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZ2GFVimp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY7qkzBqAl
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrDkqBavXQ
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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. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsrwgf0yHx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeF0s52I5h
“D-Don’t rush me!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nVrxi4nU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iA8zAag3o
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33qSbj6ECI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBS1Q2qZ7R
“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…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHVOFI60VV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1a8igsgg
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlurLS8ihdL
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWuNI1QJ4p
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5gVJhJ4Ck
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“I didn’t say anything.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Wq2vqV62
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqqjrZzBYV
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknZyphWxmT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PtjA6cXPU
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ9ohDqejG
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUGHe9c4y1
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“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3KP5Uu2wS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO5qpO5YhG
“Told you all I did? What?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a1e3yMcg3
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She was caught by a wind of fury.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T7BTwSqDO
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofiVzVkJbm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHxMkvYcp2
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3eBpTNEIw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhq7uen9lA
“What’s so funny?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BO1eDqz6A
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnnIy0yF7L
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPwrY9MzWh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr4TbAokOn
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHKTQFsipl
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkhC3qezEE
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“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAwBZKoUlb
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“A little crazy?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uLvT26Yn5
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“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!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1DOtZj5kC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3RP4J6aXo
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJhl7NtSIn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODccuMGBke
“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1GLBbzTBd
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“Well–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF63Tsltxc0
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP0f5wpV3j
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3AFV0Bx6
“I–”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEWMlDzXIN
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fc32JYlMX
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwrL96S0n
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“See! I– huh? You do?”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jBfxMXk2d
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9eVUX0C38
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“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.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AGTX6diLu
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVgVhpkEJ1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezxWXBQirk
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV7DgVWtJY
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBLqK5SclE
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvopyQo9gKb
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNXQQAMPap
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEFpWJsnu0
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOsiVEIdWe
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“Ah, right.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRlPyK92Ch
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlahG4Gv4MA
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZKmxjJERM
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi04WOYuDM
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqfLqmmN06
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZkgqsUa5B
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“Wait, one last thing!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMuh5EhLwp
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJeASpPQMp
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8NaowWYph
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“...”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6qDsn6aZd
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I smiled.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYkgJsuDOJ
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“I will.”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLLW33QgfO
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW9GS5rwSP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WYUiRylJ0
“Yes!”260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsprF7QZxr
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OJqXcSnBP
