My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHAigoCN7J
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g36aKrwHb
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnEj2LQy5J
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidDgEsrKNw
"Haa..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDQArv3S05
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB8gDc1Slt
"Are you okay?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehhuPgh7v7
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejZxiAFigJ
"Phew. Now I am."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZNPQ4aot
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3PS14cCuo
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQP8E1NlNR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv6zT93EcT
"W-What is it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU3piI0Orc
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRstxR2W552
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidoqYRJZuw
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxmdGZPPBz
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuLknj0uSj
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLvym22OxB
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZRsF3WnQ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoVZZrNnip
"Well..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjMz44rdGG
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqjwzVbDFl
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4XWYEyQWr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DyaztZr1G
"Come on, tell me!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoL0zR2rq5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3lqdz4cMb
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYLRvW4AHJ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIpOcbdFp3
She sighed and shrugged.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbMQ2VJa3z
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELy7X1zjpT
"Are you feeling nervous?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQkwa2LzEU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XqPhOShov
"Of course I am."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal9j6VNJRp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFipO7Zq0c
"You shouldn't be."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyWnFKD4Gr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQTqhqfnt7
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDRcPNEifM
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NHzrgb5H5
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdqjsHbEZ1
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy9QdOpICF
"...What's that supposed to mean?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37boOFYe58
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISObUameUd
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZiQBXmLT
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J1EOUBev8
"I think you came here a little too early."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1KmxQMMUF
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nXQVZhsOV
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqrRIb4Ger
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0JdfZzcUy
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF4FiMTVuu
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3VP4h7XTh
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxACvOrgzx
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4uF4vTNVI
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGOuMpdaPC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiCgzCXBrC
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDlmcJtYWp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5FXST6aUD
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCUybzMC4Q
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiPSEdIryT
"Aren't you going to say something?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki8Ao8nyXX
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh38oFN45Of
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PrUWD1CdB
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf090bqLnha
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XIB48hpWf
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwi1C1SBER
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMvYWtNjjK
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjwR6YrVtK
"...I-I still don't believe you."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmqteD2mws
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1uZCNhH02
"Are you serious!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTWc0LYGRz
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGsnNMCkoq
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FUsVYycEZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbbgidvmPH
"Can I at least have your name?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFMFJwTPJp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0b03acWh8
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HeBXotkbm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIAAUMZQJR
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJaurn6IXP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY5FRZpb4A
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPoh7Rk2aW
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7VMFMYKyf
"A-Alright, I won't forget."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNyuNoKs9D
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThJZsfByeX
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx4foXqztY
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDxXMOMGRK
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCTPfVjWms
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaUecBHvYz
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxf2ZXULhZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6PczwT5DI
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRs5DH0qGF
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLamP1ne0o
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi6YbK3lsO
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDadhvlbNhj
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUsidv7uyG
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkmEbshHNB
"She's not very nice at all."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd5MPXy5q0
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIgY3aKq9r
"I suppose not."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqSBg8wPxF
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRosJhJdk4z
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxn4fbutMG
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx2185ujXJ
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFYDh8AWJ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W1apMBkhm
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hGtWoxfv9
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMF1TaOSNc
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxPREs1p4X
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNWLmJFhxZ
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUqPtO4QSK
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTvZ1fS9nA
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ1b53jZ5r
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodpLQuOCh9
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMDFlyhpOt
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FX5sOcLMb
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYun1j6c9gQ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRmYWvXOJe
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjIyR8uUSh
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTLzLw4Gkj
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGWLjZ4TNn
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWt6aRehB
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS6WlyME7a
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsNEDDOvyB
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kHDAjyWJ5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdqIKKQdIn
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VdJ1sv3Vt
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCSbLhOiYm
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMDIGeHAm1
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGWKjGBNKn
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBqPaAc3MP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcxVgsuVWd
"No, not at all."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMJKcdqbmv
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMw13B685j
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2rMAYz9z5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPZ9nQXMt3
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczo2HdgCQb
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCwPf2pAyz
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy87DzJwmtL
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz8hHNKpXS
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvAwFJAxJ4
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PVJoPFQbS
"Is she our teammate?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WufuAAZ2t
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaBYLzEgx5
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRByFMOMv5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrcY4K3DPH
"That so? Lemme test the waters."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zJDQCYhSb
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5BKp3vWTJ
"You'll regret it."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElQ8xHkpXH
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLLPV5LDO7
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXcm6sWLbj
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxV6DzWwaa
"...Wait."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OZgO5U5j3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaeTUKSO6L
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOwl8yJCWm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISPYR9nlxH
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FMOdupk9b
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUjBr84mLQ
"A little? Just a little?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPupuBXp6E2
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbEz22Fse
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEK9i21irf
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVDaFCDXvi
"I met her five minutes ago!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxbSmKQiRR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQkYv8qNKL
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdt34Kinh7
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhlb2CY2aR
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8N2x5v61x
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqSkZji4Vq
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu4VEEQY2U
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZZSP7uxb
"Really?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnVNA11RbT
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nAtxgaT4A
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpJ4d5Q6sU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hw060TieM
"What do you mean 'really'?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbx4QQ7jpm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiK007qemX
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1qrQq8aIk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDCcN0HQVu
"--!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzMXf9TWuP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztm9t0n24b
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM6s28VrMD
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QIbwpAEYB
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNRSqg7d0A
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc0aDqO0iN
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtHWdepBM3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k0xrZI7kQ
**SMASH**215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnWjOgX8yC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7tALjzbQh
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwpcHCW1By
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbDrYEuGPx
My jaw dropped yet again.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mO3LFQKDs
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAmTyYpeUs
"ROY!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZPE4HP9T7
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBb9NjZFna
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHp2QmnM1N
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0GgHOBc7A
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS6fk3HMVZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKbd71ByA0
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAy6QNS14Z
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdQuwFjhiK
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rR7oT6Kgd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JrbBmGyDX
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGutPevQK9Q
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVcCLBNIPj
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP1KqHL7FF
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e0udNJJGF
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2LYPNT4OX
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUkECgweHc
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekwiCQ32px
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"R-Right."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqG4wjWtGh
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0hMqC6pFz
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwisTLAnAUO
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"Ack!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpQ3eTkYIZ
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And then, someone smacked my shoulder.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs1rBbHnfR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHSHbMjWVn
"F-Flinty, what was–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUEz58MyVZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF96pOGCq7
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWywmEsNH0
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhq45D4W6N
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiFZ5uRguL
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW41WIujmt
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigP2RXuPzc
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyfKSBQdTs
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHyeKhEp88
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63DmYaPOTx
"No, I'm not just saying it."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSxtScu70Z
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsCGmHblf1
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizwHUGuNrD
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs6EdsP6DO
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoArWI71LBI
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCXgxqB28D
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDki8yw1X59
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDE5KL5knW
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDD7gxNOdd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS9qoyNz4y
"I–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrENS6O4wd
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"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N21LBnG3h
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vmecnsJpu
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHpLnLyYwU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlabxVy28K
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH9aS1eTYn
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7BsCAQSTi
And yet...215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYhQ7xYduH
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS77noXTdp
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzeReD6UoH
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGm1dFFH9t
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOPZicoddo
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPlwBxoQsO
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w7cOdWFlr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi2zwu84VL
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8TNxAIquE
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3TEOoIAU6
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86pxIKccz1
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGUKMX40yn
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr8qTYuc61
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ud7AyydVY
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BhXGQV8sW
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsHV12OlUD
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07NvaFs9hI
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1kaNjRi2P
"O-Okay."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEF6Dk20Ps
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI9jEdRL4J
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DcqO0FxZp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCwxv3taOh
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPt7z38GaC
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"Okay okay, fine."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLupUtDgAe
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopWGQgDS1m
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug3dcoHC34
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR3EOsVSYA
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdzsdnWIqx
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I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkst4Hcpju
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U8T6KDHoo
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi3yI33ZJh
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPIFpH5E1e
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpx7dK3K0d
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUVUODM0Br
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqy8nEX9US
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDexGrPS5SB
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6useYl41O
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"Huh...? What did you say?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSUAkBPNGN
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I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkysQOU4qrs
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"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4wKFeQrih
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8fd9IbBI5
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vCiwdOJfR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFehuDxxRp5
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYreVQiyHH
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPPP9TW4fi
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoYKl3duP3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVO9NKIKDD
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPZ9hpieSp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs4ENFKd4c
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEDpy6QteC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFX0qcYdVB
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn3NHCYr2c
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"Note?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNlNyJEYiV
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I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkadYrljrAe
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNH66O6xtB
"What does it say?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOraBjQw9bd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4sS5NULyg
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7N4aATyKS
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1L540FtMB
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXPS1gP0z5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonsDOean87
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmEDtajo65
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUSIpaIRde
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrAXw9uJ5d
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzpdpHznJC
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iYUtf8YNP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELPT6bDAQG
Juke sighed and put the paper away.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz60ubJwDg
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiraBrjqEba
"So, how's about a story?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b0Zuaf3a4
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFhlJbftOZ
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OhSLFAbEW
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuo766l58R
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX9CH7ZHLD
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I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOKIaSqiiP
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"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeWk6TPBne
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2HfTZo6X0
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NikBoEtmv
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k8KjlAYKc
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLGbN5ISuf
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A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40MzuaNRAz
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuOW6andEn
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXuJfWRcT9
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZMCvEPsep
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMreUzDPstk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85hfAtNZr7
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBNXI1y7m6
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW56BRnl70
"Seriously? You have to be lying."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7sV2czXi5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BB040yf18
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFDoFNsPya
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"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgBJGzCYsy
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8vI79eS1V
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR824B1fLx9
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"Like what?" I asked.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI1BTV8L6R
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLol67FWrd5
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiFcV8NJUL
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Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZOHMwY2Dx
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"...Stardust?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vJOhonIvw
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9KADJMlmv
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1c6iBe6VA
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Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaoz5zqVRO
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVA5UA0vJs
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1MKdfzUEM
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K37kE0MuI
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIvzYNXmnn
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"...The what?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8lL9UNnk2
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This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQPSl8dml
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dOaJqYjeH
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIDkbxYt3g
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvnvZwF8el
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh2iQUrrBA
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"Of course I do!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLc0p4a0xH
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She pumped her fist.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBq9uWOz7k
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCTyq0GX9Z
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5sCeB5dDU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡima4OW5MZm
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnWniZthwe
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYo1IUEMBe
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWARtkvQ7E
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"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLSl6s2gMU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj5A44ihm2
"I already know this."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWIWpoyDZD
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bkSklgnBd
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilG0YX5pHm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaOAneDHky
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DfnRUcLU1
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"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BTcpU2Wl4
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hRXsarQi1
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LKj6gva8T
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"Eh? Why?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WzXNyFyfx
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I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VcgJyWq48
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSSyk6jAWH
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKhuvgQnsZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDNdkdTjvz
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGPwZMI5h5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuIweNs4b5
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODFCBKMS8H
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"That's cuz I met her."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIug4GYt63R
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"WHAT!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY3GJDoX2q
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I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7j9D5d1gt
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVkvyleBhF
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x6kjZ2nvN
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYvVDt8q5
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav0YoqhJK8
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iuOZ4W8zn
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeeO0ZPUx9
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdDVH5XEXK
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCR3DOBkWf
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"You're kidding."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8PktlKfgx
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He shook his head no.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD0kpN6FH1
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqdx7sbCeI
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2g7tbV7G7
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwBwCA34nf
"You're making this up," I said.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH1yRgBFsr
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"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Hp4cN4Cx
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sqjT452ot
Juke shrugged.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe5wkRsbj2
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XkTzkSC7m
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkIiQ8IFsQ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL7eWEaR5Z
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhDqS7xJSd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYww4R6QrjB
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4iIeG11Dk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPLXGVMlwh
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTrV494im6
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XW2EF45Yb
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrjgkQLrS0
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdxQHCeD7e
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxcv78tLwJ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnKnpmxISs
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmzlG2RaIk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8ZCuAEVSX
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e3U7sAKyV
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNKq8o88zC
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq3Z48uL6I
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fJkpTa4Oo
She pointed a finger at him.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqeTGPBmGE
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBaFfYHm61
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eMGuQIy8o
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgMSgpLeeK
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYj5CJ0Y8H
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qiRPji5wE
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2sGCAaJdX
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBEKoOvxBx
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqJLrJhGhS
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTbZzHdUig
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbvPKxnWzq
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9yuuSUBNt
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2T4EhFzDd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstXkEXLgpr
"--Ngh! You guys...!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejmoMvDfIk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHdLE7xZ1
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6jTdxQtbC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl6Eeu2ldI
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NRvfj3WRg
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLQ5Y146c
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zav9Vou7W
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM1gY8wcnN
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj5HxFcC8y
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wl3VujDGT
"Ya look like you have something to say."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb5fRBoLca
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvYtqM9WNX
"W-Well..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b5ieRULUV
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG78pqdKpp
She turned her head away.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEvbSIPAZu
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPCyYQ2lgK
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTvCnfFz9Z
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK944vZc7c
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmwAwcTZfx
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVmQmsV5zy
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMfEcid2Dd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSpuDGQgZV
"Mhm, I told you so."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNSyZdx52h
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPjEOudIsM
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4b4SyVwmu
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg3f0J1ONq
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdieFjcWhPy
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TG7cdzRXD
"...So why am I not getting any?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaaWBfKWRk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZz389Arxu
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ74l0oIckS
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5GWqASK8Q
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJ6mZuSfX
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBgxmpbbe0
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFRzdhpjOc
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMTznW51N2
"Eh?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiLXanLGYC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZwsU0hpM
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i3dXH01mp
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvz9dTBKiG
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpjjOfS8En
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDgTCqMg62
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0YcVfC4Wk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi9Bj49AqJ
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi4jKGpigF
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui3gQIPbQF
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oiUnWWh6f
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNgp3v08eb
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgZn9ovSpf
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6xouJPa7X
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzvZcHOiao
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhHjrx3TPe
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFMWqKCUq3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BACzLEaG7
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiUd9OAzgN
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqrLukPjZW
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOEjd7M5nN
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSflloXEzL8
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaAlZZpOs1
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmMP1fg1HP
"A jungle? What elevation?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOWIsuwRsO
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ni0UCihLU
He shrugged.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnplISqPTeI
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1TZRnB6nT
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIgoyZzBXR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTm5b7El2Q
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaSv0N2A3J
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw932bzt97S
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dN0UouCNB
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD6c0mseVx
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86lgI40piW
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf6PbfunhO
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Ed48nQMo
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5jQJROJTC
"Why?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ03qHXnMlz
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5rqVtrVZ0
"..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVMCdsqonC
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvkmLRSNnz
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rxk0nf30p
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGOEomRCo6
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F2C8kGoak
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAVF5QPAzq
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuOQqfXkZU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01fB4j8PE7
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FabdYg1Z8
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FpeCvz0YT
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpNpNDjQ9W
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJSP21BC84
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCjZEtOpSR
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiJ0j7qr7G
"..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE4inGUgKO
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMP3FWaVyW
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKu2YFBM4E
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdhwOi3XXe
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGeX3XvUv
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcim828TTg5
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uDkMS9tv3
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl2PimMMge
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQMWB0KFW4
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CrR5icOgr
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHOWrt08Va
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwnKNIMcmw
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteF19k3xTM
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyrurTCHDw
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9rsyu7HKo
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyBg7rEx3b
"TALBOT!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK1iEYrFcB
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK04tNp2o3c
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Uz2UvzLx
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS3PjRAg54
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ698j1z7bSk
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObYFbfn2E1
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXeBGUeO0L
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVE385scYh
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK8ZnwxTLo
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZZfFPWlfZ
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymsbzxCNJb
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd7uSncd15
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfMdn5ToX
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL4XKicprc
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMoGwCqscd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNyy1Si8SR
"Are ya kidding me?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjnzu6YUHw
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJaXENQHfx
"That's so lame!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20IMYhFsU2
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ity3HY5id
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FuLoI7jf5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIoJwUhk1Q
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t2m8ELlun
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oDj37Voff
"What's that supposed to mean?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiANy0ZNLvu
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LoUvwkCKg
"Nothing."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbR0T5dtCg
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She returned to chowing down on her food.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK1lrg8ZAu
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJanexPQDz
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnc2bQRqbm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY36GoSvsx7
"Well..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69C9uaFQ7M
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuAJkce6Gj
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHvLJzCaS7
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApbtZK6tik
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnP9goeybB
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCM7Thulc6
"...No."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK4wtGNpJr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kkHgx1gV0
"Eh? Why not?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvb4dy8mdr
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseRODBUjv0
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaeYbjnWVb
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwo6wJpnhK
"Huh!? What'd you say?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDZSQV3yP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG7kuurI3H
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz2zAugpBe
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb54Nk0uYlZ
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuK5EvmEcP
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCzVxhcnxl
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vL0LrKJDa
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOTglTnYxc
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiZMtWgCOE
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Dt6JXCiE
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7U7dAFIna
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2ua9h6QX2
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMEOhOXJuQ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjAQKz2hgZ
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoABG0GCuO
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYICALbNdhl
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqONizo8e5
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki2MmTtRoZ
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wDuqI6UHU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bLAEgq77b
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjohMfwRLZ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzne2zDp0h
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgOu6mC6FQ
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir9YsvgaMg
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDeChCzJ07
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2fMlNikbd
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CB6AgDnUv
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"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0InxESm73
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnpH7BeyLY
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeHxb2Xe2P
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"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegGaZKF9oo
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"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszKSOOum9O
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"Custom design? Well..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj3T8gsblk
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She turned her head away.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUIZuFOWqP
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"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3udcjPflV
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexLiN1F9Ox
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIo2d7eCYo
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"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkJlQiiLqR
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"Oh, this?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXmblcme01
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A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2o1PJtecm
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Wx0bVlOj
"I stole it!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIH9XfRE4l
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"No surprise."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs68pcOzOU
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"I ain't surprised."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTEvqaemc7
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Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5MHDixyZG
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep59VdXbX4
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mVSh9cAAt
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"No."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxave8dGJJ
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"Not really."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL88yitHwKd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisjo0qFYEI
"Ah... you two are lame!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7IlrluSea
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She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYHOZcmxiS
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"..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpINEBXbii
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This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK4cO2tWKU
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBeArUhIVE
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI606KQWNFS
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"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcmeg2nxof
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0r09NUvON
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8q4yfJM5d
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"I-I see... I suppose so."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NdWeJlrwJ
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"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQM46KVL9F
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I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80ETMSfg73
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"Did you have to word it that way?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF5aBR7Uud
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJGHKTBjKw
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0CvK7lBWx
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvnZeT3sem
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxXsj8eXWU
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"Ya got it, boss."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99qV7DEiar
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn7iw0BRzk
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uvNvzrDRc
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm3M74sTTo
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbxjdYTNhW
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQdVg8TLVY
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ67lkNrW8
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusZLRGtJbN
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwXXFHBZFd
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu8J1mEZXh
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA7MpwvUuc
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I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9eBdDxsWW
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"...Well, alright. What is it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRrYLefIHO
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"I... I wanted..."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGbUroYyOI
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She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLOHntCx7G
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmXDArLBV0
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JCeGxOqgc
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqxwUcNqjb
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFqxUyeYx5
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"Where's this coming from?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ4aVwAHV5
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"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmPoNj843C
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"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAOZUleH9Y
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I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92Uy3EhJg
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But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzcMYHwPV3
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In that light–215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEuw4wYqwS
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"Alright, apology accepted."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlMk7vDBTN
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fi1CTw1os
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgYGBsApLg
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0IKJawtgH
"--only on one condition."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGMSTs7Hg0
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"Eh!?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMu0vBL6aj
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Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzFN4bl5rF
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"That's right."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgwVMN2Hpy
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"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZttNUpUS46
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"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXghmbuSj2
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"He sounds like a priss."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ771hNsRg1p
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"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGQscxqvKH
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She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwgiiSLB8M
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"Fine, what's your condition?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWWP338WfK
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I pointed a finger at her.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhUs3Vsb7t
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"We need to get along from now on."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8cE8QJUqP
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"...Huh?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ8zH19OKg
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheSoNAJXLe
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DF8GCd15C
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73fr6NaZbI
"...Ha, that's it?"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHWqIhF7fR
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I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsURTx1c5h
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"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cKxhsPFmw
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She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrBiCVz397
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Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOpAy1e9OG
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"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4hMookba6
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"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdtqov36MR
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"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF1Xpjw5WN
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She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxlHOjJbRy
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"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQTCJ9qizp
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"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmkDlhh6zu
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"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPKpbIXmDS
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSjkcUfY7h
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQdQ2SxyuM
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"What a weirdo, seriously."215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt4yRcNbvo
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I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaVRGlaeM1
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–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcp9VWMpQM
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"You guys! You gotta see this!"215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6MDGZVXOb
215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxvuHQVs2e
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugwCFYMbvg
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In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.
