My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.25Please respect copyright.PENANAOWViKzMDa7
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3sNaUAjXH7
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6hDneWivJ2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkO3nGBcUx3
"Haa..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAZwEVzDZkld
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiXbRJxhpqT
"Are you okay?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAiSt9hK9tVU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGeetCTqgHd
"Phew. Now I am."25Please respect copyright.PENANAbevh6RPxmi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbTIji4uQAA
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANARfO5dMapVe
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwOZxdXBJF8
"W-What is it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Po5RxZr1
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ka6GGEjUy
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."25Please respect copyright.PENANAdcLLLi9GiC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAggrUpEMDTS
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."25Please respect copyright.PENANAi1vLVH9Jq8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKhNItkFW66
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXuYUNeHKU1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyyXrttgjbi
"Well..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAGo0l7CejkJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcl24S69TZL
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAtgMzu0tfK5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVf2DnIsKCc
"Come on, tell me!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAd2mPQD7IYJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOHLof2a8Gn
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."25Please respect copyright.PENANARvQ1BiCIZm
25Please respect copyright.PENANA30io8oeSYo
She sighed and shrugged.25Please respect copyright.PENANAiQDtojdYia
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZGutBGaCXo
"Are you feeling nervous?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAkbBK53nJHA
25Please respect copyright.PENANANXhP2J8HFe
"Of course I am."25Please respect copyright.PENANABWvVUuZozT
25Please respect copyright.PENANA730JVy5pMu
"You shouldn't be."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtMk6jbA7ps
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeT2Mg9pElR
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."25Please respect copyright.PENANALOD3yWPTHB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuml9H9hLjj
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."25Please respect copyright.PENANAJFKSNtCLOs
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6M8yG5tZ2j
"...What's that supposed to mean?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA6CiTTayXv5
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1yLudXfZma
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZcVTPjaaXL
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqq5KqqYmw7
"I think you came here a little too early."25Please respect copyright.PENANAPWrfYqP9Bo
25Please respect copyright.PENANACzqj43FfKl
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."25Please respect copyright.PENANAZqHvTGNmVh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgjGFT6CxWp
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAiSt4sgmZ6X
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgj1Nhn1QNy
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!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAKB4sAFBQBQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANALFtE6SUKhv
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAN45t1jx3n0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGXZ6yLwohm
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."25Please respect copyright.PENANABRuxAeMvoC
25Please respect copyright.PENANABNMa6CvUZM
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWIg80sJlzR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPdxhYTxO1T
"Aren't you going to say something?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAvu4Ojs7uTT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlIpQkDJipv
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."25Please respect copyright.PENANA2KnrZwz7Sv
25Please respect copyright.PENANAh3A4Scxl5w
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAKfbWDjm0Qf
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2TgKsovM72
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAS6Dv22dUJO
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3VdyJKQXAC
"...I-I still don't believe you."25Please respect copyright.PENANAXugJ06YaRx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAk6I96VtGji
"Are you serious!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAy7Fb5PXq0r
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVul58r7xnf
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.25Please respect copyright.PENANAu9f2AuZn3u
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlNzUAFkKTp
"Can I at least have your name?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAElBPVFq63q
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwsXzn0Lkk5
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA52P24h0xo3
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZaE2kTjSA
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAfVOpkNENo7
25Please respect copyright.PENANACLP5vKfFIE
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.25Please respect copyright.PENANA1XktBGH2Sc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOy7b402Kux
"A-Alright, I won't forget."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMEwBJXzWUj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZaXRbYVFvZ
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAEozhSy1k7r
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2vfaVkHKQB
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0LuPaWsVg9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw0MVrv2N1M
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.25Please respect copyright.PENANAGWsGSL8ezH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAvFSagD5NR
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"25Please respect copyright.PENANALHGCwJAz8y
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5taZVSRNeN
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"25Please respect copyright.PENANArgWYL7U1PV
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0yxMJVfZbP
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.25Please respect copyright.PENANArXwmTNnwvT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAummT78crcn
"She's not very nice at all."25Please respect copyright.PENANAfZXIeh4VIb
25Please respect copyright.PENANAF5RZhO0Q6D
"I suppose not."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMpfywEEvBU
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2W8kerQqUY
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."25Please respect copyright.PENANAQOQEf9bPFW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAguCa9yrMLa
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXs9yqvmzzv
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7PuyXeD75O
**SMASH**25Please respect copyright.PENANAnQSmjl4ac0
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8hGu6eXoEd
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAX6Gv7ezRDD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvDtUOyIhGt
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.25Please respect copyright.PENANAogLx8sWmhn
25Please respect copyright.PENANApq1WYUEKaU
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAgLYbiTmghi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAncT7pOW2zt
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.25Please respect copyright.PENANAfVlLMlAKuu
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqtoX3jRZB4
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAaUowzsXpbU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAk5yCdvOEFo
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."25Please respect copyright.PENANAG2QkBd1a19
25Please respect copyright.PENANALI7bhEY2vF
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.25Please respect copyright.PENANA9y3GCtjDGt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwobb9JUsWx
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."25Please respect copyright.PENANAnCyOx4lWhZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmSeQFRwCfI
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"25Please respect copyright.PENANALG922Rsp2j
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhsjRqHGdBx
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.25Please respect copyright.PENANARcW0bxjULp
25Please respect copyright.PENANARuGoLB1JJL
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA9JT18LoPch
25Please respect copyright.PENANAt8KAGwyjcQ
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAlsloO2ZjJB
25Please respect copyright.PENANABfIDTFwfeT
"No, not at all."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3V1qYmbwYW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXOgEZ1pyBz
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA80YCmkbHlS
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9KnxwApXnm
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.25Please respect copyright.PENANAwA0xv13HPf
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4zLYYusJYU
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."25Please respect copyright.PENANAz8ZVIvoE5Z
25Please respect copyright.PENANAv8sNo9st7y
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.25Please respect copyright.PENANAL1FXWad9KS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXMWo4JIeTZ
"Is she our teammate?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAq4rfXrdi4F
25Please respect copyright.PENANANwywBOC5Xx
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."25Please respect copyright.PENANAIftIiNKsAn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIjlrULHn1B
"That so? Lemme test the waters."25Please respect copyright.PENANAeRkuMR5p6s
25Please respect copyright.PENANAigiknYGCnw
"You'll regret it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtoRDAw7Trn
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9gKBqWVzh4
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANARHj0ZswGMj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAX6pfC7IMW8
"...Wait."25Please respect copyright.PENANA8GBXRdBGWH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVnYza0fMf7
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!25Please respect copyright.PENANA56Oyrzviu2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGYeBtRLufL
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."25Please respect copyright.PENANA1nzJDh1Qwc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAI4r9hSuCsp
"A little? Just a little?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhghaeHo5MJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAy0jIxK3O4z
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3SW5U052zQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOkeChyHztt
"I met her five minutes ago!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAD8mTTuFZOp
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3ED1P84vsr
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.25Please respect copyright.PENANANgo63SmAXl
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUaKEnprtUo
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."25Please respect copyright.PENANAePQUBFVrh6
25Please respect copyright.PENANATbUAN0PHIb
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."25Please respect copyright.PENANANApDamI5iZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJi3qHqqQks
"Really?"25Please respect copyright.PENANALYSq6fV7AU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAraGJB7aoYJ
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.25Please respect copyright.PENANAcrNHMJ5zBw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1YppEG63D
"What do you mean 'really'?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAsZOaRcA7Dc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIIiHVIjZpB
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAeRtPFIz1u2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdNFKKKkn8c
"--!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA6fiNtZso8e
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlWXZnWuOzz
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWHn81HfCPq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbvRZ4XC0fR
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."25Please respect copyright.PENANArlFKwpC8rd
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqduHOXAjsW
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0fgpmQ1l4B
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVAlFwlfl7N
**SMASH**25Please respect copyright.PENANA9lEyZrqIyy
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEzFBzfcT7G
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAM1KqU25eaK
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8rvSqjvPBl
My jaw dropped yet again.25Please respect copyright.PENANAuMgl7Wsqe8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAswQpJd2Kh7
"ROY!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAVJgiiI4A9C
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFMbhwDB3ki
–
–
–
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA90exgMSsMn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwr08hs77DN
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAmAI42baZE5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdB2yFJp1N9
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0R3FON3zXd
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQGwb8gMO2D
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."25Please respect copyright.PENANARf3JDccIfB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAG2YLaKz3hu
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAOtrULE4ZzK
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7u17xNcUNR
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAKri6hbUaFH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtb0UAcQS9O
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAcfRbaM2AOY
25Please respect copyright.PENANADZtZNOq6yT
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."25Please respect copyright.PENANAFF6WI22SA4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAf9MgV3DHRg
"R-Right."25Please respect copyright.PENANAl7ZiQOhLZM
25Please respect copyright.PENANAp5V4qTaXJq
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–25Please respect copyright.PENANA1q6sBwqEx8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZLazOkG4Eb
"Ack!"25Please respect copyright.PENANActz7bfD6gE
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5Sfd3m8mzh
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.25Please respect copyright.PENANAy5ZBH4C18r
25Please respect copyright.PENANAraMSer8RCS
"F-Flinty, what was–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAogoDK065wy
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzKCOoHBDMD
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAJuA7B8psL0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAI5DRapqDrb
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAqqUQC3p1F2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlxiFFISz3i
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."25Please respect copyright.PENANARqqPpCFfft
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9Yfs3eQTw0
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"25Please respect copyright.PENANArxgaPekhvm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlUTwmV0U2N
"No, I'm not just saying it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMTVNVF0D9t
25Please respect copyright.PENANAM6u9cYI0Mg
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.25Please respect copyright.PENANAtoYGbI0coh
25Please respect copyright.PENANA998RwSHdQY
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANACCLNQTQavR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWc5qiqzFIs
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlufZGl86lC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKkOfTWpx1D
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAvo8KDpnnlN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMvWkzLsy4Z
"I–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnMFkUdx5tD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnDQ37cko8m
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAZN6kYxg4JB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGANoHy1RxO
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhzl1VbDpbg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMwoBdXGhgY
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–25Please respect copyright.PENANAEgs8HDGkj0
25Please respect copyright.PENANATvqUgeXFzM
And yet...25Please respect copyright.PENANAzPvUyscxUI
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUKQ6O39KS9
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."25Please respect copyright.PENANAhDqp75WsGI
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6aoB9FoItG
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.25Please respect copyright.PENANA7syU44kt0a
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfbb08ufopz
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnvjywwRgn5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwSrVJ9HQct
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.25Please respect copyright.PENANAYYVtONd0Qq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAozN2qHO9Qc
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAwFun27IpgB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAC7YcUCerIO
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMlBRruL704
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPONH6XU0MJ
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjXBbAS70zt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2oSIFhuKa
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAI2CLietijU
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4cp2V6DOs0
"O-Okay."25Please respect copyright.PENANAVFQMuvZyjt
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1zsplSgSIh
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.25Please respect copyright.PENANAcBiAcEH1Pz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAY4Sp1Ccdar
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."25Please respect copyright.PENANAu5l1d0UlVQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANANWW7zwkgsK
"Okay okay, fine."25Please respect copyright.PENANAT6fNm1fsCc
25Please respect copyright.PENANApxocenvMxQ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZpkzfF0lRo
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5jrQKCPQp
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."25Please respect copyright.PENANA870e5fPlN7
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqg5AuitMOG
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.25Please respect copyright.PENANATJp3dTqBjb
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdgsvtaHsPA
–
–
–
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAehng639Qrg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwLYFf6fLXi
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAeScgUJ1EcR
25Please respect copyright.PENANArQJ26E4EhT
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4hjkCS22j
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhwDLeqrmHe
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAmtqUy2S3FW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAB0heB8jE9S
"Huh...? What did you say?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAEkaHV7HYJ1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnp8C0UrtMI
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.25Please respect copyright.PENANA73mZ5GJTVV
25Please respect copyright.PENANARrOow6HA54
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"25Please respect copyright.PENANARGMClXKVZB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXQXN0mIXIJ
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."25Please respect copyright.PENANA8hMcBBWGZA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvbXgIADewG
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA2UfoqPE4BG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMqQJ4DZIZt
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA02QLRoV3UN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAK0oVQnprHg
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."25Please respect copyright.PENANA7AYOtSBr5h
25Please respect copyright.PENANAS5QwREsK5v
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."25Please respect copyright.PENANAoFbTpcW8o4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVDgBCByIrT
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."25Please respect copyright.PENANARkHswI97Qe
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFjtmFCEYxF
"Note?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAY45tP9SOLZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzmnTee29YU
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANASL3aRQopfV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwtapBYqtx3
"What does it say?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjT2C0ATPqH
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7UBQdRz4Jk
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAn83NIyHWDz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAx83ArQJx8x
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3hKYxI22wG
25Please respect copyright.PENANApqG4xJmGbW
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAUhkeRE457U
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcKjx3XQ3J0
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."25Please respect copyright.PENANAqRq391yT0z
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHR3WKQMXvz
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."25Please respect copyright.PENANAoNO6F4rQNB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdjOqO7RFgA
Juke sighed and put the paper away.25Please respect copyright.PENANAAEG5jwx5Zb
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3UgdcQOhDa
"So, how's about a story?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAWsHZ2xYR7l
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwP6ZPpVjog
"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?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjkBPVr0xy8
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4YsUWoXc1Y
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."25Please respect copyright.PENANA4NK1Do4o1I
25Please respect copyright.PENANAU0bXksAZ9J
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.25Please respect copyright.PENANAFTc5Ae8odX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUhuxuIEg0h
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."25Please respect copyright.PENANAcAZElCEZ3e
25Please respect copyright.PENANAk3FgF2BA2a
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."25Please respect copyright.PENANAaZLS5emyQ0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAULa8CZ1VJ2
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA4HthjNl7q0
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3RVHNVqwRD
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWJlyMiYau6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1bAKo5odX
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAHzYikQjV2J
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwHZhAEyR9o
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAc1ZKNyKUxE
25Please respect copyright.PENANAi90QBygJIt
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"25Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9wuNE01Rm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAchlGCCA0Qk
"Seriously? You have to be lying."25Please respect copyright.PENANAAZTokNeOa8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAolViOyBVv3
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."25Please respect copyright.PENANAr2PQ6hoJLq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtvWuYEHR6R
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."25Please respect copyright.PENANAPaNlp2RGB3
25Please respect copyright.PENANALYmz0VEGBP
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANARMgsQjz0XT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJVxWeJ5SNv
"Like what?" I asked.25Please respect copyright.PENANASLrztDSrY5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIEzVJKijx6
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAvxYHUWnBAW
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3dGjH7NGKL
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.25Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ts8einPKH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOsLTmjf8iy
"...Stardust?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAiDSMoW1Rt3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXAv2AWziKf
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANATUFuvJLnqw
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6BWMO3KsiY
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.25Please respect copyright.PENANAjYUfMGGBD3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw7Qdi2Yirh
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAcm80zusRFa
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFUOKd2R6pR
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAQTyK7iw8xx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAo2FP6xmSfW
"...The what?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAuRjzZRcNxs
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1hex1IUHv8
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAB3SUnZE2QB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuPo4JIpSeS
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6lQQUaqjHE
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaccUptGa1E
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAOWLqz31UlH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtSXNZsZaBL
"Of course I do!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAeQM9vMqsuH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgbIrpM90tU
She pumped her fist.25Please respect copyright.PENANA1SlN0Nlmlc
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2Nt4XfiDtS
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"25Please respect copyright.PENANASNfshQwX8u
25Please respect copyright.PENANAY1L18YMpte
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6cGdwcEc8M
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZr5BCI2Ven
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.25Please respect copyright.PENANALquBP5USW1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkTXxo6Nf3k
"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–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAUl1p2SOm3Y
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPPhRD0ARPG
"I already know this."25Please respect copyright.PENANA4iynZBvbGp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWKE1pwu2Xn
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"25Please respect copyright.PENANANuI0OY1zt1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXcbeNxo1Km
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."25Please respect copyright.PENANA5iZbNZjmYK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbZvtCbYmz5
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAAsGsuZQuul
25Please respect copyright.PENANAud7gU7VJdV
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."25Please respect copyright.PENANAnrT80toVIe
25Please respect copyright.PENANA65B8QDyKVD
"Eh? Why?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAdkhNbDcezB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjhq5fjlcAd
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.25Please respect copyright.PENANAiXORablIcp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkhEp1yuavJ
"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–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjB7ld75QLB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAS0327NMJN1
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.25Please respect copyright.PENANA3tymkarbAZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANANRxW8NbM3c
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAUJGGbilUEA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUk1SVSGj4u
"That's cuz I met her."25Please respect copyright.PENANAowXOgu6r4M
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkNRnN5rcl2
"WHAT!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANACpH53AcYTP
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0wtpDrXaPy
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAR0VEsZyP3B
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5iQyjQyzzP
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA9BN6JejoRu
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiEtBevswNa
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAFUCIrHXvbI
25Please respect copyright.PENANAug6RFTfWDy
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."25Please respect copyright.PENANADMDO2ZjGHR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkqE73sCKCb
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."25Please respect copyright.PENANAiUdgiJOeie
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgbMI1Hi5ae
"You're kidding."25Please respect copyright.PENANAn4WIi9FikC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAenMpicSCj3
He shook his head no.25Please respect copyright.PENANAMDJkEpzY3d
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9vs99EFhEB
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANA7I19W4uIh8
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6XupOemIKj
"You're making this up," I said.25Please respect copyright.PENANAPlxNjdPKdV
25Please respect copyright.PENANANN03H3lP05
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAqtk43N2kQO
25Please respect copyright.PENANAolDPAeAV2K
Juke shrugged.25Please respect copyright.PENANA0eKTWjmcl7
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVJ0gOjmMa6
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."25Please respect copyright.PENANAXF6h3OVSlf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAESUm1whwyu
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.25Please respect copyright.PENANAVqzgyNkBwU
25Please respect copyright.PENANA88KM5ieKf2
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."25Please respect copyright.PENANAl2JBrrLsfN
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8kAcDq2wlL
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."25Please respect copyright.PENANAI5pGS6fwLn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMt4q10cVge
"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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAGJGjE1LIyF
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFC7MpYcqbJ
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.25Please respect copyright.PENANAjU7MYJIClJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANASP2mcS9iBd
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAUnWU2TFuA0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeQsFVbxEOF
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAKxHC6V1fAC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOYIryFTRmF
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAwQWKvv2z2K
25Please respect copyright.PENANASbqPg4UKmL
She pointed a finger at him.25Please respect copyright.PENANAgt2OA1tIuq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWWucy5oZC5
"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!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAmrC8CbMZEO
25Please respect copyright.PENANAU5CE3lf5Ur
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."25Please respect copyright.PENANAIxg6BMJNZh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAR7rAcE8fMF
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAcovTYKEJzK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAt17fOBZu5x
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.25Please respect copyright.PENANAcBRdSFBul9
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5dWBo5p7h8
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."25Please respect copyright.PENANArMRgNOZyy1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUFg8yvqO4M
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."25Please respect copyright.PENANALkoQCj93jn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJNhmWAdVTV
"--Ngh! You guys...!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAzcZGKQ1LQq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwOas57NMqs
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlkYlunOYGj
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5UtjisdRqN
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAChh76YKOmt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAT4UTcTGdCJ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6Kyl048x5P
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxsL07ou6IJ
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAytP99uXV45
25Please respect copyright.PENANArDP8wc5sAA
"Ya look like you have something to say."25Please respect copyright.PENANAEUgiodDs6x
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVx1qgaxTjl
"W-Well..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAbgM6zZQxcp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPdY6p6S425
She turned her head away.25Please respect copyright.PENANAoT0CByQ8OA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbPzHSBU8x4
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."25Please respect copyright.PENANAWTrpI0AaXA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWCOQOc3VHX
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZRJL472c5d
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFVIO8AIVpe
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."25Please respect copyright.PENANA9f9hATLUUc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfCWMZizmjp
"Mhm, I told you so."25Please respect copyright.PENANA97tGPfmNhn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAb4y20gks2I
–
–
–
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAKSaqBvpwtJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA263LBMjXFd
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAb2HrW3gmvc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPF9gdblgSP
"...So why am I not getting any?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhJo1dHPsRK
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5uLBMaFFH0
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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAUtPRWkNJ2S
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfyLr7rIHQZ
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–25Please respect copyright.PENANAnTK5pLdbsG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAx1j9ySDhKj
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAvituwQ3CB1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQcV06l3EN2
"Eh?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAO3Qnpz140I
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjgSiNqmYFF
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6xlT8fObx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbvyLDfyMuS
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.25Please respect copyright.PENANAiQA3JULF1t
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJuITEPCj5H
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXaHP25CABP
25Please respect copyright.PENANAE7fhc7u8dz
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.25Please respect copyright.PENANAHom7PNUL6i
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgKRwURk6w3
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAcO4bFDImC4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVXqWI0hRaS
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."25Please respect copyright.PENANAzE6q8XtgcN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfDj2RPp1OP
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."25Please respect copyright.PENANAAzfynotlEm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnDn6n6A6aZ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA0pFnKq41Ku
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJFKlVSS7hJ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAL7AxgFYS8V
25Please respect copyright.PENANASGAJgVrpSG
"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?"25Please respect copyright.PENANADDWdnq22Sy
25Please respect copyright.PENANANs9My0TJgx
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtjWQJt4QyI
25Please respect copyright.PENANApkDKUsX15s
"A jungle? What elevation?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAFxHndlzeLl
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1CM8htXpBJ
He shrugged.25Please respect copyright.PENANApDwEJmbYpn
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2WQznUO1K6
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."25Please respect copyright.PENANADfBoACLEPN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMiuEn81dmR
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."25Please respect copyright.PENANAYd4hhXtBTk
25Please respect copyright.PENANAptvoCjKWbP
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAE0IJ2MxPp5
25Please respect copyright.PENANADs3LfMdndI
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAc7r1HQaZzh
25Please respect copyright.PENANANwZ6pipzLM
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."25Please respect copyright.PENANAxcxHE5Y2gz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUG53nhc8An
"Why?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA57qdjRJRV1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuGSFlQz82B
"..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAiqNYNebx2L
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaX53hRzwZM
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.25Please respect copyright.PENANAawL2Zmqfyg
25Please respect copyright.PENANARObiODLoSi
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."25Please respect copyright.PENANArjt9KJAIyD
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4lMOuH7JYB
"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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAdRswyl1iNw
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5SvQJILOnN
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."25Please respect copyright.PENANAyDQzO2RuQJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA76ru3RW292
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhHBROS0nb6
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9uMItswSoJ
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANALmrmw1fJ26
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZc8spnlBER
"..."25Please respect copyright.PENANA4pybVZyxLs
25Please respect copyright.PENANAu24HC3l34l
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAtNiE6o6KI2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvS3gkcVuxw
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAOVwCEPfq7j
25Please respect copyright.PENANAY7y1AkogGo
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.25Please respect copyright.PENANAzHMjOlNAvt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIRi91gvfCF
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."25Please respect copyright.PENANAt6d4dZau7O
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYMWN686f5R
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhLu9FCSPUs
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3rqB4uJI7
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA8KuZsEXRaq
25Please respect copyright.PENANALsLKwBW36b
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAx2dBXdUa2d
25Please respect copyright.PENANArMgsyFFVr0
"TALBOT!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANARLUKX7REAI
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9nxVVtISYW
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAaYQWjO0W6n
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgJASQ5nbMY
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."25Please respect copyright.PENANAAr91k6K6og
25Please respect copyright.PENANAt9h5HH0fSc
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAxp0LQpHvcX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXGfcmY2BpC
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAibQarqw7g5
25Please respect copyright.PENANA21a23EFlMt
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."25Please respect copyright.PENANAKRx46bKBAS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhciREgSEC2
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.25Please respect copyright.PENANA9smAXxxnNs
25Please respect copyright.PENANANGnW5UVV4y
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."25Please respect copyright.PENANAEmD3vdckqg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAem9t7PjsEw
"Are ya kidding me?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhPgmzSuNxD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKlIJ8C1WhA
"That's so lame!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA79QZwuhFGL
25Please respect copyright.PENANASuh3WQ8BdY
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while25Please respect copyright.PENANAbPQJdt8AIi
25Please respect copyright.PENANA45D3wbC9Ih
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."25Please respect copyright.PENANAvXVrgzPLMP
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgSr5h5bPTA
"What's that supposed to mean?"25Please respect copyright.PENANApDFIckJOrK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAECgTsbFo4E
"Nothing."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtZQrcEvgmJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQoOQyZS88G
She returned to chowing down on her food.25Please respect copyright.PENANAaH3FZWQoIf
25Please respect copyright.PENANASDhgdhELbo
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y8KjZ1kmG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAi11C8F2mUJ
"Well..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAUk2TWrfayr
25Please respect copyright.PENANASToDoB34kz
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAmYlXVA9pyX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYuKyqdjm8O
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAaNejHpSjF3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAH1dRovZVvG
"...No."25Please respect copyright.PENANAII27OF2KE9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFtRst3hgax
"Eh? Why not?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAjQgXfI2X4b
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyhPDzXXNx6
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAdJUCKyf5c9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHQE84kYmxD
"Huh!? What'd you say?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAYkwMgCpbJ8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOdTHuqsWHl
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQlgDutqp2Q
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiD7VnI1Ak4
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA7WVOIo5TMs
25Please respect copyright.PENANADmhMzUOYvW
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAbWVjqT2tQC
25Please respect copyright.PENANApaSIHqTPqp
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.25Please respect copyright.PENANAvsVFyiiQ1R
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOPzuamLFnC
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."25Please respect copyright.PENANAzEFZxTwT6r
25Please respect copyright.PENANA91pi4V9Izp
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."25Please respect copyright.PENANAlPzRzHZeeh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfvuslDnPON
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANArJck3piScm
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6033EzF6Hs
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."25Please respect copyright.PENANAHWxhnxpZn2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUoAw4g0AZo
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANARM0PlgH5no
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYLjSjRQcnT
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."25Please respect copyright.PENANADzTlrD36RE
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1XYm5n24jo
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.25Please respect copyright.PENANAYi05dJObJL
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5h1tRULRpW
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAjsv7gJ6sWd
25Please respect copyright.PENANArWSXVb1Zck
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAu3AD1IJYRA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwdZq11N35M
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"25Please respect copyright.PENANArMo7txE2HU
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8Jm0GuP8kO
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANABntExi97LV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlknudBCeUE
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA31PjvYK820
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwGaXW3vNsO
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."25Please respect copyright.PENANASOS2NsMYS3
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5mZeL55pP4
"Custom design? Well..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAXGArdTmYAE
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4xz0zuAFnz
She turned her head away.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6OsjkcWuEI
25Please respect copyright.PENANApBqTjNBWmn
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."25Please respect copyright.PENANAVZrOGQ2reZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7xq3pG1hjs
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.25Please respect copyright.PENANAThzWELcVQk
25Please respect copyright.PENANAslw7dDNrVS
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."25Please respect copyright.PENANAfX3wgTgGLu
25Please respect copyright.PENANA05EweSXC9f
"Oh, this?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAIitqQsx5SC
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6KXYc7TD3e
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWvDCzN0RuQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAclTnH7VYk9
"I stole it!"25Please respect copyright.PENANARdmrU32F0v
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWUa4APzFWt
"No surprise."25Please respect copyright.PENANAcINNSiXe5S
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbIvqBxOnjX
"I ain't surprised."25Please respect copyright.PENANAIPRlCsgAMi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtTh3s2xeKY
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.25Please respect copyright.PENANA1y3PLqm3aW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAN7ChBHopNe
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAKbFCMWyEu6
25Please respect copyright.PENANASsQLlwR0ZF
"No."25Please respect copyright.PENANA5BcYqIlxOw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOOWZjpWM0t
"Not really."25Please respect copyright.PENANAc9hKlsJXPA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtv0qSyB5FA
"Ah... you two are lame!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAe6yxTo89NL
25Please respect copyright.PENANAo44JAPyEy6
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAXUWqJNKCEc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw8i7cnWPS4
"..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAffjlYZ2Ue2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfObewFKJcx
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAOsdxTh2Rc0
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7KargmqTZI
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAaCigCtSH3x
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAtA4ZADT8J
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."25Please respect copyright.PENANANF3YBCjVWy
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGOm7yfzFWn
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."25Please respect copyright.PENANApW68WWKbnm
25Please respect copyright.PENANA366IO4eNBx
"I-I see... I suppose so."25Please respect copyright.PENANAFJTlVXVH7r
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3ouXoekkSD
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXR66766Mp9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgZP9tBc3T3
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.25Please respect copyright.PENANACjXYOww4Ma
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbD7tix3X2Z
"Did you have to word it that way?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhM9IxYdyn0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJFWAY7AaPv
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMfdo6PEtXt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAocQEiefgf3
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."25Please respect copyright.PENANA7mSt23GhX4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGVOo3TICvp
"Ya got it, boss."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtsSdJ8UCH9
25Please respect copyright.PENANASYCWL4m46W
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAseJ2tIsZDM
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6oPRdF591U
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."25Please respect copyright.PENANAnwoJQMrYie
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkU7G4l9VZx
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAC98nZEBaED
25Please respect copyright.PENANAccMvgn70xE
"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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAcUvD9dDSxQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfffmo6qQM9
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."25Please respect copyright.PENANAf1vgLWSd3w
25Please respect copyright.PENANA41WVD2wvEI
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJiuVnMT8Oz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWhb0reVMzI
"...Well, alright. What is it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAE2sRycwV7P
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOICWbPGA0F
"I... I wanted..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAyuN2f2yjW1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvb3uca7SyJ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJ81JAonLvQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9itQhs6KnO
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAkHzjNUCXyE
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9S3F9hHI1P
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAqP5lXxlP5n
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgn1DFbFrEO
"Where's this coming from?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnUIZ4vpNRh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkgnOZK5WjW
"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?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAExRuCWmTMF
25Please respect copyright.PENANAu3a1p9y7Sv
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."25Please respect copyright.PENANAL8fFuuVTQX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAoG46n98od1
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANADTVc9pRMU9
25Please respect copyright.PENANA76SaUQp5Ox
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAR0oFE7VQVF
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxbhaO53nKn
In that light–25Please respect copyright.PENANA3HTYWwsDhD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwrdGuGnHYu
"Alright, apology accepted."25Please respect copyright.PENANAoOsexDmDcq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhv8Xog1VCi
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–25Please respect copyright.PENANA56i63hzOBC
25Please respect copyright.PENANA77UdjwS9dr
"--only on one condition."25Please respect copyright.PENANAHPsFquIY6C
25Please respect copyright.PENANAV07WRBpFAU
"Eh!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAr1pghHDSL3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlckFLwHHgl
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7Rlhe3kuK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAujLCgLdSRU
"That's right."25Please respect copyright.PENANAC3WWesKfmd
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEQcontRWKS
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1LQlMQ3BR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWH7PCM4IV3
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."25Please respect copyright.PENANAAozOmeVAMC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw49LJehICu
"He sounds like a priss."25Please respect copyright.PENANAIGiiDudi87
25Please respect copyright.PENANAn3pJcrxH9n
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAcmof1K12kB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmcOpLgHTkx
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.25Please respect copyright.PENANA49fQxNcsTq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXmH1CTCPXJ
"Fine, what's your condition?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAskiy8Sa72c
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUOZs0CC9et
I pointed a finger at her.25Please respect copyright.PENANAGRYn7Z83ow
25Please respect copyright.PENANAk04tLcKt5J
"We need to get along from now on."25Please respect copyright.PENANATwf9Jm1O82
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPw7Ib0RxSO
"...Huh?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAFD8xTm6ZWv
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqpw57ecEzw
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAgeLnpT8Nim
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcIefVjzKg8
"...Ha, that's it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAY7VXkKBZXD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAPJaz2YVNAS
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.25Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZJHcw5HZW
25Please respect copyright.PENANACtHvMgBOkL
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnWHJiEDdqq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAkfXB5UJsvw
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.25Please respect copyright.PENANAnyGOlGc7n3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVhakq4aLqT
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAronTgw88Nj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAF1mOa4ot6b
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.25Please respect copyright.PENANAMctKmnsgQS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxOOlElEf0g
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."25Please respect copyright.PENANAlGybnUFJUp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWRYcIRJR45
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."25Please respect copyright.PENANAqtaEXoIsaQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANADcN3PeO5UR
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZbmmaf71tj
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyN4U5R5U8E
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."25Please respect copyright.PENANAGjwOfpENty
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtylJvhVBXK
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."25Please respect copyright.PENANAuyOgjFAExq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgZ9tX2BwIL
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAScsB4KL4XV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWkT3xoXAaj
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.25Please respect copyright.PENANAaubkoiAdfF
25Please respect copyright.PENANA444Txlvt0m
"What a weirdo, seriously."25Please respect copyright.PENANADadca5lCh7
25Please respect copyright.PENANANkLFktYyJL
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAeMmdcvPFh1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqEXTU2fJEm
–
–
–
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA5EHfEPThMS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHMDfWQr9Nh
"You guys! You gotta see this!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAWEJ2gj4Kw8
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5VIzlNAckn
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAhxJCuNgK4F
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhz4YDsG0vG
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.