The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiLiMrlCce
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FjWysPHB2
"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOXr2lF82z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mYpR1QTv1
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJQ0Tx9uOw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVoMfeMqrr
"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLWuqZRcha
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbCMThRLgi
"Oh, that's a good point."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03TTbItxIS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCa2jWtnLb
Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6uPEipq9f
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIrvZSOhZB
**SWOOSH**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozteMqrnFr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBfxPnJgTA
"W-Woah!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNPd8vIBzh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwhoH99D00
And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jazpEEVlY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthjD5RJgzl
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1M7bCy5KH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRd9omYOAl
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFIbt1BA4b
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICpQ3TIRTI
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFrY7L9m7d
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLk2nzwzz9
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zFsFxDQgN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWa4klVpiY
"Oh, Juke."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lBZwuH2HS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu7iCWTyfV
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3h0kvM1wJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOSwC86JAX
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPND7gwtrV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfMMmE4Lpk
Juke tilted his head.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFiSPT83tG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLavPP0y41
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ocld663k6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlIuawC0Ti
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7tC1Tig07
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBrAUNdknh
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdJiuzwZ1T
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEosyBbyDD0
"That's a good idea."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk9s3liFcO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3RdIbvSQ6
I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtuyKvEfPa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCyxwO13xD
"What's the matter, Kenny?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8VLM9tEyL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfmry1Mmvj
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaXX2V96HK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK9C0tGRwQ
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVVwQ9VR6f
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRb6MW4d0Y
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKJquqWIvs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcr7mhvLa1
**SWOOSH**240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT10NjUdsKZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyPZloce6j
Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwtz9KUfQR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Qg7Cehvd
"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMttaQOclVj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl2D8O9Cam
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFVDuboQ14
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5JSQgZH25
"That's a bird!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaehBo24Bir
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXZwQEG0M1
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8SIiIq4id
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E29XWdfQR
"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozcojfibZf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMZAI5yt3U
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmfyect0FN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpjPrOrcdM
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rbTR0oSA6
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUjeBIFpDc
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEVAxrM14K
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyK1RatAIS
"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zzhb55ClZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1mBB0MplQ
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMxtCBRJBd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK9yMcfP4O
He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1HBq43j7j
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzQLQuPoBq
"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOd05jCLpE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJXHJ8cisf
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO9boctgwB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPztMjNR1rt
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3KAKuNBE3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0TqMEjAsa
"Hahaha!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5YNme6ctT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CfTxEBMRV
"Why aren't you answering me?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7mio22Q6Z
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5vBNDbrKr
He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvlJ1rGpAZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLZ8fD64zP
"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVZwUR4VM5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqWvbxvqZU
"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRCn421rv8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yx5Bygw7l
"Huh? Why?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJVNUxfZe7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytaux4Fl4e
"Purely for the sake of the mission."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN74QM9wDt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOO8NftdME
"Oh, alright!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgNrqlTXK8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTGY35ZKSG
Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdApwieMCK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcbsJK2PE5
She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h62N0qhuN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUhcjqREzh
"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQdC9AXL5n
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg1unsDoCC
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1O9EI6PTd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFN0r6DSzK
"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxYs3GgbWN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMf1gQM6ZT
"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv6veh6oIx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w4ItcYI8p
"Hold on–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb63aihynvx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8shTVbPxSO
Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvDd26fyXH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHiAWtB0bt
"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NXIyfeqP9
"See what I mean?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu2D2CwLED
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3AzpSSU9V
"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgw4gTUmmk
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhRKEMPnh4
"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBpJapZjK0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTjyqfb5rO
I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNNBz6ERyX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydAW4D6B2J
"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ7FRwIAfW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRLauAQdiV
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFfw6fs6uM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudOu4cpqOE
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6pTqATQwY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJtQXjoPTY
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QfUOP6sQj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jGec9IbiI
"...Maybe."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv6lSAA2UF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLvfWd21WF
"Why only maybe!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFLQjJuvfS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i8VY8K4z8
"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5UZizHuzD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJKGJNWOzy
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhhKzXTDXv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYMGMpOrNE
"Ahhh... this is the life."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AOJwzwaQX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK00H5E7B1
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEK7eE2PJH
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1AK77HUQ
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAoiyRhs81
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJoAz97Fw6
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnuGmKSlnM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hSayd14zp
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUVLvzm72r
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjo0oXRvKT
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQJquaZH36
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvD1oglHzq
"Sure, sure, now scram."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY8xLfkpa9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GD53FXQqb
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBIKjdDsmJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fgLe5ch8n
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOYKehRSuJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXfNhQgB8w
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsD5EyCqhm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AyMU1VnOj
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZwMvhlqsd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQuuWZa3cW
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03n3ObchxL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UbkM0ug2j
"A nap... hmm..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSpM4na12s
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGSaLGWVQS
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27wKjD2gn0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnocYJmwi8j
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJg3EK6tMp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED1oFdqmZM
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5sxB4hsZs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNx4Cpv9mU
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDmY0ieivI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rBQFYHbBH
"Ack... this sucks."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb0AhEBSZz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKMBxJHJSf
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDtnmwbWCX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejyfKhHmM8
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFaJ8bIvJc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfnYyDYOA6
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUQaaPH2vL
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62HLmpsicc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5QXwDGhne
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJuSzhKTv2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkumPSe7WA
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlsBsgR4Id
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTGtWpltPi
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNGEi6ZR0P
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqOmAPzP8W
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFBQXQkBMv
"---Alright, that takes care of that."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qcBHhqWb8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlUHkMDTzd
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2vBwYyjZ0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgWeIzuIGu
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXYzkpi3Lt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HbLOoC9a0
"...Right?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oQpAdRubB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue27pJQePx
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kpJS96GRc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyiGX7InYY
"..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKz3YETlnJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFkkBrpQ6a
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOkWsPepYT
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsVL0xA6WS
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k8aNXinil
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQtCykZZh0
Wait, where the hell is she going?240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxzj6Wj6F4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4A7p366I0
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDHaMxwbJz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhHgDle7iq
"Rover."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7bT1kr4ij
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEzka2jDyR
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtsQlZuvUj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkiod3t64E
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0cdghmcsU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDmDMV8GM4
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62J9lumb5G
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVJAOZM1bQ
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK9JzW88dt
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbpsOlVlTa
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm9ZofUJB4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ2oOHc4xh
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpXHUIVKA7
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzZtIiMkoH
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3g2n1BpTy
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6T3i8vfEc
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllIrVxgCCD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHydf5kLEDa
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzRWPbjRqO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0y5wxdyFP
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96aBLjCgzi
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYWFmco5hT
"Oh, that... uh..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlCCczCVWs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMhOr83URc
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mAMKzrkom
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT4vFkCjXe
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawAdcsu6mu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GIjwIT5yA
"...Pff."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp5f0wlBi9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbYKvUCpfk
"It's not funny!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthiHUKpaBG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J3Deax2bj
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5IKDrxVf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yYoZHcqxO
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdADVw0Y0qU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8apLWfVkOr
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yx6o7yg2y
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMWJToilsE
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhGzzagzOu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzKnQXlzIl
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViQubBZjfE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevegIhn7WZ
"...I see."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsSbjHmEOc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX4YRatIUz
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRAEYyenxU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZdBHur2Ml
"..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6mDRGFO6N
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhTaVl4SQD
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlSQfH8euU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfTZnQPhVh
"What are you doing?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxjLV0axKo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6NIBXOcfy
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13dnyRWFJY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81DIqnNFZV
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLkeo8H5Sn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkmSOveAuL
"W-Whaa!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDenJU2hdPZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAN82Eli0F
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8oXAGm6qd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTrb18gkcU
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNsmntNLyz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYjJItsmuz
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wae0aGMLg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxutVzrfy3
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7NMPokk67
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYkmOzZznh
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7hZ4CKSsr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7ZCwwHUWo
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCNcZbslIa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuXYAu3onB
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J2C9tUTOD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwcZtXCbBO
"I don't like you."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUz0KA8qvs
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT1XZDIaTi
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfN2wGF6vl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Say3ceM8
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxPY05SAaW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRs8zNeHTp
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDinhsKf5PI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzRAre6Ubx
"I... guess you're right."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4aQOmB0ag
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JYm1QLNbk
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
