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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33mY1xM3iw
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ0R63LGxl
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Vxl47lXq
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgk2FV7o0u
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"Oh, that's a good point."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IdwqpGfVs
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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–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaflLVm1coR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkh01YUpz0
**SWOOSH**175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM61VFRWF7
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"W-Woah!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07menArfcg
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ooz6uBplv
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDuiQXtBc6
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi1twTgmFa
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaJnoFOufl
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW8bYfvwrP
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"Oh, Juke."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATpfOqd6Gf
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBujL0D3Y7D
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuxpotPEUC
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Juke tilted his head.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSBKkEzlrR
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy25wbRVUsm
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjMDZwMXni
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGvXGFSHOO
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"That's a good idea."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9zsyGoD0V
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MZo2MU6PZ
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHPRLUYEz7
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBypkWWyda
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvs2Ljl7sy
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L1xem4y8t
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**SWOOSH**175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHOO3pobSd
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oRlOLDiPi
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PalgPTw6G
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZL4o1vweQ
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"That's a bird!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVBPQoD9xD
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzACLxTUd9
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"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?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEiya12m8w
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT6Vk5Ytjg
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A75khSe2P
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGajo29z9U
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Z58upmXD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnR5drtbhV
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCuvrTywBu
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHtgfS6IUR
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvTJ2pxPQd
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzH3fDZBHY
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJvxHzfor8
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"Hahaha!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxVFrjRLwi
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"Why aren't you answering me?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3iKf56aTp
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzLwBacBvq
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfBAItAW5L
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Y9jc8m2s
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"Huh? Why?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjH0nueVEK
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnsXSWgkaq
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"Oh, alright!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ10yGqkDD
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG1zdUFSfS
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCd01VeWe4
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHWP7a7QB5
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x6A6R1UpV
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtTPDPeeIa
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"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTRgRL3uiZ
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"Hold on–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mihCAm6BK
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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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l0ybcIoUa
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl68YVZqTGz
"See what I mean?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXOCsZDhQD
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"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccal1dRbui
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRm2s5aSbX
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSHiwSSojL
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABdh9uVCSV
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sGedRP9KW
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6KCh6bwNi
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFXaZVjSn3
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"...Maybe."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcxvoPFIPH
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"Why only maybe!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUqUk8R3jF
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"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!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrls6x7P4D
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCel8bejEi
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAUC06fQpx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkiKSwuZvl
"Ahhh... this is the life."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAxJhm9JbD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PDZyBSpBv
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk8RD94LtE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTtKFNsZj3
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZK7Smgrhr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23DB7gPuUp
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnVDSCRmvP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNmJ1fLnj7
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYU3XzUvEz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW0Pki9lhu
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3CKbN8KYl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N18gY3wRS
"Sure, sure, now scram."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMISqd7t7f
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwYmm4Q1Og
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosJhpqfkM0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EYGT1ZVll
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1weO06Ks1v
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzQ0n37ODN
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EfQP5LGGt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLMU6G1kCn
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HLaHxSFtB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVdVcsgM5L
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2qcnU5BD7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgWOHi70NQ
"A nap... hmm..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd2sv3fpcS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PJTmgY9dR
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wVWjRFNXy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN5dWtt8gR
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iLP6kX35S
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiVEsLFr2T
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgUsYlYcam
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgC5soBcn6
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOATBHkfJV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB9wjh8p8d
"Ack... this sucks."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUmCs1Juwd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYWyNdICMN
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRMfuHjH3j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwCcgyqP18
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1uJ7g22vn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9YW0lapQS
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBXUfkr3YR
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY2uUH5SVc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnsOobZFK8
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL4IVWPGqt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODu0g5zw4a
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.
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvF5OhpI1m
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ24q7cmMK
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiovcXBo5pE
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljI2RCGGqs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRURCVPia0Y
"---Alright, that takes care of that."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P78iTTAv5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsslyk5LnBJ
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRIAhP22uR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M4RnJsHGi
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ3lucn2rT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgzd9m3L2U
"...Right?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1tM7TLB3r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj3HsUWRXt
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOroucoQfTQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEPVEX8O6N
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ1wHfnf1j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH7SwGoBzL
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQsauAO6Zk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF1039C7HX
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–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8BvbyYWFZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4BRm0GZp2
Wait, where the hell is she going?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaB7LY23It
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyFwII7UtN
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4dBh791eB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV983lJQuEo
"Rover."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWEGq8ewTr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs0G288kdh
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxGlq8txqv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dqyfX4Jid
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHNDs4gA6G
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjJuklbK3W
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI44jPHxcJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjL2LeOt25
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3rFSQYXI6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MddyeloNp
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1j29Pqcs9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY572ErRwx
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCT1XV7JqK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjhnciZB31
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ6Pyv7pP0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUH5oOc14P
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1FLdSyw3L
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D0eY80ja9
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItCniceknQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVVM25dc0w
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Y42SJJYY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpPvp5jdI4
"Oh, that... uh..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIKmjMlLDV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26suWVq8mj
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsKPUAqQga
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFcsTNWYiC
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjojZ21UMw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI06urKUTf
"...Pff."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjOEbqNp5A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5omCrdpbt9
"It's not funny!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbfZ3vcXrC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSR3CanEQ7
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0uj39ss0I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP75tv86AdB
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1V4svM5fn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB0YsdSsRw
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aRMAOLFOx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmgkiLQfaQ
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMAhNUQyPI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gXarenncU
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVWXxisaBJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6cCj5lH1Y
"...I see."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQIdxCR7gz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmfq500Fey
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9QhtYn8mU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthZT97vK4A
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E291kSSUL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizbDSQO7ws
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92ejeoNDv1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcTYqnkizd
"What are you doing?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1FEDil9Xu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxtQOSzSIO
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iwVfymUI4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKxY6HI9jI
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3fCBLZTvS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh00Yig8YF
"W-Whaa!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2aCpKaHbY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjJorVKL60
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXSSenTDnV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcZgAWA9GD
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hg7SWEjxM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhoR6SWuKw
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtHucrF4Vn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Kghvr1kz
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVhRRwC2jc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rd7CMjLKJ
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmigdjXbkzI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZnYJXqUls
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKeLHHZ9X9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisHmFtxigl
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCbgreHJbR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl0kILtRxp
"I don't like you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnj0aDi8dQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Cm709aC8
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH29q6W1Mi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz65koVzaxC
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEZpJhD76A
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m5fWOlU6R
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ0A42yG2u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDIQVm7JJ3
"I... guess you're right."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFOfgOyVyH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UvlPugYAh
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.
