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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzRMGLdgLw
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiqxggwTix
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYegNxojrQ
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNxx4NKlNL
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"Oh, that's a good point."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZnbH45oCy
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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–197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCxCubPbNX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBLJ5iDBHh
**SWOOSH**197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJmu9kINCM
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vaTD9VW08
"W-Woah!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqJPvU3RP2
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJXLeDRNaU
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1iwc2IXDt
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFOcbLnC9V
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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?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ1uP5XVqs
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSLBeYj2fG
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"Oh, Juke."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPGjcTWoC0
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqlsYzVP3f
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiBABqmnzt
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Juke tilted his head.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ASUBN1Xa
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G2h2fBghC
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4nHKeOtyO
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqjUWJBsDl
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx30EXPwkr
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8JB09ob8v
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"That's a good idea."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26KYyAGMdh
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT3cTaT7mM
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuzzinpjdD
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmjD1NKHfr
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCyQwkm8FA
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmsx7E64fR
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhbPbXuarf
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**SWOOSH**197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpiEDcijJ4
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6jU3YSJWK
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJubTURWS96
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WOE1lUI9r
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"That's a bird!?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUExof5Dpp
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSgXAi2Yez
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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?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnoDMJtc4W
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixQYlOk2GD
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuVed83xsy
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0m32krZv
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHhKk8vmm
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gpQUyMdSn
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nTnWo3bB9
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiojUSXco3
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMh3f04HAl
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHumNrQlmkO
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s36hJftQF
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZKxVEvzzR
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM3JVkjdD7
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"Hahaha!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss6N4r10ae
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"Why aren't you answering me?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87qQBbvgMs
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimEAm7sf4m
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrr37SVdV3
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu3VsU2fsV
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"Huh? Why?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8qNGQfbzF
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL9FCa0Pxo
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"Oh, alright!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3dKf53Hbb
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb6a5pEAr5
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvW5jzkvxE
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZWVb2rIXz
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFTNNYK9YO
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MZ3A1wtVY
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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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJHSR1C1TL
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"Hold on–"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKMAMXdrMA
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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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugPBpVXc3E
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsvNI524ou
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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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rZdnTuvUV
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPjQ2GqNbA
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKoYtJe2uz
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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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFs3H0uzxa
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNkJsh1QmO
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUZi3CVMD6
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GxR7WTvQv
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"...Maybe."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd7MoNlg17
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"Why only maybe!?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38jYBtkbBj
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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!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLDUpaXGGU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKhoCmmNZl
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsVMyMcyJk
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNZq4FbMpM
"Ahhh... this is the life."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUS9i344Ov
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoZ1AAp5Sg
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUBhGMCBkV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCllXN2IIq
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Cjc5G2ZU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXfwICoIM
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F6z6WuTf8
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CNZ2NHRjf
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuN17L86H4
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xl1DmhsjR
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtitUb85fWH
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rHPyBJtYb
"Sure, sure, now scram."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj67YIXFL0
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xNVwLJ36
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbVaiFRRYU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiatZDVajDe
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVYUi4Hq3Z
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlhU824uVa
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTFuzft0fv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZGlGc1FzY
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRcd9anqOa
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAzldP9bbK
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sZKR1953u
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZELG5ItWHW
"A nap... hmm..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTTE87KEoP
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO464tuBa1a
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke3jgjlkpX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6pQwdZxzm
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvKfwYKRJL
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGDD0V03j0
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lfNHU4Oiy
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6vdpt0dX
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9yWjd4aNw
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1a4RRGZhG
"Ack... this sucks."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW2dpYOswX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqrSFhzL1h
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLd3vv6Rn1
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuE1lDl4NE
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dox2zwtq1
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5e8lxHl3n
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo06YwWE6W8
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84C2FpzTtT
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6oSmHqaSe
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAeIfjWLSe
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwQxOqSXaj
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.
"..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXWdIQ1zyn
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkbchU8PQV
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYHPjWRFWA
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRoNkmQigp
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9I9sEnQFE
"---Alright, that takes care of that."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9syfFeL4Ru
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzgca8QkHE
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcINfZr26cJ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7TN2AEx0J
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0FFMeiKUN
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQigTIVZQCr
"...Right?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1iXsrY8UI
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrXJ4VVJJT
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz8dxez24o
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRXFPsIw1k
"..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1XwfoVuDV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIvCpSJxfI
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoCFM6iyke
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkga6twEzLQ
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–197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42UtW07RS2
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuviKQWfFN
Wait, where the hell is she going?197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtp96pmjrC
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeodGojcB3T
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LX5LYsaFw
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR8UbsFc8O
"Rover."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRBV8dcWsi
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX56Kg5uRZV
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mw4QuUKPO
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ6J8dSd1C
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6UfKpGSHg
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbj5MmPsvF
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhskKafRCrl
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXanvAb4za
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgADVBd4VJ9
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeFEGihcoh
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3iL9JDKMK
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BnbFrv9EJ
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvlhXelRFT
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWYDNVfkzn
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQNvMDGTLP
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cCkiZCoe
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbduOKyBZX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAn9zBMOof
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QHKfWqHNv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndem11fNqv
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQcuGSxQdU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHQl7effma
"Oh, that... uh..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutcythe6Yq
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70QIXbFLkp
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLFFkWyrAS
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLIorIdrsd
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIoOZFO9oQ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G7K35L05l
"...Pff."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDschs7bbwt
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2uQQVw2La
"It's not funny!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXbU0V3ghV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBvmI7V1ym
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12LMVm8hEB
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpgLEeXZcU
"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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirkKKxUtvz
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxAdS2KnYk
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwJy8vFEJb
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalQOjMKP37
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoiLkpsSo1
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO50GgeIMf
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjbBPEIKx4
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkppatE4ZMX
"...I see."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaH7EpqFcq
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFzP7PUtXY
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXYSf2Ph3l
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sEuDe3VB9
"..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡediT78QvHc
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07NV8dVGRT
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO1KZ0Sow3
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgU1ZZa8U2
"What are you doing?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO1Kiz4irZ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGYbpzymgB
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG70Rw5q5E
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lhvSK0We3
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JO1vm5nBV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVPuB3hdue
"W-Whaa!?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9QtA0AhbX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdWM1nukkc
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfUexBpuUY
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7PDmvrSE4
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EAB9V7QAz
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU8pAsYUxL
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TQX08UwJ3
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXe70tTUAs
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnvccBxbEK
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAAiClFG4H
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8JMkiCKdW
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC6Gu9u1Vy
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2bRbc7NWZ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAOtvupXn0
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oLEfX15Tw
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuiEZvwFe4
"I don't like you."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mDqzs5JJz
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5UK3yGjsX
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCsL3a9d7A
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwEwFCSCd8
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjRRIXf6rv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9jYMbPy7S
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlESUxO3Inz
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtfAoyrLf0
"I... guess you're right."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNwXr0EOHv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcriSBv8Awo
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.
