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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAd4hcVl4sFR
22Please respect copyright.PENANA47cTzgYCNa
"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAft3SLXUWMl
22Please respect copyright.PENANAHP1iMrtpLc
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.22Please respect copyright.PENANATwXVhXkVlF
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhqmuRcpBcs
"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAnDdDR1FRMT
22Please respect copyright.PENANA80zEIaPxy4
"Oh, that's a good point."22Please respect copyright.PENANAH2DD5UcvDa
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ho5PHMIfR
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–22Please respect copyright.PENANAQQUFz7vGeS
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqp7QuHVnxx
**SWOOSH**22Please respect copyright.PENANAfIz4IRz5YX
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0Q5Qkzgb0w
"W-Woah!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8Gr0HcEnuC
22Please respect copyright.PENANAx12F238IKC
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAXauYxU6n1i
22Please respect copyright.PENANAAelEi5SM4D
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5QTRK7UxH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAOZaHNKVv9F
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA1EGqJmCS88
22Please respect copyright.PENANAyKfNbwIDwY
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"22Please respect copyright.PENANARQ6vr32R2R
22Please respect copyright.PENANARqrmEQS4DC
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8yzQDNgYkQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFXkkE4bAKb
"Oh, Juke."22Please respect copyright.PENANAaosRmNslbD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoeQqymhmqs
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.22Please respect copyright.PENANAbopL29Y76D
22Please respect copyright.PENANA999bYFFH90
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAj1eaFCDQO3
22Please respect copyright.PENANARn7RVoYa40
Juke tilted his head.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxFHAMGc8sN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAddBeDEIu8Z
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAoGzZk9JqKD
22Please respect copyright.PENANALR7wCZNMVU
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."22Please respect copyright.PENANA7dPdAbMi32
22Please respect copyright.PENANArOMiseydfZ
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."22Please respect copyright.PENANAFRFtYIzzGd
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXLdygHZdpO
"That's a good idea."22Please respect copyright.PENANAGXR3kVkYqO
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9LAXYaAiCt
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAYtlZq6V3as
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXRQuEWahJF
"What's the matter, Kenny?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAuiUfrO26Ll
22Please respect copyright.PENANASueAevl4TB
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAYuQfiTBKeM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZX6O6W0fvh
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."22Please respect copyright.PENANAIxeLyjYzmx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMhuxf1Pdv1
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"22Please respect copyright.PENANA6XUlH58fva
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxE9xJ1eUYQ
**SWOOSH**22Please respect copyright.PENANAnyJe20hPU6
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8UKkzIPyZg
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8BP5YDuITY
22Please respect copyright.PENANADut2X1dnSu
"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAxAxs3dd847
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsxW9M0zoP4
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."22Please respect copyright.PENANAF4MqO3RBoK
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVZ7NeYYJOT
"That's a bird!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAw6btMNeagY
22Please respect copyright.PENANAv9Jjy1XWjZ
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxe9uYKrF3s
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqa1oy0eY2z
"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?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAHxsupezjwZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZUjdibryvz
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."22Please respect copyright.PENANAh5xVD2KLzG
22Please respect copyright.PENANAe3Wi4THBha
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"22Please respect copyright.PENANACusA5zNC8M
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiovmDE2xID
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.22Please respect copyright.PENANATHB6eDqd2R
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuJQluaikyH
"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAfYkpgG0jPS
22Please respect copyright.PENANAeNqotLHbv3
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAJiiHfZ7QVS
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsXMjx1MTsJ
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQTvI3cClCA
22Please respect copyright.PENANANaECRRqAh7
"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."22Please respect copyright.PENANAuawDEuS5NE
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoKo31w3Fno
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."22Please respect copyright.PENANAInRuLi6zMv
22Please respect copyright.PENANAksBIQ1HLT5
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAbrZFFhW9s8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAO6YMqEi2d0
"Hahaha!"22Please respect copyright.PENANABmrhWf6lle
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8s1E9gCTjc
"Why aren't you answering me?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAkUcKUpR10O
22Please respect copyright.PENANAlcsonLtAYS
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAa3nmpqT5uA
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiSQV1J4x6C
"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.22Please respect copyright.PENANA3efHzcU3tW
22Please respect copyright.PENANAooNIErWbcY
"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."22Please respect copyright.PENANAV4ABqpk2kF
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGktWwkaZ03
"Huh? Why?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPGZodM55BC
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmOXsdKMOcE
"Purely for the sake of the mission."22Please respect copyright.PENANAHygF26eFqo
22Please respect copyright.PENANASZJQnFjdfn
"Oh, alright!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAYElsvG7gwP
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9owYaExvlf
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwE3JOUb3dX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAf9OnxnMbif
She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxCa8UC6o4F
22Please respect copyright.PENANATnToPuUto6
"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."22Please respect copyright.PENANABH2pJIrLtl
22Please respect copyright.PENANACjAIU1harG
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.22Please respect copyright.PENANA3BVg8nVCq9
22Please respect copyright.PENANAWIYIIOadLl
"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.22Please respect copyright.PENANAydoa80oePj
22Please respect copyright.PENANALLKBWks71m
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANALgJXDTQQSs
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvlUKXTgbFj
"Hold on–"22Please respect copyright.PENANAIEaRxtOQQP
22Please respect copyright.PENANAT3RT9kYfQt
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlX0IVUFbkT
22Please respect copyright.PENANApdPJ4BANye
"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiCidHt8tGm
"See what I mean?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAgQDO0Kfdpu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAOzDoFxOz5Q
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAbiBFUatMTp
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4awvzIcrJ0
"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.22Please respect copyright.PENANA0m1qBL6ial
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMm2AWK89QL
I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.22Please respect copyright.PENANAfiqH1URfxN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAotX2K8moBn
"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."22Please respect copyright.PENANABbGVIr4VrG
22Please respect copyright.PENANAlzeAH5lZH5
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."22Please respect copyright.PENANAb2Iv3AMaCJ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVOSs6GUsx2
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."22Please respect copyright.PENANAttXw1sjeBE
22Please respect copyright.PENANAlHSnFQYVXV
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."22Please respect copyright.PENANAcY6lnQAPiq
22Please respect copyright.PENANARLw2gpG1b9
"...Maybe."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQioQtbaIpt
22Please respect copyright.PENANA2gJ2z5I1ID
"Why only maybe!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPvxPXHe04q
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5UZyT7q6OY
"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!"22Please respect copyright.PENANANotBqqezMs
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGCsyh6Ywnv
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.22Please respect copyright.PENANAi7KHfF1hTK
22Please respect copyright.PENANAD109Xcnaw9
"Ahhh... this is the life."22Please respect copyright.PENANAHKp5U8jEuV
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3VAc7e3Sa7
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwFOB1wT9cm
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxuYy9FUyUU
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."22Please respect copyright.PENANAp84XyHatN0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMQTqFCQ4FR
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.22Please respect copyright.PENANAs1VoJGFpfU
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqT9elQl3S1
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwWTAiOIbXV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAeI7p5wH2mr
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."22Please respect copyright.PENANA5lzC6dteWn
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjRtvRCVbjY
"Sure, sure, now scram."22Please respect copyright.PENANAu1pwyRXeSw
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEuz0B1UUxL
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.22Please respect copyright.PENANA6B8Vrpnu7J
22Please respect copyright.PENANAYPOn1TF7ym
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."22Please respect copyright.PENANAYxgynvYRY5
22Please respect copyright.PENANAshyUf3FwD5
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8H6SOkje9l
22Please respect copyright.PENANA76EGyN6FLp
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."22Please respect copyright.PENANAzS97LJCmXA
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9OLLZV47ek
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAuso2VwOR2j
22Please respect copyright.PENANApW4z0tVPjr
"A nap... hmm..."22Please respect copyright.PENANA9JjZ0BPVui
22Please respect copyright.PENANAO19WRHeWmq
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.22Please respect copyright.PENANAKS54bzVGak
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbFgeT8v0z0
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAH2xJYaRiKe
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQLvdpXHLzW
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.22Please respect copyright.PENANAe9udtlL5jm
22Please respect copyright.PENANA2ouGxaqpr6
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAw08BvOtdjo
22Please respect copyright.PENANALDybBIEaTV
"Ack... this sucks."22Please respect copyright.PENANAcUSy5uicmI
22Please respect copyright.PENANANsX5dZOugA
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAkw2IlnHyQb
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvyWMZoUJMs
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–22Please respect copyright.PENANAywRCREnS4f
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4nI953V3W
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
22Please respect copyright.PENANAf7F7UUbNb8
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlStFLDnR8B
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7I8uHYjCsK
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAE4E3jJ0VUJ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkpZEwjWhzN
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.
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAWVswBqDsYs
22Please respect copyright.PENANAc9peGb99P0
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMKnBF4jjLM
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAzqIVWwROZn
22Please respect copyright.PENANAo5Y2RioFHY
"---Alright, that takes care of that."22Please respect copyright.PENANAT6f9MiB07U
22Please respect copyright.PENANAgupBChQZHN
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA1euiJK90aE
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbhDXzl10TU
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAvgelI6eMdh
22Please respect copyright.PENANAejBN48XKAB
"...Right?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAiRBwfESdN3
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvJVFjLMbAn
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAskLLPLZOVO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmw7MfAyLEa
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAp6urLakrTz
22Please respect copyright.PENANA51VgwJJpSo
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA0O9MtQQ2Gz
22Please respect copyright.PENANACX0mdWyr5n
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–22Please respect copyright.PENANALmLQM9NBvi
22Please respect copyright.PENANABXa05Gd1e0
Wait, where the hell is she going?22Please respect copyright.PENANAQBssI9RdsR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqyDJlS7JKI
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.22Please respect copyright.PENANAffPvOLzvaM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGolBkSnZa6
"Rover."22Please respect copyright.PENANANQubbjLqBs
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfogm4lhxdH
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAOZy21a5J9y
22Please respect copyright.PENANAYFD8wuytji
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.22Please respect copyright.PENANAJK8ouJz4mX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuZHDBMVV4h
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAXWIfZ3md1L
22Please respect copyright.PENANAKazp820edd
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAgoCjZDdCK7
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXFHYVJaQeN
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAg4dj1HiouH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAl2UoxaQJ2s
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."22Please respect copyright.PENANANZ2ULW7ZUx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAnOSWjV7t1b
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"22Please respect copyright.PENANACrSprNpsR3
22Please respect copyright.PENANAd7IpCy6ekS
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAaFmJzS2G9j
22Please respect copyright.PENANApdrwLhJncK
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhbNEILtAel
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVIF1RkW4w1
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.22Please respect copyright.PENANACFWtnwYpQ4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhKC9K7QzV0
"Oh, that... uh..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAVMvAR1BaEy
22Please respect copyright.PENANAluNa2QJwov
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.22Please respect copyright.PENANA19T3potPzN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAWcchAnjPik
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."22Please respect copyright.PENANAs5GyfTLFC8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMLmbaCetw5
"...Pff."22Please respect copyright.PENANABvcZqdJTS9
22Please respect copyright.PENANAWOcMOjgjIt
"It's not funny!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAkqUwbFtqg8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvw6AY5dgSl
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAEg39kphzUC
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4Qi4pbwrVu
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAYxS0pPbY2f
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhBK29edpqE
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."22Please respect copyright.PENANARNzuBVJWxr
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkbkEnsgpaj
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.22Please respect copyright.PENANAqwF1sFPVR7
22Please respect copyright.PENANA94xsXbazPm
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA6RZrQLghsi
22Please respect copyright.PENANAHiM57t3Ci3
"...I see."22Please respect copyright.PENANAdFQEbtGiHn
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9dBp4HbfJU
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAIo9TF96lkL
22Please respect copyright.PENANALJz6AyTRM9
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAho8SNDnS9N
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmL2F8Igq5G
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.22Please respect copyright.PENANA7pgTJdFq2e
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwiZaRGWoSD
"What are you doing?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA3amGkGswdn
22Please respect copyright.PENANAOQlssWr769
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."22Please respect copyright.PENANA0wLCQM38I0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAehkAjjpNrf
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMC0X8Ybgog
22Please respect copyright.PENANAr0LO8fUCkQ
"W-Whaa!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAltOEAuuqjj
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIusuC8Hl2N
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAURuO0OHTfD
22Please respect copyright.PENANArJ1fo5pZrH
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA03g0tZV8Jx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXVbKaHrfT3
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."22Please respect copyright.PENANAAWlZiuToeQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGXhp0aHPfN
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"22Please respect copyright.PENANApOqGIzUZM8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAdZATMMJtkB
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–22Please respect copyright.PENANAC8lM5bWZw1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAinM1ccbHKO
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."22Please respect copyright.PENANAlhZybhbEwe
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbmNkrESFwo
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAIATINcuOtC
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3qEHEFuTUA
"I don't like you."22Please respect copyright.PENANAhxJtVBptHW
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4aqJYJPn6p
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAcKphdqv4dV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfsDRpGTi7B
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."22Please respect copyright.PENANAgL34kETm0Z
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjn1OunwzSQ
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA7JuuNgVyE6
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvhDLZgcQ0Y
"I... guess you're right."22Please respect copyright.PENANAEOiWuTn1M7
22Please respect copyright.PENANAaFWxqpGyPS
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.