I was blessed to be in a city like this where every resident had all their attention on the task at hand. Where every resident couldn't be bothered, or couldn't afford to spend time ogling at oddities occurring in their environs. Truly, I was blessed to be in a place like this.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KFnoCaJjN
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJdcCPVrck
"How's the weather up there?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrU4jS5aMB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7lxcr6Duk
"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWx5JDFZ7N
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmdmewsUv
I had my face buried in my hands. Like a child playing hide and seek, hoping that people wouldn't notice as long as I didn't notice them. Rover wasn't assuaging my shame whatsoever; with the way she boisterously walked, putting one foot in front of the other, it was clear that she wanted attention heading my way. I could hardly take it.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI5oxatpwA
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4cfK2NA2V
I knew Rover was bigger and older than me, but I didn't feel it until now, until the moment when I was carried around like a wounded child. That was because I was one.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvU9zLOina
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUJIvc8BZs
"Sorry, sorry."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBgRImv5yA
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz2CIV0tqS
"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyjtCjnG5I
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdLNZSDycy
"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ao25Fnnx
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcBQg5vs2X
"Really? I doubt... that..."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag0FTj0Ni0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjmSTIUekg
I opened my eyes and put my hands to the side. Surprisingly... Rover wasn't walking in the main street. Rover wasn't taking inordinately wide steps. Rover wasn't talking to every passing face, yelling "Lookie here" and "Isn't this guy a loser?" She was by the sidelines, even hunched down a little to make me stand out less.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiGy4XrbbU
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gPr6zVJrx
"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyqIsekuoW
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz1QjU18hn
"Huh? What are you talking about?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChMspynHWR
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU90HO4UJhR
"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeA8zSaamc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6XdgGsD1
"You're not making any sense."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOCuGZSIbV
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFYdy8Bee3
The tension in my body evaporated. I slackened my arms and rested my chin on the top of Rover's head. She began humming a little tune, and to my surprise, I found it very endearing.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yTXKF0hMe
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO93IdERe01
"What's that song you're humming there?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUXA6Tsc8l
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzo6Wepy9D
"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTwdhwcKvl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TuiGW9x2j
"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd7noytNtw
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A0W2h04Cb
She lightly shrugged.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAsUh4YICR
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09eXH5i6bc
"All I know is that the song was really good. It went something like: 'Did you ever see a whale, with a polka-dot tail...'"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cIHY17dxL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjS1qLDGXk
"That sounds like a load of nonsense."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRk8a6Fra4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPQ0hHuQPJ
She lightly shrugged again.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrFJNhrbmr
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImPMpOSCUk
"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivDmenyiIi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMkd9gQsxx
I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r7gSMvuG4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOMYQmqQQd
"And what makes you say that?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzU9doDChc
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseY7J1TpkK
"...Well, across the sea are the Flatlands, right? I always wondered, what was the trip to King's Peak like. Did the founders have to overcome other hurdles? Were there monsters in the sea, too? Or was it like the lake, where it was just really pretty and calm?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc63XtRsX6W
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1gdDMxGg0
"..."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dTHxk56h2
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7twbiEkE8O
I looked up at the sky, giving her words some thought. Naturally, I've never seen the sea myself, but if it was anything like the lake, then it would be a nice place to see, wouldn't it?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiK1CEK0fC
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxabUAeAu36
"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu9wihQMne
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsF11WGcBO
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV1TsruDpl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUfX67c8wA
"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPCipMSvpq
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PZR4wXrX7
"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpit4gAoUon
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Gh2EDU3O
"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgCWIPyJH2
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zBSPOHAi9
"It's not an obsession!" She immediately yelled, ramming her head into my chin. I flailed my arms not to fall off, then rubbed my face.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDpS0CugGs
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hdbAnKOGu
"That was excessive, apologize."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kEKXNSYBM
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8xAbeHIei
"F-Fine, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, it isn't an obsession. I'm just really interested, don't you get it?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyypr8E2xn
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16GmcNomnt
"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUGH1MjmBH
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CBd1GyDig
"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqefHSuz6MW
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPohTj2gyjB
"It seems pretty stupid to me."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwXwuraNiP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EWC7y6DQ2
She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLw7Qnwk8i
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7k3AzDpbO
"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVghYMrJdP
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIATEI4cBF
"You don't wanna go there. I have a track record of proving doubters wrong, and I don't think your personality can handle the sheer awe they will inflict on you."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx4ydD80Iz
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r05aCTwnh
"Whatever."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlLvACbZLN
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHy7ymVmfk
We moved in silence for a little bit.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hx7XCzxI9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJmSpSaIbD
"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8bduZ33rb
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjEpe46mRj
"Kenny, I have some bad news."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmQ446z3Ot
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVe4qursCF
She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZL8uOQ6qh
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2URhBpelT
"You don't know where to go, do you?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf13h0OI72D
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBTILnupp1
She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8MlBt4s92
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaCNXamxOD
"I don't either."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUH6rQ2EgV
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr1i7rsGN9
"What!?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5CoSVaDrf
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpT2gEwRKb
She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuHLzVMeWQ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQXyRZsq5x
"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAKWJfZx99
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIntJDmGykH
"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQob2uurpLe
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5gZBh5VkO
"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWv8J7dCos
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z1kb6dm2P
"Hmph."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Fy3DL65A
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhmlANqSdT
I sighed at her silly behavior and crossed my arms, tapping my finger on them in rumination. In that moment, we weren't lost, because tracing our steps would lead us to our abode easily. However, I didn't want this trip to be for nothing, and I imagined that Rover agreed. Thus–
"Alright, put me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Just do it. I'm going to ask for directions."
She tilted her head at first but then released an "ahhh" shortly after. I made a stone cane as she lowered me. Though my right leg could hardly handle any pressure, I was able to walk by myself just fine. We ventured slightly deeper into the rowdy streets.
"Uhm, excuse me, sir–"
The person walked right past me. Rude, but understandable.
"I'm sorry sir, but can you–"
The second person ignored me as well. Considering how heavy the box he carried looked, I didn't become upset about it.
"I'm sorry miss, but do you happen to–"
The lady spared me a glance but did nothing more than that.
"...I see the issue now."
The very same hustle and bustle of the street I was thanking a few minutes ago was now an obstacle we suddenly had to overcome.
"This is taking too long," Rover muttered, arms crossed with a sharp look.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait for the right one."
"Are you serious? I'm not gonna wait around for that! It'll be nighttime before we know it!"
I simply shrugged.
"It's annoying, but we could also just walk back and wait for– what the hell are you doing!?"
River stormed away from me, now deep into the traffic of people and animals. She turned her gaze this way and that way before locking it on something. Whatever that something was, it was close to me, so I looked around me only to find nothing. Then, Rover stomped back, moving more to my left, and picking up a person who was just about to cross me.
"W-Whaa!?" The person yelled, dropping his wooden box on the ground as Rover carried him over to me. She had a triumphant smile, but I was too deep in shock to reprimand her, let alone say anything.
"You need to think smarter, not harder, Kenny."
That asinine and audacious statement brought me out of my trance and into a fit.
"I'm the one who needs to think smarter!? Do you see what you're doing right now!? Let that man down already!"
She looked taken aback at my sudden tone, but complied, setting the man on the ground. He looked shell-shocked and anxious. I thanked the crowd yet again for somehow not caring for what easily could've been a kidnapping.
"I'm so sorry, sir. My friend didn't mean to scare you or anything, but–"
"My cargo! You brats made me lose my cargo!"
Somehow, the man was more worried about his cargo than the fact that he was snatched up. Somehow, it relieved me.
"I'll get it back, geez! Don't be so uppity..."
Indeed, Rover stayed true to her word, returning to the mass of people and coming out with the fallen wooden box. She handed it over to the man, who accepted it after standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. When he took the box, he had to bend his knees down, muttering how heavy it was underneath his breath.
"What do you brats want with me, anyway? Is it something about vases? Well I'm off-duty right now, go make an appointment at the–"
"No no no, sir, we weren't here for that. Honestly, we just wanted directions for the stable."
"The stable... hold on a sec."
He narrowed his eyes and scanned my whole body, doing the same with Rover. That was when I noticed how well-groomed his hair was.
"You two are foreigners. Here to deliver something, I presume?"
"That's part of our–"
"Blah blah blah! Nope, nope, nuh uh whatsoever!"
Rover looked at me with a deeply perplexed look as to why I just yelled over her. I gestured to her to lean in so I could whisper.
"This thing is supposed to be inconspicuous, remember!"
"O-Oh!"
She put her hands over her mouth and took a step back, nodding. I wiped my brow at the arrow we had just dodged.
"Our business here isn't important, sir. I know it's unfair to ask, but can you point us in the direction of the stables?"
"Meh... sorry, kids, but as you can see, I'm busy. Chow."
"W-Wait!"
He turned around and began walking away. My yell caught his attention, but I didn't know how to follow it up at all.
"That box you're carrying looks heavy," Rover suddenly interjected, "If we help you carry it, then will you tell us?"
I let out a sigh, silently thanking Rover for the sudden save she just pulled. The man looked at nothing in particular, clearly mulling over the offer.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qAVaFKTrA
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAeh82Fw5W
"Sure," he blankly stated before walking to Rover and handing her the box. As expected, she held it with ease, and even the man was surprised about it.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWSB8t9sPd
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rKHCmYGp5
"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1tFg6EwEL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWQ2rmBUEY
"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXVbJEpmgi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3XcBybtph
"Huh?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmAp29tEHL
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijHRip4pZU
She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz2HiksUug
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99QC2cq94I
"B-But he's right there."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaq5RH7EQB
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdraXJHVxEF
"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZQjdCnVmS
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPDvYOTtJe
"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdCdfWgsKE
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ulT1uQ6Y
She turned her head to me with a smile.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqG2V3xEpk
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfqppXNxym
"See? It's fine."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdFD6D8Lob
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dVMvaZ0yc
"...It doesn't feel fine at all."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44mreUmj05
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph6YtNiGgD
Despite my mutterings, I got on her back. She stood up and followed the man effortlessly.
–
–
–
"Just wait here, let me talk with my colleague..."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hYGz4q5cH
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfXly7irlP
The man entered a room, shutting the door behind him. The room had no way of peering into it, so Rover and I were stuck outside. I could tell Rover was getting impatient.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUMT64n31v
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaki8pvyOn
"Can't we just–"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QdUPZErbS
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3YhKPgjxB
"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayBV9FSbuD
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDXvzdS8EO
"Fine."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0eEmsTehS
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJx7MacVSN
A minute later, the man exited the room, wiping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He pointed in a direction with his thumb.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9JLxbXk60
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnVKmMO3U
"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfySNVoWR5g
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRZ4WpkLOy
"Uh-huh."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnGxMUQ2XH
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsAg1TarP5
Rover didn't sound very happy complying with him. I understood why completely, but considering how she scooped the man up unannounced, it made sense why he'd withhold information from us.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYUIKM8J2D
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq91pzqwt4C
But still, even I couldn't help but twitch my eyes at it. After all, we were carrying this hefty wooden box to a carriage not too far from our own.
"Do you need me to get off?"
"Heh, who do you think I am?"
She tossed the box into the air slightly, grabbing it with her arms underneath it, and pushing it against her chest. Carrying it like so, she boarded the carriage and placed it in the designated area, wiping the dust off her hands after a thunderous thump. When we exited the carriage, the man was talking to a woman. The woman waved at us and boarded the carriage after.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, "it's none of your business, redhead."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
"I meant the one with the darker hair."
I pointed a finger at myself, and the man slowly nodded with a smirk.
"I wasn't trying to snoop in your business anyway. Now that our business is finished, I thank you for leading us here, but I also suggest you start speaking to others with kinder words."
Rover nodded along to my words while the man gazed at me blankly. After an uncomfortable amount of time exchanging eye contact with him, he broke the silence between us.
"Say, where are you brats from?"
I put a finger to my chin, wondering if this was information I was permitted to disclose. I cast my gaze down at Rover, pointless as it was since her slight trembling told me her thoughts.
I figured that ultimately, it would be–
"...Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Hmm? Consider it a census thing. Since I assume you're here to deliver something, the origin of our customers is valuable information."
"The way you phrase it makes you sound like you run this whole thing."
He huffed. His smirk turned into a warm, humble smile.
"I'm a part of this contraption, but I'm no one so important. So, tell me."
I narrowed my eyes. This man was frankly unreadable, but at the very least, he didn't seem like someone from the Eastern Country. Even if he was, a city that was based purely on communication wouldn't have any biases, right?
"We are from Zariel Capitol."
"Eh!?"
Rover expressed her surprise, looking at me with wide eyes. I simply winked at her, hoping she'd understand it was intentional.
"Zarielites, huh... ah, that's good."
He chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, his stern demeanor did a 180. The man in front of me was amiable and blithe, nothing like the sly businessman from before.
"It's good? Why?"
"Well, if you're here from the capitol, then you're probably on important business, aren't you?"
I felt a sudden weight form in my stomach. Rover's grip tightened around my legs.
"I dunno what, nor do I care. I'm just glad, cuz it means you might be able to send a damn message."
"What do you mean?"
"Oop."
His eyes went wide, his chuckles became lined with hesitation.
"I can't tell you the details, but security is sharp. They aren't letting many people send letters through the Pillars. But I'm sure they'll make an exception for you brats."
"...I, see."
I didn't know how to take this information. I couldn't deny that it was useful, yet, when it came to this man, I struggled to express any gratitude.
"The name's Dave. I might run into you brats again, so I'll see you later."
He turned around and walked away, his legs moving in a strange, irregular pattern as he waved the back of his hand to us. I watched him disappear into the street with Rover. We stood like statues for an amount of time I couldn't even tell.
"...That guy's a priss."
"Ah, so that's what that word means."
"No... I just felt like calling him that."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind. Let's get your stupid leg un-cramped already."
She suddenly turned around and stomped to our carriage. Dennis was nowhere in sight, to our dismay. I theorized that he was likely heading back to our abode. Anyhow, the carriage remained locked, but Rover and I entered through a secret trap door underneath it.
Or, rather, Rover dropped me to the ground, and having nothing else to do, I crawled under the carriage and into it. I entered the back shortly after.
"Alright, here we are..."
Sifting through our supplies was tedious with my body glued to the floor, so I used the carriage's walls as support. I located my bag instantly, rummaging through the pockets until my hands touched a familiar cold glass surface. I pulled the bottle out. The liquid inside was a dull purple, perfect for loosening and correcting muscles.
"The Tea Mage said I was overprepared, but look who's laughing now."
I took a quick sip, and immediately, the pain in my calf dissipated. A moment of flexing and stretching my leg later, and it was as good as new. I got on my feet and exited the back with a pep in my step, making sure to put the potion back in the bag beforehand.
"Alright, now I'm– wah!?"
"Hey."
To my surprise, Rover– or rather, Rover's upper body –was in the carriage as well. She was holding up the trapdoor with one hand. A moment of silence passed by awkwardly, and instead of breaking it with conversation, Rover helped herself inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, just checking on you...?"
"You are a terrible liar. Come on, tell me the reason."
She released a defeated sigh, putting her hands on her hips as she tapped the floor with her foot.
"I wanted to find that letter thing Juke was talking about. The one with the royal's name on it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You heard what that guy said earlier, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, but–"
"Then I don't need to explain myself! Move aside!"
She stormed past me and into the back of the carriage. I followed her in a panic.
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning to go alone, are you?"
"Eh...? Are you dumb?"
I let out a sigh of relief. At least Rover–
"You're with me, so I'm not going alone."
Nevermind.
"W-Why now, though? Why don't we wait for Juke to join us?"
"Why should he? The guy's fast asleep, and it's not like we're fighting anyone, right?"
"Y-You..."
I couldn't deny that, as Rover sifted through the miscellaneous supplies in our carriage, she was making a decent point. Still, my gut was going haywire.
"I don't understand why it has to be now, though. Can't we just wait until our full party is here? I mean, really–"
"Hey, Kenny, you did hear what that guy said earlier, right?"
Her tone suddenly deepened. She sat down and turned her head to me. Her face was void of frivolity.
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Stinking liar."
"Now is not the time!"
She pursed her lips, but the 'whatever' muttered under her breath told me she understood.
"Anyway, the guy said that security's up, yeah?"
"Right. So what is... oh."
I pinched my chin as I slowly came to a realization.
"That can't be for no reason, especially if these bigshot towers are the ones being guarded. Something fishy is going on here, don't you think?"
"...I'm surprised you can infer from words this well."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid!?"
"No, what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying now."
If the city of communication required its stalwart pillars to be guarded, therefore inhibiting the process that is this city's reason for existing, then obviously, something was amiss.
"Point is, I think we should get it delivered as soon as possible, then high tail out of here."
I would've nodded along to her suggestion, but the sudden thought of something unprecedented and dangerous coming along left me... peaky.
"Shouldn't we just leave as soon as possible, then?"
Her face morphed into one of abject confusion. I had seen this exact expression not too long ago.
"Are you stupid?"
"Whaa?"
"I said, are you stupid? We have a mission, we should see it done, right?"
"R-Right, but this unaccounted factor–"
"Who gives a shit about that! We'll just deliver it and leave before it becomes a problem!"
She slammed her fist into her palm. Her look was stern, and her eyes were ablaze. It was a visage of determination. It was familiar, somehow, but more than that, it was assuring.
"W-Wow."
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, robbing her of the definite satisfaction she'd get from being validated, "Y-You're right, though, let's just get this over with."
"That's the spirit," she yelled, pumping her fist in the air, "Now come help me find this letter!"
–
–
–
We were back on the street, far closer to the middle now that I was back on my own two legs. Nothing worth mentioning was going on that I haven't mentioned before. However, we carried our gaits with a more definite purpose. After all, it was our reason for coming here.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4RO4GQxVY
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kyk0uwb0w
I held the note in my pocket while Rover carried the package in a bag attached to her belt. It was a surprise to find that the package was in the carriage, unsupervised, prime for stealing, but it was more surprising that it could fit in Rover's shoddy bag. The shoddyness of her bag didn't seem to bother her, however. She had a happy look on her face and a cheerful air around her.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJJvwMb1xg
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VUGxbdetQ
And then, it looked like she was suddenly struck by something. Her smile turned into a grimace, and her brows furrowed.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB6Z8jItsu
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoBwz6wYWe
"Is something wrong?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb15YngQvUq
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zgb7XOtrG
"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3fWKEWUmh
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ygeAVwINR
"..."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgtsPFUet4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs3cODvx2E
"Alright, fine, I'll talk."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hmM7iTBQD
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Krbgkb5jV
She kept looking straight ahead, hesitating to speak, but I waited patiently. I waited and waited, and it didn't look like a response was on the horizon. Until–144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXrjyDMLzN
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRR1ni9e0A
"This is going to be a dumb question."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcoyfvTmzI
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuUdFxfyQv
She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05BaE62kS5
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKMhuxTxzh
"So don't make fun of me, alright?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZKgdvxDI6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeBbElgEAT
"...I can't make any promises."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJXAGfs40L
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTVrG20piM
"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSerGWo48Zl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R6Z0fasTZ
"...I won't make fun of you."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgZ7pyjsi
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82kXsQoyKB
"Okay."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJw2YqWIsO
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4nDPjoE6o
Again, there was a long pause between her next words.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA5NjXVUuD
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTOA5L0K3v
"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBIec1GGpG
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqatMKnW2P
"Oh, same here."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaUtbWCHLK
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9kRFVbS2U
"R-Really!?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5w7w9kRot
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vzhoNmCP7
She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuMaAZfLkn
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPY9wyxyzB
"Actually, Juke butted into one of my missions a few weeks ago, so technically, no. But officially, this is my first time working with someone."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe4jJ1zQGw
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASgTOFbykP
"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhfU2phmV0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ddn73S3dX
More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCA3ZmXwJC
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuksN5Z96R
"Don't you have something to say?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hb6heQ3nJ
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsGzC5Ikqt
"That's a weird question. Not really."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BaYbbMdZ2
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcOmpdEjla
"Oh... alright, that's good."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTkaZMSjmq
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OylG4pIib
We kept walking. I noticed that her feet touched the ground with less stride. She clearly had something more to say, but I didn't know if wringing it out of her was a good idea.
"I'm gonna be honest," Rover started, "I don't talk to people very often."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbn0G7I2Mu
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1QHbvTh2r
"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyeHvq5Vfl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24Hp9V8XlR
"...It didn't make me feel better at all."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtki3bttLc9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsHLatJD2y
"S-Sorry."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq6Mr8rNii
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuhGk8iTGi
After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdDIRF1UG6
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4xNg3VQop
"It's fine. But, well, uh.. when you said you didn't like me... I don't know. Usually, I take flack from others pretty well, but for some reason, that didn't wash away as fast."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn4KL8VH1v
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8KydsBs2D
She pinched her chin and directed her gaze to the sky. She didn't look nervous now, but deep in rumination. I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid any risky blurtings.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZVj5m3nZf
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxh4IHsDu8
"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC029JSMZt4
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kM9e3gGMb
"...Kinda smart, huh?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzxp9Php2q
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABM0pSYCqM
I followed her gaze and looked to the sky. My previous decision was overwritten, but for whatever reason, I didn't feel any pressure to say something meticulously.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIup9gQjkL0
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V8EWhbfqP
"I'm not the right person to ask. Honestly, I haven't talked to many people until just a few months ago."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi1NDdDVcl
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCAVzfPv6x
"How was it for you, then?"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrorVY6d71
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCCUXRXXnb
"Uh... I guess, it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just a natural at it. But, you know, people often tell me that I say stupid or insensitive things."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIOAIoHqIK
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2nAWyz79N
"Damn right, you do."144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxCMqTmVs7
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeohnQ3SSCR
"Case in point. I'm not the right person to ask."
"Maybe not, but I wanna hear your opinion."
"Oh-"
Her wording made something click in my mind. I snapped my fingers in realization.
"You care what I think!"
"I care... what you think?"
She repeated my phrase incredulously, continuing and not letting me elaborate.
"That's dumb. I care about what everyone thinks. But I don't care about it for long, so that can't be it."
"That's a very simple idea. I also think it's inaccurate."
"Why?"
"Because... hmm..."
I thought carefully about what was going to come out of my mouth. Not out of fear, but out of a desire to say it and make myself clear only once.
"I guess when it's somebody who isn't a stranger, their words mean a lot more. That's how I always thought of it, at least."
"...Huh."
She was on the precipice of drawing some kind of conclusion. What exactly, I did not know.
"Say, if Juke were to say he didn't like you, what would you think?"
"...I wouldn't take him seriously. He says all sorts of lame and stupid things."
"Are you sure? What makes me different?"
"Well, you also say lame and stupid things, but when you say things... there's always a nugget of truth to them."
"I see."
In some deep recess of my mind, I was hoping she would chide me. It came out as a neutral statement, though, and I didn't know how to feel about it.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8KRfE3TF8
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3JZ52nNVk
"But if Juke came up to me," she suddenly said, "and drew out a sword, and started calling me a bitch or something, then I'd probably be sad."
"That's an extreme example."
She shrugged with a slight smile on her face.
"If you did the same, I'd probably just beat you up, then I'd be sad."
"I'm getting mixed signals. What are we even talking about again?"
She suddenly came to a halt. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were contracted.
"...Is this what my mom was talking about?"
"I am so irrevocably lost."
She paid no attention to me, continuing to stare into whatever void it was that caught her eye. Then, her gaze swiftly shifted to me, and I winced in surprise.
"Hey, Kenny," she said, shifting the direction of her index finger from me to her rapidly, "are we friends?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Just answer! Honest thoughts only!"144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRJljSaeV9
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakd4wfq3mA
The heightening of her tone galvanized me into speaking, but I didn't have a proper thought to articulate.
"Well... I have my share of grievances, but we've known each other for some time, and we've shared a lot of good moments... So I think we are friends, yes."
Speaking it out, even I was surprised by such a declaration. However, Rover didn't look happy or distressed, just confused.144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAgP8Ck2XU
144Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN98v457G05
"Oh my goodness," she began to whisper, "when I was telling stories at the fire, or even when I was giving you a piggyback..."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
Her eyes contracted, and her expression froze. I was ready to shake her and ask her what was up with her, but she violently shook her head before I could.
"Sorry, I just realized something."
"Mind informing me what!?"
She straightened her posture and looked down at me with her chin haughtily raised.
"No. Let's keep going."
She began to walk away, not even sparing a glance to check if I started as well. I rolled my eyes and followed her, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
The pep in her step returned, but the look on her face carried a hint of distress, just enough to where I was unsure if I was simply seeing things.
I decided not to pry into it as we kept traversing the busy streets.
ns18.217.76.59da2
