A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Ada96k6s
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ePS6rMBvg
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WscV5Ohz
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY7XYvgKlq
"At least... I'm on my back now."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorNlMjA3Z7
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkALJNcvzO6
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0YxBcdKgM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8xbBR52SI
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGsD5sWfji
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanDX4rvqwt
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwanyRyCBzx
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2493gJXBu
"..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7OfuXAbWd
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayB4omGTVe
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHOg51IfL
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnUaxBCyc1
I was immediately startled.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwCjs5JGxW
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kz9ef9ATe
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8HToQjMd
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJzkE5jUFp
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj6bBEycPs
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbliYB6XWMs
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWCNfQw5dm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBhmmVnmar
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8DcZZQF6D
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhcDG9Imbp
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdSY4vEyMM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2skWtMKvpX
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoiDMAHSuK
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJhvfEvrHb
"Do you feel any better?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZZm3IBgyL
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlANJu5IJ66
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3nh27KQgP
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRWRCwCd6m
"That's good, that's good..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGb6CZjBro
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3ciq1KxFO
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWcX2nrWKf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8FNyouKl0
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbbaetkiDh
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhofd2h6kcU
"..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbGRxWStxf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkTBwepjIE
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04iGV7158P
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF2Mib91fB
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXMZd9xrBS
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNABxtvfklT
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdX8qjf2SS
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYCJkpcFh2
"H-How'd you know?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnL341gGd1
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH22EP7bC2
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7Lg8HExkD
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyQQNCavlT
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3M53dprVo
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNjP60iAUn
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPa7fsVntI
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYg94g3XU8
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCowsQq6UJI
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZvCnByVTo
Pars nodded.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyiWU8nnRv
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEObz74QPPu
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx7212jHOO
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFhnXLXsIu
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwk8Im9OsE
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEznPzxQrpF
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87XrTMEFuC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hucqhWQFS
"Mutual what?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrhbym2ULY
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQNnXV26fa
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLIJKWHndw
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhQV6fIg5c
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEg6OSdlW3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxg4SOr2vy
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVtgI7ZMZd
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2DRYVgSYA
"Really now..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGVPTm5nVr
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06YwTxR2KK
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0drp4pa1N3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ712yfOmVHT
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZZwJXJKM8
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aZSLyqm26
"..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLQX4H1Cdq
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy05vUxttvp
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lUeRzABHA
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdM3QM8o84
"Wow... it must've been bad."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve1ngIG6xV
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqSEcjs1QT
"You're almost as flippant as I am."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdnOqRVPMX
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjh0c9aYBQ
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLt2aK80r6
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k4VHOJUpE
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EYh3aPwfh
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0vtORvnJN
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JG9pDt7gq
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1x3MObxr7
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdYYbaAaca
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP0l9kdHUl
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdPJ4PncUI
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgaFLPpU3m
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznPdJJHxY
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvkuvV4JH1
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp23jFx2wM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoE5KTkvr4
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfahoKNeJD
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG4n2groSG
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotPnyPiExE
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXtVAfePy9
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRG1SpYLKq
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeMXnpywB5
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF9wurmq8l
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRHs0Tziua
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOWQtaqgOs
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V7Huyxres
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfT0FIUoT0
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtnbsV970A
"I know."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw6zPmECUS
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFC1hG1bdo
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy4w8pktS7
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7gJ3Fe87T
"Tell you what; I can't help you."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHek1VElwS7
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliVD8SkcXs
"...Are you serious?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxva0PjcM3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CXhpPM21K
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzU0l5Bqey
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkA3WVqI29
"What? What can?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkpCJiNiR2
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mBb0vefI5
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaehJw8pHN
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSBUwlzDkp
"..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOszvv3I57
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y3FBbrRbb
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3bO2VrB0h
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1G8vX1kgh
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBaT2ErEjm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmkppdzDQE
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4oooB5O1y
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz9Y0hs5rc
"Give it a try."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RL8CNCv92
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlebFyHUDGj
He stood up and patted my shoulder.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwa9Dlymsw
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlTKmcn2lx
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ5CLYQls2
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYracWG5pp
"H-Huh? Right now?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07oJ3iHfED
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9sk7iX9Qo
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYjoWcg3u2
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rb6ZTKoDf
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDP9DghVq3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB5cIdPb8Y
–
–
–247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9DhnPIDgh
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vinrNCVEF
"Are ya all packed up?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dCaAC2Acn
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2TDNr8qdp
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6jWQiWbfg
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevTi1LgCnU
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye7yXq7d4G
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxLitmzJF5
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiEWQQxsYn
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgSg0WwEzw
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SwZMLz2tF
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdJy48mHMI
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszftSAE9Kr
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QVEb7v6kX
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILf2CW8XwP
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gcat0ykhR
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhTulY35Nv
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1uc4r334S
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRDv7gOunl
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3mBWYDTRZ
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYT8JHZoET
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Xt0RhX8Y
"I suppose that makes sense."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEoYCH6wRK
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTPcVaEUbR
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa7aFAcsFy
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jwhq5yKIM
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU2pjd0LOl
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyETUrtjuOj
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs2mU5Cfj3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVDTgAHHTM
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmCpUeXpQZ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlG6uAehcw
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm1yV2dmdF
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPlxWo6YAZ
"What do I think...?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgGtw9Gtr8
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEFU1ZNRpJ
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa4IYn5obw
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oXlERZpvd
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj86VF3ZPfz
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WZoDAkutE
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIg0yuGaOb
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwsl2eEC4c
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaIuDwUhXW
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjUOGhEjoZ
"I'm asking ya, kid."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk18nKixTc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWoozsmzqN
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj3h8efR6e
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4fN8sGtGD
"It had to be an Endowment."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXme8aCJeQz
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf4CG4le1P
"..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6iapFP3n1
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb45bRLbar
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz4JfoNpEQ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ChmvgSPLI
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVGB7pK3pJ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknmSymYodv
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pDaOj3KMJ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43OY5vmW26
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMtrmK18YO
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHip8xugzqK
"Why not?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTCJRtKZxf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbCskHA9wo
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG56nKO8ttf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB8ZprfGEv
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz6CFopbzG
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOqI2Gz1aa
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT5HLRO6rp
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHWqBPfgHJ
"Surely, there's a better option."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWv7P1q6nO
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65zVQITfRF
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pvwVReEhI
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJieJYw97a9
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp5b9AA2oU
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl3lGtQ4GG
"What if we spy from a distance?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5NJw9XG1h
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAeZLTqzzd
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYCvgmpZC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTcQ2H2xOG
"...Point taken."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9bADLHwUk
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDURNckbzn
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjtOQuI7Jh
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEHPsu0fep
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCMFJbOc7B
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFabNcD5Xv
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBsA8cy2L3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9SJmuxZnZ
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60GRVPyDSM
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7asgF3gSjq
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIVonG1Xor
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmACc6DT3Jb
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zBntb8GA3
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDMSfzWvW0
We nodded in unison.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQb56FcI9
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPipVRa7ifd
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHoUxWgLxl
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNmK5eL99T
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0eZ6AxwsC
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIAh1dOGMn
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUSdmLyhFy
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxPdcZf3e1
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigUVy5QFSU
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JHecYoocp
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPY4wtuuUO
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72rrRiYLjL
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXAci8vMAf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnxlHgkQej
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RYg5s4TSf
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD0ealA0Un
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO9LAK9Xma
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpPMtoJLmS
"Well... I won't deny that."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOKjNtcw5n
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnujYODY8JC
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mfuYk8lml
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfwzNOgdKu
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpIJG91LlH
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26AjHeoZxh
"Again? What do you–?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyry3iR3lTm
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1GO4GFBTK
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS8DZBD9Iw
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlghnmYEKYh
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlTwjBDlto
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvTHL232Cm
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgfoaiebQT
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4AbLJmGjt
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWDha9WAHc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAyfiZR972
"I didn't ask ya that."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYnfGZXP76
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0HX7gvBYr
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm9ZqUoMTS
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeBv0V6MNh
"That ain't surprising."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GLRpCgLnz
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0FY5jakUy
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekMZUvjvlj
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsiLzUcuGx
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcFRR4or5Z
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvov5H75gxp
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9eudKTh1Z
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2LaNHvGib
"Yeah? Like what?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhqktpV5HA
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZQMT5hUhD
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDEI5UKsqb
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv93Dwyktf2
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQfRBx2BUp
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGZUxrxfbi
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VnoI2UaBJ
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6HjcM2KOW
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklSuBb9qcy
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KiLDd4aE7
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGTDYpCkoc
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbjN6Fbhoq
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRDIzpK5jB
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74SzY6g7wr
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyehOgDlqrt
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwrnw0un29
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83qCRP3n0H
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7olBP6PIpC
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NETtVFWjv
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A33QQpt9l
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfQ3MrYaIg
247Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3OKhO2320
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
