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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wImYxhiYc
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkyK7ZSp8n
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"At least... I'm on my back now."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzF5BwdVxi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeAfgPhgDI
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLRJLN2Hd9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSEcBJ8fQP
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xCmYNgL3H
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L7MaBQkMb
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCIojrBQQc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wPiFHtCtO
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEa9dipnij
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9g0oYcMJL
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qyRQ5120R
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I was immediately startled.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIYH3vb5eY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiIiFJ0vcv
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaxrVGToYb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGawSDv1NM
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ191F0E0EK0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3MAw3hNrF
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEFvBVTZBP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0l6NcHx6t
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MwqmlvWhR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sC6o8bo0C
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtvgRMBxcL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt7IeiCiIf
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mLLTvbxf4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHQtYMIxYg
"Do you feel any better?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1tBNU3jDN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kl7JRr2Co
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXciTT1woeB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzaYPWNaXh
"That's good, that's good..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXhQguhYCc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcpWeYvMb8
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1O7eClanu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzDZD8dTGu
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtShfV6t5D9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NvK5g961J
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb7NAn2EGy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiCUA4sohk
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmyUinSmRU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLlvQUz4y6
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxdCJuuYNO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotzBEr5zAq
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGlyV9ruTs
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYGqCp3Gbd
"H-How'd you know?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhPyVIez09
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyMKEavJ5L
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT32Gb92tLW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxLx70RSZQ
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FQLm77ZpW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLHFKj4DUc
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlHmrnrhaI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtJzQFjLFe
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?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhu7krsFru
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVIADB0syl
Pars nodded.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7aRRW95OQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTuYn0t9r7
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhvxKZNZWY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZSMyS1R7p
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJnaC1NHu0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJhUytKWSn
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBdWs8ira2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ2HVx7qKg
"Mutual what?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE7X15mCqL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R8YjZkMGO
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQwZaFsS0A
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRixRjjNpT8
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmB4QceMg4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTAKyfczhL
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYQ5pzLHcG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpkfEQNG9K
"Really now..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HwI8Eijol
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMtSXSZlyJ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzabFjEJp4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMmZVgjYXN
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuhs0ig1Ro
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2TyXW5Png
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2xyh3jvZv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtctVzcsUTH
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL4zPu3q7M
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"Wow... it must've been bad."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREAyJEkpgj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq1FQTM4qv
"You're almost as flippant as I am."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt2FXxcf4K
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW6q12eWOi
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZApuPbAkxY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ZxIvlSpH
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQN8zU2IQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKvTjCGjo3
"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..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cTRXIweQ1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqtkLTfV5d
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJRgkKGRS6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkemnCKKVc
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt96xb7zAF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDJghGQsWo
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm1VhC8kTn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyseK2ePTRk
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vq0f6JjrP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoBndhPKSI
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0sUv8cXS8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyamvhppzkq
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xd7SUoPbB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpkrGALt1E
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb8XZuCf2S
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ecpBJm7aQ
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBxSl1bql5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVmQf0zbn7
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkwLw62UDM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18TMJVdA5T
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqB0MNBVqF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhaF8YZIWx
"I know."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iz10xW4ip
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUKn3NXhzQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDrSDELSON
"Tell you what; I can't help you."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6f4xX7KFd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2nIuU0Uw0
"...Are you serious?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZNFiXNuyt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEGKc8FNzV
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtInplWj5lk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhfSj3PyEs
"What? What can?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWaVvYAeQ4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlcnyWNVqS
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8IZ4QbtFr
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE99wHOgMJ8
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1vlraZgJh
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPc4f5qGKg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLfCHckxwO
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ7pBO7V6a
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPWyQdfrl8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMCWZEwOkO
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"Give it a try."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuz4txvb7p
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yZ2SRCCVt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto3nK4QE58
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5mna9ZpaN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW083hIkOBg
"H-Huh? Right now?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPiZDnfKdd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgdEsTDxtk
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUBkp2MwM5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp2KHcNxmx
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEindJyUwAj
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–
–
–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPOT1sWvAI
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"Are ya all packed up?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU18QYMbaV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnhML5wOGo
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGZtZtYxfp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iwORYYN5R
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACDXeTPROl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9nVSZTDss
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmXWpTRO5v
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcTmDdKwaf
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJqMbsDNWX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN0USOWZe8
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RKImhSUxD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HpadZsyaZ
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSCiE3zINU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YEyjHWq71
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf31q7SkPUm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSgC88fj6U
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSqwECl113
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSctR33cfL
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWb8pVz7EB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq5wXEb1E4
"I suppose that makes sense."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb1GjVsa6U
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsPcUcB4qI
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL79IMcCKiL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUslmid7l7
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhsXhXGQor
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7SU8xsLvK
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLVxmrTlpo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPYP4xdpP8
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq26n0MrRo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeYihQITdR
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuZ9g8fcob
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw0wqN1dLh
"What do I think...?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODYxywhxkZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Zm2NbQ8E
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYG08PMtHu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI9RNjSIid
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPy5B75qhe
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcgC6hVnKw
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqHeRdQAz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GzPgBz4N4
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUHCGR2e8m
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq5cOFdpgU
"I'm asking ya, kid."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLexotmwjN9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywaZWOVprW
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–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO2TYA7Bm0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYQx2kYv4c
"It had to be an Endowment."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65kM4M0AU3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj57ePbOwt0
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE35n3l6gHX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccL6NGPlTL
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ytuz14kH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PSHSr4Dek
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0CA3seuG7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl8PpXwUjG
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUBvzveysF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iWAPzTUGd
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnvcSwJnVI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhfSEiLsTg
"Why not?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9L5dz4rCL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMFm1vJtoE
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzAvKD3bM4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCyc5UT1tE
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutXHBqcfRy
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2OJUjiagz
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"Surely, there's a better option."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHSOLZcMDW
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"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2qFGthhqI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHIw3GwvqV
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPudQPZtLXm
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"What if we spy from a distance?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExi9zIBwTw
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"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ZU1DJo5q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80KvobaG1U
"...Point taken."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDI1xzATTM
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA7KXVFdRS
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch1XtYuGJS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioKdAj94Sn
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8P8R42hpY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRKiedt5Ge
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGhQPBfq4t
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7KVVygtjK
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJHPHIBEwC
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"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRFLPflChk
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We nodded in unison.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfURuyjhDx0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG84j95YPaS
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG9sZsFiR4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz60DG7G8X
–
–
–
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi6Et5CPvQ
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONONb2Cju3
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGumvtbdwU
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Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs922Yu7Ssh
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dke8iMEtn
"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?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q0IPLyxpw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAJJc5pFgb
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCby60z5f
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcePFLpYyi9
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PW3juq2KS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxGgQUmj07
"Well... I won't deny that."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lZmAU0HDW
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivskZQLNeE
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKPUxpVREa
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"Again? What do you–?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3PcvVTT5X
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZu7M9S89Q
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoh9iwr0bo
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYh394qZMa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX4agOTAO5
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMGFbckr8H
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE71AzzZDUV
"I didn't ask ya that."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U6QZ9GSAJ
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"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCVC6d55bN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20kFL71dsY
"That ain't surprising."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs1F55B5Tv
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjxC5pmRYN
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreDGTwZclB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreUGogwyiI
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV56qTj0Kj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fyG2eFpZj
"Yeah? Like what?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSuiJMZ9hS
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"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCZLFLsUwR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2OR3Eitg8
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQqQQB4kGV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhW5IIarLD
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo498tLTX7y
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH9PMxUX1E
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1tto4vZg5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1k9Z1dv4c
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrhWyTwDGg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLs91Xe8o
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFlet7NsdS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC85E15vW2
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BfYVXnFDg
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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–141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCHgl3QquV
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzzMr2WfE8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjWxLqnx85
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
