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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BSGvBqcM7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5jqptXVu6
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIkrBiDgDj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRVewiSMr
"At least... I'm on my back now."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12MclQJV0f
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeoALnR9Pa
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iX4AuPbRC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5nomKremB
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDyJp8itsY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcgPinLdGp
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcbqTa3oJW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEaLfuhCQN
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn87eplEPf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhcv19F40c
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd118d549c
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIddtu4VNxy
I was immediately startled.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTbXWxXQmm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqFDcdNYpX
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9Wcwv8OL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacz6yDuca7
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXkDCGhAq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXkEtZzZvP
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWTv6f6w9t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs39devbpl
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvtVfwGmjh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77UEjVUSNT
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ57jUPLznW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdGuy7APjE
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2bxTQHx88
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dDQ6SnYuP
"Do you feel any better?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Dy3BwQnm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlNWykklEG
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9fdUSxLX4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKmzyX9eHL
"That's good, that's good..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2jrWe1Wxk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsle1QXtsTY
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpn9Y9h7bU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jcre2WKxL
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8YstxadHG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n54Ig1Hlv
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN0K9eplrN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ69Rxt1Iu
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu89uRoWeGO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjvnseNiGi
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7E2w41XcX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vtzXFZViy
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5vR5KCWrE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKcnRMs9St
"H-How'd you know?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5pAW3pGDf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswfzym5hWc
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZH3CdWkBj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl1MWVaffE
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwNI9Qhhn8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUX6Wojkz1
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqLwzGp20
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVwnqrVe84
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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvsmOG0Qfi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNU1rJyvU
Pars nodded.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfBFFv7LjQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUxR6n8npv
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0skOUWAbY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnv4v1kfyI
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUTkcQ0cFg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32smMmoYuC
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOp1G1W89A
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1i0GbbEFD
"Mutual what?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOMkq4qQm3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5pOxkutkM
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Po18g3N4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Z8CPEwZW
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4vmL4cx3W
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A9YDkb74A
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sFRpgYsof
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjcvWuXXdP
"Really now..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUXARb0W7R
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfXnBrJkuZ
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6hgOerTut
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k6ZswnmJW
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1NCJK9Ebi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRkpnlbTLv
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkDJMdsnpM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCQuqipZ97
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ7RpkIEC1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aYP3PjyIL
"Wow... it must've been bad."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zPfetoEnq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDsqVZSHyN
"You're almost as flippant as I am."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfI7TG25a9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkNnHHo3AM
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuk3gxRFXZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsdREle89B
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBicVeVnF0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlnHHlnnXu
"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..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYelekgaUDu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvUQwTyh6G
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySEpYUl22O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBh1uK1KWC
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgungjekliv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfFL27YBCA
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRg0MNSUX6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCReWMB5VI
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq4zuP9WYN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGzIybwQNu
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD3h5HTW5T
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99s2FgHfUl
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznIm9s80Ha
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMUW7WwWVQ
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xo3t5RdLZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LUIXkfSBg
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlaft8gNmx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7HJI2ynPn
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuv87aIag4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bP0Qf30Fj
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6ij7EXZnu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRg4JKh8ms
"I know."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5iawvkEcq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsTl08bN2r
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kZYwjKlgJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoEUAtAIIN
"Tell you what; I can't help you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2pv0eHMlI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq33d6V6GA
"...Are you serious?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0eKyKlrkC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzWZRHfnak
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSCzRC32n2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa0BXC2ZtS
"What? What can?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CTbH73JKj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rowzY0r7X
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDpHZPHWoB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQjOdignLi
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCQBlW2xvW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pkkfIjSI3
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJG5sIbVse
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI66azc7Dcp
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF7d2eZnMK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCU2na38EU
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXu2sPZSe3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRIbIY0p4m
"Give it a try."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMlY1pOztm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3CWOgFUDb
He stood up and patted my shoulder.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi8SqD2Xzi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV37Cxqq5k
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9YdpZKgLu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds1nswtHH0
"H-Huh? Right now?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZppsUhH12
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMUypw08dY
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMp2onlne4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYQmZxohg1
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3q6wEi3mv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtwMkwEnOH
–
–
–174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMWZcFvV0u
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuJ7XcrTyP
"Are ya all packed up?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb25G2Gzlg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyanuY4XFEA
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K0XrMHnlb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f3PSOKa0Z
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmmdsaXBln
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRihQdu5sd
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv7FMYLF3g
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOSQLWQrBu
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsfGtDZ57c
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0cCfcwYoD
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLIyDTgV15
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu1B5ItrLJ
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTXeMKny2D
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93x30yJdpQ
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqRFb9jfNr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhcZHsr6bo
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGoSk9MKoM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1cSu8siex
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzTussaGZb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmTq7SvWkf
"I suppose that makes sense."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOCt7YdKa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtRLhJuWbe
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMhe5yjbZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa0uWFscAc
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzdvkJqPDG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKzRxQjTRI
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DUa7MLYmx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n8Sfgp7To
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXU5SH2HEM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsKeEpOeR5
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgRKoPQcgZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFK0rvZGfl
"What do I think...?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWG5zK9QO4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBUa0v0PyS
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTOpI5N07H
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmCsYstokN
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAokqsjZVaQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hagFxkUuh
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY870DJ8nS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlKoEoo8wp
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXHE8VPPCm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JXUdtxbyx
"I'm asking ya, kid."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQrQAetg1h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTRbygaaVU
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–174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWldD9752SH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyHJnR1htG
"It had to be an Endowment."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuyPkhtpjm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Y01qrHdz
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8wJVlHV6n
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKQbpRSmaE
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmgwFTcUFh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqyqZ7vxn
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITttQZfspp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOypYMeHOK
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuATihvhZYt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEx0flqHV2
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxIaVQZkDg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kvNY9WsqW
"Why not?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaeBXg4kMa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLd9ee3o8
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFHKfQ4iNI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X98n13KFr
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMnTS5Mqul
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzC55w3hgs
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXxSz99ULH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6uYH9BbHH
"Surely, there's a better option."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc10McqZRm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aa409R9Fl
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawLY3XpodC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmahThajID
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJm4ySyIW2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9WWCt807l
"What if we spy from a distance?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxyLup3cGO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QWHwUYwsE
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLy4KkhWpt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBquWGZmPcd
"...Point taken."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1itaPgXrIG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ZxUkb7rX
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8sluCXvdU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFojuaLZBGG
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24VlWeDaBW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2UvkWtHUT
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEXhvYQXze
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozE9PuQF3S
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXBkMzJmJ8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPok3otfN7
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcVc42uhNW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23pLtjBAPw
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSPUnpVsXH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaiGq9cZgI
We nodded in unison.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHh6cfLSoD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzxudO1SqF
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV969BDu44X
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nBWT8J5XK
–
–
–
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwFKgIZYO4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLXZpPl7Zu
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBL3fEAKa3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0YnqFkXBH
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhv3TDtKRi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ayTdRyZ0U
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWambL3DEw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNlAUuE55L
"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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8EKXo1su7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDVvHPufXw
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBZp7nVwL3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTxtgVlFek
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKWV0w74cw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQoZ8h3Tz7
"Well... I won't deny that."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpjnRln0rs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXaojnTpiJ
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdX7Kebhh1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H8gFezY0F
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIL1QpyFgc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xfUlcYC2v
"Again? What do you–?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAoui5RXxD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUcD1lVOQU
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGFPbCq0oi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstCFpQ5IVw
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0k34eM8tn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcw0S6kfFu
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP3jWvG0KR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu2EhLQ8dr
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCK6g74g4Q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHDfQpwbev
"I didn't ask ya that."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ51RkZAGI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFSrKLnMSD
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZHmburQ1O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEdbneAilJ
"That ain't surprising."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8scjLE6bx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpwFZfouMS
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4syexCqaSc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JjnXgmNbr
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpXI14k0RL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfkshyCvJX
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2iELC7QW0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmPVDveere
"Yeah? Like what?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi23hm9OLE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I3bR6ivaT
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6epyapphJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KDK8QE7tM
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10l72a0i6t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh2rtkWpae
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1RWzEtW8E
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqbh0oz4zo
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXV2yZwlyT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZXFJFZ6y
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkb7CayBhd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cApg5fdG
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlghnjEHp2q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjyuI9W0dC
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXaBgKhTWN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Wa4sqMH2
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoYn8wedex
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBrCw1E4aA
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–174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFBtpFXIXZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wrfa7BTKW
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD56w4TAD1f
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi75DfOJM5P
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
