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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhDtUlHbJX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpW1SolkYI
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73gmW0UZAn
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7specDTue
"At least... I'm on my back now."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Y7RPq9LJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtILU79e9z
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNz0Cd5bpz
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX26MsOfgs
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMfQiAB19J
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviCG0aKZGF
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzdxKVzAo8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOhChrmmOf
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3rQlyGfMb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrd5S8gOoL
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6GeqCd0la
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3UotPYtec
I was immediately startled.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIfXfvP2hh
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng3OEywmHR
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TfKcIN8ma
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7yJlGwEG
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWY5Lg2asH
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0wi9tjPsV
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC7KoyDufL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM15Dxweis
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLxtdVZmHe
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pedBJPxbJ
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjPvKIXCUy
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ5uvdDKSW
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7SnUTucCI
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzoFoUAsXI
"Do you feel any better?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgomRxtXatf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2AtYXtdva
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwSPyHxp0Q
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjdGiwddUs
"That's good, that's good..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVqMs1k00k
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yuu7f4K6u
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9OyyfDohk
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KYkXDR1fN
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkB25u7Uyo
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJko78cf4s
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WTde8byPr
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m3Q895MDc
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZYrnAahqP
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPPJcUjUHi
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDOUREREp3
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHBm3Gwlt6
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRGffdNogA
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAflGqzhx3
"H-How'd you know?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ03MRQ5wg6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zgmkY1kWd
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo2mrojdfQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD22Zup9KRT
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt3zZxe7Yi
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo0UNuPpTx
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0FEG8GuJv
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOATcKjclPe
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?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMFNADeJoa
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8pY6g11YI
Pars nodded.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBVb9WeVom
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nJYaenYjd
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdJaYhOEui
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygDBBfD9e2
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerdLqaVImL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiGsr00tvj
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IZ8BugQbU
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOvhUbE9td
"Mutual what?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AS92waN67
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ptPQNPCx
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiqsrkhBQT
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aI6jTbYtZ
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXOQhjpMHV
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnGv2H5TUV
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNuB2CVYHl
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Z1qoTMGb
"Really now..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmHPb8pZdw
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLXqxjYqsR
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm9XYRLx7M
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBibidoikmi
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KiMcFYspF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g0T1fBA39
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIDllvAS89
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoLhSqt3Ch
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyssb7o32tM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YKQtHRWNf
"Wow... it must've been bad."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajWmQgryqo
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RvEwiEw6n
"You're almost as flippant as I am."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN5WcSJFvG
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflXZtIxeJC
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc3ccGfZ6u
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0iclvZqh3
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKddB3yxyHZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwQKiyxu70
"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..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IWsEW60SR
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpZat63Ubw
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U5Oj8zh0o
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwggIAdPox
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa7vXzgP17
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8QC4GD6mq
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfdiBEtFW8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyIhO40HtA
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM9H8hGLeT
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIlCb4jRVz
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV490sIzCD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq3zNwzWVI
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLHcf84DLF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWVVzM7RTj
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwQCIo8xo0
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL67VhPYIS1
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow4jChqrcM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCN744XEDQ
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLMIq39orz
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDhYWrdcmW
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5qSVR2RWr
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI2bUjdkaT
"I know."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6AV4leAnO
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6PbSPVGZn
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBuc0e2MuG
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B49D1ORkr
"Tell you what; I can't help you."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKHZP8OjlK
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeHdrcHKVf
"...Are you serious?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB4bRl2agw
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmanYDzNWU
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfxrnyF62L
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwczBZcYesK
"What? What can?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DHIVdYd9I
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSzMJ4LaQn
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcRsaKx3oP
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8l9LIzdOr
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wXd9E1WDP
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FXYyJsYew
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvbS8UUl0j
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfENnPza76e
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw0qdgG8hf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O95BXjFaB
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC1S7xhTc6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK15PTYisM
"Give it a try."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVmw0nRfRF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hKXqIkhgp
He stood up and patted my shoulder.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIis1ygtPp
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdVRNkPLrr
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGomYyeMT33
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFmDVVDx8F
"H-Huh? Right now?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh79Knb8rJe
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFCBGfdxRy
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRNmKsFw0A
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNytvM0vXd
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmW4f1dwRM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC3Li5mXO8
–
–
–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4VYCOkCC7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3u14MhZES
"Are ya all packed up?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBwNtBh4co
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUiqChoRgh
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JfSBgOX8G
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63QUypq9Cb
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCdb0vtYtK
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhabVD2ljMj
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtquCdFVIrE
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyYkPib6i6
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQsWY5EsNJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7rAmHxXKC
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLaECtOM5P
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj5DCvkyYX
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvS2bpV4iQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11ikS1Xl9X
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRAMK1qLCV
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdu6BeIdqr
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUQ8xeUqQa
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn94GDGn0L
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfxyIZjdFL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0jMRM7NBX
"I suppose that makes sense."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0ct7KHYD8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUig8wZClY
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJzcM0CcR5
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc78EgscRO0
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgvwkUqEew
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK0MtnPM9M
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12hxyjsBmR
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr34ammUABV
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobj16mmRNS
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCaUjwWrGT
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmLmqTzTjL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolyD6iJO1M
"What do I think...?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT4PKxhAjb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34RQtLWIYQ
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPV0AegsRr
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7L90LfSoo
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8KIr8jcH6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTLPi7QH4g
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDJ96hT0T5
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14vi3nUIwz
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYuGGLmrIE
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3OWzl19R5
"I'm asking ya, kid."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ql6u1p1DB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ7FO3ZFGD
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–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojQVuCfhT9
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4drfQTh3kI
"It had to be an Endowment."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeRmd9BWHI
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVQoMFNIX7
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmctNP6Akrf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGAYzl7jkU
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CgqNQaTTZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqBBY0SX4
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ02S3o4JQh
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwrpmBtqdY
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGIIOfdhC1
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEzolz8iY8
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPXKbScERM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbOd1dXbOE
"Why not?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEFHSbSLQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYwWgKsdxF
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0mlwmBo2d
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1Te4694jQ
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJltJtTuy4Z
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2vXdj6KrP
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCXMFMcF1w
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hAAQ1ft1
"Surely, there's a better option."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCueu8JU43
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS9AV5kb3z
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBmZT7KzAZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5EqKjqDNQ
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4UpUFUBtL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OAx3CZObI
"What if we spy from a distance?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh6LdIz58F
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuHT9g79Zi
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVZLeVdWnt
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5HRnooGkg
"...Point taken."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2hMCSuRAD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeIy3C8AhI
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eUkWKwyAu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6OaL6l8eE
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vBVzWHPz1
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZmppmXwBH
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDfLP153s0
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDn21rJFnn
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpx8lyNYAu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpeLcF6Xdt
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxvS6AmyE6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlNDIuIjfC
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHcSvyJ4kc
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerazICsCbI
We nodded in unison.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMwylUlN2h
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIFM9JnuTy
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX6T6hx7JK
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EPgxuI4Hx
–
–
–
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcSgHm73kY
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHxSfQgG70
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT6VbFHOTP
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYsDzwuJN1
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Rcr3w9so
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepseOwliiY
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Vl5jvrRS
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEjt4WnmoU
"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?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcqx87I61i
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvHPMlv2mf
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqbdFggyXQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZiNkqVOZT
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfzEEbBhFB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBcQB9czFA
"Well... I won't deny that."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Mjri9hh3
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdLIIn1LN
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W3o9xs260
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGhKR1njBk
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPhQPsmVJU
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACYLAlsLmg
"Again? What do you–?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPlbzSCliR
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHSK6t7z3o
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm5tSK0NGu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSd5mwj7ul
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBwrY2Kh5k
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoaquduOHN
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdxeKezZhC
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf4QadWZ6q
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeRjhX9jbA
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5sUrQY9lX
"I didn't ask ya that."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcinQzMHcS
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayyyZ5mvlk
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFH20AlNp5
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJcIXOtTwa
"That ain't surprising."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXpx8O1hgs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10Ab6xcde0
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoQVIhKw8d
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXEaU1yvnS
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHu4CvE2iA
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbBwArKdHN
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9T5XC7dmU
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8uSlapIhU
"Yeah? Like what?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvMX957ufN
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X1I4dBu1Q
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIwSkayMKx
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JtfqwATYp
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DqIqmgLEq
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7feaAlqfIf
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFuEnotxd8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkYVSVWfoE
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHi245vJgU
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3susmUiXUE
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kA6M60rvP
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInyDhBwFim
"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."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79oSTNt17N
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNzcuw4nDb
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.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF2pkZ1QBB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA0SVnGSpA
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mTgdx1Sga
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTf6mkOkaf
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–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogZucfGg3P
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLnsGKXgnp
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi5o0zHWgi
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVmF43DWoq
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
