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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVdaLY35ZI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFsd73vytV
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3USyVOUl6I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqhO5LeJiq
"At least... I'm on my back now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5u4Tp1jYm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9KCDhFajf
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkmYqrDONI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRarQK7AuyB
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA54mRRf68
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4vChMV879
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS753s0Slx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEPGLmsgbO
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53frc7BfVy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqB1rCJ0cR
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKuMrt4Cwx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDQ0X5HfHw
I was immediately startled.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULPIdLRkQs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsa0i3j275
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYJYnGm52I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvap39XyX8Y
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApDjLNGLPf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsK0xg7rQZ
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkzFJxaOGn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib47pn8jdN
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hrSm4Vep
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFklgWZN58
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLbFx5JDXh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMoAut2dzM
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE8GoGMWNp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSVMMQh48R
"Do you feel any better?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWWWbBYoVg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFicOnuLuOR
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KYO8uTatQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuzLIg1bCQ
"That's good, that's good..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85SiaQa5P
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvZp91QiXW
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1p4PKXCTn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxkQdK4snt
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRAZYTvtG6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpspGW0SQP
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstg7y2G5Is
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5wdn6NDsS
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3vIW5qoC7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwvlcbkJM7
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAtE4Mn1IE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PB29o5lv8
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExohKuiiMl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fXaSm7WSO
"H-How'd you know?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRttLaKntPC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMGBAnI5mt
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUcrzf9OlL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvw4i63y2v
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogjcPov6cz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwe5P22TyR
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0cnOTSxJD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlnv365hUi
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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeCkTn5ksG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8AbcTU9xJ
Pars nodded.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8mfR2jR6f
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkM7FRcNFm
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBNhiz34Oo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Phfdndj0n
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnJkr6V1ny
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP5m9uWqbG
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65tehJVgB6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUoRVefYux
"Mutual what?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWKkDU9rwi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYlZWBK8js
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAOKIqbwip
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuFxYVAvSh
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCO0UxnMic
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e3NOmPUD1
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpQQRwC0vu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogUY3ecTIs
"Really now..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdlliVeJ66
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWDSAxlg67
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu277ZZc8w
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTJUfRS0uV
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBISsbdX5v4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U5n7iXZ0M
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB7ZxRrXgU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AHFtELGAY
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfziIA7yTL8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIom7mcJpR
"Wow... it must've been bad."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSvHQSrHM8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhbXMd9IEH
"You're almost as flippant as I am."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcHAF4M99m
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcCzs1N4j9
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUM9b7Umpz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBppRUSKqW
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl21t0Wvj1L
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt1wT2PYm6
"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..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GhnDeLBtj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSQJSvoYRN
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNVtit56cJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6eh7Puq2F
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A6XuLiTY0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPRRqpNd0A
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAq3uQXSkV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsQvUgUH5w
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEGTKROM2s
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA326PPgkF
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuktEImwQ5I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkAhdNlazc
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGZCghr5yY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA0zhuSLwV
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XdlZIsOYt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhI9JEKo3y
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDMG8hi3gk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMXpt6XNkg
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp6zWIsotf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCdNTvXyPd
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8NjLZYazn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjBGTA1wwS
"I know."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6jCVunsiA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUF3qASPCt
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwYNj2PeD0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKiAwyiubc
"Tell you what; I can't help you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8RKE9JFeQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6iZm1qDiv
"...Are you serious?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ37LOSrKb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhsRiwYBEO
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmvOkXuXoS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidRpIoSytN
"What? What can?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamUo4Fb3PV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0WfuAhdj7
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbdmhIA1Zq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SW7KXwhkp
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxOeGYCHca
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGatEBWATpg
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbXZ8REX6l
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEQAF4tZCG
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPa9S6tvYO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAw8nirooL
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwRA0D2uT8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kU2mEtXEI
"Give it a try."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCk0WWNf5i
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx1J5NTMiQ
He stood up and patted my shoulder.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvUrBOnEQY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxAEo9D7cU
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gr1XFmIJJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBhsCR8NyB
"H-Huh? Right now?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj4MSHghlr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKaEmZUE0Y
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtkKjuKw2w
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Sm52OTDq
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4L21nGvpy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBUcIMJIs1
–
–
–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgVvIhyqcs
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"Are ya all packed up?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWMd30ZkEh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI5ivNQ3B9
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMMljautl0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVNjx9snAC
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk24RDO7daw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjanAWvtya
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Vx6vJkaC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBaup8aUXI
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA56Q3sR9wp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavp7mfQcCI
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSebzyIM8L4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImWs8w9Pz9
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJaHmliNeQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yyaKN6gpf
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MOOrWvEgT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKCZxaPlK3
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLp85DVtZ4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo4IABqcFQ
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SBA7wGESR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9vqzTqQxi
"I suppose that makes sense."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXG7ZtmpHB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqJR4ruXMK
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9joEUkevX5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHeMiTXISS
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD9tDb0dpZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52REf8jTg0
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnmGutUAkU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuu5CQfsYc
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqpb5jhXDs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz26F4h0Bu3
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4XT2yGbcS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDWvaFECHg
"What do I think...?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TVJlfb1uV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWJRBtYbp3
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIoRSSwn2d
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pL4YvjHpe
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdwVljz1gz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CfsasVSkJ
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKWOm7IG2w
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUWcFEVv0B
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMB6FL4z1W
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPIawLHd1A
"I'm asking ya, kid."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRlP09jU5r
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomX6ICBLSI
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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVcMRoBSG4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPSr07yfZH
"It had to be an Endowment."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7qIYkUe5Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nNoFi8xzc
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tr4euKIvU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiN7LSdWKk
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwMVnk61Fb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsqFIf7ZZt
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs67lY8RTwZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAD8IGDAxD
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UGgqNqILO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBezOQDAKOk
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XbzzcAKbR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEttZeHfqUa
"Why not?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV2XhPQIcI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6zWyaUqcY
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hRyjZ91dV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFLg0U6M69
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkM5PDnbil
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWvghHscC8
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsMgKdErUz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zVGxoWiz0
"Surely, there's a better option."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkj7y4pwK3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynEduVW8zx
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zvOILvzN6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHuBGgpYNa
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9AvwlcatH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjv9uPsJD9
"What if we spy from a distance?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ5Bl0vzdn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS01z9F1oFL
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygXxHW224K
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9rlnjgRVo
"...Point taken."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIMCaLps5b
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36tn2Wrj7w
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUVyB57869
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gqOLeXwML
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ez9vtl0fR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCOufRhHKI
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP1h7jACF5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5d1opGlgE
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOCUVVeHeg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk88MHIecw
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lmqYEjtvV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUboNfWgSC
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajIX9RdLlm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOZei7bH8i
We nodded in unison.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGvUOgL0Wx
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydSguabLCb
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzTKZMjr6p
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGDUsTNBy
–
–
–
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qlVi8FHjX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPOoU03BhE
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tql1DraB1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDZ9gW2e64
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbATmHcSWe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwMFpCM76L
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zN10w6LPa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OPUQ3ZIo9
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNj4TiEgjJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMIRJmYuE3
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhDf5qu4to
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCK137liwN
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB86Vmv4btY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfywbAFnvl
"Well... I won't deny that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sevBZV3Xg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHsy7qo0rf
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdRDJ6JMe6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4XE6wh8eZ
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNzVGZPcU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqEy7tHV7f
"Again? What do you–?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQoJ9NwbEd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9eDnjTCJp
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHBkd583g9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuRz4WGgYk
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6sJU8l67n
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUOcHeIdhE
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCycd9PtLS1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYykHC6dGEb
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nzESDUjm2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZwguMPip1
"I didn't ask ya that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dZaVtJOub
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOKfsjLRfX
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLr1Yppj5S
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1I9K1jVcv
"That ain't surprising."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwECGavpNg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HaA3THlpd
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIQ4EE1a6Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFI1mEUPIP
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicekbmnuL2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqpHoBNSXP
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRzarQXPIT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9wCpfcKty
"Yeah? Like what?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2N4bneKQ6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXOQljW5yi
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHc4RRmPq1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ITpnCkpzk
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lgn4YenbT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro0OMHdjre
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0Rh3aAIYA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfpdiaet92
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6FuvEjL3I
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoAYUnpoBi
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLB0M2ysd2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3iXCVhBl1
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcgm0TS3k5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJYhKXWqjE
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkJTKQ50xT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokDSGaYOio
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXsjhy9qLk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KnH5dnDw0
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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD13qd3j73
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBTkbf16wv
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPmkObjG5C
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHEapamE3M
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
