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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAWLKhKMbz9d
213Please respect copyright.PENANAnmnE9HIDxZ
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAu64zzo8spU
213Please respect copyright.PENANA2CLgjjwo9r
"At least... I'm on my back now."213Please respect copyright.PENANAUmVkrLDZ9D
213Please respect copyright.PENANAzJpseUrXQR
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAzDqJ0BvcX4
213Please respect copyright.PENANAyzNTtAubJb
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA1MXWaX2bji
213Please respect copyright.PENANAyYuAub91NK
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAVlBIzpwkKe
213Please respect copyright.PENANAKwhn9dStyi
"..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAMc4ba2X9AS
213Please respect copyright.PENANAJjKXVMcADR
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAw6yvz6A5hN
213Please respect copyright.PENANAcEN1VfjXwt
I was immediately startled.213Please respect copyright.PENANAXxF0XDTMBl
213Please respect copyright.PENANAokqIDU1hks
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAgUuiAaMV6y
213Please respect copyright.PENANA6z0dJYzi8N
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAt6d4tW46eG
213Please respect copyright.PENANAKDkEDJW7QA
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAk1gmA9AR4b
213Please respect copyright.PENANAxysF70KEl8
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"213Please respect copyright.PENANABJyiFYC93w
213Please respect copyright.PENANAeb8XFIzO5h
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."213Please respect copyright.PENANA7QxYM3lojQ
213Please respect copyright.PENANARh3QbAr1Wt
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAZoGhcZJCul
213Please respect copyright.PENANAZaOUrbR5cx
"Do you feel any better?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAn4YxS18983
213Please respect copyright.PENANA0tktz8Fgl1
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."213Please respect copyright.PENANAFIbuVbBoAl
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHCX2c9pKZ7
"That's good, that's good..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAiDR2p2w2QV
213Please respect copyright.PENANAagZM0B517W
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.213Please respect copyright.PENANA10iVmJNlWz
213Please respect copyright.PENANAJ58SD09wup
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAoC24PwXQ7y
213Please respect copyright.PENANAQzOBNbiPGg
"..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAB0Z3Q7JMNJ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAAqcR6VUnnP
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAlzjzs2oLl4
213Please respect copyright.PENANAkWfQQk8y1c
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.213Please respect copyright.PENANAwqU3MzLix5
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVMqWw9sldv
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."213Please respect copyright.PENANAU2RAzXh6xz
213Please respect copyright.PENANAUhBq5uT4TE
"H-How'd you know?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAfoRXq9j0Pz
213Please respect copyright.PENANA6FV0Ka5YcQ
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."213Please respect copyright.PENANASSoHAcqquR
213Please respect copyright.PENANA4yWMpyt2Gc
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.213Please respect copyright.PENANAN23qvERmH3
213Please respect copyright.PENANAZZzFls7X5O
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."213Please respect copyright.PENANA5rgO5b5KDN
213Please respect copyright.PENANAmdunME9EcM
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?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAaFjOmvgXLX
213Please respect copyright.PENANAxcGNrqVS80
Pars nodded.213Please respect copyright.PENANAdhxdDvdZIZ
213Please respect copyright.PENANA155QAO1oOG
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANArY7lTl4Hhu
213Please respect copyright.PENANAMnIwb1q6qb
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.213Please respect copyright.PENANALHEnLZmSYy
213Please respect copyright.PENANAeA8Hue26L2
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAA8uzQyIt1Q
213Please respect copyright.PENANA3fm3SpgIoz
"Mutual what?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAlTKFycWuNR
213Please respect copyright.PENANAQJARyhwD3R
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAViAf4lUmtZ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVaw1q5fxGQ
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAaIc4bDslY8
213Please respect copyright.PENANA9EAJRq2lGm
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."213Please respect copyright.PENANA0Sh5y9Q83Q
213Please respect copyright.PENANAi3DHq0AfnR
"Really now..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAv0TDee3RKq
213Please respect copyright.PENANAjr0XYPDAFb
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.213Please respect copyright.PENANAiXz5oiq96Z
213Please respect copyright.PENANAvVkQvzl5Nw
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."213Please respect copyright.PENANA5kT4P0pkwZ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAMntXw7KoYF
"..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAXSXTbWUR6F
213Please respect copyright.PENANAX4hus1t7fR
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA12C3XvYEM5
213Please respect copyright.PENANAFcHTcbVhAE
"Wow... it must've been bad."213Please respect copyright.PENANAZLf0EDrptE
213Please respect copyright.PENANA6eVmtdE26B
"You're almost as flippant as I am."213Please respect copyright.PENANAPlvGDAbfMs
213Please respect copyright.PENANA7bCjhgNot9
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.213Please respect copyright.PENANA5Yx538r3QH
213Please respect copyright.PENANA1Js13wt84o
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."213Please respect copyright.PENANA1mLMiLMpzC
213Please respect copyright.PENANAwFhNkLRuId
"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..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAPUoZcOiH3N
213Please respect copyright.PENANAo8Px5SqzAw
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAGkLjQsAQyn
213Please respect copyright.PENANAraDnnkBcrp
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.213Please respect copyright.PENANAP0PwdtkB4S
213Please respect copyright.PENANA1THujcYJ3k
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."213Please respect copyright.PENANASOJpHDc8Wv
213Please respect copyright.PENANAsRhNRaw4qb
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAIRrj1yVynn
213Please respect copyright.PENANAwH7NghnKo5
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.213Please respect copyright.PENANASuNZHJpS7d
213Please respect copyright.PENANAnJSje0TVtL
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAjNHyN7uobX
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHziHxWA1dX
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAhuHJhShl16
213Please respect copyright.PENANA25bOYUWicu
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."213Please respect copyright.PENANACUHCIl3o1y
213Please respect copyright.PENANAiUYqwhsRtA
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAbWOCqOArb0
213Please respect copyright.PENANApx8c10Uz8A
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."213Please respect copyright.PENANAn2HbMzjOWp
213Please respect copyright.PENANAE3a0wpSEam
"I know."213Please respect copyright.PENANAQ59NbmaXwS
213Please respect copyright.PENANAedPYIelkU7
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.213Please respect copyright.PENANAswqvXlmzJP
213Please respect copyright.PENANAoR3OaipHcW
"Tell you what; I can't help you."213Please respect copyright.PENANAAPcNGmW0KX
213Please respect copyright.PENANAtaqKzSWNzU
"...Are you serious?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAIQDmVBbVSu
213Please respect copyright.PENANAlk4N3tlvN4
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."213Please respect copyright.PENANA76IA6sqQYo
213Please respect copyright.PENANAeJQMRiiaGb
"What? What can?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAihAu2Ny9BH
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVQz76K2xE4
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAe9AF5RP559
213Please respect copyright.PENANAa3grnpzEeK
"..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAJaHUIrkNSK
213Please respect copyright.PENANA19eqJFn818
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.213Please respect copyright.PENANA9vftpaL5n2
213Please respect copyright.PENANA3K3IlUpzGo
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?213Please respect copyright.PENANAlb0QWnBpsv
213Please respect copyright.PENANAXoeYoa6gxy
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANARg12OwjpZ1
213Please respect copyright.PENANAZgL6ZUdmDU
"Give it a try."213Please respect copyright.PENANAT03oBBB15o
213Please respect copyright.PENANAFVJFuueLJx
He stood up and patted my shoulder.213Please respect copyright.PENANADWLdyZQw3T
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHpOBtlDsSq
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."213Please respect copyright.PENANA19J0GaJ436
213Please respect copyright.PENANAWqwEWgqzJQ
"H-Huh? Right now?"213Please respect copyright.PENANARsHnt0jf2K
213Please respect copyright.PENANAuyjOYS6WOw
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."213Please respect copyright.PENANAeR0ArnEk0p
213Please respect copyright.PENANAFiYdN4ovyp
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.213Please respect copyright.PENANAKNblSoL23L
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVTl5nv6MDd
–
–
–213Please respect copyright.PENANANYf1zmKHxT
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"Are ya all packed up?"213Please respect copyright.PENANA1aUcgTrmiz
213Please respect copyright.PENANAXbkoQhv73n
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA3BfdaO3ENI
213Please respect copyright.PENANAr5SKB3Q49g
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"213Please respect copyright.PENANAHJDJ7Zfc9x
213Please respect copyright.PENANAINfZbCa2ry
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."213Please respect copyright.PENANAA5xPwjdhzG
213Please respect copyright.PENANApAgrxr2J9D
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAzhjhPtYTLD
213Please respect copyright.PENANAozQM5c1zkW
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"213Please respect copyright.PENANA8uvlJKiMch
213Please respect copyright.PENANAPUWoPjb2Fd
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."213Please respect copyright.PENANAslWtLunbQj
213Please respect copyright.PENANA2Mv4hXaIyT
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAH3VWmb6EjP
213Please respect copyright.PENANATmsv2H2c3p
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.213Please respect copyright.PENANA0K84oVoSFJ
213Please respect copyright.PENANA9pHYN2XNQI
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."213Please respect copyright.PENANAVThtANSB10
213Please respect copyright.PENANAmifavN6Kit
"I suppose that makes sense."213Please respect copyright.PENANAcq0GYT9iQS
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVTOWTCNsf4
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAMvOMFoSaGN
213Please respect copyright.PENANA9s8RHGgVGG
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAkaf9LQpyk4
213Please respect copyright.PENANAhG5efoEcE9
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."213Please respect copyright.PENANARgUcC0snXE
213Please respect copyright.PENANAIyimCjYILg
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.213Please respect copyright.PENANAaWVBeiw4bZ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAnS5VYgj5Xg
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"213Please respect copyright.PENANARTLShbNM9A
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHHl4xdUaZX
"What do I think...?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAcxKisbkIme
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVNK8DAPDGJ
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA0md6YwhsMB
213Please respect copyright.PENANASCHWQ2pmrT
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."213Please respect copyright.PENANAoXNwOO9ouM
213Please respect copyright.PENANASgDCra2W2Y
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."213Please respect copyright.PENANAzGSllZJ2d1
213Please respect copyright.PENANAzcES2g66dH
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAb2L7MGMkoj
213Please respect copyright.PENANArb32n2xAXw
"I'm asking ya, kid."213Please respect copyright.PENANAT6cGd5AfFv
213Please respect copyright.PENANAvoy7Bs3rk8
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–213Please respect copyright.PENANA9zkmDk6rh9
213Please respect copyright.PENANA8QPEJrpXAe
"It had to be an Endowment."213Please respect copyright.PENANAm6MemuUrL6
213Please respect copyright.PENANAPxi4romowv
"..."213Please respect copyright.PENANALIjZMNxUE6
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHlWIIXu5Zk
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.213Please respect copyright.PENANA2sittPiKod
213Please respect copyright.PENANANkFjcGCA4P
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAqQrr4NKjnE
213Please respect copyright.PENANAltLxXBmvwo
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."213Please respect copyright.PENANAzD8DRnv7QF
213Please respect copyright.PENANANWZNJKINjm
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.213Please respect copyright.PENANAbAc7obRivq
213Please respect copyright.PENANAbkJGYtFNRF
"Why not?"213Please respect copyright.PENANASYpR6emTmp
213Please respect copyright.PENANAzau5FyyFQN
"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAUqbMnOdZwR
213Please respect copyright.PENANAgYW0Ld46ZR
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"213Please respect copyright.PENANA3vn37blyPb
213Please respect copyright.PENANAPfHu7pdfuE
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAmgqyVLmjSi
213Please respect copyright.PENANAqEYZptSgmw
"Surely, there's a better option."213Please respect copyright.PENANAYLk5ECuF57
213Please respect copyright.PENANA7LsbVlmlWz
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."213Please respect copyright.PENANAwvIa7rKFZP
213Please respect copyright.PENANAOHAa2u9YsW
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.213Please respect copyright.PENANAXPOaBPc4cm
213Please respect copyright.PENANAHYwwiSguOP
"What if we spy from a distance?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAjEEQDsCi0Y
213Please respect copyright.PENANAYDSKdM54my
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"213Please respect copyright.PENANABdhXYsr4xC
213Please respect copyright.PENANAUe3kzaRjNk
"...Point taken."213Please respect copyright.PENANAydW43c1wBQ
213Please respect copyright.PENANA85F8uMRzgN
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAcqGtj1wMzR
213Please respect copyright.PENANAiOmHtKq1fk
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."213Please respect copyright.PENANAVqJPEnFRnJ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAlZikgVmXcR
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."213Please respect copyright.PENANAWHOM56ytPQ
213Please respect copyright.PENANAXz1v9QdAOF
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."213Please respect copyright.PENANAio3G0aicRS
213Please respect copyright.PENANAD4QtxSruee
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAgQj8EpHveL
213Please respect copyright.PENANAMH065fMZrm
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"213Please respect copyright.PENANArc0dgLl7On
213Please respect copyright.PENANAXZJMX2egTh
We nodded in unison.213Please respect copyright.PENANAjG4WsThF5u
213Please respect copyright.PENANAJx9S2nBi4N
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."213Please respect copyright.PENANADOoK82ZOtV
213Please respect copyright.PENANAcBQIfGhhIb
–
–
–
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAtn3RVsRRcY
213Please respect copyright.PENANA9JE45nQa6W
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAacVbs9VHQ1
213Please respect copyright.PENANA2ODrzKkcYL
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"213Please respect copyright.PENANACxr0DEQU7p
213Please respect copyright.PENANAr01aeIQtpf
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.213Please respect copyright.PENANAJN2SxRneiP
213Please respect copyright.PENANAtqDub16qea
"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?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAs7vaBX46OG
213Please respect copyright.PENANABFqCtt5Qn9
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA1Wu96ZGIgR
213Please respect copyright.PENANAwT1lylrcfm
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."213Please respect copyright.PENANAsBOqvobib9
213Please respect copyright.PENANAfg3XA5meJP
"Well... I won't deny that."213Please respect copyright.PENANAgEMupd2yo0
213Please respect copyright.PENANANo4IIYG2fZ
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.213Please respect copyright.PENANAZnvoardvlj
213Please respect copyright.PENANALculXnv2an
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."213Please respect copyright.PENANAneDWCfVm4c
213Please respect copyright.PENANAxt4nPVOGzZ
"Again? What do you–?"213Please respect copyright.PENANAKpbRTxVp7A
213Please respect copyright.PENANAVdNcAzsQO8
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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAdX95nNmgJX
213Please respect copyright.PENANArMbIouo5ju
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."213Please respect copyright.PENANAVJUpUHZSGu
213Please respect copyright.PENANAH6PYmMErrX
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.213Please respect copyright.PENANAX1WDrlrye1
213Please respect copyright.PENANAuKd0LhTeAv
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."213Please respect copyright.PENANAW8idOuhrUT
213Please respect copyright.PENANAihiyFQdODx
"I didn't ask ya that."213Please respect copyright.PENANAM6G8X3yMD5
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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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAtQHz84WlSl
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"That ain't surprising."213Please respect copyright.PENANAAeuE6xFnrq
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."213Please respect copyright.PENANAGDzyEUpJF7
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.213Please respect copyright.PENANAX7H9tK8GeD
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"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAVpNGwVt9fZ
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"Yeah? Like what?"213Please respect copyright.PENANALe2cy01ILq
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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."213Please respect copyright.PENANAW08DARN6ct
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"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."213Please respect copyright.PENANAvDznFpZozq
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"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."213Please respect copyright.PENANAAGKLd4y2EG
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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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAyWYv2t4iS3
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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.213Please respect copyright.PENANAbP3vJtloff
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"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."213Please respect copyright.PENANABKjTNexle8
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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.213Please respect copyright.PENANA8ulnFetgQD
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."213Please respect copyright.PENANAwFpChgpxCw
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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–213Please respect copyright.PENANAhCFODbCAeA
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"213Please respect copyright.PENANA3r0V6RdoLG
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.