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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAT1Ada96k6s
247Please respect copyright.PENANA5ePS6rMBvg
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAq4WscV5Ohz
247Please respect copyright.PENANABY7XYvgKlq
"At least... I'm on my back now."247Please respect copyright.PENANAorNlMjA3Z7
247Please respect copyright.PENANAkALJNcvzO6
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAI0YxBcdKgM
247Please respect copyright.PENANAn8xbBR52SI
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAJGsD5sWfji
247Please respect copyright.PENANAanDX4rvqwt
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAwanyRyCBzx
247Please respect copyright.PENANAG2493gJXBu
"..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAw7OfuXAbWd
247Please respect copyright.PENANAayB4omGTVe
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANA2hHOg51IfL
247Please respect copyright.PENANAWnUaxBCyc1
I was immediately startled.247Please respect copyright.PENANApwCjs5JGxW
247Please respect copyright.PENANA1Kz9ef9ATe
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAWh8HToQjMd
247Please respect copyright.PENANAKJzkE5jUFp
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAJj6bBEycPs
247Please respect copyright.PENANAbliYB6XWMs
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"247Please respect copyright.PENANApWCNfQw5dm
247Please respect copyright.PENANACBhmmVnmar
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAH8DcZZQF6D
247Please respect copyright.PENANAlhcDG9Imbp
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."247Please respect copyright.PENANAIdSY4vEyMM
247Please respect copyright.PENANA2skWtMKvpX
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAxoiDMAHSuK
247Please respect copyright.PENANAgJhvfEvrHb
"Do you feel any better?"247Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZZm3IBgyL
247Please respect copyright.PENANAlANJu5IJ66
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."247Please respect copyright.PENANAb3nh27KQgP
247Please respect copyright.PENANAMRWRCwCd6m
"That's good, that's good..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAsGb6CZjBro
247Please respect copyright.PENANAA3ciq1KxFO
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.247Please respect copyright.PENANAZWcX2nrWKf
247Please respect copyright.PENANAP8FNyouKl0
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAWbbaetkiDh
247Please respect copyright.PENANAhofd2h6kcU
"..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAtbGRxWStxf
247Please respect copyright.PENANAEkTBwepjIE
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANA04iGV7158P
247Please respect copyright.PENANArF2Mib91fB
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.247Please respect copyright.PENANAPXMZd9xrBS
247Please respect copyright.PENANANABxtvfklT
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."247Please respect copyright.PENANAtdX8qjf2SS
247Please respect copyright.PENANAaYCJkpcFh2
"H-How'd you know?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAYnL341gGd1
247Please respect copyright.PENANAWH22EP7bC2
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."247Please respect copyright.PENANAC7Lg8HExkD
247Please respect copyright.PENANAAyQQNCavlT
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.247Please respect copyright.PENANAu3M53dprVo
247Please respect copyright.PENANATNjP60iAUn
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."247Please respect copyright.PENANAyPa7fsVntI
247Please respect copyright.PENANATYg94g3XU8
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?"247Please respect copyright.PENANACowsQq6UJI
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZvCnByVTo
Pars nodded.247Please respect copyright.PENANAVyiWU8nnRv
247Please respect copyright.PENANAEObz74QPPu
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAAx7212jHOO
247Please respect copyright.PENANAYFhnXLXsIu
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.247Please respect copyright.PENANAfwk8Im9OsE
247Please respect copyright.PENANAEznPzxQrpF
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANA87XrTMEFuC
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3hucqhWQFS
"Mutual what?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAlrhbym2ULY
247Please respect copyright.PENANACQNnXV26fa
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAGLIJKWHndw
247Please respect copyright.PENANAMhQV6fIg5c
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAIEg6OSdlW3
247Please respect copyright.PENANArxg4SOr2vy
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."247Please respect copyright.PENANAbVtgI7ZMZd
247Please respect copyright.PENANAC2DRYVgSYA
"Really now..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAlGVPTm5nVr
247Please respect copyright.PENANA06YwTxR2KK
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.247Please respect copyright.PENANA0drp4pa1N3
247Please respect copyright.PENANA712yfOmVHT
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."247Please respect copyright.PENANAuZZwJXJKM8
247Please respect copyright.PENANA5aZSLyqm26
"..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAwLQX4H1Cdq
247Please respect copyright.PENANAy05vUxttvp
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANA4lUeRzABHA
247Please respect copyright.PENANAZdM3QM8o84
"Wow... it must've been bad."247Please respect copyright.PENANAve1ngIG6xV
247Please respect copyright.PENANApqSEcjs1QT
"You're almost as flippant as I am."247Please respect copyright.PENANAPdnOqRVPMX
247Please respect copyright.PENANAAjh0c9aYBQ
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.247Please respect copyright.PENANAHLt2aK80r6
247Please respect copyright.PENANA0k4VHOJUpE
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."247Please respect copyright.PENANA4EYh3aPwfh
247Please respect copyright.PENANAh0vtORvnJN
"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..."247Please respect copyright.PENANA7JG9pDt7gq
247Please respect copyright.PENANAO1x3MObxr7
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAvdYYbaAaca
247Please respect copyright.PENANAgP0l9kdHUl
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.247Please respect copyright.PENANANdPJ4PncUI
247Please respect copyright.PENANALgaFLPpU3m
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."247Please respect copyright.PENANAvznPdJJHxY
247Please respect copyright.PENANATvkuvV4JH1
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAbp23jFx2wM
247Please respect copyright.PENANAtoE5KTkvr4
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.247Please respect copyright.PENANAvfahoKNeJD
247Please respect copyright.PENANAqG4n2groSG
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAotPnyPiExE
247Please respect copyright.PENANACXtVAfePy9
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"247Please respect copyright.PENANABRG1SpYLKq
247Please respect copyright.PENANAfeMXnpywB5
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."247Please respect copyright.PENANArF9wurmq8l
247Please respect copyright.PENANAnRHs0Tziua
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAgOWQtaqgOs
247Please respect copyright.PENANA2V7Huyxres
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."247Please respect copyright.PENANAtfT0FIUoT0
247Please respect copyright.PENANAKtnbsV970A
"I know."247Please respect copyright.PENANAEw6zPmECUS
247Please respect copyright.PENANAtFC1hG1bdo
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.247Please respect copyright.PENANAOy4w8pktS7
247Please respect copyright.PENANAh7gJ3Fe87T
"Tell you what; I can't help you."247Please respect copyright.PENANAHek1VElwS7
247Please respect copyright.PENANAliVD8SkcXs
"...Are you serious?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAAxva0PjcM3
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3CXhpPM21K
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."247Please respect copyright.PENANAYzU0l5Bqey
247Please respect copyright.PENANACkA3WVqI29
"What? What can?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAMkpCJiNiR2
247Please respect copyright.PENANA2mBb0vefI5
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANACaehJw8pHN
247Please respect copyright.PENANAlSBUwlzDkp
"..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAvOszvv3I57
247Please respect copyright.PENANA6y3FBbrRbb
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.247Please respect copyright.PENANAx3bO2VrB0h
247Please respect copyright.PENANAN1G8vX1kgh
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?247Please respect copyright.PENANAWBaT2ErEjm
247Please respect copyright.PENANARmkppdzDQE
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAV4oooB5O1y
247Please respect copyright.PENANAhz9Y0hs5rc
"Give it a try."247Please respect copyright.PENANA9RL8CNCv92
247Please respect copyright.PENANAlebFyHUDGj
He stood up and patted my shoulder.247Please respect copyright.PENANAEwa9Dlymsw
247Please respect copyright.PENANAtlTKmcn2lx
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."247Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ5CLYQls2
247Please respect copyright.PENANAiYracWG5pp
"H-Huh? Right now?"247Please respect copyright.PENANA07oJ3iHfED
247Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9sk7iX9Qo
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."247Please respect copyright.PENANAxYjoWcg3u2
247Please respect copyright.PENANA6Rb6ZTKoDf
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.247Please respect copyright.PENANAZDP9DghVq3
247Please respect copyright.PENANABB5cIdPb8Y
–
–
–247Please respect copyright.PENANAH9DhnPIDgh
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3vinrNCVEF
"Are ya all packed up?"247Please respect copyright.PENANA1dCaAC2Acn
247Please respect copyright.PENANAx2TDNr8qdp
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAw6jWQiWbfg
247Please respect copyright.PENANAevTi1LgCnU
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"247Please respect copyright.PENANAye7yXq7d4G
247Please respect copyright.PENANAXxLitmzJF5
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."247Please respect copyright.PENANAeiEWQQxsYn
247Please respect copyright.PENANAmgSg0WwEzw
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANA1SwZMLz2tF
247Please respect copyright.PENANALdJy48mHMI
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAszftSAE9Kr
247Please respect copyright.PENANA8QVEb7v6kX
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."247Please respect copyright.PENANAILf2CW8XwP
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3Gcat0ykhR
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"247Please respect copyright.PENANARhTulY35Nv
247Please respect copyright.PENANAk1uc4r334S
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.247Please respect copyright.PENANAYRDv7gOunl
247Please respect copyright.PENANAi3mBWYDTRZ
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."247Please respect copyright.PENANAQYT8JHZoET
247Please respect copyright.PENANAf6Xt0RhX8Y
"I suppose that makes sense."247Please respect copyright.PENANAAEoYCH6wRK
247Please respect copyright.PENANAGTPcVaEUbR
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAWa7aFAcsFy
247Please respect copyright.PENANA3Jwhq5yKIM
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"247Please respect copyright.PENANASU2pjd0LOl
247Please respect copyright.PENANAyETUrtjuOj
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."247Please respect copyright.PENANAOs2mU5Cfj3
247Please respect copyright.PENANAIVDTgAHHTM
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.247Please respect copyright.PENANAPmCpUeXpQZ
247Please respect copyright.PENANAFlG6uAehcw
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAhm1yV2dmdF
247Please respect copyright.PENANAQPlxWo6YAZ
"What do I think...?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAAgGtw9Gtr8
247Please respect copyright.PENANAzEFU1ZNRpJ
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAMa4IYn5obw
247Please respect copyright.PENANA0oXlERZpvd
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."247Please respect copyright.PENANAj86VF3ZPfz
247Please respect copyright.PENANA4WZoDAkutE
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."247Please respect copyright.PENANAlIg0yuGaOb
247Please respect copyright.PENANACwsl2eEC4c
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAXaIuDwUhXW
247Please respect copyright.PENANATjUOGhEjoZ
"I'm asking ya, kid."247Please respect copyright.PENANAmk18nKixTc
247Please respect copyright.PENANABWoozsmzqN
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–247Please respect copyright.PENANAVj3h8efR6e
247Please respect copyright.PENANAH4fN8sGtGD
"It had to be an Endowment."247Please respect copyright.PENANAXme8aCJeQz
247Please respect copyright.PENANAWf4CG4le1P
"..."247Please respect copyright.PENANAy6iapFP3n1
247Please respect copyright.PENANAPb45bRLbar
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.247Please respect copyright.PENANAuz4JfoNpEQ
247Please respect copyright.PENANA7ChmvgSPLI
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAXVGB7pK3pJ
247Please respect copyright.PENANAknmSymYodv
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."247Please respect copyright.PENANA5pDaOj3KMJ
247Please respect copyright.PENANA43OY5vmW26
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.247Please respect copyright.PENANAtMtrmK18YO
247Please respect copyright.PENANAHip8xugzqK
"Why not?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAKTCJRtKZxf
247Please respect copyright.PENANAwbCskHA9wo
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAG56nKO8ttf
247Please respect copyright.PENANApB8ZprfGEv
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAiz6CFopbzG
247Please respect copyright.PENANAhOqI2Gz1aa
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANACT5HLRO6rp
247Please respect copyright.PENANAnHWqBPfgHJ
"Surely, there's a better option."247Please respect copyright.PENANAtWv7P1q6nO
247Please respect copyright.PENANA65zVQITfRF
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."247Please respect copyright.PENANA0pvwVReEhI
247Please respect copyright.PENANAJieJYw97a9
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.247Please respect copyright.PENANAyp5b9AA2oU
247Please respect copyright.PENANALl3lGtQ4GG
"What if we spy from a distance?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAR5NJw9XG1h
247Please respect copyright.PENANAEAeZLTqzzd
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"247Please respect copyright.PENANA4cYCvgmpZC
247Please respect copyright.PENANAbTcQ2H2xOG
"...Point taken."247Please respect copyright.PENANAx9bADLHwUk
247Please respect copyright.PENANALDURNckbzn
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAYjtOQuI7Jh
247Please respect copyright.PENANABEHPsu0fep
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."247Please respect copyright.PENANAyCMFJbOc7B
247Please respect copyright.PENANAAFabNcD5Xv
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."247Please respect copyright.PENANAuBsA8cy2L3
247Please respect copyright.PENANAX9SJmuxZnZ
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."247Please respect copyright.PENANA60GRVPyDSM
247Please respect copyright.PENANA7asgF3gSjq
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAOIVonG1Xor
247Please respect copyright.PENANAmACc6DT3Jb
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"247Please respect copyright.PENANA3zBntb8GA3
247Please respect copyright.PENANAyDMSfzWvW0
We nodded in unison.247Please respect copyright.PENANAKcQb56FcI9
247Please respect copyright.PENANAPipVRa7ifd
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."247Please respect copyright.PENANAdHoUxWgLxl
247Please respect copyright.PENANAbNmK5eL99T
–
–
–
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAp0eZ6AxwsC
247Please respect copyright.PENANAnIAh1dOGMn
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANARUSdmLyhFy
247Please respect copyright.PENANAyxPdcZf3e1
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAigUVy5QFSU
247Please respect copyright.PENANA1JHecYoocp
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.247Please respect copyright.PENANAhPY4wtuuUO
247Please respect copyright.PENANA72rrRiYLjL
"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?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAaXAci8vMAf
247Please respect copyright.PENANAdnxlHgkQej
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANA2RYg5s4TSf
247Please respect copyright.PENANACD0ealA0Un
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."247Please respect copyright.PENANAHO9LAK9Xma
247Please respect copyright.PENANAUpPMtoJLmS
"Well... I won't deny that."247Please respect copyright.PENANAyOKjNtcw5n
247Please respect copyright.PENANAnujYODY8JC
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.247Please respect copyright.PENANA6mfuYk8lml
247Please respect copyright.PENANAkfwzNOgdKu
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."247Please respect copyright.PENANAwpIJG91LlH
247Please respect copyright.PENANA26AjHeoZxh
"Again? What do you–?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAyry3iR3lTm
247Please respect copyright.PENANAA1GO4GFBTK
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAZS8DZBD9Iw
247Please respect copyright.PENANAlghnmYEKYh
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."247Please respect copyright.PENANAmlTwjBDlto
247Please respect copyright.PENANAAvTHL232Cm
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.247Please respect copyright.PENANAjgfoaiebQT
247Please respect copyright.PENANAB4AbLJmGjt
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."247Please respect copyright.PENANAAWDha9WAHc
247Please respect copyright.PENANASAyfiZR972
"I didn't ask ya that."247Please respect copyright.PENANAqYnfGZXP76
247Please respect copyright.PENANAz0HX7gvBYr
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAfm9ZqUoMTS
247Please respect copyright.PENANAkeBv0V6MNh
"That ain't surprising."247Please respect copyright.PENANA4GLRpCgLnz
247Please respect copyright.PENANAB0FY5jakUy
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."247Please respect copyright.PENANAekMZUvjvlj
247Please respect copyright.PENANAjsiLzUcuGx
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.247Please respect copyright.PENANAVcFRR4or5Z
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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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAS9eudKTh1Z
247Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2LaNHvGib
"Yeah? Like what?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAUhqktpV5HA
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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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAIDEI5UKsqb
247Please respect copyright.PENANAv93Dwyktf2
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."247Please respect copyright.PENANAoQfRBx2BUp
247Please respect copyright.PENANANGZUxrxfbi
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."247Please respect copyright.PENANA2VnoI2UaBJ
247Please respect copyright.PENANAn6HjcM2KOW
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAklSuBb9qcy
247Please respect copyright.PENANA1KiLDd4aE7
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAvGTDYpCkoc
247Please respect copyright.PENANASbjN6Fbhoq
"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."247Please respect copyright.PENANAmRDIzpK5jB
247Please respect copyright.PENANA74SzY6g7wr
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.247Please respect copyright.PENANAyehOgDlqrt
247Please respect copyright.PENANAnwrnw0un29
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."247Please respect copyright.PENANA83qCRP3n0H
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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–247Please respect copyright.PENANA8NETtVFWjv
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"247Please respect copyright.PENANAdfQ3MrYaIg
247Please respect copyright.PENANAU3OKhO2320
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.