I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUVZm6pq65
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"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKGNxbdbCL
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"How?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG35CYBGbq
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I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAA2V5Fh6w
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFjd7G242Q
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2YyEk8lvg
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"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxD8kTfUP6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaghXDhseI
Pars turned to answer Juke.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNu6nbzdJp
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"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLn2vYcDR2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT36IBHNNd
"That so, eh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy726j87aGM
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Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGUzsroCL1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJOjALMtpi
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEXbRREIkc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaZgzXnOuX
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2igxD2JWne
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbYXHlzYiY
"Hey Becker, how's the–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCuqWHfgRj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1zZvfZaei
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbkqupcQK6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeem0NA4kVp
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVm2Oisp22
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"Are you a kid?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fROu7DUo0
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"H-Huh!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl40YVDzRLo
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An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOB4CltDCe
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhloblk2Si
"I said, are you a kid?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwXJ2itfyM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoA2ChCVA1
"I-I, yes, I am."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkwOQeI3pB
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He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cxaiLFuw0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4AveL91Id
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALEJF7caIQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pIgqD1O32
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaLJo1sUlo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cUr7nREvH
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabyQ8t47Zr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN713TzUIvm
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL64Cd1dr3r
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGWMsHTl5P
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrIOBa5GxN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnht7GUUNM
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehQr5wkCBN
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"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX7YMwMtDJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGomgtrFqTi
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEyVsRDKAN
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"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0Jot7vSKx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIszLDeIicU
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYof4vACiR
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"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKEXdjJboO
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"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8M4sctBY9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilA76ZwROl
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjEu82N35W
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXsSQubEau
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln8TN2kZn1
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I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1022F5tmIG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzT3FOalGk
"W-What?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9AmxklBlh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTL1cFruzR
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaFeEtHzNU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyzwNkWP8U
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnamScLOPWa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDqQBO4raS
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDs85ruYIy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4pxerlw5s
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAmvl5jYIU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ofihc8Ttm
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPuzn41yBh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ158JCPYA
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRghArWhKel
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc1WYx2HWb
"I'd never."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgPeFDByCo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8Hz5I5oGL
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvmLa92leb
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj7I7vC1d3
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I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZQFBrAAf
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"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3UkpUhCq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zIg6cp5cJ
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LqQPPJfYq
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOVTYMwJxy
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJnbr9UBmM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBHq4CizWI
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtIojUqkLT
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBSrGLDyXQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaYwwtNyNr
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHVeIQPzs7
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"What did you want to tell me?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHlL7OMYIR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD1d4mNtty
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMPifDXO3o
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLH3U3XgdV
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VEY83bOnV
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xGYnycMuE
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"S-Sure. What is it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem9GoUJ8j7
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"Do you like fighting?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt4K5mXBcZ
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I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnBOoVSPMh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoBHKDMBr0
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlLKqIjHVa
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicqSSpBWad
"Then, why do you do it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGfndvwh9K
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"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEY5WI4Esc
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Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNB4qP3JyW
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"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKOrLX4wpX
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"...In that regard, I'm very like you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCRgoQQK2b
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Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsShTi6lR
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"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUZYWfk6eV
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"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfqm1CmGyx
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I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWSX9uJdId
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEP2ZLRzZ7
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GW7FI5jbZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl86EcNc2K
"...W-Whaa?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyIwVukad1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbCm4SNbCj
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOpOE13pNi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1DPHIqbgm
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVZMIVxvaM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZBmVwLr4H
"It's... it's okay."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUckmIAyAL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wiEnt476s
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtttjlFLuwC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nLBq50vpY
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dkUEaf9s0
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I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI8ZPEULio
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmZhwLykzB
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUq3tq843L
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpirdstrOf
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx4LAnb7ff
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDkKuk25tv
"...Y-Yes."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubuX92xF3A
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ123l41FVDW
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7sV1lHIC8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZwiXTxHd6
"I see. I see now."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsCFKWoLtY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T2gYimeTf
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1tYWuI9H6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ7ak5nt9y
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8U5MglXwx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjIc2pn8T1
"Like, um, like what?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVxivetUBn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZh1hUKrcx
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoeTE34o8p
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08LvwgXkqY
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix8Lm1zcbU
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oQMdztB62
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MC0UGbCNk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6zqJjjlWO
She paused to scratch her head.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwsF76SqS9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h4ZkxKhr9
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0RqkRuPJK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosvAMMSI2z
"I... I, I'm not–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeetqjCCYcR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQcmFujTaI
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6GojnHPwR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxnkhMUOzr
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgkOtOAjJM
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"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWoZKEKuAO
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"On the right?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeKAEBabWQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eomILqmI8
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBWmscwBFk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQGLfjGZuV
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKCoiOHoTB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqad6AkwSE
"..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRwqfgqY4t
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She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fu1RvAGuN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbgLYuVZV6
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNuCm6colO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMROtPS0pKQ
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLtjXX3IZ4
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ur5UtTGtH
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhIpAxpYBd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR6sFy3DCW
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO0A5kqo5j
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gAWfKnY2p
"...Maybe."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoszULWcx66
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapvCAtx10p
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzFazBv8qG
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Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
