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?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuSvA9goVD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyTE79HUMv
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9NwJ8ZN32
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnMhYJDv0x
"How?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0gDv5fEQP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNSnFYu2ES
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli0HOrOni4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5mLp5oFRw
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYKQpSdBZl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9prK403Vi
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkQ9qyjD0v
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b7AcuSGog
Pars turned to answer Juke.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdikzFqhapW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTWEnqsvak
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tITCsmva8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSUSS5BIDp
"That so, eh?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv5ePmBnjN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54jcRZoMoQ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rv4anmyVJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWDi8VgV5K
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHhuAE4E0E
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ecvIedk53
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHi6Zsqzc1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXtuUU4ML9
"Hey Becker, how's the–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Uu3717AAW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyzh48F6Yl
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GIop5nAId
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBK18j9xnI
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yx0c6i44K
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArmQyXttbv
"Are you a kid?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wq3VmC0Tb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPFBQImcet
"H-Huh!?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwOBnHsstN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmmdia6tSD
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKlKirnG0D
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkuiy92zwt
"I said, are you a kid?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HMXip94No
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO50CzhRz1
"I-I, yes, I am."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB9CUTIT97
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC33GM7YXTs
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN9kkDxXsj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNPULcNwgW
"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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDxEzjZZQT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20aJqd5jIW
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKc0R5S43Z
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5AfemYXPy
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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ywRibwKa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWiL52EZAJ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oi0VZkJPH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlUZmsfNHp
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YJzzJtjYe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ri426XXrB
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2o5jaWs8N
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzTYoH0kJV
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3R2ShDooI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD4yiNi6Rw
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzEL1RLT36
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9NFZMx2NZ
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQioyiJTqL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGJNPgbElv
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmThrSi8c1R
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgWK0glwQ2
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIR9QYDb6n
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgFTgafwhG
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yZR4YMYXu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd6axEHmAU
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc16l7qVIT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZeVREhN23
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQtGzjL1OT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHjoreaDC7
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOt7YcX5z9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTuSH1xDSX
"W-What?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFejSJT88c
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbRKqtdL6H
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH38xoxgU8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonKDFP7CY1
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJrJWNeIrg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKGDuEtqV
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikXyVIefA1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxWsIyzvRm
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaCoLLaXr2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHuFh8txjW
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N1V2m6Ds3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnGorXqNk4
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnf69NrTZX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0We09kuFA
"I'd never."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcviInGZ6b
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePzU3FSD0o
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZSwACITu4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFer4effsGY
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81sV8HETUI
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC5nd7lWBH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJreFQetAZ
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HMKYJjZnp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaZrb0vou2
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?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmah0jd8jh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXntva61xS
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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmXeoet5Ha
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNndmZ6fOoS
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVEvJcS5HM
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GPWDTK3ML
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1U5I2asuS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmB4wjJPL3
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt5Kwzatqn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr5KLQIdhu
"What did you want to tell me?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TTWQ9UzPK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAJJmszeJW
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkogGmAgaFx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ1RDlXt8e
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtYMRv0BLN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkKMn5BeTl
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WuLK6pfZI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0DgF9mrhK
"S-Sure. What is it?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6BDfIH21C
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7tydzKjKc
"Do you like fighting?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu5I6qKSnG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u4IoRfGSP
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b39Mx4FO3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y68Rgn7uN
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NomleAJSI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfKZ4UsvnS
"Then, why do you do it?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA377cWYcnr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvmF1PG6A5
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYD6Mv2NQ9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmJBau1U6
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KcRObdgjd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGRp3N1dCJ
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZFiYf2VM1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtSlp682uM
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovhBqjBmHy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ehqUaIo5b
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bH221AULn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaivuvGcdb
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjXB4aynqC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWdtaI2nTP
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNE2nRU0R7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDedD1HhVw
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaksMiHjog
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1k37qHKzO
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY60O6mp214
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeEx9RROy3
"...W-Whaa?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerooGZTGoj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaK8auVwgL
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6mDbYU06e
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB652WuEkNu
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSNoThscsU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMkWQUG41W
"It's... it's okay."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSesfTQiVgr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1xVrnTGS2
"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?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEXhBrZFJA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnKLWQmaAZ
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L7nsmf2kM
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUN3LMJ4at
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDne94FhzgS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbVT3f1J9k
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnRG7lFYyS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpff2McBvn
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQEllaCP9f
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEZjnMHDRi
"...Y-Yes."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jWAQV2kKz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoSeMmBS2U
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUxCTo0sis
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM9ATwPEZ4
"I see. I see now."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18iBgBkdmt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX7pI4J1Yf
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOSIx8fLby
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3tRK7jrw8
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKO3w9lpxy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rEuYDzLPe
"Like, um, like what?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8y1dxmEmJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGxZkmxWsJ
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bJb8FBNsr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yGqfjhizh
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTwjskM8rr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Kj4Z2nlc
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrXloDiTM1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Mkk0VLFJ
She paused to scratch her head.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxRY5SoO2Y
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTvjOFj6QV
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGJEVDsDat
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ttU4YEcMq
"I... I, I'm not–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd4mWeyVlz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rVrt6kZXC
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3I8IaOki7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaiGH30YBY
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1j9qtBPDN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPPzcYjNJ5
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNUeKv5b9d
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltJYXWom9O
"On the right?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pYbCVCm7m
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv9dmzT7Z8
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs7wcMejHg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKLP6Q89lY
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOvh1RpEiU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0oxCStvjJ
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNsEM6ScHR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DYBXBdtbP
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd3zQwTtic
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz4CRERRbd
"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."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ov3csEg7j
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB392TRHJ5
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuHPFnl2AS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu14xkhYnW
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjgTt9Ne42
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb577fQGwvc
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeWrbdjXZE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEv2Dr3GLW
"...Maybe."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr3UJbClHB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcYZvL8gKY
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouzKcKAYfg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOGSEew9aI
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
