Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapuL9HUrPu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTcADf8jl0
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgPRC6veQE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2yHJc18jF
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTnH3j2Q19
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQzPgVTiXE
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD2ctt4pMY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPUBCPc0Kj
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrnWXBp9yK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtC4jnb3s1
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZrcXHWh6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFIH0AuOaq
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5huzy18gTL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3vGk35cgt
“Well?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGjhBeVqIE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjgDyOlFKc
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFpfWbBClz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X0KZUyuuz
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihk2gvSGDW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVMpTYnvLM
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv01p9CSGZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTbKMcCeaC
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgePjtZ2jW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnVxltf1cm
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8uKDcU4a8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcf1huUnB3
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH2vQMqb08
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjNk9pNXW7
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgMlpADZOk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR2cRUOauL
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AMX8rNACQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5nPpYvmdc
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3ftUUuXGa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMU2GamYPg
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XPDJPeCwF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIAb0RaktV
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXP5PL3YzU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ523OPO2Q1Y
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gwjjpn4d6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6QwoeFHed
“...Yeah.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88sOJprk0o
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL3HEuDYmz
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTAGpncZbw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfXvEDqsLs
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7YFSIgSVh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rsl5HjknW
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM6KME5XE1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE29dgAE92
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPCfNjZbXz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZtsQ7kKsB
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGbyrC6MTe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTdfB3pbvQ
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6pom15ge0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAgfzk6jZ8
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpJ45l35iC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBi2qXVggh
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cFlLgv0QG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJlSb8hRp4
“...?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xystbYZmY
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmuKysVuLB
At that, I had to tilt my head.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TQpW84JxG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxtsBwASdr
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2aZlZy4O
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczQ5x9xZ8Q
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70sND7UIVB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZLRRmxrKn
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYKSeASUom
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOPlDPaCNA
“Dennis still ain’t here.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV4rWMAFua
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE98kiwdiM
“...”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3WqnyoUta
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv21PSqddQv
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiaUBZjXuy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdovnW21P0
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxuxVJawNC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubSpfeo99k
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj0LdWEOG8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb48VJSr1q
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgJGk2I8iz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv3L3hzzjC
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTvq7PbZpl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQGAF1erDl
“--!? W-What!?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1pQCc27yL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8VCyY7bj9
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWWlgTbhvo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc313BHsXq
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7rMqLaIlc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKHH6wbgfW
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJi6OC259A
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3djtLpnJ6
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGip3opQ6iM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HsGivq0ao
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cOCncyVQH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9XDplmBQt
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU886fA8bB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74MiBjZ0rc
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fQA4301j9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL1X02EkiI
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfWF3lh9m2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dPMOcgExL
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfeu1e2WWO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa2X4eGn1c
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEoP1Q1uD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uwZdrPZPM
“...”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dIN2AmUGt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOcQlVmOHg
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmrbmMVfRa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3drhd9pxf
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4BQikLA16
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSDQ29parC
“I-I see…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt69UlGUm4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMqmbBBBjA
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdXQzYmK27
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG8qJ5aroq
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sPowz9G7D
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzEfioETlY
“You don’t, ‘get?’”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Qaj6Jemh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaeRKlMD2m
“Y’know, when–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4zzdZjUrx
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiRE5WgMYp
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SGJdjZyT5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc13kz541cB
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUhQL0uhSR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l2dr2jkxq
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQRe63xiDa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I9PCDYMjk
**SLAM**242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2umhJIufR3
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosDAByvpZR
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6t2q9Pl5s
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRZI2XeUq6
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv4cSLhZ0J
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6XWzBZJYC
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAxM6U15J9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxPgX7jqh6
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGzbqzHAgV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB05CHsL1TM
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9gvPlNroi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rea4aXNOB
“M-Mister Dean.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq7Oct397r
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtviBh7Xcz
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eWxmuOboE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpQ370yhtd
“Yes, child?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hG7XUnirN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8XWiPqbSn
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW1GvCTwlt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQiX7eL3WX
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxgOe2wI7C
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGuL0oezOk
“R-Right.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloex5OjX83
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoHAcVNhrL
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u1E0AlcIU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbtXFAX6rO
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHp8vuW487
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMychOk69Q
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInzQFRlvoh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwfm34p6cJ
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgXEjvTkpZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a2OsCfsQZ
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmt3xZYVM0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dFZjtqL1L
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfygQLt3r
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9hIuCqh9c
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PvrctVwAW
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlciou0H7QO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaKhCAWFsB
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpesoFWSJtX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGFcwxqAXD
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYPf57iTMI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HPaMFM41A
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvC2sSdGrf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSkCHu2tz1
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pC114qGVk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZT05wKI3T
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCXvZvHXVI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3y61hEynD
“Haven’t you explained that already?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y7Z2F6cVK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLMGoLPmy9
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1u8Kiqjly
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xn0Xbn9gm
“What’s that?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VfTlVxQ0d
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURj0ypZc8w
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDLLpUXV7w
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvabtsEQqG
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv72jubmhI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExnkGOj690
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bm8SgkTFX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Yn9rwolZ
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25saRzYXVP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgXxZ8TWqp
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAIvRMmg0J
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyRWo7rPkZ
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdvqafeuZ8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrBk3iJfeV
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XmQkP6FyA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKxAeMYBEq
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOaI8QLaK0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERx9aisN23
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30drXwq2wT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYRnBSoVJn
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVSOq9tTxz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wzKx0Vdof
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoL89B8M2h
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojtyQJoQU3
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihsnEHedUL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUHdsWyba3
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5MwftAgic
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnilNcR50D
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmv3UrLVHg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfR4Rqetfj
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6YpL0F5cU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwshq6cVUsb
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwZ6pBpmCN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMAD7Ifdug
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq5P99Zh8X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjxXDLVbE4
“I think it likes you, child.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPVlux2nIg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxENLjJhSz
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMSA4z9f5r
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡochCfWBiVY
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZdQUdYHX5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEdqa59sVR
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJbZaR3FCn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FXIjNoYu9
“Hah?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuKiGZww29
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L6DkdS7fc
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWft6XiS9z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnPMVZ7feZ
“I… smell like flowers?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw70LWJWMii
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldRcBmod1
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vplYnLck5
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy10QvRJBaK
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGZTzWPSZw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUd6Lh8I8A
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfRAQM2dfM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjwWlyJZ4E
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIhn06l3jb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1QofXvghb
“Really? I didn’t know that…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv8eVdf1aV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0jvYz1nGY
“Ahem, moving on–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntOjvxZ2B8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ17ROQlZqW
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1rHFSs3u7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGBnzAsXNA
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfqMLWuZ6W
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDUTRlQUgp
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnci1DDD3Z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah6mkjIPSw
“May I know why I’m being told this?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPr341NHml
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr07edhVBH
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bbrA3tagW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Exrx1ISX2
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrZ6tCEssV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeizb82zAfH
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt76Pv27eHU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKsPBN79li
“My help, you say…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOiYvOSSYp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhNAIvjqGJ
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSDDI6yx3b
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBCf0owDdm
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rIor0LD5G
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy31RPIgLh9
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPSlarSsa2
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzObOfPOBEy
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOGJQTo6TV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86PcqcDlD8
“...Energizing potions?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR44bQgmdu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaad1nEG7Z
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1weSL3w09X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj0cqNOxYN
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5rntBs2pd
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ1GbNo6kx
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BqWtk5UJL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSFPDRfo5Z
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXQQge5hqw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOwrsipd5g
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVobeoqiBA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdJyEmPm01
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVqX542m8H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj07uf3LBtH
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrol7KFWY9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXqCLsZNN6
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0NKp5Xmoj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV05ndFGj6
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpjuUj4Pke
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSLzxqFZEZ
“Is something wrong?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7qYXXsTtr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut3xN7j7ML
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb1jQnqRvT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiELOkroeQ
“Well, kid–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcllgjZHSBn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg6OnmrwYk
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHqvxQXCTH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme6vMuWVPd
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Cea65lzD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybQgfmhNhg
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNiUtKdxhS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY53tvsJQKG
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVF6EKj3Zp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR9ZBrAWHk
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStE5D3MJLi
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWKpoX9wod
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiJ2fgctRn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQDSQQYOqm
“...Comfortable.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHBnu0VGSB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5AyzdGXhc
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9mkoXEFV4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ibHTiDvS
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXccrgx1kX
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DsqlHMCkt
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iNbBJ4ygd
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242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPziZIFCaFt
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm8umXLrGj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejhzhVlTsk
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jajvZ4JEk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI7Dld0Imf
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YexFLqGZP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JRnTavunY
“...A little bit here.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht5HHDsYMp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqtiNbwnuU
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4gukYbVWF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepEbC4OKDh
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qeABcTcW1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGT6W0svtO
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCiWVaBkfB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqhGNmw4Pz
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ6TulY1ip
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0vApIWka6
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBuZgB7Vyu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsruDIFqzl
“No time to waste, though.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOyyW87vm0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWqhtlbnDt
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShl3U59qaV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulI1MjMWX
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGEvjSqp4X
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd08zmcR6UP
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fol7cZ60O
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm81E3W2QDg
“...Crap.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQXYJXSNAT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5aNSLjB4y
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqTwONU882
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBg1AGhNbb
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiOV5CYdl0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3dCFU6SFO
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PbZMYqDvg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhYN1jWHKS
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7shwRLhmu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmvy5bE2Vb
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi9fiWC0L6
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPePw78VLVj
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfqQpwhppL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd63BQNnbr
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViW00mGhjn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOMYDjmHH2
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVUcaOFEMl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdsGnenvkh
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7sPKCaG7m
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NyosLv14
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQPxcrQbBR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkAvL0nj5Y
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwG4aZVa5H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Y03YuLAU
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalcmf3RuF0
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7VHLM5YP8
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfUByv4fOl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6D8Gapuon
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFVJiDY6fS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMPDceJlcm
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT4fec8PdP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DAyhQgotV
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyu74TqeSy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W1OcQT6Iv
“N-Nigel!?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn44L3MIjb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtY7BdtEzA
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0nzFi17et
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgitNVKM8G
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VEGahcJSt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2PYOsMeeE
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2E4dOsgaf
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ks9NJs5y2
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeRoaMG9UA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX4W1B5dyI
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dikv7fzbu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CxnrE5CzH
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAoT1YSw1Z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYoNo0RMTp
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlLHj7uq0K
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKmeuiFK7D
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlzE0SYcJv
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cT7aQd48g
“Is this… a clamper?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBB0t5jhrp
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyHKDSi8Vp
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuxIEroehk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvuIZ2rgAq
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CdeHDFekL
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242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQqohETvMw
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242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD6BEoshm2
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPmWXoXbbJ
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3kl1JFUuN
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBpN2UI9sU
“That I asked you?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd134YZL4bw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEm0xjC4AL
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5kBI8HvCO
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmYTEoxaBF
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fpriMgFtc
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUwx63M2t3
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ0B7omvh4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoOf1MROrR
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO283ZA4Yl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi5Y2enY1V
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRr93sjWJ9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b4lrbKzbN
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTaTuvtROT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpmIpmEMP3
“How did you–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNHCGadAho
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV7i7GjgS1
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsCGz8Kod7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBWHnE7Ahb
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WamMhEhHA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKfaAIzOd6
He continued cutting as he spoke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseKI1Nsev7
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LZm8ZUeSp
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AirHs6fDU
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAanVQCU9x
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH8snEKqcm
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCqQv0tQjJ
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHMSLLxxEh
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUsktMhlag
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s1TSv9R1V
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl55AhMCKz
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4HqeF6zdG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezOUPqoRDs
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDUXTLlC5z
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5rG4GJiUd
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYKNf1vzIw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3cdgQoIiF
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe2nCq91GI
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOO84nM5YF
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡool02UqGWo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk0h7GZYFz
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ZTjh7Nbu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWap3D7mhD
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzAEqBAXHu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf9DQkfca8
“I… darn it, you got me there.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbegsjtGqMJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G7FusfQx9
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpuNmgciQZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOh4g4gikP
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrHwmznhjb
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTjoYCCWQZ
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLvMcEJQFe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaowfLc4cH
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZFZ01ylPZ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK2i4ftVgf
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbthpFW6rE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyxFpgL2lm
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXUosQU02j
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjwy0RAWzB
I looked at him with pursed lips.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLud1cOX1n
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7NnfBmwyr
“Why not?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMv8DnSQZ8
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52n9rW9905
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX4fLaZNnG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBa060aJBR
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF7QFBu8VW
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVMdqjHbRh
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV0Es8oY5H
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj68ySgMMJp
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGDeQiMsAM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL8ZmbdHQw
“--!”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrd8rfNhph
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bX5ecMYh7
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5W8p7IG93
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnbuj9zFB1
“Did anything else happen?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK2zeKP0zn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIfIHx3yi2
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r32UUwJO4
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRxtgBcQcQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqFLyOtcZv
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAnmHr0dvr
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU1bJiil2k
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmaTsWFzJa
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLHEx9sLDo
“Uh…”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaTFnxCM3L
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44asc8Pafq
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJULMwOM0lE
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8fTuvQqXg
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtYYwMxPWk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauAXG2w8zb
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG3SO9dZaJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuPfHttexO
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsG3Ba9d0v
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ113vRxqk5W
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcfoxPPSqu
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaedke7CfNc
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ZscOzmVk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3LXNbvBPn
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5GxWJoJqP
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVoWMcazYR
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1SV1LQe7U
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoknhJUNJeL
“...O-Oh.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Meg4EV31t
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxL5uU9ZTI
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQKbverqud
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJghoyBC5VV
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw53spV0xQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3AHckcXAL
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpfg62AyTJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4QKqTFrfK
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo67UENEzWC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHFiwZPriA
“Make sense? How?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ELYPQhZF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt3V4k5L6S
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3fYWmwqa4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabyuOo2lCo
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIH85mTPqV
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcBzZEakCn
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQDMf6sTdj
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpErWxsdXDi
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hLX7c7AjR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnFZoyamgp
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr7xBIZrg9
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUmYC1TlNe
“So she still fought alone, eh?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KF5CIpvXL
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRghoUtHubj
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskvoHHZyae
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2gFyTimhT
“Relieved? How come?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLaBP4NBPH
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnKOKxaZXT
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BFphPeJFl
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh7QmxEteh
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVaLG7nnxz
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Zzof5PYW
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflrzoqBFnJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTSdA4DvM8
“You’re probably good friends with her.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX4uTN1c7y
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgBPxBCRzf
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX3ghbg7ib
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtA5zqwW5y
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOGDxNUztw
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPtF7j7Sv
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sTvQGeo3l
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Q0piQIHt
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvhsNK6KjF
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8F1sTTq86
“H-Hurt? What happened?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbMudC6tNG
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdywkqITgvL
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3LnvC87hy
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlPPX027kb
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUJdiPTkSK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD6ECaEOYn
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLNmmoebT
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJzMOOBVE5
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsT9ePays1
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPpljawnik
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatPl1emqmM
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaKwHLAZAF
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbquKjQQRPQ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pnuP6IPXo
He shrugged.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmYOPsZfGt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCUNpzLX22
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjpUtES1OB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VYZ1lrcel
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJpbQBwazC
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutj3wYymY9
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVw4Qr6uhS
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTEAu5ZYSk
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQX00btyRA
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hvDNa1hhe
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s4rzwtMkR
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqq3Bczcqt
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjw47MQQGo
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1DgARjxDA
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy1hp2WWsJ
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQeL5uzWh5
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGV5EeEJtK
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7iIyFBm8E
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJlNTyRuRY
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJGVMVKf1r
–
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69HoNpCceA
“...Role model.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDpOPSeqc4
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD1jPPJvlF
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfVTH6TJNB
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhwYCiTxL7
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAXsGB9uYk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjp5RkgNPX
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuYNDIHaDe
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESb4z0YuhY
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Q8fj49xD
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxajrmSsAeY
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2s6OQPAuk
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtUKloFiwT
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz13U0OfGg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gJZYMo7Ct
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lbcviOfHg
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp0tzlvBzJ
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8ab0y30Cn
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc8rgatDrT
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
