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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FnnyKRniW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zKZreF7oc
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT5EZZ6oIC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0otpCE1YDL
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwixPQukAs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdz2Svgd9X
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPTsWMBb7N
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozDaoZCUo8
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWrq5AnuZ9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SEAoaTBPW
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnt1CNK3uS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXeSBHPbTC
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZsJxVUDdJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJulFx5c2B
“Well?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtpQoyJ3yr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy3ZHKE8OK
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZipbiTbDO
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOQ2DpButz
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao2p1fy2uz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUOE1RABlD
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUYE8rl16m
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqhzoLlri0
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL7OV1hleE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV5LNGW4bs
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BGATvUhu7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTuI0opTg0
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyQdGav8D9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM6tsMC1sR
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHuutno6A
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm1wAtiJ0h
“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…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILmXerNelR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVIkLvFAoy
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtX3TO8dPo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyRRMdtabS
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSkWEBP8IS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6XU8EQ67U
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn9NiajXXK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqZSuYEshz
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDkUPLxGIG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHwqz2SXqr
“...Yeah.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt36fClH6A
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4F6YP0Oft
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–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9NKmAjfd1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUnOTSehil
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHROq5T1NP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor4ybeRtJc
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgoV9JP9a7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvrmF1rJzV
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogLR5VHRHN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE7QCeFBwJ
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JPVRravCS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ759Ru2KuIo
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1itLNUKTg
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgR35GEXet
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mBOzK6e1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XfoNZrcHa
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHPIv7w2hV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY4kP6Gir0
“...?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3LOwiOjlf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJpImZ12hf
At that, I had to tilt my head.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2YPiEwXrG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JBxVFUtxT
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJCGIL5Zkt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbC1NVh09F
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXHySzwFhP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa2VIHxmva
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zlPFrGFfE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKHv29rR2V
“Dennis still ain’t here.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxhAATA7Lo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG2w8kIPmY
“...”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYivtCuWpd4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7yBBDFr0V
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tJrHuV4Qx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOysP6ilgXc
“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–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG0slvJuXn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31B7p5pAWh
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcfH0PU2mt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18VC80Pb7L
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFu8BBvWGV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ZQETKBdB
“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’.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6J08JzOOx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgDZmL3Zbl
“--!? W-What!?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhhUyXFC8v
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBAzrsIAnw
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAQo7QywzM
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjXKdxuEQO
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvoKq0cx3Y
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCod5Ybuiq
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUjklAlucL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB1sjjuVdC
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NElGwZUY9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ipsihKiJ0
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmfUhj7z4R
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNfIucHAKT
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHaKhq8b2m
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WX1Mb9VI7
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB9DiAMNLK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAdb2sUwaw
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mk7JXoTOq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu69h0yHY29
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYbIR4HS1M
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kSgpNFVjP
“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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Z79aDM0h
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8dJNT5ddf
“...”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchSgH9ppu5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpRHZNFL1N
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5j4wfc0Vf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUexQTAUHF
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx6ndnwaLD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGl7zsdQOW
“I-I see…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRVxmvmBbc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujaTk8nr3k
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNB9Hx15Up
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspmnAEYMX0
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8JHltmwt7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYSbxEhaJe
“You don’t, ‘get?’”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ParBl8gUz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7XvjSI83C
“Y’know, when–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pjCfdy8Jx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt56yQQikS
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxP4SCD7Qf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBTxnoB79t
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6sSIgcUYC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjXwh5lSgz
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFORIpdAdo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTk80znbwE
**SLAM**190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeG9hcISRx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkLShYkZ53
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5pfbXeRYp
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcybxLGCHbH
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGWUMaaYRT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCecjVyd6sP
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb9puhCgGE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn8pEVAZXn
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxFFGpfdpA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE0tEUHn5p
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEjY3MOtef
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdQ21XsRfw
“M-Mister Dean.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRbJncVuXs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOotD8bmWQ
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhh3EbtNER
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEztkhL6E8k
“Yes, child?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuqVELDPuo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgQ4dE1516
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynaMJWBR8i
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwBaYnn9LH
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBveHLQjs7h
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwQ9A66Zv8
“R-Right.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7kXzfOtiD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjKKK9523H
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPsCsuNKJq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTRrCE3T7g
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4V0aTeGHo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMXfs2rDic
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaeZnZhq4N
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlLQVMGZum
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mYraGRAbX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2snp6C76k
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFq3bPKthb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKceYrpw5G
–
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq7XSmY0p8
–
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–
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1hCbzmhxo
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGf8H7tL3G
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv1DfnL3Ls
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfJ3MuFsVV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqxaSsaqZx
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkOMHWGuJr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyihb9eHW9J
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FdJd6pzuv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLda7z96BQ
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–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOomOxQsvT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQdbfE3Tp8
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuiP6xjR4m
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4iF1mJSP8
“Haven’t you explained that already?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDc5McCYk9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS6KmKQMRN
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Grg2Zzz3p
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv13XkHpWO
“What’s that?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV658XeSeqz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAB7420P56
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcKA1tVPqY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgNQMKgIvb
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSQGhI1voD
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCl9YKn0jd
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:190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HYjQo3NAB
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyAIUaEucU
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6XbZfqPpc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1FI61ThKk
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy57pO6slRf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X3knbuORm
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87GauO4sbX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeENy0UWvMT
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0AdpEjwOh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG3CURXQ1e
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Dhof5sAz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76baZG3JPC
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEGfWaRECT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnGYOwsc6
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ur7725F9O
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsPolrJv2A
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cX4IlYsJl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExAoUBJUIl
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkXf1dn4ok
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64KmPotHkP
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb5jsVE84q
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH40azvGVF
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA1DtLVVdf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJDewy1px
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUE6POYfCE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9c1bsHur2
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDcO45QEXR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MNtMqVGIY
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2EGHFJL8B
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8el01rorv
“I think it likes you, child.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Cag2Sqar
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIZlY8vziC
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe0sr5bmCe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOrsFR8EeW
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkxgKrue2E
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu1Pu4VQyH
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL5ixqjajh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIegCOvtP2y
“Hah?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbECgRhMpIq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ01IScD3Vo
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8P32YilXW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuGJ2d6JSd
“I… smell like flowers?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRgMJQkrXJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhAgc4ZAEu
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUovlyhb1j
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81LIGnCGs8
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiATw2o6TT
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqFs0PFPOb
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9U7zVEIwP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iNda0636W
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OLTALeHRn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI69jvcREx
“Really? I didn’t know that…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gdv1ZsUm1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYZ4HJF8vT
“Ahem, moving on–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWnVWOxLsN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSkrKHZNDJ
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLSnr1mXNs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh7Lfk3mI9
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cg55hapUx
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumePz9uSSj
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:190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWKgADSYYu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Ii1l3Jf3
“May I know why I’m being told this?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9FXAUv5hs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqSBd5UcUN
“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?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtY7oIgA7T
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizwN5jmMGM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs7mIgKfZI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWn71ohoPj
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddVvyRzMjL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9LC0JK3Rx
“My help, you say…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0VvdgYcTY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln6rYrIIrb
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCGxb3kwNs
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjr3NybiOQ
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSf0YcOOVn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RNCwYEXZt
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoGwtvyE9u
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXR1ZF4QAD
“--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?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnJwOztrnh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2VO1ADjiU
“...Energizing potions?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1UscWRT51
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeHTwvc1WC
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cjWryCCAN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTIcezsyfT
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMmIA5Xo6i
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dV5rW6qq8
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3stfG6cmnm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVGqvFbacq
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDuFb0thKP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wg5RYvq72
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ3B22KcOX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVZIUbDcJX
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPp8Nlc57D
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GA9wXAM0Z
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx112fHmL7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqbxbFBg74
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhEtaMiov6
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdSwLtZfRI
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ka7tiRVF
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“Is something wrong?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLHueXieqn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6cDvKWFO7
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta66Cojkte
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“Well, kid–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9qc3zCeZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MFao5y5kt
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14P1aTDvkz
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk88VNtGIoY
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu2Fl84BqR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWWndNuHZt
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfG2LhRQXC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA0w6wfkA9
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX47rVyq86
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfIEaoFGzS
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfWQ92NCYv
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLhTzAMpJM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxnFHIz3BL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NA4TgedLe
“...Comfortable.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvzOT9vBfh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBjyafIIEh
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjjqWVvM74
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyai9YYL8Z
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjhjgvmKZD
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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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEMN3JdKxL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC0hptulak
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpUghaOMNr
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqmcBFghX
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG0XNLMoai
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOvG9TxWUp
“...A little bit here.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pX8IiG3W
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET9V0gRM7s
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5QUiokQsj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PSCtp6HFF
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvORwlVdyM5
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrCtdDosuX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuRIoOSRP0
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7v6hhIDlG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMhlrAHYFW
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU6IRWpQcS
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“No time to waste, though.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOgOVuU3SI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK7QjbJhfU
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A21ELKArm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAHoX9193o
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKnq5Iy2j0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1U7Au84E9
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUeieqHHjX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAt1hgH24L
“...Crap.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1mofK66yZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJfDleKe4P
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcnwIaLkNC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKSwkjQTPb
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExio5zBJVe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXOd5m1oLh
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTHyU71Np4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv3lVj3bvC
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBxf38KFqj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMyZslLATJ
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaofaoZw86I
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIpFii4YUi
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOppPzVwG3
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQcUZ2EPW3
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw3iljVtYj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteCg92AVhO
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Hy4aTcWF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYrQyre3yJ
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwXum6n2A4
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXibUxEUKr5
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pZvlUkIis
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Z9mF0Nou
“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?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3qzGmFbaZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnUGywKnXM
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTsy6cpFgH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRCd8ErWxM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NQMnKcTCe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVjw95Dhir
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbhQ6K7SgV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrJouiY8jz
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs93VAivJR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIQRcGNRLi
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d799uufxP
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p27Uie4UJ
“N-Nigel!?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRQ4wnpwXW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlfcLJpqBy
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJhqjq4nW7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmNrAN2KrZ
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPfbMooiDC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam5jU8hVjL
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpgy4S9HbE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XI6i4GwkP
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OBEaacxyy
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0sPTpq4Ef
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjTGiRB2VL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPyfRXwIZ4
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ncHXjtkE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtraIrQCjZa
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJYY7nrvQu
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2QvessdRW
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBtg0aDGJk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWr6DG59LW
“Is this… a clamper?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8l8cB05kc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVT0qLMgLI
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ax9oCOpc1
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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.
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CPfh0Pruc
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOYWeXkf4M
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMkASou6RW
“That I asked you?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AHznRsLwM
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcvNUh27XG
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGnHYrVOYz
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOVe2X2Zxl
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSGYKsjeRr
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGewhj1Wa0g
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr9JGkcRvB
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoyfAG7srI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiLHizmjV6
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsqYBulJ5s
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdbn3nqimb
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHqhH1b3s
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWOlrtJYFo
“How did you–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5W1o5MluI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSNGwpXq8E
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbM2ROw0DN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTcnU6gsyB
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdYX1qNqny
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi04H5Jh7w
He continued cutting as he spoke.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OtlzISJKk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89DnYfCjWx
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXtDPDM8lH
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrxuaTkrSo
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2X3dE2lhY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHdBvtQIuI
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zSMNzPvmC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5C0MZ0D15
“...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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz08mkOIOPh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEyvb2khgM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckMMe62VKK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJOfSBYEY
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQNvFebA3f
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxh2o20h0t
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj561snR10
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0ZJ8o5wIg
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nyh5uuAil
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUUwvAiYBI
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:190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP1mNEKxwX
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLf7WDfCMR
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSks23QHHI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksYMPofpbw
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsqcPmK7gq
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMnfm1KAfA
“I… darn it, you got me there.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJyPMriRbn
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yl6B2WLkb
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje26e2jwlc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ491boeQ6nI
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6lsxhSrXS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Bnh1Stc0
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z6gtHXMtF
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY5kHLDMEM
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0opFV9KlA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQNfQ03Acv
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3jOHSdvlh
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6F75g2xwX
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqX3o95qOI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcBonHj0Rb
I looked at him with pursed lips.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DlNo3fsTk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCRjMlIbgB
“Why not?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUTWdOIYB5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkdLuVXYPT
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuvTYq7cLZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp3lBlWdSz
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxrV4vJhYS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprURXtQAsY
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHf1vgzGQm
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIau7TEEvyL
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgvyb5Aqg1
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKr0DUBs3p
“--!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ljutluamZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhErHh3a0P
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. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQnHWruNwR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71jcJ7JxsC
“Did anything else happen?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM355GNEsqS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFuC1iEhYN
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Rv9pe7ly
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWTzSfwu3k
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2pxyJ5l22
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXFhLJ4OrK
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4ffPDlTss
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4vwuRi9C9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbYQ7mFNUb
“Uh…”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExio52bIBQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfnsGFQ310
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRTjfGrduf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbND8ErKVg
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0ddsRTmwZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqYoGsD1hA
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgycTkuAOxA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kcfE51VcQ
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07agHye86h
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo2BDcZrLz
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef2QK7bYxe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbuje7Ny8G
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWSgjZ2zfB
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGk1yI190p
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDy3pnsqYb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMmgPMeQPY
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JbUSeLcQb
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1jUcKsiFG
“...O-Oh.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV5yLN5jvJ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJMGIXOY9u
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3rVBPD4k8
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSMMRA8md1
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtch45Irko
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp8ngMPDMq
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS13cozkV7
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55J5nRdj8
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHQ9ZYZ9vZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEY4djAJcG
“Make sense? How?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2a0lZHpWo
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE5T5fHWOE
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcIn9MHmxY
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jTeMV2NgM
“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–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Hy2Jbsfp
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVwAjYl8PL
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpEvEaKKQt
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14GYDJtHGU
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy3gwaJqJS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOAzwBsLux
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuQIpilpXC
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7xf3L1X9t
“So she still fought alone, eh?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoiZwEPtqc
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h79UyJ4pi
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2yk2pCe8o
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22FWoeMMDv
“Relieved? How come?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBGcNeNs8n
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEADTd8ovS
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S9eKHhsYA
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutn857cLKB
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5QA04nbcR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJazz71ve2w
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQnlOXvVe0
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYihPtW0iv
“You’re probably good friends with her.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtshd4z64fE
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kcJEyxamk
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl0hJvAtTe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASkc8dsmPe
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2Bt4nxgLI
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUDfsOOYBk
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrKOPxtcq5
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ytcD98w8
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzJEkVJAoW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5McFIJP79
“H-Hurt? What happened?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwZCvObRgk
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KMUyXkwV7
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxNRe7p0Gg
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21gf6rtdh6
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMGkQSQZuR
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbMNYSTUJy
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULvB8s6kMf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAgY8RXQ4u
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZuvT1w2s
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZXeQNZO4i
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs9mZfUyKW
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uI0Psqx4e
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx31ZToi8fV
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWYJAkIMDK
He shrugged.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn37EaKRYw
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhPzp8aITU
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4cOVlLBVQ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzdY4aXzU2
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhojEey3wN
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp5fRNlkJt
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQcYHX0ILe
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDnqCLPE6N
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHgs7dMPUa
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5tjAMkMhF
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazUzzdRGNS
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9bLetcTDK
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1tTh2r6s9
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbq6auCdht
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw2B8IbO4a
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5EBHcnHu2
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWC3ZmBKMj
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvObyusKdvR
–
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbaEiBL1Id
–
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0yfFmYzA9
–
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc9kL1MjoS
“...Role model.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy28HHXUvL
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVPl971qfi
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw96hxTZEtZ
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9BZDEzkH5
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1kGlaHBYf
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rOX2x6oUM
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75wxzGnx5V
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzGxEDdvV9
“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.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe58V6lWQ9F
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxvNoUMzeU
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl4BgIB58S
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFySKUSqqz
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WBEjGbw9i
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYYvaCX6Du
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.190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnct67gQ0A
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVi4RVR8nZ
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GibL9yYV2
190Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS8TutYUA6
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
