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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3UYlhl6s1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbW5wFIPw5
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBb0376OsV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y2a8nSqxH
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQalfDotcrz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU0lOcdmIv
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPLYVgkLY3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQZAnlxs00
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Fqd2wRCF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzNAAwhLhE
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ZR15aUeZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JVcoreO2I
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5A38LIMFT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CfEOYFyGH
“Well?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnaQSX7bts
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuZ0Oa9lt
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dp3f8177A
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d4SpfcTHL
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu36wdVgekG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukrelZTTyj
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5gyAaSNAU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7egDxYMSq
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE6ifFXmoY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZTgMQa19R
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZTWie4Yi0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFfhGIv1mB
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuRVWflrZ5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9tWsWfxIX
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi4cgyB9HM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdRYb6feA6
“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…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNLWiyCONV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSobvXrVXtZ
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX2Wp59DEB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcjrvNNggr
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhvtHqF9Hi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFgmQp7HwS
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAEmkPTPux
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7ugvh0S7B
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZPvPaw4cB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoD9eS4b0l
“...Yeah.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAkbu8rAYE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbNWRAoYyc
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–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXBulpxVn1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFc7C5kmds
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb3RBsOCxP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVacX4NsVY3
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwGUPKKVTe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEu9lpfgDs
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYn9YguyMo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqY0vLbQ0t
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaDpR15one
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OLO8860mS
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbc0i21n3G
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6NmqajfK2
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkBwvCS65W
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7ghLBTHks
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHlI4bY7ff
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiHYrnFta2
“...?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyPJiM5m0f
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDPswx6vEa
At that, I had to tilt my head.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71u0ZgIOPy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRZSdYxWHW
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOph5AHwVRb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX7mgxK6Bp
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn6IOfq4HO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMaXPrjgS1
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXypYG5Ag4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiaHFwLgQ6
“Dennis still ain’t here.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3z3hBUiiP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKwLZPJlFo
“...”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaB710Hdiq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBApcaBQ5L
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q7SrSLk3a
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73306Ksh5i
“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–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiW1UfTUB3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqldpSzmEq
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZwSvkBlW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl2cKyCQU5
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLajV54zdv
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxf643RNw7
“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’.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFJl9FPzPb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyIldxRnQT
“--!? W-What!?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObDG79uKe3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfdDYpiTEM
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgomFKQSvKQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6GGYU80OK
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Za3S8um6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbqGxCn6Vv
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRr55DT7cZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzJXEraZm8
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3OLK7dodI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCivcZjYsHg
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. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT1JUFv3mG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID9eNzT7VT
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAaUA9KEsY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvuPNXOQ9P
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Kas7XUcv
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjGDe9m9lP
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAEnjsMdh6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH4ccUOYju
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XJSba8jTz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8w2JCEF6E
“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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tm5FXNWWL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlriRx1HlKT
“...”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEn7PmZ2tT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3DqXgIJG
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv923tdBJPv
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUiY3IbJ3r
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonr1DGLjjc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKUrtCO7D4
“I-I see…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUswtVvDAro
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRcCXXBd1Z
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa5b1F3Z4i
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvSeJsG3zJ
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxHXsW3q9o
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVqgS175e4
“You don’t, ‘get?’”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmtHhyjJeq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7RkTnknK6
“Y’know, when–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPMoZ2vQWw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHmQnmJ0ur
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt87ZG89Kp3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglGBhYS7EI
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo15u7o9CX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF86wbK3IO
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrtdMKpXyw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHq5F5qLKR
**SLAM**216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUX2JkT05K
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8Z2iskuhV
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYspQ29Ms7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxV7PbgySs
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3IvbYqnzU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8gd0jxJM
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN5wA5bIKG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Fcm2irBd
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoOESRmdPW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcdqCUVhpz
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDTrZSG7xu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkH1zmWLT4
“M-Mister Dean.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrsBm8l7hd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpsiay0Wby
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNZqXnUwxL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytR82FqHRT
“Yes, child?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLQCXf82QQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZnXepGp4J
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZE0GYtcvj
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvjIaZSajb
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQT7s4veu6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv9o3PvFKF
“R-Right.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJjw217FgW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzztxi5WJJ
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIYx5pjGVM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9rIYMPPWM
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd0HCiRmmX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkCgMOctts
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8smtGnv2j4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IORQ1m0qB
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbH14jrhXR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyyRjzcHV6
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhSwMShojo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjgrnxyirN
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1noIOrVtr
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBwqUBLhkn
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuYbMGEZd6
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YWFSuBKPq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOZZgjScrj
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLNmInZZmH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQHhBQN238
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS8RDu2zos
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaTI4wxUZt
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ZT3G5Gba
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF2LQZNd1t
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–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIsaUk62sr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwxFLaSkzm
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8nshIQjh2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Tk2FLuNs
“Haven’t you explained that already?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd61gm0hbR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjETnc9UqA
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4jFAFLiAI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDI8zlgYVZ
“What’s that?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhi6HPXY2S
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS6C42NvTZ
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLueOiS2KHc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupwVVnIfxY
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF7mpmNIm9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TDNOUfTiq
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:216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEiqERtOkw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcaWO0fAad
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36T9CG025j
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG80pTua7bL
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzEIauCNg0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixygmiXjeR
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlmRl2bObU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAWTQqtehP
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1z71mqFWR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qlTHNizC3
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkfzfzAjTk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyBorlzkho
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RTWojRANT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SNGQ9BHSL
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUImbWnNuK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8vHqOhxii
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG74N85r7Sd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRoAAlRN6k
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZFfnLOl0y
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V2dNSq2uH
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtF2di0Qhm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbIQFOIDIS
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIPfk6KyJB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMxKg9Ritj
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAc7M9Njfk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsSiYjzu0q
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP5tiK996m
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X1VAud7Fz
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvlefItyWc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPyDR2bWRE
“I think it likes you, child.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx7rwlUoU4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK8qW9yU2s
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbRNlAUkvN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkutgP5AhXD
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1HBP1Cssr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcSVut82Ur
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUtkrG58mn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4AZLREfZz
“Hah?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zVCDi34hV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA84FwBbf9P
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9FOsZ985H
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQrfYZoEHu
“I… smell like flowers?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4fIhqvVWb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokEoE4Dc5b
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxH2zcMCvl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWqlgJvuz0
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhwnHuT3fI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri4B8wpcKo
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYL0BfZ49N
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QfQt7Waw1
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36494aCPna
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLMgk0N7wQ
“Really? I didn’t know that…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z61E2fwvW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRn9zGzzFp
“Ahem, moving on–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQQccKn0GF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ThDj7j8ky
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD1XuQUAd7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjrJjxDfxO
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBFbgNoCqr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5WM3kkzSJ
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:216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N69uNkonD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRt2KFaVRi
“May I know why I’m being told this?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DRW5RO7yw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpaC29nywd
“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?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo25EZZwP1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdGffJ8Zom
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3CZ2bcYNg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp4tCE1Hvs
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRWRvmnD3i
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90UIn1sEVE
“My help, you say…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcNqXZNNiL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpKwDhJxdD
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIYgIdFzWI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyIKV4i4qL
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmWl8fHFDX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVstzCOCSs
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZuG7yqK7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMzaC3SmTv
“--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?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3ZCDdFNzb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSz3A4KWEL
“...Energizing potions?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZplNGz34
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbClbv4pWFH
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzkli53vlX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18gt5Z8klo
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurdElDo0so
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZdT7Icjlc
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYLD4yBSqj
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdSTU0Sihv
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeqHoRvzHI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzeALFHFjo
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67zMW1sD84
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnciF2I6I7M
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68wXCAPAJ2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKTmcBO1Gk
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1fQytt0dY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLmMwFSFar
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCR96XFNao
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwAxi3Pcar
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJvYrGsWi1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgUcBvbOXJ
“Is something wrong?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q1udffXyS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VsCOOpHcO
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGeto8CnyD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJghGM1ZPA
“Well, kid–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeVz7hHkpi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSOh7G8eNo
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm5aJHeX2o
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QUqjzZoqK
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvDVvR9VUg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4uBNnhMNC
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOLLgCVWzU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl0pKSr31N
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JNUtwJmex
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnBk9YI5Na
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEQTwcwglo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMg5fuPfOW
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eqQmGF79R
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBLIY1l7xn
“...Comfortable.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUYmPixEZc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbslOiO51S
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdeDWxsDDf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cGl0xudZh
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGzRXiktwR
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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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH46fmG19l
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAbUN3CRN7
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xki5vTfmN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX3l2LL9vp
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkk37TZBiK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGUgKaS292
“...A little bit here.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg6aam82Vs
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY3xUWs9o7
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. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAGzbTPM8c
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOliY3I2brm
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2yD6zdXyC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rHzUgk6RZ
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzq02SSxny
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVVKzFGAP9
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVgPLiVx9a
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAsB4c1GGS
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PHDfw71d4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxuMIeoDJI
“No time to waste, though.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E9wgwEioe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aR4MAU8MT
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb38cvHZMU5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9xjBhOeY9
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXrmYq0iqN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW6f661EVt
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfB1qEyJnA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhPr4uHQh7
“...Crap.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RLbAR7Nwa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54xFosydPt
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5epCNzvfUG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yc3ROpysk
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFTKRszmmG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihV49UdXKD
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa28nw38cw5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1knQW3xS8W
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8zLx13svA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m8cPtsaVP
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I1xBqI8ng
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAfJzFNmOP
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF2IUP0zYL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sIiIWCWIG
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6agOX0EhMT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ivkMCz0M
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbFAynlJF2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvx3QB3soT
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqivlOaTepL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hK2NY63gX
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB1GMbBQCl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1mWktRzQH
“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?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgtHatR2Ub
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhxYLSN3dc
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmaju0ktaQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0f6EIt7Jr
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDm6URXOFy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1tFUC4dHc
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEEHkJfa33
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLArcl8Wft
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqj2X7fKe5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuhJ2Au5Yp
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaWKhOpiz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFd6IYSMpj
“N-Nigel!?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7cX3OYg0H
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtZTJdQo52
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiq6RgOxme
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxsBUYepY7
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZLgjhrJm4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YZegLRPAn
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6GXzGRO96
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGnWVwToM4
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF1vkBMzVe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jKGdOn2Ez
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mcMdc8ZPf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDMXFqdGUC
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPlERIU12Z
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHPz6GwgQ8
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPGQ5d0kX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx5UMhcXsL
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jX1gymNRD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5qA1hoAcI
“Is this… a clamper?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3xQbz8G76
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXA3h7cJTZ
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESi4iR7JkR
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–
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–
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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.
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FJS0t5kWJ
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5F3IajOce
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrMmsQv8BS
“That I asked you?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0PhGeCfA9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRMy4cNP6d
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9aGFIpGm7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jXMcLhG7Y
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUNhqsRtGL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt9ebygFiZ
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJZiDMYYu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCC1AoTkkH
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfglzMTYsw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CSfOk0WPu
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5WLfHHtp9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrsMUrvibc
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12sHB7lrdb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHBrOAfVYZ
“How did you–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANA6YdFey2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGAubdKjS9
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7Qp07aBGA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUTk5eXMOd
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVI1fyKGE5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgeaUtAcWD
He continued cutting as he spoke.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93jgssnvFi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZqdbOaAzS
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbelMg8mnF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKraPD05EK
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52pqbfXqTN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJQMn8hYHJ
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBUrE7y4I7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N2AiXHPpy
“...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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGHPpIzanp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAmSBbnsUe
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAPaQxUpTc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmFSzdPWZx
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDA3dWrOx2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHh6mRIULa
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmfVGDkhNa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu2NXSUpNE
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrzIhldfgo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejuTvGzgsO
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:216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCpegYNFsB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9AmadzSt3
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU3aDqruSE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXrzl2a6yq
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDpQ2dv6xi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqCMPU3pwf
“I… darn it, you got me there.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtg1vsYihu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TLPMGqGhP
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Hg2Oheeg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J8Mt3TUfE
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodmQfLlXMj
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMWIKHXz3g
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixiF1lo4wB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3IYW5iUzm
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPM2oUBDdR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbzu8gmS1s
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCWRo5WayK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8i4XpfS6A
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7p7N7dFf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FqPObF6Zh
I looked at him with pursed lips.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvRlhbYUap
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlNHj21fvi
“Why not?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwJ36VouXi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gifEXSY42
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvyAyY1WVe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAZ6GlbU4S
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MyN1w0bhi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrLSBLOGZU
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNTc6GG0BF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbQfXGuBZJ
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzcn5GiQ1Y
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhBJSN8r0b
“--!”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxarTUNah1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M8s1m0URC
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. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm8ZuYGiQe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqErRR47ltC
“Did anything else happen?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqmKTtB8wy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGPzdtJgTq
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCoNhK7lI0
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwLKGiANK5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByCoD6D5BF
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6wyWEpWcA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbSmqSUMx3
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm5E3UvN8n
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHUEAW5s8S
“Uh…”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tUpJNGLpY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmsSpTsRbB
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjfVFUGpt1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFEUo2lfY1
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm3591faVE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscfdDuJZeH
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4joBsdo0LZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpsoUYacF9
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLjg4VGiY3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3a3UObqIT
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuI7p23Ait
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmNr9rnicA
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96L7dSWkSS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf4O3X1AK9
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnC1vuQxHL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaWPCUn4GW
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PkNlXtIH5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRkNGBLFFf
“...O-Oh.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GTrZL0REk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviA3461e9v
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU9fBCeuyX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg2oii8xvt
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzNU4YJWeE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkFlbzCxth
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbflS1ME3HH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpzZIEczqk
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiHPyDkjnx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWP3iSe7U8
“Make sense? How?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN308OQaetT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSGdoFhlVC
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI7zwhurzw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzr1PCOSMa
“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–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENr0BmfhJJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyo9nWltJX
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyob0PuWTvQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tseguUi8C
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkrpbxUcjO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx08IjtqNy
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcn6oo94lK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFJoEQKXgB
“So she still fought alone, eh?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0UbPxNspB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUivu8luGLT
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHtgDbRuR1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1XRrCzckM
“Relieved? How come?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IThuALBzN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRWSywRCWf
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzJhS9OC7E
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQcWvkSP5
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71iQSDCM35
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqSaHF4REv
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa1VmYNrnX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOIBP9xQt2
“You’re probably good friends with her.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeEr6GWpPi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0zOL2erwu
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhs2XU5wbA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUNDQPAQY7
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT6k8ocf1g
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVozCKlO5Fm
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJHjBjwqxo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZb5gufKRa
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfuTIH5G9H
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3teWL7Pka
“H-Hurt? What happened?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKqeBZORS3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPviWmOk8N
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADTTPblPKV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFF8MDRler
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS16n0XSsz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTgzanPHjq
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XHkdBdVFu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfbKxIdQpk
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2xrY9gdEh
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD6j1TAdpg
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMCMJM1WRe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsea7wNETA1
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4IWzBKqcs
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CVDyfGJ8v
He shrugged.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KESCNlYqY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJDhY17gMN
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW08LSgUyE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VYHcbM5dz
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbi7hl6zqt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDo088p4n4
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPIcLGpg9K
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yJyYlbF8I
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdA0c8vZMb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkMd3DkdiY
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gDBY8zSTn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzk2dL8V2C
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DQMVm3JYg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKITZcG40k
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjP4OTjLgr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVVQeHQPqH
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZMEHkZNuF
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMbvs8RaOC
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9j99P9c0Z
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGlTnxZc2y
–
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYWYwC475h
“...Role model.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREKaXPWCkh
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66BIRd2lTK
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuNvcyWAD4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNTAFJnWgb
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREB1Qpgvcb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfMS84kXHM
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡValbrJUkbs
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xUzYZs0rC
“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.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4IA2i4hEN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvzrBuANOP
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBRDxXajvH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2UnXQADwA
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVukTPHx7so
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHFj1qR4RL
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyDgkH2Q6y
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5R69zBtI
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHoF6WM1n2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXOY1fIprE
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
