Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.242Please respect copyright.PENANAapuL9HUrPu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAdTcADf8jl0
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAJgPRC6veQE
242Please respect copyright.PENANAm2yHJc18jF
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.242Please respect copyright.PENANAKTnH3j2Q19
242Please respect copyright.PENANAxQzPgVTiXE
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.242Please respect copyright.PENANAGD2ctt4pMY
242Please respect copyright.PENANASPUBCPc0Kj
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAXrnWXBp9yK
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAtC4jnb3s1
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA0kZrcXHWh6
242Please respect copyright.PENANAnFIH0AuOaq
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 242Please respect copyright.PENANA5huzy18gTL
242Please respect copyright.PENANAC3vGk35cgt
“Well?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAQGjhBeVqIE
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAjgDyOlFKc
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAbFpfWbBClz
242Please respect copyright.PENANA9X0KZUyuuz
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAihk2gvSGDW
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQVMpTYnvLM
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAxv01p9CSGZ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAZTbKMcCeaC
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.242Please respect copyright.PENANArgePjtZ2jW
242Please respect copyright.PENANAfnVxltf1cm
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAc8uKDcU4a8
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbcf1huUnB3
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAYH2vQMqb08
242Please respect copyright.PENANAVjNk9pNXW7
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.242Please respect copyright.PENANARgMlpADZOk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAsR2cRUOauL
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”242Please respect copyright.PENANA6AMX8rNACQ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAz5nPpYvmdc
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.242Please respect copyright.PENANAc3ftUUuXGa
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoMU2GamYPg
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA9XPDJPeCwF
242Please respect copyright.PENANAVIAb0RaktV
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.242Please respect copyright.PENANArXP5PL3YzU
242Please respect copyright.PENANA523OPO2Q1Y
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA2gwjjpn4d6
242Please respect copyright.PENANAl6QwoeFHed
“...Yeah.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA88sOJprk0o
242Please respect copyright.PENANANL3HEuDYmz
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–242Please respect copyright.PENANAHTAGpncZbw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAvfXvEDqsLs
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”242Please respect copyright.PENANAt7YFSIgSVh
242Please respect copyright.PENANA3rsl5HjknW
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANM6KME5XE1
242Please respect copyright.PENANAlE29dgAE92
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”242Please respect copyright.PENANAdPCfNjZbXz
242Please respect copyright.PENANAZZtsQ7kKsB
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.242Please respect copyright.PENANAsGbyrC6MTe
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJTdfB3pbvQ
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6pom15ge0
242Please respect copyright.PENANAqAgfzk6jZ8
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”242Please respect copyright.PENANACpJ45l35iC
242Please respect copyright.PENANAZBi2qXVggh
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA7cFlLgv0QG
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbJlSb8hRp4
“...?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA8xystbYZmY
242Please respect copyright.PENANAzmuKysVuLB
At that, I had to tilt my head.242Please respect copyright.PENANA4TQpW84JxG
242Please respect copyright.PENANAWxtsBwASdr
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”242Please respect copyright.PENANARU2aZlZy4O
242Please respect copyright.PENANAczQ5x9xZ8Q
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA70sND7UIVB
242Please respect copyright.PENANAkZLRRmxrKn
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.242Please respect copyright.PENANAZYKSeASUom
242Please respect copyright.PENANAxOPlDPaCNA
“Dennis still ain’t here.”242Please respect copyright.PENANABV4rWMAFua
242Please respect copyright.PENANATE98kiwdiM
“...”242Please respect copyright.PENANAF3WqnyoUta
242Please respect copyright.PENANAv21PSqddQv
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.242Please respect copyright.PENANAQiaUBZjXuy
242Please respect copyright.PENANAhdovnW21P0
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”242Please respect copyright.PENANARxuxVJawNC
242Please respect copyright.PENANAubSpfeo99k
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAoj0LdWEOG8
242Please respect copyright.PENANAXb48VJSr1q
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.242Please respect copyright.PENANABgJGk2I8iz
242Please respect copyright.PENANAtv3L3hzzjC
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMTvq7PbZpl
242Please respect copyright.PENANAlQGAF1erDl
“--!? W-What!?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAY1pQCc27yL
242Please respect copyright.PENANAh8VCyY7bj9
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.242Please respect copyright.PENANAdWWlgTbhvo
242Please respect copyright.PENANATc313BHsXq
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAK7rMqLaIlc
242Please respect copyright.PENANANKHH6wbgfW
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAEJi6OC259A
242Please respect copyright.PENANAb3djtLpnJ6
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAGip3opQ6iM
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0HsGivq0ao
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 242Please respect copyright.PENANA9cOCncyVQH
242Please respect copyright.PENANAH9XDplmBQt
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.242Please respect copyright.PENANAIU886fA8bB
242Please respect copyright.PENANA74MiBjZ0rc
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.242Please respect copyright.PENANA5fQA4301j9
242Please respect copyright.PENANAaL1X02EkiI
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAwfWF3lh9m2
242Please respect copyright.PENANA2dPMOcgExL
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.242Please respect copyright.PENANACfeu1e2WWO
242Please respect copyright.PENANAsa2X4eGn1c
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.242Please respect copyright.PENANArpEoP1Q1uD
242Please respect copyright.PENANA9uwZdrPZPM
“...”242Please respect copyright.PENANA7dIN2AmUGt
242Please respect copyright.PENANAeOcQlVmOHg
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.242Please respect copyright.PENANAOmrbmMVfRa
242Please respect copyright.PENANAW3drhd9pxf
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAz4BQikLA16
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgSDQ29parC
“I-I see…”242Please respect copyright.PENANACt69UlGUm4
242Please respect copyright.PENANAhMqmbBBBjA
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.242Please respect copyright.PENANAOdXQzYmK27
242Please respect copyright.PENANAtG8qJ5aroq
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA3sPowz9G7D
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAzEfioETlY
“You don’t, ‘get?’”242Please respect copyright.PENANAj7Qaj6Jemh
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAaeRKlMD2m
“Y’know, when–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAq4zzdZjUrx
242Please respect copyright.PENANAiiRE5WgMYp
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA0SGJdjZyT5
242Please respect copyright.PENANAc13kz541cB
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.242Please respect copyright.PENANACUhQL0uhSR
242Please respect copyright.PENANA1l2dr2jkxq
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAfQRe63xiDa
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0I9PCDYMjk
**SLAM**242Please respect copyright.PENANA2umhJIufR3
242Please respect copyright.PENANAosDAByvpZR
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.242Please respect copyright.PENANAT6t2q9Pl5s
242Please respect copyright.PENANAtRZI2XeUq6
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.242Please respect copyright.PENANAgv4cSLhZ0J
242Please respect copyright.PENANAr6XWzBZJYC
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAnAxM6U15J9
242Please respect copyright.PENANAqxPgX7jqh6
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.242Please respect copyright.PENANAmGzbqzHAgV
242Please respect copyright.PENANAB05CHsL1TM
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9gvPlNroi
242Please respect copyright.PENANA9Rea4aXNOB
“M-Mister Dean.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAnq7Oct397r
242Please respect copyright.PENANADtviBh7Xcz
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.242Please respect copyright.PENANA2eWxmuOboE
242Please respect copyright.PENANADpQ370yhtd
“Yes, child?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA2hG7XUnirN
242Please respect copyright.PENANAB8XWiPqbSn
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAVW1GvCTwlt
242Please respect copyright.PENANAZQiX7eL3WX
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAQxgOe2wI7C
242Please respect copyright.PENANAmGuL0oezOk
“R-Right.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAloex5OjX83
242Please respect copyright.PENANABoHAcVNhrL
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.242Please respect copyright.PENANA6u1E0AlcIU
242Please respect copyright.PENANASbtXFAX6rO
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAaHp8vuW487
242Please respect copyright.PENANAhMychOk69Q
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAInzQFRlvoh
242Please respect copyright.PENANAnwfm34p6cJ
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.242Please respect copyright.PENANALgXEjvTkpZ
242Please respect copyright.PENANA9a2OsCfsQZ
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAXmt3xZYVM0
242Please respect copyright.PENANA3dFZjtqL1L
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANADNfygQLt3r
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANAx9hIuCqh9c
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANA2PvrctVwAW
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.242Please respect copyright.PENANAlciou0H7QO
242Please respect copyright.PENANAFaKhCAWFsB
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.242Please respect copyright.PENANApesoFWSJtX
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJGFcwxqAXD
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”242Please respect copyright.PENANADYPf57iTMI
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0HPaMFM41A
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqvC2sSdGrf
242Please respect copyright.PENANAHSkCHu2tz1
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–242Please respect copyright.PENANA4pC114qGVk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjZT05wKI3T
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANCXvZvHXVI
242Please respect copyright.PENANAT3y61hEynD
“Haven’t you explained that already?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA4Y7Z2F6cVK
242Please respect copyright.PENANANLMGoLPmy9
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAO1u8Kiqjly
242Please respect copyright.PENANA1Xn0Xbn9gm
“What’s that?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA0VfTlVxQ0d
242Please respect copyright.PENANAURj0ypZc8w
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.242Please respect copyright.PENANAKDLLpUXV7w
242Please respect copyright.PENANATvabtsEQqG
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAUv72jubmhI
242Please respect copyright.PENANAExnkGOj690
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:242Please respect copyright.PENANA3bm8SgkTFX
242Please respect copyright.PENANA49Yn9rwolZ
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA25saRzYXVP
242Please respect copyright.PENANATgXxZ8TWqp
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAcAIvRMmg0J
242Please respect copyright.PENANAyyRWo7rPkZ
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMdvqafeuZ8
242Please respect copyright.PENANAYrBk3iJfeV
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.242Please respect copyright.PENANA3XmQkP6FyA
242Please respect copyright.PENANADKxAeMYBEq
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAQOaI8QLaK0
242Please respect copyright.PENANAERx9aisN23
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.242Please respect copyright.PENANA30drXwq2wT
242Please respect copyright.PENANAMYRnBSoVJn
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAnVSOq9tTxz
242Please respect copyright.PENANA7wzKx0Vdof
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqoL89B8M2h
242Please respect copyright.PENANAojtyQJoQU3
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–242Please respect copyright.PENANAihsnEHedUL
242Please respect copyright.PENANAHUHdsWyba3
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAI5MwftAgic
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKnilNcR50D
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.242Please respect copyright.PENANASmv3UrLVHg
242Please respect copyright.PENANAxfR4Rqetfj
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAs6YpL0F5cU
242Please respect copyright.PENANAwshq6cVUsb
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 242Please respect copyright.PENANAmwZ6pBpmCN
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKMAD7Ifdug
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.242Please respect copyright.PENANAJq5P99Zh8X
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQjxXDLVbE4
“I think it likes you, child.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAIPVlux2nIg
242Please respect copyright.PENANAfxENLjJhSz
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAVMSA4z9f5r
242Please respect copyright.PENANAochCfWBiVY
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.242Please respect copyright.PENANAFZdQUdYHX5
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJEdqa59sVR
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.242Please respect copyright.PENANADJbZaR3FCn
242Please respect copyright.PENANA3FXIjNoYu9
“Hah?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAwuKiGZww29
242Please respect copyright.PENANA7L6DkdS7fc
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAHWft6XiS9z
242Please respect copyright.PENANAXnPMVZ7feZ
“I… smell like flowers?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAw70LWJWMii
242Please respect copyright.PENANA8ldRcBmod1
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.242Please respect copyright.PENANA1vplYnLck5
242Please respect copyright.PENANAy10QvRJBaK
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMGZTzWPSZw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAyUd6Lh8I8A
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.242Please respect copyright.PENANAvfRAQM2dfM
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJjwWlyJZ4E
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAzIhn06l3jb
242Please respect copyright.PENANAp1QofXvghb
“Really? I didn’t know that…”242Please respect copyright.PENANAJv8eVdf1aV
242Please respect copyright.PENANAR0jvYz1nGY
“Ahem, moving on–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAntOjvxZ2B8
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQ17ROQlZqW
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.242Please respect copyright.PENANAw1rHFSs3u7
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgGBnzAsXNA
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”242Please respect copyright.PENANApfqMLWuZ6W
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoDUTRlQUgp
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:242Please respect copyright.PENANAQnci1DDD3Z
242Please respect copyright.PENANAah6mkjIPSw
“May I know why I’m being told this?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAYPr341NHml
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJr07edhVBH
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA3bbrA3tagW
242Please respect copyright.PENANA8Exrx1ISX2
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.242Please respect copyright.PENANAZrZ6tCEssV
242Please respect copyright.PENANAeizb82zAfH
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAt76Pv27eHU
242Please respect copyright.PENANAkKsPBN79li
“My help, you say…”242Please respect copyright.PENANALOiYvOSSYp
242Please respect copyright.PENANAUhNAIvjqGJ
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.242Please respect copyright.PENANATSDDI6yx3b
242Please respect copyright.PENANANBCf0owDdm
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”242Please respect copyright.PENANA6rIor0LD5G
242Please respect copyright.PENANAy31RPIgLh9
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAvPSlarSsa2
242Please respect copyright.PENANAzObOfPOBEy
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”242Please respect copyright.PENANApOGJQTo6TV
242Please respect copyright.PENANA86PcqcDlD8
“...Energizing potions?”242Please respect copyright.PENANApR44bQgmdu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbaad1nEG7Z
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.242Please respect copyright.PENANA1weSL3w09X
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJj0cqNOxYN
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAB5rntBs2pd
242Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ1GbNo6kx
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.242Please respect copyright.PENANA5BqWtk5UJL
242Please respect copyright.PENANAdSFPDRfo5Z
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”242Please respect copyright.PENANADXQQge5hqw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAXOwrsipd5g
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAiVobeoqiBA
242Please respect copyright.PENANAFdJyEmPm01
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqVqX542m8H
242Please respect copyright.PENANAj07uf3LBtH
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAbrol7KFWY9
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoXqCLsZNN6
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAR0NKp5Xmoj
242Please respect copyright.PENANATV05ndFGj6
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.242Please respect copyright.PENANAjpjuUj4Pke
242Please respect copyright.PENANARSLzxqFZEZ
“Is something wrong?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAK7qYXXsTtr
242Please respect copyright.PENANAut3xN7j7ML
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 242Please respect copyright.PENANARb1jQnqRvT
242Please respect copyright.PENANAmiELOkroeQ
“Well, kid–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAcllgjZHSBn
242Please respect copyright.PENANAGg6OnmrwYk
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.242Please respect copyright.PENANAPHqvxQXCTH
242Please respect copyright.PENANAme6vMuWVPd
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAK3Cea65lzD
242Please respect copyright.PENANAybQgfmhNhg
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.242Please respect copyright.PENANAjNiUtKdxhS
242Please respect copyright.PENANAY53tvsJQKG
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAOVF6EKj3Zp
242Please respect copyright.PENANAaR9ZBrAWHk
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.242Please respect copyright.PENANAStE5D3MJLi
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoWKpoX9wod
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.242Please respect copyright.PENANApiJ2fgctRn
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKQDSQQYOqm
“...Comfortable.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAgHBnu0VGSB
242Please respect copyright.PENANAr5AyzdGXhc
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.242Please respect copyright.PENANAP9mkoXEFV4
242Please respect copyright.PENANAF6ibHTiDvS
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.242Please respect copyright.PENANAQXccrgx1kX
242Please respect copyright.PENANA3DsqlHMCkt
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANA7iNbBJ4ygd
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoQIwWd1NWC
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANAPziZIFCaFt
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.242Please respect copyright.PENANAUm8umXLrGj
242Please respect copyright.PENANAejhzhVlTsk
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 242Please respect copyright.PENANA6jajvZ4JEk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAqI7Dld0Imf
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.242Please respect copyright.PENANA5YexFLqGZP
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0JRnTavunY
“...A little bit here.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAht5HHDsYMp
242Please respect copyright.PENANAtqtiNbwnuU
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAG4gukYbVWF
242Please respect copyright.PENANAepEbC4OKDh
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.242Please respect copyright.PENANA9qeABcTcW1
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJGT6W0svtO
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMCiWVaBkfB
242Please respect copyright.PENANAMqhGNmw4Pz
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.242Please respect copyright.PENANAYJ6TulY1ip
242Please respect copyright.PENANAH0vApIWka6
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.242Please respect copyright.PENANACBuZgB7Vyu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbsruDIFqzl
“No time to waste, though.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAHOyyW87vm0
242Please respect copyright.PENANApWqhtlbnDt
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.242Please respect copyright.PENANAShl3U59qaV
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoulI1MjMWX
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.242Please respect copyright.PENANACGEvjSqp4X
242Please respect copyright.PENANAd08zmcR6UP
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.242Please respect copyright.PENANA6Fol7cZ60O
242Please respect copyright.PENANAm81E3W2QDg
“...Crap.”242Please respect copyright.PENANADQXYJXSNAT
242Please respect copyright.PENANAW5aNSLjB4y
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqqTwONU882
242Please respect copyright.PENANAHBg1AGhNbb
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAJiOV5CYdl0
242Please respect copyright.PENANAN3dCFU6SFO
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.242Please respect copyright.PENANA9PbZMYqDvg
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjhYN1jWHKS
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAF7shwRLhmu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAfmvy5bE2Vb
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAsi9fiWC0L6
242Please respect copyright.PENANAPePw78VLVj
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAKfqQpwhppL
242Please respect copyright.PENANAFd63BQNnbr
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAViW00mGhjn
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgOMYDjmHH2
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.242Please respect copyright.PENANADVUcaOFEMl
242Please respect copyright.PENANACdsGnenvkh
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAP7sPKCaG7m
242Please respect copyright.PENANAS3NyosLv14
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.242Please respect copyright.PENANAZQPxcrQbBR
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbkAvL0nj5Y
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAKwG4aZVa5H
242Please respect copyright.PENANAl4Y03YuLAU
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAalcmf3RuF0
242Please respect copyright.PENANAc7VHLM5YP8
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.242Please respect copyright.PENANAlfUByv4fOl
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6D8Gapuon
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”242Please respect copyright.PENANADFVJiDY6fS
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKMPDceJlcm
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”242Please respect copyright.PENANArT4fec8PdP
242Please respect copyright.PENANA4DAyhQgotV
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.242Please respect copyright.PENANARyu74TqeSy
242Please respect copyright.PENANA4W1OcQT6Iv
“N-Nigel!?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAGn44L3MIjb
242Please respect copyright.PENANAmtY7BdtEzA
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAP0nzFi17et
242Please respect copyright.PENANAsgitNVKM8G
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA8VEGahcJSt
242Please respect copyright.PENANAn2PYOsMeeE
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.242Please respect copyright.PENANAm2E4dOsgaf
242Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ks9NJs5y2
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”242Please respect copyright.PENANACeRoaMG9UA
242Please respect copyright.PENANAlX4W1B5dyI
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA9Dikv7fzbu
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0CxnrE5CzH
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.242Please respect copyright.PENANAGAoT1YSw1Z
242Please respect copyright.PENANAPYoNo0RMTp
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAqlLHj7uq0K
242Please respect copyright.PENANAtKmeuiFK7D
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.242Please respect copyright.PENANAJlzE0SYcJv
242Please respect copyright.PENANA0cT7aQd48g
“Is this… a clamper?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAkBB0t5jhrp
242Please respect copyright.PENANADyHKDSi8Vp
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAVuxIEroehk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAyvuIZ2rgAq
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANA3CdeHDFekL
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANAHQqohETvMw
–
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoD6BEoshm2
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
242Please respect copyright.PENANAlPmWXoXbbJ
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAT3kl1JFUuN
242Please respect copyright.PENANAzBpN2UI9sU
“That I asked you?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAd134YZL4bw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAUEm0xjC4AL
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.242Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5kBI8HvCO
242Please respect copyright.PENANAYmYTEoxaBF
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”242Please respect copyright.PENANA5fpriMgFtc
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAUwx63M2t3
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ0B7omvh4
242Please respect copyright.PENANALoOf1MROrR
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.242Please respect copyright.PENANAdO283ZA4Yl
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQi5Y2enY1V
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAjRr93sjWJ9
242Please respect copyright.PENANA8b4lrbKzbN
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.242Please respect copyright.PENANAvTaTuvtROT
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgpmIpmEMP3
“How did you–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAZNHCGadAho
242Please respect copyright.PENANASV7i7GjgS1
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAVsCGz8Kod7
242Please respect copyright.PENANAmBWHnE7Ahb
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 242Please respect copyright.PENANA5WamMhEhHA
242Please respect copyright.PENANAFKfaAIzOd6
He continued cutting as he spoke.242Please respect copyright.PENANAseKI1Nsev7
242Please respect copyright.PENANA1LZm8ZUeSp
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA1AirHs6fDU
242Please respect copyright.PENANAmAanVQCU9x
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.242Please respect copyright.PENANAwH8snEKqcm
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjCqQv0tQjJ
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANHMSLLxxEh
242Please respect copyright.PENANAVUsktMhlag
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA1s1TSv9R1V
242Please respect copyright.PENANALl55AhMCKz
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.242Please respect copyright.PENANAM4HqeF6zdG
242Please respect copyright.PENANAezOUPqoRDs
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAoDUXTLlC5z
242Please respect copyright.PENANAv5rG4GJiUd
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”242Please respect copyright.PENANApYKNf1vzIw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAf3cdgQoIiF
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”242Please respect copyright.PENANASe2nCq91GI
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgOO84nM5YF
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:242Please respect copyright.PENANAool02UqGWo
242Please respect copyright.PENANAMk0h7GZYFz
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAo3ZTjh7Nbu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAGWap3D7mhD
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMzAEqBAXHu
242Please respect copyright.PENANADf9DQkfca8
“I… darn it, you got me there.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAbegsjtGqMJ
242Please respect copyright.PENANA2G7FusfQx9
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqpuNmgciQZ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAMOh4g4gikP
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAkrHwmznhjb
242Please respect copyright.PENANABTjoYCCWQZ
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.242Please respect copyright.PENANADLvMcEJQFe
242Please respect copyright.PENANAUaowfLc4cH
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”242Please respect copyright.PENANARZFZ01ylPZ
242Please respect copyright.PENANArK2i4ftVgf
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAsbthpFW6rE
242Please respect copyright.PENANAwyxFpgL2lm
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAZXUosQU02j
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKjwy0RAWzB
I looked at him with pursed lips.242Please respect copyright.PENANAiLud1cOX1n
242Please respect copyright.PENANAe7NnfBmwyr
“Why not?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAMMv8DnSQZ8
242Please respect copyright.PENANA52n9rW9905
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAsX4fLaZNnG
242Please respect copyright.PENANAkBa060aJBR
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAdF7QFBu8VW
242Please respect copyright.PENANArVMdqjHbRh
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.242Please respect copyright.PENANADV0Es8oY5H
242Please respect copyright.PENANAj68ySgMMJp
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”242Please respect copyright.PENANASGDeQiMsAM
242Please respect copyright.PENANAiL8ZmbdHQw
“--!”242Please respect copyright.PENANAtrd8rfNhph
242Please respect copyright.PENANA4bX5ecMYh7
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAo5W8p7IG93
242Please respect copyright.PENANApnbuj9zFB1
“Did anything else happen?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAzK2zeKP0zn
242Please respect copyright.PENANAYIfIHx3yi2
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”242Please respect copyright.PENANA4r32UUwJO4
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAXRxtgBcQcQ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAFqFLyOtcZv
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAqAnmHr0dvr
242Please respect copyright.PENANAiU1bJiil2k
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAPmaTsWFzJa
242Please respect copyright.PENANAbLHEx9sLDo
“Uh…”242Please respect copyright.PENANAmaTFnxCM3L
242Please respect copyright.PENANA44asc8Pafq
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.242Please respect copyright.PENANAJULMwOM0lE
242Please respect copyright.PENANAE8fTuvQqXg
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”242Please respect copyright.PENANARtYYwMxPWk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAauAXG2w8zb
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAgG3SO9dZaJ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAMuPfHttexO
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.242Please respect copyright.PENANAEsG3Ba9d0v
242Please respect copyright.PENANA113vRxqk5W
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAlcfoxPPSqu
242Please respect copyright.PENANAaedke7CfNc
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAN6ZscOzmVk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAa3LXNbvBPn
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.242Please respect copyright.PENANAI5GxWJoJqP
242Please respect copyright.PENANAiVoWMcazYR
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAV1SV1LQe7U
242Please respect copyright.PENANAoknhJUNJeL
“...O-Oh.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA5Meg4EV31t
242Please respect copyright.PENANANxL5uU9ZTI
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.242Please respect copyright.PENANAyQKbverqud
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJghoyBC5VV
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAzw53spV0xQ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAd3AHckcXAL
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAtpfg62AyTJ
242Please respect copyright.PENANAh4QKqTFrfK
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.242Please respect copyright.PENANAo67UENEzWC
242Please respect copyright.PENANAGHFiwZPriA
“Make sense? How?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAL4ELYPQhZF
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjt3V4k5L6S
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.242Please respect copyright.PENANAP3fYWmwqa4
242Please respect copyright.PENANAabyuOo2lCo
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAxIH85mTPqV
242Please respect copyright.PENANAXcBzZEakCn
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAzQDMf6sTdj
242Please respect copyright.PENANApErWxsdXDi
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.242Please respect copyright.PENANA0hLX7c7AjR
242Please respect copyright.PENANAwnFZoyamgp
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAwr7xBIZrg9
242Please respect copyright.PENANAKUmYC1TlNe
“So she still fought alone, eh?”242Please respect copyright.PENANA2KF5CIpvXL
242Please respect copyright.PENANARghoUtHubj
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAskvoHHZyae
242Please respect copyright.PENANAr2gFyTimhT
“Relieved? How come?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAiLaBP4NBPH
242Please respect copyright.PENANAGnKOKxaZXT
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.242Please respect copyright.PENANA8BFphPeJFl
242Please respect copyright.PENANAgh7QmxEteh
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAgVaLG7nnxz
242Please respect copyright.PENANAq1Zzof5PYW
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.242Please respect copyright.PENANAflrzoqBFnJ
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“You’re probably good friends with her.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAIX4uTN1c7y
242Please respect copyright.PENANARgBPxBCRzf
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”242Please respect copyright.PENANAZX3ghbg7ib
242Please respect copyright.PENANAQtA5zqwW5y
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAZOGDxNUztw
242Please respect copyright.PENANAnFPtF7j7Sv
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.242Please respect copyright.PENANA6sTvQGeo3l
242Please respect copyright.PENANAL0Q0piQIHt
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANvhsNK6KjF
242Please respect copyright.PENANAA8F1sTTq86
“H-Hurt? What happened?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAlbMudC6tNG
242Please respect copyright.PENANAdywkqITgvL
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAb3LnvC87hy
242Please respect copyright.PENANAnlPPX027kb
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAlUJdiPTkSK
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjD6ECaEOYn
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAXZLNmmoebT
242Please respect copyright.PENANAcJzMOOBVE5
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.242Please respect copyright.PENANAQsT9ePays1
242Please respect copyright.PENANAdPpljawnik
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAatPl1emqmM
242Please respect copyright.PENANAqaKwHLAZAF
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAbquKjQQRPQ
242Please respect copyright.PENANA1pnuP6IPXo
He shrugged.242Please respect copyright.PENANAmmYOPsZfGt
242Please respect copyright.PENANAzCUNpzLX22
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAqjpUtES1OB
242Please respect copyright.PENANA6VYZ1lrcel
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAHJpbQBwazC
242Please respect copyright.PENANAutj3wYymY9
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.242Please respect copyright.PENANAqVw4Qr6uhS
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJTEAu5ZYSk
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.242Please respect copyright.PENANAkQX00btyRA
242Please respect copyright.PENANA5hvDNa1hhe
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”242Please respect copyright.PENANA4s4rzwtMkR
242Please respect copyright.PENANApqq3Bczcqt
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAjjw47MQQGo
242Please respect copyright.PENANAu1DgARjxDA
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 242Please respect copyright.PENANAHy1hp2WWsJ
242Please respect copyright.PENANACQeL5uzWh5
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.242Please respect copyright.PENANAYGV5EeEJtK
242Please respect copyright.PENANAa7iIyFBm8E
–
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“...Role model.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAVDpOPSeqc4
242Please respect copyright.PENANAjD1jPPJvlF
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.242Please respect copyright.PENANAjfVTH6TJNB
242Please respect copyright.PENANARhwYCiTxL7
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAQAXsGB9uYk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAUjp5RkgNPX
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.242Please respect copyright.PENANAfuYNDIHaDe
242Please respect copyright.PENANAESb4z0YuhY
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”242Please respect copyright.PENANAe0Q8fj49xD
242Please respect copyright.PENANAxajrmSsAeY
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.242Please respect copyright.PENANAf2s6OQPAuk
242Please respect copyright.PENANAJtUKloFiwT
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”242Please respect copyright.PENANANz13U0OfGg
242Please respect copyright.PENANA7gJZYMo7Ct
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.242Please respect copyright.PENANA0lbcviOfHg
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“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”242Please respect copyright.PENANAl8ab0y30Cn
242Please respect copyright.PENANAAc8rgatDrT
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.