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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ENgtLmHw7
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7Hq4vIVZe
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBYSBW2dtY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dWsUJ61UE
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTW9Ygdg43
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJN8OTc5ET
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUetgKQQXnE
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8b4L5sxpc
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen2AS3rACx
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKmfTU8QUc
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ3ulSkDlK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdSCv9EKst
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eVppZ4199
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvVfkfbyft
“Well?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdFOCpwqFJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQgWP8a1ak
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrl97RkoFm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDVNjfdPtD
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvk14EpMW8
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAXlPQqFog
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk0LmImpqe
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmRDbzdEi1
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBOq5cPHIz
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbpnEzAfkh
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUrZoHrhYQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MQM0N7P6q
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDScYzbV0AC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vd0zvSZ4h
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKwOR0i3gm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vkZJvYdyI
“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…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG5wWgI2UI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2ibXXt4cF
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD3B01qYph
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlQBdhGqW2
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFeYkqD0Hf
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr01a0K7QzP
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vhzaKBUpp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mF4W87yU9
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtbDpeDJd2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJP6HKkiDF
“...Yeah.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMr8uLmIRk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuLp4G8WLp
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–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQJkA97oNQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt6HpcfLPF
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUCXZFXlEE
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1x2VjZjke
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8RFAt7lpB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIvTLuragt
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAekNv6SaMY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqYvpxOHJl
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINDjW9h0EG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXLRlNSBYS
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YadjvxZ04
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iKZo5lPoe
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpahv03gw6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqjEVXEoqb
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkpv9tZhQW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2fNg05Sbu
“...?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7mwAWlrhB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc80nNBXCc
At that, I had to tilt my head.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXSkIS251M
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2hEMNcseD
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFjTO8RMgT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrscUtIJ3fq
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGJ49zv49e
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGTlN0Un4N
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn3lGxjxAT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FKA08Q7Uc
“Dennis still ain’t here.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKDmnKlgPJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n1WVVRo12
“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKtQEBYbOM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89VcJEFewi
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ074TgP07ab
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME41a4jtiV
“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–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03MTI3jDN9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa8nTWZ2cN
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOXPbgHd8X
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgkxRa1q94
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLVTMq76Te
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP59HIA3R7w
“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’.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr1cNujfFT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFvMkh1UD0
“--!? W-What!?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IR24Gbzff
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKahkoSXjWa
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADVwpVsyvA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvEBZWSYMp
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECajDdxYse
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHxTEQDZUl
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MBcayU4sf
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdou94f9zhA
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Pyrz5LI6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAmKR7tjaH
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. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtSqVdw7nV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzlpX0bsPB
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchkRvAMtIl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaPAu6G5iM
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s9qe4nozu
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLyuujesx
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zuff6yCij
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS3OpHjs2M
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkAb4tX4Jd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hYWpNaeY
“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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hVZBD6ysI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ud0ReyRy
“...”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAQHayaygs
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS6Koq7rfW
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaJnYkWXYc
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63MtFrkZXe
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ij5KktI35
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyhjvULN1F
“I-I see…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp42eEaTdB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpPregCH85
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRgt8YDkwo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m9kUWUMWS
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Egp9eSSdt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxZkm64wDa
“You don’t, ‘get?’”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXjTZ5W7Cq
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwTV27mpGP
“Y’know, when–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiu5KoNcbX
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P0USkZmAD
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk5rGb4JYI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKdOYApL9b
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIggRic5GsL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAI3luaP4V
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC22DzP0Q4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZOVwG0icb
**SLAM**267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffTIHs8Y1M
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7H6GGjDOD
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPQmf7K2LK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQxdz885SF
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG01kmhd2Bm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeEosmqAzR
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZXP2o4iKM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSF2wrCEjl
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jc83g3QAy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zz06mSMit
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZBWZq0b6q
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaFChCz3MQ
“M-Mister Dean.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorf6zUTLjg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4j2fClK84
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLHKTZMip6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVK6QRx7aH
“Yes, child?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1plTlhJ55
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQlXUgBjtr
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvdXsIHmG1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdMALgrvov
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwOz9cEF4s
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJDpCZLINY
“R-Right.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3K96dcszU
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09kIvFxPWQ
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95df0RRrLw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbZzod50CA
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiyVz0l5YV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ud4qZ2k4p
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKFm0zQfS9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL79D7JnOU
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAmlMfcUqm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnh1PU0tbN
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pXTiNv5N1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVgUdPPEzB
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vWyTmcsDL
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmoZTkLN3J
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINE83W7ppt
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgycCwjp9S
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqSNQJhX0
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVvdHpElmW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e7LUdj8ji
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RVJ1fZ7Fy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AdSfMqThV
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D7OTMZGLW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6d2zLcDY3
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–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlkepgSANI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrRj8itIyE
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe817e5Zzc
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy74GOYSUMz
“Haven’t you explained that already?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEa5KgBj01
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzMoS8PTBj
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8UYOVp0ca
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSVdlwyVCS
“What’s that?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq4I2bE1wH
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgIENtrQdU
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPxsFdgjHX
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKzPwwY1uB
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn5vlZw2XM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetqqLyQDtJ
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:267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo0fNvrCGP
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLAEWRsiGM
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL8Gpx1xMm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwgVtGkdy4
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGdN3u099I
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF0WWoMYCG
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLOUDIwElp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pYGfQaa6R
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjG3DRuHRt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO26KhMGhH3
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzMV4x2LN1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSPETwnV2U
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAWvr7pP1R
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtkONDeUl2
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44baoF6dC2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljhvsnC1oO
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5u7xgScr2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8MEjv76M3
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmy3E4ZKzl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh10cAfKvg
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJkYdiqoms
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBMBJpNkrk
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfSmwFcb2h
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6LMdzr3ur
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd4BaDS08C
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUPOY5U2D5
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnBgT1svtA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce5nZzpG4O
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl78ggKJrnv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNta4TqsTV
“I think it likes you, child.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzLi5BTx3k
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Pl8t1u9t
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5zyPm09q3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGgQUf2joC
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb36BBqecN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8YjjB99pQ
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc527VvFyM9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTn2Goqr0W
“Hah?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9yC2mJZmw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTXiUC3WPR
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74vOZJIs5h
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1GW5TcKHN
“I… smell like flowers?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL7blq7T75
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2O2fjFfGv
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNplYs3qrl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe0FHfJbxC
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN67GYg5GIw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDNBIJbVW9
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv6azK1v8I
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskLPp3L3ZI
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ287Zp8sZSj
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8kWhxxKj1
“Really? I didn’t know that…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDL9ec6uRZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8km0jJpLg
“Ahem, moving on–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSCnY8u8Tt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozEUxxCRog
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEjpW7JwuZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUxcixCuxC
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUrKPJ4qUY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLbATELHbM
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:267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzOrUirHlI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO30nVNKoMc
“May I know why I’m being told this?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLQCeAwyY1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT6V3Mt4D8
“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?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxuFGPWfty
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvcEW9u0cb
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzshNb2Y6v
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaETn1VsW3
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1N7ykcN4K
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWngjFgtP5
“My help, you say…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1MSpkbHmw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXELvhPILU
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KaL6Sac3r
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bbtif6q7l
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoSBSF2P5A
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqOkcratAB
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVZE8A4IgJ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd66UnnKsw
“--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?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWgN0MRXcP
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqY1m1bHHJ
“...Energizing potions?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez5hYXvxN3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BSgtyDS7i
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91W1uTfTwO
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU5UhRPjPD
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV8BfqFM80
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyPObJcOzB
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0KYL1PcE5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYnZSjlk3V
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHUEtHPdV9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJcZFk0m78
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwe06IKEHR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05BktOKvkO
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVimZ0J9RHY
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW0ljSvTJN
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CkdsWmSxu
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKWdEm9jwW
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE29SmYhMdW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLVkVVkOLg
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk7i7zsiZE
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“Is something wrong?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMrqrnIhgd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkMurOZSy3
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX65EofGQR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrE6NzgUvP
“Well, kid–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem60LCSoyD
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU20CoOq9L
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwGII1OrHC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsREcTZ9iw
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIarI784gMC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsozouV3zK7
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A3J4X5Ial
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3vywLsamZ
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeWZMTCpKC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSewmY3aDG
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJsI4iQnEW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gtz4MrYcb
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtzPh4fps
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XguSNzh2y
“...Comfortable.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCR92GzMRe
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMM3RJyKL
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Ea9ZVrls
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49JS53u9Cn
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns6oATDOCW
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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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS0bDYpyXp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1GEVdQJGJ
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACa4UnphRv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU6W5b5Jno
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzHdEmmj0W
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xe11grYqf
“...A little bit here.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4CEJAMUtk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNHsyMWubq
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. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqlXVApqwg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx06t8Xo69
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHMurrWfd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMCNYWq24t
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01V7h2sXvu
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejjGX4mqD1
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo1VNWPLjy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bP761VpBp
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjImawIwSL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZnpmwfzTp
“No time to waste, though.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWAp80xNon
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgWWMBqpKl
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VFXq4Ohxj
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjwQe6Krol
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzwfCciWrg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaedyP1SqG
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiatRiXxuu1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx4fZMDJuv
“...Crap.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8jwDIDhoA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37dsKBpTmt
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx6G9DBvTN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWdXEPKb6
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkjgZPJfED
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqSsF0vrZj
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPz8a5NYBT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnrX7hejqB
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxesU3f4I6
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUkVmrUBWb
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxTs0jepdg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaHGftorqy
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaSeGQRlrq
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyBbiZjsPG
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtCvuJDF1d
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvJAGOc3kd
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5esSHnWB0
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wy7odSiOD
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeydOj30Rs1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16TXrEQjTE
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8z4I8vGRn
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“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?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y0t3iNIME
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4Qifo9QTt
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwY90NtHNk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR4pG7JyMs
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYACQf0P4c
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPjRq2fRT3
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhh2z8FHHB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB696lXJzsS
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1hIWcDV3E
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVzElTiN2Y
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncOXf4pz2F
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ6RzGZEym
“N-Nigel!?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAnG9kkNDd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccXGz0gR2F
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy1ku7xNuw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgAPFnACZp
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cb0yDIZra
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uORkWZg1y
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnVhgwlPG9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sSGTzlH1j
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamFieLR1U2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZlNl5WmBl
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjQH8moqJr
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mY4El5mtA
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V688n0wT3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvpaRzMYSE
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm7XGttpBb
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vWcEKhNHX
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNublMkMmA2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHyD0k8IDG
“Is this… a clamper?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQCD5QEvGF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5W9UiLN8C
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBe77EkOUC
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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.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVAQ5Cp3O0
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OloqLHlMO
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DaIcQ0FTq
“That I asked you?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaW7fwL62U
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX3ifDkPKZ
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85nGLZ1JHG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA67gL0CXtH
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02F1MirlyO
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs237OIpsMn
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQwA3BO9Yn
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFV6U4c8WP
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mt2XT0ND7
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPxAzTwSM
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSuu4bUJ4p
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3uLJP6uV4
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NjxRrlLGa
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Tcw7b7lEc
“How did you–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWwEEDPZ7G
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGwSvOj8gr
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBalY93k2l
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATC6xGW12b
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0YjJwDxWR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM19bmJ5kr
He continued cutting as he spoke.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZt2Se6yMI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4t2YaW5um
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHe1YoMhbS
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB0NzVIIxS
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC30co8eGeS
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoTk6L7UPV
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSodKf2C0NG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r1SwZNzhU
“...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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRplvWeCRl0
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KcN9SMyaG
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRfF5kdxJM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE452AsXLtY
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvVemdTtMV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInOxOf4iUW
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgeKk3EW1X
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tWt3SNwaF
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU4r8kVvrR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgtvNW4FYi
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:267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ffWjdJsTm
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEZBlBOLc7
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIBbMwW1ze
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5dRwsSGpd
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqnP1fcCZo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz7aT80EHv
“I… darn it, you got me there.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp0AuVxI6g
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjlM0kpBMN
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7tJn78GqR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKG2fkTqCf
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ZxVI9hNl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooWXjRjIxK
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrcjwfeU2X
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCFIqc73Gs
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxFMNOWv2i
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphSoKAHvtW
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rjkSvfrsl
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU1j7z5Q0R
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb9V4tQm9p
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre0vZU5GJL
I looked at him with pursed lips.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp48trXxVN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ozoUIGJk
“Why not?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9TWJzhNsB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfEanawwyu
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sX6N2Z6ij
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfaUx3mpo8
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8hhzfgVM3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs18vFD60ru
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQUBd5k6tv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixg8mEWJiI
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ41CKlt6S
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA1XxpYlyF
“--!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoE5RfyYev
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT7RQRdIAM
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. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjiLdYT7RD
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI3yR5igUP
“Did anything else happen?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcNjErGajp
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU7MBM2OhD
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMMzvFoa9x
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d357VqLQD
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklBSY5X7y3
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghpRTDkDSQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBBMUhPZf
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB59qeWAc76
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcIQfQdFJf
“Uh…”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsRwZisK77
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rqQeYRcen
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwREUYQumaF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS1yjX7cBU
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRYAIzkoOI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKN1KOAWcU
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOgg9JL0RH
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ck60TDbTB
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdM18ZKQc2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0pLXktFis
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdYwFiY0X3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorFbjcNEem
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ644K67zZaL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTobqWC9lW
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5s9yelmhc
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81uWSD52Po
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqyTSgRBPM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnZeGVSV1q
“...O-Oh.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ST3KzxuN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Sp7JHBo5
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbp1pXSsfL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH54dcxpJD
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNteMQGsMVw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kDarEWsK4
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OPB6qjmUN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNyJsCYUYY
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntG9OTTq7s
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XDIGDkNbd
“Make sense? How?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3infFwf3y
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o8T3gNAdh
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA7STZTBKN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJD1UKXFXK
“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–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxA7JddUnB
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEDPzer57j
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoBX6nDPma
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM273lWgKaA
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheaTeIWYqF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzvg0M7tcq
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkYuh62wv1
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmOihUFcLh
“So she still fought alone, eh?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXBALPuqvP
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRDvamCJWq
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWirJlBcd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyPrI0ouig
“Relieved? How come?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvxBg56O9q
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQzG6kNCwo
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChtTH15fL4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoQKtuC2iT
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaRDmQ42cG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQT736cNLN
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0ngZA5ByG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv8KpYNQDx
“You’re probably good friends with her.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU9lUw7NW9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiLsEAcCtJ
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM94KQigbMA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vcXxWn5Vx
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcg20YbmkN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYxlL0eVmK
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO6Vl7OjQz
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWU5ujDko6
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KRqQ172PK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB01TmOExjg
“H-Hurt? What happened?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4YPI9malU
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAyh9N6XCj
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT01rpWsPTt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9vxRB2He4
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJowzR3JCV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PAOGJUcuD
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTdbeqv8tK
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUft260gvC
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LXTJCXpHt
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSn7ifS25W
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDItr7TYwX
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzjJ2UuePR
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4DMp3oiBv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KT01JoxSX
He shrugged.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOKI5vuZEF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kXRN7xbSu
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPrRKLfg4A
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEv5AwdRpK
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrTox8DDW2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1En0IYadv8
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCcZidWdXQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiDbcMGS9Z
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbpuBBHmIr
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuSKihWDCK
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYgUb5shU9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKROvoZXZoP
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdUc7rW7BZ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPgLZV2r5P
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAreRTKB7pX
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vNueItEaR
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63G90gs0zQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU03WQB9qd5
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIAEmcKVeD
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCS7cHSu6
–
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6soJp5QU9T
“...Role model.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRfd69WnKQ
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPihkWlL54W
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12nazYUSA4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00xkeCDopF
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquMzYjnSEV
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CcCWDxlZI
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY3ffClODC
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEufFa5cYjD
“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.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8CfpyN3Fa
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPqM92Y0mE
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSa62v0yVW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRz2TH0k5m
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPivG6U6eF
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBEEO6owZ1
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.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb60mHRl07
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9oP2Qp9OT
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhCTiNjYW5
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5KORg84Uu
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
