The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
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“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ekhZ24R5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVTrAAGKB6
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4cUEJ76MO
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sm7PsbxTB
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I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DAPFfdMwh
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWITzBsgrRm
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“...”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYm1OwxWEF
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2TM3hS7o6
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAnVtWq7Jd
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMRSeJWb92
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpveaHX9v5
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Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAxDuJsF0y
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“...”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSlAeSCvm2
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO42SCgNn8
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4uckiCfjj
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wds4ctdJE
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UYlkOrnwr
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“Yes?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡordgNSK38Y
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwsMDQTIcN
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“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgz3mmAf7f
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunemiYCQ3b
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwBaxqTPfN
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30cgJDijO3
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmpEmQbh8u
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX9wGcyoOi
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kOJjjEwYu
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I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSGubjeIaS
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyYkBuegZK
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“If you insist.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoMcjq7Jxg
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjyjU4u4ia
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“Kenny?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dt8q6bKB5
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Z8UTRPEM
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“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7ovPvN267
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I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4I2MnmX0i
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTpNOTNRVl
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI8JtQwcFG
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME09H6pytC
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeoFDDGxyp
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“I see. I see, I see…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsIfVqnUk1
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmLKsKDVoT
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcijGHl7MXI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jN6npeEPM
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAeHNjLmik
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“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKk7fosZqs
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She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsmV0zA0pO
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“Please?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3VOE9d6D3
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT92whG1ZY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uj20la417
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlttOKQ0fDL
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“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPc1LLfVQC
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDsfiSj9JB
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“–How long have you been an alchemist?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaoJredxzr
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiumY32HheM
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5t8vSvCQI
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38t5LaDmIM
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“I started young. That’s all.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwtNVZvSwo
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9etHBRoMh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosvfoGev3M
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAjdXTz4EV
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijvCObhDOf
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“Only seven years… then, maybe–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1K73cLAoZ
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeD01wOqvL
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She jumped and then waved her hand.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEll2UrZ7gB
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxDtAV8K29
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“Right.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pm9yBw1Zf
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aaCuWovNY
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She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFsdZCgThv
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2XDQlR0rw
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“I– Wha!?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ckwp5t1VS
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLlp5v6s4f
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYbSXk4xPQ
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyMIgmD6VU
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“Your own… peace of mind?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tlGjwpg3k
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzJ1jW0o0B
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDbeaUmDTh
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsvIDZk0yk
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoajmdNN1VD
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2sk1vwXb9
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv6gmdIIhv
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She shrugged at my comment.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLKKQZ8RAA
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9r3ipkHYL
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHu45ncYU4
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“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rDSy8pVG6
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGxsdWlZ1b
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKRAnBFGM5
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP5ayk7xAU
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“...This is ridiculous.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx3odFaAAc
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFTq0fceIg
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3giLAep14S
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTziw7voNi2
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGi0qvmYxO
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Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhvqNOwRV9
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gmexpyqmt
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYbNQ8YWaF
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“...Hmm.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1yoy1Uvma
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf13TGBbOZF
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“Do whatever.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzpYzVdsLl
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6CNjxifmz
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWAgLSNzco
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While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb6jSyxBES
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“D-Darn it.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Oyt71l0bs
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxC828i5Wu
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“What are you doing here?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKvPjiTt3a
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y75jsiC4x
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jVtFNCjBc
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“...U-Uh.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2oMhm1ou8
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All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yDaXXmueG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvEp5UwXiH
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0stKyT2Hp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC3UrSjRl3
“I… I-I.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F0uLByn25
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSI81LwjyE
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZTd81W8QT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpUCPG8x7g
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQMbhNLVyJ
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That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADrbGrZSAl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhkGnPFy4D
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgECAgrDVs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKvzU6pEcN
“I-I’m here.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Ru3fYQv5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniLTzN4dm6
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLVQTLyjny
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI4z9clI0Q
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxRibMBGhn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNnC2UP8hr
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUG2pJrK9U
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTfn5c848I
“I…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp0ZwBnZNV
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I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvFPWj7kr4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGENpR46Vrb
“Hello, Rover.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIVpe9cahl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm5J5bVrqC
“Hey, Kenny.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBPxdVUKNS
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyBbKJJ40A
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2DBMTVIMH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprNGUtnglN
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLV8khnUOh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qq53OumXU
“Cut to the chase!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMqOe8Wkkm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaVBNxen9U
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcUmUE21CU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadWlBalT6m
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDkPTLhRt1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcWbCXH3DD
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBad6Oz3DKE
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNWgKgugMv
“Y-Yes.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfyTVHlJA3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyirAVGMb5
“Now who told you to do that?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXulAXaC1O
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBrf5yz5n
“W-Well–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59aNfNAuMp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZpWrxp4qa
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Z3R6WwoG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx8fn7yZar
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaDKui3HAF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWrFltfKYD
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60WQbWWjzU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uf8YfKuzu
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXufACtQif
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2rpbEjtAO
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIWvwemj9l
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAe7C6Gy2e
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrciDHLMGgH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13652Lcz5c
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VnV8R2VvF
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“I refuse your treatment!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmT4bovdvu
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“H-Huh!?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dcv4uvrHH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtsoTrbtLl
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5PCOxVGEK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLrIlBqNgd
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKiBF2KrD1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6DE8y7Fuc
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubryFbkBGP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZUAeR43jb
“I– Wha?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPpyIvpVWj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvrzN08X0Y
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXfhUUyAJB
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“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcUom0YrRk
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytc5RRSb9w
“Stupid? Weird!?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmtSnxylqe
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHOWWCaYRb
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlKBThNsSK
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“...”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSrRj1s7Ip
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The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwcia9BIgF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBl85mi36o
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLFT0TAg1C
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfGDRCfcLD
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpn6dowqig
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL5f8uyEQn
“It’s because I upset you.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGQIllwCOs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Pv9iB4d1
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKuepICDGY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDtqtt75xR
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqVu6xlGgy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1apvzGiFoI
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ypdpgtat5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdEUrxWDG2
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1UBx1WTJU
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“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8jZLZxfbu
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PbohK9ILS
“S-Sheesh.” 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCrOFRmHgt
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I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
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“How do I use this thing?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb6gkVQ1wS
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uPlZCU5Py
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgbNAgBSt0
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YIjZTwGwL
“Drinking works for me.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY3qPEhIIs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPPcx1qMTt
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxmYEX7gkY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdesMkiw3QJ
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifjhghkHiE
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ006RViolNe
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI0fD6jqCu
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ymw3qK7n
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgmlZNIMRg
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“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xjFpkRr0n
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“Whatever.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5uYKFlkFS
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With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MFqNBHCLz
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She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77fjOSdKgu
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMZRsAESrf
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdT5PCZ8V8
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But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopUxVThyxW
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“Leaving already?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QYeO990Bd
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“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEb0JlIydU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAJhwhHCr6
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGyf3ePrkL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EhD91NXlL
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKssqwBZKnb
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“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOelCFzvMy
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She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvX6qDAT0K
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp23DefEqW
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOPki2N0p9
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“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTdkQwZeNh
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I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhGx5ciBcj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyGVLGGnSp
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXAXxAg6O7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfD01qHMg7
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGu2kOaRoL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWua5Bi58x
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThLlYatfaw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeXnebQrDe
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaNNI9SUtb
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1xMph2RGz
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsuPYbeTxJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe89o3AxMCE
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqJE7XsBxl
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“H-Huh?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc646E1T96P
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She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gxxlqQvyc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacM045Yeuk
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCwrAHyk1h
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“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSGPmsfhNT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IRm2ZHAr6
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLOM5rcx7J
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVOQHVRDV
“I’m n-nothing so special.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQDWb9Wec
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx2gN6WW35
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCKrBhN2cs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdpCjT2riU
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHljhvXLop2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKPddl9JXY
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DjaDX4oro
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“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqhk26pBX0
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxj4a79PWh
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmasDjCtQw
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It took me only a few 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08QRDlxmEJ
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTySd1ItRo
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“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrNesrEOks
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“No, really, Rover.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOFcVSDgVI
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I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIFfSxyjQG
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“I think I’m just lucky.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6NI2Ayhk5
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I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqUCIiTQcP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h2JvG4JS0
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIpFX0DYc1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxEFEk0o62
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwNudEV0P8
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I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdyDLcKH7C
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“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GCmRbEO3g
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“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nxyrtD7pw
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“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArUPsReJg6
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDohUz9hgZ
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“D-Don’t rush me!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWz97VdG3p
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAr5Ge9jNa
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYenR3vKGV
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hQOVmsWC
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKB9jYxdsz
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgkNJDmcHU
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“I didn’t say anything.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KAjoVLej8
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqxZdkLkyF
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPY1iVAKS
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmngxAVhBxM
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqgJaGo09S
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1NbkjzIZL
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“Told you all I did? What?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe6TJ5n1xR
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She was caught by a wind of fury.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qKgsANw4n
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20BjtRfZSo
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSyw3gKltu
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“What’s so funny?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMXdpHSeN9
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACRh4MbzyV
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09PVSgOajA
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuRVyO4VLD
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUVRtyP01V
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“A little crazy?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2MWVhiDXh
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb3rXVzrug
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFfPy0vsEB
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRTvrSJHVl
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“Well–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn83ZrjdvD
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPSpfffeNX
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“I–”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDiMD5nbCQ
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEgpyKmo8b
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX5aZ0RQmg
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“See! I– huh? You do?”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHFGVRvtgq
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXexjlheFPm
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclRdHd2w2y
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNs1ibcrHM
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WNQaX9x4e
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBl6F74a8C
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzOfDvyLf4
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqFXHW58lj
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE9O5N647z
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKvYfxtZjD
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“Ah, right.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOjoH57HdQ
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p6t7GEmV1
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2fOLmyjR
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrbiBwe6TE
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRU9xpK9tN
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBII538SHn
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“Wait, one last thing!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGVxOpmDaz
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWXI1LM8L0
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvLRN6m1BH
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“...”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsH82gMLrv
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I smiled.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4cTcf2ZPX
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“I will.”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XRnvkZxDh
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkydje41hF2
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“Yes!”230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzDvFn8Kc1
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p0ttIkNgJ
