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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikfZ610pi9
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYByn0eWwPt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvOOvOlt85
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–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTKRCQ2Ofn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SCzarJWtQ
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mB5OxnaZ6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUqyfJGcoy
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEyfDs5UYt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBJAIzjHD9
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoimHkEOhHS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HIBpORYU1
“...”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNSl6jyYUr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFJeCgCOk2
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNSC1xm36Q
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5H3J2upFg
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qh0gLQM6Y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnTnYaj0fw
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6TR1fUXWn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSi74Eyrsk
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcx6wt3zVt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9etq3ewbc
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–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Eg5S1IOY2
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“...”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg35L7PVVoy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DCTkTOzJi
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMoSmPTFWR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDZwyLzQio
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA4QyIGprp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eaS5jrEpf
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaDRmu0t7r
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMUJdbL0bR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJPovyo2eD
“Yes?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJmbFjl95u
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHZj27jZbk
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3oJoZoEob
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdavHRXU2M6
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukPDvs5SSf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfaSXSumiF
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgKwspsEMP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmKCFdqsH
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTiPAwBvsM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuo7FPfPaT
“You made this in eighty minutes?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76DeCVwp9o
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJyYGGFP1
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RlggC5Y5I
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbCZWNGc5E
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qEMJyIZJa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T6zJ8kmeD
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOcUscrUaD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBrWyb8BJX
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Ezjz2QrU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz9MukIp1k
“If you insist.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Hll19xey
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtYFwI1aU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqZVzLHt3r
“Kenny?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb4UCEXri0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO6a3ee92z
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2dOyK4PXw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcRVXXrVi2
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069myQHd1k
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhftmNyNs9
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuM0hlKnfq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD3iCVizQs
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw85Ov9zIxd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOaTPrnKdZ
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsZTOKiPZN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl3PkakAHp
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaunZZxRyz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr9kiKNwwZ
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rE8Qdb2rC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyazcvAW22C
“I see. I see, I see…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9QNnL8glr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePrN9I5jfQ
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FrjscZ1Of
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfWQFTkiqW
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEUazI5MTH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoLpLZdHF4
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmciccVVDQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq7CqJ5et4
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2eUhBmLn8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEEXPsjGgm
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWiUPahqMg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxyP8U0ZKg
“Please?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBav2RtJ3t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUBTjjvyj1
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrYTIOBotB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyh7Ae5HSA
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OSRU2Xo0r
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uSvmyuvvC
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I9TrKYRUH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzztiv0sP0F
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG71ojux2FE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgst5swtymH
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEXQadAC3V
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMcpypvxtM
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fv3sfZ6x9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkudyouJRP
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv52d0dPXXu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchOA3ca391
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd1iLo94oQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4JkBHAXp7
“I started young. That’s all.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gtoqsNcAg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4zMNHj5C
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zj0BDkJXJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJeExMjifS
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUWKZZHap9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDN6lvVGYG
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KdUE6CVrj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25cv3kBpEA
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKHtrzx7PM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGorfUSp7k
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYyp6ZCtL3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ3kxtdznF
She jumped and then waved her hand.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NgX180Pix
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZDu4HryN7
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgziQzXkYcT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9L4cRorYF
“Right.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tDeD6XrZT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv0qpHurlE
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pva97aVMX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1KE2gEYJe
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdOLDNV1oD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX5GToBxyn
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZn4IWIVRp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX94WVlVmd
“I– Wha!?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hold1tpyZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SUMn9i0Q9
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9fdweTb2C
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIXBdPx4VJ
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5RH6UOan
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U4gUTKmff
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOQbSOptaS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl4K4eTQp0
“Your own… peace of mind?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGtgrV1fzP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMtC5Ih49S
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscdLTlUXdN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwTrbxOAQq
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ87rE5pEZo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaU2lwJK1z
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ159COdj1Wk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJuJ2yy4uu
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr3YyZ5WzN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpiAr3dLNM
“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. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrHaPJmsR4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2NXmveaFJ
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOtM9pMkj2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRttMBBZhZ
She shrugged at my comment.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJZYHhEzxm
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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?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXp9mPTi06
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprhs7yUJvn
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpSBbZvPkE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xrEJoQrUc
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57D6PIM7Ht
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rWrqJdaOd
–
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFtl9mlhRn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF3gAoFMXe
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdnOBR2p9W
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UgX6uwu6V
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvH984CPe9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKmVBRoFI7
“...This is ridiculous.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJChJFS0krf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6zysquhdm
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8zqiIAaxd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY4WepdRyh
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GRqBhFSXb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4pFe30I23
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JAYzTRA0n
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnifY66Q3VX
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CCssiubr8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT6woSRGWJ
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6YChrboZu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTVf4Ooj7
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2YaQLNjNq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtAzIXAtXw
“...Hmm.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ25ffAb7yR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13FvL6XVSz
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8bBb2e7by
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTL5Cn7Iff
“Do whatever.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSBDzmd8lb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kzs05hHWQ
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTUpjFrPJ3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC1IfrxyVy
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydEbMQg16U
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KuiSrT9Ea
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQgjdxOSTl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSozLuhBKq
“D-Darn it.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyCRAeMx4V
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tVL3nvliy
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–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHODATl1jdr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7o898Yxge
“What are you doing here?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx0jb0GF9b
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pgaFfXRzM
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOKQZLpFHL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8qrvhJ6hM
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPcph0qDEP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI6cpojI0L
“...U-Uh.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67uxd1UeIb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRDjjVSXmi
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRYGE8uge
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz9a7fritv
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeieUjiIIUb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdHMC7xvxU
“I… I-I.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIYkf2gCtZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkdUF2KNIw
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rkw4EC7qU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJufLrm021J
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDPSJY26nB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Uax8Yky7
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdm2QIvbCq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsSHbqkp9F
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ycuVoJ74
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pgGME5aNI
“I-I’m here.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvftT4soriK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF3VtRAtIM
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHrDgU0qj7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJsxIU4y8
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxAq5vWsNu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtAddVbRm4
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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiW5XpGuY0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy8YpMgiDK
“I…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyh0IBQ5ZA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmquuAClU5
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU40tDdIaBe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6aYG7yz58
“Hello, Rover.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GAavf614M
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU70PSEW8K
“Hey, Kenny.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTzLJu74aJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHsw1o5WPr
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnsGvPP2eD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaZ8dgPlt0
“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–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK24hY39J3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCIT4bB9CN
“Cut to the chase!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMQKRTM2H6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa9OU1ART1
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSnksgvsuf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GYiECA6Ft
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0qAUwY7DN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGETwEVRfk
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ3KmOITP2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX62nOPBZR
“Y-Yes.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4CAy81Q6l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKZfFpfWw9
“Now who told you to do that?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamqhpDSmxc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs88ZLhR4XD
“W-Well–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJsH4r5Dfg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHeRljaoxV
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4PugPa3f0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8JTt9Gp8D
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAkvnUJUGU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UDSjBWFDM
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvhQZivNoR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrNmScfdga
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ui0iju6R1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0XEX3oSX0
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ji6XjfJp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vOGHpG97s
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOABRYF7LXg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIfihqjTYg
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCiJ3UphNN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCO0PMP987
“I refuse your treatment!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw9COw1JYB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8gTzUYf8D
“H-Huh!?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdX8QqZlqG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMabfKT5tO
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJY8YVg0yA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgAlgYTbVv
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WGmn0MTt8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0W6M6cUSf
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSIE2892UL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJA2I1roFT
“I– Wha?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZICRzWmLv6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghx2mj8yGt
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–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuPx4TPPME
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUhuMQr6ey
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg32gZRkHJH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggxuQHb9UE
“Stupid? Weird!?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSGRFRlitH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0AoYPc5m0
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wU46PU19l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr21wnFdd8
“...”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCgBN8iuEi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDltX70psjz
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud7M8lDfL4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3bDhwWjYf
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlew0Lilo8e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj657s8x0vB
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK6zSOtbld
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkHrYfyyEg
“It’s because I upset you.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaFpHVE9Oe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KMjgeraWF
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7urjB5RCwF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnZCWuzHnD
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCUjfDgeId
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQAiI4tLh8
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoGaOwAGJx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCIeAfbnsI
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zksIDBE0J
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBg652ghPQ
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMARmgjS4w
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcunTrC2NJ1
“S-Sheesh.” 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd76sSDkaWg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoBdgoPrOL
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSByDPCw3gC
“How do I use this thing?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5TlpTsr9a
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡralXZi8gBf
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ij63omLJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cYjnahPfh
“Drinking works for me.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjk0SVmwhG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2B7SsT273
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPev7tdAaFF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQkutNhEkk
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU81EAJUAfU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlJv98qRYq
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAOicuZKLg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVasn2m38WM
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu7wRteCp7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mmxqpu7Ys
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaItqf5kjRE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M0B2bX9NF
“Whatever.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZ5aHroTE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrPK9Z1006
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. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJTbmixlJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwRGCCJOJt
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4426mZrQlG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0EiBrGkPn
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfKJx4ge24
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fttkVxF0k
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxtVebH0LM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf0IONJapT
“Leaving already?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprLWMVv0Cc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kiMBO5Rz8
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDaIZVimfL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ397f81A5o0
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xRBPtlOrE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyoAjHtWBb
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk9Cuvi8NL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZPiUYdAmc
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkiZbymExD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMK2rqYp5W
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMup7rylB8l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjKxJyXt5E
“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?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xcWweZquL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXWesQxIN9
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5cUoBdGo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu3QxGM8AH
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMFRhE2Fge
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIEJs9g3gu
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrK1zIC7Le
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl5eWbX7IO
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjPaAVDjMv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn3ZVP9Zlx
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApwgklQODo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNAoAo3C2p
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcSufQ3Lo4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFtuRoNtjS
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKffJkZWF8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvXoV9umqZ
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0FUPEB0tY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJZuznZE41
“H-Huh?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qdIMSn2vC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwukzb5rk9
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRdl1IlZLk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWbNfh7QYG
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmRiUvdJfm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQNV8v6QC
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCFyfsS5XW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpg6REOuKN
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSQoDXL1U2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxif1hA89mg
“I’m n-nothing so special.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyeUNaQGCv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fsLwuLae2
“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!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9hAAEabmN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRjSus9KC6
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqZ5OMpzuA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9YMF5NrwO
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZSqbWn24t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes7ceFrktY
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRHe3YzO3P
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0HEbAG1Ps
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. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKNqj43tUL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACoD48ZP1B
It took me only a few 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS7Sl5rSxv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n7vvIuAUg
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zCinAXCyu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IHsXPV4So
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rODyDUSUV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOjHtI93Gc
“No, really, Rover.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6A39cbTKT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmNG727A85
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6599Pp6ow8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGdmx1eUYv
“I think I’m just lucky.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26WfiEkPOj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXPHvMKj0Y
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2oL1hIIDR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7gdPTqf5Y
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5eyfCYKvt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8biE7bhLL
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAqgghNha7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZT2WWYJP2
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexyl463CpC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqt9lSUnR6
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQB12ScV9p
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8jN7sklT2
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY5rRy1QJa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3CbnwfvZ6
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfcm5JyB82
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskOjLhUZ4I
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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. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXu8urD1YP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mtqh24jJY
“D-Don’t rush me!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGGfoE06sZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjXWvmBi7S
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWol2aaMlJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitVVaBCgl0
“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…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5KuJXBlqC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMzFd1Ic3C
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40qctbVcew
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElCmQ3HiMB
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0m8CUPUkt
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzFo4oaf7K
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJpVtRav4Z
“I didn’t say anything.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtYybetlWL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRYNzGtAFm
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHLtz3qefy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT270u2daN
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGXNX6GuNa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVDr0IzJR
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL0untpzxY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvaf4slZzR
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKpXnVuSY5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz24PJMkdDp
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ADj9pcVYl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Jlmd5Jy9
“Told you all I did? What?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70Np9pF8U6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt8pZfUkw0
She was caught by a wind of fury.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliQfl4xVgA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LurjrxI1V
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9e1IWfXun
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYnIMK6kJZ
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSxTfxYyNf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQEp6uhzTq
“What’s so funny?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0UPHjIEph
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmopLRJkdch
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ9K7OKlE2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59cIEZLNJ5
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO6MDhlsAj
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBexA8UFvej
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTumKXypFhl
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcw0tA9N4z
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“A little crazy?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QT0HNk1yW
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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!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXG08CGAsZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHq6XHe3W9
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuIlAbXqdG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvc3DNJGn3
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaONgRPbfv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRd2I3pSLn
“Well–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNg1WXCmKl
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxVhRyE7Qi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hBH8noCS4
“I–”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAVq4Q7hhQ
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0swjGTfTq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBkW4ufV83
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1GOwTx1NC
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“See! I– huh? You do?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6AWjOyOVI
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUZgosdqL8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecZvHKbocQ
“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.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID6svRUHRt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtPRLYvxJi
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5V7e5Luhu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGgbERABEa
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡminCdsqoqe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7ylt1UGJR
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgBunn5qLM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSNBhfOKcb
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZpuMmvCA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XVd5gX0qU
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtYr10ADj8
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vr5hzIvRR
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwntzD9Wtqy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KVPVS0XDM
“Ah, right.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8SkA4AvE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCqrORTOdQ
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonuN6tKbaY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeHbB1PMD8
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbbft2IlgP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvREM4s8DzR
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6kJh3gkkn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hw36rcynI
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2KEGst2qa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7NjV268r4
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxfhgBjRD6
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“Wait, one last thing!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRjkZlqwXR
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gfKR4g94R
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmeIqKdj74
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymUbyr6E0U
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“...”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5YGO3MS0y
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I smiled.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJe4fgv0wG
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“I will.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Uhjxo1Et
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCgW8H83Je
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht2HRJoYLL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iTMsEAGN5
“Yes!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1PLXNdLux
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedYKgNrhZb
