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.
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPLZiz5b5hT
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”211Please respect copyright.PENANArjrM8Hvizc
211Please respect copyright.PENANAf3S2B8wRBQ
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–211Please respect copyright.PENANAua1dQL0Amr
211Please respect copyright.PENANAe1N1SolcUW
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAOJli6h8ShV
211Please respect copyright.PENANAcrOUMyIL8n
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAS3ewvj6j9H
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdLJx5VYaZp
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?211Please respect copyright.PENANA1ovmnXtc6a
211Please respect copyright.PENANAjGjXDqPk8p
“...”211Please respect copyright.PENANAEZIFdmFjgD
211Please respect copyright.PENANA26S08CtrPy
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANASIncLYfzpy
211Please respect copyright.PENANAuYpsQXStvB
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA8DmfWrCjk0
211Please respect copyright.PENANAmVdgCxZQcs
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA4wC5GjsKnn
211Please respect copyright.PENANA4aASMfNoiI
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAqEGk32SYIq
211Please respect copyright.PENANAwtxYWhNReD
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–211Please respect copyright.PENANAtiVmQsJs2h
211Please respect copyright.PENANAjxWEH2cezz
“...”211Please respect copyright.PENANA1esZ2FBZlY
211Please respect copyright.PENANAHIPOQsPNA8
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAFWnAN4iHPn
211Please respect copyright.PENANAzy3eMfP1F8
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAHaCM8Z5CGo
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZv2fbrOUmH
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAo8oVws5XYq
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–
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–
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–
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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.211Please respect copyright.PENANArW37eguT5X
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGvveahzcRJ
“Yes?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAstsxE3uvB9
211Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fm6g43lKn
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAy3d379gOhy
211Please respect copyright.PENANACYoylNM5Xp
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA0IheP8GrvY
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXQ2l5thFhA
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA2863Xojnse
211Please respect copyright.PENANA8onD8Zy86X
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAdpkKbGb1JL
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPBkCKWnVDF
“You made this in eighty minutes?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAzs434r4gYn
211Please respect copyright.PENANAycmq5nCVWu
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAnsFAC8bvHd
211Please respect copyright.PENANAaOAyjPbjWr
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”211Please respect copyright.PENANARnm4xg8mq2
211Please respect copyright.PENANAEQU2xIIx6N
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.211Please respect copyright.PENANAovVj4iDAsZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANA51Yxy1kSZg
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAhWfVMfvjRx
211Please respect copyright.PENANAI7m4Fm4p9K
“If you insist.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAhobxNVOpUQ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAex2v8Yjaa8
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAhLrUpmZA7f
211Please respect copyright.PENANACvi664Xh0W
“Kenny?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAnc5eMSsyOC
211Please respect copyright.PENANAlN0NfdZnsa
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA3UJKfPiKYJ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGl3kOP8H7i
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA7klcJaSeNp
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZf1qTbm6Dg
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA7iVELEJOak
211Please respect copyright.PENANAHmAhAvMzBK
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAzxGjANOAgh
211Please respect copyright.PENANAsvM7CQULCP
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.211Please respect copyright.PENANAU6DXyCJ2ZC
211Please respect copyright.PENANAxGmkGpRCMJ
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”211Please respect copyright.PENANANr4AWIrRYc
211Please respect copyright.PENANAplz9FU8np7
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.211Please respect copyright.PENANAhREoKUSjhe
211Please respect copyright.PENANAKJ6AJ6DfPf
“I see. I see, I see…”211Please respect copyright.PENANApwhFKEdqw4
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtwhHPL88QE
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAyPugCt4auk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvnaTCPFNrI
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”211Please respect copyright.PENANARmIeGSVpLr
211Please respect copyright.PENANADFxwt99Cr6
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”211Please respect copyright.PENANACvOjAC6ids
211Please respect copyright.PENANA1dchM809PD
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0Qud04W4w
211Please respect copyright.PENANAfLTudInudI
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANASEVZDbxEW6
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdXB9lGWd7J
“Please?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAKaQCrKUj05
211Please respect copyright.PENANATKjZT2RRPa
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.211Please respect copyright.PENANA4rXCb6sPd5
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXvkYXHIGrA
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA2bskpA2uF6
211Please respect copyright.PENANAxZj1MKhCzG
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAw512yMpTQZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANARQSbEyxNY4
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAJAgCbtVwv9
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ99ihYdgsO
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUrhQyUNBHv
211Please respect copyright.PENANA8RTAlK6UP8
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAw5aSAJ655D
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkguBDeSniU
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAISne0I4JP1
211Please respect copyright.PENANAlnWxnfcHKX
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.211Please respect copyright.PENANAJAe92M6Ytw
211Please respect copyright.PENANAAQRGsrsRnJ
“I started young. That’s all.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAXIm06GF4iZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAUDQ9EaxJQP
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAIxzNgSFyjI
211Please respect copyright.PENANAWKjV09y28i
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”211Please respect copyright.PENANAD6xFAJgvTH
211Please respect copyright.PENANA30qKkn59Zx
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.211Please respect copyright.PENANAdfYPIHHwBL
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXvwiut0Zs6
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”211Please respect copyright.PENANANpKxR33WgW
211Please respect copyright.PENANAjXqHeI0vtt
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA4SHZtinnKX
211Please respect copyright.PENANAl8ywx2x21d
She jumped and then waved her hand.211Please respect copyright.PENANAUel79qqcDk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAO2pyr0jZsa
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”211Please respect copyright.PENANAb6KiZN0SBu
211Please respect copyright.PENANAs54mZpD8NZ
“Right.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUcLIqZG9OP
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZXlbscWyZH
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAmUpKNPsOqB
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZMNT2REW5f
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAkaYxbTpzTJ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAgv84b94T3g
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA6sMQmnmfQ2
211Please respect copyright.PENANAa5VCLIeDcM
“I– Wha!?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAcCCaV0sAwq
211Please respect copyright.PENANAz6CHb14cYL
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA3GSUbLEEZH
211Please respect copyright.PENANAoitDTFogDO
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”211Please respect copyright.PENANArsFcmp61sQ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAbSZSCvK8dv
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA7JebZoq4nt
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYitB80Gj3A
“Your own… peace of mind?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAJtMaIhh7K3
211Please respect copyright.PENANAwBv6Ggy0bU
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA5j29r47VtL
211Please respect copyright.PENANANIgryIf7oM
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUrFImUvbke
211Please respect copyright.PENANA17RdX91mTY
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAW9xYPUmsw3
211Please respect copyright.PENANAArWTViiK6S
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAN1fhxJTeCn
211Please respect copyright.PENANAqJRUL75ykv
“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. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAfS4rjXdFkv
211Please respect copyright.PENANApQtNMSFCT4
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”211Please respect copyright.PENANApRmhBedRlB
211Please respect copyright.PENANAfT39s9lfNj
She shrugged at my comment.211Please respect copyright.PENANAbPSYsnJcdw
211Please respect copyright.PENANAqA7Kr5TJQf
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA1If016CweC
211Please respect copyright.PENANA90ZqRn7gim
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.211Please respect copyright.PENANAygxZctl4uz
211Please respect copyright.PENANA3HUXtMKpS5
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.211Please respect copyright.PENANA9wUQZ5HIVf
211Please respect copyright.PENANAIrYoix1SPV
–
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–
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–
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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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAj8n0KCo8lJ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7hMmSVVqi
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAepqrA8c6FI
211Please respect copyright.PENANADugkU8YcAo
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA2SV7c3s0Xt
211Please respect copyright.PENANAiesBoguYyQ
“...This is ridiculous.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAy3j5s5p0mA
211Please respect copyright.PENANArlSJOc7oAJ
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAwzpLBJEaxs
211Please respect copyright.PENANA2lSf5AP8NP
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”211Please respect copyright.PENANA9CYWktogGZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAE7vDwLAAJU
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.211Please respect copyright.PENANAeRtdAcBDkv
211Please respect copyright.PENANADZ5aLaNgzP
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAPmcVVZSeFm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAN4qo0vbbbl
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.211Please respect copyright.PENANAyznoJNJqoi
211Please respect copyright.PENANARTt3wH5wXW
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAbZe1hcE4vI
211Please respect copyright.PENANA5NlNOf5xVh
“...Hmm.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAfnT6OBPBbP
211Please respect copyright.PENANAmuECGBBKsH
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAQEwE5uUzNn
211Please respect copyright.PENANAjBVe7fGW4c
“Do whatever.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA6hQBlB0BAt
211Please respect copyright.PENANAN9hdXTvzrD
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAVjZVTCgCeq
211Please respect copyright.PENANArqKwYEViCz
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAJktTHfqKRl
211Please respect copyright.PENANAqHB3DFgchM
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAyAXHIfzXGg
211Please respect copyright.PENANA4OJFeOhO44
“D-Darn it.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAmi2BDOAUsW
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtK2HHQIoKY
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–211Please respect copyright.PENANA2M0cxnTW3n
211Please respect copyright.PENANAF85n6DkJ9E
“What are you doing here?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAvMW9FNYVcz
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkOTgwT8G3v
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5eemL8OIP
211Please respect copyright.PENANA9FYo7Wk2mr
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.211Please respect copyright.PENANACgdMLtwWuP
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPFjgokpPsa
“...U-Uh.”211Please respect copyright.PENANALXRvxOK3ii
211Please respect copyright.PENANAP2ppG6eov7
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAMCEkAAPv8U
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdOHiLagLaX
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA5uz8eyjiHK
211Please respect copyright.PENANAVDAzS0v9Uv
“I… I-I.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAkoKYwajxk8
211Please respect copyright.PENANAbhkHhLnZP4
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAW9Di1JadCK
211Please respect copyright.PENANAyl0bA7tJKM
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAXZs1LNgWsm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYAF52r7exU
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAJATugVcfmA
211Please respect copyright.PENANA14B3GXngDt
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAkoOXBxs0h4
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdUR5Byjkz6
“I-I’m here.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAJOcVASoN9L
211Please respect copyright.PENANAIljoRVtybj
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA1fyPinGK8y
211Please respect copyright.PENANA0nsU3r6ji4
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”211Please respect copyright.PENANARmRm732E11
211Please respect copyright.PENANAk7aDylMD4r
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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAIEwfg4zo3Y
211Please respect copyright.PENANAyl5FaMlsk4
“I…”211Please respect copyright.PENANAkmt8cN61UD
211Please respect copyright.PENANA3WSKddoYBd
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAhoiKOxjcTS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAuRtqxyZEHS
“Hello, Rover.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAYDnJf9xTt5
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZWt1b54Zjv
“Hey, Kenny.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAOVBa51Wirh
211Please respect copyright.PENANAoBj4qUCRcU
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.211Please respect copyright.PENANAGlHIYHuDW0
211Please respect copyright.PENANA44iq0iZRbh
“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–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAcJSavwCMHr
211Please respect copyright.PENANApPS2endaI9
“Cut to the chase!”211Please respect copyright.PENANACTK7XfDPTz
211Please respect copyright.PENANAsD6OP4VuCp
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA7UQHbVXRQB
211Please respect copyright.PENANAhKYjjRsgJr
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.211Please respect copyright.PENANASh8NP2QbX0
211Please respect copyright.PENANAR3UNPhTrMB
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ1Bb1g4Vo
211Please respect copyright.PENANArNYpMDhyCB
“Y-Yes.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAmyNZz4CjSz
211Please respect copyright.PENANAMlpu832PIu
“Now who told you to do that?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA8Pfj5XHdfl
211Please respect copyright.PENANAHLQGCH6QXi
“W-Well–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAfawvu958Pk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAWJ91VnWTc0
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:211Please respect copyright.PENANAQEsQzigYMB
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZUsfZEb42J
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAoLcc80ruYc
211Please respect copyright.PENANAzYEiulkEjI
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAGSolObOZeZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAr1gJAQiPNH
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.211Please respect copyright.PENANAuy6HQAk7Zt
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtlqFhljkNn
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAnAF5IjZ1So
211Please respect copyright.PENANAEMAjAoFba1
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAoiSwZ9X9FS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAxuErLQZYkx
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAPmRuWTCpba
211Please respect copyright.PENANA229HhNL2HL
“I refuse your treatment!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAWVy64l2gN4
211Please respect copyright.PENANAyt19HK37rs
“H-Huh!?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAOKlDaB8oxQ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAhYUBEgIspV
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA8u5GJlsDeX
211Please respect copyright.PENANAbCECrwvs9v
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAusQuyR4Plb
211Please respect copyright.PENANAksIZv4Qfz3
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAF3V6KUmfXQ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAmy5iEqIOpB
“I– Wha?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAbPAspmJReu
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtK1ExIZYmE
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–211Please respect copyright.PENANASLSDtA2jh0
211Please respect copyright.PENANAUIR5oAgGcj
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”211Please respect copyright.PENANArf7ytEvIdK
211Please respect copyright.PENANAANwO3tRbil
“Stupid? Weird!?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA0KinCrYWY4
211Please respect copyright.PENANAu8MAfIWYqC
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”211Please respect copyright.PENANA5x5VIcns8c
211Please respect copyright.PENANARNC6rnxGnV
“...”211Please respect copyright.PENANAZJHb8jeH99
211Please respect copyright.PENANA5jgWyaw8ZK
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAxIvfb1sIFI
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkMuT02kfKX
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAGDoqmR2YBE
211Please respect copyright.PENANAcCcGEcTbmM
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.211Please respect copyright.PENANAzQMKz8CqhI
211Please respect copyright.PENANAi6QPrm4WkK
“It’s because I upset you.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAcwBbLOZgw4
211Please respect copyright.PENANATWZzXqFfHh
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.211Please respect copyright.PENANAzyjr4z4gsn
211Please respect copyright.PENANALMnX0azx4L
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAp3M3kbBWz1
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJT5ETCWs7r
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”211Please respect copyright.PENANA4e8Bl5WmEO
211Please respect copyright.PENANAi5ZygtYLAe
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.211Please respect copyright.PENANAXsRlKYr7OY
211Please respect copyright.PENANATGbhtEomm8
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”211Please respect copyright.PENANApKfxDxzgyx
211Please respect copyright.PENANAQDlXrgPjWh
“S-Sheesh.” 211Please respect copyright.PENANA9JEh80w8OC
211Please respect copyright.PENANAP63SFN5qfZ
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.
211Please respect copyright.PENANA8qnFSa8oFz
“How do I use this thing?”211Please respect copyright.PENANATct3edEHTM
211Please respect copyright.PENANARrD3OVb2TQ
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAubH9RsneZA
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvzupCR0GC6
“Drinking works for me.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAsh1qoWO35w
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkFkzCGrjPU
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAA9iCqznwl8
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGq404p3BCF
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAAF0urgsiwS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAq3cVMshdu3
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAJy7pHl3fKU
211Please respect copyright.PENANAuZ7vfze4sT
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAt6cSp7YMQg
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGKWnUjBK0S
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA8ycNyfksWf
211Please respect copyright.PENANAFe2GMq9U70
“Whatever.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAWKa4VMvVl3
211Please respect copyright.PENANAH3dUYnEqtr
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. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAGz2OWMRFLs
211Please respect copyright.PENANA7rYOqIO7Gd
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANA39XqYEdtuh
211Please respect copyright.PENANA6PaCpRScBv
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAENAFWvl7Ef
211Please respect copyright.PENANAkWtiCcWHj5
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.211Please respect copyright.PENANAf8pnprrFXx
211Please respect copyright.PENANA0xgRSguvjo
“Leaving already?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAFLc9lPhdta
211Please respect copyright.PENANAc6gBf2yCtn
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”211Please respect copyright.PENANABE5zRNlD5B
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPVG01JsqIm
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAkDf01ftuGw
211Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z1aScXRaZ
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAVMBdzQQC7v
211Please respect copyright.PENANA8tXxCZcJ8a
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”211Please respect copyright.PENANADcCqWJlYFr
211Please respect copyright.PENANASCezihvSIx
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAFGvvmtqydD
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPEOBrZFVpk
“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?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAf07pPTlYzk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAW4357Hfw3l
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAFhRZsGCNqT
211Please respect copyright.PENANAD7pFLvkzbu
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.211Please respect copyright.PENANAGjDIpjZ1zg
211Please respect copyright.PENANAFkTyXL6NAv
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAttj57Iv11x
211Please respect copyright.PENANA3QVVBC0Zl8
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.211Please respect copyright.PENANA2glgCRLjYH
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGyPFV8fD6C
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA2ieVjdMakB
211Please respect copyright.PENANA1i6TT6uJq3
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–211Please respect copyright.PENANAEJLVyklHQS
211Please respect copyright.PENANAu7mDLoDZbq
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAhnr48AVcWS
211Please respect copyright.PENANA0r0y3pWpw5
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAwbRcQihfQY
211Please respect copyright.PENANAmJg7aiJNYs
“H-Huh?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAMoY7VX8TUm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAgJDox26IGX
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.211Please respect copyright.PENANASiLS7w74SK
211Please respect copyright.PENANAAEoIpLagmr
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAwlIsCfBQrB
211Please respect copyright.PENANASz33rwd2gT
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”211Please respect copyright.PENANA2EZyQiOFVD
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvy513JA4Qp
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAPsAkS5QDo9
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZ26rZL0aJJ
“I’m n-nothing so special.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAoHI0onTltR
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJQmlInWoW4
“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!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAHJSx2uMR3I
211Please respect copyright.PENANALqfB1LWbEC
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAwCMbu9mWv1
211Please respect copyright.PENANA80KHi3wjvX
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.211Please respect copyright.PENANAyuVHxh5JPP
211Please respect copyright.PENANALpvJjApGJQ
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA4DqwvvGKJV
211Please respect copyright.PENANAIm1ZUhPGvr
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. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAtlYz77Htf9
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZnyvGrXw0G
It took me only a few 211Please respect copyright.PENANAGUlkUkpgye
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYhCFlzW5JB
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA33yd0pwok0
211Please respect copyright.PENANAqDIQmPyB0r
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”211Please respect copyright.PENANASoKyN49eol
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPdsysmP9sZ
“No, really, Rover.”211Please respect copyright.PENANASA2tE8rSIk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAhyskeFPZ3c
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 211Please respect copyright.PENANA6qqwBneI5w
211Please respect copyright.PENANAh7JXK2THA4
“I think I’m just lucky.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAMG3P0OSccu
211Please respect copyright.PENANARMtLQYrG7P
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?211Please respect copyright.PENANAfVk28wQRpG
211Please respect copyright.PENANAUkHNK5CQUa
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”211Please respect copyright.PENANA7CYphLa5on
211Please respect copyright.PENANAuyQoUnmE1u
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAK884y900fN
211Please respect copyright.PENANARo9abE6jBI
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.211Please respect copyright.PENANA7yGhMmR6WT
211Please respect copyright.PENANAAS8hMChYfL
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAvRn4bORqne
211Please respect copyright.PENANAGZ7kajJ5N2
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAG87EoUJhDQ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAxmrFehvV90
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
211Please respect copyright.PENANAoU256zicxL
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAWj0B9GuPm9
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJKRHulut8N
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. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAlhmLUkb3lo
211Please respect copyright.PENANAI7zzKzsntm
“D-Don’t rush me!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUoadiljiRi
211Please respect copyright.PENANAMIcIKg32Ol
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAEGGQjFSblM
211Please respect copyright.PENANAp7LErxZTMw
“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…”211Please respect copyright.PENANAVEwhbKoTVw
211Please respect copyright.PENANAd85SYOJuBy
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAhqmTRrVtDa
211Please respect copyright.PENANAeC9O81KqDB
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAN8XdlGmD7I
211Please respect copyright.PENANAUTpnp6z7ks
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAkuDML2OL3r
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYsu9GO054G
“I didn’t say anything.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAgBRVjCv9al
211Please respect copyright.PENANAjq04iMpoNO
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAQivN5cwgGj
211Please respect copyright.PENANAOBAIr2rLNV
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAcyE9D9EzOT
211Please respect copyright.PENANAgzAhrdKZqZ
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANALY7VdxQZ96
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvhse7LhLyM
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.211Please respect copyright.PENANAmla05bmAvF
211Please respect copyright.PENANAMe5Vb6H0ST
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAyPCsTzl6Qd
211Please respect copyright.PENANANYYOpb5WGH
“Told you all I did? What?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA2v6ZjauvmG
211Please respect copyright.PENANAwxaPbWjZa6
She was caught by a wind of fury.211Please respect copyright.PENANAvXI1bXxpWJ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAOcyIzHcG5y
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAa39Dwlj9ke
211Please respect copyright.PENANAPvsCDjMFeY
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 211Please respect copyright.PENANAvEUMzc1EuT
211Please respect copyright.PENANARcECC4R4AB
“What’s so funny?”211Please respect copyright.PENANADMfFD2x8m2
211Please respect copyright.PENANArs05Szya57
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAqbLrFxlthr
211Please respect copyright.PENANAmNh25pmJSw
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”211Please respect copyright.PENANA8CURQyNn45
211Please respect copyright.PENANAj6oJK67Q8w
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.211Please respect copyright.PENANAgb127yL3iN
211Please respect copyright.PENANARovLSEIX8A
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA3LGc12uOZy
211Please respect copyright.PENANA996mWN6oqC
“A little crazy?”211Please respect copyright.PENANAKuiINUnISw
211Please respect copyright.PENANAEvJoVuoOgQ
“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!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAdHYFbHj8Wl
211Please respect copyright.PENANAlpFCdzUUIl
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.211Please respect copyright.PENANAPBwUQAswFI
211Please respect copyright.PENANAxYvq8moHUL
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAzMwjpt10BH
211Please respect copyright.PENANAq3ZEp9dmfS
“Well–”211Please respect copyright.PENANAaLM0uAi2Lo
211Please respect copyright.PENANA6evkDoPVC3
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA5zPMpKgiWm
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXvbdmH8U5h
“I–”211Please respect copyright.PENANA5Wgs9Gb5ES
211Please respect copyright.PENANAvl6pz75kjY
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAqMLrRvLIMy
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8L1kjSUMJ
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAMudRgdy3jF
211Please respect copyright.PENANA1bjjFLD2uj
“See! I– huh? You do?”211Please respect copyright.PENANA4o84lGwXUU
211Please respect copyright.PENANAsYcCvdHBNG
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAw3P151kFwk
211Please respect copyright.PENANAJLE1KEFwri
“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.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAlTXGhMVpWh
211Please respect copyright.PENANA2w88EKZJK6
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAUPeOgukg9C
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYW8vSunet1
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”211Please respect copyright.PENANASiSCK5OkUn
211Please respect copyright.PENANAls93t4bEKh
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAx1zP1SFHnE
211Please respect copyright.PENANAO9VLE1oepc
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAWGPqmbVLgc
211Please respect copyright.PENANAh5eZ9w3PG1
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAODj5ccaoZE
211Please respect copyright.PENANAMf7KsinEaz
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.211Please respect copyright.PENANAXr4c55ioUF
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXSwixW8gHs
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAWJE2mwpOuz
211Please respect copyright.PENANAq5fz0tgfCH
“Ah, right.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAdBuHptGP9i
211Please respect copyright.PENANAZv6leO3WQn
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAELUawqSTWX
211Please respect copyright.PENANAMHP03z1oCq
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”211Please respect copyright.PENANAspXaGKb0lC
211Please respect copyright.PENANAV07iqJYbGN
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAspuUdoeuhL
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdVlSyvUQ06
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”211Please respect copyright.PENANA8LiE3psYM4
211Please respect copyright.PENANAwa7PwTCV6D
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.211Please respect copyright.PENANAq3xslrkjsA
211Please respect copyright.PENANAYYPE2pP3sF
“Wait, one last thing!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAyVr3Cr6oqF
211Please respect copyright.PENANAhoNfbDZOWu
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.211Please respect copyright.PENANAd8Fw09lBtg
211Please respect copyright.PENANAdNbQpsthkY
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”211Please respect copyright.PENANAx8IpCEDWQO
211Please respect copyright.PENANA6eIYhglH5M
“...”211Please respect copyright.PENANA6bdsswmWFZ
211Please respect copyright.PENANAXA5LS5Mmlg
I smiled.211Please respect copyright.PENANAuByRGHYThV
211Please respect copyright.PENANA5XDodVuNWn
“I will.”211Please respect copyright.PENANATkqNW9XZQa
211Please respect copyright.PENANA2ogo8e1ujE
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–211Please respect copyright.PENANAXSFNc7s7fa
211Please respect copyright.PENANAtKyFEbOsZj
“Yes!”211Please respect copyright.PENANAGvRtkhp3Jb
211Please respect copyright.PENANAiZFQAYjqhZ
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.211Please respect copyright.PENANAdkgEeoa3jw