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.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhdbr9HFNP
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVxO2FxMWt
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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–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFCrU3cchZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWRu8h7d9T
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzyLgHx31P
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEQIlIyFrK
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb07pyIrTh
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyPBbMtLtV
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jOvc7nfna
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsVLjsgq0C
“...”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGOphXAjbG
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk4xCjHMhl
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvrgUWM9gq
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5AQhGLWU5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePn0ERteT5
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J7vrbQx7q
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTRtMOvcQN
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–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUqY3bUvRW
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“...”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4WhBQqQUU
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6s91NdPTw
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq95bGX3pB
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhOyEbBoDK
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNJc1uMBm9
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“Yes?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf6tbKPlQu
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFnA3a5q1
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6qTCpbskx
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPI69QRD7H
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2k73hlnb6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7xewEEEHB
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASAI9JIVLl
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTupNhlksX
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkSb01uhMM
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSSrDULwj6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlpb6AC1UT
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ1YL5xMSE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE42Ynvwnbz
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMAvJBfbjO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9kqt9i6rm
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOjxNcuaWY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5AyVk4nED
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dlVhcVnX4
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“If you insist.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJao8mckYQr
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDWypRYa6v
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“Kenny?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE3dkzYTP6
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAjccHTSnY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEZhAv0ShM
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1DyHv1xSn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS1pCiFOOo
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cgDLr5a11
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZmPQfuvhq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo42tSGzb5
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMhuZHDxjY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYNsPtKq46
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxRIPFtS9m
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIevDz4CR4w
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9idocbLoTZ
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“I see. I see, I see…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxcN71Qzka
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdouSlNfhT
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxKIopl9tz
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAxvooprWL
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi34DO6KDr
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdLVoOoriF
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQBb6gW9fD
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMUx4ICODK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6JxtRjVEn
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSbYVacTya
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“Please?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ134AhiL0dJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrMb6Xa64q
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfSyYEH5V5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAirTECE4J
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltJUOY1qm7
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOMizEofvf
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRappZGna6q
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nbHl1EblF
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsitnOrhu7
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNuquwDTYd
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qc7q5vF7u
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMNaR3ObyQ
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGRUNAsCtc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zl6sL6dJU
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFMh1iiBe4
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“I started young. That’s all.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZF6yK9bro
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOJHeI3tMS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EpXuvSpPu
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWJP7n3DEK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65t1ZpLMNW
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYV31PLIHE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWDfcHzFAv
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFZzTYBT0t
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzdMrfXNG4
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She jumped and then waved her hand.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7AdJlF6XO
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSUQYtJcBq
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“Right.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLdIolqPsG
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4CGFI6Bla
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1bsIVaV5A
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivY43SLmdY
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbikuPdU4pn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiuTO3mlRh
“I– Wha!?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGSeR9YoO1
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgld3C2He9P
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ554gh7B1s0
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnCWi3jB6j
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUObhcm1ZlU
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJbwtIUPat
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeNG5lx0Ie
“Your own… peace of mind?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oF4bzTnxq
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAyzMcJOHt
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnNyEZyLkA
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTXwKHNWvY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibMFt3n3yt
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9APMZQwpfj
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg9aSOS3Cg
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr58ukAP8Rm
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She shrugged at my comment.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv316lPM0x
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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?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1PjjFrL98
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBHY0BHAMn
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih0zB1Hf7X
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkETih5CMfN
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh0DucVDQF
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd10ihL5O3
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKZn9cundv
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUA6Y5Ff8x
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“...This is ridiculous.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5eQu7gSDp
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pbg3xcbHu
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDuMt9NonE
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFDghbucBM
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3uyKfg92B
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YtpDdi6nk
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVoq2o5A65
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDuywUx8Jw
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpteFutdds8
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCGVnNJHIo
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“...Hmm.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX69mETv3IQ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjcmzqbgKU
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5UXFrAPq9
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“Do whatever.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LBpkXWEJp
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG6tvc1qFe
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYIXJ1Ng5R
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV855uC9hoJ
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOqprPjZPZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJyHs0LUUQ
“D-Darn it.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO6AboDPVt
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sxqjchTLc
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“What are you doing here?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3HRB4u3Iq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7yrMdkrNz
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5D1CSUYQX
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI02UhNWh88
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“...U-Uh.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUXOOofsgX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjatYSTnG93
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2UsHTtDgX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg0CX6dPmx
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4q2pEJyWQ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZLEzdh6cO
“I… I-I.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixD8dvX6nj
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UjJo6fx36
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv4GccsSFQ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuX62ufIoh
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs7eNAY0Y9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb9tBbV3OD
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG7vrJOFOk
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SFR3sJMMU
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjbOdVjJwS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNahgrhe0Dr
“I-I’m here.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66RuvobVKE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3J8x0AlFb
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx07HQDcPK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNY4t2n83V
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29vbJMs4N2
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE0TDh9yGg
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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQny2T7jdCY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxX7VT01YP
“I…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8RvKdyalG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8tjdlw26g
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZbDVjU5b
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOktREaRBVG
“Hello, Rover.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ7RdNwMbq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrFIMZvZi8
“Hey, Kenny.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS7lJnbLGH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBuBezuYWN
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDrbyEjlLh
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xp5MQYLcG
“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–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUANXRxZi5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPXRoFBSYc
“Cut to the chase!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqOe6BrvHr
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByVvfSCPye
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm3uxZgaim
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyj9K6sl9f
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xoudpt8i9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfky0NfU8kF
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Q0qSwiO0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecZwys5OAn
“Y-Yes.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWysA080hY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtPtI0xG95
“Now who told you to do that?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVKDokNWUm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTcnkICE72
“W-Well–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk4L1hoaxP
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47nbX2C47j
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCidPSRqM6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GlBTkRnn4
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0auu1pmxp
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkur6SlU9v
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhf79ylwpk
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6beby5Q9B
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt9DJHwwIY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE0TIuUA2M
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mcjYOvGDp
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8H1mBgrVO
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J2ZrxPcZf
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGPk40txm
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4SD0eCi8X
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2x9jzh251
“I refuse your treatment!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHuXY3hBgZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1b2VZxx7f
“H-Huh!?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUU4mPW35E
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHjGl0LWNs
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopxt7Ks3fE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO8LpnYBll
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGDDazIRMO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGESxRDgaKa
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToVMLWcqx5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLT0UT3dhf
“I– Wha?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPYjxeXCXJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVQVp3MeDn
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–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM7cJkZgps
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq6zVO5HMw
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1os9Fc6Xy
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS3ABc478J
“Stupid? Weird!?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1So776GNRg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBOreOfAFn
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsrYvsj5RO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x1jOJtg8X
“...”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut7CZIP69S
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkCUQFHNSx
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS5NL3tRBQ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAyiQd2ZGR
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfO4POAis4
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPkHZ3ZvO9
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo45Cf3QEfM
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn9lgTtmRG
“It’s because I upset you.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrfqOm6Frw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnK6zLy52o
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpyU0NwvlN
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb99yHMEJWi
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvGfHlL8pD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqXp34BbEs
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT35ubHder
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJGhTJFHE5
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJyGZZPLGn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR49vGZ1f4M
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLthAR3ODdo
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWptKhsTJJs
“S-Sheesh.” 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkIBkoOnt4
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yzbeIIX1j
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.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tKbHE8Tem
“How do I use this thing?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG3QMRgB2t
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dCoS5Nign
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4KnQRPHSa
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWai0OZiCtD
“Drinking works for me.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzowsHlgnE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM7GzDqLsT
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBLBKPFqwX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk0doInn6K
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIWoerE63r
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL09qH6RFd
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbRWeBRd2Z
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6zCJ2sNsF
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzThqQhQnMO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B46MfLgRc
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8xdJNaEyt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ234Lf1NATH
“Whatever.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUCUcHfOI1
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfArlbiHkCt
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. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30EhBcDJ4B
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb7pjZVLRH
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDG5bLjmI8
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEpnWAZTcl
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwYBCqpEAo
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqoytuPuXV
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiZ4yUPtNs
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xYI72yNqH
“Leaving already?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSLlgiPbf0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwkPy7WxMA
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYslTjl03HA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE0sRbqmli
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF1QED9nkl
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W9u7tz9Se
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWyBQDIRsw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8naZ8HC5xY
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnEScVYmxw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl67N8PYQ5A
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wUU1VXM62
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVrnO2RnlR
“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?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Md8Rd6wfl
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENPElUmc1U
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yQ0thvoNo
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEekXUSdXWV
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50W1720dzX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcC9nSIbW4
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6jS00oap1
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7hfvxFPen
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczP5i840lX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno8qBrJy6G
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QwMF0WeZh
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQeoRgwXJ8
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG85Pn8LVkD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v8k8Iof8a
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RIcSLMmnG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh1jqPT9bj
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe3R18JfvZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HdJvoFUrA
“H-Huh?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P4UYrECgx
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ812vnNh96z
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRnx4GNZgH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYfZ8IMoGG
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0k2i3ll1t
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmzqCl4ixy
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsQnqi4wQA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0nVyizSdb
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1pPHZI3z7
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLnDPxFqJ8
“I’m n-nothing so special.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2HVq4ZqW
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zmfvpQXXD
“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!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9vOdF1I5U
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgrhtAUeRj
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAF8CX1OCs
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqldDHcRbrN
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjH8CbbVdS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9aYVTvnf0
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflEGC3wkXL
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvWtSYEslp
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. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXN7B6Wdkj
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHMHFUOT5l
It took me only a few 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9EAUkUz8Y
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXejbNlSpe9
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBqacfdnz5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXNiWpD6Cd
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRD34UG524
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z9seeUJMA
“No, really, Rover.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZsyKGHr5i
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYW8H4N78E
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzjal517MW
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Yjy66Huk
“I think I’m just lucky.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbg2qWbwu0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoclcddHBRt
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm6oieXVPT
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXK2Lob6u9
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCeW6Q2IlG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lWAdika3x
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw41xiCUaJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3rclUAFbP
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFPC0ltOyE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZlUKFZipL
“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.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSTeKS5yhb
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVpBsnZpmQ
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTRNmSOvF4
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoMOEYqKpF
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFyUvPLLjW
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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. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqxhWVql7V
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“D-Don’t rush me!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63VBuNasiX
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFypiyJQgW
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsev3THgsK
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj8ejRKV7S
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvId9IKB21
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjINNotxp1j
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“I didn’t say anything.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhHUcFqUJi
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90AhaFZAF3
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPOisyJzOI
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ79hdSYsR8
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMY19GI5mj
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJMVuX1lDe
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“Told you all I did? What?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJaFiECgo9
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She was caught by a wind of fury.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cvKFVR848
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQkSW0byO8
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31uM9mzsWG
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“What’s so funny?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgeTwdfyWD
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxCNYndHIJ
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFJJYSYxMI
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nfh6fLCZ4
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwOzRN6uzw
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“A little crazy?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0lTNIybt
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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!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyVqoUFKDd
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1soan2xozM
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdndcJMPYau
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“Well–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyS0QTiucy
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1LG3uQ8jA
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“I–”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm913Jwgrc
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfixaZ9gdy9
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW0i9eJDLk
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“See! I– huh? You do?”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTe2o3l75N
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGP3robfSC
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyEVP8dPwd
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkwDmUucFD
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxru4Rso5vS
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfsc7aI92U
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDU1JNjQ1c
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7DnJiZX2B
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5szYZz9Vd
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnsHG0j6vq
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“Ah, right.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrQM7L6UWO
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLNaLrMOYV
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLt8wxzduk
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeYEgEoXiv
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuGqOm561T
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32jLHD2MAI
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“Wait, one last thing!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xzfuQKFbu
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9AYzpV22p
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSVvBwPEqw
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“...”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQUNZYgWBz
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I smiled.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2FG1Uttgh
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“I will.”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPySYr1immA
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh3SCr0loy
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“Yes!”209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxf49ZJkmr
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZemDKWwcKe
