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
209Please respect copyright.PENANApcuCaaQB6j
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAoHqSty8bnI
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANArTsrzee0Py
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAIvrgUWM9gq
209Please respect copyright.PENANAO4dcrpLiMo
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAbRSYY09lBi
“...”209Please respect copyright.PENANAc4WhBQqQUU
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVeRoxumKhV
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAe0vWnzJqAE
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAuhgY3QfkAF
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAjOhLVcxVUz
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANANKOIW2PYw3
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANAoQaxg9RlC9
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANAxdiaibWu0M
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANASOqanyEZxD
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAc1quhphUFb
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAXwbW2lEBXb
“If you insist.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAJao8mckYQr
209Please respect copyright.PENANArCac05R5KD
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANANb2L50gEZ6
“Kenny?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVE3dkzYTP6
209Please respect copyright.PENANARnCalp9ZHJ
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvS2GiBocuC
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA97U06cVoSo
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA4IYQ8w1wI6
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANADLkC5CjyDQ
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAaGNIKWKsI2
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWUg6X1btIA
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYbxAXiLV5i
“I started young. That’s all.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZF6yK9bro
209Please respect copyright.PENANA8hLnI5sWmx
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA7tBFUP3w3V
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAIzdMrfXNG4
209Please respect copyright.PENANAhiqpniegH2
She jumped and then waved her hand.209Please respect copyright.PENANAf7AdJlF6XO
209Please respect copyright.PENANAbQoeOP0Xku
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”209Please respect copyright.PENANAcSUQYtJcBq
209Please respect copyright.PENANABo3y5Ketdr
“Right.”209Please respect copyright.PENANABLdIolqPsG
209Please respect copyright.PENANAu9KnW7RWCt
“...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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWovRvIsBOh
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAbikuPdU4pn
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWiuTO3mlRh
“I– Wha!?”209Please respect copyright.PENANArGSeR9YoO1
209Please respect copyright.PENANAUlOJ5t5o7G
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9AHpiUfY0d
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAzMMt5wcaxw
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVnNyEZyLkA
209Please respect copyright.PENANA17EeZfuo91
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA2tKb71rq4y
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvzJFJ8jDAt
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAr58ukAP8Rm
209Please respect copyright.PENANAczxD2pVWjZ
She shrugged at my comment.209Please respect copyright.PENANAJv316lPM0x
209Please respect copyright.PENANAi19gtFd0Lm
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANANlujLb7vgx
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANANRnEuxYYpR
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANAl3KuFBJ13s
–
209Please respect copyright.PENANABBKK1Ae6Kj
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANACXETlQRAo6
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA19XlyhQPvp
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYITfe1ZjIm
“...This is ridiculous.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAM5eQu7gSDp
209Please respect copyright.PENANAAD88Lk2mKt
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWakZqINeXL
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.209Please respect copyright.PENANApteFutdds8
209Please respect copyright.PENANAqDws2YMUe6
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAqCGVnNJHIo
209Please respect copyright.PENANAfLWDXJS89B
“...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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAbN2esweCIq
“Do whatever.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA2LBpkXWEJp
209Please respect copyright.PENANAW6GtYkqVKU
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAqG6tvc1qFe
209Please respect copyright.PENANAJb1YQMbSHj
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVpq3QC0gQA
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAlKdbW3Q8Sv
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAmZkahjHKBT
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.209Please respect copyright.PENANAI02UhNWh88
209Please respect copyright.PENANAQoOddBgCm1
“...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.”
209Please respect copyright.PENANAoZht3fDjSF
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVm5mH1iBMc
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANATlgXXePXMw
“D-Don’t rush me!”209Please respect copyright.PENANA63VBuNasiX
209Please respect copyright.PENANAXdfqRynI7T
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”209Please respect copyright.PENANAJFypiyJQgW
209Please respect copyright.PENANA8OCeEU0O0p
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAqdl8yv1siT
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANArjOfUuc3Bj
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA1yDCFnZfcG
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”209Please respect copyright.PENANAjINNotxp1j
209Please respect copyright.PENANALaUzNVoifY
“I didn’t say anything.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAAhHUcFqUJi
209Please respect copyright.PENANAodHuh52xie
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAOMC8e0uVIv
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAGPOisyJzOI
209Please respect copyright.PENANAQtIjonenn8
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANA4X6MjFjPeT
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.209Please respect copyright.PENANAtMY19GI5mj
209Please respect copyright.PENANAA9zlOsTqFt
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAxxwTDAQiUB
“Told you all I did? What?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAoJaFiECgo9
209Please respect copyright.PENANA4psCmb2v7j
She was caught by a wind of fury.209Please respect copyright.PENANA5cvKFVR848
209Please respect copyright.PENANAjLvIdMq3mM
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAHcNUi3ACka
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 209Please respect copyright.PENANA31uM9mzsWG
209Please respect copyright.PENANAwNNhPxa2I9
“What’s so funny?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAAgeTwdfyWD
209Please respect copyright.PENANABIrYzvlHAV
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvPG2CFAck2
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”209Please respect copyright.PENANAmFJJYSYxMI
209Please respect copyright.PENANAUTYX4uF589
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.209Please respect copyright.PENANA1nfh6fLCZ4
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGmQEtzwJDV
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANANVEoTzOIhn
“A little crazy?”209Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q0lTNIybt
209Please respect copyright.PENANAUv0kffaMVl
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAOxtRjCtygz
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.209Please respect copyright.PENANA1soan2xozM
209Please respect copyright.PENANARADir3OQ4j
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAITooyp2TN8
“Well–”209Please respect copyright.PENANAWyS0QTiucy
209Please respect copyright.PENANArSkdssXdtY
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAr1LG3uQ8jA
209Please respect copyright.PENANAitzfLrq31X
“I–”209Please respect copyright.PENANAzm913Jwgrc
209Please respect copyright.PENANAotqCpcbj4Y
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANApUB2CPm9QP
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAIW0i9eJDLk
209Please respect copyright.PENANAi5NDorLGgd
“See! I– huh? You do?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVTe2o3l75N
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9i8Xpgij7X
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAHiNurnz26Y
“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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAqMRmGyhcc4
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAzkwDmUucFD
209Please respect copyright.PENANA5BX8PULQ8T
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAxru4Rso5vS
209Please respect copyright.PENANAhzqi7pEwse
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAx3SZN4tq51
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAeDU1JNjQ1c
209Please respect copyright.PENANAMvseLYndUr
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAP7DnJiZX2B
209Please respect copyright.PENANAHaOfIzbMMO
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.209Please respect copyright.PENANAz5szYZz9Vd
209Please respect copyright.PENANAN3f7JPhKnA
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVnsHG0j6vq
209Please respect copyright.PENANApd7Mq67Xjy
“Ah, right.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAcrQM7L6UWO
209Please respect copyright.PENANAL7qqc4aCcq
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANADuT7DG635k
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”209Please respect copyright.PENANADLt8wxzduk
209Please respect copyright.PENANAB7Ve6TfDwS
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVeYEgEoXiv
209Please respect copyright.PENANAiSY4traj2F
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAWuGqOm561T
209Please respect copyright.PENANASTbicdRoSE
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAgCrTGGem0e
“Wait, one last thing!”209Please respect copyright.PENANA0xzfuQKFbu
209Please respect copyright.PENANAUCkPhEMx3W
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.209Please respect copyright.PENANAb9AYzpV22p
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvyunPUwzFy
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAxSVvBwPEqw
209Please respect copyright.PENANAwA4LBUMxFC
“...”209Please respect copyright.PENANAoQUNZYgWBz
209Please respect copyright.PENANATQi2KDy4H6
I smiled.209Please respect copyright.PENANAP2FG1Uttgh
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGBl0KJ9247
“I will.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAPySYr1immA
209Please respect copyright.PENANA0oRgi70SkY
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
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYkAAo9hK70
“Yes!”209Please respect copyright.PENANAbxf49ZJkmr
209Please respect copyright.PENANAXHwRz5HNek
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.209Please respect copyright.PENANAZemDKWwcKe