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.
9Please respect copyright.PENANA7ot1sOwa2c
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4WFmgkKNTE
9Please respect copyright.PENANAeRpP4jDMIK
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–9Please respect copyright.PENANA08TzbXK44E
9Please respect copyright.PENANAwVvVbpwzQC
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAyvAbAbLKEl
9Please respect copyright.PENANAoJgFTBWhgU
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAqUZMuoCc87
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?9Please respect copyright.PENANAGkgzc1W6uW
9Please respect copyright.PENANABHBDlMlQYF
“...”9Please respect copyright.PENANA3KuOM1L2FK
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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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAmBgeKsIqLU
9Please respect copyright.PENANAmziRa99kOO
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAXQuWU4TuZp
9Please respect copyright.PENANAj4blb9zOAb
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAHTWW06uXCp
9Please respect copyright.PENANAvGo3Sy9nCJ
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAy0sz6km8eT
9Please respect copyright.PENANA8QzUTLpqYO
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–9Please respect copyright.PENANAoLD3zaq8Ft
9Please respect copyright.PENANA3Tbkn52E0L
“...”9Please respect copyright.PENANAOKQ7nZ3xgR
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkq4v9vn2sa
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAOHCi8fmfyL
9Please respect copyright.PENANAEHr58qaPvq
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA1oiqiIuzAr
9Please respect copyright.PENANAcnGeRbIHRa
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAaEEs9rB9Ue
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–
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–
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–
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.9Please respect copyright.PENANACcfiwwCtmj
9Please respect copyright.PENANAio5QsWj7EZ
“Yes?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA71wgZLrnyh
9Please respect copyright.PENANA40TYPDgaly
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAcLrynLMxXi
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkBgV5c7H0G
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAc0MEjYPF47
9Please respect copyright.PENANAqOC03YttPq
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA9NkYI93pEk
9Please respect copyright.PENANAlQp2gzglOc
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAElLDHJ1gWq
9Please respect copyright.PENANArBxxBXblcs
“You made this in eighty minutes?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA0UMOWCvn5c
9Please respect copyright.PENANABjg91XEdrh
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”9Please respect copyright.PENANA0h3dKjMIaE
9Please respect copyright.PENANA0O2pvObjnO
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAVI78i8xQst
9Please respect copyright.PENANAHlm9ej3dmQ
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.9Please respect copyright.PENANAqslg3GoIl9
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPYn58FF4R8
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAcUNtJm8uD4
9Please respect copyright.PENANANll9wPiO1x
“If you insist.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4I94edeHmy
9Please respect copyright.PENANAMpWRZdGO2w
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAXjQyfL7n2I
9Please respect copyright.PENANAx0Kgdy0UGD
“Kenny?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAQhyeYPffEH
9Please respect copyright.PENANA6f7gzfPYcH
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAfWQlV9c3tI
9Please respect copyright.PENANAD1jjur7Jdy
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAcSHMTX02r5
9Please respect copyright.PENANAhRRskVTgKo
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAtZrCkosPuQ
9Please respect copyright.PENANAZVvzfiRf3g
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAMSzU6QcKt4
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJjCEBmDOte
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.9Please respect copyright.PENANAathvRodOfq
9Please respect copyright.PENANAINzTGry52c
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAMCdqXJfxok
9Please respect copyright.PENANAVyyhB1hVSX
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.9Please respect copyright.PENANAjueQFC6e9c
9Please respect copyright.PENANAY3o7BuSJh7
“I see. I see, I see…”9Please respect copyright.PENANAoFGQYSBBAE
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAucboyHE9tp
9Please respect copyright.PENANAOEtpgbCxSG
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA38ZkuCcVua
9Please respect copyright.PENANARKXN2p68VL
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAltqDLR4gb4
9Please respect copyright.PENANAzGuh3a7qTy
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAxP0pEmquN7
9Please respect copyright.PENANAQwAkaSmrnd
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAVWvF44qx9F
9Please respect copyright.PENANAlh417Wu2yG
“Please?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAzxj7jUQqZt
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJAddOqHYMT
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.9Please respect copyright.PENANAghRPSOmUgJ
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA7oATfPcV5K
9Please respect copyright.PENANAa3p1x1wdGZ
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”9Please respect copyright.PENANALDKIcWyKor
9Please respect copyright.PENANAKewytbKEEa
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 9Please respect copyright.PENANAKD5UuMakdJ
9Please respect copyright.PENANA51FguQtfW0
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAaqZ9C9x7lm
9Please respect copyright.PENANAklKJJbyxom
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAGR5gbr1h33
9Please respect copyright.PENANAxV1Igoyz5N
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAMTjseFCE7u
9Please respect copyright.PENANAr2sdhYQcMD
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.9Please respect copyright.PENANAh7yPC7LtUn
9Please respect copyright.PENANAlF5uyznMRu
“I started young. That’s all.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqJhN7X5LtT
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkumANJxFuX
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”9Please respect copyright.PENANArbi3lLzRGY
9Please respect copyright.PENANAondu6ReC2n
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”9Please respect copyright.PENANAp2up9eRM9N
9Please respect copyright.PENANAeXZOIAE4KX
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.9Please respect copyright.PENANAEc9fXfxD4B
9Please respect copyright.PENANAZ40SyHqkjJ
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAWn5VSDcUTr
9Please respect copyright.PENANAcWXk0XvyT1
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAy9J88XOv9C
9Please respect copyright.PENANAvW44OYEY2n
She jumped and then waved her hand.9Please respect copyright.PENANA8kNthJ1W9w
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUapQLRSXwS
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”9Please respect copyright.PENANAiGGIHZpYVH
9Please respect copyright.PENANAtv9nUsm01T
“Right.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9Cg9v04Ct
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkeqV5aJFo4
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAq4ImsCLJ9H
9Please respect copyright.PENANAx474JL1scn
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAijJ85iL7bk
9Please respect copyright.PENANAZcHnYNlbhf
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAJCLdWGclEb
9Please respect copyright.PENANAuXonc7thMK
“I– Wha!?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAwj5moNgCZ0
9Please respect copyright.PENANAEL3daikV3R
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA8MIo8SFNFd
9Please respect copyright.PENANA7qcb6QnXLa
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAwMQwgN46Rq
9Please respect copyright.PENANAk5IlUzw1KF
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA7U93HgykaW
9Please respect copyright.PENANA2WCHPI3G2k
“Your own… peace of mind?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAipJ6a6TEjM
9Please respect copyright.PENANA7FSLmapXLJ
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAYFlwbnR51z
9Please respect copyright.PENANAK66lwl3OEo
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”9Please respect copyright.PENANANetUkJKYW1
9Please respect copyright.PENANAxUbA13LJG7
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”9Please respect copyright.PENANACfIfimc98j
9Please respect copyright.PENANAydkwmjxsC4
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA2NrEiaav0B
9Please respect copyright.PENANAOeLCeukIsP
“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. 9Please respect copyright.PENANAbgOLElCwHu
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUASbPrDmWf
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA7cJ8S4JvK3
9Please respect copyright.PENANAES5VT4X5va
She shrugged at my comment.9Please respect copyright.PENANAynwbFHM80Y
9Please respect copyright.PENANAjZCWfO1cJh
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAtEMboLKZkP
9Please respect copyright.PENANAfs1uhWQWdL
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.9Please respect copyright.PENANAanmq42KS8P
9Please respect copyright.PENANAstMUBOHrNh
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.9Please respect copyright.PENANAKiM0T0qQJu
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–
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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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAv33stRnM6X
9Please respect copyright.PENANAYr7FWBnkM6
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAMIHFlc1Cvg
9Please respect copyright.PENANA1FlSOidBwz
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA4Kl5r3RbZA
9Please respect copyright.PENANAzPffMbf4rU
“...This is ridiculous.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAOPIaFXFZGu
9Please respect copyright.PENANAdvnIk6tuVx
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAUymkfNE6Dw
9Please respect copyright.PENANAzxj4tHZ7ZK
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAo9bTK0w5ii
9Please respect copyright.PENANApNvIrPjqMI
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.9Please respect copyright.PENANAm1zFDDXuOA
9Please respect copyright.PENANAmP9PCcT4Mr
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANArwel1Um1uJ
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.9Please respect copyright.PENANAP4KjM1v1P1
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqWuZaYpJUt
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUQMxGzLb8d
“...Hmm.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAuEJO8feQXB
9Please respect copyright.PENANA1KWkD9g3ij
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA6NMgGSBpbU
9Please respect copyright.PENANA8ounVIm582
“Do whatever.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAosfFV2wg7T
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUaxY5IGPMS
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”9Please respect copyright.PENANArnPI9LbjmT
9Please respect copyright.PENANA7zRE5GpAAH
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAGrB1yztYiF
9Please respect copyright.PENANAh77W9pv1rV
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANApK5X0K0WNW
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJsMNZpP5dq
“D-Darn it.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4gxYyfLaz8
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJyIwWruKam
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–9Please respect copyright.PENANAy9UQMRg2wa
9Please respect copyright.PENANAWGoK5Yf8pD
“What are you doing here?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAl9rtFkV6cu
9Please respect copyright.PENANAHIivQKCiC7
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA0sCQFJP8jo
9Please respect copyright.PENANAmVKeX68uSs
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.9Please respect copyright.PENANAixQYABD3QV
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkzyzLcgLva
“...U-Uh.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAxVafqAxdp6
9Please respect copyright.PENANA66KaK0VuYX
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAv1pey12TBP
9Please respect copyright.PENANAph24pVE7UM
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAKIMrNWHrsA
9Please respect copyright.PENANASR1Uu4O6xj
“I… I-I.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAdsY1a0daqa
9Please respect copyright.PENANAipQybTFlRg
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAypqNdr3P44
9Please respect copyright.PENANA4tIdky0RCy
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAjrVJUZZiXZ
9Please respect copyright.PENANABy54aLREwR
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAPp1lsfwvKQ
9Please respect copyright.PENANAtdqppOonaF
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAJbkHRfDYJK
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPaJ7mL1g0f
“I-I’m here.”9Please respect copyright.PENANApYTYtXbpG5
9Please respect copyright.PENANAp5xqPSTab5
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAMEOimw4EQf
9Please respect copyright.PENANAVDb81hfQwo
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAV6r0liybU8
9Please respect copyright.PENANANTp9YQieQK
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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4WvX7l2NJZ
9Please respect copyright.PENANALWcq56DXdN
“I…”9Please respect copyright.PENANAwMOgDn08qN
9Please respect copyright.PENANAMaWB3WF7Q7
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAjjOIndYFXd
9Please respect copyright.PENANAuG5icVYrPJ
“Hello, Rover.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAJsEoACuMPP
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUcc5rAYd36
“Hey, Kenny.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAEbtmiVRl1y
9Please respect copyright.PENANAehLq1pglom
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.9Please respect copyright.PENANA9kgUGosLzj
9Please respect copyright.PENANAO3Daole8Ki
“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–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAxLbWSRdWYm
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPfNnsbd2Tx
“Cut to the chase!”9Please respect copyright.PENANA0vymNUpZOb
9Please respect copyright.PENANABMMSSL9Jd1
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAS6UeWD6ktf
9Please respect copyright.PENANAiVozlvMZNV
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.9Please respect copyright.PENANAI29foQByzq
9Please respect copyright.PENANAjsOKT9aOWd
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAIIZmwzSyRt
9Please respect copyright.PENANAoRZdTgN2g5
“Y-Yes.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqKR2QFgXZi
9Please respect copyright.PENANABtxrBPAF5g
“Now who told you to do that?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqOaeCluCr3
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJh0ITSNFPF
“W-Well–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAoAkj3zFDni
9Please respect copyright.PENANAffYSgUPNdQ
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:9Please respect copyright.PENANAZLJ7FTl7zi
9Please respect copyright.PENANAdYxY17tKPY
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA2iYz7hSOEa
9Please respect copyright.PENANAmgCzx1Ir4i
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqNOreIaOhg
9Please respect copyright.PENANA3gRYYU8dU2
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.9Please respect copyright.PENANALP7hgAgroC
9Please respect copyright.PENANAj3tOFNWJFp
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAG6dxiOqYF6
9Please respect copyright.PENANArIg54zvrYO
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”9Please respect copyright.PENANALmJII4Z3uE
9Please respect copyright.PENANAZ34UNpSkyC
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA4Fg3wos8Fh
9Please respect copyright.PENANApm5rw2DjOt
“I refuse your treatment!”9Please respect copyright.PENANACLIq37myoh
9Please respect copyright.PENANAblsAsebfXK
“H-Huh!?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAQgDvmzYkfI
9Please respect copyright.PENANAT0a4XEuibF
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAe3v247ViMb
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“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAGMJgEhvzDb
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“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAEdh3EIV2Jm
9Please respect copyright.PENANAVqex8StjUZ
“I– Wha?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA9jKUTJBsUC
9Please respect copyright.PENANAfEVPJE8bGM
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–9Please respect copyright.PENANAgFnGqmVxif
9Please respect copyright.PENANAG7KKALVXLA
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”9Please respect copyright.PENANARk7jItqzRZ
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPCTGkM77fc
“Stupid? Weird!?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAtWGY0dMiyi
9Please respect copyright.PENANAjQcoZC217N
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAkczhSN5QfE
9Please respect copyright.PENANApfi6aH19sj
“...”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4kpLRUDOKB
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The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.9Please respect copyright.PENANAVg7tnQItbr
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“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAsugJcUC7tS
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As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.9Please respect copyright.PENANAoz4Nob3X7C
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“It’s because I upset you.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAhqxVChy9XS
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And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.9Please respect copyright.PENANA0wxGqsrVBp
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“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”9Please respect copyright.PENANA6thI2o9Nik
9Please respect copyright.PENANAv2V6PLcR8d
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAoNMmYfIk5t
9Please respect copyright.PENANAGwrqytwEG6
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.9Please respect copyright.PENANAZwZaj2S7l4
9Please respect copyright.PENANA1iDlQIJBNO
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAAg3lb344OA
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“S-Sheesh.” 9Please respect copyright.PENANAVhynIXpumJ
9Please respect copyright.PENANALUwNtyFqSB
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.
9Please respect copyright.PENANAFDGqKDvl36
“How do I use this thing?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAOqbm56ozWa
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“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAweSI6YBVqK
9Please respect copyright.PENANAn7FwLa9KAH
“Drinking works for me.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAgSEZjx8c7Y
9Please respect copyright.PENANA4LygiMtDA6
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAyMl0E0aQLH
9Please respect copyright.PENANA5K6qa8dGKw
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAvHkFCBpypW
9Please respect copyright.PENANA9cjIUczgiQ
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”9Please respect copyright.PENANACaPEDQsSAC
9Please respect copyright.PENANAvT6NRQhFj8
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAVCpFrxyAhH
9Please respect copyright.PENANAhxF1Frd9Xm
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAsMUT6BnODv
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“Whatever.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAJsrVYen3ds
9Please respect copyright.PENANAx9ku39aVrI
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. 9Please respect copyright.PENANAS3dOkWPeA0
9Please respect copyright.PENANAYg8ChZ3LUL
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAyuL8Wn0Rph
9Please respect copyright.PENANAUxfOyf8BkI
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAzqizgdIuxT
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But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.9Please respect copyright.PENANAN0gNUdCU19
9Please respect copyright.PENANAMkLL9SyM9e
“Leaving already?”9Please respect copyright.PENANADxbgG7rLyG
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“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAfZjo6SDh2K
9Please respect copyright.PENANADNl2dRfiNJ
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAhmrDm650Sn
9Please respect copyright.PENANAoYCTPFLZ2W
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANA8Lvh0iqDei
9Please respect copyright.PENANAq9WngTzWYH
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAPoBdUJAU0o
9Please respect copyright.PENANARqGomRuRxe
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAClWF4Ymk7M
9Please respect copyright.PENANAgx6nqdvow4
“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?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Rz3wNg22
9Please respect copyright.PENANAHsHzkc3wP4
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”9Please respect copyright.PENANALnnliAdsOd
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I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.9Please respect copyright.PENANA10Zj3ImgRk
9Please respect copyright.PENANA0kkhW2Ib7g
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA6Uj0ZDIXzJ
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I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.9Please respect copyright.PENANAxwLHELUYF6
9Please respect copyright.PENANA5O1R7pv8z7
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAabrQMg4Wzx
9Please respect copyright.PENANAFYmfha4z18
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–9Please respect copyright.PENANATvEGazjAnu
9Please respect copyright.PENANAznQKPdf5LC
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAWAYY4ujl9V
9Please respect copyright.PENANAXOCrbftox1
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2P3GNK2uF
9Please respect copyright.PENANATMCSO1Cf21
“H-Huh?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAn5CFxt554l
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She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.9Please respect copyright.PENANAlHoXX6YlW6
9Please respect copyright.PENANAjCWBsK7lhv
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA6eYT5aZqmy
9Please respect copyright.PENANA8Q0pMiL62W
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAhh9cLlj2RI
9Please respect copyright.PENANAJnVnJ62Fwq
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA0bZlmGwXG2
9Please respect copyright.PENANAICI0HiAkfd
“I’m n-nothing so special.”9Please respect copyright.PENANACaGLyk2L9E
9Please respect copyright.PENANAOgtPRN3oTv
“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!”9Please respect copyright.PENANA62uMdSU6Hh
9Please respect copyright.PENANALT8kQ1seda
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAhiNC0hlbUX
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She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.9Please respect copyright.PENANALYb1eL9CAN
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“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqT5W8M79CG
9Please respect copyright.PENANARnBXuVtbkA
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. 9Please respect copyright.PENANAr9VHgge2IQ
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It took me only a few 9Please respect copyright.PENANAzBixkVtVex
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA0JsbFqAL8n
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“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAD4z2nMtyd3
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“No, really, Rover.”9Please respect copyright.PENANARE3dUVbZhJ
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I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 9Please respect copyright.PENANADbhhq4klrA
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“I think I’m just lucky.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAeklhzlBbjn
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I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?9Please respect copyright.PENANAJtPbpndYyd
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“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”9Please respect copyright.PENANA2LkRcSE8wH
9Please respect copyright.PENANAnY8Bcss6ZV
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA59Wn9ZFhcr
9Please respect copyright.PENANAnsPUMS8ocl
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.9Please respect copyright.PENANAIrVkhIJa5x
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“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA5CbacFvuEP
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkzhxcA3hB5
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAlNzvhzczAD
9Please respect copyright.PENANACz0IkXgIOz
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
9Please respect copyright.PENANAuCbDamaDNs
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAWjclkbcaMq
9Please respect copyright.PENANADTiDDd4ueU
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. 9Please respect copyright.PENANA9W6ZX2dXFG
9Please respect copyright.PENANAooFSIna8Sf
“D-Don’t rush me!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAklIu7GZEGU
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAxs1Nmxlfv9
9Please respect copyright.PENANAWNFVpllJBN
“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…”9Please respect copyright.PENANAY9G8rkMKiy
9Please respect copyright.PENANA8mQGITUowU
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAPY2Ou7kVxQ
9Please respect copyright.PENANA4sBA0RRQkt
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAEEzEoRwKRk
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAXi7hd2MTlj
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“I didn’t say anything.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAFZPLr5lh6J
9Please respect copyright.PENANAOknQ8rQliy
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANATwfB5sDPYT
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAKS6CUSjUQn
9Please respect copyright.PENANAnFHEyNbgzJ
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAP4kwix4NS4
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.9Please respect copyright.PENANAsUloR0FsjX
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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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAldSypCE7n0
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“Told you all I did? What?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAdImACphZpQ
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She was caught by a wind of fury.9Please respect copyright.PENANACdjX3748UE
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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!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAVZLTUuPM0d
9Please respect copyright.PENANANtzwUyKje5
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 9Please respect copyright.PENANAWa9LRmV08l
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“What’s so funny?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAWbsBQgCaQA
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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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANApWIQxCmIzK
9Please respect copyright.PENANAZEPC6qxmmY
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”9Please respect copyright.PENANA4RwKaqBHif
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.9Please respect copyright.PENANAbYuM8WodDY
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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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAiaHD2UsnzY
9Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9XgjsNw0J
“A little crazy?”9Please respect copyright.PENANA5VmKGMSciU
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPydINcUEgY
“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!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAf2v4qI4RqI
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.9Please respect copyright.PENANA3T4nmcX6qR
9Please respect copyright.PENANA9xSL7pcGs5
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANANykdX3cpxZ
9Please respect copyright.PENANAtlHU6fgcFK
“Well–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAaQojAVroi1
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”9Please respect copyright.PENANAuT7pyqrgvh
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“I–”9Please respect copyright.PENANAFykaSsSoEg
9Please respect copyright.PENANACDQDqmuaAZ
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAMXH3mPTV1q
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAGYi4242cFR
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“See! I– huh? You do?”9Please respect copyright.PENANARN7Fkc9t1J
9Please respect copyright.PENANAQWLU3SxRGw
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANApqmKc1bJWK
9Please respect copyright.PENANAgZE0axhAnJ
“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.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA90IALY8IPh
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPuaDl37GaJ
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAk3QEK15Y85
9Please respect copyright.PENANA89oAjLfAkW
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAcPYPltSwKg
9Please respect copyright.PENANArQvUw6T0zX
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAWJ0XkoRfw9
9Please respect copyright.PENANAV94C2xGDsk
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”9Please respect copyright.PENANANXFeAN18Ga
9Please respect copyright.PENANAcxx7rDBTkB
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”9Please respect copyright.PENANApGY0Dx3GXz
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.9Please respect copyright.PENANAqJV6ZpdY7H
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAh1bU5IWcFx
9Please respect copyright.PENANAI8tCyR4hnC
“Ah, right.”9Please respect copyright.PENANA22nDgltv53
9Please respect copyright.PENANAvRB0wO0aWm
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAn2E06PN9mt
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”9Please respect copyright.PENANANUTM3ogRXz
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAqHoOE48fQe
9Please respect copyright.PENANAkx4haXwCaT
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAuVQQGOPA9N
9Please respect copyright.PENANAlYf8unoWOt
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.9Please respect copyright.PENANAj9rkvxLJHw
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“Wait, one last thing!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAflN9BboU5N
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.9Please respect copyright.PENANAqNTFDjKisL
9Please respect copyright.PENANAOjkOHmjqmI
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”9Please respect copyright.PENANAAYMI3cX8XA
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“...”9Please respect copyright.PENANATpRzdFPoPY
9Please respect copyright.PENANAPm9LvSkCIm
I smiled.9Please respect copyright.PENANAG7VNUxOYk6
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“I will.”9Please respect copyright.PENANACUo3DfhcIH
9Please respect copyright.PENANAfs6ArItkTE
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–9Please respect copyright.PENANAbrfoKOdAAw
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“Yes!”9Please respect copyright.PENANAMdfjlGCVjT
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.9Please respect copyright.PENANALzpqsItnWh