The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLZiz5b5hT
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjrM8Hvizc
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3S2B8wRBQ
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua1dQL0Amr
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1N1SolcUW
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJli6h8ShV
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrOUMyIL8n
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ewvj6j9H
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLJx5VYaZp
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ovmnXtc6a
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“...”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZIFdmFjgD
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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.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIncLYfzpy
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DmfWrCjk0
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVdgCxZQcs
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wC5GjsKnn
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aASMfNoiI
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEGk32SYIq
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtxYWhNReD
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiVmQsJs2h
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“...”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1esZ2FBZlY
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWnAN4iHPn
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaCM8Z5CGo
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv2fbrOUmH
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8oVws5XYq
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW37eguT5X
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“Yes?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstsxE3uvB9
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fm6g43lKn
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3d379gOhy
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYoylNM5Xp
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IheP8GrvY
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ2l5thFhA
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2863Xojnse
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8onD8Zy86X
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpkKbGb1JL
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs434r4gYn
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycmq5nCVWu
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsFAC8bvHd
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnm4xg8mq2
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQU2xIIx6N
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovVj4iDAsZ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Yxy1kSZg
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWfVMfvjRx
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“If you insist.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhobxNVOpUQ
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLrUpmZA7f
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“Kenny?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc5eMSsyOC
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UJKfPiKYJ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl3kOP8H7i
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7klcJaSeNp
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf1qTbm6Dg
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iVELEJOak
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmAhAvMzBK
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxGjANOAgh
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6DXyCJ2ZC
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr4AWIrRYc
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplz9FU8np7
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhREoKUSjhe
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“I see. I see, I see…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwhFKEdqw4
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPugCt4auk
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmIeGSVpLr
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFxwt99Cr6
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvOjAC6ids
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dchM809PD
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Qud04W4w
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLTudInudI
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVZDbxEW6
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“Please?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaQCrKUj05
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKjZT2RRPa
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rXCb6sPd5
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bskpA2uF6
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“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw512yMpTQZ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQSbEyxNY4
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAgCbtVwv9
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ99ihYdgsO
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrhQyUNBHv
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RTAlK6UP8
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5aSAJ655D
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkguBDeSniU
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISne0I4JP1
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAe92M6Ytw
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“I started young. That’s all.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIm06GF4iZ
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxzNgSFyjI
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKjV09y28i
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6xFAJgvTH
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30qKkn59Zx
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfYPIHHwBL
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvwiut0Zs6
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpKxR33WgW
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SHZtinnKX
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She jumped and then waved her hand.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUel79qqcDk
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6KiZN0SBu
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“Right.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcLIqZG9OP
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXlbscWyZH
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUpKNPsOqB
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMNT2REW5f
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaYxbTpzTJ
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sMQmnmfQ2
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“I– Wha!?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCCaV0sAwq
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GSUbLEEZH
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoitDTFogDO
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsFcmp61sQ
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JebZoq4nt
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYitB80Gj3A
“Your own… peace of mind?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtMaIhh7K3
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j29r47VtL
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrFImUvbke
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9xYPUmsw3
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArWTViiK6S
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1fhxJTeCn
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4rjXdFkv
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRmhBedRlB
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She shrugged at my comment.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPSYsnJcdw
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1If016CweC
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygxZctl4uz
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HUXtMKpS5
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wUQZ5HIVf
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8n0KCo8lJ
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepqrA8c6FI
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SV7c3s0Xt
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“...This is ridiculous.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3j5s5p0mA
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzpLBJEaxs
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CYWktogGZ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7vDwLAAJU
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRtdAcBDkv
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ5aLaNgzP
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmcVVZSeFm
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyznoJNJqoi
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZe1hcE4vI
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“...Hmm.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnT6OBPBbP
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuECGBBKsH
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEwE5uUzNn
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“Do whatever.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hQBlB0BAt
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjZVTCgCeq
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He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJktTHfqKRl
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHB3DFgchM
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAXHIfzXGg
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“D-Darn it.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi2BDOAUsW
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M0cxnTW3n
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“What are you doing here?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMW9FNYVcz
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5eemL8OIP
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgdMLtwWuP
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“...U-Uh.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXRvxOK3ii
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ppG6eov7
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCEkAAPv8U
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOHiLagLaX
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uz8eyjiHK
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDAzS0v9Uv
“I… I-I.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoKYwajxk8
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhkHhLnZP4
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Di1JadCK
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0bA7tJKM
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZs1LNgWsm
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAF52r7exU
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJATugVcfmA
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14B3GXngDt
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoOXBxs0h4
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUR5Byjkz6
“I-I’m here.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOcVASoN9L
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIljoRVtybj
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fyPinGK8y
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nsU3r6ji4
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmRm732E11
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7aDylMD4r
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEwfg4zo3Y
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl5FaMlsk4
“I…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmt8cN61UD
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WSKddoYBd
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoiKOxjcTS
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRtqxyZEHS
“Hello, Rover.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDnJf9xTt5
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWt1b54Zjv
“Hey, Kenny.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVBa51Wirh
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBj4qUCRcU
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlHIYHuDW0
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44iq0iZRbh
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJSavwCMHr
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPS2endaI9
“Cut to the chase!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTK7XfDPTz
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6OP4VuCp
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UQHbVXRQB
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKYjjRsgJr
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh8NP2QbX0
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3UNPhTrMB
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ1Bb1g4Vo
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNYpMDhyCB
“Y-Yes.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyNZz4CjSz
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlpu832PIu
“Now who told you to do that?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pfj5XHdfl
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQGCH6QXi
“W-Well–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfawvu958Pk
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ91VnWTc0
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEsQzigYMB
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUsfZEb42J
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLcc80ruYc
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYEiulkEjI
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSolObOZeZ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1gJAQiPNH
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy6HQAk7Zt
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlqFhljkNn
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAF5IjZ1So
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMAjAoFba1
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiSwZ9X9FS
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuErLQZYkx
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmRuWTCpba
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ229HhNL2HL
“I refuse your treatment!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVy64l2gN4
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt19HK37rs
“H-Huh!?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKlDaB8oxQ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYUBEgIspV
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u5GJlsDeX
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCECrwvs9v
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusQuyR4Plb
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksIZv4Qfz3
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3V6KUmfXQ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy5iEqIOpB
“I– Wha?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPAspmJReu
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK1ExIZYmE
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLSDtA2jh0
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIR5oAgGcj
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf7ytEvIdK
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANwO3tRbil
“Stupid? Weird!?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KinCrYWY4
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8MAfIWYqC
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x5VIcns8c
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNC6rnxGnV
“...”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJHb8jeH99
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jgWyaw8ZK
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIvfb1sIFI
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMuT02kfKX
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDoqmR2YBE
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCcGEcTbmM
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQMKz8CqhI
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6QPrm4WkK
“It’s because I upset you.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwBbLOZgw4
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWZzXqFfHh
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyjr4z4gsn
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMnX0azx4L
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3M3kbBWz1
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT5ETCWs7r
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e8Bl5WmEO
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5ZygtYLAe
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsRlKYr7OY
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGbhtEomm8
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKfxDxzgyx
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDlXrgPjWh
“S-Sheesh.” 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JEh80w8OC
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP63SFN5qfZ
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qnFSa8oFz
“How do I use this thing?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTct3edEHTM
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrD3OVb2TQ
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubH9RsneZA
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzupCR0GC6
“Drinking works for me.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh1qoWO35w
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFkzCGrjPU
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9iCqznwl8
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq404p3BCF
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF0urgsiwS
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3cVMshdu3
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy7pHl3fKU
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ7vfze4sT
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6cSp7YMQg
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKWnUjBK0S
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ycNyfksWf
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe2GMq9U70
“Whatever.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKa4VMvVl3
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3dUYnEqtr
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz2OWMRFLs
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rYOqIO7Gd
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39XqYEdtuh
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PaCpRScBv
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENAFWvl7Ef
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWtiCcWHj5
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8pnprrFXx
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xgRSguvjo
“Leaving already?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLc9lPhdta
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6gBf2yCtn
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE5zRNlD5B
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVG01JsqIm
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDf01ftuGw
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z1aScXRaZ
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMBdzQQC7v
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXxCZcJ8a
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcCqWJlYFr
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCezihvSIx
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGvvmtqydD
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEOBrZFVpk
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf07pPTlYzk
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4357Hfw3l
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhRZsGCNqT
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7pFLvkzbu
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjDIpjZ1zg
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkTyXL6NAv
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttj57Iv11x
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QVVBC0Zl8
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2glgCRLjYH
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyPFV8fD6C
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ieVjdMakB
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i6TT6uJq3
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJLVyklHQS
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7mDLoDZbq
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnr48AVcWS
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r0y3pWpw5
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbRcQihfQY
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJg7aiJNYs
“H-Huh?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoY7VX8TUm
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJDox26IGX
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiLS7w74SK
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEoIpLagmr
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlIsCfBQrB
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz33rwd2gT
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EZyQiOFVD
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy513JA4Qp
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsAkS5QDo9
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26rZL0aJJ
“I’m n-nothing so special.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHI0onTltR
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQmlInWoW4
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJSx2uMR3I
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqfB1LWbEC
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCMbu9mWv1
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80KHi3wjvX
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuVHxh5JPP
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpvJjApGJQ
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DqwvvGKJV
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm1ZUhPGvr
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlYz77Htf9
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnyvGrXw0G
It took me only a few 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUlkUkpgye
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhCFlzW5JB
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33yd0pwok0
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDIQmPyB0r
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoKyN49eol
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdsysmP9sZ
“No, really, Rover.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA2tE8rSIk
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyskeFPZ3c
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qqwBneI5w
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7JXK2THA4
“I think I’m just lucky.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG3P0OSccu
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMtLQYrG7P
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVk28wQRpG
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkHNK5CQUa
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CYphLa5on
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyQoUnmE1u
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK884y900fN
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo9abE6jBI
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGhMmR6WT
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS8hMChYfL
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRn4bORqne
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ7kajJ5N2
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG87EoUJhDQ
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmrFehvV90
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU256zicxL
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj0B9GuPm9
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhmLUkb3lo
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“D-Don’t rush me!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoadiljiRi
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGGQjFSblM
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEwhbKoTVw
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqmTRrVtDa
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8XdlGmD7I
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuDML2OL3r
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“I didn’t say anything.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBRVjCv9al
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQivN5cwgGj
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyE9D9EzOT
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzAhrdKZqZ
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY7VdxQZ96
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmla05bmAvF
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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.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPCsTzl6Qd
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“Told you all I did? What?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v6ZjauvmG
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She was caught by a wind of fury.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXI1bXxpWJ
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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!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa39Dwlj9ke
211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvsCDjMFeY
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEUMzc1EuT
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“What’s so funny?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMfFD2x8m2
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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.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbLrFxlthr
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CURQyNn45
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb127yL3iN
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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.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LGc12uOZy
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“A little crazy?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuiINUnISw
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHYFbHj8Wl
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBwUQAswFI
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMwjpt10BH
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“Well–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLM0uAi2Lo
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zPMpKgiWm
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“I–”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wgs9Gb5ES
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMLrRvLIMy
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMudRgdy3jF
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“See! I– huh? You do?”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o84lGwXUU
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3P151kFwk
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTXGhMVpWh
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPeOgukg9C
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiSCK5OkUn
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1zP1SFHnE
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGPqmbVLgc
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODj5ccaoZE
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr4c55ioUF
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJE2mwpOuz
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“Ah, right.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBuHptGP9i
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELUawqSTWX
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspXaGKb0lC
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspuUdoeuhL
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LiE3psYM4
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3xslrkjsA
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“Wait, one last thing!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVr3Cr6oqF
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Fw09lBtg
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8IpCEDWQO
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“...”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bdsswmWFZ
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I smiled.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuByRGHYThV
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“I will.”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkqNW9XZQa
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSFNc7s7fa
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“Yes!”211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvRtkhp3Jb
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkgEeoa3jw
