A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.110Please respect copyright.PENANAJxjw58En20
110Please respect copyright.PENANA7DeSKUTE6T
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.110Please respect copyright.PENANAikDTGlU6tp
110Please respect copyright.PENANArFbmoUbiq3
"At least... I'm on my back now."110Please respect copyright.PENANAuJvflP2UOR
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8qlUk5El8u
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.110Please respect copyright.PENANATottGQfjrc
110Please respect copyright.PENANAf6AA1wHm6Z
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.110Please respect copyright.PENANASZDoO9jmcH
110Please respect copyright.PENANAnIgRRC6OaE
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.110Please respect copyright.PENANArto0ZllwLQ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAGUYL4n5pN4
"..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAJa8iId6PTS
110Please respect copyright.PENANAwzivttkq40
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.110Please respect copyright.PENANAofEg0n9aPP
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPMrsV1cXir
I was immediately startled.110Please respect copyright.PENANAxaqYuKD0K9
110Please respect copyright.PENANA7wtLDMvGPE
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAPXD7Zehacr
110Please respect copyright.PENANAvx3FJXThxZ
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.110Please respect copyright.PENANAAeaZp0Faqf
110Please respect copyright.PENANA5RXWkaVjd1
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA23gwhtJZts
110Please respect copyright.PENANA11sYwtgqtH
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAsGTKkyeFi3
110Please respect copyright.PENANAptQRZobhZ2
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."110Please respect copyright.PENANAgisNLIdzVP
110Please respect copyright.PENANAAWoU9McM5D
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.110Please respect copyright.PENANAakGzb8Qm0V
110Please respect copyright.PENANAnoCQN3qvvu
"Do you feel any better?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAvlZRyYDZQW
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8NflNqnCZ6
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."110Please respect copyright.PENANA9l6haRWfoZ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAWLFafKjA1G
"That's good, that's good..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAIUu1ceNehq
110Please respect copyright.PENANA0Vv7HZiYqf
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.110Please respect copyright.PENANAzSq8MqCBZI
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPxGCv8JWKG
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"110Please respect copyright.PENANANehQ12gh2R
110Please respect copyright.PENANAfeLeUlDfPE
"..."110Please respect copyright.PENANACI8V7FjVUP
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8DQp2NG7UJ
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.110Please respect copyright.PENANAGQz2ZYT53H
110Please respect copyright.PENANAZjFTliJ5EX
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.110Please respect copyright.PENANA7dfP9lrtLO
110Please respect copyright.PENANA4NzgCjTc4O
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."110Please respect copyright.PENANAHDgNZmN1W9
110Please respect copyright.PENANARNnjkhqmeR
"H-How'd you know?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAdXDpWz5zxD
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFbSM2ydPZY
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."110Please respect copyright.PENANAt0dF1y9bXJ
110Please respect copyright.PENANApofhenYmBk
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.110Please respect copyright.PENANAcgluxOCFpS
110Please respect copyright.PENANAIO4VlFuMZb
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."110Please respect copyright.PENANAB8lFilOtrI
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkSY2W1J8ZB
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAIk44xYy289
110Please respect copyright.PENANAXlBzpsPKfx
Pars nodded.110Please respect copyright.PENANAzvmkQk5qFI
110Please respect copyright.PENANAhqxcoJHoTE
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."110Please respect copyright.PENANAmgd5BjxEgS
110Please respect copyright.PENANARmuOsTnd7A
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.110Please respect copyright.PENANAPbFBTv3brR
110Please respect copyright.PENANA07FmINBNt7
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."110Please respect copyright.PENANAlRke8Rrz1R
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8WUn6qjW2U
"Mutual what?"110Please respect copyright.PENANASJVzLVFeqs
110Please respect copyright.PENANAG1v6TWpNR2
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."110Please respect copyright.PENANAm9Lo6EY0z8
110Please respect copyright.PENANAlMMMtcFXSD
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"110Please respect copyright.PENANANh4dXR6NVf
110Please respect copyright.PENANAbLsUNXvTQE
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."110Please respect copyright.PENANAQXeWeRsHrQ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAesXEtFLFcu
"Really now..."110Please respect copyright.PENANA1J4ufrzXOy
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPxGlymatVS
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.110Please respect copyright.PENANAdT2RfiJO7C
110Please respect copyright.PENANAO4TUH1SW69
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."110Please respect copyright.PENANAGvPsNHqApL
110Please respect copyright.PENANASRcoqqhxTJ
"..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAnuFUh95rpH
110Please respect copyright.PENANAtGLQHsWod4
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.110Please respect copyright.PENANArsABQHZ5fr
110Please respect copyright.PENANAgOXPkDtUAt
"Wow... it must've been bad."110Please respect copyright.PENANAvucTOLjMNN
110Please respect copyright.PENANAbvxh9nIbPh
"You're almost as flippant as I am."110Please respect copyright.PENANAgHALppWvxp
110Please respect copyright.PENANAnEq7TsOhUC
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.110Please respect copyright.PENANAHbXt3DLufu
110Please respect copyright.PENANAsM1zWsVpG0
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."110Please respect copyright.PENANAbQomnVQ4Uo
110Please respect copyright.PENANALJKWfFozUA
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAHe8le8Jw8O
110Please respect copyright.PENANASNtarP8qXf
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAlWd8JUlgta
110Please respect copyright.PENANAtnCcU7rt5n
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.110Please respect copyright.PENANAudEpBT58Fr
110Please respect copyright.PENANALJpUeICKUP
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."110Please respect copyright.PENANAnBwJvAz6HE
110Please respect copyright.PENANALci5bnKJCQ
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.110Please respect copyright.PENANAGo31zaIUfO
110Please respect copyright.PENANAwIPSCHmgoa
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.110Please respect copyright.PENANAPF2kpOtvVC
110Please respect copyright.PENANAyuenagmkPh
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAnspi8uyjOQ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAT4KF7QSbze
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAXwJX0M8dT3
110Please respect copyright.PENANAXujGa7WVTM
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."110Please respect copyright.PENANAUhNsiGZaXA
110Please respect copyright.PENANApDywoIChtN
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.110Please respect copyright.PENANANXJEfygqXI
110Please respect copyright.PENANA1mKbiIYVMy
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."110Please respect copyright.PENANA0HfoMVG1it
110Please respect copyright.PENANAJkZKkCvv1H
"I know."110Please respect copyright.PENANAsAofB6uZQO
110Please respect copyright.PENANApO24C5TghH
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.110Please respect copyright.PENANAzHlTAJUA65
110Please respect copyright.PENANAmjBh7zaKzA
"Tell you what; I can't help you."110Please respect copyright.PENANAxhBg4cRSnR
110Please respect copyright.PENANAWsyrUeTymR
"...Are you serious?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAMTc0RefRrx
110Please respect copyright.PENANAld6ay45A2E
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."110Please respect copyright.PENANAwRYG1HY9tJ
110Please respect copyright.PENANALPeOnPRx0w
"What? What can?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAbOgsfBSojX
110Please respect copyright.PENANA4vkEkaKxvu
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."110Please respect copyright.PENANAJH08Naw9As
110Please respect copyright.PENANArVlONAdig5
"..."110Please respect copyright.PENANArk3iCZQEUB
110Please respect copyright.PENANAM5Rr69jQTf
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.110Please respect copyright.PENANAiJma2cC8ox
110Please respect copyright.PENANAraimuXSwax
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?110Please respect copyright.PENANAF7LXl9O6Pu
110Please respect copyright.PENANAeLqIuV3lEs
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.110Please respect copyright.PENANAZ14YlQS0xs
110Please respect copyright.PENANAJBEl5NdOb2
"Give it a try."110Please respect copyright.PENANA9eZ2GumIsi
110Please respect copyright.PENANARpWDVCQIfF
He stood up and patted my shoulder.110Please respect copyright.PENANAZtdR5wQckd
110Please respect copyright.PENANAiioMLtW2SY
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."110Please respect copyright.PENANApKn8eh89vS
110Please respect copyright.PENANA4L9p1QyfQ0
"H-Huh? Right now?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAWo76DV3SFl
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFQ4s8Mow0u
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."110Please respect copyright.PENANAYByVbfjFop
110Please respect copyright.PENANAOrRcrPfVCZ
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.110Please respect copyright.PENANAqyhCxpPhRa
110Please respect copyright.PENANAUq8kTzRz1X
–
–
–110Please respect copyright.PENANAyBNt0s7F9a
110Please respect copyright.PENANAJKSgyT2lR7
"Are ya all packed up?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAOEgiyj3pZO
110Please respect copyright.PENANAH84qhJ99yo
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.110Please respect copyright.PENANAXhB95L1AAd
110Please respect copyright.PENANAoOLfQBLq4k
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"110Please respect copyright.PENANAGcNORIOiik
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFV3b4V2XA7
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."110Please respect copyright.PENANAA2cu23L2rM
110Please respect copyright.PENANAmGpqFmn8FG
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.110Please respect copyright.PENANAq84ZHeny2K
110Please respect copyright.PENANASoAU407dQn
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAMEpjgUZ7vs
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkkkFin5pX9
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."110Please respect copyright.PENANAz1QWgMzxE0
110Please respect copyright.PENANAqgwgEV0JfP
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAzhiCX41PmV
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkTJfnh89gu
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.110Please respect copyright.PENANATuzcFL3DIp
110Please respect copyright.PENANA6GfaqG6NNQ
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."110Please respect copyright.PENANA5FsHGPyVyj
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFTBUfCL8bF
"I suppose that makes sense."110Please respect copyright.PENANAKuCE7R3WB9
110Please respect copyright.PENANAJZPBSXKUv4
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAnT5N3AAu8j
110Please respect copyright.PENANAqtdA9Qmu7s
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA83xhdHVMtD
110Please respect copyright.PENANAjViAVJiknA
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."110Please respect copyright.PENANAghlKpTMmaG
110Please respect copyright.PENANAdyrZaqGb2m
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.110Please respect copyright.PENANAmZBTiwcycP
110Please respect copyright.PENANAZRBt19thIu
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAqG7ccfXVEz
110Please respect copyright.PENANASpLBisuLV7
"What do I think...?"110Please respect copyright.PENANATRs1sTtKig
110Please respect copyright.PENANAyVFM7T02le
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.110Please respect copyright.PENANABiUx8KCBpP
110Please respect copyright.PENANAGjzXYc3kPN
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."110Please respect copyright.PENANA70LiwNN0sY
110Please respect copyright.PENANAvoSptJ3HPV
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."110Please respect copyright.PENANAe128OuCOEh
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8U6nWp2c4c
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAI2RbFVoDdr
110Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y1eO9q5Ya
"I'm asking ya, kid."110Please respect copyright.PENANAMPmkjz4eA3
110Please respect copyright.PENANAYBJKDknjc1
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–110Please respect copyright.PENANAPb1wJ3rs6s
110Please respect copyright.PENANAPVP4yhoVoQ
"It had to be an Endowment."110Please respect copyright.PENANAtqvQFfUVA5
110Please respect copyright.PENANAEoCwFb0QiJ
"..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAuEUHEujq1z
110Please respect copyright.PENANAXanjOFzfL0
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.110Please respect copyright.PENANApykMmfDBB8
110Please respect copyright.PENANALchaANykZ0
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."110Please respect copyright.PENANAjNzco6lyxX
110Please respect copyright.PENANAxaZne53tzY
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."110Please respect copyright.PENANA83rGlhjNw2
110Please respect copyright.PENANAVPXC2H0cob
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.110Please respect copyright.PENANAEk6KJda4zB
110Please respect copyright.PENANAgrIkrD44X3
"Why not?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAyEQ5xFgt2c
110Please respect copyright.PENANAYaYvVYGFfk
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."110Please respect copyright.PENANAIabMMUlqUZ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAI38JJDH3MR
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAHWE95AXPKP
110Please respect copyright.PENANAxBEekFS8nv
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.110Please respect copyright.PENANA2ueJ2IdhfL
110Please respect copyright.PENANAkpaFhC69ts
"Surely, there's a better option."110Please respect copyright.PENANAUNGf9gY2Lo
110Please respect copyright.PENANAO2ZEQDOKRA
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."110Please respect copyright.PENANAjdWDgDc1xg
110Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ5rf8JlrX
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.110Please respect copyright.PENANAeN8c1fLl30
110Please respect copyright.PENANA5qTtxpcQAb
"What if we spy from a distance?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA2pHSnhSPzd
110Please respect copyright.PENANARHeSvzU9L2
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAf7nTWRREjt
110Please respect copyright.PENANAvxw2E5fQji
"...Point taken."110Please respect copyright.PENANAV6KV6GWeaR
110Please respect copyright.PENANAXyApFI3t3j
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.110Please respect copyright.PENANAnUuF8kOlep
110Please respect copyright.PENANAnX82X4zat5
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."110Please respect copyright.PENANAPxoZuXj1zb
110Please respect copyright.PENANAoyyonNaZzT
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."110Please respect copyright.PENANArQOQsJxmie
110Please respect copyright.PENANA11RI4ygKGl
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."110Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6zSxfCsfm
110Please respect copyright.PENANA754CxmFwQR
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.110Please respect copyright.PENANA97GUQH7aVq
110Please respect copyright.PENANAi44um0OBqS
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA25gBoJRlzi
110Please respect copyright.PENANA0U7StcdxZM
We nodded in unison.110Please respect copyright.PENANAR1rr0JEIUP
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8jUnYKRd6d
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."110Please respect copyright.PENANA3YFECsGWbV
110Please respect copyright.PENANAKQDQmaxQG7
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.110Please respect copyright.PENANA2AywMknxhx
110Please respect copyright.PENANAu431eafldq
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.110Please respect copyright.PENANATm6JQoBxyn
110Please respect copyright.PENANAY5ooqI4ZXi
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"110Please respect copyright.PENANADAg23INHqJ
110Please respect copyright.PENANABTEr5n1qbB
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.110Please respect copyright.PENANAE4LiABnZeu
110Please respect copyright.PENANAD0qz0Xu4JX
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAnIbSmxYMMR
110Please respect copyright.PENANA6qARFZbtle
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.110Please respect copyright.PENANAB9TSgV0K5f
110Please respect copyright.PENANAKmfrW75Xte
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."110Please respect copyright.PENANAMNzhHCxGSC
110Please respect copyright.PENANAowNRUJbOtY
"Well... I won't deny that."110Please respect copyright.PENANAOicuHfVeHw
110Please respect copyright.PENANAYgJ79vBc9m
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.110Please respect copyright.PENANAFgC3bmkPMK
110Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ4xi168wM
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."110Please respect copyright.PENANATH7qXDGyL1
110Please respect copyright.PENANAG0vE5ZdQ3v
"Again? What do you–?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA6FWmnRqVf7
110Please respect copyright.PENANA3yGyCQw6g2
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.110Please respect copyright.PENANAnlO5MQepED
110Please respect copyright.PENANAUG9pHNNrPW
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."110Please respect copyright.PENANAsTxct0BlCT
110Please respect copyright.PENANAlpLioXjfOj
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.110Please respect copyright.PENANAZOatU5l8G3
110Please respect copyright.PENANA59xTgn07Yq
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."110Please respect copyright.PENANAkkD5xABCSA
110Please respect copyright.PENANA0L07tn3XgY
"I didn't ask ya that."110Please respect copyright.PENANAZMuaxP35h5
110Please respect copyright.PENANAFoXa4szQJj
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."110Please respect copyright.PENANA5CHdqYkMqo
110Please respect copyright.PENANAKCqSkeBiZh
"That ain't surprising."110Please respect copyright.PENANAIhQMGR4Oc8
110Please respect copyright.PENANA9xBFUHSacr
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."110Please respect copyright.PENANAY49JDIfu0v
110Please respect copyright.PENANAtMzs7TEMC6
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.110Please respect copyright.PENANA8KBI6rFLzT
110Please respect copyright.PENANAGy6U2FtglQ
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."110Please respect copyright.PENANAHUyYvHbJOl
110Please respect copyright.PENANAmhjOlvnIgf
"Yeah? Like what?"110Please respect copyright.PENANA4BE1FMvmsN
110Please respect copyright.PENANAWxf6T7vDCW
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."110Please respect copyright.PENANAv4bOpB7tGc
110Please respect copyright.PENANAouubfvAWG7
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."110Please respect copyright.PENANAeWHb8BnkPt
110Please respect copyright.PENANA0rk771o4Tq
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."110Please respect copyright.PENANAeWxpKxCMdU
110Please respect copyright.PENANAswBHQMtpwE
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.110Please respect copyright.PENANAxkXEc28m1l
110Please respect copyright.PENANA8xf7e10uev
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.110Please respect copyright.PENANAGAKe6vfwhu
110Please respect copyright.PENANAjx3ANqWPWu
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."110Please respect copyright.PENANAuaMkcH9iYg
110Please respect copyright.PENANAihZ8VDhcuH
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.110Please respect copyright.PENANAnvqxXFxvRF
110Please respect copyright.PENANANf00IPiOEU
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."110Please respect copyright.PENANAJtIjbgybYE
110Please respect copyright.PENANAoG2mwbdu0U
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–110Please respect copyright.PENANAH4S3bavM4s
110Please respect copyright.PENANAIfq2rFzDT8
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"110Please respect copyright.PENANAG05SIPQ7CZ
110Please respect copyright.PENANAfUk5kZdk9N
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.