I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gfM0yZJlL
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"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVw9q12KHZ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdoU9Jtv7L
"How?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqpRyhNuiM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRynMRjbtZ
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw93mEsFKC
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66SNJtYKvX
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjG1TEuJm
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"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG56BHbWQxV
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1QgWUXzS3
Pars turned to answer Juke.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAddj1eAkQ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzuD8M4iVk
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcG2sBJmKb
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqWqOvxegE
"That so, eh?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOPAXXetVS
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEvBihdssg
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhXWeBmpfG
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVikhW3DUsN
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleePWYyxuv
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpxooSbeLs
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1aIJT6aYk
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR50xfrywW4
"Hey Becker, how's the–"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmncPQCxOa
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2QEpdXJzk
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zViI1rqwV
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQzJw15cz7
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vj3cpLUpc
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"Are you a kid?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq8MERx2Cr
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"H-Huh!?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHjC8F25lr
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An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2dnAxhFJs
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfqLxGvezc
"I said, are you a kid?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpndUoNAX8
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"I-I, yes, I am."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypI34iuPu1
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He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20fouesnQo
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnOg7hmusR
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZi8BHjiV8
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsfz0Q1wmR
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPFfMSti9g
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMoAgVVDcG
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpuaGFqGu4
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vT6GYo9b3
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnHSHiAZhX
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"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnF1n7Hm4f
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8kNiBluCw
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ40uUpnT21
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"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5w45wg5eF
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrbSKvDoJ7
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOTwg6zF5S
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"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2e5jC2FyW
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"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLJYwOvS5B
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLXc0H1BIR
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrtFYP8tIE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Mr5kfdU0
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXDqVYO5HV
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A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K7ZuQpYkl
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"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ5AdXIRXr
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I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8CQD7aRbt
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvSUb4qSMv
"W-What?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslSRwgJ8hR
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"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT2WKmkdNY
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNXEok8Gbf
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEbaq4E0Jw
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WF9i2Jels
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRYTtpr6eh
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUpfCOKone
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgAAI8CepX
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBJ1JLrtsO
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kE9XwbKHh
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR4EIK0tzR
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XuvpFTDHy
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8K3hJXSZ3
"I'd never."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisETNa6u2x
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqDcXtljzw
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtksgd4SF8
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I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqdUi02Lhd
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzsPmqCBek
"..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wUnvnZ9JE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6eA7yAQak
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Zuz5fbB6
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTCtt19S1Q
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUSa5QOakA
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9suU1J7Nn2
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1J5Wmpa20
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFPILWKf4s
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The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF39KSfc09E
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"What did you want to tell me?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfNvbQWYNQ
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"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NpFcGS5m0
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I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9RsccMWaq
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhY4Q12q0K
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gyGSks75J
"S-Sure. What is it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNi4jPYscc
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"Do you like fighting?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5vqKs8r13
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB98TRITAX
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCNejNCOc9
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueR2Tx0lzy
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeq7xfUkvq
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3atxkPkWle
"Then, why do you do it?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyjef56lpM
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"..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh45sk2x9U
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsyiiVUTIB
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36W8CUAjML
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"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOVdHqQG56
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"...In that regard, I'm very like you."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqnnSrin1U
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Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgULSyJorI
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"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lQAxjLlxM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvLIPNZx4V
"..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4DG71I4I4
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuxs9NIdHn
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawwCvCfXFk
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bSNtOc7TE
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQgoZDcZCY
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfhe23a2GP
"...W-Whaa?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmzJkm0yvQ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD2sg4tczJ
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUqMSLAKpE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrfMMyW83
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa1Vfm2Ul8
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafaG6nyga0
"It's... it's okay."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkkgSAFgM8
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fMYl5b0jg
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHpfQxxV2g
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V3hxZJz4I
"..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQjN2niSsv
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmE5ZN1QgT
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmKG93gv0W
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXfoeKAE4i
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6t3UtR51
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT2e8jOD1i
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1dWoPJsFP
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKemvB9oO5
"...Y-Yes."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7YTw2J6g7
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8XF0EcU87
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVlM06w6kT
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7XyarhRwe
"I see. I see now."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GRsBXUCLC
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9jTxYEgRv
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu7dLZQIMM
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zj01iegoz
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSLWuNUsOt
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWOx0LENb6
"Like, um, like what?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9iX5wJTSV
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYRyQ73BfJ
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV0rnlnvGR
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhAWEpKY4g
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11TZ5OgbyP
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuolCgZrxRf
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo6pkYgCOE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCMCZY85wH
She paused to scratch her head.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZt0KmmoQs
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYDFKINpJ4
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3wif9AerZ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRO9IQYMz8
"I... I, I'm not–"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lp1kSzJdW
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfWWx1sNqn
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYBLeAPzLc
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPl1CXcgzA
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGkt3m0Ah7
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwRd5OKNyA
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnVDtp02lF
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3yaz4hzeH
"On the right?"112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYsMidHjGv
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD08eEHDdPS
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmhP5gV2kZ
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtMbMZr62h
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi67fC2AFX
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9waPOzaTo
"..."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHUBJUL1GG
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMzCnkGplD
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBgTpwroqy
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE0nT5YrnJ
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OMbgFpK7J
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYFtWcloQF
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMtssDkTFu
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mDeqp3ydK
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2zkNmzzMC
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUdfvd7kTS
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y5QN6ghkO
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcg0jEpjiO
"...Maybe."112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJtSKFngS4
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbqpn8a3pK
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI5wttBmQE
112Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEub9NIyuS
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
