Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnp8GXChNt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeQwgTV8HE
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lhWnCqe9w
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24LfUYQ4AM
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd9hDSUF35
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzfltbhMFU
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RC9aHBqJZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxv0scjgI2
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdPV9V0XGe
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9WSVDB80P
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyICD7ZTKk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOgaMje1zM
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaJtr9fqPj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95Od3IILD
“Well?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLitf8PfiIq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFFa4NeWgK
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0o3nbBNAx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO82V6zLeMc
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsCAFzufLG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY020c0xBC
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVqOrr8bwt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSSmPbZvky
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3YdN5coI3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ogkW1wPmK
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4JpX65P3B
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0SElsst51
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XWXq17WzK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePfi2ZXiJY
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0by1j3cMH5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpQ3GIHLJE
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAd8wB3dIq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOqFwQjN1U
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji9Jvp04kJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEJy7WklED
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY3xYCakYb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdNBaPcMzU
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhRDqmF7SU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFYzVwJ0Ts
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Z3xFVM8F
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wPbeuHC89
“...Yeah.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeEIV7Ngdx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA2YU39NhT
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC4IAljI9k
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDKrFlRjxe
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl0xJiELz8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CfkkSEb25
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqV55gSC7l
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2pXwoHbUe
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOZd5P9mIr
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMt3DU5QNO
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwTdShjePg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyiNbI5TIZ
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0QnyEIiQW
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcEkpt7MOp
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkQl2VdDtG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90e1WYLEOO
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucuECdqpio
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDpLe6pa3I
“...?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFg1zlefPs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jIOIRo2QG
At that, I had to tilt my head.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AwdqAEA3D
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGSY7ux2Js
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhRGXPXD6x
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS9hQspxOT
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yFeP56Kd8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxvrQfBaGU
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESAdBnXdHe
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOLDBwuolh
“Dennis still ain’t here.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsyTlEBVcX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNyJKCcpbd
“...”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKWXOUZ4gE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcfAFJeHX7
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBTruWggyX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ONNc4wb0q
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwy8G26A5o
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYfnklCGId
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkzYhNaAMz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzRyLBJDzv
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi1TijCd3q
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YJ1Yk0Bbg
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuHteQYMcH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Txoi31Rlb
“--!? W-What!?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPQZxELR8Q
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSu3UgMdRN
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5EN15TT6F
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcQludBfzg
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa72moiuzq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBNe7b2QU1
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoUTt0bmBR
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pEQDZHgNu
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCQCqyNWeF
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY33qLWnXO
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFRIxMclNA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERwVrKoh1F
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ960LCoAVku
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQhieb0fFP
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNu8fTMZ4R
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmWe4ptgCC
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuk8P4q15X
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28YKx2gQ42
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVCl5Idlgn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5revXlY6lc
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkcCaAMBFj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVavXsvRVgT
“...”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhO9fRQyTl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwgw5SwJlN
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXAKVVU03v
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VoAbRpzFa
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZFoEhHltc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLHnGDVJVW
“I-I see…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggyw017wYm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xK6491OPO
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rqQNcnspN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uHWchwKAU
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxelaZqDac
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAd6C45tow
“You don’t, ‘get?’”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpXoUnJIxm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdfV6S2t0H
“Y’know, when–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKCwVomZtr
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSlmAC3q9J
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGK3FaFSdK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcQopi6OkS
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4KYKEFhHT
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJRhNP7gkN
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Yz6S6pbc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz5JGLVL91
**SLAM**82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX0j6lcLFi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIlBA03Xce
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpKUnPNgIa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDDy97uDrH
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dTYoc6tPY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNbxkAcc9T
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyql25wrqjI
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWjc6IwzWx
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4s2O5noWn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvESHdeOWe7
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwgDjUbQcL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGUbXwRwGh
“M-Mister Dean.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoqeM46GCh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87FWxnwAoE
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL56XlZ1PDG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSw3ePXStP
“Yes, child?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4p9Az1ofL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMzLEDQvsa
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZUrczChCM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjM15JMyEM
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFD3b8kn3E
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTQrJaPdFe
“R-Right.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf05beO0a00
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cULutcTTQ
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvei0FlEA7h
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwIN1iN061
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQooyMGTFLc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7vv8Wdnpe
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JQ3t2Mcda
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRXt2fAf4L
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRqfexautD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bS9xgbof6
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWPxG0Du7E
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq55WbRRhB
–
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–
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–
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Va23hnF28
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtEOrpkS5w
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA9Fm1Vmwr
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNP5k5yi3R
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MQjviMhGO
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV68ar8WtHN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa7IRk7ipS
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLv1VRRMFW
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8SS6i7C8k
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggjMva95w5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtdFZiPViG
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN7Hn6G25h
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2Y3rsLHF
“Haven’t you explained that already?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk37M60Mw6x
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv6XPuqPia
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEuv1Ot9zh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnBiqQ98O1
“What’s that?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrsUcAAWwQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bVhB9qd1N
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GfMvy7tB1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA1FP1TxRx
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3WlmqcDET
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE3V2BqogQ
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwYt2msKjZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mq0G7SEL6
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQtgn4dUa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUqGyFQkRp
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxmWG8Nw6R
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS2OWl86hu
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqKmILwxw1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcyxucw5cr
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c7adk670e
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYUKcd07Ih
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZNpsZBqb3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpRWYGQDIj
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1j3nYAg3V
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG4nMB2ItK
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lUyOjbhbJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCRH90gDpA
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RAAKOVAQw
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndg98fenc6
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomYva8ANo1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ezY80SfiW
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnpF1t73B
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB0LCCF3qb
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BgFs0L2Zj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIoeMnIclO
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOgw5qUr4G
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfduoJKpP4P
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJdSaBRfyy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnVRDzjRIO
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC1qa2FfQP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjCDvYbiW8
“I think it likes you, child.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSZh3AAMai
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kEixTPLWM
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VPyXQmZVN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE8wCNVwhS
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK1HMRb4uW
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMH571EBOL
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfl1JdGPTa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWChZYMyAwr
“Hah?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7XDL5IdAF
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWPv6DLI5s
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZySULmYMC4
“I… smell like flowers?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF4u7rAYSD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu7spDLT1c
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpfVjcmpPo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlut3oquNdw
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EIeiu0H37
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4z0XoFaaL
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaOdowOBXt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxcqZq3Soy
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8iDfbqUzZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJdyyhfRxa
“Really? I didn’t know that…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAghHjtaF2e
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“Ahem, moving on–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWnFoS510s
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LyKpBAbwc
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW33TrW6QVL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawE6xwfYsZ
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFxLGheabo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLcKiFMkAS
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNqmuFTJwP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVgtqmEHy9
“May I know why I’m being told this?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBA0Ilf9sB
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“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ564SHtwabV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0UnHkjF0
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUuzHAyDYm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm346wnCiv
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfVZIOMFC7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHHnBUeonk
“My help, you say…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD6QKf33l2
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOnLIK7Xdz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjs093FA22
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YDpdp43GC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR8xIWUso9
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq95p6nTcJS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3BZGJGJOv
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaGMgw1QkN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLVAX0U2g9
“...Energizing potions?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFsns4jVW4
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfxfzLPF9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45asiA2vZr
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nNVa1OwA9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBiRm9WG2G
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSfZ8gau0y
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1naPBG7X
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMbbSb7ycp
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI3X5AYkVD
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEW8RmjaN2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyOC0tVi7C
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9oVXl83N0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYedBZEOAui
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4NHxoxKbL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Li9WjS36I
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzC4EJoNgn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg22hN4O5U
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDNpPcyqFA
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“Is something wrong?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrIlyFYHbl
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjmgPFtxS0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuBu6AwGGc
“Well, kid–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZyx69YMhK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE83WlriTo
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSZBXMrwr1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zUgGNSVY
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5L1kuiV6Y
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJv7H75vaD
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnxIS5Y6cU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75n7s0AyND
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4buAenBK0F
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQtT375hnk
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEDvnzdVce
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPn2E9OoYm
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5vr1d9Bh4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrx580Hz4c
“...Comfortable.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWHa4wpkaE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNBCnu9E3
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO2ZmEAht4
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjihtOVOdT
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–
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QA41n5u97
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhezCz8brYk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dD3K7dSSL
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgLii7ScrB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWecjR4BYuo
“...A little bit here.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubXAFKUvzL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinCV9sdxxq
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZdQwYjdFN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaT84rnjTm
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtfT3Kazc4
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsM9DvITDJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRdyg0f4zI
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz2FpmuR03
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I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLtP1LXVXy
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“No time to waste, though.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckQoV4wXWX
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikEBapA2Vm
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ykb2VaR2l
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4VF7G83mx
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“...Crap.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LHKoc1vQ6
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DfWGZqVxh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0vDFAc1Mb
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu48tSkl6Nt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGLVh7UqEU
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkhVKAJnvZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fp8X2RRlG
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumMpkmzMw8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOInJLfKTUy
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdHpMe5lXG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRcPmWChDU
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC0dL5LKes
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWTQKKwJzG
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcChiAwDcm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1fNfOcUOb
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE1wzo8IkX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMa7POqp1
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfVTTVNFEs
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV91X7131U
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jZoQUlod8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSjW5LfImy
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop01Dumryv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzbsQhAn4p
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MxupUMgUv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMJLP3hwlW
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl66OjXjjt5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN8249uy3J
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IuFHsWJTX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKerU7KVHmI
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0O28ywTj6
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“N-Nigel!?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDBMllb5Gm
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XCZrnDXoy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaroRWEBChZ
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0kqFuNYt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1sX1pzdx2
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GHofNtqVP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0CBefBwVQ
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E10ViDrmT
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwGM9Cp6K2
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII6z7Ql5q4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS1kA3Nhq3
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIEUxQujXz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGFy9Rrx1O
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo7haPWpJy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dZALsctPx
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd3J7ufOuF
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9giVJalOo0
“Is this… a clamper?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BIR07xf7y
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u87BHXsJg
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft6axqeDdJ
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–
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEv6mROAEt
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef7dqTnly9
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“That I asked you?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LlQAiWjX4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM4STdE3U7
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRCKHtLBq1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso4RbgBHTl
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsiGXdnji4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWDyVHdjrt
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDBylprUfu
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO5hBCl8cB
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCURggWLEl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUmiz8qo6H
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM7HgnUg4A
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWwVMxBm6y
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjsjPLo7UX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHqrR49isQ
“How did you–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxmpPNbmxA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYMrrPQP5N
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu7On14fu8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2AgFxxzXK
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTjn6rjdji
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3mZ3ApDTC
He continued cutting as he spoke.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtgvTwtEIA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0tQW7KQC
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vmWvwVLM3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3TLoD4Bo
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEllY23cJl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bi1bESoVL
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgS2JFMRWi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PG6lplIqG
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYvCL7YcFi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdtUc8Uct6
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Qgg6VJZ7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepw5LTrjfp
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedZzDZgYga
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMALdWF1ivU
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0qbTVXcBa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGRH8AMiJn
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB06W7pdXY6
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENap722cr0
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwevUzwsyCx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbz6ymJo1n
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYT0Bsf2f4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4DEqQBTcU
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWKZ4yfbme
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKSk6zAMKv
“I… darn it, you got me there.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JIi1oSi8g
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYDZQWi95S
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimem9Zx7GP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtHqmwTU4
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ou3U44aC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFBIDbIgad
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ADmMUpPK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn96h1RoCa
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXjhcHLejg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYdkivnixU
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxivOJsfZz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0gvkneGoM
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjnKwVMntW
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ohBWt30eh
I looked at him with pursed lips.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI2dDohMd6
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiSFeWJXOg
“Why not?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXfHtxPS79
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFDdRJfItA
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebBK4U7gdK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYA2FdBjUB
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79BuHm0hh1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kncxOVGHx
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ4tuIfpWk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvsto3tXLO
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaY6ElSgmv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYFEFTSRa8
“--!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6sTR1gnAn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt8qUI42v0
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wi9LoAXge
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rdWGeD4CY
“Did anything else happen?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepYOFKHTIr
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUSseC6GRS
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbWQmBIvKh
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpFdUazG3i
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWRpwOTjmL
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1ChtNz1Gw
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS7uu7b40g
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGKU57vVi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoSGrVWZIH
“Uh…”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVwpF7i73e
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIDOgMNPDb
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HH8yge5AV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhEqIu9Kzp
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKtXmmt1lo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZRKrdUPMc
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFMc3c9is2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHRanDL7Jt
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8UTWvMNeb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd2ugSCSXn
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7UwfKbDb9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lPJBSxRZr
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjFjOY78HE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgCYy58hPl
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aJv48XeiZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQHxIHBZeU
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwav3R53FrS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZucgwpWGo
“...O-Oh.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ3xV9g7nE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl3CqH0Z1V
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLBGioyFIP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vAjCSk0tq
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDi2a7LJV9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxOqji0WCp
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCXJ0aIbUf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgo1zDnyxe
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQywibOhnLD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKlUcsOn2V
“Make sense? How?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzJX2cMqIt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpasrehUF4
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PHnkYNDYY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvwPcHoRYt
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHJNJIIO2e
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5q8VhDcHb
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP9tfANYU7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7UDjSfFMB
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxiI1X6YBU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bUTrGFWyj
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7hTBG5E1P
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1RPIzEmeX
“So she still fought alone, eh?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vya50SwVV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ2DmLELE4
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBfqdJBiX7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAjvtU9Nt0
“Relieved? How come?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRGsZSLFDy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PeXmZ8cDS
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiTdnL77lg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNZjQQoK1E
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup1e72pfZS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gQfvW3Esh
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3PlxLcYUz
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“You’re probably good friends with her.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjsuDwHYWM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR7k8q55Bu
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz0hVEAvdd
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNFKDe5Hd6
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGyH4WlHqv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo5nraZFqZ
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1uHanW4RC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWCRFPLbQO
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fyZym5P2s
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnaBHxrsMJ
“H-Hurt? What happened?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K2o84lYIP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkYRH8rm3u
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrpLf86T6X
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RKUIDPMsA
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhga9tkFQK4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTsQxLCxFo
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3j33uXqRG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvBRa0zGsq
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpccEU75BC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws40FlBRkH
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmPRQ1AQ64
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN7D1XvYRZ
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3lc4tHwOJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3sKiAQJ1s
He shrugged.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qz0TqIsHx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2BdnQgkBU
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxTlwjS4uE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhk0iWBCo9
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDyIFY5Gfq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyObtmrwKxa
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK03bwQse2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeRGAomMuJ
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Pw7yDavQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWIRni1rlb
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTUzlJqWLh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKK0jw1hv9
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcFT02ubsx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTJmEmhlFK
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7cfihuR92
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo4IcLsD8V
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxdDsx9tRi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXQVnNoaJQ
–
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–
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7lGRTY1Oz
–
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwbI17O9Kr
“...Role model.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SFbIY8BVE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74IjgMjpvj
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWiPfeTNIs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb34sy7HZEq
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRggAvlP8Ov
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4xH1jaYWz
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfzZrvfwfH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TxNJVcCwA
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJivNhgoUwO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sFGLkXQeY
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSy1t3S6Um
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdgQx7pivv
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTj4FlOvAD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG3QSo3hdH
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGcDRWvXDv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqM3UPQeii
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWdJkjZc8V
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlCkyQF2Hx
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
