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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4yQICQEo7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSprsXtG23
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlANRTleRaW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWg7giiohX
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn8CUuMnPk
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECB6XrfFJN
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcRj45EGhA
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mz5t1bQ1t
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcTpJbc5eA
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrcDjzWu8P
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeED2m5xAA
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKrwD3tk6x
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgGlgNNZLe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNMEJFc5lM
“Well?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ0yA00k7O
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNupH9BWhMe
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kV55hixru
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rCU6k76qE
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid5JvWhrUB
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn7Msj6LJH
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueT4lCKNQN
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1Q25KBUl
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHhDD6kajY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg08mX5jkvC
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwWRdbMqkD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu97sIaPSvd
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFlM8CgOxR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ38YFDlZs4
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LiiS0lDvs
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOqKpT8e09
“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…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybk8CQSFcF
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWs9ffKlPD
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiXYhBSV44
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQshzUGBIdK
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSHwEvEG2Q
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETteBB9Udz
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDsn4XtSqI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDPhU06QvT
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdOCPD2zLO
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSezWIww2S
“...Yeah.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50NRqRgx2K
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9ANJbPssm
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–102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC050ggoVeY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygh7okhr9z
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS3hxP4XTy
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ11oR74pEt
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtonk7QiqFG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf6UrsyF7f
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPj88juknP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXcgaVzVzT
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvb3j5kpTt
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWg5J95wzy
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZg639xeCp
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGNGm1S0ci
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfkSVexu5t
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzuZx2k9xr
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TexSQxTDQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0z6dgLm3l
“...?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcstMGgz7hl
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ0BtH5zNN
At that, I had to tilt my head.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmXoD5dGQS
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kIQpVnImw
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5wZutkDFv
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA73Bej13g
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZYKk3DfnV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaQ1vEisOJ
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOomq8xNNxC
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22G77bCCRu
“Dennis still ain’t here.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhiULVzveG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuTKGNBqfR
“...”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOpf67wd6G
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQyupUrb5
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKark6UgioQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xxyL7SaVf
“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–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ64KwZFs1I
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtwxGrAuAh
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyAaAIMfLz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUwddvUEk
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbTkDrnxyR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68JZTYaa2o
“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’.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDqbzRuSgL
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUbzShBR1z
“--!? W-What!?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBQagygH77
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoMr1J3mTh
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt0epVNqgR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTrMzEZd7d
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZM11bAIxz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8rLAlP8Yd
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJTMtbnbpB
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04FDYwZZm5
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54JCcnCf6N
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsd7AtUOZ
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. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n5AAElTcj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmsXjT0rlc
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe24CwkXS0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF2blZUPJ6
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpe2NMfQvI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX48R7A81L
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIz4aXdRPt
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtwgEWk1Uj
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zrFe8sp5h
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPLHMPhiS
“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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKq5UborjU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5DBcffvNg
“...”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HTnjAkS3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRQdxCvtgG
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbwmV6k3pV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tb6DsFBF
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy3VmdsW74
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5s2OFZeo9
“I-I see…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJzFA6Qy96
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG1ahSt9QQ
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vyyKiE4R
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeUsQuK97w
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwu1E6oca4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aCO06TNow
“You don’t, ‘get?’”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3I0QQqUtP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhqL5fnTOf
“Y’know, when–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n2PUmoPL7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW98Bqg7HfS
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAAW8UnfBj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi30oZX1Wum
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTlWH2p9Dj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYQRyAhKYa
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJZ4wSdKMr
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAQwUWpTG8
**SLAM**102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFn8bGdlb5
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724ItWjqPR
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDH2Gj7YV9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCyb3HK4A0
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vPp7T8v3z
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv67palXyBb
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAoUAHlY34
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG5eR4N140
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7NjMquZeI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSwhSeVfB9
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr6Bh45MYE
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYo5rmzARp
“M-Mister Dean.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb7vtynnds
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT8kb9ZdcS
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpHZndjugG
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“Yes, child?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJlQj5sGwF
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecDo5FhZva
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcpAFR1fBq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA3B7LBPHZ
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW4UpvnkCJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgvpPkbWyi
“R-Right.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQhXvNAfBs
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzpSlEvZnm
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd865OkGHi
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNyOvMZHoQ
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqRo81QChJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktsVjwvx3g
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6yDO9XY0j
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGfbzHjtjL
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5pgCuvDif
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscALenmBKb
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIuTqrcoUZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOWmgFSY1r
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4VcRaB6yx
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgfCdWXU5Y
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61vgHdu2T5
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1h9hYVF7n
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNtKOmWLAJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15HfkImJfJ
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EBrHikbi3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R2COoXl3t
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–102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexBh6wzfGz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm8aCOqNSf
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f76kXvpxX
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagh5ewD8Jm
“Haven’t you explained that already?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe43XwOW3f
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4vPtdIbkI
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCgFqcteJD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqv8cJXPbV
“What’s that?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVB7zRR7qQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d9BOKihWT
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcm9fVhR3U
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3nlp3JXt6
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHj5YjfiZm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJns42mILV
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:102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtGSieRT7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i4EaO2VnB
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaZPVOTR7F
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdZOdC5fxY
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4QF1QaUPH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN5FaHo87L
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3aThwZa7H
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAgiUIrsCT
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiQCAIIHhK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3psdnkhHgI
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFaQVmtv0D
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ774wTFP6Rc
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Krcfv7N9m
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEOoJ1MPl0
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnbFrjnvEV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFbMhAb3p4
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DtdSRoIHN
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkuRUnbVpu
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAIF3t0Bm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnfKwFgsum
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9A9rTxQJ1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnMH8xgRQv
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctO7YL3DLn
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYQgmRuSXS
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oxYAQgPZj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnFsKelAlD
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3CzZGNmbS
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEjxzZPAD0
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo7TUYRTa6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU04rFSyiZz
“I think it likes you, child.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV46HMPnM1q
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRv7L3hEYI
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG8j0yjOUz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIXOUZJ1PL
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRhyI8SQ5A
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdW3ev9tvi
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk8y4aqs9P
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6ZMheAESU
“Hah?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ4EuRCI7F
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSVWpvlFuy
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh49rozVXD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKPtmvoGGD
“I… smell like flowers?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1FJh5T3F
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1snA2kjHjc
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nYcViHcTc
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfJfCbpk2M
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxQstN2lq1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9GXu8Nmrq
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW856O4njZ9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAr8uoUzGu
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPy8gqVOrH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ59TK2n8i
“Really? I didn’t know that…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8jmHF7vvC
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xPC8GAl8b
“Ahem, moving on–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkVCJzNfUf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGaHTdxW5K
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfWJL1esad
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjM6T7uWco
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98p3PpGBnX
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7530MRt9lY
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:102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CWDDA974P
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPLOjYPWhw
“May I know why I’m being told this?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n50ATrchH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRbVFsgKnw
“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?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONNOHvwAFP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkVAanzhD3
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp10H9JLdtE
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUbrTiZn7V
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i9anV408b
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUo2BZmd5b
“My help, you say…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3tRoWe6LQ
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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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SR3RaJUNK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1AwuHd6Hw
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT6NEM4H3O
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VUxFLvK4q
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZDsc9wUet
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa8KgfzXZW
“--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?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAJObmPT6n
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6yivlYmoK
“...Energizing potions?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6aGX54ntD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFAzdFvJNh
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD5bbxPPWR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzakHCQy4S
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcsRGEWY7R
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkbG0I8f59
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPjDYwzRDn
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyatmbmZ2tz
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tJodULqQr
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKgWuuuZQF
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w5QL2XEcD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZshnQGQEe
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsROPLv8D3F
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgoyNTIcnI
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8dXFWY6l
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnbF0Vh6Jg
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXUg2DNxaT
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR8mtIpdUy
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvd0akTMIQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptIcWKpbvL
“Is something wrong?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY9QJkS3wJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyEvXFxuVk
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI5B607TQH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VzjbAPWaJ
“Well, kid–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfejkf86lvv
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzAxDV0ocN
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIFmeFD3LP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R0fEuA8Rx
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zvuRLEQBT
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XT2hX3gYn
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct8aveUEkg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLaMUEUFOP
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zJe4fiqAJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjTzLYYC0Y
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAAzo06z3u
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA6iKwIQ7t
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlQbTZw6vq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pAOV32fgP
“...Comfortable.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfrLEgIk6B
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLl0HKCYK
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVUuoJFLK0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SIXzztb33
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7om3XnCJ6J
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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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo9c3biXdA
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3msaXbWcw
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftMeohUwpS
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS5eGDeYyq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0DsHKkgrD
“...A little bit here.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZY7MDfx63
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgT4iBpXVg
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. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEmcn22aZv
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo4aMNjpkz
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7XTxtIPqC
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmepkItaOHG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaIuYKi4Cl
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru2JSgh56m
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl3S51odz2
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLJwHHWKLX
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“No time to waste, though.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFPQO84kn4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinJM0slKfr
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuhKyI7Ep
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyqG6Ayll2
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRVWYUP0Qg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsURO200ai
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEpXyPJ937
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“...Crap.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQYN58t2SU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12r5jj2TVJ
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRIkOqrCRr
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiJPdTdzcq
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Pd7ygJtB
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnQyrFrBeK
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwv06fE9Xx
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE206exvLT
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rl3fQC96o
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiBp3q8FAE
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pqVejzMco
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr3QRm5znW
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRnPfougjI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnMk7seUqI
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IY9kP5Wur
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjyL4iydkX
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOeFIR5nAU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vdtind4XZ
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuViHfTS2Mf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTESJd0WRc
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyevPMu7158
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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?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca4w5SS7yQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzC2pKmBYd
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBNdsSViQa
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnCxgoDhz4
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtnCGWaRqO
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CmuXFWXai
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL19IcQklVW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjSDmFkpaz
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3YdPISJXm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtnuNGkcMX
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoWMfiQVYo
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbRQtwFvJt
“N-Nigel!?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZQo51naNj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHwwrs0Spr
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPolfMZLvp1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhky9WzRAKx
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsE1VKCqws
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolGNezRFVi
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcTALj27wy
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxXyDqpL7j
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUX6iFFBKb
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXeMlJa2gN
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9okrzS8Nq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjZzhvBvWa
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqu20jbR4r
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n4mqUQQDU
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LU8YY2AZM
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbvvA9u9S3
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4uqvuonbc
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb63oWZBb0Q
“Is this… a clamper?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81z6lkqVj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiljABOaUX
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCMHofgjDY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA56DQvn9Vr
–
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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.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVIlKkWFDN
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFvWW1Hvgo
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEAbBk9mId
“That I asked you?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdOsICWfic
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XIc5VjnBQ
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgWbpeHyRk
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaoRYGXykE
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Nim4tGfH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OIFnnzS51
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAJd5LHar0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLJ3ghHwKd
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGtP80RxfU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiXkj2gJEL
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy2nirMjC9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG6ZPx9Z1a
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUizTWvODdL
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhr3VQwCum
“How did you–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqR60hzJCD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYil0l5NirU
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqThSl6iiV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPCwemEUux
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqrj7jFgWj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwQJW9Gxxw
He continued cutting as he spoke.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagUROA2Bzd
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY1gyEn0wK
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nJrfa0ZYG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOvLDVtaEy
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtjbiE8bFS
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyFACgmKch
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K7sRA9aEm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V3vevlJxM
“...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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIZBxy8K4V
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSZHMbpvcM
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqAkszDCvY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraxjOMRJr1
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn80pkQvaqH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDuzRTACYi
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68Cl0af3vQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd31j0peOYx
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB9UcYHA92
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASuDrQMheg
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:102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcr6fmU0ut
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR7IoktTf0
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiXiciTEBK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBXSSxwkPe
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuM4wF9FAe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZXvsC2YW2
“I… darn it, you got me there.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEg93lMvNp
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLO3E0VGJ
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVhmdBKCK1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3DUkkUWjs
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyKAKXdAAz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaCYEyoG0G
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyMFcDunbw
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Su4vNQFb
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc5h4eeFwo
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN3xhG9kJT
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYAwONd00s
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkiqOTCM6e
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN929gsfzSN
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZcChcl9AH
I looked at him with pursed lips.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkvVbVBaPe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTTPGCAsnC
“Why not?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8UEJwonu
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyakzx8rDu
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XmidZqCa6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahgfB4XQKX
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw4mqXeuTq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGwhNbHw4o
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ccur8oAm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxDewS8nUh
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgdJLiKBHW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWihZoOu0Io
“--!”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKCKa3aBYK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiau3oecEEC
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. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xyguECUIE
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTtR5xpP4I
“Did anything else happen?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcccg3lkb3e
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnYqM07UX8
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ovzt46gfR
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB3UgaP4Ba
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WtpvWPcO7
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cqX63n5vy
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3zHILLfVj
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGo3Ow4y52
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtWFgaNgE0
“Uh…”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nD7ndatpI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDTPZDwXFz
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3LHfx5Jom
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5HDkuutyl
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJHOklGdE4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEeaFmbdgU
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e8CQvudv4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Qqjh1XLr
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEhc9FdDsI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka088kACjt
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaPEmUNAeY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPrSOhqrGX
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLXzhgIR12
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC16kfL03ZD
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zN3bZk66O
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaaRQGYaCN
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeC0uNRh75
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpYuv1HvTp
“...O-Oh.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FLVuQdI5A
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3pv3xgccQ
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QuiOc9Rp
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoKXo8OuBf
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoBv5PwXrj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4aZe1yuGG
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJy6Vi25qN
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaOzqXjFId
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX5PpQm9e6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUTtLB2g7Y
“Make sense? How?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHXLHaYIQR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSRbkGWqq5
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtyv4cQZKz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EjkpkTXaX
“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–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQKpxUsQ37
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWMwCDbHHZ
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI1kUPO6rE
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6fHhiBSyV
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzz3FyH5st
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYALZt8fpp
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP7RpO4TqZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cIxv8grfL
“So she still fought alone, eh?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwPwBLTWxI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBuTTjunkx
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecM5ZmlvRI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wWZYYGWO7
“Relieved? How come?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bieibi7sq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOZc2HeimH
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsWNdmBgpL
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6WjvuLugC
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZshD3jJuSg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNDxhkn6Uw
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyeo7BcnZc
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2p2zXqwjj
“You’re probably good friends with her.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ds8JjbaeW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AuBP2eUG4
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAW8w033XD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwYW4YmHBn
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwRwJUGdMe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvi9LKWTsR
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Lo5fFuyZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nzaFhEAyz
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQmMXn0a79
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzLw7XVO9h
“H-Hurt? What happened?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDt8v0l5lF
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6iffZjU88
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK5VkkZeQG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lfhD42uQj
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAk85C74iO
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPYQmbp6V7
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH73pYhH05S
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTiA1V4MKX
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x2TfU7eyB
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLEB6eCVP5
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVvbZCq8X0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTOHpIuVBL
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtCt9DJ41d
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJuVAaFzxn
He shrugged.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3HRSwBjAz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wEJdb8OoU
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcJPNery8c
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXXWSPEnll
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDoCdEZduZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WaSopPzAH
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTlrLOcMw7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvvvP0OvRk
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUphM9qq9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3xg8MjZu4
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yL3nuzLHI
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1YnJGqBkN
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyZKcGliUZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUTY8aVIFX
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc9QXjBIT4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Kp9r01Io
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cwE7chKLZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcdMwzrQ6L
–
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–
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–
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUzTQLHUm2
“...Role model.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS7Aaorfmg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC0JpLSCxw
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvlLP2iUyG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ftQvBFbL5
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnUrC6wFmK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cUOUfVc3T
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z2aK91y4T
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktwx8VvB8o
“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.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDTokgumyw
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPLVfsjTd6
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8fsNSq5sZ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6z216V1S2
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBufAXCJnw
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxgLjq0qCo
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.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf3trJDAPD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehSJHeIiyk
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZYbAwsTsz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gC62wYrnk
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
