The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWHpeKMtKT
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjASrVuE2y
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp5aB7ntQN
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMekyS2iEG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtnwEmP9ry
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwwAzfJ3Qc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPyfZsaseP
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE7Th0bbwO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlIOjKg9bc
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJuGJxaJGM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bqqq6wN31
“...”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp1U247y7F
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq614diEPP
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtIGnqBL0o
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZKi1s3wx2
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHNF65F3qQ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28r7UYL3Tl
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFDqqYygPo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl4jHNhlld
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ602aiWRawT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjutkI6gl0I
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LFi6oSqqr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn5iZw6aFX
“...”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEJ80hnZhl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ20WCSOqa8
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidHzWZq9m5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9nQdJ3lc1
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM28kmsJu6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡussgGTwzL3
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabdjmjx3x3
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87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYmN3JnefO
Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPixS4BT7eA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfOjQYoARW
“Yes?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyCFsgxWoB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMgysHt9xs
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLFiqmAhLW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECaEf0I6pr
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIxL4Kk6Am
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiKEhaFHkh
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoFLCNmuQK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbbmYFPXpH
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81ujTTadSH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTPztBDzJm
“You made this in eighty minutes?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSBejvI0SF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS45BxN1pm
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF7RkTsU9y
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qaeH2zwxj
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOTIOak4sF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETvThUCDD5
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOxe5MkCup
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbb6Z7vRjg
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwBXkY1pcl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxutZCbAxfF
“If you insist.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBk6eecNV1
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMCN1KfUq6
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gj2mc3HLO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TqSCWHn3W
“Kenny?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIh5GCBN8k
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfxSB6OuQJ
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIb3pEZObU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZZ72bRdaD
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxWsCqPfG4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4SPYlTMJB
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBCgAlKlMV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdLK1z2JFg
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGD6QkmLdh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilaokyVQ8V
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuAKbhr3VO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUZDHG71Ii
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLOjJsbSYf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTkkcSk6hV
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw3t3Lwn6N
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eFHzFs60i
“I see. I see, I see…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE3NcvUKzS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkZWQ3u96z
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyXIHocsp3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHcMHkRSqY
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvYZnCoGPD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOVxyIp9XA
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9d19WvoQV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkorku0TGV
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2lyvLx9CM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQQ8tqJtF0
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMB6HQ7HP5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN3wm654QM
“Please?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1oDXjsyx8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEal0zzFKtr
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56mg1JwjCv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XfmE0tP40
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVrBkHHep
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN8FYZyhOz
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz30200xWKb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUlozjGjE0
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRxTg6qb9J
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JF5jzqCnE
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4ACCswmCD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn71o3ukz2
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YYkMOgacu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8OtCl1tjX
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFmBytudjD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ9aAXW1yR
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskjIlXJ0Ni
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaPeeVpXac
“I started young. That’s all.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJOEKaFS6g
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs6A134njf
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPz4Uiz9ZI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UI9DO9YUf
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMGuTnO7kI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfUpmKD1x9
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ylmvhc0MN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5xMpq7j1D
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIqkUCNCOD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawzsuAlZYV
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxukVmkzeGo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7vc9IJDNb
She jumped and then waved her hand.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qMgHnQ6cJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvqrKL35Zk
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbApCL7P03Q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkKMmggy5x
“Right.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgD2zQZeGY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nVxamRk0F
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2L7cgdbJK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMWXMqX2x0
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhZUQVNTCH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAR05e18bB
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbydyBz3Ed
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9r8ImtzNE
“I– Wha!?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPO3khz3Zv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE78Jegva8Z
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCQfjWWiEU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgatD1m73p
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWqzv7zwIK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWfU1XKOzI
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Eenf3sKz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mNdaCkF2
“Your own… peace of mind?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFji36nBcFg
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NbGhRRXD
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzpqp6V67p
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5PhWPWLmo
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvExMb3HXs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2efRZwEh8a
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdiWaETlYi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA6GK0KSux
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Iz77DtSlj
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeQrLkeoKu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6dYTo92gU
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn7R8Rg65Q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9UkfttY0C
She shrugged at my comment.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDSrCabJke
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKUCKiBGNE
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJTIsKUo0k
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZoAFtFS5o
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroXGLZGVjI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Eh7KsfHW
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx4UvZ4ioW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexwCcJ1jZH
–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXYLNMGt4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6VmzUWnda
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwjkqtFvGt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSusJkxTdA
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYFeFk06nU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30kx3wi23D
“...This is ridiculous.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMDGsGa0mN
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58w6MdaFoq
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsakaoXUJf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapEI6p1txY
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy1eXrtXwU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFxxZ5mezQ
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwzG3XVdKb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiCGWvzI21
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGLqEMZ6IJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2V49w4Iei
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwtfTzcb2i
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkljgPWiu4
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cD6fYxOfO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ3Htn0VPq
“...Hmm.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cUHjf9ehT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBzhtPFOgT
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57BfFamBGP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOHnIV39c6
“Do whatever.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcXuZHUcub
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcHflrYuln
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZbTMBYY7O
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbzNvtkRj8
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkFGmkR1Tz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhnkajhJ3X
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6gGsWwIQp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf7mjy76ub
“D-Darn it.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJHAIHBEWu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffRg2u1ngW
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx6Cq3Emik
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YtiiRnUJj
“What are you doing here?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XQs0Hz8En
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCKXrhZoRX
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ibmp0pNuF
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GY1EBA2zI
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9fFh6D75D
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8rbtruUec
“...U-Uh.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDdJyNKwhO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjBkWSPfGL
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH11k99mevq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KnWxM768T
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2hyoZc9Wx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u0U8xMZPY
“I… I-I.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1stRfrNNqf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyicprPAJzD
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU21jHWl9VJ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPs9rYdEO1
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHaGN0u83G
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHyfcLG0WU
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzkb0PyvSE
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ7N9ocSiT
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOkDTwhWw8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbavOrydwPO
“I-I’m here.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Y5ZjcHCt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3FHiCFltZ
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRWnmOTOH5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9a952yOcI
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOfvpvsT48
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkGGmdTFmy
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhbKLXm5ab
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92AdCfhCfy
“I…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldbqNqqaPO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWg5YANXB7
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFUYJJ7uH2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcUWdU0laZ
“Hello, Rover.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdw0llQLPy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lfIBmdj6W
“Hey, Kenny.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4g4rmdPAY
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT5R9etE2m
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1PghZ4dYp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8H6KnTqor
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInlqlNV5vZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7MA9bbWK6
“Cut to the chase!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvZgOsCLYU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxI0qYYwsX
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpssdlGdhOs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD14trWj5i
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSRzFKtNNr
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyCncNr0Hi
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHPdgzirbp
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdSxccnNU8
“Y-Yes.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS0YUOzJmy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjkAw2RAx2
“Now who told you to do that?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOUzp8OJlb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuwj3bwULK
“W-Well–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B5j67CsHC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukI3tftNdK
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ytp920ERV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCGI6wVnJo
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzfqQ9bpVy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhUUnlEYf2
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWljqRGaht
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDdgu65CT4
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe15HE7IyE2
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2F2Q4d9F7
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc6rgLySYM
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxfeQjkj2
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh81vFA86p
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXwhLnZgwv
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXwq67hdP5
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLVR6tHCE
“I refuse your treatment!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKp1qFGAHC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwd4BnkRuK
“H-Huh!?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGo1ELuZJK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaIeFVAxJC
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4LrhpgHSh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAxMRKTwh9
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxHHaR5tKk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3O0MvfgTA
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1S3VJFVWs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NddhSzKTA
“I– Wha?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEMLKLXNYO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsofXmpXHw
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQVqeSDquU
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu3VE0qMlM
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxHBDPqJtG
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3SDa4goHt
“Stupid? Weird!?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KWxG0w6de
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld6XPzjHtq
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSantmkZTo
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLw3Ehjn0y
“...”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxxRFR3fsH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljZDzFRO5X
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx4qEc4ZFk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHMUhfykRH
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUpGJq4tnA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxk1xdm9Cn
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJJlQqMwBl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBGOW8EYnm
“It’s because I upset you.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVOp8dvADV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtb38EcqyQ
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG6lIupKOh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW0snLsgsj
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93xZFOqFe7
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43SSh1X9Ee
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUxvOfEN7h
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTdrA2SI8H
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUlgQ5jpTi
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzMmISlnj0
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCmf7avuLh
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EVPgdJUBA
“S-Sheesh.” 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCVLJRKoyn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWxozcogTj
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB22u6RUP3
“How do I use this thing?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS7RsUaVFT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BID3HJFOh
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpX7cxgatA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqu0DvTeAc
“Drinking works for me.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJWq6YIn4g
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe01F0zFKFg
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyKjF61qEl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0wqnTDpOn
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCkS2fZgya
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KG0nQhO5r
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeYhKy5MRS
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VDZwDuRAj
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr8ZmeGgVC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREVO8sxt46
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebBi8MkiWZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L284rVmXH
“Whatever.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj97DO89fj3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjNidGW7Sm
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAdCtqPhxw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43bJ7bXIry
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWoeO6LUaI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BT4nSHL9G
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qHDuhxOoH
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOsXLTkPYi
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXa3PisgFA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrapDBrIHN
“Leaving already?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kmuEdp92J
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGFF8JkOjK
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2MYrrvwiz
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHKIyyvV0o
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPbh987PZW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpvEx5BrQs
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mNUnbF7rv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCOsZV3Hqm
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUmdCDkEAs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNhJuXeKsA
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEK0yP9Hqu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMa33bmnYZ
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu1RLB2OXC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLoUjEGzue
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93up3HugRZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49YXM16i3L
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPEFXK9Vhk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NmxxSNRdR
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTilgdCMk8Q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwZkaNXVKD
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu365OwwfP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtlBWgVE2V
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wrDcUX4XP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3FyWv0USI
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuadne4RHI
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZbEnopxBQ
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0aMs8sucu
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1bqKXBZmK
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUGEPXsZhn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7K6pLi2eE
“H-Huh?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Rs0EnqOO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTzmEbNYNx
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ZnPEfsg6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Xm0m9sUT
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1wcz9K9j4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26GAqS2kb8
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDyeOMm8HB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54gdfGMYKM
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT1Z9Mp2C9
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWvXzouGeJ
“I’m n-nothing so special.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8s7HZtAte
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mIluMjTpQ
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHO0ugbVWq
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M2UNf5g0o
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zg1pB9XD3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAIav5ncms
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUyc27cHCt
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmJnyvIXVD
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58AuyFRmvR
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhwkrFWZXK
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYzCWotU3s
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0mCnYtR1d
It took me only a few 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7diO6W513l
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmURNkaH2z
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeg7RRyp7J
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGsRlXecTW
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NnMlaxxP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFLKLMeGF
“No, really, Rover.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf6l0R9Q1a
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrirGPoFrX
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm0314LvMy
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilU9hBBDD0
“I think I’m just lucky.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV84HF0uAZn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7OsZeNJZy
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHAck09oX8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlukow68T0
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbDMDgz8KV
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2yyH6Adhd
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJZ0rNEc8X
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqDeVnf4EZ
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Nr7IfUs6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVoVVgmwJM
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLRp2Nl08D
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCx7sVPhIb
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaibNWofH7i
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xYprg9e8g
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeDBRHhaG5
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKnnTsF5cs
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P2v8IqbQc
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSzVgg2EcW
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb47PgjYWw
“D-Don’t rush me!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYfRJRfGlj
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2BUbQ9Ftw
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJkqy0ePD8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QAVQ9Dwmi
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoE5auqCsZ
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVMpvtcJtv
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CwqhJDEiu
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6RELEwbLb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1p4cmUuJj
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT41jxx28T
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGZEyfMCjy
“I didn’t say anything.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWshIbAN7wO
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjUxEc98Il
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuXNSiuSl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3F5XhWbwW
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmxQphZvJK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NDES0Ewzt
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWTZFCO4MP
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfadRLncwwT
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYHn7e7dq4
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsZsbV0319
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOXHV38nAk
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrdRkddLZo
“Told you all I did? What?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWwsc5Vmby
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnkzG7nw3K
She was caught by a wind of fury.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq6b7477V6
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMtBA5HQiy
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVavPgDyMP8
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGMm9ilCaO
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIDMje9Tpn
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IFprvJ7NY
“What’s so funny?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzMSjk1Hih
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNTLDuDBwT
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBAZNoi8eD
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFCeTTIk6z
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehV6vvTQdm
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OQKFm9WCM
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5in0NoYtiA
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTnMgkmbJe
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg491DbCXPT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNEGhvgRQP
“A little crazy?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zi42G1xiB
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLBM7GXeIA
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IiXQpGVwb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxzbEdrRuV
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPyO0wN9Dl
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWebMLIbDGl
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR07sY6ZIu
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“Well–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGoQ2Xoo81
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKxhD3qS7Y
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalrhNmACDK
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVv22RgvPi
“I–”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu8lL19T0q
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRy1n76jop
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvk3wymXkc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGYOUyK6o6
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0JEXJxEsd
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UjTdGelOm
“See! I– huh? You do?”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq5zrHo3FR
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJdP1mOTqh
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TOBm9pGyx
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP90ITGHMW
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzkA9jcyim
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVYIG6uoza
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRtDMSnKLf
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBqv7XU0R4
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSIJ11Jt8s
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXvDzp2g5b
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrtAXXuCjc
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOARHaCuaHq
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0RP99HSkm
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45KEDwX8Br
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBHx8ivrUT
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSVQsg1Cro
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wtTHlni1D
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEOjtSPLnY
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“Ah, right.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6lWF7z6nv
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9D6LwTruo
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzhKWba9oQ
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX61OooWICC
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQUQJYJ4ND
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpk4J5Vwly
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYagMMzychU
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW8I6rM6wb
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRb9gbGp8P
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ903mO0IdJQ
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“Wait, one last thing!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3t9vudVEL
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHKdvYxoG3
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH3mtrRCqx
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRrHult3eJ
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“...”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5qMUdzmVq
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I smiled.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBluX76yq89
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“I will.”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEkElFRpBw
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKn6ZKw4SN
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RPRFds52b
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT86VKE7i1G
“Yes!”87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih1VU8sJIk
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinvEcynniI
