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.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmriD6efDc
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY8671ZAGO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhMLH36GLX
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–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdMEd0oP3x
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv4lIaklrc
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCQt4PdPxP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgD5cnSWz0
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCowgMNarA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBe7kiX9yW
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcJPTyS6Dg
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXSgVEp3kU
“...”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsY9NXVvIB
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXnrSZh1k
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wuzCc9eOk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NiksLnUxB
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QCGpHKjpJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwt9DpUT3y
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRPcFKitRR
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypVt2BeDkL
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZSEGNLB8G
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSVRzSMNxU
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–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43RIlwK2Fj
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“...”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4T9AkjamZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9TlkIDRQU
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1b9jcZNdH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR4Hmg9bzO
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWASplC2YD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmbIPO2XMZ
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4UwjVryV
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–
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqKdFB8ofs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVeiu443S
“Yes?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpfiCgZ5M9
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WdNXfC2Ew
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Z20Dc29X
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAbEjbhEha
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkAwAws177
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMnKQu6tPa
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCDTM5tppk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxL55A4b19
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmOYmwrGDG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pbb0oX5jS
“You made this in eighty minutes?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFA6f3Wskz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyRa7axmmn
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFPnJdRkap
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3aLnpOqfH
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbRcCILBJi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChMZS8CXqP
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYQipoXJAn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQVuY42ntB
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJBeoIykuc
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOpHz0ih1e
“If you insist.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtMxH8Qt2l
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGk1qZdlxk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc4Qp9PfIe
“Kenny?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4GWF8twtF
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi3lT9UPV5
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVa2x54CNr
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGM2O7grxi
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ZzD673FF
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWCC9IkHMM
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS3F1ja0b1
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeUuVHvsDO
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ860zIz6cQ0
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjef1NKeSe
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKkpdkwfbJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpLQEVK14O
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMcYvgb32b
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dr1dL3ZDv
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBRDQeV95W
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDUDbfL8dN
“I see. I see, I see…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ6aaLwO4y
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcxLBzLqJc
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL73dd7k5pD
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEF8Iigoq3
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8vaA3MTkF
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PDpb1T7GK
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcEOyyCf3L
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFTSB4npSU
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcliNAnvTH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZdW8VZJZk
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KeJ0P6MEO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPnf8jK9Zb
“Please?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcSPjJLwZc
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3FtpR0lVr
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurx4fRCKQ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufOA40KVY7
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0NegrSUVB
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWr5Qq03Vd
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJentBhVFLo
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b5WKD6arK
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdWkkevIRz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZDIbvzTUC
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbQqKi2B8K
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZEXFgbR0G
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYIzsZ84IC
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtzJNx6Bcl
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SMKdvXRgN
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eninAcGcP
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AhEfRjQcH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXbhhNOZnj
“I started young. That’s all.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cwN7av7fN
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX9fOCrOz2
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7CUxUuipd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeT86TAWuL
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK6uIjkz0P
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbfSDDZRY1
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNno2piN9B
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhlXzZXr6U
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoqsfhP5lu
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuafPRXxpOi
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSzC7aCdsW
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAj8FjTpQZ
She jumped and then waved her hand.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXDZIMbb2s
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZLuQS2V9K
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA3l9F8hPq
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzzfxqKyBI
“Right.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58QSdTrUg0
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjlPcrutCl
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN49VKjoZn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDkODJkg4p
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lEVIETyI4
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUPrSYN40F
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkreRZVOcO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17okaqYhWx
“I– Wha!?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8ZUCT12t3
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQTNA9y3R1
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElZWhtwpmb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzffNg8pWr
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm1Byp4ncd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhfgmnAhnn
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos3FK3Ius6
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL0bx4bcAm
“Your own… peace of mind?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyfnGYT7HG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5udmC9gzn
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO7UMmpwjV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCziF2sOrmL
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqbHBqbysL
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkmfJS89Iu
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWTDEanhh7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPz8Jv1Dsx
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFD2IIoZgt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0t5qH3ZID
“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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKADDobtUM
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n0NQI9LdV
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RjMtralY
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4hCjg1ZzS
She shrugged at my comment.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KR7vgY5U2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjETsx1MahR
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJwi0SqxgY
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ72qwT3Wa
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabVuHkXtkn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALe4hhpxMP
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRLm2WJ7tl
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–
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogBXxtXVWI
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcujbzU6Oy5
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBer7QSWU0
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoxRp0higI
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PVXuirQv7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbZly7j7r5
“...This is ridiculous.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiR9mjCCVA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshCp7vCfE1
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWa1W3KEAZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IR1jCRzRK
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1OO9hWDRi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCjyUA0h0L
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxzRFkWdyO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7aDoBo2fb
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxxo9thE2y
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKG9uLuseB
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexnstVVG2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGHIbshrMt
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn7WO4qM3h
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oZj3Z9FWe
“...Hmm.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtwGqq8EMT
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKdaeT0n6M
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasedAwzL3Q
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrTlc14c05
“Do whatever.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlytmrGy5Wl
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AAiwr2kBo
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyBiqoGHGr
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBhfqjj55r
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAhO7Qo8np
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoXrjemABj
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwmR4n2ArQ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdvp27iD52
“D-Darn it.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePG1SG2nxi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqaZsfrDrU
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–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFeavGgtmt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJTF0uw2aX
“What are you doing here?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uqPp9vTmQ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8L4Jgxgd
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobhbYdFXTc
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboWvQ36UgH
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObrozhWBrP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU2d3hc9AJ
“...U-Uh.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm4ZGG2Wbi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHfutH37eS
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7dR8aWg64
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyTtEEmQFw
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojjYnFRhir
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd09HwvZUv
“I… I-I.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4TQdGhQ7X
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6zxHxxc6
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCuQqqj36H
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsOSETwsUr
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv0xjQf7AM
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PuHiWZwws
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c50HXZvCU
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPkx2dWLpI
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwIQ20dEh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ895dqQYzrD
“I-I’m here.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2y7aoxWCn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMWofoLhHa
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2l7gwfVBa
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinky8wNKHr
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdomYVgV4X
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx8AOaBoiY
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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXeVlk9Mv9
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hQc2e8PPY
“I…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuWtZZTRRx
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIBDb68hU9
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxjlspt5U9
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeiSmRXkLh
“Hello, Rover.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHu5BmKLb7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7xu729zoO
“Hey, Kenny.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmdnTMyBt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Qmjs1W73
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgk4sxTPLZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8zHqer60Z
“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–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZkDdoUC25
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61lLNLWufO
“Cut to the chase!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ky0pbM2QJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUc611wkuf
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6UhEsm3fQ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mWVk6WEEP
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WnqIVVhDg
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu1pdje7lt
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2AEydfdfv
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcyENeHYRm
“Y-Yes.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDzGhHsK9x
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgagPTSjQA
“Now who told you to do that?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmfi1ZFJUi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSUKeMJosg
“W-Well–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLkR8d2onC
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzWFQzPK7P
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rjcokz4dX
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8Nbd5Fflz
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfIBIbdDq0
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHooM3DVHc
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLT4guftkY
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohTpV4pvCr
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW64uK1yct
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNslTjIIdp
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR5pGnsW59
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoScpGz63FR
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVXS7PxjOh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52vJi6EBpE
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a3OMB0Xdn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fk46X9f7z
“I refuse your treatment!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9l3Sk0nkI
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OP1kLmRXi
“H-Huh!?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA63XE9OjA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4AOg0yBEM
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGizFYNz4M
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPcD6zs47h
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8fj9vy8Gn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7doi3WfuE
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPGgjORvYw
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWXqLISv0K
“I– Wha?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR3UTGTr3j
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvF2Ro4L8r
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–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFRYrmRa8R
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2Zwk4mxVS
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr9ngmowon
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn237UsB9Ws
“Stupid? Weird!?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nc2sjzaJY
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos7jv2MOA2
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflp2qf5SA4
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqcnLbihBy
“...”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS0j26amiB
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6DOSWPjre
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlorFmLosV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dsd4GHJeZ
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk82MECAG3
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQdsIZm2AL
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqUdU4rCeR
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYvm89PSQ1
“It’s because I upset you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMcXzYUhKz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy0dl6QlCO
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9uOsFyQHG
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4McI1tVWi
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ6SjP1iW1
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLds7K4cQmO
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO00lQwWXSP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxUBAxY4y9
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE7hlaPFOA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5cpZHe0Xm
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElimL8V0Vs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULnHIOw9N9
“S-Sheesh.” 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5AOGaJiDh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDU6c36pBc
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.
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwNmE9fcWc
“How do I use this thing?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI1KHhoWDI
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAKoPcHxAZ
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACL0b2wXKp
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66cM2wcrI4
“Drinking works for me.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzQoNRaog8
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs72a5I2H1k
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwCuYVd4ns
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIanII3XbCt
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhwq7GWmzp
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19XleIkF0H
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlxB2Jeags
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMZKizr4oC
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAlJ0Xcrga
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFtjHVvDM2
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqXHyd01le
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaKDVVLdpV
“Whatever.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB1GWFRTVu
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxorNN8His
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBsbPeJHcJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq9PKyY1Ve
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII4nksiJCA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS6GGdbzv7
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ZpxJ3Ixn
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUBrS4vNLm
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFJL0S3jd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQytzeO8cg
“Leaving already?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9glEnOWujl
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHwn7kXyvB
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrGxjYQNzL
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjx9tdu0KG
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ0X5CwlXo
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwTfmoAQdT
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlQytQwBeA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojyaxZJvlY
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwUMe98fjO
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHOMaHSh3Q
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspqT5KADx7
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDGvzezgnE
“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?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Q1yM8Q48
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkPHYok2If
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq0v2dWDIL
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gkdtjjcDe
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGzSeZ6ZMz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgn4Umq6tY
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamkLBFppGm
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPBY2TpOF8
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UlLRNAVzA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzAJVDfBni
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP87m4GlAAH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MxYnwvJRT
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNeEku76Vx
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNO5OTtX4r
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCGPdqqe4o
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J6HOvpft2
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZRcGbn2bA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9jnKhxSWt
“H-Huh?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb10LrrBkb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ9ds0BSgF
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94l1VicOF3
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3yX9aEu4L
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpmlTUsL29
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyTvAbhwQG
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt1qCH92Mt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMB1UWrC8R
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgHsmNQfyC
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRtwiZzljl
“I’m n-nothing so special.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WFiev7s8O
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBz7BSziwR
“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!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUehSUYaVe
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2nf1Mkqun
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fgAmyJsef
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn6k4H9dAl
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzYMNK6GuT
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeYz9N0ged
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkh17MrFOl
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVLiNSbpwl
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtXcBUnJb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaso6t04U6
It took me only a few 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKnMgi5k1J
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC0QIxq6DC
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKLTWFD6ko
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZDvDmzoyv
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyzmHHolvC
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uOae8eehq
“No, really, Rover.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSnXtAxzk5
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHeGxpsUKS
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyiMFMIHhV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLcZXZEjrs
“I think I’m just lucky.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA05wzFZi5V
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYUeLuOva5
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0IpuxpuU5
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswpbRFeemR
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJpfJylNhF
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2NKtUQOJ6
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeX5s73BEz
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW3KNJH6N8
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaVYmoNMAP
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiqeBAWBIC
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxOH4GFwlH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2OP304sxz
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1mBkoZevJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hEiwaIf5F
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhYv7IL4Fu
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBmkhU9Eyr
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi8cS1zxNg
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. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeRwzGUt0h
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks8VUS5qDS
“D-Don’t rush me!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR2aylJPhr
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfthUPLeqt
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtPol806KA
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDwTwfimn6
“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…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2jvdTbNrh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNG32St370
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5vMNZYJUQ
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Y1nl5H3V
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMk9EYxwNW
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJOcBHUbHH
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8HPPr2aFW
“I didn’t say anything.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETTR110HH5
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw2gm0ZDTm
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRoCcbEAuJ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5iABkchr9
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNVu13OhXg
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHg99uHPmQ
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N23fLatC2
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u7J9hoYoJ
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FCxD6kTOs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7yy2E68Oe
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf21brkGZ2E
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ151GvwNp5o
“Told you all I did? What?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTfEg9R8lh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLudjYlae8
She was caught by a wind of fury.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICvSTslmVk
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkY5UshboF
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUnrVpJZkb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVWIk7PpoO
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tHTinNric
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LZfpXwMQx
“What’s so funny?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoihuYyHSE
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRDW1bMcfR
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xlVWzTY5d
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z4NsrGeq0
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvdaOw6hjj
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS9vDBhxCi
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20QxTzBDa6
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZJoXfzO12
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiezB4SWavl
“A little crazy?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1fgPIAj7a
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“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!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPEVbdqvdZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8CXeePVOU
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhaI8EuFdy
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8lwXeyi9Q
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQQWEiUzV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E6uuLt023
“Well–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVeDhJnduo
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MTwnQTiDu
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheq5Ef6Cmt
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3vLXbbGw5
“I–”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjOZDgI9Xt
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk2Lwbe18M
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV2hw1wMiR
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVZ1VjxUHb
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuewdVIDHE0
“See! I– huh? You do?”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pC52NfiYM
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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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKE57xGEVE
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp2MpojAfM
“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.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmJ1bSRJhU
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37gPPh82SV
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYuotZDlgA
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEm2fjGhUZ
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBp4PdMiRf
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy9F7n8iXp
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytRpopzblc
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeSEzdxIfh
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGelbniVzC
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6pgisPrbH
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhe6Kpl9au
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K5liLfI6D
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSevH8Qrzx
“Ah, right.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS8S8MQjJT
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAPOkQFp6C
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaPK9g17dm
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM5y5LKgSL
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTty35nbsrs
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yCAIhmc8w
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GKSr5iGTd
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jsldFLGlH
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnC3TfilBR
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaSY8YTowt
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTvQtDSm4
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“Wait, one last thing!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot8sBMAFoK
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPd7iwzkbq
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K142t48X2
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk6ctydHxv
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0kLdN2a5D
“...”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yu6ynN8Zq
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I smiled.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7TBJ2JwV
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“I will.”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCcgMEOwV1
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJAzuexUSB
63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoQlMun4Oc
“Yes!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R4ln6H0O8
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKeQiwqb6d
