My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsS4FCkXCX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLvp7GZmgF
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGOrapPh5T
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNFsGm6vPu
"Haa..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQp1ABhOtN
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq78VweXa1
"Are you okay?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtoSmoLZRV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9te5PIUlW
"Phew. Now I am."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZgJFwVloG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F7Yp8c4Pd
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtjC7ZjsUD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxZt7vIfv9
"W-What is it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqblACQFCE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUnDlGKgJs
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoCjTSlEna
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmW35eJzO
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf1bEAXqSL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoLgb8zbbl
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERlSZfciM2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71xERKLhgT
"Well..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdYRm6d6XZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjt93g8dM0
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yGFxKaWiJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb617r9mFMb
"Come on, tell me!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ893wwaolVK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUtffJEQO7
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzKxnl8Dn6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuBp0oxWzW
She sighed and shrugged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFmpR2GWtq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHabkpu7kmp
"Are you feeling nervous?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde60YgegJR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKScl3lkzj2
"Of course I am."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd3dxCieoE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L3GQo9hf7
"You shouldn't be."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02BXt0aqd0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcfrHNovC3
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7J9dbtQBe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip0XqB8Ek3
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuPDEUxKJl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqnpv0mdxc
"...What's that supposed to mean?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCZcOSGQN1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUhWb3Ptdy
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb8e4iJhCV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2orLTAb16w
"I think you came here a little too early."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMiMHEtsxc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwweNkrv1IP
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgd8Zo8kiF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNNjO8ycXU
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFtJ1p0b7e
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQSohJWbwA
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDLJOaqks1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78XnNGmGE7
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbOjUnaGyZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbJ6Wy4JpS
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNAo9ayhLD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTBvRbMa2W
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIkkJS7rpq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVCykiYn3o
"Aren't you going to say something?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeM1dUQjDp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgsTQNSeH2
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZf5N7NuzI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJxyzZ34NU
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhDu7hAtT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5o5foSCOi
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefLA4AbLnb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4sxV5HIhL
"...I-I still don't believe you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS2iY4kJfl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyFz1o7HKc
"Are you serious!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdMrzOlXvD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHdwsVGkT1
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcitJDMFkJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7kZuxg0Gp
"Can I at least have your name?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrJYuhIrnP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhfh1DbSJw
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8xMDocNJ1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCF79uhskQ
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86NnuuqAwh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f3XthElHy
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLttjwpoRrd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffipS8KOPh
"A-Alright, I won't forget."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB0sP3qgh4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr8MjREs42
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruQOnZhfVe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaKmyqDotw
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMED2VVL5K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVTDuN0lZs
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFns6Of5TZZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZWhoO3VWs
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYodhg5QD5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWVnttVHKy
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SroQI7HAP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmAtc5c0j4
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ9kGaJiPj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm99aVnW4P
"She's not very nice at all."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb60Zv4Ax2F
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaubFGcY5cA
"I suppose not."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kWZKXPzsS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI3Fl7Kom7
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeixj97GvXH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UYKajd9pO
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHoesBRYKz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4wlPX3lK9
**SMASH**77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLEZTQ1IFv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gZIPwfz6a
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpDgu55q9y
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKoaYprwJR
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGjneUBFYv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnFMzKMXo9
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg5Td64PPo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPpxXqMozv
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDfm27S5w9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBpIK8tMVJ
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJMzc11UZh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNwsvTvVdL
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bm50BhOaA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP87gPDGLpp
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY7wKtAMGi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97HBA9Guyy
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPaq09Uayp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUkJj45ccp
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRpruxzPls
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBpVBGXmmc
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n9SPh5ejq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJycE95tHi9
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubCn0SdddB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ5iawiVK6
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBN5Kgyb9i
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93XB3gffvN
"No, not at all."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGqY0X4ecx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMbsePzpoo
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEu6k7TBpL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUX4Bremlw
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeeR7cvshr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8syOIfoyBz
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3CYNbLar6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5TNP5h0eV
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZYBhjkq8q
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQTv9uMrpx
"Is she our teammate?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6yJsaqb1J
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20m2KktpnQ
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGqa4pgdSA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqgqc2auVK
"That so? Lemme test the waters."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAAQSBrZqS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYXPP2HvI4
"You'll regret it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsdmDptVwL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YTgm1WN5r
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDksn1diAk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F9hqmV0GE
"...Wait."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPHmAkUP9M
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz6VE7C2Qt
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolZ68GR5h5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyVLVEPlsl
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjfvMbahF4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6sXjPBh0O
"A little? Just a little?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznwEq1Mo63
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfFsj6SmK8
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wuouAYVaU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38rB5IeIiK
"I met her five minutes ago!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbb90C5XiG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1VTX5W94R
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx5Pugz6Vz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQyXqaXKX1
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LSjO0EGyV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODRldTx5WU
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mvXOoPTiq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQAym2BCfk
"Really?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0kinGJ6Sk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmWHh1NkSk
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JuUZdVzvX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6kea7m7mn
"What do you mean 'really'?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9EAUkcAV6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnRL4GjJ4F
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhIVkqWRVb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ehkycoI6E
"--!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXXbXDOcm2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZdpRQyxg
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABpFSCQpim
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtBG64kPWh
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqMPMaiNyx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡati0drU2AY
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj1ZfrL7ge
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EMZjTVvX9
**SMASH**77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8t8Wr7AGA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Hig5Xa9D
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap7USyP6cU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIOcke30Ml
My jaw dropped yet again.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILFbp9yuvq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALA4tctEmt
"ROY!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntcOh9zPT7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbQkCQ2N6n
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac2DQBT70w
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIUeRlCXEa
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE13n1SicOD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqdW89xYyO
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T8PiobTVD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUpwzgSmAX
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bxWjuO9Ww
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaqfTkmIxL
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx07ElG9SXe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3w2U6jW7m
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDTe798Xo4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqGhvp3fmw
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7F0uPhUFP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSPH89XT22
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEErYBpQiUR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBMFNY4vfn
"R-Right."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TGrqomHGX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMolkOLMtN9
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSVGpRThVw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobzI7Kw6Mb
"Ack!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYs1fFvPZw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQCfxMKhV6
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0RqD1qJtv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6x7kAdPTM
"F-Flinty, what was–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQACEZsvyEv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPhLE1uM88
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMJeQi1XyL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeokyXTz1bQ
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC81H5C7Mhn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWckIhcUAD
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WyJgygixa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIxT86VNfl
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4klroSrZ0Q
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9jwkkDr1o
"No, I'm not just saying it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavHLpPCs7e
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnul4N8c7qR
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPQUxxsVQF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D2a2KPJWi
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUEgwwSrAm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mFKCJXdgj
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvv0ZInaQP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNTAkWa4J
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWLFTI1FZA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYVxZYpaPB
"I–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZLaUHA9O
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuiYCzyEZJ
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7oVlNeHtm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXplMinaie
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCXYWTUGg0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAdhwYgpR4
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlCXIvOgiz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmOeNrgZIq
And yet...77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHeF6dCIn5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyiuD5WNyj
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCpdYnUZ0g
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WqkyZcWSs
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7hkbS88pT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHULxZCWgcu
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXRVct4shL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs7v5Slp5n
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcoxr74jCk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JNPdscjnQ
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwzWJnIn0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4YOsvyiBe
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJvBMk5Ikl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kbHqVrB1x
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRI05okKUr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtUviXO0MF
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1gVj1TeZA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ770vBaQXaF
"O-Okay."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHBSCkpl3S
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf4knG7k3X
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1lRrD34Ii
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyeL6mV9Z1
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbhB2oAggL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsLaL5aexH
"Okay okay, fine."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SYXLeUYVG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1drBhpgsx
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF0XuCoY42
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeCsm4x2Sf
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVKAuqenFL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LUJGgWKkU
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTchUow1iD5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T9EhFDbhc
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn9lpfP4V6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a9lBU0LKf
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY0Dgygckv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Na4PHMz4
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLXrHaelwK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RpwlJYDdG
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57NA7ba2iy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgTAIxArhn
"Huh...? What did you say?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1e0a9D1IO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP0gndyypV
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqwGfnzZN7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp6oDr4tyT
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaTS5Myx0y
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB4DwpZbby
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiz5vJ0G1A
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRrNvog0gf
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbmBg95zs2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62qkM8J31h
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aq8XvlrLx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4X78KJhBL
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfZhiq6vQa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Xp6rc6YE
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF7HaLoWsj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW5WaCo1g3
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrfBQpUbp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwKNvNPdsi
"Note?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejFRoMYgdF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4LZ39oYO1
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvq6r37mpi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhdb77hn6O
"What does it say?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0u4qAunhB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtQOx9fTGf
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfd05yVaC2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt9ff78d8c
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqL043XXfA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq3IZ72Zuz
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ljltFCu0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HTh3mQyYL
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78nPnLvSya
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwsNJlWp3K
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoWotACv7K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPGlp72mqo
Juke sighed and put the paper away.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkvb1byHrI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBtCPNWWXi
"So, how's about a story?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXGfcLeSh0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT30aqNmnP
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFdme7zYJm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRPc5pJiKX
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AvGTDfyP2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoZLOCIiew
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34LYytVIHg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM297noBZ3
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p20l9l9NH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR93nhxPN8R
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARdSByesfW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmgYqykAbV
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueUIlBgwu6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VYvOD8V0U
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFzp9JGCXH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNXtPVWDsl
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGE2b6s1In
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6GgYDgmhY
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelnxAF50oh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmcKzIjAgb
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lfQjdDMaG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSNVVVQzQD
"Seriously? You have to be lying."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8q5zjfSt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm2omBJdqn
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPdCUvel1T
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV2HO7GGTI
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqPY9VwZmH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiHSO7SQTg
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJuA7uPAR4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6kf539WNO
"Like what?" I asked.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1RnOv0bhZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nXFhJRkzV
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbiHkPi4Aa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gje8AnTUa
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicvTAFFkt2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3O5HkDvkP
"...Stardust?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghRw0A2rgj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHToug8SEH8
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtrkiq6CCr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMAU8mdYfM
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWe1h7GMe8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLI5k1gPKa
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaZPwnsw3z
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UjrJl5pbb
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsuT22UlNI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4aNWH9ORu
"...The what?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6KJMNEKEY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVg3a5abtP
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPWRZbfbIl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrC5786XdY
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cVKoh0h2r
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQArxfIA26d
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10JJjXx3oj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQRJXdAQXq
"Of course I do!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUuNMHKrRZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioVZAkyY1B
She pumped her fist.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sTZC7b9kY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VeewJZCQB
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAGKrmpfOx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsMrUhbH4z
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjPDYpJRD2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw0GzW3xo1
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJJ26rXbej
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKjJOwSOWt
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccSQbwdOWm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRSC0Qtejb
"I already know this."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hppb5uToP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8jl2igQnx
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzhArA2jos
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBykJvdmC2K
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonNXtlPBkn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKV5C12TyM
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijp77dQ56N
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvCyHYtTLh
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48tzdhdHLj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y9HEcj9vi
"Eh? Why?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZrY9autKi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnb73hUowC
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99yKI1BQab
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUelohvjyb
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4Nbbu9oN8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Yrb3FbJE
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBc9Fst2Gi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCh0byx4D2
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx9BXnXbDm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsXC9TWhaA
"That's cuz I met her."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHcC085Dc3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTQnoYbhIn
"WHAT!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmk3Qz8Rdy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB6SFvo5J0
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpS8ofIBq8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW7nQN24Vq
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqURnYInnv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprrYv52fPH
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcyDoa0MIe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc60M3tXj5y
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ceWwgRSGM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM4sIlpCMz
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT2m8cwhkE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IyMwEfXkN
"You're kidding."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXemvTA2bXC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjaEdQYVNr
He shook his head no.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPQmuE3ZPp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkbhcNrN14
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0DyUfsaGn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01DMoM2Rwv
"You're making this up," I said.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOMGaLrXUc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfUBSijGvJ
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldg2Rv0uUZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmfDM3bKRt
Juke shrugged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix0j7rMyEe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitlCNxRFrw
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul82tN3z0u
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQOH6jrjx1
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIVH5Gs3Lo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiQvovhnNs
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtxKcSrFo1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2R08tr5Ag
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sBk3BZVOi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHdJZV8xmk
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMZkKzLGSE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoRoYC2t5s
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvX4wuSyZW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dRMvZTzOt
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNsYxkPzoo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3FLc2zPgk
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk8w2fhutV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTshhwwCfT
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTX5WAWhyg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yLxtesAmj
She pointed a finger at him.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cw4sv5DXD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7byLSUK4rj
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38UGsEWtM1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxGPRIvyYy
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGpGpv9KBq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0NqqnGIC
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuqqSWdf2P
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxcWZoWKSM
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNffqHx2iW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqzUgPT6AX
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEmLriSjmA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKLECSHynd
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTHYHwD4tX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdCr4rEilk
"--Ngh! You guys...!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWCcFtfsFR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL5gRDb610
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ64mzbBvs
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqQqxtpucq
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxr1wNoLZj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdWbB0JIp2
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlfsxkRYOG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CsakYJ4j5
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBpwSrevrd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2vCcTUmVl
"Ya look like you have something to say."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW5Ad4YgeT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6PZ5lnmtb
"W-Well..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHNUL1SyZi
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojPzC7SG8A
She turned her head away.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjrK7AedSk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Of2WAoCS
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7KpskBReC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuomLkpIMnY
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbo8FG5Q2K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxVXKBGnHm
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvk2b1WWP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMJGAHaIPm
"Mhm, I told you so."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHQVZ8hSkv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U2uKaOZet
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2UWU0cNhw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkW1zo8tQ
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVLANOrvAX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHtFf90RXp
"...So why am I not getting any?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHghygObl9m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAcFfNTLyS
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNfbNgI2wr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3id8uUSzAy
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rQrb7MFLd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ktBdSesZz
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ8eFcMMG2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBQ12SIo9w
"Eh?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrGRw8GoQz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYMB33EI1u
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDtmY2jzks
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzsNENiecu
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0yMkFtPrL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDEMW9BUgP
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEEO9vufcT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1pbayj860
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAeBdYMTAS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzuh2OfkQG
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wSMErYDN4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ehg8KurTo
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5OZaAFeAQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSopGlQmbn
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobno2W02Pu
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg33SbRIV3
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh91U7VCnrg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zygEoxKg8
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BDNT2Faam
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKB9QeeOCs
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoWtHYA8me
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XX2cgIrDk
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD4pUjfoQL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ3H5MCg8Y
"A jungle? What elevation?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyi0OYFzA8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZwvSSWRjE
He shrugged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0RlWjJ9m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yhLkjiKoU
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAm2n9WDrF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwJzeyf0v8
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAjNlt2PC3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeSwbi6jd5
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjq8LuhW6m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn4Bis0U2I
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojxsjcvYCR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIRJt7lniK
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0hc7WRbbz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAZt3KG4Bc
"Why?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2QH8pJWIG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4XQtg0dyg
"..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCpmkMC5gQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA53aurDW9C
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAG3Yv0QCy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DGOqh9Njt
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsco9fVRLMp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBWQOMWYEF
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXehzQyUZF2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEDadXTPKT
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGXaDFYmSM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jmxhOPAC1
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyvxYwLGUo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAm31znFwr
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOPUYIqa6P
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6x1AMQnDC
"..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXqoiZHWNw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5QA1fhMR4
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImsbFxasmI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJVp46CmTu
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zW0c10vrL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXDfjIds41
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYTjkPEVx3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivsM0uE0k6
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fQlQlq3r8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC5wBZlSx4
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu46JeBkm3w
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABG7a0Ies1
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPX9KyiwZ6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9MciNNgt
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1cEPt6TCa
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHf2ck8arj
"TALBOT!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zv2OakzKK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3VmDX2l5u
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x4BrX6KDX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVQ8D0Ixbe
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwolyuMgzY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8pEp048Dr
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspnH9MST1Y
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnf0nub7Zu
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlHuzcBbeW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMppxhE6Bqc
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDrBQLHXXy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzigPwOhD7
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1Vnp937P7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MhNoG9Cr1
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcT47FcePR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEoRjFooDR
"Are ya kidding me?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSgBrCBPxw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGclFnOi7x
"That's so lame!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfCsha2KX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnz8BRAXx0
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqYULYOeTv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6OtiYVedY
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlheP8y08RY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6XtYljJhh
"What's that supposed to mean?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N48Cixwh7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMsT6E1Psh
"Nothing."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4mc46wEU8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ8N6hv51j
She returned to chowing down on her food.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlrrdOMSM1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXbnsPa9k9
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytnLe2okqy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpXVK3c6lX
"Well..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvsx8yrK5p
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RQbzHEF6W
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4MIP9Le4L
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTQy9P5IhA
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq3XPdrBoN
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi1NE56wq6
"...No."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcYviIG12H
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNm6RW5Kk5
"Eh? Why not?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56JeumpgUp
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNLIizbFoY
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sQP8x6zRo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat48ACuc9I
"Huh!? What'd you say?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AfdMKxamY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E7o9aJ3bX
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUhI5sS7LB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw5dccYdKW
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHdTjXdche
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYn4mLz2Qk
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGcnMja9gw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwP8lMEfs7
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0WTPEyjf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ7uUFzfm1
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBQpisabRj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvKu5Oar0e
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7e3ML4sa5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ZM5XaNuH
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vWbTPXdqY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSmLdkxwIw
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctwaxPQpOH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHKF2TKVfK
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfYPAOD2ff
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNekCvX6UIK
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1pI5BMgJ5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDmlwuftxD
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F1ImpZu9s
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7sJrUyzgc
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ybdF855Vs
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIABpQLI9Jx
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4zxEdsz0m
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ACAJkNJB7
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtILioM5JNE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD5LyYF5hX
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c7jBJl2ht
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGTAqolUtB
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkGeExQAat
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7KUHNf6hB
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5wbwStwt5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lcuxjb3ug
"Custom design? Well..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YIS7nkJWT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcix4d8VI3O
She turned her head away.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii4xVBV42C
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdslH4tMZXg
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVCqf56IsW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09pY3FRv0R
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKy4ZpmaFt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtqhUAlxtR
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwt7q2rnpS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOWwFa6Mro
"Oh, this?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEuBYGq73P
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB3zbG8C4f
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cjhWggnB3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pO8YQcg7w
"I stole it!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE43eaZsF95
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E29MXX7Bo
"No surprise."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xl4LoxNQT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiKPYvSSFq
"I ain't surprised."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOECK7pUSGC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ113KPwWLHI
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh26cR16Qr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru2OFIvBqo
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kDvMZvjIt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpxmtfnzkA
"No."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8JsQRvwEL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwQ07Mu4NL
"Not really."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wjNgi9Ec7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYof6arKrzt
"Ah... you two are lame!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmUaPrsouP
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGcybEiGuA
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHktpTOomd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mrsBFJE3o
"..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6IYoEEgQM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDREVLDICQ
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoKKVyBwy8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RaA4ZR5s6
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIADoaxmyz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IQQDcEoY6
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSexsxwdLFk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoIedtqXXo
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaQIJ6d4Zc
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGQJV82KkX
"I-I see... I suppose so."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7ls3m6wet
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JQ4934OMl
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOvGmrits6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RO1paTckB
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqfzhKzW0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ti5yQD0zo
"Did you have to word it that way?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxEbjLtY5P
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8Fvh6tqsB
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE4faAl325
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE97LtihVOS
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2nPmE9asr
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1bOEfQZJi
"Ya got it, boss."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtyaAuqqJy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gjAGKPrGB
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRa5UD1m7T
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPZqcJ1oGP
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXZNqfBxp2
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkNMbdLai0
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7ppHCDGjK
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gxfVHTR2V
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7VJxJcjPt
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiVxEs1Nd3
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJtxSIHzhL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OXmCgz3mx
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bjllckWcb
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpoYOUeQrB
"...Well, alright. What is it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8eaYbUXLd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydcwNHEYis
"I... I wanted..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdBax2kpE3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKtCFLv1dX
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi41BB2jQ0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkljrjgL3F
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW8dgjCbRn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD07gaXX6Aj
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk0m8yx1j3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdFiBIJo4U
"Where's this coming from?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JFXEk0fZ3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFohmVpovWR
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKkW7DnUVJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P1O3Dj1Zb
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M1ydNvGzf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaC91QJ582
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBh7iYs1ZF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ZSCt4Wx4
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsPes61qIC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolY2gM9Hb4
In that light–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC665WREcM
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoFZawJhSu
"Alright, apology accepted."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4wTN8ZPeg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1vkIv0kSE
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc5qLm0x8w
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ncJsUzFEZ
"--only on one condition."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kq5RJuVFy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAXHGHUHh5
"Eh!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobAgTp9Y6k
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlJYF4ClFl
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GYfm1Ag1X
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOq1n24cSU
"That's right."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpXml9kTkj
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JM2eobuQB
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkomgTnOjbL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjIZpWBTvN
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyWxseauez
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tZwNRYJcF
"He sounds like a priss."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOdlIkBnMI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKONFrQJgh
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKkuIV702o
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNQueGiqac
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aOlLZboVV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoPeolaqyA
"Fine, what's your condition?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe2YSzpawZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw03T53QelM
I pointed a finger at her.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISLleqAL1b
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpt71eXkYx
"We need to get along from now on."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKPfZDqQll
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTccK2AfAeU
"...Huh?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpopGQQag3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ds6HBp1Aj
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNNLxujOdk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWhgigQdZp
"...Ha, that's it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTMzxbehb3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuxPsBBfCq
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nH00PNTjQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy2ETcqiK0
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8kVLCvMnd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtlhWSJLvK
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFGe5QME21
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36iaoN5PIj
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVefcrfcsqT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqGrpsb0o8
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBtZ6qRgx5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrQa6MZAJY
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZAtkNW62K
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PFA0v3icM
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQsBKYbFqI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDhHcqFsEN
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO40lzdlXve
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGBgDx42bK
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8V6QtpfcS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKk2REcmep
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdI2U9SDD9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JmW2fPma9
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ewVzMxOnU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXLX4a0ynZ
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW7NI8TBe6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPYZ7FQyG6
"What a weirdo, seriously."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfmjh27BE4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Pkg2sf9T
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pgSvQS3sw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFob6gndDx
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfYSG637ew
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e1vU1hqGT
"You guys! You gotta see this!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29YJZuglM6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMDMHl3yRa
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr4BrLHMSk
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02xsm9nMWh
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.
