A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF1SG9hTF0
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl2D3UVkY7
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"At least... I'm on my back now."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANQF7PUvr0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡettUZgkpft
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWKUFnDoyx
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAkFPy2rv1
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaJocdfK1v
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eiRXcPjZU
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYtRhpoRLW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i0QT88qLJ
"..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFEGxZEvkS
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndD2OwE795
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEB9satScb
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMNKYflZhI
I was immediately startled.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7f8olIrNr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIeo6i23l8
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi8a4I7T7O
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CkNs5hyjK
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyly1aWgND
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDP0qHT6H9
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqliv0qI5f
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ2jDF14wk
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDo38BUKQO
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrE3qwKXEG
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHePiDpk39
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEVHJDIh6S
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLvJeBOdmc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo2ys9QQzq
"Do you feel any better?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIlmFCY1bH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNqIqZY3wy
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLlePDgSA4
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjeSqKXnlm
"That's good, that's good..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJnlLjsHdj
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0AkQjXRte
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYP3P6YU7m
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOlhNT3NMA
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡausftngKRY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGMkEas47M
"..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcdLSWiGGI
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc9qroecYj
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKxswtfpfg
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqdgsrLaSe
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprkWVkG6Fd
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5b1qrTR1K
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOztnpIoXa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVNJlWtRzI
"H-How'd you know?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiGkr3iMAB
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO8ys7m5f1
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqp8O64og8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHuLepzke1
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TnamI8lPb
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HNM2ujSyV
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzlSUQVKqr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4sJVlQNyu
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZvpk6ypA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu33HTvKVCS
Pars nodded.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nYlm2mpmW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzIwUezPtk
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcphmB7uqI2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1Kz21zp8
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm1nBow8yH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPc4oLAAZp
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb1gHxbvIc
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MGn8iEapA
"Mutual what?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZCv99DZVC
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPKlfXe1fi
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6MHhdT7jw
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM0ByW97AQ
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UZtIhEFxR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV9PP4b8VD
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVOVyPf25B
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupHWDLFgXI
"Really now..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACNFJ1v1BA
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKTwJxFkeN
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oCx0eD0TY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk81CUHccw
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNlMhg9Q6F
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP6PfIlZFI
"..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2obOMZi4yR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykc5JHDgif
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡichWm7p1Rk
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTmdDR2WFc
"Wow... it must've been bad."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakLMv6rSBD
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Tf6lfLWM
"You're almost as flippant as I am."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTPxaEfWLR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXw2XfriNX
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOma0c2mJT3
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZLkRIktCu
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUsd71HPOm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpwYRZwXVW
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeo23cyECr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQNqogG9jr
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt8U7uXeno
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi0vlzeCKV
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhKlkDDvEI
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUx6H6ybMw
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2u4NoWTTH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhglQIasyZ
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTXIKK4bY9
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngwQtqbPWw
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8qlKJE7sY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXK3yqZaNn
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhzqVkTvGL
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqglbRVBEs
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3YfJ7Fmjm
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMLOk4ZPgn
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFxahuSMZT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ46KblxIS
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrSiv0iFGO
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLmBJMLTb7
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDMp4l7FsB
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"I know."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCYOR6kelR
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kSKTfuYbG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyEtFTXLh1
"Tell you what; I can't help you."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN1YgnBzxV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc2T7gwdzQ
"...Are you serious?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfm6K3nr1h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42mJR8u7E6
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyFzO8IBJs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0bAqkPf4x
"What? What can?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF2bqEvhBY
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOaXFymFgO
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipRIFcBoNa
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC4LakzYjo
"..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkIOpnYwdW
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgy7udw2Tq
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7FQ7fsxYK
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrB86M2eCN
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8jDH60azs
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKKbpaBDdo
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3vqnopRCQ
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"Give it a try."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7E2w5oF6L
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQSTslrHNb
He stood up and patted my shoulder.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dUoX2TitV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmLkQPfjUz
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFH8wWzk4r
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DeJNoQnAg
"H-Huh? Right now?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrnBUuKo0V
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vHx5djDnX
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQbz2Gjz1h
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkycipnnZf
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEvn0vCiEO
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–
–
–85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvCCDS6sYA
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"Are ya all packed up?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzsxh9arNT
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxSGfwmjAZ
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgPIjSdtJr
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbTwiafy1n
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgiwPjUxF2
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOztK8HAyf
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV11n9Axs8
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVdjQBnkJ1
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsmXNSSfP9
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBTDG9Qnu
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVMDSMttj6
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NKQ0lJfst
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZoKAttXPa
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQeg8GWGRZ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTJCkZY2G0
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFTuXtUnTy
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzYUBmA31j
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cbi1vDYhF
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wmkVl2MXh
"I suppose that makes sense."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfyA6PPWS5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYygKceOCf
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHndVETyajJ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gxcB5HggG
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH1lVAW6pU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVeUD0rv2Y
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ98SByxRwM
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVA9lAQne0
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSDQl1xzR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdsFDP88L3
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4V6UFUfgO
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v3XbgX5Q9
"What do I think...?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD3PJTXQtQ
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fhvdN6Krg
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLzQMk9xRw
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoH21heoTh
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEzrxZnjIR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpzScKbqD5
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGprQQJPE5
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmd96NXiwN
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0D2gOgyS6
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabImBY4go5
"I'm asking ya, kid."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHegpEKBYp0
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLi4DW65Ox
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNQlLgIEhE
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEwB3dZ70c
"It had to be an Endowment."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GxpzNqGOV
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkay9cUD50n
"..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqshvoHvgU
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WtOS15icF
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvR6aJXLja
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBvAuhHwaX
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlegGfEk9TG
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4WKXMG8E5
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhWeHFPkxH
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIG4Dqln34
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3GyXsfxUN
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5RB8RAoMu
"Why not?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYMQ58uU7U
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavY2UBqEVd
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE13LUUXonR
85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUs2XwvfWy
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbOQQxSQL7
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Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwzXae1sWj
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"Surely, there's a better option."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r6Owka8w3
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"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4urhKPvBH1
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I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPSwjvPrjC
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"What if we spy from a distance?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJndveEfXNG
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"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c6zzehztE
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"...Point taken."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q8INPdImY
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As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1RQBh5l7M
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YsTetAD2Y
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"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17wdFzCWuq
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"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGCVuLJ9g2
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I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DiLGiVpSU
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"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7QoTJHy4g
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We nodded in unison.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3JRbEFXGP
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"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcm5EI4nY0
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–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEscIIZw14O
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At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHGJ5Ujxym
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHmjUQQC2E
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Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMrqYF962B
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"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaAnq7QPVE
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Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyvmRn3ckB
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"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yndUQwvFk
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"Well... I won't deny that."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPWBmlTmWI
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYQnT2tnpn
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEPGz3chEa
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"Again? What do you–?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWZDNjc9kp
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As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf53dL1b2R
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzJBBH0xKV
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrCZiGxnW7
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"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhfIXWpWKK
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"I didn't ask ya that."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG5Tp6GVSw
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"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNtxRYmLUv
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"That ain't surprising."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXdc8EkvG4
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gVU1PzgCO
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhd9QILpj6
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"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkns0kWtUHF
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"Yeah? Like what?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52bQ95cijD
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhac2hGjY2V
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"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg3uZJgSqM
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"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06lsYTGA9h
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmKalfrE0Y
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLuqjIOWVg
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"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXAmabBHS6
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I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1SBkxSTKE
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliahIiK9FZ
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75OTzrGQ1D
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNewDBtdjDJ
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
