Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1sGWmzmkG
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBqAtZpJ8y
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvMbaXKvqP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN7oJWqI9o
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojMOuvU6ku
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiWM5Se9X3
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wv7A72dwO
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoThsPEKiC
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawuQ7T8AFt
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZYCDHIBFt
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kY4PaZPoc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUWIIjeNuq
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYruz9qf7q
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C4syHp2W9
“Well?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt73I0krqVj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ4MqnejMo
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NhtmQMiGq
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS4tvjcN0c
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gKDkNIODk
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EeMcuSunX
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG38uooQj6k
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRH6j8nR6
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLKqOZUPvw
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7bifBgibn
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxHnqXsTSu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSVwyhtK6W
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOk3wbKRBX
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgxI3ZMP68
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujeF7Zn9kj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sPczujiVJ
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ8n2arIlb
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfduyDpFLzV
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg58IjYGbv
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGCfG7Hhaw
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaeBwZOW9p
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlj8AtnZHh
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUimZij3Uu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz7Fgfh0wX
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiGAxi3hzS
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9IqLi0kkT
“...Yeah.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxTWCQom2D
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LTMdabs2h
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEzETcrAx7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxvJLXT86X
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jiSCkeJMD
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXu0Hdi5Ts
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73fR36o0IP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4imRz1HQc
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uDEJZosVd
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfUJFwrhje
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcnTFAkM52
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pAyT8tHgy
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmGhCHBhoy
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXPZrjf085
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7HlVxgHSz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5d7Ol5Bh0
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d0Wx1CCLP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy40XBHjK3
“...?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEV52NOinr
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaRKgzSwH2
At that, I had to tilt my head.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeHqEMHGdi
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT7Yz8iIeL
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZEnbzN9Sj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzGFITmlCq
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv7yy1RfNr
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuGXHbdVQF
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJGJ9KdcK
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jwbKV38ev
“Dennis still ain’t here.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW6j2juyo9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeQS16BTSw
“...”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuAiU9VE4L
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i5JQ2iKVf
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYkKlFH6lx
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YYtvvTg8l
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZb1DFgA67
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hTR9UctR
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7UOMkWopl
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIggrq78x5r
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTXhHLKn9d
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡris7A1oQox
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAuOXw7WxG
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BX64CBoD1
“--!? W-What!?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw74TeFi1v
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOR09HKmxS
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78mCnN4YfL
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3EA3ks9HQ
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHlXuTMVXT
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjanJFgcRQS
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN5UKOLJEh
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzFIlCP8xZ
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLWtoUqBHM
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBiZPlHIXl
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEbfYlUHnI
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aix343cRy
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmctXbn15K
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwENgHEwRYF
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP94UdUgsz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuyNmqOgQz
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfJsOWwfmz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwBIjMAU4E
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6nUguJZDb
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP0KGyPHz5
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdcVV2G7Qz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuzyiF3Ofd
“...”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeTpUhipYO
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfMHcVJP3f
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYmvII6wK6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN3UQVbEFn
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s2Ms4j7lc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuAQgCA9Oa
“I-I see…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNiASlOkYs
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02pWWkdGiE
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtMbH77AH7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAECaQarwQz
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnDp0SwPVX
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpkDqxQqj5
“You don’t, ‘get?’”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1zA7JdU2c
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TcfkUQcAU
“Y’know, when–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB44FkyWGGz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWtxFNntLK
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4fVdWRjsF
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSCN3UshAj
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpvhpWXuPr
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL2fkPqvoV
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOfaUgB0a5
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM40CGEu0Jd
**SLAM**81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhTr91ZKld
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LOFNUw0Dm
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRLg9CNaPm
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkErww1Kf58
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv0Ei37d54
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwLdqCieQk
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg05XxFEij
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgxrbfey9O
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw5Ypiynzl
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPMEhEDtw0
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7WS4jJHg9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnbEW4cx5G
“M-Mister Dean.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SF813kkZj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VcXUnaYvR
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbJAsFZYSC
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxi17QJbUf
“Yes, child?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78UdicHGSR
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kSlQa4Qcu
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwviF8I1y0
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK79erY3Cx
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTI7zcycgN
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjdtWg2P0a
“R-Right.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWXPrmSM0C
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesnS1QwCZK
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFBKZcMMGF
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLmIgVQs8d
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcj7ZoYbEj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCfOST1ctC
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H9z1wjHdN
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGq3VMh2ws
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV624GLsmOn
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6uGEo8PZG
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo3Dd9N2lE
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOUELVJOEo
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRc6qgFOHu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLxyN2M2LN
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3efcLRriq
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vPz1NnGmt
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBeeFYzgF6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOOvxmimEI
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQHGkwXrHa
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9p4NC3i7G
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL34GwXZnYx
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSluLRYguC
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJbckea2U8
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP07t9t3ON
“Haven’t you explained that already?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPg918TiUc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmlZLyTVlT
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqzzwSz864
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR0BP28eTH
“What’s that?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCKSCPDr6m
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcAnx2SOKn
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAZasEqS4U
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mGoK55D2n
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwECvCOgxda
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfi9NdqKSD
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNGVRYVbAE
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTakszxCXRd
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFr5c8fqp8
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp44h8O0RwE
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Oh7CDfLC
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fQjZOmkUI
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzO3WnVZer
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAJ7nahj8C
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsePD1KRFZZ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBsXQdrmqT
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOR1Pj9pst
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDd3FoCsT
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoAjfNWXib
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH618wiiB9e
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Y1etlSZT
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WEB03iNya
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNEnva8ksp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJCzQkG2go
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiBCHUHcy6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazyB5YOm2Y
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y1EQrRRnp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFuWrw4pM3
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRqq4XO5tH
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ouxbLlezn
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUTlEpvKG6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKwLydbG0e
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrm03aFfSc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRzIiVo1KH
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeS70S4hKO
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TXlLjaRH3
“I think it likes you, child.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObDeXJWRIf
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo1aPxkhpF
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrmho9vGJp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMYaI9J8xP
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpJieAzvzp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFwplUObAr
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK5Oxwi9LN
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DIPLplDHu
“Hah?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVaUylao49
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVgloZ1fPc
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvhxBqC28a
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVCdpI5lHd
“I… smell like flowers?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnp2ak4eY2
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecmCSGoG2A
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2cN6HTmNw
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMojjII5cb
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTF9mjqvBo
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFyhR5ibkM
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHrqUt6ezS
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsJOqnEPGv
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalbC1RPETu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNHs1IkVHW
“Really? I didn’t know that…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKTZy2uhaG
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezmVv2ioEn
“Ahem, moving on–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoArP6rJdCn
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjsV97TRND
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVOJSWUtVP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3BDJZz6u6
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZZn60MCH3
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkoRfoZnxG
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDHoV9bBrg
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWXBmlrsoD
“May I know why I’m being told this?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLNR4qAkew
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmrsIL0nU
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQbmNQliGA
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKGeLItfzu
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDTW8QDNR2
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbHPEE1RAb
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5RfCvvgoD
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye5VUQVcyB
“My help, you say…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lrWPjVYc
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdnpkFjpOI
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88RfeCWXh0
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvyA607eAs
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIaNmVyr4d
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvV3VuyWmN
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHs2TYq8ID
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtBaLco9zu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KJYWevQWg
“...Energizing potions?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Fn0RqoRp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTHPsZjBel
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljYAkstXcg
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbeglh5M1o
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCbZD2hsGt
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt3K2HREni
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXi4OwDWu1
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6p5ojeHWX
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4h8DipHNz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdFRwUvAaE
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YVH5awkWj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9E6oCBG0d
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1sDSaFIxu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvn6xeBOAN
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiAK4dhbwk
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGfscn82HI
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2noMvLsW8p
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc60nZcD6Jo
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRBjJvhtW
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHijRWI5TSG
“Is something wrong?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaELpycF8Sz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiyn4p2Rqu
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqpCw24RkG
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“Well, kid–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICf6gQPTx4
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJVzyrhGvO
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxktREqHQmi
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVebCWf0J4B
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGcKv4Fwd3
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhyN898Cdi
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmakdalgLbo
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jx8DViOst
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiN08T5dNA
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WX76KgG0V
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgcdHsIjVf
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLaON4abt7
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANurrus7v4
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DEVnFfuJD
“...Comfortable.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPy1saHJoJ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDvRIxzAuh
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzrK6vKbtk
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rG0BvBrS7
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFwVWESwp
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswwn0BnSVJ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJHlZh23DT
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2DmZVAsC
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgrGeVgAaS
“...A little bit here.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54yk0kxzMI
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7toM5JRCg
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GqnxMiP6I
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrLesVuURZ
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0EjSGMzbp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCekwftIYE2
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1uYvPtqwA
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf6hvnbYcZ
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41FhgDzruW
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRIYcBKKE3
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP7PkLbOA8
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“No time to waste, though.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRZygAtJxc
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlNbKy07VY
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrRshb3UH0
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qwwxFAAev
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NfKuOV0MZ
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiJH0nqPZH
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“...Crap.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSlG4ifc5W
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtDkjZbSml
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe0rBUUyu0
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa223zoAqf
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqoyEXYQMm
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTNNU9rxGO
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnBDAZND3S
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJRVVQNWUa
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAKSIqW9CK
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z5DUnjXW0
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2f58rHlcr
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNNQ4fxID9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5sIpWQkRl
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMZqUbiUPn
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDbxmkxWoC
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitBM7J6dsF
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzEr2eDlKM
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzJpLzVlbI
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6KhiVh7Xl
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XEYIESPu9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDBQ8filPY
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJoMPH2j6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXDt5G16Pd
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHm23dcn5K
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQSGDQle1c
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSXMaBWNdn
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCobb6picrN
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVGEBkonho
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprIVf1AHi0
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNeH0gVWH
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfuVGzc52K
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5oSmg2h2f
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyPJemU5p8
“N-Nigel!?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5MZgUkBfM
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ahdiWJ1l
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRxo3WPIPR
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TrNA8g22z
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MPgRFPx03
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKnoxlUf8r
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNdyQolmFt
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C3qaIBqPm
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCfOlvxH0U
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHhAYDayAr
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLCa7lFmpT
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4eJeCmiFn
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJMjxEvn7e
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusWdBcOwJP
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQafvhFmV7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YdilI6RW3
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHar7bUBSyb
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh74vvIpyfz
“Is this… a clamper?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ja1FqIaNA
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqthC6vwnap
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvpaYVHnPm
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0S4GGrJnj
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbSo7mDVf2
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“That I asked you?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFENBzpFsGs
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPzEFDs9SZ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kSLvneMHB
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs87BftoWp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdBEQ7X4n9
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrIAdSxfvY
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E50KcE8d8
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBAWa6rkfA
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeFEUZMA2M
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpMtzIQAQq
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDEyti45i2
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrwNcAQtUr
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpeVEoP9AB
“How did you–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbef3Cq4C5
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhREhzQlNg
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HOTdwSJat
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD8jj8zgfB
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwMk8Yxenu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB6xH0VfGd
He continued cutting as he spoke.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJMANOfikr
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiZrDTpLBy
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbOjgsjgO8
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUKpi7LNAz
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKavAFUPV3y
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsBxY9Zymf
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH5SwtyPfq
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFPRAueC2z
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXJAJOXEzc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqL5Cg5L71
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFUUmJI7c
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkeLkmemAc
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZBDUjF306
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8Q2U7HG3m
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGLDIPHLZ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dpTwWfuiy
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeFs1imANv
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ymFreXDK
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTVAUyBwIm
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx3yQsWT8a
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1QsuriRfG
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQOzbHpAVY
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvc3gpUSba
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5QyaV2U8k
“I… darn it, you got me there.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cw3b8pr4G
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnGO6VBz0y
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiucvU0lKD
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHn9TuKCNl
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuKXdWbNU8
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7TCtUQ03t
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4yOlDzYg2
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eY6lLxNs0
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMUcsa83jQ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahPDErRJis
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneHDhu0nvc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEYRelNHwq
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQdL3B1Sj5
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgmaoSQAYQ
I looked at him with pursed lips.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGLBZuis5P
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIOr7lMJN6
“Why not?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeztg9JUGFz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFiYOymMxq
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x52zp9ydU
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CvPGtagXd
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWiXrNoeGv
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwqgfipiSO
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriCtMvxPIW
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKtJXHOcfA
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzAPWSnZN7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2mVRS6pt8
“--!”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK8gmy5cA9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NubStDjXi
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubKeJrCnix
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIADzLKBXv0
“Did anything else happen?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMBohCE9pP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtfMDDYiOB
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt6q8XVezB
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lKlM34sdU
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s0V1r6r9n
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecc22ycUTm
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVW3bZ7UdO
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTXsrXS0pw
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf3vyEY1Fe
“Uh…”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiiMl4UmK6
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ127WcMH9H
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqJ1nJBaQJ
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGesnBMhC91
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPoD4IpA21
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXmPUD4298
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL79epEYe4
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZOkBNFKjX
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ6DPlChOc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEH5lQaXOO
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ6ndIA61z
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq4mvJYKcA
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX9D68ZfJL
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHAVqtsSjW
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhTNaFge7d
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FJEF3OPVZ
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHtjL6RqpG
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUtLbIHy6w
“...O-Oh.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hVCnBnVX
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDwbaKCxJc
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNSDPHuI0O
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCWTCnEZ3Y
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l0FQKD2Cy
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvAKNmPYyw
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd1OnfMIa9
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYan3c8123
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrh8aiY8DU
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFWrlbUAey
“Make sense? How?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4armK9bUM
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNrZCnDiOM
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ1kHolf1R
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RJo9Y4JkH
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt2lghG0bp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroa4eiFimM
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ihMeRKA4m
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW59kNoLfCC
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrXXrfhMGd
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BslSjomyW
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SvjNTVlIB
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsyq6S6m2i
“So she still fought alone, eh?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm4U1qjJLP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfj6dECWa3
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqCTeaonT2
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPgPqMCe1h
“Relieved? How come?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfsMQLo2Xc
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IclcdTR3X
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqWZ7f8i2
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggV4qS3a6W
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIzAu1xY6X
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJfdlEksHz
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHzM3RXeu1
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mww0BmEmv
“You’re probably good friends with her.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv5YpLKo7r
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpjRsRRqMW
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedEj05ihBD
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTnCgKLdz2
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQOMnST0wK
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtsPabWThs
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqKjAOYJYj
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHKyr7j0Ey
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFx9TAuLED
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWq3LlQ43I
“H-Hurt? What happened?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5SXlbU58w
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR1ZJRfBag
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB1vPjS3jx
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bM93W5Xi5
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMqvdj8Faa
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhWPB7cSlU
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTDkyCM0d
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNdUmCWpnM
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp2icZOrMP
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRI300DgGS
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA250nmndiv
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTglWwk7edk
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON5GlFUowx
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjOzIXwoS1
He shrugged.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsy4yHXhD7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ43jJBBy0v
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx62M2fltjd
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvKqX9mza8
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgV4ZyBTVK
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG60jyeWkFS
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzGqGBifBW
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqCRkyCcTG
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfcsKb27i7
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfD8f3wxEw
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73ne8d3Ure
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZWCYhbmA0
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonKqauxhBz
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SdJrUepsE
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCidUmNhrM
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkOTG5O95k
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G5GKuKS0s
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI53PvLOrb
–
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmu9pK8dDk
–
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8v0yRBLFP
–
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qf84S4tdZ
“...Role model.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iXGhukJff
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQGVrqPxxC
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIyN8PNhuX
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLSmPulwHr
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1GlNwp3WK
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVDhhXptU1
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04NYCUnMwT
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPilAieAFWZ
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxtOmwjtvB
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjSkDKGn1l
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjjFAgZnvL
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpCrQrVPcq
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV6I316FBp
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJyMjk4Dss
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9n6kirj5z
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZFILJ31RP
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHlj6GOf4t
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OSxPHJ3ja
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
