My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsmYwWS1kj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y7FLu8Yuh
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR9zDXJdUZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR74bMXfxhG
"Haa..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLN0FIg5Z5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtwxETUnhT
"Are you okay?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nFiYiMCw0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa1dD4uOmP
"Phew. Now I am."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqkEHst5N
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUJ86C4u29
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavKAFhoMnM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhuP304iSE
"W-What is it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zsAI19wq2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOUhss0PwA
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6r6UWIN7c
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPpPWDQawe
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1fTvvFrcD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5mQcVRxgO
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXphb8N1U7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqMBwsFn4m
"Well..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6OVKMvMz2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe6tihQzFm
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA8PEn1gas
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iypVTe4kR
"Come on, tell me!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRjSy2hBBV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PcfJXKxON
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF3granWas
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT4U4bFkQ9
She sighed and shrugged.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshTpEY5Vhz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AlM8tQAp4
"Are you feeling nervous?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVgVASogaz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5VNZeDTSv
"Of course I am."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK0bIJTpEk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSXh03LeMc
"You shouldn't be."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1s7DfQRgh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Fy4cSo1d
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6V7qbCeC2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfIPbK9feN
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3620EbhDLY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eVx7rX2UX
"...What's that supposed to mean?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH2e4mFr0D
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEBz0iEPXP
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIuY0knfSX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE28xy7RQ9r
"I think you came here a little too early."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfKG2MvWf5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlVt8aVzGt
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IUjVRbnxK
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh7brBLr0o
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObcXBo28NW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYIEQgrqxH
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!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAeYOkYxHL
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6VEgCXHFi
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODtl9f7iia
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkIsFA95py
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ3wUIZfvI
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRVlSnIbai
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqPgcxM5dU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWSi8TezK5
"Aren't you going to say something?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQz3TpYNR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6jBjIXWs8
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVSbkioQXR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDSZRfplnf
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfL2LZzGqU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8I4lNYW4l
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxccTZlSy8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNWffgMjyO
"...I-I still don't believe you."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIoqOXeEiQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEoMcykFJ7
"Are you serious!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ7DNL5zip
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1ISzMlitA
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMFT1jEg3g
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwaOlIKDr8
"Can I at least have your name?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWiEhpdOnf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBYvMZ9UEW
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8PNJPPeS6
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBgzlg3lWK
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAgEuXFA0j
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0uswwf9d3
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BLRLMyFpt
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGnS3NljyF
"A-Alright, I won't forget."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnFnSjHDJl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Edv47KqiN
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexVE8fPrl3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoZMmveM6b
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGthEUxW7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRwBmxE9P1
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rip3MTP6u
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgILs1qLBN8
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE87dfjxQwZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTanmJpgTV9
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmCHS1QMVn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1osERyKiF
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKqR3Ua0i5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8pcnQ9xR6
"She's not very nice at all."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoM1tBqeFn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDgYGukJTF
"I suppose not."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvgiZS7sRB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDruuIc5ELN
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjJ7dwVKrm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyoGRImNoN
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRC2huH0q1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDzrR4uqAA
**SMASH**58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfISlSw5esE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhr8wkwciS
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1g2SsPeRB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcl50AKEGw
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip6aFCPa5W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTgqOXs338
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S6vgFXNtX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgYLJzXM2I
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVOrZFciEF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUqWIGca6d
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRg3fgudnC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3nwkf3dh2
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55jQM5mD9E
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxWiWrGkrd
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD456dpnu12
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrK14NSsw8
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx6N8Dr0Vf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekguew8zeR
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZBUQYIJrP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGcIbGkh4g
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWqyS2G5W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtutBTbw6oa
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3H3Dk6dQn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQImH4Hlccb
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3MtVL0qnW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrF114XPsQ
"No, not at all."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07RZbxW14b
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJx2kAy1We
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVkRlz2lKP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l9j30fu4X
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIBKFdMXXF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DlspIDcN9
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMYzUGqf6d
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxBaZma2wl
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFmUaow29q
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfEypDNBns
"Is she our teammate?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHKqfO8uRB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzo7kap7FB
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu5a2k4wun
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3cabZNLcf
"That so? Lemme test the waters."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05HjzWGsgS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG99h1AP9yM
"You'll regret it."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZnZjEjVko
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXtd7P9zrF
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTYhRUP528
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJh8X6MH51
"...Wait."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSqXPc2OIH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp93e1pnNua
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AtQjEUdMp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPIqeix2eO
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY28kOU1iZH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCpKGoLfIr
"A little? Just a little?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTGjVbKBqP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshZdFDiEKm
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58qSD7pj59
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlfdNHhrEQ
"I met her five minutes ago!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVvvJMdFgK
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAquB1Bfpvs
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzgh0SUkoC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYkKuM9n7B
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5FSvqdGzO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg8PvNtRaN
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7IWWHoIHe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvY3LOKP85
"Really?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m292zTGeo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlbmmC07ad
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLeVIpASKF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkLLjHAdYb
"What do you mean 'really'?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnCGfISMN2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hlvEhLy8t
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qPcreGR1A
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T9YiI7lHJ
"--!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPb1KA7R5x
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWkesYh2Fv
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxhGgmzPuo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKwboE0Wdp
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhXnPXyHO3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvmRcuFi4w
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1SJZsgMDQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GyXE2uucD
**SMASH**58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74EqrJpl0Z
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6O1qsTluu
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCqmvgWyiL
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoQsJxwUkO
My jaw dropped yet again.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndsjtT5OYx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnNv97bzWH
"ROY!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWUM3f3NOB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoJ37vircR
–
–
–
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qZFV0YBuP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucaF2wbxA8
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwCUaIHkm7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANxunyICkq
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcbvFQKnrF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARpOZZKN86
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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMT6Wq6FBr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg0egdq1P2
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2YGITcQj7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMg41lKWHW
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JwoxHSn5t
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtmeKjUNzM
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQKETQ82jq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktRcIUOuGp
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrajHykMEjo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C4ejFezdH
"R-Right."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaun0sG1aDl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwmuvYIjXX
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–58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqLTYbnvfS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzHcM9jCFt
"Ack!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPjIFbyop0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQBJlp7sBo
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2CB4vXZ4h
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQODZazfK8
"F-Flinty, what was–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ6aGzVkYx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabSR8VlJbB
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsYGlsUhIx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8tRaBbeo
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlZjn83xv0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpEHHLd0KS
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVK5lRpgMG
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh0T61KyV3
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsuAr3D3oM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoxcp4IsV8
"No, I'm not just saying it."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDe4YQRWW7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIC3uwk9hB
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecSFbnW2DF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ4t4QVKUt
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkCKHBRYnR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvALP7CtC5
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVNr4StDFe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnt8LpmiZ9
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua2fn1F7bZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SV5fHraWq
"I–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QMc3Lb3lg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqsLeewEZS
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsgxwDDhBZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCvDIbUHny
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA0ehq7rip
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWvOVFRv43
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–58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTpxmHbaIF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hOuBdUV3W
And yet...58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJBd3b555W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI36zTgrH3
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A7VK8xcvm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM9cSZ7L99
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEluEfrfFiU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQsgidj9e6
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiAJU6rWnv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoiVgEMzyi
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UWQ3PKJlf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9d4mSPArE
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SePLU0WeX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzm86bxPt7
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ775Rbw2yhJ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3cRzOQpnX
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5qHdQvpZ2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv3XU1Pb7s
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO0RgCvecz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIon4Q1e0B
"O-Okay."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuYQJ4Wg53
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs63iByJz6
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQuyil9cHF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xdNgLkXji
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoDV83j0D1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxhDkEHSPf
"Okay okay, fine."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ114ikyX1ga
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoviN6tWH3d
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oea3l6a8q
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuseuhFUeY
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUYCjSEIua
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9DlSPpb3B
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSOnjQYZ2p
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUVm4aJVm5
–
–
–
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWgEeHtPoS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCqJwytjKt
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIryu054Rr9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPsDyUsbQH
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJvzvbLbW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cZHIZjYFO
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VP2D1tkka
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t3XIdU8IO
"Huh...? What did you say?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2gvqFBkBY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx2TXlmJ1e
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLunhn6XET2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CDIsyQgoq
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp5dmwEOVV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZggQsxHsSn
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKqPS7ykID
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8rKGlmbl7
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoKeoOqXr2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC3gUCj0kX
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs2cvGrvkS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMpXLaKxsS
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGVEGhZyW2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKetIIkIUn
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ783FSIRQyV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgX3noNwe6
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ8nB6RIhe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4CnLsYxWT
"Note?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXZ9SpT02o
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXgncenqlb
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3LQcbqFGC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4lHQf84NG
"What does it say?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UgjD8KPCy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw1T87Rbe1
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU01bMctPio
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtjdYnClLx
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7foh0ClVK
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH76lESn54
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtpE6L7M7H
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp85TRBASd
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmbSgciQcR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLeRDdSpyj
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2St1sIL2yj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtn1KEDEUu
Juke sighed and put the paper away.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NKKDHkWD4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEyQQ5BXwm
"So, how's about a story?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsFOeycccZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwg53AVufN
"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?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMuDCf6e19
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsQ5gNp8aE
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CdKF3D8yC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HzDoFSYho
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppkqDSaL4u
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEgFsA1JFD
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV56ENEpBw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvgmbArz0a
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8AWV93XLr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauED807IEe
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYgKXw53Qw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNutJOTXl0s
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtureq1Zq2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LbYaohxLH
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ5k2qjLvr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0u68wzbpf
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye1VNdqPXW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NCioHe6np
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeRS93lcoN
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiZXSqiaaP
"Seriously? You have to be lying."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDZlT7OB2A
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB0nodfcTY
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoIMHuyd7k
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau2ci6oBOE
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05tFKyKEjZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM4KMos1EU
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eR1WFCVIx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTmsmCuqfi
"Like what?" I asked.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeixXAhbH2S
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQDi6fcJXK
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw8K5KRSud
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTjmZSI3Jn
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq75JJvowge
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCn19CWLe1
"...Stardust?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7OLDuTQqv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYthmyY67jq
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawK7FH3rTC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26jl9QqrWj
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErHYXSOOBS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNjE9HDRCk
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRjJPkVOd1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFtBPZW8Nf
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyBLhy2MbQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8OD7pJUmU
"...The what?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a5ICI8Hcr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDASb88YVaj
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4unkCTvIi
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAK84hTO0P
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaUsbPskY0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK2x15b5NK
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2kRtn11oX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMisQEpHl8T
"Of course I do!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcoJEsftSv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1LFDJZeKp
She pumped her fist.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nlJO8I3bA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE5KTHAAlk
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcwAR56ZWi
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL9Il0BvMO
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKNGjfZNTy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadi7JKJDoQ
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalPcjxDgWb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUOU4OoJg7
"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–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wIic8Gr6c
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztPECSF3yN
"I already know this."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzgCmhqGe9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0REKNtB2Ic
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMLQlos9oO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjqzHWaqHs
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkZ4tIsQDY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEekrPfliJG
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCZgUXEK99
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngGyOJqOn2
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhunnCYKzW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrauiMMKxKE
"Eh? Why?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjX7zYJdIG
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmquwmwjN5
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnKmGGYOxV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmAQddHYaO
"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–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRL3vTz5uj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsczKSKxFhR
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCDceFey5W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIer73oMTu
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e122Ni1qL
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy6v7FdYRD
"That's cuz I met her."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWKXKMvTUK
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLVYnYCutv
"WHAT!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjuZivHFui
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC8Ub5e9ol
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpseMBMYEGl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvoaCx3Oer
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8uwNMapep
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbnU8fBcSx
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ57sJSSNO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbOhUqb4Bu
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2erYx2ZWy
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkz8wF94EQ
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW3xH3LFtB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyJ5XgPbBq
"You're kidding."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUbVRIKCJq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuDt5AGnvw
He shook his head no.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahaRsTcCPY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XL6w6V7st
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zb57JuqSo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyMNlAtSck
"You're making this up," I said.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRD2V3SdIl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbIWJW0r78
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCuPbUGBa9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgj7Cnnkdw
Juke shrugged.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD2p7aFQXP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVqTgmzpTd
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9QOKAuFqB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0uN7tRLHO
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg0XwYSZqC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr61v5bRPd
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE96wRFj5F
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uGnDXSqJx
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3NgOEmT9M
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAdWXzYkjp
"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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnMDfNIzve
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGddfUb9cN8
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizU6hLXxvJ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg3uhz9Rl9
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaWlrhSB1U
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDgKnBuDP6
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNlsIkQMJC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgXXybwZ32
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF0GfZ0w1A
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxa3aGK1WB
She pointed a finger at him.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKfBLfSYRS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkSuzZpWd
"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!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFXvuM3SKp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqASqeEi3v0
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavBpwrG4F4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9mp9Go0s1
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKxyeJ7bn3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDntZS2so3
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59K2tRNOu9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrDHcgxDop
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjl1AFZ0ei
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8pjy45ReS
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN6YTCYfYo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmkO5UwZom
"--Ngh! You guys...!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqWchvh2FR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTEMdyFHmB
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWzxpHczrF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagC9DShJKv
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhucuSxvOj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJisxVdP2U
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwDuEflyex
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oobztRvCk
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTRGb6qWZr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuKaMQKXhq
"Ya look like you have something to say."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eqyJYP65p
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrxrJBqYZZ
"W-Well..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KTwM94N7p
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAuLdu4OXy
She turned her head away.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6U6YjAxRU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoBVInNej5
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc7rcwleyC
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbglSnteZXv
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVJ9KvSL5x
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz829Qo9NzO
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavKrVoxPOc
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ788uE497Au
"Mhm, I told you so."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnlpbax0zQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU6X23X9NO
–
–
–
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSrnh5mDv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeqJ4feSpD
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3a2jVHLl0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHMemH8QlR
"...So why am I not getting any?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXBnJ92CoP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMpafTFgYK
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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlgJhGKzr8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkNeCzZrR9
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–58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq1TJoLZCj
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9MHuLysgi
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa56ZJYinzA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6O6FxftTd
"Eh?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLaerGFoZR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dAxHE5LiK
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsABYagKRO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOFWiWSAtK
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyfdUZxI7K
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61k8kYQeN7
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZYKiKDSRR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hwJQfWPKV
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAXpu17i8i
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxOaw6lmW1
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgWBbJSeMr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8RnvV3z4N
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWl6aSYTIp
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLCa4c56bx
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg8ZCOwBiU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6qhdUuc5v
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtopOyFc0Yg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmrtvqXaox
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgHDDWLTnQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnTifegpu2
"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?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKxYgSpRsg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc8dUfhGVB
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx59RBBwaft
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQnCDRYwKI
"A jungle? What elevation?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE3krr2mJD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V8A81qZnM
He shrugged.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcE2ezPs2r
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zWxO6lkSn
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsEy2Cgv5D
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5NVyqPtMk
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4fQ9DwnEi
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduUIJVQ74K
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26dUoJqDwd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJKGZqiX6T
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3WFsQM7yh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyuEpfyKkK
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcYC58rajw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47qQQpVVXo
"Why?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK49HA7Kf0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFMqkE79lQ
"..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5hTchH8Vl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDfmox13c5
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1A8jMLi60
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOH7DBTrZ6
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ebn6DjnKw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2pi40FnoR
"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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnds5nPXcR
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k50P5Zn97
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qh1ZccbS8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQybbZ3BjXW
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2RlG0SRhS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEuBM5cGZQ
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDL7O4gk3o
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5SnoTAzLs
"..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9VLRk41Hd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPM7JXI5UJ
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThKiRfH8q5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlBYAvr44q
"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."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw2eiABP1U
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB528uY11f
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IPmAYkA6f
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyVjPvKQu9
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwZe5LbU1q
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYsLfUpRtG
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTwwvR6tim
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzzUr76ZCO
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaDLty3ebA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkphJrQS5i
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVAy0qBi8a
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Owi5pG7n
"TALBOT!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApy9opRbY6
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOdPqoro4b
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JDV900eDu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEjG6Ws2DJ
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1lM8lcxCX
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ct1R4x22
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL3Kpa0EWG
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuHavcBkU1
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyMWzgDAKM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdQWZ7dpuT
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U4olHbdas
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9ORXnYjSM
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d5yJFnwdx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jMJL6lBcR
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1x5rc2Gle
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2zhJ0UiUD
"Are ya kidding me?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTZmBXcVKu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQxF3C0bis
"That's so lame!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqTIsfTmWa
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JoBwag2cv
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoHnkIsUQV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2hxJkduUD
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW6hHGYUI8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSrN7ANOEx
"What's that supposed to mean?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpP2FFM2Kz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxxhSjtkzx
"Nothing."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3BxyYi0Ge
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEZlr57p5O
She returned to chowing down on her food.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYO2xNEOfu
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6YxbpdhYt
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty8Lo4ksyx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavsygIMapx
"Well..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfij9qSxYm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLBVWBFHpV
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcJ5gKR5vk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ftx5VwuhF
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVhyVdAkiz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6EC7vAHeF
"...No."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ807tWZ7pvI
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokBkvDIzaI
"Eh? Why not?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxcMmKlzgz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicxAPc1Mcj
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7APtJGMKr
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXHKYLCq9x
"Huh!? What'd you say?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wEziH37bU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoBib8zgW9
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYT6Cpwwtf
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ooDWof8G
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDoATTtoiP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOxbUQdilw
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyxHoG778n
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwFkNmSuzf
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcqHjJGM0b
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJIPSPhk5J
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8qqXioRC1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY266UVcGO5
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBVyV8dQSJ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhupC0mWx7W
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQfpQo28wo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE4QMrexrI
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VE1OZx6su
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uq4n8Sdh4
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bXStcABhz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN9OJwcTCE
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jYb0aY1sD
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rO8hcSFhh
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaPILWePkT
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk5et59Afy
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0M9lh4BRS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYTAAid1Nw
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrluH7c6lT
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs2nwC9nfX
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tkTrIU6nZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwMwvjg2Yb
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm3I4quQ4h
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5McWwWUNoa
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWa83VqrQl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3o3Esq6U0
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaFzhNjU3z
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS990LPimh
"Custom design? Well..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE7yQdGf4m
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ04thQVWh4
She turned her head away.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Q3yZeih7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcsJ8EuabS
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzVXLdlxuO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmTnSFSvW3
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7YVKCjUeg
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi14gC1MOU
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK5pHv63ch
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgMKY5AnHH
"Oh, this?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00TgmZNJME
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE9HxR3Anw
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjLNFiqQZ7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa59uaMDr0R
"I stole it!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq13FMFuWAb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOwlyB33tz
"No surprise."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJeNI5tZH2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7woFscnalc
"I ain't surprised."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyF9Pw5w15
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XvXrdxFsS
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEaL1GlrZU
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViLs4BtLVJ
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCS80cfELB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHBpCufoAP
"No."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyoTgnV0nz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl0yudvjf5
"Not really."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wxtod7he8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ucXgumzu
"Ah... you two are lame!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv8APwMAF8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCCGljIefn
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCbpS7rP5a
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmUeGoh7V2
"..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyRAvMGCrB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj7ujxLKEI
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b7nGOtqdz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHld8ccJ0dg
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9qy6x4lO8
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOAdppRrV6
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycWhWrKuHL
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlGU7yzoza
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXgRvMBLk0
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaVoOoXtUF
"I-I see... I suppose so."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3gAzuiNHO
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V3sfOD7p1
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYTqHxIHp4
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKnLT3aN2t
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItH9BHULY7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu7FWo0MOU
"Did you have to word it that way?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bldL07xhP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDYUyCwpWd
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSkyveF0yZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jy1lfQA0H
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXgmdDoBJh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR1fsHUxq6
"Ya got it, boss."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz5Nx66sEA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKkCBQjBxT
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchNcVs04rm
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjXf4fIF9o
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgAQHSvFgh
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAmLP8MCxH
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloDP94ERnZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzd5Z285sE
"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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAcsujP6oB
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjewVI6xOW
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U3qBneT3W
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMRtKyTHDF
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5kqHD0Jac
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmfRzlFgMu
"...Well, alright. What is it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDbah9MPCA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rb9TzqBjG
"I... I wanted..."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgFQAcNTqN
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocHw9IAvXk
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUNgUX2NBa
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZuNEScV2O
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYNrHaH71x
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMIjiuVPed
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz4LodWNuk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOkMFRedk
"Where's this coming from?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuERkVmn1K
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfgz9s3og7
"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?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSjJMBNhwV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY5tTKpDVA
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiIonguqIi
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp3umQJbZ4
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG7TxGAiy6
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUoMDgTPPA
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeWEVm3EVk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipHjvgzCWO
In that light–58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8TeDc9G4K
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBAtee4xjH
"Alright, apology accepted."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ774PwF65GS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJMrW5xHXy
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FFB758ywV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNuRuY8TOJ
"--only on one condition."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkpjiHAWA7
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvN1KvSkVJ
"Eh!?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi20OdlKpo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytd9DcvAoe
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO102nCR1O
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O2YNFVfE6
"That's right."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM1roeqMhV
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QUq4yk02E
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDVCdcBWPe
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nUOdVlZ6Q
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JgVv5fOCJ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGDGA4Apn0
"He sounds like a priss."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULA7xxRJg2
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6AYWlkxu0
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaov2Ej7DA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxg2AXcViy
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyZxHysCGq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk70gNjnMi
"Fine, what's your condition?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoi9RQbSXw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslYjglZXCY
I pointed a finger at her.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMEyaYqqWo
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWsWJe0UFp
"We need to get along from now on."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfsuM8xqz9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdRzDlMo6O
"...Huh?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bGnMTOTtP
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuMQzMDlgo
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqNKfXVnYk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAYRgAKYJ2
"...Ha, that's it?"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceFncXn62m
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYrwjGbMvn
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAmm5D5meQ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvqjydk9hD
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGlD5D42Ow
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWnu0XdP0a
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMahgqPSli
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjb6pPeRN7
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xtUEUvfu5
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9nv7cno7Z
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEu1X5gPWd
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2QIHLN6o7
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLH2oJhEpS
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyrc2b8RP4
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjmadx3JMA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPQQvCQNK0
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhpCzhIXEn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18p6p6snny
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0d9mazhwA
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9oFBLTEP0
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx5zdRNXnz
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q3RvBrJEG
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gdymklxLb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqVoUAI0fn
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsovWkSxrM
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQxMEHdsGX
"What a weirdo, seriously."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OCsdfxTjq
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgUbA7jKrv
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmXglBNikF
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ei4phfAAN
–
–
–
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvaLT3Oj2K
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n4HoD3iCz
"You guys! You gotta see this!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH8frtwFIY
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90VUX8QKN
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.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0dIYiVeat
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Owc7oWjCR
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.
