My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23VF6GIU3l
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTkIsbtUeE
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2AvJtN4YT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D2xy52DiG
"Haa..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXkSctflKG
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOkRVtRvPA
"Are you okay?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ROgO4O9c
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5raasacQmy
"Phew. Now I am."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0FXQOdPYM
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5unLpUebJS
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLIPVFxHC2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJA7GBxQux
"W-What is it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto5D085Bsv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HwuO0vce0
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI56KCqELu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYgKUTCxHc
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZDcESs9vb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4hV2b00YY
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VQbnShCbw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNVjhPJfkN
"Well..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB7CKaYqju
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVaw46mc2s
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeUqGyrcGt
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIrfh2M4nO
"Come on, tell me!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDvYqzynOd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBaNd8jiWB
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Jg5IwTjl
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLLpXM7YFS
She sighed and shrugged.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalkptfBpQZ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJYrf2qD2k
"Are you feeling nervous?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBHaQlQ4Ma
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI9s0ZHW6w
"Of course I am."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7qd9Y95UP
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcaf8EpAgO
"You shouldn't be."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw1qTOAvHI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGBbAY20GT
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q7hAMQNie
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHe2JUGhTU
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIBsUzax3T
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC31xYvmAZ
"...What's that supposed to mean?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Jb77KH2a
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAOXq5tVpb
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lqR6CBgDL
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ftTaKqy0
"I think you came here a little too early."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYUqw9KHMJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWIgrB3sQC
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiunnruInEz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm5UbfJMaz
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sHMSO2fnx
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPxpMhSGsC
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!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FcK3DbOdC
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHKDW11Vbp
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYQh1kldlT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQLW2FhXKE
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELSWSuoi3c
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp5ZUYjw9s
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSXL22DtSw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0M0WUXBnC
"Aren't you going to say something?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDjFX9ON12
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEKO7loKq5
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7d5KR668h
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKNwY768iT
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSHx2c7Bqx
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSzjovW7aY
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aklZD12IJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDUeXwdeJq
"...I-I still don't believe you."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AKD3aQas4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Sr1q05UE
"Are you serious!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dOvmPBOXT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJVNsdk8UH
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWCfcmeFEK
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBOhBkrEwx
"Can I at least have your name?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJOvyUjxtp
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3j2aAWB6O
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx6bHAartN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwzM38ydh
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubqyU6ml4I
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS6cJWXRdc
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwzJ0rgFlR
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5AeOJKdH2
"A-Alright, I won't forget."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqfTf0k6IH
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4r33ga6Xv
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOsN12hygd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRX2pgrEEO
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEXBb3CO1v
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNYWBexqiw
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHDyrtLaCX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSJXBP3tk1
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX0i3jMGs4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sqtq0sgJg
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTFIoLK113
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq1enkQdlO
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGyQCWz24u
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwM9dIYJa4
"She's not very nice at all."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDivNEx36VH
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSZFFYJBk8
"I suppose not."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeMZNvXyFN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtsvOGOaX7
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6LX4V8AJ0
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCkgUlTnNh
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5liZoixeY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y7lDLtoqS
**SMASH**96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFVFS1bOhE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfTTS7U9jg
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSi9Wx9YFJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO9WSuPdvU
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3spGDhki4q
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTrR5RrUPJ
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaACqKLsyv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqXBUZWmxv
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVQ2BSWa0e
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiP5ST4w22
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRljpY5Qvbw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEAk8kQu6k
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoGSEtDEEh
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuPrQ3XyqK
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq9JDbNVqN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8L3MIIPHe
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcx0rnnVWY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOCSiFgnib
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNMFXpNeq5
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPAeL8izzk
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIawQASno73
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQrRzxNUk4
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWinelzrjA
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciwXYeZTx2
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclSEPyQjwF
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVJ5aPUBP6
"No, not at all."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma5DdTfyFB
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xgUJYb0OS
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQbOZQQkvl
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgufHREF2A
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7bUzY8yv4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUHwe6iJQE
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJLGqi2iJ7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWXhTiSOFu
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgEovsuEiu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi42cB5ja7I
"Is she our teammate?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cgfbjymYl
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVnVRa3tFq
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oBTnZVm75
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWbJ0Timza
"That so? Lemme test the waters."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCd3ziUHgv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0c4E4AXmR
"You'll regret it."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65yIJCbKsw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVIHHGONfO
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhSeH7LjRU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8JH0iVQpK
"...Wait."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVOg7DSa6R
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP7ybZEfj4
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdnnD47XT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ7PuubPEm
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61JzBLAl4H
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZC1CXKpd9
"A little? Just a little?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WzqH2v4c5
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybzLAqQfIs
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiQzg76Jbo
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1SsppMSOq
"I met her five minutes ago!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmzkyRdCCj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi77aF4E8Zg
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ajhW7C8Jm
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgGiPW4S0v
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFkcRvAM8m
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg84S6nbeq
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsX3xa11l3
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FVIExZirt
"Really?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNihsY8XIS
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvq9NSeTa2
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5GztaBtXI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04LZZbxB0V
"What do you mean 'really'?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGF4cnmmsv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hzWLMuQvu
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYJ02v1DMw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ7KuIfKYP
"--!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC7QVmLQKz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xv7vqlVgI
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXrH03sLsk
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqkJBfmM77
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0MYvu7U3
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XTi8LScSw
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOdjJ1xxaf
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lngVOlK1b
**SMASH**96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5xZ0HcqSB
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBP3ndZT5D
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDHd7APezI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ8iU6IwK8
My jaw dropped yet again.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN8W8m2Cec
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkVdYev7DJ
"ROY!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46m0tUXTbs
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYYWXcpwZM
–
–
–
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec6lsz4m1l
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sE3eI7f05
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0dypufuRl
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ536qS7xFul
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA21D0k7tVO
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHlL4Bduhp
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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPASOxQXNF
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMZHhv7f0a
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQu6iNAPCX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N4vgnPb5I
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRuJhSnVg2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KDdj3CIj4
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBhkKu4Jng
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv1sio7p40
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC2J769ybT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLrKm3vBnE
"R-Right."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IhDHygJHf
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6akQVwlC83
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–96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGOOBmKW9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezfCx25u0z
"Ack!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd5k2jdUJF
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyReq2l4L7x
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fWka2I2Zz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VQoc3SN4z
"F-Flinty, what was–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZSzq3oz6H
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCnLE8aaLw
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCz0akHuE6
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJUaVcu9ln
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocslb5xBtg
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLbLmi1JUw
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29QK7OaamE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF4mr6O3Hh
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD40tr6vgi9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9nVdeMEbu
"No, I'm not just saying it."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLKPdV5Xqb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNPxUGDs3P
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kiJyIJZrs
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWNlzkUWNG
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkigz2GC8Aw
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW5iBqEXZL
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQAx6gh1wh
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5YbPYwwZa
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRC1xYbjco
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPyIj4oXlS
"I–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMpbp3bPrE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDKp3Zh93
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB9dF3vDou
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttRti3BaNp
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BRqPqq6zm
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUH9zjUe1Y
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–96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYl5vSeMyC
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0O3Jg9Qmy
And yet...96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcuj4aGsVS
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZyaKz5peB
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpO1tCzdUg
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPai22NT6g6
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67X8dh0QDc
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu63b3BJcf
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKkg1t30GJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUS9NvyvTv
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxXE9CMR2z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynoB0R2r9q
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tTa5DSvm
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIuljtWmyb
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfjy1lNe36
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrR3XZRfLR
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cfc8RThs1
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5BW1CctT
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n9FqeYtp4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2wh04TzBY
"O-Okay."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qfITE5p5B
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q7D998UFZ
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F2frZQg0I
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzhPBntjoQ
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2bDJvBNB9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4fU5jGtpr
"Okay okay, fine."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx6sAAtSt6
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ShwYcmJyX
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdC0wtH6US
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXwlL4Ys7T
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog0RPDZwV4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIny3kpioxG
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoAMtYIe4t
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7uAKC9zIH
–
–
–
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN9n0eI3mb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LBNmF7THR
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwNukXc9V
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpciqU1abeG
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Scej0Gand
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJcXscfvuG
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6NxDdWxbX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBoSufnjHv
"Huh...? What did you say?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZVErJE5iE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUa0iorkog
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf97vwOzHGy
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBlDROXa1u
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2TLg2tbrN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30fiCCPoiz
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxihSF1Vv7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkEEMWX9NO
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj5jm72ukj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0TuqGLrX6
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMZgABEbvr
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVnTr7iN2R
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTGAwC689Y
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdD0pfk9B6
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsWc7vzWM8
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CVF93iN11
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qz2CEZdgu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF6Iu3NJ1r
"Note?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Z6g65cGX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HgLPdeBCm
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5WIkz5ssJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9sAmdx22O
"What does it say?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauuLq5lWId
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlSfHjLUGL
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuzhh7RVDB
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlLh3C0o3n
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KR5Pq9nD9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SgdqqgmEw
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGRWkqTjQ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9obRO6nHR
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnKjZJ6jzz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYipkfr4DN9
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5TIby2HHz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHQvlv9KkO
Juke sighed and put the paper away.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxjxsJgszW
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsqbpGd409
"So, how's about a story?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVaInXr69O
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOIzRnPLIn
"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?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr8UJV3G0f
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTo8PZqEUp
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzzt38TkQp
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFvTby0NNT
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uQ4qRSV8J
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQx6a9AUG0
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sqEMoLfz4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiVsc97ftu
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j86IPoZ9B
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92yARqUbTC
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzmwf2JuFD
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVEWix0ixN
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXE1FEDqee
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmLRHDf9f6
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZasdplbTU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5rS8XcXNZ
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdcr9pg7hF
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEst5hCe40
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTOQ7ZXOtb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39l4U3iGm9
"Seriously? You have to be lying."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz8hanzuES
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznAQoL5tQt
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJhBvFinKk
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWH8NhFfXz
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDC3TsPx5q
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6WbBDl77h
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TfsjPoVFL
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjoN4qx4ys
"Like what?" I asked.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jyg4FKWCk
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWO2WAKEj0
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWRhR6LfC5
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR5UE4oois
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4YsqGpqd9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7akC68sIH0
"...Stardust?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ib7e1BG15
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG20Vzi3dF
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJfPSZcjYj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFMX1xDrmL
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSNSBCy37Z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH3cNXFGKq
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBgLfD0Tsd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6DGNr39hf
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQFCz76ywU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2YeUD0JjA
"...The what?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnkUR003JK
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T6rW9J7hg
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQs2JyjMgO
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0I3DKV73X
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGYfSnOasq
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag6i0J4R2H
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieeeTxzB8b
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Urg0wLTXD
"Of course I do!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc0GY9ugtb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRHusWjXtP
She pumped her fist.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfBPCScGyt
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj2g5uWrba
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLdV6ggXe4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF3GLl4LcD
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz5Cm1iMZB
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC0b83IgHB
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2nTXaJNN2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviX5AA42XE
"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–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCORLgCAMRd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6jfEVM8X9
"I already know this."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYNuPmLixX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5TKdtmcmc
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYBkJJm70z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktfA9SHpQE
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfSz9uWgmX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNgAiUDC6x
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPkPcY61IZ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50FZTkkciN
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GA2J2L5G7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXtbYjljlR
"Eh? Why?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JFvGQU1ho
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil5DJKkujf
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvkBLUqypR
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dYUpVg0aJ
"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–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFXIoqv5XK
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0mbUBprHc
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dlg2t6Fyl
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuSFlcu9py
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvSXRvz39a
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeezukda9q
"That's cuz I met her."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzteYiV3i2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIYDDiZQfV
"WHAT!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqdfb8ctb0
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3i901pkmw
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0lKjSCSWI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGr8YBOUoM
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQRcW72m1z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qd8ydsn5P
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDMu3nuZuN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJcgODE80
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5QBN2rlJS
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqwLUUgcqm
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zhkFtXK8y
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBikOrQZG7Z
"You're kidding."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w3Scae1Z5
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLEfBwoPP3
He shook his head no.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aq7ZRXpGA
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQizXaSLjNY
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkzLNxtivn
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi78Q6NIgZE
"You're making this up," I said.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisNJuPixvX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGvEOelyRK
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL4VJEKMBj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO2Nnz1FuK
Juke shrugged.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLbiVzgfyJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xNTWj7kEm
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEHo6O8lco
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhIDkWP252
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUbF61BLlu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQxPWktbwf
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeexlNQeYE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkzhjfjB0a
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljhZlEJQeT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwwuzJuuyD
"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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNC2WQwY4k
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWkdEW8PV8
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhiIUpVL41
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o9igf3kve
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtVT3KC5Z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HWBBVIrj0
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEipLJPJ6PM
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJcsSHMHQ4
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEpRLVubvU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp5X9tQSzZ
She pointed a finger at him.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFXPZVhHZd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCCgV8yxOw
"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!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWdm4uQFfh
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gWdUULkaa
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4GVjNVB7B
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPyJKX9YZE
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRe6apS6U
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXFb99Oghf
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtF3EkLZ0M
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4JTOqZTXP
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCgVxwvWcI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSQsTLs27n
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dAy4tGUJ8
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvC5MXrkpr
"--Ngh! You guys...!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06HDF0QAoa
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjYcp4lbez
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql6rCWYrvJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWZQOTdUrE
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9QwfaAftI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnL3UHlhD2
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxaXT5mjCa
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXzgsZjg5Y
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQYVSGlJcg
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PNVZjAEhl
"Ya look like you have something to say."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqVAXhSJrd
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3owrx2hdqM
"W-Well..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFNb8zv5Du
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdw3caeDqa
She turned her head away.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq4UL7lezM
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlMsUiah4l
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4fkhTLsz7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmdmfUTLTr
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE3yvpvAG6
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dS9rCM0Gv
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn025H9i60
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6LFvGk6cg
"Mhm, I told you so."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHexbLVumr
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxOXDDp61X
–
–
–
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMzwKcGTrj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbftylrfdJ
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivsXF1M0lg
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXRey28Oqe
"...So why am I not getting any?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBiTqakI3m
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtIP9vi9zb
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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwM70BmoPY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeBTuSEY2c
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–96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKomIPpxyT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFd43BoxbL
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5obzKqsiOv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmT0uVyFm9
"Eh?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjI72JUl0r
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3XBx7Qogj
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZXA5FPEh2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXWzKN1BIT
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzYixct5Az
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWgE3jFbnd
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKmIi01mU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsY1KfCJnc
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4nlEf0ijm
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGNClEgDpr
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvUL6SsCc8
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGrY6VJd2L
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eHV6xamDX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF2U7iLZwx
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83DeE8cikz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA6LexAZty
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeach26Nru9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZSfV8g5o
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDcuZoJm9E
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH6sKw39as
"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?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2XVX6acJ8
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zr7COjLAJ
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkOGeJgNSC
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpbUuQrdMc
"A jungle? What elevation?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6tRihw2qi
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNqrI6X6mH
He shrugged.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCczmgziHsC
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxhfPuRhg4
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90x6snPztL
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxsKdE2ItZ
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DyRWU475x
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxDMKXRVkK
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWhVyllJmP
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1doTPUWGLE
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjRMguTp6y
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7l3lomKhP
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJJveTct2b
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhveyRnJJ9
"Why?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWFU3IeFkX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljVqcTBqNX
"..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgayNqqpWlb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoOiTW0Eit
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWv3Ferjy1
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4glAMrDpR
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rw6liTC5I
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV4iuo8DMl
"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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSoIkOTCXx
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uHHM9AaD2
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjgPTKKNT1
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk1aFyzSCu
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3TZOrkyFR
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw0eHWmUr4
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi8rcBoyl2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDTHvePBBE
"..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjR0jAucUK
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqW95UpDYZ
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDLa7gqvHM
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcX97Z7qw8
"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."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWDp6aHhxq
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsg0WaoBBj
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqal3fbzOl9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg5x4A5TKV
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8zI3iDWtj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8BL200XK
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqEuloAYHj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDPh5EGoLf
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgmFD54mO4
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNRgWaeHe8
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs34zMKXga
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlpgvuSegF
"TALBOT!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj3m5OeRIj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25g6lPEH5q
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIPfA6p0iY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI6uBaQPPk
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX5UaB31nW
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyNRpf7CpT
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mIMRunxrp
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFJlp2i8xt
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OpE3sFHQy
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs8gFBBkvg
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgWrbUywKe
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREh7pulbq0
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHXq7Q8HKh
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZe3cySBON
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr48kKR1nwQ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwAGfimRbW
"Are ya kidding me?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13vlqdpDMJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegKkNxPgoY
"That's so lame!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPgcohkm5K
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkefEekzd0g
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO3uHT4cMJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvDDFIiMPo
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe04FiSU11
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjeB7sHvXg
"What's that supposed to mean?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfEEY0YUSz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVw0ds6ZR5
"Nothing."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Zv8QFl4y
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNe3XaPPAW
She returned to chowing down on her food.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUiwrm1fUB
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVhFxJkvP7
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw5CJ3X0Ej
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuscDKfDHHK
"Well..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtJtkVhjMz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKC2ewAVcU
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiM87asqpD
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX3w2pEjWT
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBicTFsILL
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSRbzgDqDt
"...No."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9GUsnRlgy
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLFJv9Ehov
"Eh? Why not?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRTmoItmlz
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGLBRxvouM
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8RfG3whe1
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsueDTcZLJK
"Huh!? What'd you say?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELi2uPZFC8
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnfYgz1rpa
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cic2Geplv
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpY5nWF68t
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZqLuh12R
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvnx4ylFMM
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrMVRA1Gd7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4AMAPsvaF
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ALa0FcpxW
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPu3OiR0Ah
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhqf2QvnNO
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7E8NqzCHz
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgWOsYCE7N
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5790UoclBN
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSZ3ESZkMS
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E4t6FE776
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR3BVAIx5I
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLFHF07bdJ
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qbDyQSWZj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfcAzR5RDX
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7hq4VYMmj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOcRDDrc0J
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPyLzq9uPj
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr8bBmIw1g
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWYgLOUfJ0
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOK6pIz5MO
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDc2ykLxno
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WeTmIGFlK
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicYFNbjaBU
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dKAQziXB6
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VHNrgSpcJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bMTUr3vud
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0rkgn3D4z
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZVaqj0m5Y
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrH1q63dSu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeOHTKolJP
"Custom design? Well..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn2I3BHaPh
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvh0JYotJf
She turned her head away.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX5SSlltpo
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkOpXwRZu3
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjnxPTGy4T
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23GgQEnVut
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY11gYIm60v
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVPDApA1oc
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiyc7R92ac
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqVLQ4SatG
"Oh, this?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrRjssJdfX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvqHXEhBTj
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMepRaJNSY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe6oeduhiz
"I stole it!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLatCBI00Ss
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEUzV5504o
"No surprise."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ078DgjF9
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik7je5bJVQ
"I ain't surprised."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYTG444r6c
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboC7CGAOfo
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OqjmWOljq
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLM0KyGlNU
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IEZ1bA0EE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfJ2Iup4pJ
"No."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrewyz6GQvT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP2trldEgL
"Not really."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsCW1YHGkf
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2HoJpK53C
"Ah... you two are lame!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZThCm8xcBk
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8zdLBh55x
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeLfnZzWhJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFZLfGaBOo
"..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUE8kxuWzX
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3K7NyUFkq
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5lnrgA980
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ61GalYYb
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00h9k1ARmW
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJn2dtl77Y
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJppsfbSZr
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw3v0YW3V5
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPm5bT8F5G
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tWUT1AHQq
"I-I see... I suppose so."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaxeIE7B98
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLF5vXcAoR
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVrHTatPhF
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQEVOVNze0
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtD0GqCxBx
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2wAKsL6Jt
"Did you have to word it that way?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkisPbPMW8g
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL4Ozh0Yjf
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgavi1qCXJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrABNK5GO5N
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7nhhvmLIc
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hFCurwTvb
"Ya got it, boss."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnKXXGZpgM
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW9zF3N610
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wiXORT6o
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha11YqmTCZ
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GZHsd6rZI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweHtXKUr1r
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3waaAzObOa
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9O5umKKBs
"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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv66FLaYS7c
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTneoU55puT
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr22HTqmc7
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPOLMufGX
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1CDXbYCZZ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3f0Fu4ry9
"...Well, alright. What is it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53U2ArvD7C
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIYQCZexKG
"I... I wanted..."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFqyS7ms40
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrEISiecj6
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf81RlltFT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS1SFMh1RT
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8FHofKVqR
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLuz2pEeId
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU7M5N9QwT
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFP0yuVJCR
"Where's this coming from?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXEhbkpcwc
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JGQKTaQ6z
"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?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpf3Q7Btfb
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpI2nkozLs
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAzOm0ZWaE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsjQehOJr7
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk7qWllz8Q
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnIoJwkdQa
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0EfXjPNVu
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpTqlgW5My
In that light–96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV5mhYqrbq
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq2WMhTQda
"Alright, apology accepted."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIN27lt8UE
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle8KsyFkm9
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiwsPQCUZN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpQ9qpycQm
"--only on one condition."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8Cmd2ZP7o
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcP6P2sePf
"Eh!?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSH80vH6vY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsXbTeTs2u
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSjiNxrysY
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJkHg7AA2
"That's right."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6ZwWPpS6O
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdsYqh2u85
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kZvsT1S7L
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoxHTfuVVb
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeaUT2jVqN
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLakz5tLf6
"He sounds like a priss."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCnPQkjYmJ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfFbe6lj3v
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqjYGVzMCI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifmYNBBxbZ
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcKJeDAQwk
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z2SCYjLqi
"Fine, what's your condition?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hgi99sveV
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5zEoEJzWb
I pointed a finger at her.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tPYlR1zBx
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZjQIuxwmo
"We need to get along from now on."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtIcKmhKXp
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACdt790OVB
"...Huh?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4moj435r6
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy2y5phFde
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV6CQc5mPn
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rIt7scvZB
"...Ha, that's it?"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Mh8WAWOg
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej1g0aP0cS
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPXZtyz17m
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn8idTjO9h
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4972yCBH6
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFhgrbPvG6
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTXHYfFasp
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnHuNcQfiz
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2i52qy4md
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0d54xen3v
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkBk28WyjZ
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhugAKbViOl
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pFZ6S3kr5
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vBgbXul20
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaqcbAiEAI
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1B0OWNrEA
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM13cGt847
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nvCK5o0Ez
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6khhFc8Hm
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQQlMexYa6
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNXiR3JBPG
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZHzfB8CRU
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX2uNM7Y0l
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj7tK6PVom
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBvVg8fmZn
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdQfSl0Q28
"What a weirdo, seriously."96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsHBDskgwL
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vg3MkBhRP
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OldgW7S5I
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o5K8rKPBG
–
–
–
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lE0azfcPq
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0zq3DqYR4
"You guys! You gotta see this!"96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdNNauIDe2
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5A5GqB1xF
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.96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT3JRXmH8v
96Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbahUyQ84qn
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.
