The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1QHRc5Pkw
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVBMsZK4b4
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2yoVct3Dt
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYVWeC00hD
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"Oh, that's a good point."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoGyRmdB6K
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL3gvrIk0Q
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**SWOOSH**74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v99NngOaa
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"W-Woah!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRSN6mxVJC
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM79wiKIXx
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GtsOgre9g
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz625J7Y8U7
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvuOxiB89q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeoAOwt3mq
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1gN1ptLtC
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"Oh, Juke."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8v0jNieT
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLYOdaF2bh
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91xHSowGDo
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Juke tilted his head.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPBGmEsWMi
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEJ01whH8H
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzQbLKCgLG
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOiBvHxJ6e
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHu9Z5VhWj
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"That's a good idea."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkn0psNnRh
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQnH0q71Y5
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCrIYEpbJy
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n2wM5qzGb
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAvRlI0iLl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4SDazaxYN
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvKmFA8L9d
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufctrXvcKq
**SWOOSH**74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNu37abS72
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aTckvrr1K
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsA5lSh30y
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeahcH5uBD
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMffweThFpL
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"That's a bird!?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8kkj5D1N
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1LHSt6d6C
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JyMfbquoz
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OFgBRabJq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HNN4b6xPG
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2M0yXjz3X
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qxY11LBsG
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9hTQdyrYC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bqhrMYa8f
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DB34csGr9
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdQMhIWfom
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc0ylyblwi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKMoSqA44K
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl705BStE2
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IynTVyHGN
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"Hahaha!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3rGl7xoli
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"Why aren't you answering me?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBjWcdllM4
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlmq29YsCA
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkX6fQrrqD
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2uljlbgXr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdcVewy9pg
"Huh? Why?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs5pzFepQd
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiyvxg8i28
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"Oh, alright!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11mTpthN7
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupLH7GEwHK
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvcnlSUFqo
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JzrS2WOmG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOclSlcNkBh
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLesrd1tj2X
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJFmw04xr
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u6q5toln9
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"Hold on–"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVZZGBb8od
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBaVM2XG1d
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOElnkcpko
"See what I mean?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaCZ3ZqCAG
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulXvZxL2l
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30UTvCRmRC
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbht1RlbB32
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ3HUFwN4W
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwynTOAO2I
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzvw7AsLyd
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthQ3PrPpXr
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"...Maybe."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFipcEVQ1L
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"Why only maybe!?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1K1xvXO19
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHcMUPncLw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhTuScTAWG
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MkaA8OjYi
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"Ahhh... this is the life."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcUEwMIPPZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S4XKK7oln
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhvDR3Nh7D
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58ejHGBWIR
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcETP1Xu029
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksBkARYiBM
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv2f6WN1cK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu1WeEk7ik
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNe71BEdP2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yPplkV2QS
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtADhQlhi3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkxlm2XD0J
"Sure, sure, now scram."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAcUnxVQki
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lgSXvsFNm
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwTEhRx83z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUo2jGG3ig
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgyvk8wfQm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNF23UsQY7
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmVAY7WOmz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ON8dlff4b
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKXE3u7yAm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrvn43LPJY
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1qAR8MWe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm8EdEjueT
"A nap... hmm..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0oV8Ih6ad
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMls1VRRlsr
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqlCAiiPEu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDayEutmut
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Vy6TpwVM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH4v31rUkn
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTUrnpbVMf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuROnjPXN2P
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhFphr9TaV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqij43pPvK
"Ack... this sucks."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDN06jf8rQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BN4InO5ax
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0IKdm3ZXv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffb40ZmIVj
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAKXJswlkk
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"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUEEuIR6aO
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9QGnw6jRw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1u1R7Z1LT
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gCJS0rne2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7pBeue8CG
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVWrWZFQN8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EX3Rd13rX
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQyQXzcthw
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5syel5IMVb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNYO2JuvSA
"---Alright, that takes care of that."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c1DyNscti
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aZqS1Jkfo
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVns9vRRWa9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NaRlBnQMW
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1oyayhO8q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OdKPS7a1R
"...Right?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCyoJgzguM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X6f6sZi7k
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXZNpdJSWC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtyijqIn8C
"..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfuJfkpDep
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan5GCr4Gm2
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkvP0ltySx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KoHxFhnsZ
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyY0UsOwbq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWzvgy38Ba
Wait, where the hell is she going?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCK0pJMDXt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZOyNhrJTa
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQuuVH1AFu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3vg6cSbk2
"Rover."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8HVJWbDr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqetq3k85U
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqiOEKtsAP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70EGS0S9ad
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkRGxD2gQr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BiKoCb1oX
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEhGh5eJr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw67dYOl430
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0r5359hgE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDCURGqDaK
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09yivP7Wuf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX0zBRKT2K
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja2wyBi4mF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ762ZuWJpXc
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJk67hYU3m
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9tl9AgjjW
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Dz5IFzQU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIqdXupUla
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4LRQ40OCu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyyZFqskoj
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfZqm8yFXw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO23GFzUDH0
"Oh, that... uh..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEmZuzlkL6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGENR08QAUA
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHa54JfObo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x24ajBvdQ
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIvq83trvJ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTvDCwc07z
"...Pff."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3goBSoioV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrn54t7ACh
"It's not funny!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p7m5LztdI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZsn9UdvnK
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfgj1BbwRE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXud8Ne6eZm
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXtbkUuB92
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL0dMVrSoL
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkHgBVTYUS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9JlecUBRY
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtddQeq4R1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58wCCy3C3r
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ018E8RATxz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCgwmzNVjb
"...I see."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbuNURe0eE
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I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH30ozB4C1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdGsAo9bk
"..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumjUdlvopz
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34jUCvIt0E
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWofoZS9JCS
"What are you doing?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzcUFmehEc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V4CAo91Au
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnV2rK7mQr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbtlJEAdib
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1po1vD10Sv
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"W-Whaa!?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea2L9cKAXY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKvkXqonbo
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ540W8lE3sG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ViqnLjk4
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOM3HqkQiv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0hthgNy79
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYREU3vpQM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTch0bKYR
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykZUMNPvRK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDB9OIo9Bg
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp6dRAAQBm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkknI8KIsE
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0HkpyOTEH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQTLPyeqQz
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpruRHhVg0f
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2oiolwIcy
"I don't like you."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylBtUPkRMT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKFaIEjzSy
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu58PXrFc2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgifp35eEL
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX5jl0ahFn
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQnoX98SH9
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4A000WP1O
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjuPJj4S53
"I... guess you're right."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AgKSFQviS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG7WTyVLPe
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
