I was blessed to be in a city like this where every resident had all their attention on the task at hand. Where every resident couldn't be bothered, or couldn't afford to spend time ogling at oddities occurring in their environs. Truly, I was blessed to be in a place like this.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspfDweFuhe
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"How's the weather up there?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR0Umeow0W
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"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgWii2x9DZ
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I had my face buried in my hands. Like a child playing hide and seek, hoping that people wouldn't notice as long as I didn't notice them. Rover wasn't assuaging my shame whatsoever; with the way she boisterously walked, putting one foot in front of the other, it was clear that she wanted attention heading my way. I could hardly take it.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NrRUPez8D
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I knew Rover was bigger and older than me, but I didn't feel it until now, until the moment when I was carried around like a wounded child. That was because I was one.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3c0TLKr6Y
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"Sorry, sorry."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLIQasdM1p
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"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LW3ASiSr5
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"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW9jLtXHfd
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"Really? I doubt... that..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJxMZiSwQ8
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I opened my eyes and put my hands to the side. Surprisingly... Rover wasn't walking in the main street. Rover wasn't taking inordinately wide steps. Rover wasn't talking to every passing face, yelling "Lookie here" and "Isn't this guy a loser?" She was by the sidelines, even hunched down a little to make me stand out less.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNETmf1XRGM
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"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddezWqUbRd
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"Huh? What are you talking about?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfejhms7R1H
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"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhcZ96drwR
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"You're not making any sense."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGkcnU51Ug
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The tension in my body evaporated. I slackened my arms and rested my chin on the top of Rover's head. She began humming a little tune, and to my surprise, I found it very endearing.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6C8xnR1iA
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"What's that song you're humming there?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KPGK2jTc8
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"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY3Sg0Eqsu
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"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjJGhSfa4F
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She lightly shrugged.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuGQVZsW31
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"All I know is that the song was really good. It went something like: 'Did you ever see a whale, with a polka-dot tail...'"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIvskq4uVY
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"That sounds like a load of nonsense."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIdo4lf7KL
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She lightly shrugged again.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiBHwvajHW
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"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhx0oCQWU
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I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eB4o56nya
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"And what makes you say that?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpcGLoEuXa
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"...Well, across the sea are the Flatlands, right? I always wondered, what was the trip to King's Peak like. Did the founders have to overcome other hurdles? Were there monsters in the sea, too? Or was it like the lake, where it was just really pretty and calm?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOFEoVUxoX
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfZH765FNm
"..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXyemSksXq
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I looked up at the sky, giving her words some thought. Naturally, I've never seen the sea myself, but if it was anything like the lake, then it would be a nice place to see, wouldn't it?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgQL7SAm2S
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"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm32QNfSz6L
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"Hmm? What are you talking about?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K3yvA5PhG
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"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh4fEupHD8
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"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaw6PtkZt3
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"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRNl1FSDuO
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"It's not an obsession!" She immediately yelled, ramming her head into my chin. I flailed my arms not to fall off, then rubbed my face.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvcG3aMsBz
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"That was excessive, apologize."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd9CHQbGDa
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"F-Fine, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, it isn't an obsession. I'm just really interested, don't you get it?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef8Bm903xZ
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"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt0HGcNfwo
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"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfi3idYhny
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"It seems pretty stupid to me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vS2JeTwA8
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She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZSURuZ3JA
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"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GW3Bxacfc
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"You don't wanna go there. I have a track record of proving doubters wrong, and I don't think your personality can handle the sheer awe they will inflict on you."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWzQPVo6TR
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"Whatever."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqeMLN2mJl
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We moved in silence for a little bit.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KstmVXvAV
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"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdDMYj3pwX
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"Kenny, I have some bad news."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95iuVcxLZo
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She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSu7MuFV9T
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"You don't know where to go, do you?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxL2Viv3EA
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She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Rx0kZgwS
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"I don't either."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRebRwli7C7
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"What!?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTQS9CP8fW
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She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4k7xehIwf
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"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02OOQbICUf
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"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgr7OEC2GZ
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"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdoC67I0Rg
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"Hmph."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkntnHQJ0K
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I sighed at her silly behavior and crossed my arms, tapping my finger on them in rumination. In that moment, we weren't lost, because tracing our steps would lead us to our abode easily. However, I didn't want this trip to be for nothing, and I imagined that Rover agreed. Thus–
"Alright, put me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Just do it. I'm going to ask for directions."
She tilted her head at first but then released an "ahhh" shortly after. I made a stone cane as she lowered me. Though my right leg could hardly handle any pressure, I was able to walk by myself just fine. We ventured slightly deeper into the rowdy streets.
"Uhm, excuse me, sir–"
The person walked right past me. Rude, but understandable.
"I'm sorry sir, but can you–"
The second person ignored me as well. Considering how heavy the box he carried looked, I didn't become upset about it.
"I'm sorry miss, but do you happen to–"
The lady spared me a glance but did nothing more than that.
"...I see the issue now."
The very same hustle and bustle of the street I was thanking a few minutes ago was now an obstacle we suddenly had to overcome.
"This is taking too long," Rover muttered, arms crossed with a sharp look.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait for the right one."
"Are you serious? I'm not gonna wait around for that! It'll be nighttime before we know it!"
I simply shrugged.
"It's annoying, but we could also just walk back and wait for– what the hell are you doing!?"
River stormed away from me, now deep into the traffic of people and animals. She turned her gaze this way and that way before locking it on something. Whatever that something was, it was close to me, so I looked around me only to find nothing. Then, Rover stomped back, moving more to my left, and picking up a person who was just about to cross me.
"W-Whaa!?" The person yelled, dropping his wooden box on the ground as Rover carried him over to me. She had a triumphant smile, but I was too deep in shock to reprimand her, let alone say anything.
"You need to think smarter, not harder, Kenny."
That asinine and audacious statement brought me out of my trance and into a fit.
"I'm the one who needs to think smarter!? Do you see what you're doing right now!? Let that man down already!"
She looked taken aback at my sudden tone, but complied, setting the man on the ground. He looked shell-shocked and anxious. I thanked the crowd yet again for somehow not caring for what easily could've been a kidnapping.
"I'm so sorry, sir. My friend didn't mean to scare you or anything, but–"
"My cargo! You brats made me lose my cargo!"
Somehow, the man was more worried about his cargo than the fact that he was snatched up. Somehow, it relieved me.
"I'll get it back, geez! Don't be so uppity..."
Indeed, Rover stayed true to her word, returning to the mass of people and coming out with the fallen wooden box. She handed it over to the man, who accepted it after standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. When he took the box, he had to bend his knees down, muttering how heavy it was underneath his breath.
"What do you brats want with me, anyway? Is it something about vases? Well I'm off-duty right now, go make an appointment at the–"
"No no no, sir, we weren't here for that. Honestly, we just wanted directions for the stable."
"The stable... hold on a sec."
He narrowed his eyes and scanned my whole body, doing the same with Rover. That was when I noticed how well-groomed his hair was.
"You two are foreigners. Here to deliver something, I presume?"
"That's part of our–"
"Blah blah blah! Nope, nope, nuh uh whatsoever!"
Rover looked at me with a deeply perplexed look as to why I just yelled over her. I gestured to her to lean in so I could whisper.
"This thing is supposed to be inconspicuous, remember!"
"O-Oh!"
She put her hands over her mouth and took a step back, nodding. I wiped my brow at the arrow we had just dodged.
"Our business here isn't important, sir. I know it's unfair to ask, but can you point us in the direction of the stables?"
"Meh... sorry, kids, but as you can see, I'm busy. Chow."
"W-Wait!"
He turned around and began walking away. My yell caught his attention, but I didn't know how to follow it up at all.
"That box you're carrying looks heavy," Rover suddenly interjected, "If we help you carry it, then will you tell us?"
I let out a sigh, silently thanking Rover for the sudden save she just pulled. The man looked at nothing in particular, clearly mulling over the offer.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAM1QjxP5R
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"Sure," he blankly stated before walking to Rover and handing her the box. As expected, she held it with ease, and even the man was surprised about it.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq9k9GYZpC
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"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxaBFok78Z
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"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJkWFayGez
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"Huh?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyJeq78Nxr
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She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiEwsvNupe
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"B-But he's right there."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMydT5x9SW
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"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYglTlZX7L2
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"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HSpRWMVQa
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She turned her head to me with a smile.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ538zMnbBuz
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"See? It's fine."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvC371mqvq
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"...It doesn't feel fine at all."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb0lTshuc1
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Despite my mutterings, I got on her back. She stood up and followed the man effortlessly.
–
–
–
"Just wait here, let me talk with my colleague..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxDTLWmve2
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The man entered a room, shutting the door behind him. The room had no way of peering into it, so Rover and I were stuck outside. I could tell Rover was getting impatient.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA36EhD9sv
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"Can't we just–"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsghtCtcbN
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"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctpKeYgPVm
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"Fine."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgm3PNOj9D
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A minute later, the man exited the room, wiping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He pointed in a direction with his thumb.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wJGQ0HVZi
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"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIhkE43r8e
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"Uh-huh."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dQH0is8hL
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Rover didn't sound very happy complying with him. I understood why completely, but considering how she scooped the man up unannounced, it made sense why he'd withhold information from us.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpecNMBAT0H
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But still, even I couldn't help but twitch my eyes at it. After all, we were carrying this hefty wooden box to a carriage not too far from our own.
"Do you need me to get off?"
"Heh, who do you think I am?"
She tossed the box into the air slightly, grabbing it with her arms underneath it, and pushing it against her chest. Carrying it like so, she boarded the carriage and placed it in the designated area, wiping the dust off her hands after a thunderous thump. When we exited the carriage, the man was talking to a woman. The woman waved at us and boarded the carriage after.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, "it's none of your business, redhead."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
"I meant the one with the darker hair."
I pointed a finger at myself, and the man slowly nodded with a smirk.
"I wasn't trying to snoop in your business anyway. Now that our business is finished, I thank you for leading us here, but I also suggest you start speaking to others with kinder words."
Rover nodded along to my words while the man gazed at me blankly. After an uncomfortable amount of time exchanging eye contact with him, he broke the silence between us.
"Say, where are you brats from?"
I put a finger to my chin, wondering if this was information I was permitted to disclose. I cast my gaze down at Rover, pointless as it was since her slight trembling told me her thoughts.
I figured that ultimately, it would be–
"...Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Hmm? Consider it a census thing. Since I assume you're here to deliver something, the origin of our customers is valuable information."
"The way you phrase it makes you sound like you run this whole thing."
He huffed. His smirk turned into a warm, humble smile.
"I'm a part of this contraption, but I'm no one so important. So, tell me."
I narrowed my eyes. This man was frankly unreadable, but at the very least, he didn't seem like someone from the Eastern Country. Even if he was, a city that was based purely on communication wouldn't have any biases, right?
"We are from Zariel Capitol."
"Eh!?"
Rover expressed her surprise, looking at me with wide eyes. I simply winked at her, hoping she'd understand it was intentional.
"Zarielites, huh... ah, that's good."
He chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, his stern demeanor did a 180. The man in front of me was amiable and blithe, nothing like the sly businessman from before.
"It's good? Why?"
"Well, if you're here from the capitol, then you're probably on important business, aren't you?"
I felt a sudden weight form in my stomach. Rover's grip tightened around my legs.
"I dunno what, nor do I care. I'm just glad, cuz it means you might be able to send a damn message."
"What do you mean?"
"Oop."
His eyes went wide, his chuckles became lined with hesitation.
"I can't tell you the details, but security is sharp. They aren't letting many people send letters through the Pillars. But I'm sure they'll make an exception for you brats."
"...I, see."
I didn't know how to take this information. I couldn't deny that it was useful, yet, when it came to this man, I struggled to express any gratitude.
"The name's Dave. I might run into you brats again, so I'll see you later."
He turned around and walked away, his legs moving in a strange, irregular pattern as he waved the back of his hand to us. I watched him disappear into the street with Rover. We stood like statues for an amount of time I couldn't even tell.
"...That guy's a priss."
"Ah, so that's what that word means."
"No... I just felt like calling him that."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind. Let's get your stupid leg un-cramped already."
She suddenly turned around and stomped to our carriage. Dennis was nowhere in sight, to our dismay. I theorized that he was likely heading back to our abode. Anyhow, the carriage remained locked, but Rover and I entered through a secret trap door underneath it.
Or, rather, Rover dropped me to the ground, and having nothing else to do, I crawled under the carriage and into it. I entered the back shortly after.
"Alright, here we are..."
Sifting through our supplies was tedious with my body glued to the floor, so I used the carriage's walls as support. I located my bag instantly, rummaging through the pockets until my hands touched a familiar cold glass surface. I pulled the bottle out. The liquid inside was a dull purple, perfect for loosening and correcting muscles.
"The Tea Mage said I was overprepared, but look who's laughing now."
I took a quick sip, and immediately, the pain in my calf dissipated. A moment of flexing and stretching my leg later, and it was as good as new. I got on my feet and exited the back with a pep in my step, making sure to put the potion back in the bag beforehand.
"Alright, now I'm– wah!?"
"Hey."
To my surprise, Rover– or rather, Rover's upper body –was in the carriage as well. She was holding up the trapdoor with one hand. A moment of silence passed by awkwardly, and instead of breaking it with conversation, Rover helped herself inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, just checking on you...?"
"You are a terrible liar. Come on, tell me the reason."
She released a defeated sigh, putting her hands on her hips as she tapped the floor with her foot.
"I wanted to find that letter thing Juke was talking about. The one with the royal's name on it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You heard what that guy said earlier, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, but–"
"Then I don't need to explain myself! Move aside!"
She stormed past me and into the back of the carriage. I followed her in a panic.
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning to go alone, are you?"
"Eh...? Are you dumb?"
I let out a sigh of relief. At least Rover–
"You're with me, so I'm not going alone."
Nevermind.
"W-Why now, though? Why don't we wait for Juke to join us?"
"Why should he? The guy's fast asleep, and it's not like we're fighting anyone, right?"
"Y-You..."
I couldn't deny that, as Rover sifted through the miscellaneous supplies in our carriage, she was making a decent point. Still, my gut was going haywire.
"I don't understand why it has to be now, though. Can't we just wait until our full party is here? I mean, really–"
"Hey, Kenny, you did hear what that guy said earlier, right?"
Her tone suddenly deepened. She sat down and turned her head to me. Her face was void of frivolity.
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Stinking liar."
"Now is not the time!"
She pursed her lips, but the 'whatever' muttered under her breath told me she understood.
"Anyway, the guy said that security's up, yeah?"
"Right. So what is... oh."
I pinched my chin as I slowly came to a realization.
"That can't be for no reason, especially if these bigshot towers are the ones being guarded. Something fishy is going on here, don't you think?"
"...I'm surprised you can infer from words this well."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid!?"
"No, what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying now."
If the city of communication required its stalwart pillars to be guarded, therefore inhibiting the process that is this city's reason for existing, then obviously, something was amiss.
"Point is, I think we should get it delivered as soon as possible, then high tail out of here."
I would've nodded along to her suggestion, but the sudden thought of something unprecedented and dangerous coming along left me... peaky.
"Shouldn't we just leave as soon as possible, then?"
Her face morphed into one of abject confusion. I had seen this exact expression not too long ago.
"Are you stupid?"
"Whaa?"
"I said, are you stupid? We have a mission, we should see it done, right?"
"R-Right, but this unaccounted factor–"
"Who gives a shit about that! We'll just deliver it and leave before it becomes a problem!"
She slammed her fist into her palm. Her look was stern, and her eyes were ablaze. It was a visage of determination. It was familiar, somehow, but more than that, it was assuring.
"W-Wow."
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, robbing her of the definite satisfaction she'd get from being validated, "Y-You're right, though, let's just get this over with."
"That's the spirit," she yelled, pumping her fist in the air, "Now come help me find this letter!"
–
–
–
We were back on the street, far closer to the middle now that I was back on my own two legs. Nothing worth mentioning was going on that I haven't mentioned before. However, we carried our gaits with a more definite purpose. After all, it was our reason for coming here.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY2oXR2Dzx
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I held the note in my pocket while Rover carried the package in a bag attached to her belt. It was a surprise to find that the package was in the carriage, unsupervised, prime for stealing, but it was more surprising that it could fit in Rover's shoddy bag. The shoddyness of her bag didn't seem to bother her, however. She had a happy look on her face and a cheerful air around her.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIoyKnRlyZ
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And then, it looked like she was suddenly struck by something. Her smile turned into a grimace, and her brows furrowed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx6FoJwBHS
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"Is something wrong?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeeNhhTATs
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"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOewSQ2Ztyq
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"..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRgp3wUadS
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"Alright, fine, I'll talk."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWLYeR6Pto
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She kept looking straight ahead, hesitating to speak, but I waited patiently. I waited and waited, and it didn't look like a response was on the horizon. Until–109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGJ1c7VKYU
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"This is going to be a dumb question."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9HAyHpO3d
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She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ygWBge7B6
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"So don't make fun of me, alright?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai61b9N26Y
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"...I can't make any promises."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB0jz0iVF1
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"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3shrckrUv
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"...I won't make fun of you."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGlV3Y2tg8
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"Okay."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmOrTjurPM
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Again, there was a long pause between her next words.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwGNlfF1cq
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"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeC0mtWr38
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"Oh, same here."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3IFXPXVmq
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"R-Really!?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLpm0CcdQN
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She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPNQ7dYaSv
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"Actually, Juke butted into one of my missions a few weeks ago, so technically, no. But officially, this is my first time working with someone."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3uHKKuBD5
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"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA6aGKh3Sd
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More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJDWsAaEEF
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"Don't you have something to say?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6jiFPgFI0
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"That's a weird question. Not really."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETTh8KQoi2
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"Oh... alright, that's good."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNog976ejD
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We kept walking. I noticed that her feet touched the ground with less stride. She clearly had something more to say, but I didn't know if wringing it out of her was a good idea.
"I'm gonna be honest," Rover started, "I don't talk to people very often."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUatiyra2Gi
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"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EGKISvEVa
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"...It didn't make me feel better at all."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhD5wmaIXV
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"S-Sorry."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgzgicfwx9
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After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsmfvvRfJ8
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"It's fine. But, well, uh.. when you said you didn't like me... I don't know. Usually, I take flack from others pretty well, but for some reason, that didn't wash away as fast."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzkPNURYCC
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She pinched her chin and directed her gaze to the sky. She didn't look nervous now, but deep in rumination. I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid any risky blurtings.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5KttziBSJ
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"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DqkPjhxZd
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"...Kinda smart, huh?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNBuDxpxJc
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I followed her gaze and looked to the sky. My previous decision was overwritten, but for whatever reason, I didn't feel any pressure to say something meticulously.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oPLzMvBwJ
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"I'm not the right person to ask. Honestly, I haven't talked to many people until just a few months ago."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIsXdcNw0H
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"How was it for you, then?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx32j7RoQ1
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"Uh... I guess, it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just a natural at it. But, you know, people often tell me that I say stupid or insensitive things."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTreB5W8YIs
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"Damn right, you do."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu3Tg1a1sF
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"Case in point. I'm not the right person to ask."
"Maybe not, but I wanna hear your opinion."
"Oh-"
Her wording made something click in my mind. I snapped my fingers in realization.
"You care what I think!"
"I care... what you think?"
She repeated my phrase incredulously, continuing and not letting me elaborate.
"That's dumb. I care about what everyone thinks. But I don't care about it for long, so that can't be it."
"That's a very simple idea. I also think it's inaccurate."
"Why?"
"Because... hmm..."
I thought carefully about what was going to come out of my mouth. Not out of fear, but out of a desire to say it and make myself clear only once.
"I guess when it's somebody who isn't a stranger, their words mean a lot more. That's how I always thought of it, at least."
"...Huh."
She was on the precipice of drawing some kind of conclusion. What exactly, I did not know.
"Say, if Juke were to say he didn't like you, what would you think?"
"...I wouldn't take him seriously. He says all sorts of lame and stupid things."
"Are you sure? What makes me different?"
"Well, you also say lame and stupid things, but when you say things... there's always a nugget of truth to them."
"I see."
In some deep recess of my mind, I was hoping she would chide me. It came out as a neutral statement, though, and I didn't know how to feel about it.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vr2kC1odW
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"But if Juke came up to me," she suddenly said, "and drew out a sword, and started calling me a bitch or something, then I'd probably be sad."
"That's an extreme example."
She shrugged with a slight smile on her face.
"If you did the same, I'd probably just beat you up, then I'd be sad."
"I'm getting mixed signals. What are we even talking about again?"
She suddenly came to a halt. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were contracted.
"...Is this what my mom was talking about?"
"I am so irrevocably lost."
She paid no attention to me, continuing to stare into whatever void it was that caught her eye. Then, her gaze swiftly shifted to me, and I winced in surprise.
"Hey, Kenny," she said, shifting the direction of her index finger from me to her rapidly, "are we friends?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Just answer! Honest thoughts only!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD03auXPWLi
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The heightening of her tone galvanized me into speaking, but I didn't have a proper thought to articulate.
"Well... I have my share of grievances, but we've known each other for some time, and we've shared a lot of good moments... So I think we are friends, yes."
Speaking it out, even I was surprised by such a declaration. However, Rover didn't look happy or distressed, just confused.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetccOVwzof
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"Oh my goodness," she began to whisper, "when I was telling stories at the fire, or even when I was giving you a piggyback..."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
Her eyes contracted, and her expression froze. I was ready to shake her and ask her what was up with her, but she violently shook her head before I could.
"Sorry, I just realized something."
"Mind informing me what!?"
She straightened her posture and looked down at me with her chin haughtily raised.
"No. Let's keep going."
She began to walk away, not even sparing a glance to check if I started as well. I rolled my eyes and followed her, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
The pep in her step returned, but the look on her face carried a hint of distress, just enough to where I was unsure if I was simply seeing things.
I decided not to pry into it as we kept traversing the busy streets.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
