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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5l0VrvCWv
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"How's the weather up there?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaseFrOOuCX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkzqICw4A
"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DRRUhSmJe
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHQQDB27b7
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dhistTaes
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRfEkjrIaX
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZTpQs6DnU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlrcRPSoGi
"Sorry, sorry."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecoV5cV8Kw
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI355Or399
"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu4mgZXtCY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v6Hwn95Om
"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OtvYhRcPE
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qsvlLYPT1
"Really? I doubt... that..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkuaLNaLMf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cNfQz3Edn
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWO7s0bG47
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaBrqGSU6i
"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNk20hB08G
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABpzgTjVW4
"Huh? What are you talking about?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hVg5DV5Xt
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b2DU8U2Qv
"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuA6v4XTID
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A2PWDglcz
"You're not making any sense."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuZ5l5Og4p
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXSZyu0KJj
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwA5RKrZR8
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGiBthf9T1
"What's that song you're humming there?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvTzPKtIUl
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfwgLuCm5u
"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdITtcxaF6
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODUiEvjyUT
"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlWBIYox3S
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIHtX1P5oi
She lightly shrugged.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV5RECZvEk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTBBL6sh0G
"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...'"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO3qNgwAVs
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu3n8P1W22
"That sounds like a load of nonsense."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVLMjifPeb
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqlMVz82rK
She lightly shrugged again.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9tDgXXSgk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5v9mBGv30
"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0zSDkxpmo
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTByQJT0Gi
I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr4Fu5UbX5
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11wf2m6ovY
"And what makes you say that?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIGG9EEYwp
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQRaTymqZD
"...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?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qGBxwRrWX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSjGSrvLhh
"..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIxgzyxdoc
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsubXBgXKB3
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?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PAhloTALr
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmlaZx3NMl
"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TI2r5RvO0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN4qtONxOG
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKfaHMnvVZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHo5OyJbfc
"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihQBPFjAZ0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sc82xTaFg
"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqwROTNRAg
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62pPzSSHw6
"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZMk0DW1hF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb84OBjvbkw
"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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6RYIybJ6A
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHUzqWZwtN
"That was excessive, apologize."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1D7So9mzn
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41u8m2LrUM
"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?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02onel8Z6v
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcTRYHzqDO
"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KMP4iZqZF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gIYLyLg8C
"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwikgPvOPY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufblgYGVV6
"It seems pretty stupid to me."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Qr0495ro
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGU3eIO2TV
She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCwiq0YbwU
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ6vsPs8Gg
"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjAvxqfK1O
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcnnAMvpT2
"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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1r8ITpc4N
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YEZSPZnx0
"Whatever."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddLGoBA0co
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkkWjbnZZE
We moved in silence for a little bit.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhgQjZe0oK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0AFis0s6F
"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhYlnNQe3c
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNtfGLWwlp
"Kenny, I have some bad news."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC6LN5ysPX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckXKSEepTm
She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDupapabsW0
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QOoakYd0g
"You don't know where to go, do you?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP52nXJhghx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFhReAfzqz
She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdq7E5UXAk
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7LnvVmvzk
"I don't either."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnSykHbKBb
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd9kDhN5cn
"What!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlFsDn19Qe
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rG55P1SYf
She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAQG68JuXs
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudvjsDEjoY
"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQHEvqgPHJ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfStXjDOS4
"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOHBtX7ziT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f7TeZtGcl
"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7qXeFz8E
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmoolsH0sz
"Hmph."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsybkk1yqLa
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6tWBDqHYO
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3yPqJWHHK
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa6VIbyHHR
"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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED3aceTcQd
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkicAvuvBuE
"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCP08Weuoj
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWS4IlwUXa
"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNrfsbGvXP
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWYFGYFej7
"Huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPry8G3kzZ
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡampur8ZJmS
She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOzC09tz4Q
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmseY11ETl
"B-But he's right there."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpOek8fBEz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pDgAlnx1l
"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVHBLTnhHu
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuyyReamsO
"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAiqcVTaQx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUyRKxDMi2
She turned her head to me with a smile.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnSrAIW4H3
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEwayQ0KmO
"See? It's fine."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwJ6qfRAQi
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXR1LL0Kda
"...It doesn't feel fine at all."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK0XhCFsEL
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd36OlJibBs
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..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNHMkvlON9
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSfsWafwsr
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOiqPHUiCB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXZRiLAB2
"Can't we just–"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpztqdaUUUL
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG2EvPvwJu
"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqbpKf453r
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3rcLA2LQb
"Fine."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhpcWE8hJ6
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYn6c5rBgE
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXLFbYBg03
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFkoM18kC6
"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ141NsSUPmz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsnXZ8PeRx
"Uh-huh."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZnZXeXDca
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqFkxfbUGw
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrpNgEKxYX
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX9FoEqNFL
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWZ6fNX9iF
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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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxwoiIhVYt
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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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEM1x0bwaO
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwMHyVmcUk
"Is something wrong?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrz7DPPXy8
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEh9bXeWcT
"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcAnxkacI4
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblR780X9cj
"..."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplEzfGYJ0i
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"Alright, fine, I'll talk."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xYkkbogWf
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNrJjVtqvx
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–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxjLfntAnz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOlRazdogO
"This is going to be a dumb question."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2rKYyA0MF
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ668mNsW9AW
She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX3gd8Hv8f
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWKTVwCKE9
"So don't make fun of me, alright?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSR165ydXN
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"...I can't make any promises."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOgJRvyELm
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLzpbbSAoZ
"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG43vcSenc
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"...I won't make fun of you."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PdIlEAF9C
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"Okay."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf88w5WRz38
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Again, there was a long pause between her next words.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj7XcYnvxL
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"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpy9vhcqif
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"Oh, same here."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zc940beLW
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"R-Really!?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNocZOp5ZSO
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She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0auztWCSz
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jUfIQHkA0
"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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M1baMfAfq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiU1zhWFaV
"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCCfMRSwTy
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNBOl4Rxha
More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0klwDwnprJ
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"Don't you have something to say?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UXfrrXU9T
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4hoiEX72
"That's a weird question. Not really."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw0ZvHAyKy
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCSexBoZEN
"Oh... alright, that's good."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqrnBceBP
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnCBu6ucGW
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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzhwQNF8Gb
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZPRjFYh2h
"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxbxGhk5AY
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5UGT07G4e
"...It didn't make me feel better at all."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2O2mqTw5C
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"S-Sorry."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgPbxSJ7u2
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After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjARoXuwjFT
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M3TyvpZVX
"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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBlO3HVgjq
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OWRF1a1on
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAIjMdBOE2
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"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28BJERJBIn
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NszcRXKEA
"...Kinda smart, huh?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Ies7AsG8
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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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjxxOSI4Fz
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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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjMqddGVLn
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"How was it for you, then?"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0H9zGy7Hq
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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."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhREViHJamx
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxKn6X7SSY
"Damn right, you do."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SznUDCupM
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmEm7MMUXf
"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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEu6CjgDfB
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPyIWdqdu9
"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!"86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8RO3ZPoV1
86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvFZHelJs5
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.86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauYJ7ozWr6
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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.
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