A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedFF4jliVN
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7EGfZEKk1
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"At least... I'm on my back now."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkhS6RtWgk
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I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHA2nd8I20
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I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JcoZtCpEy
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It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVhbASW3CQ
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"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnV3QJ6v5a
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But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0kE6hnlBY
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I was immediately startled.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tboTrtKnz
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"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTSFphTkbF
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFxYCblXWU
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuNlaigU64
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HnZXO3qyw
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7PJHDBZK2
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbO9UYvswk
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa1HmsP46U
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNImOTgOA5G
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf66wQICkb
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FZQcTrKPs
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wSEY5tQGN
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"Do you feel any better?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAsyVo8um7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DIuXZhG5k
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNY92QVP8a
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy3u73Z5JD
"That's good, that's good..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX3xelzmTT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDxeqj5WuY
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDifriSqT3z
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQEXOuHFPJ
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvrzoPyleZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHFXQfNAxl
"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvqkwXChef
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To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr16eL27ES
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aU65xW4I8
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ynUJyclH6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajNYn3AUYd
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwDHSytrUA
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm50ILkSLw
"H-How'd you know?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUZPHMCzpE
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64BokdFsM8
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2CcC5Ex4C
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImadbcyCSt
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPSSGzMPcn
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggcl8CM5sz
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZUczxAO14
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2YqafhZr7
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUOftj15jI
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLhQZsPyKf
Pars nodded.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNEM8zktte
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"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFCqMnYlDU
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacoCJlmQRY
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr1n6OKjxN
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qUQnoHnTA
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwhrKyCLkS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4h6bOBJjj
"Mutual what?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrCxGuCDxT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgDSu4dUhL
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhtjT1HPa5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPoXAEoK8p
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lcbp4i7ec
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UOt60n4om
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHvDJ8Rrkm
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAxfj8Y7d8
"Really now..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgT8wmRKvn
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I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiFinr4A9r
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHvgWfygs
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWwyaNAqDn
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MrZxGhJ9W
"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmN1IZaSyu
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I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKBYusWbjq
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABtiwe8Clr
"Wow... it must've been bad."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0K1CdRfeQ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs97csdZBk4
"You're almost as flippant as I am."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1D4RTyIl3
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aH7tck5sX
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDh5nOnynY
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL4EgDK3xj
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5eqPIDgk4
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCaa1qZw2L
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tVswcTRvG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQZADsZvqH
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyhbJerXMN
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I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E9Mm8xnty
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVca7DFcQSe
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzez7mc0Lf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHk8fXubm0
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KVQPoFJxx
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Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpeQaXnhf8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJ4GG0Vbp
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVKNOCOImy
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPfAY00ERk
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkij20VbMS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtyb5lGl4e
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8SMPi4eLL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3mD08KO1j
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGuqcJd8X7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFKIAsuVEV
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pzv7X8gTb
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"I know."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVLXc5hqhI
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He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58ymnZl7J3
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKDphfTCmb
"Tell you what; I can't help you."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrELmEEbun
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSok8tznol4
"...Are you serious?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogbLSlbl6T
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"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoHzm2iLQh
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoKUJ5UeHg
"What? What can?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFoesiXIag
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhnIxOPwxo
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueGaQdG7rs
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOrgnQ5N9A
"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6R60GG6Xm
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD8E8xf9dk
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His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr0X6DLi1I
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When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eLZk3B1Vr
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"Give it a try."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNmmKUc6e5
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He stood up and patted my shoulder.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqeyEixa07
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"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFw4ZmrfSg
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4EtyiMS0J
"H-Huh? Right now?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjnK97Vmiw
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjAktYyppq
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fzehxYk6g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vrDdw63uC
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv7DNTPfxD
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–
–
–107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlbQdThI8t
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"Are ya all packed up?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5mbwHJHx3
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As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW93nFDbDZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5HPsYsiNs
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAMUXrs5PP
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"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn3qQrWP2A
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB3jtTwFw7
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCKenV5iV5
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"Did Pars relay our discussion?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFFvlDfkUO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUOZQScO5R
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewb4kYl2wT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ybRNNsA0p
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxkrwFn4GE
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4kx8R9c25
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKBOO0FuxF
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw5TloTSMT
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TdGfnEuV9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsh2tbAFQn
"I suppose that makes sense."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjF6lNiQIG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv71O3bY8B
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjqLor2FoP
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE2NE8XcT1
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5eEop6EYW
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FiYkGFY9C
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqginilizNp
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I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzCp0WLM40
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX7cBNK5p9
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjmo7VYm0h
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx1SweNU97
"What do I think...?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lFUhQIIR0
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I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO7adDTIyZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdX42sSAk0
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsUCETAD3e
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"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNP1e7HPSE
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQZuneHiU9
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGOrdWbyd
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv70AOabd6d
"I'm asking ya, kid."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oZNTfcck8
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I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVAkaGyyEu
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI2wfCIRtz
"It had to be an Endowment."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7BQNeyjIq
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"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2dVAbUJfo
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Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RpsFZ6oWB
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwNC6au92H
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tGi9hhOX6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8jfP9JYbB
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqleVsVl4B9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBvZNCKxTM
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ5yAAi4fI
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"Why not?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcXGcesILQ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57NA5XlfJO
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81mzg7bOLm
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqCV5R6fUM
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspSNPQp1Na
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Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfchI5sqmt
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"Surely, there's a better option."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWWPpTeeDX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HwQ0iER2i
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLNqx1DLml
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjALKLTpY1
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e9oO43k3G
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"What if we spy from a distance?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH6a7VxXv1
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"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10qR2a8QKQ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEluUAB26es
"...Point taken."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0T5jjjJHU
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As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeRSpxgwqn
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJVJY4CAV2
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EDkB1HyD
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6jISvDBvT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjkX9UYBQH
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulgmIQ9o79
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74Itb9E9ho
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmxL51RKnQ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNLKcV4iRG
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuus02PQ4tb
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We nodded in unison.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1JVPv5FY4
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"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvreHHRmqR
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–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE4m4fxpiJ
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At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5qnZIp4Wl
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIk71mVha
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2VZNTEZS6
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDb09d0KjU
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDAj7filtX
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZX2E0BSwj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO3aq73t8F
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63Zet4883
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"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDoVc63gIC
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KptX4twY1
"Well... I won't deny that."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpqvXuwFct
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwKGJOirbR
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7ZPlVf3b9
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji8Qp8h6fu
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm1hEpZHZL
"Again? What do you–?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14qN9Qgc2b
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As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd7pMja7jT
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqPSaZuicU
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dPkibFikO
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"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcXhRsVYqN
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQXsxC5dD3
"I didn't ask ya that."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WOwXL0vsP
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gShRJYzUm
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8WivPEgyO
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"That ain't surprising."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGerI1nWyK
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz2hbkbCCy
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnCPKMyHVW
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKeouB7fkA
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwVRNlhqh6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOzuYzh7M6
"Yeah? Like what?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSqiSm3a7S
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRrzBunsbN
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2p0wEZsgI
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7n4KDNEqh
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uBUpq9RaZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ma377tObH
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaGyaO65G4
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kNSbgEUn2
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpWTfD4E3I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr3lxOrB8I
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ38oo1DZ1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8mfHkvc2Z
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWENSCaZ1op
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM7Za1vEvG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIG3jeC7DZ
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraP5fvhzeO
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vSRD5rfUR
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IfoChtAM6
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
