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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfyzXp3wT7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX03jDGn1WK
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB6aSDWMzz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz3EytPXrr
"At least... I'm on my back now."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK2Wjr4DSM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3wK30aGeb
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XxOesZydl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHfBED8Kne
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDF4iOtEkM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8jlqwHCc6
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOrJEcP4Lh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7Vz16GuGI
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmF7rEdAzG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw67htr8WMe
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJZzDX4UY3
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7LiDrWj5w
I was immediately startled.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZmrrCckwF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvhzeouAqs
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywafCp8iSZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuSlYxW3vA
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEpmh6gwd8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KEx9AAy4M
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6PDdC3mMs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbQ458Qzz7
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh8dEXvskY
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yYpDnedb0
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHCIDRK71D
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2T318wr6G
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejKLcsxFYG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBv9h1c59C
"Do you feel any better?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewlQV8yLjr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFQ0haAQVi
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ayUS8SM3O
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWI4N21WEl
"That's good, that's good..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Bn5lffDc
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3nW579237
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg9TMFWIgL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgFxkExRe
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Nzfuq37C
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa5l8aA1JP
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yvu6rFrUu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9jaMpy828
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWubRUQu4g
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BJYRf9SLp
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8R7syR91m
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir8tWG1jpt
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVwl4nbDwH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpDHoHcJd7
"H-How'd you know?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDO2Sm2nkk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWiXypkxc7
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngdhYsa5Po
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdot3e7KPmA
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakbiKPx40i
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR2ZwJT4fc
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpToV14WVB
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1xLtw76OJ
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?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCMmzOs9nd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3jFtlr0LP
Pars nodded.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr7xWqXw3B
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRVUvkBgAb
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpWpPKwFMy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MaOstrI97
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8kcGlGVnH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbBXU08u6W
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyLSIT2QBO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVKZ1eQgCa
"Mutual what?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ofTMmNkSA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTUEXOo0IT
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK30SFYFZmT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg4h3xsabK
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ411M9Okh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yeWfhHXZ3
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyZllZ36h6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kgs4iZQWd
"Really now..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLRgKjhoq9
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJFROkHQv8
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPczfpTIXth
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYwuVBSScE
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMw7d2aQNd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡant9zBuIo9
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYshdHmCYzR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAC99jAvXa
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP646FHMmVf
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8A3pwiWWl
"Wow... it must've been bad."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4WcqRCXdJ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kKPKVO6BN
"You're almost as flippant as I am."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkegViO67oH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rKoyjRy5I
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqYC3IW436
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TSBAZyaqQ
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzSxJzcFm
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkFCXExoJp
"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..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm88i52r4N
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRykyccDFbF
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZrnFJnfKN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dNvWDOv7j
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfSaujUk56
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mQ6KwTCrF
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigNGNqULXM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7aFw4f1Kf
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGDQJO1LbV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEYZNNxLqt
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2N7tyn1z7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO0pi9Z4VW
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjGs1hs5W3
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzKEsIYsci
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKn4mmwxHM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXVPfAcaU5
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvdtSLDSLo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLAqEzJF8e
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9IZaTj6db
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRh9Povvho
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4MTestEVQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKzdCtujxL
"I know."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FU4Q7z5SI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqCsrkZFsw
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e9kp5yFj5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQvhH9xBoR
"Tell you what; I can't help you."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YcSEmDS51
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6KClJZJI8
"...Are you serious?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KNPPCscy8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ089vD2U0
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2DHzZGCva
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS3lqKC6tX
"What? What can?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq2sQUnxJS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTPNk0yE8K
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnctD8BgDv
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCvgqiZGWz
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyejDdgoPna
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5NXEjJ2vZ
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdIkFQd81z
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03s5UKOc9T
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXc8vhiCyI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4LHhEaiDc
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY0GpaG32g
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Ikes98LP
"Give it a try."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NGWUqlc1e
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh3asyZnX9
He stood up and patted my shoulder.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c8Y3I1pH0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMiWrPeNTF
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKakQlyIrx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2cYap2DHU
"H-Huh? Right now?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9CMUsz0pJ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHtZpaLqCk
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe27jYzLov8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EwmTAT9ft
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g9IJrpu70
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4u3yeTFkt
–
–
–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudA2X3cJLt
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOUuj4W35g
"Are ya all packed up?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE36QNkjsH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpGqQHlHwv
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h52jQS55l
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgMvkiVANr
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWd66bRCtA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayfFUPSygk
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtC6Qjocia
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspzrZT4c9W
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu3uqweOC6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsJh16Ciic
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfyJevUnyE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ370rStbDQQ
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ8jNCahkK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ10nVE4NWZ
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPKV7AKyNl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesvZt3WtJS
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZPnp86vS0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9lMMEfVNU
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q7xBJ0lEw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGOD1pAxRN
"I suppose that makes sense."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIBfxuemJD
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrGgL9mS15
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ2CF5HQd1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCuXnkahFr
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIxuOtbiUG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgwCpyZUhz
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RG0Ig2m52
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59WcyT5vAa
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zUhVZeRRX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EvSbZiP0C
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9PJxsSSjp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcj3RSRjmG
"What do I think...?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoFY8tWh5b
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY7TU5Qi6Z
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFvZlcIsMw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JQQJdZ9aP
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgavkNVLCX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmRtn8fRYo
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pmSfD7sFz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzkbrxFqzW
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qlTGvjPiL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRytGjCf0N
"I'm asking ya, kid."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡustqQMJFqz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kRbS8Vmd1
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–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrY7UPAj5p
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD531Jlc1Xy
"It had to be an Endowment."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwidI5DIrq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVlxe2Ktr5
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9BFp2wUX2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf9Y7FU4gR
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn4g3UGzRo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO07zeVBCN
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDZHbMd6Vq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMhakWiRne
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafslZ98yjL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfp8BO1hU3
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B4kSt1AOM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NKNdcl6dM
"Why not?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuQSF7IkRM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPiExUeFeh
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4jtrruIWu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KZ4kZXguN
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtcqx4oIf
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67KuLsG9Bt
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokuUW5bMlZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuz1RdEgoX
"Surely, there's a better option."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVTHAY4mCA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuR3wdqTYF
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qm5Z9yWqF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF7yMnOnQS
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPN7Svw212
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwwJOGNp2I
"What if we spy from a distance?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi0Qd00o6b
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLittgLlKf
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPIgtBRIF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC3luQuZQr
"...Point taken."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0ySMxX7Pz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CATk9ByV
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHw1LyjkT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpd1kxZvW2
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu54RSw4Z21
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXv05qh5lW
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xqu4mF2Vx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp73CxMRDJ
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDkDzTQqFY
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG5gYq5e8s
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iVgXCnTR4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38P8FpGPwY
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDHilrbHw2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36m5HY4ezp
We nodded in unison.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgpZkpscWJ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglCW0rDf27
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Odm17sATX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuFfhwX36B
–
–
–
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFQGZLbsMW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lc8euKJ5s
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqBjubPyK1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCMAfWuoMh
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmugDEbOOOo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW8dkMD4Ri
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Zlr6KR53
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6YfvgkcKl
"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?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkG4h7nk8R
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAwlgooZ1S
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPIMyUXSWL
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ9w0vCq6H
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4hrQVBhZx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgX547wNgj
"Well... I won't deny that."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kohuDSG2r
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dv5XooD8a
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr8hErZokd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sqIQypXao
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bbn5udxjm
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqs8uhefUU
"Again? What do you–?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3erg3XZod
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP4kp891ba
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnrU69JQD1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIPjcklJVZ
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin2VWK7GnI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgapUY2FGpB
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dWugZzPpw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny8GpJ9y52
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BVE72eAWQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmYZEd0zWw
"I didn't ask ya that."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxH6cPLITK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqVp0nuHaT
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFkH6RiO61
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PrxR6SPlJ
"That ain't surprising."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i4bXAT8Mx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzuwdWkCv9
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5EYNTwTeb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoc9o9Xdm6
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZRUIqSR7A
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Y1ka7TdJ
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w142W0D9e
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oKwsByhmc
"Yeah? Like what?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuZQtB8j5I
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahW6O2VKPp
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Od23vYDMP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuc2KjE5g2
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcOACuJOYc
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZZh7Z8V0a
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi72Ax0yvp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVemWYzIGUn
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiraDrnQigp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ0SreoOas
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97tfvrZStp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1BVAcspIc
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NK7RZlE9n
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4ztLS95pw
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVSXHez1Ol
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqN98SKETQ
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEeeAj0da0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnhslHnyMm
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–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlG5XIrudV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImmtfLz8kK
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ13dzL3pt2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwau6zleO2m
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
