I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d8btIOI6Q
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUMSnlgyg0
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFQ6AqU44Z
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY10K5pfowU
"How?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQtqS3Czea
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUjniBpfmD
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtmIzX5zRf
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pIgfRXu5U
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4kX4xPObJ
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPj7lsdCw8
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq98AaX3C0c
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VGZUQQNjW
Pars turned to answer Juke.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofVcfhoDi
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97fTdO7cXY
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSFCj7eFSc
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg7P5OjFVA
"That so, eh?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQlHSFE135
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aCm43gJcu
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNQQ4Uk84F
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76l2JoUt9x
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh77tdLXAGe
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD4pKGTzQN
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ7s9PcR5r
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjv9yfwK0n
"Hey Becker, how's the–"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaxmHaZaNl
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4lZiIzAVr
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvP1tpxm32
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH1n40F9A2
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXwxxeGFjn
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOiJOqz1vR
"Are you a kid?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckqVNUqcGu
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyQc8S8f8l
"H-Huh!?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Igzl2OemK
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCO5XGvuTD
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4uycOXldV
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8te0Sd4l0F
"I said, are you a kid?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFSqeYhKKW
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9tniXATTP
"I-I, yes, I am."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbQgkq9TMu
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He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmltCgNZZb
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLHumeQCah
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBaig9nkVr
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTZqfBcUhE
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBDbKmm3pX
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMg4LomIIG
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyieNiMiqi
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj9cZOcsC4
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz2Ux7iMEz
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ZKau25Rr
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHHQGhdpa2
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S97gF37I4
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTXLag8lfR
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKpwOFcgdC
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RuYvPAoMD
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEBhApr6k4
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx55oLjAsb
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdwWDGLnYX
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNtXbroPVx
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeAqr9prbn
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHgM6r4LqU
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIdShBWPV3
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKY7vkDW1n
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU4R9xuC4a
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaPRp3mfVP
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqpHJxQtUG
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7H9Sbrna7
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1QdNVS5mN
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7exhUV0O1
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMv6142i29
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVmZgphvTu
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv8phnLmI1
"W-What?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7uuzOYb2p
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfO6NuVSE4
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FN8zZxKos
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYaes1h7CL
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUxZMp4ekt
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEeybvzoIm
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj51gAbWHfz
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzPdCjcAmR
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQoAlVaLhW
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtpuvDVui2
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcPF9ysSoK
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5iOrc1GCU
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5vnUW8H90
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hYioBIINs
"I'd never."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0ITxW647G
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60PSqzbRSx
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBd6NZAqSN
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kfzcokqsa
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTDG1HaBL4
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZwc8QTTgP
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgbaXwm64c
"..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VIvEDA6LO
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrUJlfd8ih
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuGvJZlIbD
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrrgCI8Q7p
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWkqmAmZRz
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLMtTYCImQ
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsSRfDtVtz
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2iWaHqb8j
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The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhPvdidyuK
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHzdZHX10A
"What did you want to tell me?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXlLEDTxap
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0vdWrwWOO
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjiGeYaJQx
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LNi16O4tm
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc79mD7V2K
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqgjkKU2VE
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiXYnAuzgm
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCXV88veZS
"S-Sure. What is it?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZxMrrbO6h
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc51ykCBCD
"Do you like fighting?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XPgsYZsbE
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa0DWjB9gt
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHAGrr4xDL
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvlYF4MnhA
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrIDiIsLcE
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8dBttfDsa
"Then, why do you do it?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpbymfRDi6
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"..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboDmMGG9VY
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wv9aUE1hj
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQYzkfznf0
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zxu7QgV21
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5YqBfUJEs
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0OhTf86Oh
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqKBF3pVO0
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT2kWT3H64
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SKm2acMv5
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLclG6l3N2r
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12aW8XZuNk
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xgdOl8oDv
"..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnUrOQNvqV
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0A99mBxFQ
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sjfKhLxVo
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9zwAh5h2d
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowxQXnoKfT
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4hYRjbScQ
"...W-Whaa?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBAKVKdzUP
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhneMxmQ5c
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMrmhFwiLe
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFvOTOfgwQ
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo2B6jPS0v
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivZSzHg2Ow
"It's... it's okay."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFnGfQAXPq
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHTxkUVXkL
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LiJzVAXfr
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bBmvV5jzs
"..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZixCXpWXB
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp6P3nNUAA
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFCb6hatQr
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7zOvstRq
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflGkGInyMR
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cZVpUKTLm
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOX7rG3I2g
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ6ENAaHTp
"...Y-Yes."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCIEt3C9Pi
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjRO37FLqg
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuEOjSRrDY
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsbHYn2EN3
"I see. I see now."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn9XieXSvF
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRfMQFVr5U
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQWopNXFn0
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpaYmFlNGG
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTqOA6o7Xn
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc0mgLaUeF
"Like, um, like what?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSIcWFalPB
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNknX6sP1q
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPcj1S7kE
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1BiYkVtAf
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEVVaDprQo
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLckPP0LRuN
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGzNoJrmgS
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHQFbupysD
She paused to scratch her head.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVFAt4682o
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u2ppNqmWW
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC3quJ1w93
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UAPbbWzfh
"I... I, I'm not–"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgndmevv1p3
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFYE2WJdl5
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvAGMDOUSt
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BuhC57ugo
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2ObKMGLhf
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT1zsG3spL
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoU73X3pN5
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FteZ6v4Ro
"On the right?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjoVp5NIxp
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAvB6I5RZX
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMzj1Kteue
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEqXPD7ETr
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgjmv2jztP
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQvWqvn3Pf
"..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXinivyQ2jA
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrPxVWQXPD
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK63xIVZX4c
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6jOwSdA2t
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SzYhEHDaP
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLmH7IFt3U
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne2JYJuqEj
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLAjndwo7Q
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9PonKgIsS
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbzR2OErbS
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSAgseb8bU
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQspqMXudO
"...Maybe."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZaSfFxlwx
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwpjsXxWfy
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZs2ykB18C
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg36s9XWto
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
