Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTjbuqo2zA
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuBiJEQwLU
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhkw5t1uyk
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOJcWPIfk0
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeORtXVXj3K
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7WZiMFIvw
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944qyxGk5L
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOJtWVPERw
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoSkxWdhFT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkWg1HvGa
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRwmbPCGV7
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQwmP94jnj
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTm35Ow4wt
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGihRG39360
“Well?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OLanvRdFI
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YDlVfbHRY
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow7bT34JMO
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY124Boj0C
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTwhw9jX45
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaogyIg6jEL
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCwaQfOoc9
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDSTB87IxV
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3AxnUKXu0
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeSu7i7FDY
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrCvH7SHun
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoDZW0k5ce
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd60ceSM5G
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChPx1x5cLD
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoCnMAwsZa
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeY32v6NsE
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwRi7roWXl
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3mKb00Uun
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8xEg7HAbN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBd2j7rvoy
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7NstvD7nP
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXPmrkuRpw
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCciR2gXZ1
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGWUGaFxKg
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCtuac5ctY
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloYd6fq9YT
“...Yeah.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5YZ7bocTg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1crUQl9H3f
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd8rYKjRuY
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij3xa2k5TA
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtggKrQBSf0
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht1sHQ5pzg
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEO3yeawzT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJvJK4yObo
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVbcsVNZSG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlvoEszNhX
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZu4GyX4ez
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ819Hk0EAit
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1TkkV3Ape
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIXR2jAGEq
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT7gkI2E0V
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OzRMIRgbs
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSMgBMlVA2
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsnOxDDLA0
“...?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgMsRJMTkb
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAVrKZsxmW
At that, I had to tilt my head.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwljD3IBd5
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7l3ula03N
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Iy3GoircA
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJYZfe9lrF
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEwhqKL420
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUMPVn2ZCL
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3gT0rcg3R
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANzJwg6x3N
“Dennis still ain’t here.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSZxbLCsDf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2urCdA6Fj
“...”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlccjoBZICr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaMuhr1spl
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOJCvFefXg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiJp4qW9cL
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdcK8hKsxO
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jV5BWlFvA
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGzpiK0P8P
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPnSvM79hm
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRounlnspr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfsI2qJzxS
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc3Q9ncPTG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBqIWXSybc
“--!? W-What!?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0jA1wvZEJ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLDjJ0BMpb
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7dzBcZBui
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkYi89ihOR
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzieT9Yel1L
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6AipYWVmK
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStHJXcGG0b
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLiDGKSO1C
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU4Er5ncK2
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf6ElkojFq
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN94fE9XHfC
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8dPDvnCAS
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3elAeBYx4
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL9UUZQkz6
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaFQBslWBy
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKMykKTQwF
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nq5zTgdhK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoiC6LHHEy
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyP1sccjtK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4F3quUk1E
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bHkjIl3Ne
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAoxnWxZME
“...”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2n2pkUShb
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcRigTlbAj
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SCZLljgAj
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUkon3NaP6
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG8Uc7g3po
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSJLyfAwGp
“I-I see…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLF7WYE3PT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejhYFYllO7
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3VNPBFZNa
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9z9qTpfCz
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lLClNGRi1
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8se4XcKq4
“You don’t, ‘get?’”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkuT1uuMHq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgCrZ6XlMF
“Y’know, when–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW8YOY31uJ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2nUNjfgTY
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK8rKvj8M6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLAT44FwUo
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v9qYj7d94
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mD8BGIumI
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE8Vry41vx
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xux5HDBpF
**SLAM**118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSABTMU6n7r
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYYQ2ZWwJU
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnjh22eTbC
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x3mreN1Co
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8yZnsmomG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU2kj39hGb
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFbH2VhkV6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFbQcl0Eti
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblQ1WPNTTg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlE3T7y8qm
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08O2u5snfq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6gWcqeCeO
“M-Mister Dean.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1FfB0ntDo
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50A6ipW12Y
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N2giJ65rU
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR1DD9ljol
“Yes, child?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJHuMZx3wW
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT31ZkNc7L
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6qsOdMHlf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzruoxGH1W
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwovMRPRhMK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNw6RFfk98
“R-Right.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpx4ePhG73
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnEKg5gPW9
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVbwSKBH5D
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreb8sGoegn
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR4Txl5lDh
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBZFPftiBD
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwyrDzB9HT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetw7VVaWoU
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkLLEcUGyV
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLF9FdXFGZ
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkWRjz4YsI
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNl1r2321h
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO531yEm0Ze
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44dCBETf7h
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRZyq71ux0
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q7FZUcwPN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBRb08KaV
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinTOIv6H7Z
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRrQsqUZV4
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVzF9pzFv
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIaGc6HuLj
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHb8OVP2Tz
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT9Qb4r2MC
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSoYx2AUbN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau279ptWtL
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iDZG4LCDs
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdGyA8iibu
“Haven’t you explained that already?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9DdphBjHh
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUxpjZIvES
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwEFP4e8J3
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8vsRQxBJB
“What’s that?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEV9eMFP4t
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYCn47T6JS
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW7lanILXT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm54NCQWZb
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO47fAiLaqk
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11GPZLEh6
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Ov27G0Ls
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLV5nKQdQ
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXED5tN5EaN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49bC79EUTO
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLaOZKimRc
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxGBRPUEjm
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoRkeAYEpv
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqARsOhw2Sb
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzbIdIcnr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr471CAkD5J
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA3vAEnfkp
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlleSgy82n9
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxl0cylpG3
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimNZm4EeNn
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdaXuqqWAv
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB9LPRBCmd
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGOvVg1AYf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJquTyQL0V
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIYtooBYIK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdheturvhhP
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3r0LXY1z9
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtzr2SErmD
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaS9EirbI5
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqrRkz2LH4
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnTRo5zRwf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczEsYS8KKc
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB5899W6gG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrYJEi8VtI
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgrAdJ4Kqa
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqcOjGe1eb
“I think it likes you, child.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR8Avmm3QB
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGNNw9WEOX
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lTYk88dAP
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOac5CLQBfv
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDdJp113lt
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wrViQWw2N
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmqk9cj6px
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKMERYhNcw
“Hah?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMyBIKJ28V
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1LNn4mWvP
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1CyLS0Sdq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA37Yxqop3
“I… smell like flowers?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NzGe8D8Lt
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPda6zfpyc
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rKXoz3Nrq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpE6Wvbrb1
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCPgwBQKiB
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW9fOMyEzO
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jphOmuK8r
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMOr0pOS1L
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGSwQn189A
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV4PUOHzwn
“Really? I didn’t know that…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV9VMSL6PZ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE1X4PhQoi
“Ahem, moving on–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2vQ6INem3
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvP48402sd
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ65Jgm6wZw
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMUGeuFzaI
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LgaxfJmPF
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3P47sDIlw
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5gjtoht5V
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98yjXbEfg3
“May I know why I’m being told this?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8iQSB6Jho
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYpxJOmwX
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m4eQ8WWxY
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJzQ2R65Jo
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZtpBqUPfu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMKQSjmOaP
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLOnIqpXkJ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4LqLLFkW9
“My help, you say…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ox562JK4l
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VBYypVibN
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCU1AvvsqH
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxwwdQEcFF
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkhfhlfIOv
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviJqcmBLN4
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE7ho0CmUD
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv6Qn948ge
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPF9SI7Vgu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rWDUxZEhu
“...Energizing potions?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5RZYrPKrs
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18PlDNA6H9
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf96mqiy08
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1j67Z1V1r
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwPJFsV5qm
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AZEveRVWd
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oLoxnOVFD
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt4XxXRCD1
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7eUe9vch6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10E8dKIMCj
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSeIGHBQIw
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNEHWQpmCB
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfYvw6XzT9
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls9Oj4g8t7
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVF3MtISXZ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxscS8llnO
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzJpE8jLx0
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1nCIl6IXe
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE77FZhke17
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DmykUtgRS
“Is something wrong?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXfpbAyco9
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NAD8Zit73
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ch0g72eNt
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOMSsRtTbb
“Well, kid–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkzg5C7uoM
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRKxBBSVoO
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeZqA3KZrU
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNKWR5dZDJ
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCoWx0nCsP
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctb6DpyYWy
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhBdY0P9F3
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAmKF4Oo9H
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBBXmPJWXs
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvsMb8AqR3
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTjjIFvdw4
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f6cm3T0Fd
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7i3xy97sY
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bUgp6weTR
“...Comfortable.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kV5AOe1Nr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBKB5hbHkT
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3rzpI2MUL
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xXHqJO0vz
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4yGAH9KsQ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVR1dsLHTo
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vtdxkoqNw
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡganfUK0m07
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxa85WGlSz
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K3I3dDd6S
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNloGaM6Ysw
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPEBDEHQJu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kdLXDulyC
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3aONNyBHf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWPHrCponI
“...A little bit here.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTZDe2WKqt
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNBXGmyO5f
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqsNF6o5L6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1O8H618qX
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI1XVBG4YT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRq8clzQ6c
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL13gkaDeq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT9xPDnCFe
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRer5sUBRGI
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BsXgYXI2Z
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BgbP0JoHJ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dScmuMNCg
“No time to waste, though.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDxhPwMlLg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnmQyxLmx5
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0Yy8WtYil
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ3a59HLGy
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7nHEkuUVN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxkhFIBG5l
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswGcnYLi6b
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwloW6c4m1H
“...Crap.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeAkZHHGCe
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7lMjQNOXO
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUsRVz6pl6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKJ5kOD0E2
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRTtwlERnq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ4JYGFFEZ
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VmhREg8dS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgOrz6jGL4
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeULVcTDtD
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyPse8Di1p
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnj2ccoFrA
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa42GQhzN9
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOqRFIoJlc
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2cOTcUnEE
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AYL0nK49c
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2kDKS4T0K
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qCc2GWYu0
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMrtlvF86h
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93jJzqepkS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87F1wsXWVo
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7a8660hZ6
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecPA7ShEVW
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulh6jHhDMI
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwLW1xPIGk
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJooOrrcAS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95jKHhVDBu
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr64JkZimFP
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJbBSpO7wD
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpNElYc6po
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn5SCfQ9Q1
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyQOkbXykq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRo2Ig1b7Q
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfALhAE36Xw
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrwifB2T0A
“N-Nigel!?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx4y3gJAaf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlArr4EEAOz
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0y0njtsmp
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJhKlCMduB
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpzjffCElS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmBYgggU4b
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡachdeE63pd
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkdexI4AER
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IZupdbeRb
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIrjJ90H47
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40s200WKcR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u39W2Vofw
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iw1UUJciI
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofjTJP20uV
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdxbxe9u46
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRfIqaiSrw
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBpPXEewMK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwOlBl8c4g
“Is this… a clamper?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2ZsOzLpHm
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CNrNJHuPs
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8sx6rclUx
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYThF7JJEF
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPNomioF8z
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtlxP5fvBz
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1W0BaOaSn
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7pWwKzozk
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD01sNZJfM
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaI1E6Bnu8
“That I asked you?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgdUdFKoks
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTbfEvn2q5
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HAr2EOXjh
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfLKrPSN7T
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVknjRcUgb
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ3rR3i4iq
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJOyZvxSB1
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQQNOJhiqt
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlrDK2tVwM
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1D8gFPeDL
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8KtmpBH1H
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7BsMNJZqR
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqylj4TNKp
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ztNNByVY6
“How did you–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIqGkk0eAC
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQixljjFZvL
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7MAd9H87B
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WZmCXI7RD
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoGn4GEGqq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIctYRYL0ql
He continued cutting as he spoke.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsdgChKjKk
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7hB79S3e7
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLbQtIzsWG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ5L2m5Irm
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RgCdNksq3
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ItshCLqop
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAd6RSRqbH
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvOuXRYXNi
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzEKFbFVFg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfMQedmojo
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOcV5ClM4n
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXw5uRJ5c6
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDP68WztBE
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAXh8gAnWt
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmoJglvlzS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XgE7kq5o9
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOJfFraXny
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Uc1b3xNn7
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JAkV5uhYx
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Lzdiv31Y
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbi2QSUutM
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCy4qM9UZw
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5jBfcR5pa
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORYfbfdaqB
“I… darn it, you got me there.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScqHtl1jRf
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwy9xmDnvh
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwWnDGXFD8
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ0zbtt4nt
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuvwrXiTLd
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVPR7kcEyv
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z98QqtknR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOOrlkc3f0
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcL4lPWq5X
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrcDEJh0oe
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU7gRyQ0wO
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwjoXj0pqx
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMJWmHpo4G
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40CZe08VAw
I looked at him with pursed lips.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDMaQVG5yX
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNQtUybRk0
“Why not?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hX6k8yXnr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R5n4ggRHr
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4rRRvBOYB
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsw62Aw96I
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIloLBsyx1
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzmeIWERbk
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r49ubLOWm
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxhhoGLkUw
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlnFqfGNAG
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnEl8ljX7U
“--!”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikrWZc5m1q
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1jigieHBw
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyNAkpjwXq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQY3Y69BD6
“Did anything else happen?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8UvonnyUN
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre7UCcRjNU
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjUVnxXdZe
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYNPegJk7a
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUUmMgPzzA
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUOSvJ7R4h
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW5vcBJddE
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvZHxMkVhD
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIkVpEWIbb
“Uh…”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCXydjBJBV
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi6LSi38rS
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbKbEurL5t
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfAspO6D8t
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7AlIHr7Zs
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsZlofrT6l
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lrY5BLf4M
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOV17wuf2r
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuats22nBww
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQVon0gaY6
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX8caEdHtB
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZVmuv0Dz
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMwD0aV27j
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlBCtRIsYb
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqYexOSMBQ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioFXaFEkDw
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cWyW4SbSk
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LUiycHWks
“...O-Oh.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VY65jvbtT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5L7TN6Rv0
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysc2AIZS2R
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw6jaN8HWT
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKalLTaA6T
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF8Dor9WQ7
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMsOQubErj
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eH2q8HcR2
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQnYOG3TLR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8lNWhndeQ
“Make sense? How?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaleMQQGml
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAdGP5bRSY
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxa9lPRbJu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkHnfMr78f
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZCLu7Cw4g
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2EG4zo5Bm
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWdrGheYBR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVuh4K07eb
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jEDq2ROUQ
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqp9bwfWnY
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhsuJ5WN5H
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfJXxBbcFL
“So she still fought alone, eh?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6mJMEOL35
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoGQIVvxtr
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc7AdMrVby
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zrvBHBmiQ
“Relieved? How come?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6W1GUC9ix
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVp9q4zr3d
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS04zRvTlS
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YqQu163bJ
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4F3KCYP9Z
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYOXFEqJ22
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hGfQkvg4H
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4atPcQq6SJ
“You’re probably good friends with her.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteFDwoqEgi
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF92SiRp94
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYtdprqfdT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAKd5hnWIu
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd2PPuZIoT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTKTTlMK6X
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XvHqrwffr
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN8YAtPGqV
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1Zpv6rrVC
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGfkzX7LlM
“H-Hurt? What happened?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpwRN87g4g
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkv8LGDfUg
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMTY5mWPMM
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUt7B6aJTN
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55GIfG47fR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZzbRqrspM
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIJMCiF53q
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG9QLzMgRC
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAOVUA6eJH
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5X6AYNOgy
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo8GuZeJXo
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GlDuC7lvU
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Tnu2voMu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm79Cx0dD9U
He shrugged.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90CwKrKmOC
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa464vY33F
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAGwJeTyNR
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJMuBPbhSs
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7BFVC1LoK
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv20oRZoTPm
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYRNJugktX
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ8YpwFK4u
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxdbCzlgoq
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJqgFgSltV
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFmj1dWbmk
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVWxkcb6nA
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToAjinoQNv
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6WxIWSAuo
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u8VogCb5Q
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioBoVSmYkL
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwtrcjTDoT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVxG6qldov
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFwzEhKvbx
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLhpauDG47
–
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHc7l3bSih
“...Role model.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90qk9QIt0K
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T9mvsmaWZ
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd33A3ivLud
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM8w1tkezw
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkekiHyGuw5
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA9lsJH5Ym
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFF3zLA2uD
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAByOThdXbw
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6ow8L6Ftb
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySY4DBNIef
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTfRhOEzEg
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyFU7JUkbh
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7A4dVUQde
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWTFKXr2gE
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcSZe00URu
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrhjqLMqpz
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wjuIfOCAT
118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMKj6Fu58M
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
