The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7HNaKx4kT
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8alMObjime
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFeEWWoNpn
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34EMYpn71R
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiytykBqx0
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPsdTYPKsE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCFAR9D2uj
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw7nqYV754
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcwGHlUnAM
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPQGh3X6pu
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzQZiP5chJ
“...”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhdZdXIc9h
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfCZfO5gNV
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBi0GT6qXn
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLQisM5btV
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJgUx7DmS2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4qOsnNNO5
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrvmuKgHUj
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrtWgJXc3p
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkfrB0I8mg
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBC3tVDZGJ
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxaREFkNyN
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“...”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFQhtGd5KN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneu7K8ynow
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCBBzzlukO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wFf9L1l50
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoXoNMA0Q2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWBaQK3K16
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHEGtBrIQE
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–
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLBzWKaWxD
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7o4HWI5Wj
“Yes?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu939AxM6d
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs6GnwxjAu
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ4rsDxpJ1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyDk7ZGsUf
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MHSB8SyQe
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdcmZFgICv
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAeGnzyE9A
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3xOujLn2B
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTs9RpVtE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ426AptQnj2
“You made this in eighty minutes?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozxFG8RaMY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmBeozwtmA
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2t7uuoH3b
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDqi04PyE3
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABOVEVoRLu
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbOUEW9mUA
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMyXjIBU3j
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZuzOw7mle
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVFsQIEOEG
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIy0SZNiMw
“If you insist.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf6095Wyxl
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSN4wiDTma
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj8ixCplT2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFTbfP91JL
“Kenny?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr674pv4Xto
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktfUFMiqay
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY395K35eUR
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGjwexmc8
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC42BEuyNU1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqIvFJFpID
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKlprPEcmp
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bA4EpQEBI
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3VUUkFEOe
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWiJyKcIT
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJgMEPGJGC
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6aLD3LIGv
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x6H83g5fu
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypjLpjHcYG
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ZbveQaOI
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“I see. I see, I see…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Xvcwr1ZM
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gcWymYDQO
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HM8Xy7fQg
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM4Wnip3HO
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBSjFIfcZN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes2v5ZY9aO
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO2LowcAQx
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pS3GaKp0E
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKFLcJuBrn
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDElDQ9BPSJ
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8v7QNimN7
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LQQCUBySx
“Please?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU1SBNdS7k
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDMs57GhM1
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52QgAt3MRJ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg731lpLmyz
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWpz4IohYy
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFcN9JWgUL
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkwLlezqRy
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUudspYmsK8
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI1aUFZ2F2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9I7lkcnTb
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP0JUyCv5U
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoNTW3eEJg
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCikqemWRbG
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ9fqcZgsh
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCvtnewGHW
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X5QLlUUMB
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRATmzXqwcF
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MjuyUDnVk
“I started young. That’s all.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIhdpV1nWi
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJb1kyDhfu
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV1AJZGVst
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnarlq6K6dF
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDceo0NQ73N
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCjpKmikUt
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzugMhmQeBL
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1cObtUhQC
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a8qY589U9
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOLqsZTK48
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9dQkZUQqX
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsZAyCoe3z
She jumped and then waved her hand.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZErTQWIPqP
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFi203IoFn
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXAEQlwZH9
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50nw4tg3JC
“Right.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLqrF1Wf7p
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M03r8FNxj
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2z7b57pek
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97TxjP3eOM
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qr5QTsqmT
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblz8PTg8qQ
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip6rpAwR7f
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqyISPIXpg
“I– Wha!?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF5RoA6OVH
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJ8eTgzuw
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj6GRLIVlU
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmirTaMaDi5
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVObvD5a4ia
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli1SZg3Ikq
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRw4mCHwJN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiWgqbcJtA
“Your own… peace of mind?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopwe2wDo6n
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgnuyxeIwL
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT1p74Fsnx
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rguQAE5L0
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ii5Jl45XW
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY3MFhtsSB
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsYlyDTYlV
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV6TsIhiW0
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStllamuneP
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6jukc6q8N
“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvvFsrbmwK
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh687RniSxl
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmqcZkBoZM
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUegkjybF4
She shrugged at my comment.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSkDZPrAVz
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vw8l7QHiP
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBa5BDmYgV
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTPXh7zfGf
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINo4PCefCX
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWL8nwLJLW
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1QRPE2pjX
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsMRSdTnaV
–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuVuf7TNef
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy3i0zL3mQ
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWQYgh0v6Z
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE7z0mV8Sd
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo6b8yAfje
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzkioAqmZR
“...This is ridiculous.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGImcECBjic
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIAeUHilk0
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6B21YWAxq
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuogqEMJwFs
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHBEh3toeO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiZTN3eR73
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeAenUr1jO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaYUs4SC8A
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ8ztddG2N
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MGHVxD8SP
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqChX0F2e6Z
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf66RqMoRG
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK0tLUBHG1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGCl1tBONf
“...Hmm.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ15gF6ZyNI
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM3oOTZu1J
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI18o1y6RPy
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09uVWyD8fa
“Do whatever.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPzrK9Epsc
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lo7lCMLqa
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwUpvfyEd8
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWTY7iFAGY
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04BXb80kMY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWLCDwJz2n
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoMjwAKA3t
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSYRdpZouU
“D-Darn it.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkTWy8DBnG
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZPWwuF1Pg
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5klv8eA1ow
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4UM0zUYQG
“What are you doing here?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJRGDVRQ26
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJjoi6aZ9A
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcAn71d85O
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwJ7Qrz2z0
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyEN93AKo2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZOOwouyNu
“...U-Uh.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMISEYf9ru
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HUYQgO1Ns
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9MHwPy30G
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCcILCF6T5
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7mvSLllCE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P5KnKSOYs
“I… I-I.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyun31bOKqG
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gxKBMTCP0
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURtvuPz8Uu
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rCBF5uwPD
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaGCEir8vl
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3454a727sC
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYX0hv5Gkg
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvthNyRvxzg
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikLTdmzBiv
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRutJJZ9eVw
“I-I’m here.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cz24oTmGW
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAfyecvpnu
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT3G3oumH7
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm7QKqZnPX
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCnBrYE8Dj
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BOXkWNqW6
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHiuz8FF2V
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIlOayvP3Z
“I…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY3T1j7hvR
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2kTLTyMRq
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal9dq0ABF5
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Le9EszTbm
“Hello, Rover.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRm7ehtSON
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1MRQo7ejp
“Hey, Kenny.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nwx3mFAtM
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90dj5QCdVy
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcrR7ejhLM
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKrLcEQV2k
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv58eM7vZFO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTeqm13ZwT
“Cut to the chase!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriHgW3dgT5
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmn2xQxVUY
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8IoT3V4Jz
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjQBoa6oAu
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEAmZNJqof
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZI4QA8g5p
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0c6SEFYVw
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnWcXAf8Dm
“Y-Yes.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM8Ehi1emc
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGOM0LHR5x
“Now who told you to do that?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvHYAT9RNk
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LWbmOi6eU
“W-Well–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH9GX5mgyt
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99299gYE5L
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ8YdTNlDL
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNe1dmtK1y
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ieb4Yjab
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPqYpuqe8g
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrP0mFgRcn
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlSB50cQCM
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEwNd2zjVa
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRRYNikKxW
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL0Q989d85
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9iAuul21Z
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RDVsVrEK5
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNeejO94mM
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUerGG0AhQ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eCF7H0QBY
“I refuse your treatment!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkEush5Ug1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAkEBNBdOk
“H-Huh!?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YirgvA4X8
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBo5nYZXC
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKGCnVdIKR
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6upwqSHKBw
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQNExzuzgH
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbUthvgMyM
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgIPwW5p2S
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBXCGxNEb3
“I– Wha?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaIUG7n0rf
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyChX7HNAvI
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3mvdliKF4
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZORoWTXBz
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF1TAczYa0
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHjrKJm0X6
“Stupid? Weird!?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwvajCQmQL
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyYEqH6I2G
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjsEjAuP7U
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8E1eJbzoc
“...”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8xQszErk8
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS5NqexM5w
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA8ZqiwNyI
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0mYs0y5a8
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExW3SbKJA2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5nLScyzju
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQdZwrpUyv
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf1tH4GtSL
“It’s because I upset you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkQtjYxLET
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPEqvR0pmK
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34rDutzyUL
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1cl51TU0E
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGm50CkEqw
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85OoDGOqR4
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCIqPYcLzs
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1InLqCExY4
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVeZqfqxWp
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWvBOR3vES
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTe4H6kgcy
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQNB2M2a4
“S-Sheesh.” 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpek0MOy1M3
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaX2ZCmshS
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCHDycGLer
“How do I use this thing?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSZLU105w4
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh0JLSojtJ
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLIVoteiV
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGYl67i5oq
“Drinking works for me.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yTRy92Xt3
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ai4dJobvu
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZVtNq6GEI
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TPts27aJn
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbcgvvsGBN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsd8aFdrwJ
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeONbrtdsqX
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP694686Dvn
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzEanKfzKB
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G9hd3dZcs
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvhPpuaqcc
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLo8Egtpn
“Whatever.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVAMezKI5g
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDahbfno8yU
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SlmLnvuNO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev4DD61sJ4
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvCiNa89dD
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpupR3rSHyc
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2KZzbLDCe
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9UJY2FKhr
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20UZuMFUAx
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM1MHErlCl
“Leaving already?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXeg8R38kN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMGjF2lChc
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pEZGuDCB1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIT2bpEvMJ
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz482xaSUY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLL1ZmC87v
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWsVapNbNq
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK1EU8Xrt2
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno0nYnZa9e
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlOyUrSjjt
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyza4blrT1m
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqVJBna7bb
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22U3Jfyfrr
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1WIMZgKjD
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlTh5YSp8z
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiNTbTzUhv
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzncwpoIAB
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuQJ8GTH2g
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPCmINDV7o
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooxpbhaTRO
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJD4qfXMrY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKdwimscxb
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCPAMcevAY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a49NfRD7b
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5akXF7svu
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG37EXphuiF
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTOT6iTOSE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL1kxJWuZ0
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAE5ueRolt
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmjYXE8vF
“H-Huh?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlNxP9W9bP
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIpjt2mwgv
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtwOy0kkUP
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPqDawVRTv
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasD7wZ2tlE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ00VApG00
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yfpNaIRPm
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNWojVr08b
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqRzqFtuW
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mEH810ri2
“I’m n-nothing so special.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyq74lFP0O
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9k12lar6d
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGYiONn4iO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR01ehuoxap
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLfVIapqh0
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ4eGrB2EP
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07AplbOQed
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfSXPjz9fu
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOD5t2eciB
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfbuo7SVWk
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci960Okoca
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUJdMCxIY9
It took me only a few 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPKHPyBk9q
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuExBVsegZ
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5rDMXipLP
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnWaFkrXkT
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9ut6UXYdk
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKfZ55OK4W
“No, really, Rover.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXu3WvnrDC
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe9VBCvbGZ
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWnXHvs2S
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UqzgSbBe6
“I think I’m just lucky.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97eanebzLV
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnMQYrrmxk
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyb2VoBFUZ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPAJoudHrN
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWnDGaJGxI
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uj7XLkEpr
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmIE5JiE7R
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlROVw5JM7m
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX09wwxN6cv
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cxXDWgj77
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZzWifbrsZ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv20F0X62u4
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEX3PPxs7n
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B0eLujno0
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqYNTDoJps
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Ry6gv4an
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9El3D4NFtn
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN4eEye24l
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPhiVlu8uh
“D-Don’t rush me!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rBUJ7Hxhn
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW7YLkMiej
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGkka3HyRF
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdZh01ZsCj
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMXravefPk
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSaEPTbLY0
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNuR9jvHLE
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSwBryD3H
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3oWqRV1Xv
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oH5QUPwvs
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyH8Qr9VjC
“I didn’t say anything.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z5hWpwKmV
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqhipRRt9d
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOXWKA3Dvs
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQGNxJYBQp
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolRKAixIS2
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0tUn7Lbs7
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bnjbvl6Nc
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1KYb4BxiD
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHdZdefEuP
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRAanDUlww
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLPwAKt0ns
“Told you all I did? What?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J5gmyHNOt
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUboyqPBb8
She was caught by a wind of fury.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE44RrXTns5
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbZLxjt2jU
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25CqF7EtM1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zyxIemKTL
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7FGBVXTXO
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uVII9eT3b
“What’s so funny?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgqlQCKyC4
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKMRE1sDIF
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW30zBeosNt
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7zs8aNBV
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuL8QbYmEo
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA5AuyDC1B
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaru51EKMw
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRS4VNxjmm
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“A little crazy?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqm7ChM7bK
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp7sfRn6IU
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqCTlA4eCl
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6ULfeeDp
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7FdAV3wSv
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBphfgeYXzQ
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD5hcIrzXf
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm66BJlDH9
“Well–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSymctH2bg
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJAzAfm9cV
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMSP0TSzhI
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVqRIBVbmL
“I–”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAdwcx4WS1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E034HjuAS
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcAIbU5Nu6
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMat4ZNg0Px
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy7UX0uEl8
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“See! I– huh? You do?”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5MoQoBvAX
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x4PGCzhhl
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIkLVGbgoM
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ht5Ptz4Ai
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyVm2vapqN
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsorwwH6wQ
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPjLDg2Ik4
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfZHar9E3u
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxfVJ9B9VT
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgPs23jzYs
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZskSOx5lJ
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT8NqCEK7R
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrZfHNlrRF
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8JGFeP0d6
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZNjMft5q6
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnKDE7Klfh
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QXKRK52yx
“Ah, right.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HnuR6DYM1
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DT9uZbVB3
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwiloWznyb
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHgAzoCJHX
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlkL6oyXQU
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RtfMaY6aY
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsoe8fhET4
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2OByxU5NF
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNcn8BMORe
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJwcKSxMLw
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bMW5e9UDr
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“Wait, one last thing!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzuMM5WwL6
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5usGQBPzY
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe2ArYrsOf
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyyQnVGj9n
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H4XtxtwNO
“...”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKJkM4cewf
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I smiled.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQuOhylc4y
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLes2coPRB5
“I will.”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGVjuIpiHa
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02ayisdQuG
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEVVjKHd6m
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLBDzsBV1E
“Yes!”62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9wz4PiwBN
62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfwTa2gGgi
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCeWUj3xDJ
