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.
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWnJQ7fGqw
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAPi0O8tZ2
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bD6SZIr1X
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–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSqH8EAl0e
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolTN2MLL2S
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjuGSINrQ1
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FDZJWLFHQ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfvdGi67ez
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4VlhCjNod
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO030XE4gk
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiU4gOT0i2
“...”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdTdsVCsa
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne7GvEXrTa
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJlcCCpgzL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVommd3jdZF
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsAuzyHHe7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09qjR9zWTb
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGppAXhuCHa
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01jMFzQPv5
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuxtOZjrWQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJnKuveOwm
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–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMmjm7ABvh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSaKSgmqeQ
“...”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz8OCXiiIE
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY06bFJCrj
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5jGUUmm6j
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAR5y1vKQB
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDkTozMU89
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdah8CbgiMf
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikUoFjHEUQ
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108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ6MCdVIMY
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqQ9p4qrna
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkLNdLKMD3
“Yes?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbMHDuyWa
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerYgyRaEZA
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpns2mncngd
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBusu9xr6pI
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEW7uHnA9z
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUUeoYqdUg
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bZavwc6Dg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsayjsabbXp
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F72kfO8CA
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bee6zPHXf
“You made this in eighty minutes?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjNZDrdIy1
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Y8GNs9wz
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS7vS6cze7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrXcrv4oAf
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBc7MRZoaX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjwOme9haK
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoVdSGEq1w
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CY6dfSBPp
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrX8qg3x3D
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtfBAs3EqG
“If you insist.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiawTd21rlL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySFhZitVYt
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGpNBO74di
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4ONJnGWAG
“Kenny?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80edqGAgEt
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLMp31qPPm
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsp7PKUIUQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE2IIuIHm3
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF8cCfwAvD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZnlRKlOGE
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWziQggEaJi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbzVtOprQw
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OlTR3ZvZl
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT4SXzI862
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SLliChXJz
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXXslb81HU
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWtaUQfFIR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Wsd2HV6N
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspbmcPEp8z
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkooFYS040m
“I see. I see, I see…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE52tRxXJq
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9maV4snzk
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDai9uqxKw
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AnCzYCwok
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvvcQFPUkr
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KgnRCZXMJ
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsdc9VSGk9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfkl1Xqzil
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yMc2PrYtU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWXeVUByry
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytBJuQbDfY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZAvgMMzyl
“Please?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq4z8q2YoU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5se8k48Zd9
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzU43ULXaj
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTTgmBTgx1
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBRkebljmQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsGFyynG0v
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAblmYRw4tt
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2oJprbgO3
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIxT71flzU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPuqJR6jIJ
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxOMxImjf6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i0wFaIUcI
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsAk6XRatX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCxXcBodwf
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3bHOf0GkT
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1se3C2qh0k
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtjFNh5sFk
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnqsEFXMcb
“I started young. That’s all.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSICSaXOs8
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa9UALhWEU
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubk1lc2h0r
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuaynNyIQi
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6xpW8TluI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxaaRZvxaX
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclYZCLyDlR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8t0qqgsVb
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeP0qNsXDS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb9XNjHv6V
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ8WaQGiwS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pqFHalWrO
She jumped and then waved her hand.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeJH90jbD3
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPVgQ31IzP
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEynxV7wgi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWuOnnPt5
“Right.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWTy9E1l29
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLjCWYtdOW
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobNGBMDe27
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpVDw3LP19
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeSU3QZDar
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ8pBikhMU
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO3IHJw8Pa
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAu121NSxy
“I– Wha!?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm850PeiExF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLpBmJeXdn
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9g02d0YTI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIb2jca7yv
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOEWQrxto3
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpNFn6u28D
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk8pIftt6k
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYx7qbhd5k
“Your own… peace of mind?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwHDTZFeVj
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55AtuNjSUh
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOg1P9wCZi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfx0IWziNS
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwvdhknZPc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyaLptoXH1
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdJ7n4BZRK
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckZRVqKM2R
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0cqnfwIIl
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fa4QoMmsn
“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. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtK5djQkgy
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA36jt28Fbx
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJGc0Z8MFX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYBMWl6E8M
She shrugged at my comment.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW19IHf8qRX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOadebnHQ0
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilP3z6QWA5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq2lZINdZT
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hwIfvOlW0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCjIdraK3F
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBndVdPtBx
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMCN9MKQt3
–
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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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatdTmhrgHi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpicCHz7R4d
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp6QFcqVca
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKznqtbQpfL
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkYgdnqkbC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWtjTBlCte
“...This is ridiculous.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbRR6umD7z
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCIdnuhxcQ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fql6tGZrE
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSOhNzorTC
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Zcjkh3og
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvdo9mFJ4t
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnguwWSCVpL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGudXKUO49
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWTThqDJCC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY3nBwwAAj
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLghcoi7AY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8EPsAkgmo
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWG9ArXYQS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8XJ6l1jif
“...Hmm.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1aOh1Ofsw
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFkEBwyR4n
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtCNOPdoYG
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgy3wzKsgK
“Do whatever.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSASmL8TKWo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaXQ3Xvc3m
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9646zXfYc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MRB9hQBDy
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdfOdqpTmY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuzd4Hyxpx
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJFXXUgDxm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZLAJrNEMy
“D-Darn it.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7qRdBzn1V
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFYqwLtOgz
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–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoW8HUn4c6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Dk8x43aX
“What are you doing here?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGMHNdlvnY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9bnabMP8d
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8as3mcVdW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx4zssV8gT
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP91Fziwn9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUuSnVdLGf
“...U-Uh.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6ea4b71QD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFNobjE6fN
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljkBoerLQT
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfw6ffs7gR
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJQckn9jmy
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ266tnMG900
“I… I-I.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaMhbBQxMi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoXc8jMApo
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5L73obNrh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNmlmQXabw
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwRO87PO9m
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzydFESb2bj
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutjRULmk49
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gqpH8S1Py
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQsTf67eSg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEh5kePNi
“I-I’m here.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2dPwwepoc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq10NcvCnJ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ5kCwzeut
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe4pB0kQyE
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqIxiYW8j0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc59oKADvg
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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaxGCZSdgR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG68HzT6CUP
“I…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3uQ3zkyAz
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIJ9uZ9rW5
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7m6bSCimI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YGcRDtkjv
“Hello, Rover.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyZd336vEv
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNtQH83zGp
“Hey, Kenny.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sj9C0tXiQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5NFP2cLtD
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk5rFzBRjt
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PhCY6gw9q
“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–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuvVN2nhN0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTLlgqOe0U
“Cut to the chase!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhvh5e2ZxD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTUbNfWhKJ
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLIVi9Qhkb
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsZoWpy0qp
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nNug0gL0C
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFOo1f0g2f
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J0DaBb9yW
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRq15YB3VO
“Y-Yes.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yEk6dWkaw
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OsDBsxwZR
“Now who told you to do that?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaYjraFZbF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXlZ1ITKGi
“W-Well–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20iRWdtsRT
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBLaCaPJtH
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1OcT5Jmxp
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHyIWwWCn2
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftLqvGZqlV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpVSIjK6rm
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbdGCeYdD9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jqkhD7mpW
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRlr7GK8lC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhXg03Ik2i
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG12fTTb8wq
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9r4js36Tj
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDqAR1IHPn
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf2pymOCRD
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kYoKMGCbj
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VNQMndPFX
“I refuse your treatment!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblOZSdkfxm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2suhMjCIg
“H-Huh!?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgJwL2v0sS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H5orjCASK
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZqyHKII3z
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDidi61DDZ
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb35B8w3Qhh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESn3WDcJtL
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDumTu6Xg5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWhyF6GtR4
“I– Wha?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYBf38rYX8
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqSzxZzyYX
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–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoTxWYX0Wf
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5UrI04ECk
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiZEYrW1NF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIp2u81Y0n
“Stupid? Weird!?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZFv9kFwDV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma4uNzo0Ur
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew23HEp8WF
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1meHsyQe67
“...”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVCHZUDSl9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUD1yrTaA6
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokVOr3g9K7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmzoGCfQg9
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgDdVHposh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3pzuCvTrH
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CXmBwZzKg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwBTYQuavU
“It’s because I upset you.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yiXAbT8yo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQdN77lkCr
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDKOmHbkmO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOSvXBc6SC
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1InQtETyC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN7LSgvid1
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5LEY0IKpR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1vlIMAkGO
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jOPRSGTbr
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEMYrucQnF
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2A3uiKtMV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdK9LfJJLO
“S-Sheesh.” 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCZr7MvGFz
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WSjFkPHzH
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.
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO3uZdFHqz
“How do I use this thing?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjiAbljVj1
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNxWRR1T8b
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa00uYmGIB
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bLWhZyqpw
“Drinking works for me.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hVrTd4MI7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1dFjjvgi5
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuGFYyIVt6
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQILki8U44N
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rQEuTsujc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWAN6arFHd
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA6jilzRy4
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mdJ0G30pK
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0nDFIrYbD
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRq4amXXvq
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcagFjARpw
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICzhrwSChi
“Whatever.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2dylkWoVN
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfPXl4ohHH
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. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fdz0uM7lS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY3Q2dJGmB
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiqeK39TQ5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtVS1TEEJS
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjOGG5TTe9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc6pZQYk1O
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd14jBGAERQ
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMltajhmgVS
“Leaving already?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCcmRPUAM
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYatODhTlKS
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XSg5Tj3YB
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A9oNrtBRn
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEGzVTWlzO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj1LM2dPWr
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe80110Med0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu9miDNHz3
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iDgOoq7cm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaM6PpbkrY
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xET5cvc3E
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok6C2kOotJ
“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?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrwDWBjHwC
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOdqGyWZIG
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXVbwdzkNl
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSVRMthbLM
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i0EZ4qfdl
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwntAk1RFcW
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jrCKtLQ1S
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9PChoEdt6
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw9LtuGR3r
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUie8OqTNaC
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO2b5OPCI1
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2M7fxlaTG
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrdP7slm7Q
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMALflH1Ax
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMMnWimFIM
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9uv92LxKL
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr58pd7u49
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCuOAYFjTN
“H-Huh?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWMxFfITOH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrQaIJqMU7
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AdSDpEiW5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCakXwCQcz
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUUts5ShcN
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeLT53muxO
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4uo7dAtEc
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE0hDFneGX
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wLNuxG8QI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrlwwyJBbH
“I’m n-nothing so special.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVSB7UqSOA
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkH52xTOTv
“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!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPZcjmAYEE
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTmJtRO6QG
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn3hFwwiDn
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTHIrPT71f
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU52bo90R9
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiiIAkcYya
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qxUi8wyaT
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRwtOwzQS6
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. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8qwZ2QnVU
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRRHLCu5Xf
It took me only a few 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPI0kj04Jd
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTMvbfdVap
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhrK8wEkpo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCnUeeLjPN
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuHDEnrTed
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsyxCnj8Fn
“No, really, Rover.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLCjCeLkV
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGDDAtcZEB
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9mXFw772E
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMNvZ7ODUc
“I think I’m just lucky.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UHTXUGWk5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rOr8KBsTY
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKcPzelCAg
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHBL19lu9y
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX1JqvXWj4
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8kk1nyu3D
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacsD33iz3u
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHhH8sOaZc
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj1VsRXvMt
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMO5zzzp5K
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3fUU9COcm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ48D3b6mYU
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLILprL0Zh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPALIsXPA6p
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxSpW743fh
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufgm6wVR9f
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzjtfkj7du
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. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsQ68psriY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTxQhg685a
“D-Don’t rush me!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5O8IXB7S5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6EsnM1Kcr
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGWtfhweOH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67QEVxcgyW
“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…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CeukJ3VYn
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKQtUrYwB7
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx7q5vvqCR
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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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2d200MnQ7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxcgzZd4W
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0FCBgILhd
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOiYqQuy0j
“I didn’t say anything.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu16PyNltK
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzPV9152t7
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFODHrDcBR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Jdx6vv2J
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoDj5PoLT0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhkD9YGdKD
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3fwaRogG5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO6X0gflX3
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRUfATYR1a
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“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VMY4lPvA0
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq8adb1ERg
“Told you all I did? What?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvPM0NpgGR
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuWTy3NXQw
She was caught by a wind of fury.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T7SO2EMNl
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmd7iYX5OP
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNHf7qUzBO
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmHcHwsrBl
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nQsu5qIqo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFWudStuho
“What’s so funny?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCurjOk7WU7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM3EwMC7n7
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FugdQ0Z0B
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsPaU2fRV6
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK76Co8eCRi
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanAwzlpJWo
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlfaanEPwg
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4DCAF2kqh
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“A little crazy?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS7zn0C5L3
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“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!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdVgHJEIVH
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneRxrzOahY
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe8ZOKhI8n
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv3U9W3Ds1
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN00NCytQaI
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbbvWEhy3j
“Well–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNBjLBtv1L
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGme1DoVfd
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFPoqeR7dS
“I–”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hWrSHwxTy
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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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzw4TTn3Jr
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zjz75u7cX
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq2k3Dzf7t
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHg0rCCkUj
“See! I– huh? You do?”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tFwj17hys
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2KockhTY
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEfu5ilohX
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChyNeLnKWj
“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.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx46W8YWPQS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7GD0qIbUs
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2yeWs0rWL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOhSblPLER
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINl0G0mh5u
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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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeNcWeDWe5
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcNbZLqbyI
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SR2lMNiR7
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bWgQ8M1pK
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQs2fdnWL
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJXJCAf0mx
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP6k2ZJWbS
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J0MZbMwgI
“Ah, right.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS2sY2OA1h
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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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEg5NmO2qN
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LTh2drlGL
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC3JJekaJ7
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ39uSCvOqh
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAaOezIop9
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWEKW5XGRm
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYwMccDkJR
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiIC5AraTj
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“Wait, one last thing!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboFmr8pPpi
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Peq6cGFSL
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wpyl5eNbY
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4k83jvJ1S
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMuxOiGqAc
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“...”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK2b13jRx2
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I smiled.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUTrdsDwTD
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“I will.”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wYGO9LJ1q
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMMLqyN4BC
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“Yes!”108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFmi5CFFga
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Qw0EWyO6
