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.
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wmSeG22Ym
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX4fbAw0z9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszipj4xjaq
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–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgrKYataId
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfqZCUQ2Ix
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGWddh6GSU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5y9b5yQVU
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0VkhdCMS9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtHrfak4z9
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqpJc0c5Ku
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOffX2beT2B
“...”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXXdI3bRSV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRo4eK37Pi
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7zoBeZ45V
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpXa51uFpr
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOZ3tHWm0u
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiIEkxvqqX
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYs9JXQdtD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssNRi0ATfo
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzOsipCNza
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o4CeByhtp
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–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBIPSeZ0eU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEoFgfZBQI
“...”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0bjD4bREt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEQYGjsxgA
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVuO8xkZf2
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3QicppNtY
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4PMAKcaPl
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B91kYXAyP
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPbkeMwLIE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIPeTsHEU8
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVIvh31B4
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgJ2dms5Vj
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZauT8eQmd
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qK1mTmfYn
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZd1mp5p38
“Yes?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2EeSkBwPU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog9MKc2X8e
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bPCb7aw8z
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuq82HaMak
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfm1s5BgUi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpX82LwKVc
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJgwv5VYPz
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8sbDLfxzx
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45KcrMM2T
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYpImajyRf
“You made this in eighty minutes?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eGTAu27ve
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tj3Nv0Kwn
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHygA14SbC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJnUe3abyl
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3DpbWVuqH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX57qPzUlN
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4xRen7lWr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB6O3sY9f6
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNcPP167mC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43XEAJxn8e
“If you insist.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQzGa27qah
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LdVZEwgGb
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4VIj1vZ1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQoq6Gjk1q
“Kenny?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLFkuut2If
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6KXOv7Pge
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwRgXSecZc
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJLyjL86nR
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUw9EPx0Bi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91X4f0ln1Z
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftvZqYFJXA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sIRxesaKR
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sYlliCJtR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz10U1hMxOW
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFdfMMWur1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmFzqf5z74
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1x4wHO9Zj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qV3JDLq25
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zU3TTQvLm
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yHznNq3Pm
“I see. I see, I see…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vbbhNtyJu
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGOplHkJpU
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtsdCx0ADK
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOnD2cegRU
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKxtydclCl
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFePTcchsy
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZv8mBr7ze
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgJvC54FHB
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrCCcaNrVF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DwdD1Vyy0
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvpEZzgnku
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cegm6HyLe
“Please?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLc7EDXWHE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqs1l8dgRz
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZIxFn1EXF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKGz5LpXTK
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VV4EVSEs7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJsXRtKnEQ
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0IldAeJzQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY6XSn0pEr
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLMBY45V5T
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73Mg6C00aP
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACXJKh1fze
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRuPgfVAat
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVeSoFJBJD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ehw7bElVg
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaXW1e9x0p
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn93csNeW8
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO0D9f2pMD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGAl32m6e5
“I started young. That’s all.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXyrBMOXek
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0VXJSd4OX
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKJnVex6x6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgJdclss8Y
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpfhgSalgW
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmzAyVY6yU
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg38CMC03qE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGcHYc9vLo
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES9xiSRCD2
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDFzz7K7b6
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSxLVD09rV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q48ak1mjv
She jumped and then waved her hand.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruom6GfXFw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2HmujSJY
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknq8FXwoun
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zIoU6DmSL
“Right.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6L7JW183r
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgFgjgncnn
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wWKTrPdl4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsufei6wSl
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6I9uSbGTI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMGJZck9Uh
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71VO66GMUA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lDmHtn2KW
“I– Wha!?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRnWNSxQVX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA4vxUBflA
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKt3f6ivVv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9OtyJrAZ2
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEfgFjhDkR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vq0kXbOkJ
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbctgiCYbaP
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3I8r2jb26
“Your own… peace of mind?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq708cgg9ak
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5IBeMFD6R
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu28INgj2O1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3dBD98g7X
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDoSBseGHH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZLnHyNJ8i
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtHD9rPUWm
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPkTHtZfYa
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2LC03u3Hj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50JRYlOWws
“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. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCWfTvKkGs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvZqgE8jLS
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXrJhDdKl8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03anptUpnN
She shrugged at my comment.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovjuC9ESX9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gNAJLeN6q
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKhwNuAcuW
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p0nIS9lrp
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz3ul3KrQ4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPFTuOOrU9
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyw2qverQq
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmEoqri4qf
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1WtEGy645
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5IaMNuOrr
–
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygH43rbg2J
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJslbsc61n
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXjA51Cyk1
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBgmmdoVhV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl1NoZJkwH
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCHZx2F1u1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmuaVbl1dV
“...This is ridiculous.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qQ6RCw93m
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMWVD4gYKx
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s0tYULERb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9nJ2Uli9j
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfdpJDFT6D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSv6X9PHEc
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn9o5Ab5AZ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoPKrIBcns
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R2gga0Rs0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHorfKe51g
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAMucSeXDx
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIexOCzyVm
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHetC087yY4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb4LCEXswC
“...Hmm.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdWiynkILO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUx6ibd326
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XzYjGDQ5b
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ1YVkgToA
“Do whatever.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTDXVIbEc
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhqCwXnBAW
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUMzQnXLum
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzM41u22EO
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf43ZJ93Gh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0RWbewWyl
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZoINFePrQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T14SIeTcu
“D-Darn it.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Hf7OLFOQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB8bgDD9Wt
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–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM8pwrAOFr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiwSxECSE8
“What are you doing here?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwwEkV12bw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLwhgjs4Yt
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweCcp0X2jh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeXY2K2zmE
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSoL8ZdRhR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3PoXzmXgj
“...U-Uh.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA71hb27FZ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fPRRiihff
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS2FuPiLzS
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpRuMu2wFk
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ131G59Uy4S
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90YF6eN0xK
“I… I-I.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm91SIwdeNA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcFFWdqT94
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4dbhBN28k
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8IWnEIUUv
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaWAv8Ey7Q
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6h2aZlFDk
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKLBXW8srr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorjP2mILlD
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEwaUQNTij
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfCyIBdazp
“I-I’m here.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GhVtzkjkT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEyYaa976J
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LCcbdAPHr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXRrmCvW2U
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QA6Z6JVE4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUudXKT3al
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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouJy4Ngldq
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXr2zfBFDJ
“I…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h2kgi0UAJ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OItA6LT5T
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn8ds2kHax
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnLz9qWJlU
“Hello, Rover.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi01IOJlpS8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rm2g6SgNg
“Hey, Kenny.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ10lWuQYX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6RpdH79vX
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIw4KHCcvt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86SylnH88Z
“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–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUxi9VMMdU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPSZ2VRlke
“Cut to the chase!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmXPgH2AiU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1pyPfTBC3
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsGTtq2mm
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOegFw0ltf
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXcb2v7FDE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j2H4BdBEA
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96HesX4n1b
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15OGc7w7ML
“Y-Yes.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RVStNFk7D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0kef8CYST
“Now who told you to do that?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Er6lyCBcs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqZyhZIxtb
“W-Well–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovpb1wnn5s
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd1Od5Vg5I
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmIHcTwq0R
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk7q5ZwKvk
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iCDNOAc9X
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbtyssnkRD
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zU9cqzDW9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiHVwyjZMX
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLqfZeL2uA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaOgytqVuY
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9uCI236OW
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3n2NcB0lF
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOttp8jd3yJ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmrnVZBARS
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdunVfuSM9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBfTZ9xrrg
“I refuse your treatment!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC6q818NRI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEe8QXiSFO
“H-Huh!?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKP5Egm0wV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmfBU2Bcjl
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDKw8Dm0B6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKdbSEllEX
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9UgSfndud
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HxkyU46l1
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f2y2Nwthy
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg17WyfT7na
“I– Wha?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9mJE8BVXs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sUkoT2bDy
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–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHX8c38r7D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Yq6HSiTb
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln8Nf6KSOQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVZe7S2rmF
“Stupid? Weird!?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSM7suCGqH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNhdGo1HOw
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0NjgPYq48
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mp8AoPWIK
“...”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsOAEGpBLL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvojXlj505u
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9i5CblKgo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay0ux2PosH
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnnKdBqK7k
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLqG90f0ns
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB8VbnsW3c
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod9O7JrmIP
“It’s because I upset you.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZRDZScnxJ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCrUZwbcIi
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnOO777pCm
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda3rhQUnO6
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wO7RdQCeX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxcfnogLwB
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk15qpMBLzF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk1OiQ0KOp
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdhANj1QcK
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPrc7Go325
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXQf8werXF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFUwRJ7dB2
“S-Sheesh.” 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcmJMVwkIq
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIWVaJqJtO
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.
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoDuoWqrJs
“How do I use this thing?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRM14iYgl7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOB6K8iuhd
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kccjl9UYi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswEDwYqJA6
“Drinking works for me.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxCaqmlfVw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzUnvymDNz
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt83PkVEEeA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse3wKJBq0j
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqBBiKqnBU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QT52h7OrV
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAObZbk5jt3
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUBjWkxrTw
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMGdVxgl5R
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGKjpIcmu2
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ttXk6qN92
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMlroFzIUZ
“Whatever.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OglFtK6Ow
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Hw09cRwB
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. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuockU8q2V
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju6C7093H9
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimqctY72AO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8iCl9YVQk
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i807V56YJ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO41yvCejoH
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVZn7f2S46
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvUMIDgdYh
“Leaving already?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsEArzCUEI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lGEaksgxv
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmjRneBWIv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamy7ELkE9b
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRz5kvuWIF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKWHIwXIAf
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBhRz0AjPl
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgFuAo4LoV
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2vuk03fDV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEXaLMBWz4
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIrbT3VS33
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJW0HLJAVK
“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?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcvkEQFEGO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6Q6BiOr5
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoNOIN1fSK
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiJGQ4Re0U
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3MUzN2h3g
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgSQHlaxkG
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7SV8sAZg9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu7eWG3r4L
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3mYhm5OjB
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGXZCTDkp3
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegS1ut1Qdx
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3SIEsvHNH
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPPRb6liNX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu13Y5TFeK9
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0YyExjCI9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXenY8KBzn7
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxhjglFrF0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrpuqHPuqR
“H-Huh?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW7vrZNOT0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTMYeaAeqA
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCPrCtGaJs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKoboTA0Ej
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7Ri7UdP01
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdmHIlPuSW
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh9N0ACaKj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXPsvvnvqp
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNI6uGLRhB
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYPPveMqbF
“I’m n-nothing so special.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw7qQqh5bu
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFoxCXsrW8
“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!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kzoK7cYhp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQK33NyRX5
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PRLNkj8mc
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvkCbIM6i3
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFeJNMqMZ7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMhlRgK9zL
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey29Wlncta
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXWEWhzd4y
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. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m6h60K6l2
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlC3B8zIPg
It took me only a few 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuMo8Lkqx4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ393SIOdrIV
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwt7JUkDQR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYgkRsbniy
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknvWpesIpg
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBKRPBLlH7
“No, really, Rover.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6y6LSeZB5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNUJ9oYCJZ
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0iGyXmw6X
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x5pvaipYI
“I think I’m just lucky.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkABMWCRvm
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aMmlFmvnU
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSybFazBe0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgYmDBgYLF
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLlrJNKlQd
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUViH6WFlIV
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnTqYsbZSB
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Gj9sOsJN
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBxloLP72z
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb2VRMY4Er
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lQVzFk3Os
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN1THWgKvJ
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd7xVZoNwx
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKdPNnIzwe
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPDBTCigCj
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2Pt7gH2uS
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbSJjlcaRD
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. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57PWnznZSO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvTo5HQR65
“D-Don’t rush me!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVao7OSfieg
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftJZb08d6r
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGhSDPv8jA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5ZxW8Ar7
“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…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFN1a1GeGb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5gI0vyNvT
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4e4lpK3Q8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFudhA6Mz1
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y1PEKg9jS
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqs4Jwt3bm
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZozJ2K4UqX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlFZA5EVGM
“I didn’t say anything.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucNxuh09Q1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3vHK3bUSe
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54sBznwJO1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C7aSC52I7
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchmIPE82ye
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr5gGGszdU
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNsZSEfFq6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNLw1Nanbz
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIa3G2rPC9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVa5Oi5mEP
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWcNMjFU65
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xjfM8PlkO
“Told you all I did? What?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgVQkCaclo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuINF5aIO00
She was caught by a wind of fury.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU7anlyi4T
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaICy2RoUM
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cGNYMf7Mq
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBgC5u1pwX
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVscR7ky7K
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilzU65myZp
“What’s so funny?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgWnOmEQjF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWo2wgexpb
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOre1aoO2D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjPYKPDlgc
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61dMFyjsvC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l2HMqTB0E
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfdq4e7TO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDNzydrcpg
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWov160olb9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RX4eJ947w
“A little crazy?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MtzXiW8GR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodcS0Hnln5
“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!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvQdWF3U3C
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSesH0k6kXN
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAeXTaYvhi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfVF4EQOyt
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu1pEKYgof
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylByQSA6G6
“Well–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXDOg6tE9X
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYCfvrs2rZ
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlRC9xsJin
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rJ2gEAHyx
“I–”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL1f66CfbG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH1UTAB2Nv
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNrHSA1t3R
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9lLWKRWML
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfu6vrMWyT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrruoqYs55
“See! I– huh? You do?”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzqFQLnk8s
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtMxLYHBlO
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ByzRvFCXB
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVzHbey8MT
“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.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75igPfyS8M
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aSEQ55QbD
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRV1kpbWHi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDr9Skjw5B
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJpB61yP4R
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekex0lVsYg
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjuIRvmnfK
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdvBjPQVNm
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzv0U3EGC5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43SIAQpTFK
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu6MQBrWSd
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLIybAzrQ8
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bWRwiSnuL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXzaF13K9
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbAdYrNd6D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymdqUy49Lr
“Ah, right.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKR7n1L8YD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX6LnVUVAY
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVaeftC7lh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyUloU3QRn
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYwaDsgc14
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3gQMRSCn
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD6nCj4I11
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm0tYIFcEl
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhQDRYVZc9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhEamnl76r
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5G4B7z18s
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LyK3tcqJe
“Wait, one last thing!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DuGzFvVp7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKCwYFJNHx
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWrAqwxylC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBLMLXznQ2
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTQ7rSMjg5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV5Dx9dHCA
“...”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8bPIjTZOD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C3ns25MFh
I smiled.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUPZZ1xAJY
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHzAWKkMMB
“I will.”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPNbHtMLbC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7REkACvURT
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinada6MUcM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcgKmenrTc
“Yes!”132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8s2iP0F60
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRsnwzZD4V
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8bx1zcRfy
