A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.24Please respect copyright.PENANAPszdVaNFqI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQmekGH2pSe
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFzpfEBVw7D
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZWt40D0Sb6
"At least... I'm on my back now."24Please respect copyright.PENANAb8h1068hXv
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5kDZnWviLI
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.24Please respect copyright.PENANABdcHPO1hUa
24Please respect copyright.PENANAikyF51wrJb
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4vzcl4AUk5
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGrEndqBA7f
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.24Please respect copyright.PENANAKHI0tw6ZC0
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAtXHmh0fUB
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANACQKjz14kMw
24Please respect copyright.PENANAnbJtfrjHjh
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.24Please respect copyright.PENANAHpOHw8d7gE
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5xl8PV8nY3
I was immediately startled.24Please respect copyright.PENANA2FmzOELsRN
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1Fw6hnOHjm
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA9RNoMU8K6z
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZhtMuGHE5E
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.24Please respect copyright.PENANAnaBVdTVoLs
24Please respect copyright.PENANASxt6a91FCr
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA4N8ubeKORQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1NBl0P9hVO
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAjHHmrLHMcQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAypqSacbR6C
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."24Please respect copyright.PENANAsbGBW6vwg2
24Please respect copyright.PENANABkLAa0dbL6
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.24Please respect copyright.PENANAd48VrWPS0i
24Please respect copyright.PENANA6U8kbPZbvy
"Do you feel any better?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAFGZww1MQQp
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQnnb3i9NLk
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."24Please respect copyright.PENANAi60k1jHixn
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMCeXECFlHH
"That's good, that's good..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAFFk848isqA
24Please respect copyright.PENANALnzSiR25AK
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.24Please respect copyright.PENANAYuOzk2C0PL
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAPu2L9CseP
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAclJlqgKp40
24Please respect copyright.PENANAitO1Cj7hp0
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAO4IEqYk9hZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAWUCjLJWqw2
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.24Please respect copyright.PENANAx9NKaPDUlH
24Please respect copyright.PENANApKJWgMbTnp
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.24Please respect copyright.PENANAmDgfib00JX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMqaS4Fxt7r
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."24Please respect copyright.PENANAD0oFeRgIMO
24Please respect copyright.PENANAhZwNV7ePE6
"H-How'd you know?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAj7yAsfVHBP
24Please respect copyright.PENANANumeVJEnsQ
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."24Please respect copyright.PENANAuOlBpnyEJN
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9kfIyK6KTq
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.24Please respect copyright.PENANAWvOv1JzU0M
24Please respect copyright.PENANABqQcZY7Sni
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."24Please respect copyright.PENANAp4fIX1tTio
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjjf3cz8AGz
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAVKUPM1Cqkj
24Please respect copyright.PENANATzf7qbzllU
Pars nodded.24Please respect copyright.PENANAPuzk0NO8VQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA8FqAGHJU2b
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."24Please respect copyright.PENANAmtGwKfIt6p
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmXHyUypSH2
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.24Please respect copyright.PENANAvsCN16CEAd
24Please respect copyright.PENANAvTBiBO4R1W
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."24Please respect copyright.PENANAagBCLvxc4j
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZx7Oh5bi7n
"Mutual what?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA8xhR6S9Guq
24Please respect copyright.PENANANPcbxTXoLr
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."24Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2IyvxiapS
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwUVb8SKDEw
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAZm1KjhY84Q
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMJMHf5F0pQ
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."24Please respect copyright.PENANAhHAtHWHgrE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAsHX3ukpK4Z
"Really now..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAl7VEnFY8Ty
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZwRxn8Hsjl
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.24Please respect copyright.PENANADURNwUVc2p
24Please respect copyright.PENANAaE6QXMPNtq
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."24Please respect copyright.PENANAioUVX36vee
24Please respect copyright.PENANAY01wZymnms
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANA670uJFZcOP
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7z7MjWHiqb
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.24Please respect copyright.PENANA5m9gy2uVGh
24Please respect copyright.PENANADTiZAQYqhO
"Wow... it must've been bad."24Please respect copyright.PENANAnmT08wRswR
24Please respect copyright.PENANAq7gHoCfmez
"You're almost as flippant as I am."24Please respect copyright.PENANAUlAhn6ryeV
24Please respect copyright.PENANASHFOCOlbO8
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4oT8RQg1tD
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9vDQM2a5xv
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."24Please respect copyright.PENANA4oehmXCW4N
24Please respect copyright.PENANAU2sNrT8iNe
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAj10LB8ZP44
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwkjBuKq4fy
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAOBWZXEmXmH
24Please respect copyright.PENANAif3kE5g2P8
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.24Please respect copyright.PENANAyqdh4lNYxG
24Please respect copyright.PENANAfxfAEJnGa6
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."24Please respect copyright.PENANA86Mz5rqPDl
24Please respect copyright.PENANAp43ItOnoIC
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.24Please respect copyright.PENANA5bUwNhNg53
24Please respect copyright.PENANAyeFKJGmnum
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.24Please respect copyright.PENANAGxhAHma1Dx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAv2m9WTAxPy
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAjbX5CfzdMG
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZffUabiFIK
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA0NFuyBsrMO
24Please respect copyright.PENANA6ahyx0TNWo
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."24Please respect copyright.PENANAQPgjMb0m7f
24Please respect copyright.PENANAomVexoEFMD
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.24Please respect copyright.PENANAi1cmc15YFs
24Please respect copyright.PENANAtJWNPQJ2KC
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."24Please respect copyright.PENANArdE8knYDsm
24Please respect copyright.PENANAOUIwZEQwI6
"I know."24Please respect copyright.PENANAM548xvdRxX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAluWAoG6EZw
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.24Please respect copyright.PENANA8InB7SXG96
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdT4U5u9pw5
"Tell you what; I can't help you."24Please respect copyright.PENANAn6Ep16NWPI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAsX9AF0l7E6
"...Are you serious?"24Please respect copyright.PENANABdbkEUceXL
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZFOoKOC6HR
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."24Please respect copyright.PENANAWTPQBFmj95
24Please respect copyright.PENANAfskME69xOO
"What? What can?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAl6OC8zXjyf
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1V3JJ7NDcn
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."24Please respect copyright.PENANAn5VAAUDFAK
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9DB0HdRBrD
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAk621fEcf2t
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdgnTwBjUJF
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.24Please respect copyright.PENANAfVxYBX5BFU
24Please respect copyright.PENANAetqlcNrdOm
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?24Please respect copyright.PENANAoRaRaQiRO2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAzML2eBSyGf
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.24Please respect copyright.PENANARj9T0GZZUA
24Please respect copyright.PENANAbcGrqXz1C8
"Give it a try."24Please respect copyright.PENANAjlI5kB2TJd
24Please respect copyright.PENANAFkL6ScdI44
He stood up and patted my shoulder.24Please respect copyright.PENANAwW0PEMydbM
24Please respect copyright.PENANACXnt4wUkbZ
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."24Please respect copyright.PENANALsBx5oqP4t
24Please respect copyright.PENANAL7wrIbGgrf
"H-Huh? Right now?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA70X2o9og6f
24Please respect copyright.PENANA6NznhjrvNd
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."24Please respect copyright.PENANAjpyFvc1ONV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwZ7KjSEtOp
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.24Please respect copyright.PENANAowdnF3bHTp
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZNeYC3LwbS
–
–
–24Please respect copyright.PENANAeM3CqDpUex
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"Are ya all packed up?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA9eZCzWpctE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZJss4Alx2g
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.24Please respect copyright.PENANAnI84leP9Us
24Please respect copyright.PENANAbMpqV0CRdi
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"24Please respect copyright.PENANAG1pXIHd437
24Please respect copyright.PENANARgZJMlf4lA
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwrfbmLEfXw
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYxl1ivmmC4
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFQHlRNZjAx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAro188pelAS
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"24Please respect copyright.PENANARhV200Z0Tt
24Please respect copyright.PENANAoQXHrRpnan
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."24Please respect copyright.PENANAgoYfIzoHaE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYwN2NnOT99
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAnKwkWTFGNQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMjzbdQKYRB
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.24Please respect copyright.PENANAbwbIXHKyOC
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9fuJeqke38
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."24Please respect copyright.PENANA2vVGeKlQZt
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGcVaPEJGhn
"I suppose that makes sense."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwL70c6jwLM
24Please respect copyright.PENANAw7Fko71AHs
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAi1cJxlieww
24Please respect copyright.PENANAEfOwj75DNe
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAOBY4ERh5V5
24Please respect copyright.PENANAoDQxqhccIl
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."24Please respect copyright.PENANADZR2zzhwVc
24Please respect copyright.PENANAiD1SBx8F1p
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.24Please respect copyright.PENANA1bfncNit9h
24Please respect copyright.PENANAIcumgUFatJ
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA67uhS4gsxK
24Please respect copyright.PENANA6iTtjzueT1
"What do I think...?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAbFOyc0m1PY
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdHiNOXeNLJ
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.24Please respect copyright.PENANAuBer3yBCCC
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZEGuyI7VMh
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."24Please respect copyright.PENANAs2SmcBwntI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAx6BIWdkl9R
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."24Please respect copyright.PENANApBlPlv1yub
24Please respect copyright.PENANA61suVUTYFg
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAEl3wPLnB71
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjDjGobAI68
"I'm asking ya, kid."24Please respect copyright.PENANAhcxsIaLqKx
24Please respect copyright.PENANARLm0Ohuti2
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–24Please respect copyright.PENANACzYHMwf0mC
24Please respect copyright.PENANASkYlQ4UJxQ
"It had to be an Endowment."24Please respect copyright.PENANAkDo18QxrSY
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZtbJRh8Pgq
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANA5hjVgqLDpb
24Please respect copyright.PENANAw4mgUf3kAc
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.24Please respect copyright.PENANAh8XmvXIifV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwHBVn0kskQ
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."24Please respect copyright.PENANAyyFJmM33Du
24Please respect copyright.PENANACWDay4LFi0
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."24Please respect copyright.PENANAgfVegP052Y
24Please respect copyright.PENANAO5y4QhEcHq
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.24Please respect copyright.PENANAvtmHVSV7Me
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwLIekGD9dz
"Why not?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA3QUHPnYeI6
24Please respect copyright.PENANAvc6r4qRr4N
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfEoYvflCTK
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZzeunEyFd
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"24Please respect copyright.PENANANzTxNMK2v1
24Please respect copyright.PENANAX6m9XR846C
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.24Please respect copyright.PENANAhgc2jHc5nj
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwfmT7CJA7T
"Surely, there's a better option."24Please respect copyright.PENANATe4XHTkmdI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAOteRYWEb99
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."24Please respect copyright.PENANAqzqgozqDo7
24Please respect copyright.PENANAzzFMxEx403
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.24Please respect copyright.PENANASYWHw6JqRE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAhZHSwXm1Ke
"What if we spy from a distance?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAfHwPvjlm5L
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGizm1NP4Z9
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"24Please respect copyright.PENANApKMcNNIA3R
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYn6lHPxGLw
"...Point taken."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfUq1BKPO6F
24Please respect copyright.PENANAqWCbpLHPam
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.24Please respect copyright.PENANAgjHAr6Tbvi
24Please respect copyright.PENANAsqIgZhe2jb
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."24Please respect copyright.PENANAUcY6cVjVOQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmLv4M5s166
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."24Please respect copyright.PENANAr6IjEtod8n
24Please respect copyright.PENANAFznu2boYck
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."24Please respect copyright.PENANAVCeJ4xKlbz
24Please respect copyright.PENANApMbqeuyIG8
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.24Please respect copyright.PENANAERP0Ikk9K5
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHC6ITiXm02
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"24Please respect copyright.PENANANyyrI8eFz5
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjfJZHkXDPm
We nodded in unison.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFP98PPYQZG
24Please respect copyright.PENANACCEbhYqJYe
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."24Please respect copyright.PENANAENLO7uPHuX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAPdZAIIvMsy
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.24Please respect copyright.PENANAKK3vETVIOx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJbpaoeUtKk
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.24Please respect copyright.PENANAwkGr1jZLoB
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZwZUzICOBz
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAf9HmocCNaf
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQYJXMaexEZ
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.24Please respect copyright.PENANAZxqz64TCOc
24Please respect copyright.PENANApW2yDxTd1m
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA7OPhplRVJT
24Please respect copyright.PENANABsrhaoMXlp
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.24Please respect copyright.PENANAA5VJwVTQht
24Please respect copyright.PENANARXLa74pRkY
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."24Please respect copyright.PENANAmSbvi1xMND
24Please respect copyright.PENANAVu66nLem2Q
"Well... I won't deny that."24Please respect copyright.PENANAP1uAnOeFXM
24Please respect copyright.PENANAaDTkFDQndP
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.24Please respect copyright.PENANA516zGs0XHk
24Please respect copyright.PENANAOwAtrbcDz4
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."24Please respect copyright.PENANAEPBHPibPkK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHx2glXIfAz
"Again? What do you–?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAwHyUOIJLuu
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5UFPtrfSIi
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.24Please respect copyright.PENANA2lYIhcUW1e
24Please respect copyright.PENANAuEGFPlE4Xa
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."24Please respect copyright.PENANAPdgAITcmtS
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUdBMacXTmr
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.24Please respect copyright.PENANAsWtZyLHMc8
24Please respect copyright.PENANAlIxjdi4Ibb
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."24Please respect copyright.PENANAx7ZvcljvH9
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9i99dgMYnl
"I didn't ask ya that."24Please respect copyright.PENANAdWnfdVXOjj
24Please respect copyright.PENANAc2brnL5w6T
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."24Please respect copyright.PENANAruEfP0o3ir
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"That ain't surprising."24Please respect copyright.PENANAzMVlgjnFqI
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."24Please respect copyright.PENANAdiCCfI1pXO
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.24Please respect copyright.PENANAUGEXlvnw0v
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"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."24Please respect copyright.PENANApRMlnufI2m
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"Yeah? Like what?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAk2UvnxPxkZ
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."24Please respect copyright.PENANAZKBAeqXmds
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"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."24Please respect copyright.PENANAekd0gr8WKH
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"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."24Please respect copyright.PENANA9P5qyYm0jN
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.24Please respect copyright.PENANAqfGIj6cXy0
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.24Please respect copyright.PENANABkWYPIlIi8
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"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwKDP429LsQ
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I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.24Please respect copyright.PENANAYxAzALGfBK
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."24Please respect copyright.PENANAzYzfOclrKW
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–24Please respect copyright.PENANAkzo9ourcvE
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"24Please respect copyright.PENANABtIdOk0bcV
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.