My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNNQle2oE4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJqdNsTikq
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekB8plh391
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErD3HleKcb
"Haa..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaml6mV9w4D
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApS8jxVrk0
"Are you okay?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB97GC3loLE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu79noXs3v
"Phew. Now I am."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE4AXuuNx1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pUcr85LHE
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HMfwUbKOU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qdH550qIj
"W-What is it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNC0Vrs4vr
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM7W9Eny0M
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eBphzkwIu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OOSkogqD3
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804izDRXil
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFyg44riDg
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGeQmubi7G
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfXpNcJqKu
"Well..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KeQTR6QN6
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2iSozN7v4
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69sCmQyeYR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVzafsfBRr
"Come on, tell me!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzwRnCYryd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReDGJqdbgF
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqPX8qoUKg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyjeGrOMOf
She sighed and shrugged.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhnhSUJGL9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICPMvFOAH9
"Are you feeling nervous?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOnxvHmNie
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSOeDlVdCT
"Of course I am."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73N5VJ95ML
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0iIKdA1sR
"You shouldn't be."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBxDkzYJBn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRABy6Lu41
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7OZjFN9Sm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnBal2Vf39
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlSflFUYbg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9QfJUa5H0
"...What's that supposed to mean?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLd4mGrprd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNiMNWr6ZY
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZuEuhbiJS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNlAb4QYbm
"I think you came here a little too early."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XgiAEJpRC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XPw2ml3Gg
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyudgcufRv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd5rwfeOmm
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrfsRvrKTE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEpEcGbwR3
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWWHUpg9uQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnf8SbIw89
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuGnUgqCWG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JUNoYWdAU
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGW2eBmJ0y
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OLCP27TgN
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NIJwDXipk
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl84U5cugji
"Aren't you going to say something?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaEkBBGIJG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3wAWdObgK
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmT2ueyOAD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAVRMtrmeN
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MDO6orDtX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFHGvxNN2X
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8FA6JKGNn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQYLvsRT9M
"...I-I still don't believe you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr9GbIMvIQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gs22ZYuPD
"Are you serious!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDYMefED4X
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WxYMrzHhe
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVVXrM1e2
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV5hq83AKo
"Can I at least have your name?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IFiRNE7wB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7zAgcwrcd
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QP53fI2WO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3W0O5LIYR
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJDswj2trd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYYfuwAriJ
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDhKElHQcy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWlbZ7Cw64
"A-Alright, I won't forget."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxuUTaHEb8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQo5qJY3bp
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRqjtpH8TQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudpI6TqPtA
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgY6yuOi3x
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYNuli6FPu
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnsB80G9bC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP5mfUOsTm
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrVUSbVe42
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej88eXXl8p
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4EeHgUqZ9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuHtB2l4Vc
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesSrzxdYpq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3vVdriYjH
"She's not very nice at all."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6cf2xg8xU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb6rq9dCq6
"I suppose not."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn25NY4fTm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNa8IY2KtH
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nztp5gmHp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJsBWVPrmG
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcK3SjEdUg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVnaRd4d3T
**SMASH**138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9onIPx5H5L
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtQxGCEJ99
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFwKgdyekM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqJfLJLrZf
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5QHez8Za
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau00QXEGgM
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGWsEMN61z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oNk6pZI9J
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BFS9UTLWb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBPoE4ELdj
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pa3Cs74OL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W5lK9cLWr
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbsyXD8vLd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2mcYyR9z
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOoLvXmFc3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHUsLDvl3v
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xfrPocyG5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZlqbspPWm
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHsbl5ci0F
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSSAfLeLdn
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm352coiMov
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXJRwHqPC6
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAPdWaBRzv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjFNexzAyp
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7iUYjGB8Y
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BqKh9ETak
"No, not at all."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXUUCIMNgr
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0l0sLHvJT
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqrUd9gOmN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFfyREPDz8
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ONr2AG6w8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgRc2CtYEw
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5VU3Npn3q
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfd8ah8nAi
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajJCsiefhJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggKdZPY5Ih
"Is she our teammate?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsxq13vFYO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILYtJxfCoO
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOHtey39WP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaXDNIHiQy
"That so? Lemme test the waters."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspEnut0eBT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzGOtxsJkJ
"You'll regret it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwsDhqYCKv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcazcyCTuq
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2I0wJY1bz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vqz1becY0
"...Wait."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C1FsbeWUK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT0JiO3ssJ
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyt9pj2qPP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIrkbh3oTI
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0ebz5ISsv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO5GdfEBRA
"A little? Just a little?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZeCCW92CG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYTW8vC1ff
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnxzSvX63L
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIZxWdiPxc
"I met her five minutes ago!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FZ5QRJ8pG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc42iAlBTha
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq87vptAnxG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei1nkJjP6w
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83QVKknx28
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsMlxNYpUf
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BsIvaQ3NN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2fljFk188
"Really?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBled3COlpT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MwNOIMQqR
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8VgjY855H
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt8HtBfQkj
"What do you mean 'really'?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriEAKCPVG6
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcGzpqILfv
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpihWcgfHf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ke7gglrTb
"--!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJTcOCqp4J
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6Fdqc05JK
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wKzS38l6w
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFdho0GmBA
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhrb8UTWrp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpXuZUeGj
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPMc3poiPT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rUMiVkZsr
**SMASH**138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCIDQnB0jf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXdf6CZMqm
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjwYFd6hgn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbkimla4fL
My jaw dropped yet again.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9rh2SAbY1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS6WNeDZ5d
"ROY!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZCHlQJdhG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX1oBrGCy9
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbUMCIzzO3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFrxxO4pRH
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuyYZTx3Dd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovrAtdPZjB
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5SQ5PbCbX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkIa6ZHpwG
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy0ypahdpG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdECCkROPR
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCnUZQxujq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNke4KNjFN
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCilSM7fXM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOfiaE986a
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mo5yV8nIV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkDCjHXD2J
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8vxWtk3qd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9P0UctNOc
"R-Right."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPidBTkPVu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq1y1QF1TX
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaii8pYJjU1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1pmI9q13O
"Ack!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLkzxxTmDt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpBHeJiy13
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXZlCpvYxT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViawxQSaE6
"F-Flinty, what was–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8jXVYtujs
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v25htbZ3c
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVdLYNYUR9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN63GS0oov6
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaquO6ilJ7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94bZEhYGAM
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmI7QCiJFX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9lIW2Fq0X
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgUrZ0iQJQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3mO3p47pM
"No, I'm not just saying it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6bHLt0QYw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzws83J6VC
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaQBXBygZF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM8b2BVISw
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzRop0KDgn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06WLbnLSO5
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwwOICkdUD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGjFRLLI4
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uG1pnH0vJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E9sbWa2to
"I–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzudoD4Zr6J
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q0TACtGxQ
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aPMAORaHq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnlcCltC2
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00BDy4Wdsn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qq9ZK6HS7
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH9dYhqpoI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJNstF1UXf
And yet...138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhxnNTZshQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoEtXISNKe
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTbWryojow
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUC6rLRlYf
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDltkWr8Zv7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuttYuxOYVI
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoU30NvIZy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRnLlCX4q5
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu8rCREfnD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDNCb2w4tg
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJBhV1YOqZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdazoOb41my
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oP7zcudu6
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBsDdOKaOr
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XZYSGRUGS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMTjLDqwEm
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZxWW2tjQU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafrBlBep2L
"O-Okay."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ar3PD2RnP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4WzINxNOC
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbh0fo3Z2m
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRihpfmHGnS
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYT9209aJt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPIL0ykyJK
"Okay okay, fine."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfaIDHlJMy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjfGusYjMb
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8WiINO7vZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmENYHDAd
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPefQ8IpPU1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOymv1NoFKf
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZivYry8EmP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmxeFblHXc
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d9PvUfc12
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xZOAChHDg
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZBb2oR8Pj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD2CFtmOtr
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOcsiJ4YbA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQH48EJUmI
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDrezqmgP6
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq6NIHhP5X
"Huh...? What did you say?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYZDGnTAyR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJUJEkkexc
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0oja7LNUj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrF16YVbM0
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8abLSPZdHD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5xAStxgoq
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuwP9iK6L0
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf0BhlYpWE
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLaI789Jcp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hh5G3O0at
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9JgaaxqFB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJOjJl7ozG
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipsq1tfW3W
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBVe5956C1
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWnfyOunQB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBKCVzBt8O
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJJPYlTymL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7kLCqxxNL
"Note?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs523DopDPN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzAmId0cSH
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbaWoASmVJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWG6g4h9QG
"What does it say?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdBFJ8hwIx
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5I9Oy1sQB
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtDqobUpdl
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA7eEniDEd
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg56L4tzanH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk6gEwl5Q1
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOQWv0tz2x
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2smfOI4a8k
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsGxV3av0v
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwy0CP4GA5
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevM6BWO3qK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTluwjFuD0k
Juke sighed and put the paper away.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARcpZIzRIN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznNymcu2Gf
"So, how's about a story?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O7cgv7f4o
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPVGlsA4Es
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz33VpgIxN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxqxNQO0px
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlrdss5CE8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZrwhjqbyR
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaPMslQKE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3g1DMlszc
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERIqjgmmYW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A1nZ68gNF
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJj2uh0dib
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJJEir9T3T
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJzK8XszRt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3DADL9uZf
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKvaKjY6sh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wbEWWhrSn
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7vK18LNgi
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqgk4YV41W
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgcrvgb59z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsM6I8QDQU
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSw4Mjejti
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpbx5yKAIq
"Seriously? You have to be lying."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRUaRwjOoe
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKDLCYSnJe
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCzk1OKKO1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgNW0arVvT
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbiQJ7eRM7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVzcGEUqlP
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNGuXSXgpG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlS4TWL83X
"Like what?" I asked.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6joo6Xj6if
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFal04vhBd
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrcFsA8bX8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO66HF7XU9
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XR0kSgWuX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf46M1TxXd
"...Stardust?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwW69h2iQX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk0cZ5YC6l
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mnVBz2uWE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLLkpkawRb
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6bZafWlpS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeiO8E4y0E
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvxRz9gpGD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr1AEMNr8a
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX0Sg5h2m0
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfnXtP5mjt
"...The what?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzOCVkAZEO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTxm2Qabk6
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCMK1zoNhC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7l0f8bOkc
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzIWOYqwOL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIjVgaTfNj
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdyIaTbJrS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpDwqSljDy
"Of course I do!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA8RqHBm1G
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1fVARd3En
She pumped her fist.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDfEyM6ap8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJoYGbTvsm
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthQS92RPTF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYP89Y80rv
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxJpRmvDQh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAQo4Q5sLe
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGM03tcCOS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdzahPeKzb
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6xw2KVcj3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDpGrsjzyU
"I already know this."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1mfyLIFAg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wvhldufa2
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ282GKYr4yi
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bsHd219ZH
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnMD6GE1Rt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6CaTPh5yD
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv6UtqJLSN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg22XwmhDzO
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uThoQSBCs
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS5tSJva8d
"Eh? Why?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdOK72YtLw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNDdLtChTv
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xT78Y4VzM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipWSSukTdE
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWP2hhM3yY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxDhFgMk7x
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCLbIHYJWA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeikVaxSNM5
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIGj9Y87Ky
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwcZlAcIF9
"That's cuz I met her."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOykP2Wk8BM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxrmlfwnh9
"WHAT!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHCzOdzRQA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3U8JvGXxm
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMdKyOOAvL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpOk3s9lUv
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul73ROV2Nt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3I190KbYl
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7LEn7Jeri
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DAv1dNqu6
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4pFviHn59
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtDv6ddA3o
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIo4PY6kRZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWMAjVfYNg
"You're kidding."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKsGs8kRED
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c0QQToiiU
He shook his head no.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTGUtTU0Rz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTcJ9BlPXK
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M7fAWLJKa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCJsO15eR7
"You're making this up," I said.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEuSksf6NI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuxwsZ1E2H
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmlFXwyqYy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTtWIOuDEH
Juke shrugged.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntGkz5RgGw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzZQwPjztI
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfMJSDc4m5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45zRGDGPuS
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskUqTQzkdK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK6L7XTLR5
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwq4YLSWeg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaOd6ajnft
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqACk5BimxI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboF6Jzhm8O
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcccm21BJR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYTJwnbCvM
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmJsWgNAkm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ixMt0LfwP
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdg9RhAAyh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdNquPMckI
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIfoJu9yfc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCVpMVUGv9
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbc4DUro1U
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5TOoIU0DH
She pointed a finger at him.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmZowl5F6g
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH8W3eLzkj
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGwRehdOZ1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xcH5l2O3K
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjQsBtM05o
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNVRJJ6Bvn
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5QZaTScEj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeigD5tbfZk
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk4A8sFVZa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXru8JOP0l
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRBMA50QqK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8Y9ugQWGJ
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvDAc3nsNB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf28UfluHU
"--Ngh! You guys...!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YPVPrQwgH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JKTrXHbxG
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMTsGklVZZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80kA6Q3Ac5
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7UklifI2z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrCetacrgx
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLoBKHEaX7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkkyahR0aS
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWIS1e64WR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t2KMj2Y0O
"Ya look like you have something to say."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxtyMAIRlg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgIAs5lGZ0
"W-Well..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxLUkvA56s
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz4jOleWRZ
She turned her head away.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLUKO8Fzb7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleYslXmUnJ
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV3wTn3agY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZqWDWVW9K
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUDI2TpBBJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ5DbMVh7x
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOtTwCtmb2
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCr0WRHxpv
"Mhm, I told you so."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFp50aEWzn
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRX2nsiMnU
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkGJMlP6ed
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXuacLIySv
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHmYXCZZbT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJvwl8icwK
"...So why am I not getting any?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorFgmvSszB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT9niCphKX
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6GjVC0UDh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTyeffPjVR
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV39pNG5tH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjdAzWypdt
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqHvz2Ygc3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ63fYij6KC
"Eh?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GzTDt5CvG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpEJtoxVRT
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcwB2sM8PB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3ClhGpK5d
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvmbWZZmjq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aVnTNUIFp
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJx79f6nsC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDyUjla4TC
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH3xucxYEx
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQv94zkYvx
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPTVHgMMgV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmhoUUtEht
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS34QaNP5W
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkNuW0YnpY
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbBZuIEbMQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLarppa6q3
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lZKOko4v1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15CE8qpuzr
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen0mgdkrFc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpelasJCpt
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuIW0ccEP4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHEpmAXeZh
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKes5uKS7Y
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6NOQykpzJ
"A jungle? What elevation?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZmxa170l6
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ2s73OUhu
He shrugged.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdwy80wFv7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNreCuOO6Z
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOB1OK3sB4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhMUMYLgQy
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgOL1JDrJh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Z9T04Ghe
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUA3iweVSw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg0g1RK4jS
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ptQ0Znw9A
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPUNyFwAck
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnnWBzGODs
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oGudgUSZX
"Why?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhOXgY49K8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ROSeIHP5
"..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjSr9wVHL5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX17YZNnMUq
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04wQ2MB20G
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmf1jyKADh
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUWDwCgrjp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbxyIRrBXm
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBA2V4Lpb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj2BitUqGo
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRD0XI9naA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVLS0fmfMU
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLU032GykI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9eqEC2Pl2
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE62v0NYXcp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jIB1bufvc
"..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q7HN50jRo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PdpbluZ1N
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR2NRvbVda
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uy90YoS1l
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBD9xWanzF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlTxcjVi2R
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BVp6Av1zY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLFEU23Q9p
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSOMBoGh6R
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8EhSSpEYk
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrxxLAXCHA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ3DNtdhE3
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaXd80S7E1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZNSMta31m
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOGQ0FkCcB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDLvttOS7r
"TALBOT!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uIVue51hU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9DArKtOnk
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWBoIsLwNH
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38zCAnMDuS
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErNFo7iPWQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszKAtLTICm
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjmx3Gtm1m
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJMqn5tR2s
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiV692QTQF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmuCQWFl9D
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFgE4D0h6V
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTftdr4SAo2
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcGuo99Q0n
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKCtZ2t0ey
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiknqd2SLp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk0Zcqo3BS
"Are ya kidding me?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRl3SPLSVZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcvXnFp3W9
"That's so lame!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcMR2G4aGu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ8AhQhMlE
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu7Mj1cnSG
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvG674sPT5
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwIGy98HKC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuH3tOjX39
"What's that supposed to mean?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Ir5Lqtry
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9Esifd2Wr
"Nothing."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Mp337Qgb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMbTc1NdAl
She returned to chowing down on her food.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4uNPJIxIU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6yILACsgU
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjRkGJHP1U
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE8LKHWflD
"Well..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopbsJO671B
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNra56Ezzsu
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbLUavy1hO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AG1UK0aqO
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RoN4MFH2z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFn11v92xv
"...No."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl3eiQ7C66
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIMxHtDtqm
"Eh? Why not?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamY34bZeBS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkggEz15IQD
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP2cpm3X0I
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3xQPWIMa2
"Huh!? What'd you say?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFDF3CKsEj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdVAFGsMgM
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JpKFtoSMg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FqUfSVTir
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTwvr5s8MZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiKgrCQGsc
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0jCIfy67T
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqerqxDKIWV
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yRjexIEcp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmmLDEPcNq
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPI7gzprdw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1pzhCmxkV
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlghCMk98y
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXXW8mBpJm
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNREMJZshV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXtAm58gh5
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfONTo32Jo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDyMTf14Aj
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5hKrGZ4aA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcdMuSq3Qj
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg06Fy7Zw4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAoJsfoJ4R
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxsikIakru
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dj9C6huaS
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenl5ij8JsJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOQJWJohXw
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZqFl859aB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0STXB63ZT
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMbRwcvTlE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexrFFl2dL9
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAJ2cspE6m
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJux1ZeZgNd
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjHp9XqJjX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8gOYZSFhX
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jtgoOT1aL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aBob3xHPN
"Custom design? Well..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW83U3wmdDW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt51MwS5oE
She turned her head away.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFivCoRHCTM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXWEte9iDy
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPhA1qDwMy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0QHMmqyrR
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVNxLXn7P5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf7AUEUxwp
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0pbgqPeAe
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf0bKP643v
"Oh, this?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSviAuZ8my
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPoqiSXI64
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x7b8q8reR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlWn7M27tg
"I stole it!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2WgkttXoO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgybdWbBci
"No surprise."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uSW62cswq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENWBzPRrOU
"I ain't surprised."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I9gwG8doo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFfOPjaY9J
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWKpy6QcDo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91bpm3TimX
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmPx0hYPK9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5guEBAFJBw
"No."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUizgejuMam
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XWoJBtoPF
"Not really."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxYUiJm8mx
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHRYwrnFgX
"Ah... you two are lame!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanJjxg6iNM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAawQyDrMH
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Pxc8OLW0
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMhjyYaVFb
"..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx3W5QBVUt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jfmuxrc25
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnhfSvIckc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf21aIFA0Dx
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuDZy56iK7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnBK7lBSBF
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MeJhwb8CE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjloQM82FJY
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPx2u1jWRh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGo4Ya8SWW
"I-I see... I suppose so."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUKj2omE7A
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFPUQzKlxp
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH1rDeTKPE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCJrhjuj2h
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BWUYP6639
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOJjw6TZNs
"Did you have to word it that way?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqORQnKxG3J
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVozG5e2BFn
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTcMhWnqdN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL7COyswLB
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOeLckKLfd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy0ZVNLEXm
"Ya got it, boss."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFCzERPOQc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04qFCnihJp
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LJ8HYV7Il
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTbatU9MTP
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mSlMPelzu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl0pv5n5Sj
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1RPjUfmX5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS1r7Tjk3s
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jskFvNjnK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLRwmCVElm
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts428T8V9i
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiMsqu680c
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2LGSNa5NQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QxTFIkBXr
"...Well, alright. What is it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEeeXaIEq4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDWIyAO4rY
"I... I wanted..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CvRvJcpAc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NWrNqDDrf
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2shOHP1j0B
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1p62hiO4A
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj4yYZWW42
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjGjammOOz
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q5l85TaEJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lZD73XCBw
"Where's this coming from?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzPmeoO0kO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f57ZDTX2n
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPqkGtyess
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWWjfqedhV
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Yz4K47LL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzxRUrNqxE
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvlsh0LyEu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBip2gXz48
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz08doEinCg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBjarnPq8x
In that light–138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXRr7ugQ8Z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0gcZ8mxz1
"Alright, apology accepted."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAMrQxtpVJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrhtrwI4oV
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRcbd46vmr
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg5F5eXsN4
"--only on one condition."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT8rHpwKoK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7vnkMQkFd
"Eh!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMb99PgF4U
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QGWGzID3t
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiMJxjeSYd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVXZrGqQqh
"That's right."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JpqPWjHjh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT55NIXx6a
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaOmuGFYML
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3y1HNBz83
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRBffJNFCi
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfTg6CRc1f
"He sounds like a priss."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR3d606Gt1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYIE53W5KT
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eeF2mvkUt
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgM2dDUwRI
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VfcuOM6Rw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mi4m3mv5B
"Fine, what's your condition?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3lPSCfLfK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8rOWbIU8p
I pointed a finger at her.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mTeeIKcGL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkZ2jLxfkP
"We need to get along from now on."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXrkEgvwMa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhyMo5Rcl5
"...Huh?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPfTIc8XPp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NMtNZ89CJ
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcM8jBOnn4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UsuRE8hjx
"...Ha, that's it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUGaRXDtGZ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4b63oO1M6
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghPbdcIUDw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJxuNDdoT4
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1pTgJYARC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNMmnj7btF
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQq2ugLLQu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDyXjAWoq0
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyXFRODstd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6PhZLmQTX
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF6FYfp5wV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAX1bRYQOT
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkJyjVyNwa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYjK9XLYrZ
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG18snydpc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn2PIbtzJ0
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT8ZSfmAyD
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVooAnrQsN6
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvtt8Hmgb4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJsk3oIcWu
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM4tByRLxR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrxP3NbSDi
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gRMm4eyLF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6vpQG67XF
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoROpK69G1s
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fcMkXowAr
"What a weirdo, seriously."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1XzpgF972
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R65JmjqU4
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6aWct6xZk
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZSNXeTdHL
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lvt9YGD7z
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtft2OUQ1uB
"You guys! You gotta see this!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBDDqyQfox
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW6WvdkRh8
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEZB570LlV
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzYIMLlR40
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.
