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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1QtluSS7N
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVFRg2pOXa
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1rY44nJWV
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"At least... I'm on my back now."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNFz8XRMkl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa9YkafW36
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTZM5HTdXU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqv44TG5Pc
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi2Ea53iQm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL005yhoDMx
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpfxqEWfS0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8XIDyTGof
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4qFxum74u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgwoKLZfo0
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdj6u48nUo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuZwzH52hD
I was immediately startled.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9eyWUJjbH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0L0sbGSQN
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszTQawKof0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fma5J80GY
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTLF4P347N
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR6sknvvMV
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GXfKakG18
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNpkaIpbHy
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4sk9oZ68d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfPUg0p8s4
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg3oiwBMf8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv6ADrHYTC
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLtxhMnG0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEZnfmE2pd
"Do you feel any better?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1RUI6oCqh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHcnVAzc4m
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqsXdLqt0G
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjWesnUUwp
"That's good, that's good..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuDPSZ3VaQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmJiq0XNhm
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zNKS6B6fJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg9L9aroHh
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fx8VH1bvq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHw3BxL2HJ
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtxwm80Kpa
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl57Ze4UIMD
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUqIjn24iS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xea0ol18x
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsYHrYsFis
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyp5DRkdg9
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G0DHKP2M1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurfJSDZo2o
"H-How'd you know?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GLXzasLRB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ZaufHT70
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8VGnZJ1Tm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURA2cUtwdX
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCZs6zwT1v
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCm76qyy6M
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MFoFF5nPi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fZjjJ8Ip4
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?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiJXdfhWnZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVXNscLCwH
Pars nodded.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBsfTrq5c9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTZXVyRyOT
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmjxgo4YDi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk50uPJKWqo
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAMyh8dKzq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj7dHvf9SX
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWFpnoEFF1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIxkP2yzoK
"Mutual what?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PMeIVhaJR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmfvnqT4oI
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4OEJKP3nG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yTHLX4fbW
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Usiuuc9E
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QldsVQwFA
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNxOpvHPFk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4dlDhEtpt
"Really now..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpIVjvmY1M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveWSrzZyas
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcUsVLOEzG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhmUMVqJz0
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWDj2kj3Ls
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32OIdgJpCN
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEMqDdADxo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOtAFQbUTZ
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxUgqRM720
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQpZOtRsWZ
"Wow... it must've been bad."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNUNYd8R9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Iw6GeIXGn
"You're almost as flippant as I am."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZbKgPStP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8GZaM2UQZ
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwjNt5yzsx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkifnCNcUPh
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UxmEM2IOC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDTnz5x97r
"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..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO9PweBvOX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6ARjcFzC
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjbFAuVEmV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MqOzHGko
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSPJptOQkU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlKLu3Y9Ds
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7jEWmtGx2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAix9wr0NW2
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyr45fhjFj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnKqYdWlLz
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfsOrvKtR5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN3Fag2lYC
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5V4Lx5cdY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyMAvPJ7J3
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S9xbsVqkk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrd2ul7r8c
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk3d4WMU3L
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZPRd3kIil
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTZYbvO1d7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMRMcCkjyx
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGRDRwgikC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡredxgU506N
"I know."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95lKuhTYy6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc45d6tKos
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6PFrHDfzF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S1r2x10Gw
"Tell you what; I can't help you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWU8BEVNr9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVnTvGtd49
"...Are you serious?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhpkqbNGV5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh34Fo3UqE
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGwKGacTYu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD10uZvP4YL
"What? What can?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFIssUAmrr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNKY1UVgIP
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzJB1Zjsgx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSr9MSJxbY
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnKFNvwvrh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrBTY3yPEE
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pBaOzVtBj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TWa7f7v71
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr37azndbJZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NIsdw2iJv
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPKkrZZuB6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtaTDhMj4z
"Give it a try."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGn4m6OqSU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARBU0yJMRX
He stood up and patted my shoulder.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ8F8xA70v
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EsSL6YEw0
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0jmhwlhPn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CMUlBKDXj
"H-Huh? Right now?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgjnYcOTCi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMNOgdv7rF
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9jmWU8ypT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYUZPuNXrb
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KG05m83Ja
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiHCuVi9Sl
–
–
–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmLbD7V50T
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"Are ya all packed up?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBn6qpEMKi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziPf4LJvpn
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlOTanRDmh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wQzQQXSak
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOmTOGYmyW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSgX8cYJpp
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVczFhDWtEc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzK3xgE7Z1
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXafj9XYuu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk00geUqeie
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAJpW9ZHE6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzOS5qbk9m
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPpl0e59q6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCcFto8eFc
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3aFoyYkpc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsdX2aBJ8S
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm7SwNif9Q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf2lunLLvL
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RhxqvFIB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv3JlESQAm
"I suppose that makes sense."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHnuG55shl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulPNCT8sfe
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKcJiIOMCd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMTLvCzk2p
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb2uzFF8xv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqUOow90Yx
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYHlFTFU1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkPXRevqyz
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82y5M38ory
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz4gy7yFGm
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcvWvjOVD2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMmFuTR1pE
"What do I think...?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUgGigDLNZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiVi9yawEc
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7co3V5FlOo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf2kHi5T8E
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkmtdstB5b
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQVmk4pYUx
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCY6U254qG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IXnM1c8H4
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdrqZmC7wB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaLzAJxn2n
"I'm asking ya, kid."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbPQgzqbcf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjDtiDrARQ
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPVZ1Cry4q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFldM9B9qZi
"It had to be an Endowment."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ2pMk0vYF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKH2ON3tl8
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgn7NtBJ3s
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRcs6q5PWH
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbCbSsaqYy
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJbyoixyWi
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW86jDyXj5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW7uxXbjHi
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK9y7a7M5F
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6rmRs5sgJ
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TwRsuFUdc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbhtfYD18v
"Why not?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsFTemNDi9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbhqiTHQ1X
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC40AFPSSEE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tRVn6RbAw
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAK4VTHE3V
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfHm77nyWB
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"Surely, there's a better option."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37PjfjjHtQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeKnKCxsC
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg04TDAZsON
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CIrBbpi8P
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv07pvhRwx
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"What if we spy from a distance?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp60IHfajts
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"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOyZWYd7pe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTtCecVDjY
"...Point taken."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3ZdfYcJKK
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yffXni4cs
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL6zlP9Mh3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBp0r9qpHh
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA9C1NnJMR
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"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRHoX6WIzo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2EZfaL0fR
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd6Ttxl1SC
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"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ625hpILrFO
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We nodded in unison.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnpnCk4TBb
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwg5St3EHd
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMP21fnTIU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC4Ley7Gv9
–
–
–
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKIJm91zyW
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rs9SoXJ5
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8a3lTN4kv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjLzjgFcE4
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPbpW21BTh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5fP8NaUMk
"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?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojnHrzAgPA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0IIs9JHNU
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat5l8wHXdu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAVo89yWLq
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5UgPaLQQk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fK2UOc8be
"Well... I won't deny that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk07Fl7OzG
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHEj8DqEsL
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6eGVgc4O
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"Again? What do you–?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fp3jK0O2p
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigU87mg4aK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcTp2qyFfO
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f7v0x2DV0
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENfGgN29E9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfzZ8r0f1Q
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHij32yDbSZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2cCyCrLLw
"I didn't ask ya that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dn12imXey
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISn2wG0fc0
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKI1lQsWvY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWrAP0P5Op
"That ain't surprising."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1CuXuuxLl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ncAzVh33J
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs7SlM2Y2y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIaWe8iaup
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jKGRwYqMW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJZZIUZOWr
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u8V1OD0Er
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22fYND5X9e
"Yeah? Like what?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdrpi1rTp8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaERvHMNTJ
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPURmINdCU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf8rZDL8pS
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnInaDqRECc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X1sA9NEif
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDHkBEezR7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOERZJ55QyA
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDl25D6RMl
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHaSGeINdf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWfJzkOn05
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAl0DqcoG4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmGpnTfM2a
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY8oO0ZSvg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVISSDgfE4u
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt2Ta5mJ88
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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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtavFwjAq0
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrBmbOnzJU
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
