Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.15Please respect copyright.PENANAoqL0r5hkYp
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“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAWbYQLXoAjh
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Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.15Please respect copyright.PENANAQyr1piqZLa
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Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.15Please respect copyright.PENANAiea8rkmglt
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“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”15Please respect copyright.PENANABlq07zEMqj
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“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbK63Io4yT9
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He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAo9ZqAtKopT
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“Well?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQarAdjWRWn
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“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA6tCxEsZLB2
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“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAOVtqrwqFLD
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“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAuMamE4cg98
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He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.15Please respect copyright.PENANAXQAP52JKmf
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“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”15Please respect copyright.PENANANYNf8oVNcb
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“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”15Please respect copyright.PENANApkAeZWdTN1
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He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.15Please respect copyright.PENANADW9YbRTZWv
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“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQSDFYPWarV
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I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.15Please respect copyright.PENANABnBr89ttdg
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“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAt9vHfi7O4X
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He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.15Please respect copyright.PENANAQPq65yshDd
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“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA2vE92NgAWs
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“...Yeah.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAmOWtDzV8oG
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Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–15Please respect copyright.PENANA6McMdv3nJY
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“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”15Please respect copyright.PENANAMxqycfwtiw
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“I ain’t liking any of this either.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAFnob0TwwDd
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“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”15Please respect copyright.PENANAi0eSCNRsCX
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Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.15Please respect copyright.PENANAtCvVU177TR
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“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7Z3WbprofV
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“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZYzFuZ6Ui
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“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”15Please respect copyright.PENANALsygjXDgLK
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“...?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYqT74oZncI
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At that, I had to tilt my head.15Please respect copyright.PENANAceBXDB0QEU
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“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYjWe5b2GDW
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“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAWHriFKhOVQ
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He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.15Please respect copyright.PENANA64GH9O3DJD
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“Dennis still ain’t here.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQDAbdOdSXE
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“...”15Please respect copyright.PENANAh1D0NUdwb4
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The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.15Please respect copyright.PENANASuGLQTCcut
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“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAo4tHTSS6L6
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“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQzcKSHniAH
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He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.15Please respect copyright.PENANAcTX9tsiKX4
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“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0ggGlqctIE
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“--!? W-What!?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQWCFxXZ1Wb
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Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.15Please respect copyright.PENANAfLVeOYHmDR
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“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAjbEDUzDOhm
15Please respect copyright.PENANAd0n88QsPJI
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGI5DbDZ723
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“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAFhOvqQhZSr
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Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAoPhxanxyxv
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I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.15Please respect copyright.PENANAaWGzxvoO7g
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That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.15Please respect copyright.PENANAsKk3mnf2ca
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“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”15Please respect copyright.PENANApiFHBxzMwx
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Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.15Please respect copyright.PENANAai5kMAGUdv
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“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.15Please respect copyright.PENANASULFi5yZua
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“...”15Please respect copyright.PENANAoRfrt2FhLW
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I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.15Please respect copyright.PENANAFcZq6FoUx5
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“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”15Please respect copyright.PENANASpMQIXUJ9t
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“I-I see…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbriIrFs5Eu
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My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.15Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ6O2E2nlB
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“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAVfsyCEAikg
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“You don’t, ‘get?’”15Please respect copyright.PENANAL6K5xbJqNV
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“Y’know, when–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAJnS65gjcqb
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“No no no, I understand you. I do.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAERjjFqr2Xq
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My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.15Please respect copyright.PENANAygMBx8HEtf
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“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”15Please respect copyright.PENANA9LKRzgBwRK
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**SLAM**15Please respect copyright.PENANA9Mp88kWLKH
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A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.15Please respect copyright.PENANAg8o6CWOt98
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That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.15Please respect copyright.PENANAiYcBEnyYY8
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“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAJshELt8P1X
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The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.15Please respect copyright.PENANAiu1F0b7KSQ
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“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA5CqceCT0V7
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“M-Mister Dean.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYX7Bjh5Uux
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I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.15Please respect copyright.PENANAn5Tng0rwv2
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“Yes, child?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAq3apUgh8TW
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“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAyHIXG1uBYZ
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“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA16VSjjAUBx
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“R-Right.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA8SRdypcThk
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I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.15Please respect copyright.PENANAY9ohvHlerG
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“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAxL7W693HSH
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“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAwGC9EnePlH
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From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.15Please respect copyright.PENANAHFti4TDJvw
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“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAawe9vWdq7E
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–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.15Please respect copyright.PENANAq50pnTBbnq
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Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.15Please respect copyright.PENANAvhFOJwyUWF
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“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAVwZ9c2ZQ6m
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Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.15Please respect copyright.PENANAUURKhKOThs
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A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–15Please respect copyright.PENANAKnTXyCpquC
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“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAAV7AwZ8lbE
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“Haven’t you explained that already?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAhmVjEjNgOw
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“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAs9orVNRMtU
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“What’s that?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAXhntGzpEXt
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Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.15Please respect copyright.PENANAdsiFKIhpOP
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“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAZz4zrzrYGi
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I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:15Please respect copyright.PENANAEfkywjcfKy
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“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAgHDqsxxsFy
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“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAT6Yq0pqNOl
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“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA2PMWmbGeC2
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A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.15Please respect copyright.PENANAEQngiILvpx
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“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAgxMU5qZVzT
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I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.15Please respect copyright.PENANAIHk7gcr5nT
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“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”15Please respect copyright.PENANALYmMQmSrUS
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The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.15Please respect copyright.PENANA1whZ8GUPkD
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“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–15Please respect copyright.PENANA1jxz5C3u3B
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“GAH! W-Why is this here?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA8zZbqK94du
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A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.15Please respect copyright.PENANAj25YoQ5WO5
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“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAtpS7Dtusem
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“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 15Please respect copyright.PENANAXteEs0jvk5
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The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.15Please respect copyright.PENANAgRz98ePCjf
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“I think it likes you, child.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAAVZzCPXmgo
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“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAf5nZJb6mUV
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The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.15Please respect copyright.PENANAxt3jGYiGuP
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.15Please respect copyright.PENANAUVzC1ITU5c
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“Hah?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ3hUX8LpN
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAgMjeYt2faM
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“I… smell like flowers?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAyIvCk6vySY
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I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.15Please respect copyright.PENANAeRVDpn9212
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“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAEERKjmpWQv
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I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.15Please respect copyright.PENANAx6uM9DO0Lp
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“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAf3O1un5Hqj
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“Really? I didn’t know that…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAb8DaZifCKC
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“Ahem, moving on–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYd21LsX7Lc
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.15Please respect copyright.PENANA6L6qswsqlB
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“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAducC9lW6z0
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I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:15Please respect copyright.PENANACIjuUMG5sF
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“May I know why I’m being told this?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAfEi9Tv0E0i
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“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAoWEHkSjhBD
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Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.15Please respect copyright.PENANAIEDf8PvM1B
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7aKmql387v
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“My help, you say…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAOi8Ou4hzHT
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.15Please respect copyright.PENANA5jg32PenFT
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“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”15Please respect copyright.PENANADXpa4Rlc2V
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAUNQAB3L8rT
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“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”15Please respect copyright.PENANABFo9mrN7jG
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“...Energizing potions?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAdz4D2bQyjp
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.15Please respect copyright.PENANAYefjzweGqJ
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAB63YVjFG20
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Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.15Please respect copyright.PENANAZJlRtKby6e
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“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”15Please respect copyright.PENANATcui6XoK4v
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7bwaXjnoK7
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I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.15Please respect copyright.PENANAOb0g0TWy5U
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAlpbdv7nJrF
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“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAJw7QsBqQyu
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.15Please respect copyright.PENANAzDcEXmbdCe
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“Is something wrong?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7FWpCzPfBu
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAr3FirwKBeP
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“Well, kid–”15Please respect copyright.PENANA6s31AndWb2
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Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.15Please respect copyright.PENANArOKuudvHHh
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“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”15Please respect copyright.PENANARxWJjzlkHS
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After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.15Please respect copyright.PENANAVIg5xBbvoW
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“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAwagqC4E59b
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Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.15Please respect copyright.PENANAaG9GDqeVfr
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Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.15Please respect copyright.PENANAIM0ltKK3yj
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“...Comfortable.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAB90eTnXUWz
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.15Please respect copyright.PENANACq1zSZK1D2
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.15Please respect copyright.PENANA7mbtMZ9SCo
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–
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–
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.15Please respect copyright.PENANAyFcyMKAWDe
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 15Please respect copyright.PENANA1OoLkL1Ybo
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Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.15Please respect copyright.PENANA7bCO0Eaa6X
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“...A little bit here.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAjIdub9hDgO
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It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAVtdUmcgIJP
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.15Please respect copyright.PENANAxynJ59FEje
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAKFvpR414bR
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As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.15Please respect copyright.PENANAEPlGNjsWGE
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I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.15Please respect copyright.PENANAyhOUinT61G
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“No time to waste, though.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAHYf99Eb6Sv
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.15Please respect copyright.PENANAOSyqLvvIBF
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.15Please respect copyright.PENANAHH9M4btONC
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.15Please respect copyright.PENANAydzzTlxad8
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“...Crap.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0DS7NF2BEo
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.15Please respect copyright.PENANAVFhzCobzwE
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAcSlkXbubqe
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.15Please respect copyright.PENANA3HGRsv7ird
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAUxlbb2ujA2
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“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAT4MthJUnee
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“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAr3D6ZumL3s
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“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAyXwQgRtjCR
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She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.15Please respect copyright.PENANA9iloYkVmnO
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“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0KbkcXHtbA
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.15Please respect copyright.PENANAQkHfJYMmSg
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAOUQZl0XXs9
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAPXNg0ofxsQ
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With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.15Please respect copyright.PENANACzzPbmK6d8
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA13kjEKdvNw
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“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”15Please respect copyright.PENANA5jbo5L0SDU
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I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.15Please respect copyright.PENANAxeIZ0xoRLJ
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“N-Nigel!?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbjiQ95JZAD
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”15Please respect copyright.PENANApjS7nrCNnh
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“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”15Please respect copyright.PENANATQkcfSUmvZ
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He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.15Please respect copyright.PENANA8frMaq03MK
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“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAEEKCcUSPeG
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“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAzQTtz66WYG
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“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.15Please respect copyright.PENANA9HqVes5A80
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“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”15Please respect copyright.PENANARizZ0kC5JD
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He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.15Please respect copyright.PENANAE9KoZcdecU
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“Is this… a clamper?”15Please respect copyright.PENANABQ4Ny297j9
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0ckCNY9HV1
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAWFqJGH6N5Q
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“That I asked you?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAcvGPKKs0XM
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.15Please respect copyright.PENANAD9y7XpVvgH
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“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAExKQlhXLza
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“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”15Please respect copyright.PENANABiOOLWn6MF
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He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.15Please respect copyright.PENANAon0dMehHKw
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“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4LcQoMVFc
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He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.15Please respect copyright.PENANAhDCcUTy5uQ
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“How did you–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAIe9vrGE2zU
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“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAjxnMZ5YRAR
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“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 15Please respect copyright.PENANAEV70Iw43Zy
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He continued cutting as he spoke.15Please respect copyright.PENANASqDeXZVv8W
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“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”15Please respect copyright.PENANABt2RRBiuhJ
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He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.15Please respect copyright.PENANAwLQkCRoHAX
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“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAxtE6xfnMqT
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“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”15Please respect copyright.PENANArQlCbENTDg
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He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.15Please respect copyright.PENANAJaYTbCV6Cv
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“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA9BWXUutUg7
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“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAlDpNnAeyvl
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“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA30AimM0ibR
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His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:15Please respect copyright.PENANA8qYoRHgfbN
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“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAOWXarFO2VK
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“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAy1Yic2XUvm
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“I… darn it, you got me there.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAWXw3hE5nB7
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I continued peeling and let my mouth run.15Please respect copyright.PENANAs4n8tFyTxI
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“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGh8DFSR1rv
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Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.15Please respect copyright.PENANAIqaS94vRfH
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“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAaRjWZmcd5k
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“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAtKGynmO0Cz
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“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”15Please respect copyright.PENANATuACQGKUDS
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I looked at him with pursed lips.15Please respect copyright.PENANAKmEQaTL3Aq
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“Why not?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGmI80yye8A
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“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYpHXwohglD
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“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAzS1Y3zFbiz
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He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.15Please respect copyright.PENANAU4yYLk8EHS
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“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAvH1ynYn3Lo
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“--!”15Please respect copyright.PENANAozkE9mhUSS
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Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAj86QmqqFYC
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“Did anything else happen?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAabvvJkUhIM
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“Anything else? Well… Oh!”15Please respect copyright.PENANACPq2MjIA1Q
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAg0QtPsZOm5
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“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAuubwFxGadB
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“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”15Please respect copyright.PENANALl3VIW7mmo
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“Uh…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQd5O6huDij
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I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.15Please respect copyright.PENANAivQTKoWo9p
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“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0YXCOOwRvb
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“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAPOlSsFouqy
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My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.15Please respect copyright.PENANAM1XlG1zIpp
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“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA8NQJiDcV6U
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“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAossbaGWjd4
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He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.15Please respect copyright.PENANAqPwa98oKIZ
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“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAYS6L9gPnWy
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“...O-Oh.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAFphxEI3RKr
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I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.15Please respect copyright.PENANAfrtZoFy41e
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“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAktmuWdSN3Y
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“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAq3m8FTgVRZ
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I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.15Please respect copyright.PENANAso09YZK9fz
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“Make sense? How?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAdYe2xyq8vG
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He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.15Please respect copyright.PENANAoP3PbCiQGV
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“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGdHvshhLm4
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“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAxrZt57zWSN
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Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.15Please respect copyright.PENANA7wy9UWD6YS
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“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAvHemo2oEi6
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“So she still fought alone, eh?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAg3ylZy9ClT
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“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”15Please respect copyright.PENANANyeMlHHfhd
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“Relieved? How come?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAm6wo64CMNZ
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I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.15Please respect copyright.PENANAgTAils35QK
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“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAq5WmbUyxdS
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He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.15Please respect copyright.PENANABOTjXEXqb0
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“You’re probably good friends with her.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0YAfpmaMXn
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“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”15Please respect copyright.PENANAfk7TiUglwx
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“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAmrl3f4xFgs
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He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.15Please respect copyright.PENANAYwu7wjz96h
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“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA05i344WLS8
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“H-Hurt? What happened?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAWaMphJ8YCh
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“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQB7RzwyOSP
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“That’s– that’s good to hear.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAzZTBTUDHz5
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“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAdPvoDLiwHa
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A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.15Please respect copyright.PENANA9iNjbMhwM5
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“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAgwK0a9PHHW
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“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”15Please respect copyright.PENANApfzKCdXhHV
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He shrugged.15Please respect copyright.PENANAitcJU9dNi5
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“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAvqA7ZUYzBl
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“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA3Mv1z32oHX
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I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.15Please respect copyright.PENANAoQ1pnwWsQC
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All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.15Please respect copyright.PENANAPYqVxEeJbN
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“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAO9tb9x70tR
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“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7r3QJbOUi8
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It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 15Please respect copyright.PENANAzGcUionYBe
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I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.15Please respect copyright.PENANAUdn6U4ywNd
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–
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“...Role model.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAkYYi8wLE57
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Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.15Please respect copyright.PENANAXeWHoxB4JM
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“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAXAcchbT2dS
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He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.15Please respect copyright.PENANA8AO3W9joQf
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“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”15Please respect copyright.PENANA64otHZk48O
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He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.15Please respect copyright.PENANAfuizHRXPdR
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“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”15Please respect copyright.PENANAeWit5hoaxn
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His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.15Please respect copyright.PENANAQFuPU1eEoZ
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“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAHHuLeGsQAe
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He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.