The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpgaK2cuA3
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCFK69IaqR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCx8wSshaQ
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc8TyLmp82
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfxSq0kr9l
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigWDdfFLnY
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B8FV7mCZ5
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxiZZJJw5O
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“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjVDp4x6EU
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyfD56qaWs
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkEuJOOIZa
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGVBymd9nu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52YGdlkZsp
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPhwElVFi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBoCRf2HpH
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRs3Q96R1o
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“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hmg2HuQYY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a8TbojdSt
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdry4f6nB3v
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdwLol3Xix
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCEs69mKZt
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3D57TqSvA
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“Yes?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6TG6Me2UE
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a3UwehAj9
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“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2KB6EqyZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumWhrQup8S
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRtgokJqVd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSBVxKZWMD
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3QccQaRnc
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYzLQqyjdS
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBujkK8iFB
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEQuLWAiIn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JYQFbcKE0
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wc3QGfZbu
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ5q7EFTza
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“If you insist.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgQCBp0ASh
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56aBackOei
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“Kenny?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQNngixVEg
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNwqDGesB
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“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTI30Tbgrw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqWCAAyIHT
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UO87tDHmS
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“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav6q55qyGR
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxrKZqYx8L
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwCLdV8uLo
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0mn9nlA1I
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“I see. I see, I see…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBSPAGQ4Aq
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOlX8XO4oj
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wWaDaCL4e
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j7ClSbnXU
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73AGaGVHHy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln7OWUXaif
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sYui6RpTk
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She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYywHYOefZ
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“Please?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMlUFIn6nG
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OjhRhJkro
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGQ7hdNzlS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyeuVT5GDC
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4R1ssp1T7
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t1jIiZ9r5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx8x1D532B
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Ff7g2cPB
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ltl9AK4q2
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5JrH7tWJ3
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapuDD6pWno
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“I started young. That’s all.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOiRKMeDM3
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqD1QC2l0s
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEPC2C0zFi
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4HTm089xy
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0WhQA9FSM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbjjKv5p8o
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEevta5ve4E
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhRa2sDds
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She jumped and then waved her hand.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWEiugIoxK
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxE9BBAqBp
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“Right.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVBEyuRICF
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7iGGpsXCr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNpvlRDMs2
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe1ZUFt5w3
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmCKaIdamg
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“I– Wha!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e61sbE78I
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08iUakhaWl
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3avMRsxxfA
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql23x5BMu4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU68MSKtY87
“Your own… peace of mind?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHIaNIwuxW
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO8RgDO3gQ
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUwYZ0Rrxs
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjSpKwR8K0
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dLFTswb6k
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatikR9uMpL
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJrqD2e9yA
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She shrugged at my comment.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UOSoTUD8J
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2sUyK2seT
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqniDzPueN5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONAkATs6Y3
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsJw2n1zRq
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB5ODwKcvB
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsO7fbDBi5
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfhzLQZcgZ
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“...This is ridiculous.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOrbwquAW7
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2awzQh5mj
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsipBQTFNNm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgPcVWTFjr
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcq6tvxFed
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Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWfvH7o4We
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoXsFWbAxG
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkYfCm0Vph
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“...Hmm.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYijdlsJ1UT
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN0S6iHizf
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“Do whatever.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAePGgc4t5s
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4VZkWr6Tn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmXUgpZCFH
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo56Gp0pcQB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoaFwzt4RE
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTAJKSK4xb
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“D-Darn it.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7dM2O2YJa
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiewhPmrdHa
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“What are you doing here?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tNvWKnbAb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XsNOmT10v
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI81QkWqbX3
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There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYqhZk2L5s
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“...U-Uh.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXNbcsuXlS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuM6CCdMzR
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksnOjFqEYy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR781MOwBL5
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjR6W2aVGG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlXIX4PrjS
“I… I-I.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k6mjASHSX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsEVoEkCFh
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNL2arC2l
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmHlAi8drN
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcgfuiqZ2p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wfS3dLp8W
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGQ71XV85h
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6I2zu1aIE
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquSp9VdBY6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkxZdzAU42
“I-I’m here.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMZGez6G9w
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg0OPyQkbK
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gLPN72VV2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX9D8JPFxK
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSk7axk8b0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpvWTsWVAI
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfeMT9bz8v
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMcoo7uJ8A
“I…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAGpYA2zSS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiLfTKYMay
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSDf7TFVFl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZyrlr6XOu
“Hello, Rover.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLLXvUHK9c
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ637cxZt4dn
“Hey, Kenny.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTR9EUJyO2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLalZ1EJBxo
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2bEJPxCVX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc7Ie9rIbH
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv2lZxRGsh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8t6xVwu4l
“Cut to the chase!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ2JRy88zq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSktySgtVt5
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VOhqmYsal
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZbNFdxLwx
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxXGOGxEB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nFGo7U64U
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3wrthtGs9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVQNnfYN0y
“Y-Yes.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ygSR8M1I
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxxJVjJj7n
“Now who told you to do that?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8towfGtal
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrHvOadAhg
“W-Well–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcR1VQJOHF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIX8kFQLeA
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvPCpl5JC7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oImKeu19o
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhwr3x1YaV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02mlP1ouzE
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumemNozMVQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F9altRAYa
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvCA1SCCvY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXnigejV4l
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMtSDkYra0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS23Xae3mpr
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzDxjot6T8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9cfjstJn
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhON666O7r
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXLP7ZQ7oc
“I refuse your treatment!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJXdj0mxcd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCyYZxpP6q
“H-Huh!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpxpEhvOYn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQGWwf2vsh
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ZaB45DyM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H1Del3GGx
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztp8bV2ge6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWEXJK18qm
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoJmXheEMu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm1AnaSYB7
“I– Wha?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkHPCQJuyo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbqGx4b5Jl
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D3ZZWkfBg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwtFanOKA2
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTWyx41dKV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImLKxi8o3u
“Stupid? Weird!?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGwBIISyMV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ2mPVkSI7
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcaYELlI92
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVeucHxPHP
“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHixa2lcGUU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbM3GYMCP6
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXwRQJ0E4k
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwONL3BVEwA
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKgGNMQwN4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnp3A4MAJD
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqMNqTt0Jw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvPB3VibgI
“It’s because I upset you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHodPXYf2g1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeswKrWIp1
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGNuDccdHw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTEIE1xiYN
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK80K9zjc8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAH9Ys67dk
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSboetQAFE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw2gBM9VTC
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ4EkHUIwA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYTKm3QSHd
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLULouU0vD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LAQz2Ulr0
“S-Sheesh.” 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL89Nmahrxm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9cgLKbYNR
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcazA8fUdmd
“How do I use this thing?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8zFL49vN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62FiFvvxLZ
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDqPkypbdd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwvPKkqFAc
“Drinking works for me.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYTPMa1iNl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqeCERDf9j
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwLSPNQl8T
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2WwLkSgMk
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRMLQtXgD1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1ew8GCYMR
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRaRXBD9a2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH3Jw2ELOG
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyE18ifWMb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcqec4BInV
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqca1irw1Y
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdML7TLnhDV
“Whatever.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dWZOSCVES
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aKhJOXzjh
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsA70kuE6l
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS2V5VWOvI
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JEH1cZKYH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusNPy8GumL
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllzF9I33cJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRlMblO9sq
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6vjF4gyXU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kg0b543ls
“Leaving already?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfUHpJeTVF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqWTgLJUMN
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWqcXNifIg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORsUyQZm7S
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk6NaicuXZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWwj6AarUB
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGXzUwXrMC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2NIwW96rh
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5wTyH5wOw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW3V1oVPCV
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvQnIkXjsu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEPcsRm4eT
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoQdsLLZSq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NQJsXHUMB
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ll5ZCbGLC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvYTWNSL62
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFupJuxMLTZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1AFy3W8bD
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSnz6aUdyP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3THIs0EaZ
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7XnI9uNUG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3G25B2iK7
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucG2gDsLCS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquJM856pDv
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWErXGtmp7r
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLPUIqn8jY
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyf4ifWL5a
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡengInqdaUD
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfFfsgJDY8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IL55HVjpd
“H-Huh?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzcwv1fnX3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYeGdftoXn
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo2NL0YycN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWyrcDgUGS
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkH7EtpYXA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6lzydHP1x
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMBNFRofg7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbduJpBemV
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4hMzbFxnH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7yk7473ki
“I’m n-nothing so special.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAvhRPLqxq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuquSe28t7J
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnbFpiXks3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYpcPXq0kt
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzUjWNM4SJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz9xQOjdbU
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2noMY7qwkF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4p0BlJZl
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO70r5NREo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcDNCz3ODQ
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ekI33TjGW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2J2FHoPcS
It took me only a few 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6791xi9Nl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4jb6lfReR
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RNXBbt6bX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRytglH2Fnh
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSa6WtxRib
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvJ24NGmZc
“No, really, Rover.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBPYMdnLpO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PQLn23Elv
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpPXlGqQ6c
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikayOdxk3L
“I think I’m just lucky.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWenwGaUnyF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuRZo4vIGk
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHxF3MDU9h
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vm6fIA0YG
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunzUWj7o0Q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwC415Htxs
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQWP6NxP0A
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdFUSVIfTQ
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJkOFQiowr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrycmLr32u
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw99bvjiEA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09rxUtS8rK
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuGodBmBIQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkqr2qCGH6
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqWmGC3Ezo
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfyyccJMXT
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFzt9LmHDt
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“D-Don’t rush me!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjULhx4WK1I
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nQxtg5z0p
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMjqifdjrC
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGrq7VxzPC
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCxrFwluvs
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH5DXn42tc
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“I didn’t say anything.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mVmEFqQDM
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjVNvgaiYs
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSibgvglTJI
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW0ejOhkm1
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiwn0gyjDb
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJM1GQCOAT
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“Told you all I did? What?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsRiCgzLIf
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She was caught by a wind of fury.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8Oc5PGOOi
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH5SUHYvgN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQg5Q50Muw
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaXOBJqMqD
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“What’s so funny?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodEVQKtW1D
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHcUbQSrht
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZgVRdaqkT
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidpivReMq1
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE2eYPEsvl
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpS8ZFGrA6
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“A little crazy?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOXKdHOBqH
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAhv6XX6rF
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQrzks8UGH
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkyoCItoe7
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“Well–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzvHDkQZCU
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAHpLSrcgz
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“I–”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTvb5LPnTe
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7IqfjSMFF
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86NHenmlMR
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“See! I– huh? You do?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF9sQfBBf3
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojydPuGOC
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz8gqqyv3Y
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIHQXVnFlZ
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaudSbgN87T
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtITQWStbcY
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqbOtyfvHh
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutLlQqRDrc
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9z7aXsUaC
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1keAYHgHo
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“Ah, right.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuJ03EQWSH
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxo71ieUlF
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cp6bN4Nwo
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesFjYzfXBy
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3JlKoEXs9
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvLp0r8vzw
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“Wait, one last thing!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6ol6YOB6f
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi559uolYS
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGRRedll9
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“...”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1g7rns6L5
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I smiled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq8Jb6KLtK
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“I will.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvIo2yoZNs
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWE4GeXeID
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“Yes!”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm4rxaSyVJ
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUno9yZL7Jp
