My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.34Please respect copyright.PENANAZSMaz5cEkI
34Please respect copyright.PENANA32oiBXjHMi
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.34Please respect copyright.PENANApPHkvDAs2L
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaspeTvndaF
"Haa..."34Please respect copyright.PENANA4PcRAvGuU3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWgRtG0rAGU
"Are you okay?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAapYr9jEULd
34Please respect copyright.PENANAks8KK9Nx8h
"Phew. Now I am."34Please respect copyright.PENANAm2nioW7YVN
34Please respect copyright.PENANA55SoulpQHX
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.34Please respect copyright.PENANArZESLcznC1
34Please respect copyright.PENANAkiOI7bKlGW
"W-What is it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAk2iAoryUMZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAt7tLmR2zUx
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."34Please respect copyright.PENANApl2wa7CC4W
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiir2Y3RtXX
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."34Please respect copyright.PENANA0MEeIJtp9Q
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxGVBz2QvyR
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAY2BLjvR3DS
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtmrEdzYVoO
"Well..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAXgfQ1OAQ6B
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXaiFQ0UKPV
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.34Please respect copyright.PENANACzDMyBSJHK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjgO2lXGdxK
"Come on, tell me!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAXKUspjM4xq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAmiP04WvTd
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."34Please respect copyright.PENANAqVrWrnTZIS
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3Pc2xwXYUK
She sighed and shrugged.34Please respect copyright.PENANAjKl5w1BSbX
34Please respect copyright.PENANATlMtk24cBt
"Are you feeling nervous?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAWsEkdt3VG8
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9cUiBNYdqy
"Of course I am."34Please respect copyright.PENANAlrBznTgtJ3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAr6SwTLsBWF
"You shouldn't be."34Please respect copyright.PENANAu71JLT1seD
34Please respect copyright.PENANAK5JquL8dPC
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."34Please respect copyright.PENANA5PImKS9Xi2
34Please respect copyright.PENANAV6k6AVzm8X
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."34Please respect copyright.PENANALxn6OYfo1Z
34Please respect copyright.PENANAu06yqwQecN
"...What's that supposed to mean?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA1fVsFftrKQ
34Please respect copyright.PENANADNwz03PLIz
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.34Please respect copyright.PENANAZPCP7mmExd
34Please respect copyright.PENANAqOFnNTGBUS
"I think you came here a little too early."34Please respect copyright.PENANA5pNN5H8u5P
34Please respect copyright.PENANAoeiCXAWZyJ
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."34Please respect copyright.PENANA9SI9ah42Ii
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOTzxJbgORW
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAZVbfcAXqNO
34Please respect copyright.PENANANaln7FZ4PY
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"34Please respect copyright.PENANALVwWefN3Pm
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0w0uuI515O
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.34Please respect copyright.PENANAS3HdOSS7yv
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3QEeREHj1G
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."34Please respect copyright.PENANAjFxUWc692e
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjfvhCfsTyO
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.34Please respect copyright.PENANAh5d1AY4Csj
34Please respect copyright.PENANALayuto89at
"Aren't you going to say something?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAv0zm7KkjgN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAevMI0zso2k
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."34Please respect copyright.PENANA6KdiwfdFoK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlLUaF6hmDs
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAXrrmlSgH4G
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1b9qaeUoB1
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.34Please respect copyright.PENANAPMZx4WqDl0
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWUbMwzYCLu
"...I-I still don't believe you."34Please respect copyright.PENANAgtPN3Db5IE
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5EceSIfbWF
"Are you serious!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAQPU8uBbM1w
34Please respect copyright.PENANASXgoGIyD00
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.34Please respect copyright.PENANAPGvNquMsmY
34Please respect copyright.PENANARuyYBdgWU1
"Can I at least have your name?"34Please respect copyright.PENANApkYkdRM4br
34Please respect copyright.PENANACpnKoidkCm
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.34Please respect copyright.PENANAHy52mFZmfJ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAU3NdAI5VTE
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAKLjcmLJtMe
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFm1zzWJMQm
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.34Please respect copyright.PENANAB6lNSrWq34
34Please respect copyright.PENANAR5zDVzcx9W
"A-Alright, I won't forget."34Please respect copyright.PENANAQkitSryYkI
34Please respect copyright.PENANAe6SqhNh3oy
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAOQF8OqDAT5
34Please respect copyright.PENANAc3j4RxWy4L
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."34Please respect copyright.PENANAoph1LZDI6K
34Please respect copyright.PENANAf0VWdl87Ay
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.34Please respect copyright.PENANAEi2elKfYTN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjg8Qrvm9kB
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAskqMMypjuP
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6L2NvX66L8
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAscgm2OClfp
34Please respect copyright.PENANASMNGIQtNNY
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.34Please respect copyright.PENANAxTgUufN2v4
34Please respect copyright.PENANAecBht6G25n
"She's not very nice at all."34Please respect copyright.PENANAq1eu1Sodag
34Please respect copyright.PENANAgdvXjdmnPh
"I suppose not."34Please respect copyright.PENANAsBaz72DQsI
34Please respect copyright.PENANAgCwIHJYGf3
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."34Please respect copyright.PENANA86vIyKMwMf
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4EOS4ARlgZ
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAymBEcuhrhb
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1SK4edTp9a
**SMASH**34Please respect copyright.PENANAZIHJ9ueGGY
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlYMc4owgzW
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.34Please respect copyright.PENANA2MDNDXDSU8
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaS4WwZ2U1Q
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.34Please respect copyright.PENANAz87U8ki7fq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWBqv3Fxrlj
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAoOvd3NcO1a
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHe1aGHudF7
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.34Please respect copyright.PENANAgCGUvFCsyP
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1I0nFMafDR
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAcJlWsoMWOx
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAAxNRORZ74
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."34Please respect copyright.PENANABl05S7kG9E
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdMVscufckV
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.34Please respect copyright.PENANAZtHE2blozN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAH2QINPXMi9
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."34Please respect copyright.PENANAHVFauAXsAV
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0Uj0rQyRBx
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAAkmn7VC4QC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAS7YjSoGNmV
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.34Please respect copyright.PENANARW0rp5994M
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEdpR5t3H7c
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"34Please respect copyright.PENANALFmbRJU5jh
34Please respect copyright.PENANAutCUXP47kf
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAI32vLcHoMU
34Please respect copyright.PENANAABi0Ptw8Zt
"No, not at all."34Please respect copyright.PENANA2fICW5aEL6
34Please respect copyright.PENANArE3oEin9Fn
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA6oAGxWX8OT
34Please respect copyright.PENANArRTBYOBLVz
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.34Please respect copyright.PENANA0sYbvyBJkb
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIoIS5s6Sje
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."34Please respect copyright.PENANAjzBAi1ErqG
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvOKJJiWLjZ
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.34Please respect copyright.PENANAQdIz92OCBq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAbfgAfmSKPM
"Is she our teammate?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAL9ot2x0xfg
34Please respect copyright.PENANAPW9W2mLQg7
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."34Please respect copyright.PENANAjCPEGXs63Z
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlCDVow45nN
"That so? Lemme test the waters."34Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1I59KcekX
34Please respect copyright.PENANAeXbYMezyIO
"You'll regret it."34Please respect copyright.PENANAcCmlY0V3Lw
34Please respect copyright.PENANAqGshbrXQpt
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.34Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5dgWEeZvr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAu8N178wqst
"...Wait."34Please respect copyright.PENANAuqXM2bq6E9
34Please respect copyright.PENANArfXGRT0eQ2
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!34Please respect copyright.PENANAD4gcwcSmDf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAr0ZYwe1zSu
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."34Please respect copyright.PENANAnSVvfEnIPa
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEHKmj9fIcE
"A little? Just a little?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAcXDEYTQ7CJ
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7IW8kkKAi8
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."34Please respect copyright.PENANAnmWSGb0LBU
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvYlKdGvrhP
"I met her five minutes ago!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAXoXlfHZaIG
34Please respect copyright.PENANAknqALshthX
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.34Please respect copyright.PENANA0AdXgdsbCN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQPF86Pdlxk
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."34Please respect copyright.PENANAHKTBHS76ki
34Please respect copyright.PENANAk737F1acJE
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."34Please respect copyright.PENANA1U9wvL2YQr
34Please respect copyright.PENANA57raO71tKJ
"Really?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAGoIPBsHJSx
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlyHPkcWaDG
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.34Please respect copyright.PENANABjA4i99FIk
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3nbT1diega
"What do you mean 'really'?"34Please respect copyright.PENANALK2z2ICzBb
34Please respect copyright.PENANAt2VZcQxt5p
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAoo4B6vKSw9
34Please respect copyright.PENANAGDJKTTxZOe
"--!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA69aq6mwcBK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvVYqGuEjqt
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.34Please respect copyright.PENANAjs9lxkGKA9
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiJadX1FlnT
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."34Please respect copyright.PENANARShMbuGpUd
34Please respect copyright.PENANAYlcXkpDzVX
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."34Please respect copyright.PENANA0ayypGh5kH
34Please respect copyright.PENANAl48fQn2M2X
**SMASH**34Please respect copyright.PENANArebrgaqq4p
34Please respect copyright.PENANARXe0zTvMA3
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.34Please respect copyright.PENANApvUewvnfwp
34Please respect copyright.PENANAkG7gD17rly
My jaw dropped yet again.34Please respect copyright.PENANAfoxm8bTwFe
34Please respect copyright.PENANAw38c3IcBzE
"ROY!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAFXwQPlrEpL
34Please respect copyright.PENANAkSiCyzA820
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.34Please respect copyright.PENANAMC3OzjTN90
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlencTB8mMU
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.34Please respect copyright.PENANA6L521Akkex
34Please respect copyright.PENANApXivrP1h4c
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."34Please respect copyright.PENANAhHiuzeDeTx
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJjtThToFOF
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."34Please respect copyright.PENANAS8xgNFwYES
34Please respect copyright.PENANACPCd81m3XH
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"34Please respect copyright.PENANApvuRsgvIfR
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzPrOIM78my
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.34Please respect copyright.PENANAMAi1cm4lK7
34Please respect copyright.PENANA289uDLDxk4
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.34Please respect copyright.PENANAUpVh9pwyvV
34Please respect copyright.PENANArqujZgSakH
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."34Please respect copyright.PENANAPDJJKtT30c
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtJzBq8eVDO
"R-Right."34Please respect copyright.PENANAKAwW2w1sRW
34Please respect copyright.PENANAoKx98hlmFt
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–34Please respect copyright.PENANAa910psSwrC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxuXVf9ehp8
"Ack!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAlTtSpJeb1u
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhZGE9q0HDc
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.34Please respect copyright.PENANAGxZFLsBVSg
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUmifpCSqpt
"F-Flinty, what was–"34Please respect copyright.PENANApSx352IQCV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdl5aOPSACD
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAVPBJ2k3lBP
34Please respect copyright.PENANAbxKJ7ckGH9
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.34Please respect copyright.PENANAPuSHsvkKKO
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOFVfm7m2ST
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."34Please respect copyright.PENANAckxRAYq2ER
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfC1rAhmmJN
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAbmVCt6qWZp
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwdJTrfVwRZ
"No, I'm not just saying it."34Please respect copyright.PENANA3UZ1lBeU7N
34Please respect copyright.PENANASXChmXa7FQ
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.34Please respect copyright.PENANAeL8jA34I5Z
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y99RpnXKc
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."34Please respect copyright.PENANAkFz6U7KJU2
34Please respect copyright.PENANAYKC7EmOYiE
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.34Please respect copyright.PENANAwbeNlDDW5r
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZgkkLxSsfZ
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."34Please respect copyright.PENANAzm0SYuGfXh
34Please respect copyright.PENANAErZ58avqxk
"I–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAbC6L1oKXs7
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjM24K312W9
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAr3NsYTbhIZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEPoz18IG9X
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAk7WGbhl4j3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAnvZUIBXiJy
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–34Please respect copyright.PENANA9FLG9GmGHK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAPTBAvpoNI
And yet...34Please respect copyright.PENANAk1aNAE6nem
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlPB2BWRB8J
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."34Please respect copyright.PENANAO0rZENjjrD
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaRG5cvaZD9
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.34Please respect copyright.PENANAGcs29YFFp0
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXQuZu75gf7
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAVijr3c4R6T
34Please respect copyright.PENANAYU6syShVDu
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.34Please respect copyright.PENANArSwr82055J
34Please respect copyright.PENANAa3YmCk7eyi
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"34Please respect copyright.PENANARh3UqdDN5L
34Please respect copyright.PENANAcgMREUI4fU
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."34Please respect copyright.PENANA9O3XvHDZhM
34Please respect copyright.PENANAqbqkUVCk1u
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAr21lr7Xxta
34Please respect copyright.PENANArZbdoXdyBW
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA66dCSF4yKq
34Please respect copyright.PENANA2rID5p2jOW
"O-Okay."34Please respect copyright.PENANA4VUAq4f8ke
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFVEK0VbncN
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.34Please respect copyright.PENANA8s5kHceo3e
34Please respect copyright.PENANAav5jPmPs5r
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."34Please respect copyright.PENANAc8xN9iIB8y
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvRR6nTSmw7
"Okay okay, fine."34Please respect copyright.PENANAYc8hlcXKWC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAVYEaY0UoBk
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.34Please respect copyright.PENANAeuGaqsq5cz
34Please respect copyright.PENANAkpHeIlQdNS
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."34Please respect copyright.PENANAx0MoopHcKU
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0KtZ0TOVSB
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.34Please respect copyright.PENANALCu3xY41zb
34Please respect copyright.PENANADZxKI370LZ
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.34Please respect copyright.PENANAkB5aWpYQO6
34Please respect copyright.PENANAV1LqWRJwLA
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.34Please respect copyright.PENANAsK27BRvDrN
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1N8OyyD7zg
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.34Please respect copyright.PENANA61KEzkGr5P
34Please respect copyright.PENANAipcTKd6YKS
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAxPW06ynNaY
34Please respect copyright.PENANAS4EkQPejKj
"Huh...? What did you say?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAiWdEWId8WJ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAqLeRgby1vs
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.34Please respect copyright.PENANA2VoBSynfGE
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3JZMBMMn6N
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAAQc0s1YW5e
34Please respect copyright.PENANApsAJ7ZTyuy
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."34Please respect copyright.PENANAeZuO7DGzRS
34Please respect copyright.PENANAB75czpQoIZ
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.34Please respect copyright.PENANAVNPkFgW4ZK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfK67Mv6opF
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"34Please respect copyright.PENANASkPVxGH31C
34Please respect copyright.PENANAkehEmBJi2I
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."34Please respect copyright.PENANARqPGzizfrX
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlO7izFJdOJ
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."34Please respect copyright.PENANAecimTW5tXn
34Please respect copyright.PENANA8wYYrWA6al
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."34Please respect copyright.PENANAnu64kV7J37
34Please respect copyright.PENANAd6gOgkEban
"Note?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAQS9GYGng1W
34Please respect copyright.PENANA8fsPVUBGzp
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.34Please respect copyright.PENANAi3l1nKwVaK
34Please respect copyright.PENANApZm7PXvU2q
"What does it say?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA4MHuNn8Xwe
34Please respect copyright.PENANADfDEc04eTC
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."34Please respect copyright.PENANAQhPU61rbaR
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUUyDrcIlKD
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."34Please respect copyright.PENANAwRve9rZQHF
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmYPNBDaxzx
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAWGciYgWQ6D
34Please respect copyright.PENANAs7PnhJzGUC
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."34Please respect copyright.PENANAnG6GZgaS0z
34Please respect copyright.PENANAttL28G0216
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."34Please respect copyright.PENANAuR0CwBs9WV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQnqTKinn6c
Juke sighed and put the paper away.34Please respect copyright.PENANAqQMXjfTSDw
34Please respect copyright.PENANASRanSGmPIk
"So, how's about a story?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAggCX1JmdKA
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaagT2Qz2ZJ
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAgcLAqrm7xV
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3eo9fzUm1c
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."34Please respect copyright.PENANA0ld8NVpTDl
34Please respect copyright.PENANApBjLRPKCQZ
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.34Please respect copyright.PENANAQMTLhhnWxf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxszb5PpoGc
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."34Please respect copyright.PENANAIZok8IO3MZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6QSaRInK3k
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."34Please respect copyright.PENANADTMp3NtbKM
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWOqumPJvzJ
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAlSLnzLClqv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHPiIjPtw9N
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.34Please respect copyright.PENANA9EFXq3kEOo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzr7IC85YeK
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAtDkVslQ5pE
34Please respect copyright.PENANAuG51oaeWCQ
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"34Please respect copyright.PENANABPETJ4fgj8
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ2UUdjaIi
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"34Please respect copyright.PENANAA3BC8pE6WT
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXXbRJyWem7
"Seriously? You have to be lying."34Please respect copyright.PENANAZrB3R9UYVe
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyoXCU3gEu1
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."34Please respect copyright.PENANAhnwNBPWsHa
34Please respect copyright.PENANAovtl4P2qhv
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."34Please respect copyright.PENANAqpw750LNWm
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsixb3Exuml
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."34Please respect copyright.PENANAPqG8ru0lvZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAijbnTvgjF0
"Like what?" I asked.34Please respect copyright.PENANAvCgFROCCsb
34Please respect copyright.PENANANeSu1rXZ0n
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAtsjCa5eP5e
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxHwYlT4Qq9
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.34Please respect copyright.PENANAGKkQPiTKMz
34Please respect copyright.PENANA61yc92fQmU
"...Stardust?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAaJDXPFu9jR
34Please respect copyright.PENANA8iRns7AuhE
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAwm4APJGEXG
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMXm2Klj1Sb
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.34Please respect copyright.PENANA4558EMaIqa
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZQn3QgLg2
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAaCiUAXoyFc
34Please respect copyright.PENANAL6yk6iMJAN
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA1yOlHGNWbK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZpsububSyD
"...The what?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAEZFdzH9GgQ
34Please respect copyright.PENANADezxygNcl5
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.34Please respect copyright.PENANAhj9ipMFD9S
34Please respect copyright.PENANA02ZcTQsssO
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."34Please respect copyright.PENANAhGCVuN0QgQ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2QSY5Gnr0
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAnyTkv7sTuF
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOBV8LnTsuH
"Of course I do!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA2QQ4zC9Ez7
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiTXMQLtPeK
She pumped her fist.34Please respect copyright.PENANACbflDD1Qrf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfoADeAAB8E
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA2HDxbkkVFO
34Please respect copyright.PENANAALs8NmsgiY
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."34Please respect copyright.PENANAmp9N5GBAkl
34Please respect copyright.PENANApLULe46YAO
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.34Please respect copyright.PENANAUK3OWhXGUt
34Please respect copyright.PENANADeVxKTYtic
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAp3ybbAsVCo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIv4pIysjg7
"I already know this."34Please respect copyright.PENANAIWD04c9CgB
34Please respect copyright.PENANAj3GRUR3sCP
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAGf0w1M8zT8
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3MApyZkDYg
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."34Please respect copyright.PENANAUfLofTwNPx
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiDROzKTYJd
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."34Please respect copyright.PENANAm8nQzEgTrs
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaEtnAFC4m8
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."34Please respect copyright.PENANALpzp1vgGj4
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7TmZ2Rz1Fb
"Eh? Why?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAq6igysWYEN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWWhwcnO3nK
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.34Please respect copyright.PENANA5cYcqyyZRf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmtnNm6HlvP
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"34Please respect copyright.PENANACrathpXEOv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsxv5JL5NM1
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.34Please respect copyright.PENANAkioArZuTbV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAua6GRH6wfp
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"34Please respect copyright.PENANARKl31Q2LVT
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIfwBwZkr6I
"That's cuz I met her."34Please respect copyright.PENANAzxOsbI9YhZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAw4fy6sT3hQ
"WHAT!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAwBVFrZzVzv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAK63CvVhtPg
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.34Please respect copyright.PENANAxmWzSu8f6Q
34Please respect copyright.PENANAliAqIjAWpp
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAzuEzFeah2h
34Please respect copyright.PENANAv1iT6zXIcw
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAqMww78BHcn
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0yew36qbE5
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."34Please respect copyright.PENANAgrncW50eXb
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKpogD1czG6
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."34Please respect copyright.PENANAqFEPggnZAu
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4Eny4RkiZn
"You're kidding."34Please respect copyright.PENANAPM6G1iQsDF
34Please respect copyright.PENANA585Mwdza1U
He shook his head no.34Please respect copyright.PENANAFWfjSS7jRP
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiRV8lPSsO6
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."34Please respect copyright.PENANAqIByPpEv4r
34Please respect copyright.PENANAoeOLfTW5ec
"You're making this up," I said.34Please respect copyright.PENANAzyaLnysSAS
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEiWbxplTBa
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAcYwGVDmikk
34Please respect copyright.PENANArAnwF9N8dn
Juke shrugged.34Please respect copyright.PENANAhCh0P7o0KV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvnBzjqz4Ms
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."34Please respect copyright.PENANAZWTYsmOp1B
34Please respect copyright.PENANAVidviYbIrh
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.34Please respect copyright.PENANAMtqbjDcnwK
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0eq4EEs7wV
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."34Please respect copyright.PENANAWwssCC3IXD
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKxLAhUTTQ7
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."34Please respect copyright.PENANA1gASJPeDsj
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJkOU2FDRnc
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.34Please respect copyright.PENANAtKpuhNEM7P
34Please respect copyright.PENANAArteKZzaVm
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.34Please respect copyright.PENANAozCpCBmNF4
34Please respect copyright.PENANABzncLhwhWf
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAasnlAjjky2
34Please respect copyright.PENANAztuzpCOBjW
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.34Please respect copyright.PENANAEikr0tltVA
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjXkC5vRdUy
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAMudxvcrRax
34Please respect copyright.PENANAi90JREz1os
She pointed a finger at him.34Please respect copyright.PENANAMwKf74ybBH
34Please respect copyright.PENANACymuti6N81
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAw4QLN4Z19t
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5UYzZsohRi
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."34Please respect copyright.PENANA4VCkgWlh39
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ekvepd07Z
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAaFnc9NkpDn
34Please respect copyright.PENANASQ57bpTDMy
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.34Please respect copyright.PENANADiUDb37njs
34Please respect copyright.PENANAf99yVYhs7i
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."34Please respect copyright.PENANAQygs4NExIv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHRPZGpG5fx
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."34Please respect copyright.PENANAv0NNCONXCQ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQkLP3e1JJi
"--Ngh! You guys...!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAt98WnW7K3U
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6lp8oztRS
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.34Please respect copyright.PENANA7korVmciZU
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEJKvhuBECv
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."34Please respect copyright.PENANACcQqf0i2wV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMeapsuJolz
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.34Please respect copyright.PENANAvVg2OBs5KG
34Please respect copyright.PENANArYC7EYzPWa
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"34Please respect copyright.PENANANUFTy5cTdl
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjyAQvEJEBx
"Ya look like you have something to say."34Please respect copyright.PENANAKBjubwcUyr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAooSCWpnFuJ
"W-Well..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAn7i5KcAFIT
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaXrjaJyzbJ
She turned her head away.34Please respect copyright.PENANA6C2L9qa4Nd
34Please respect copyright.PENANAeZn3jEGDlK
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."34Please respect copyright.PENANALIDXiGKD5d
34Please respect copyright.PENANA8oXtGd18jP
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.34Please respect copyright.PENANAkBga0fiacC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAu2j7wECh0C
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."34Please respect copyright.PENANAn0hc7RsVBn
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhtU2GDQYY2
"Mhm, I told you so."34Please respect copyright.PENANAb71r6Dgpzs
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWn1Iaoclh1
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.34Please respect copyright.PENANAtNCtXTms6W
34Please respect copyright.PENANA2hDsiSlTwL
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.34Please respect copyright.PENANA8vCCJCBjI7
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUKUDEtp81t
"...So why am I not getting any?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAQbfxbVsHal
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOPpwFGHip2
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."34Please respect copyright.PENANApBV9KtD4bn
34Please respect copyright.PENANAijtXjsy5yD
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–34Please respect copyright.PENANAMkunKbNAsK
34Please respect copyright.PENANABuCfqMK1qu
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAp0yV8cyGOY
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyqex9futnr
"Eh?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAPCl20PK0QD
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4johPf7dGt
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.34Please respect copyright.PENANATmDobK9N7n
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3TYZudHuYo
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.34Please respect copyright.PENANAHvyilolSG3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOC3N3Em5AY
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAXbzEdAUTWf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAgkeK2yBzxm
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.34Please respect copyright.PENANAWz8YWri8Uw
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMRyAymN2re
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"34Please respect copyright.PENANACeD0XRfHF7
34Please respect copyright.PENANAG4swLClDhe
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."34Please respect copyright.PENANAEOuKRu2Hcc
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwoKR9co35Z
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."34Please respect copyright.PENANAhCiLtuOQy7
34Please respect copyright.PENANA86SyK3RvGS
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.34Please respect copyright.PENANAbGe9n0oU8T
34Please respect copyright.PENANAH4Z25jCB29
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.34Please respect copyright.PENANAghO1muEts4
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4WfMIxNJtp
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAul6vmNBwGa
34Please respect copyright.PENANAehY4Fvcwdl
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."34Please respect copyright.PENANATDk0H7RNxl
34Please respect copyright.PENANADoABatcxXW
"A jungle? What elevation?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA9T6WJITAOj
34Please respect copyright.PENANAENmmSKpVUn
He shrugged.34Please respect copyright.PENANAjgRp7WJs5M
34Please respect copyright.PENANASVuvHBotZs
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."34Please respect copyright.PENANAdyOIq2SgMj
34Please respect copyright.PENANA86oMnD0RHd
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."34Please respect copyright.PENANAWFJ4QgG9PH
34Please respect copyright.PENANAi0jc3khk00
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.34Please respect copyright.PENANAAwBCCCJYC0
34Please respect copyright.PENANAc6vF3xjIk0
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAVbrp1BAV0Q
34Please respect copyright.PENANALWdKl9JyxI
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."34Please respect copyright.PENANA8yciSC1C1z
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAzDYISSWVE
"Why?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAmyPpNMmap6
34Please respect copyright.PENANACstnnYWREq
"..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAqcSC4doywC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJaYOZow6yx
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.34Please respect copyright.PENANAIhHP0WeUBL
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4Cayxn8GBC
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."34Please respect copyright.PENANAj6XFUCpXOR
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3a94CawWsi
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.34Please respect copyright.PENANAgLtxGh2bEf
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMhSwFNKqLD
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."34Please respect copyright.PENANAI7Nnnq2y5w
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXdRjgvj9kh
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAJjOSVgcy7P
34Please respect copyright.PENANASpOzXcfZ4s
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."34Please respect copyright.PENANAa250Jw9sJQ
34Please respect copyright.PENANADNsL2P86Ui
"..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAGElWE6V13N
34Please respect copyright.PENANAj8JhjbLV3v
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.34Please respect copyright.PENANAOBRfKXAKcq
34Please respect copyright.PENANArEwSYRU17l
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."34Please respect copyright.PENANAKMluk0JmEt
34Please respect copyright.PENANAY5ERj2U3YI
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.34Please respect copyright.PENANAtCdAPuhiqH
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvDs3og03vk
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."34Please respect copyright.PENANAeTOudDf3N4
34Please respect copyright.PENANAPxQki7lv8P
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ2JUGFjXq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAia4zF5iecc
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.34Please respect copyright.PENANAafhjb2uYqq
34Please respect copyright.PENANABUERcNMGUN
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"34Please respect copyright.PENANAnzS7sFzYgd
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfcrXwDxece
"TALBOT!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA1qOcdT2Boo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFiIEdU0cLG
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.34Please respect copyright.PENANASNS3ScnxAn
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZPa6AsTg2I
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."34Please respect copyright.PENANAmbXNchpwB3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJE2LT32xWb
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAgxAC5fOs1y
34Please respect copyright.PENANAGqTzVshvaz
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA7igJBWPel0
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjL3DI84SVy
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."34Please respect copyright.PENANAgcMQbMA5d6
34Please respect copyright.PENANACYXVNdf60c
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.34Please respect copyright.PENANA5rPSbKevi5
34Please respect copyright.PENANADLCmBurrWr
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."34Please respect copyright.PENANAu5jdJRO39V
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKBhMRqXQyl
"Are ya kidding me?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAXiolksi5D3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdlWVI1OgSK
"That's so lame!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAdgmckSas2W
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4XQFSMQnRS
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while34Please respect copyright.PENANAsMerMfgUXI
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIudcgfivYQ
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."34Please respect copyright.PENANAAtVC7aH89M
34Please respect copyright.PENANADEIgSDoMaG
"What's that supposed to mean?"34Please respect copyright.PENANApcKHtj682l
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7a6pD3XgyF
"Nothing."34Please respect copyright.PENANAsOk4xsKwN1
34Please respect copyright.PENANAuATWbXtwOs
She returned to chowing down on her food.34Please respect copyright.PENANAGM8bnpgdNC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUjOYcQC9BJ
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA293SUXFreL
34Please respect copyright.PENANAno72grUjmB
"Well..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAH1lyTW6VYu
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmWP42Bv05r
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.34Please respect copyright.PENANADczgohpEOa
34Please respect copyright.PENANA32E4BiXYSA
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAJBp3cL0zUl
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiy1FrEcMwI
"...No."34Please respect copyright.PENANAImGYdeE53k
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfQt4Q7Yihf
"Eh? Why not?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAdxbVdTxphs
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6dcglhZMo4
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAPzIJYGBbtt
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHzXSrHuqBf
"Huh!? What'd you say?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAewojs3h1Dq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfFLdinsuzr
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.34Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9ISIvR9Jq
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1SZma3JLA0
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAyS9NIFmrDY
34Please respect copyright.PENANAuQTi2kjFzy
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAQaDQX5GuxX
34Please respect copyright.PENANABh0seVaVoa
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.34Please respect copyright.PENANAvRrv0Pz7wH
34Please respect copyright.PENANA33EuNuN4S0
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."34Please respect copyright.PENANAja8hHm3hKo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzENLGysvTk
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."34Please respect copyright.PENANAXxtk0kLUKr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAg5LvQPzzgr
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.34Please respect copyright.PENANA54HRMo5weZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlUa1TUe525
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."34Please respect copyright.PENANAKIzqRZd5HS
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7x3NUM537V
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.34Please respect copyright.PENANARjDmiZyf8P
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsWEM33UL3B
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."34Please respect copyright.PENANAeut2uoDV9K
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyRz4IgHuv6
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.34Please respect copyright.PENANATXunxP1jos
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmpp27qo1RG
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAviPFFJc8Ek
34Please respect copyright.PENANAP9v9e0iZ67
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.34Please respect copyright.PENANAEDF8PkQmfg
34Please respect copyright.PENANAr2SI84YGaQ
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAVJlY2c1jA8
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKVjRZQE63O
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.34Please respect copyright.PENANA5Uhqd5GDtV
34Please respect copyright.PENANAissaJumdnG
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"34Please respect copyright.PENANALunI4OLOqI
34Please respect copyright.PENANAviBYj0eZe4
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."34Please respect copyright.PENANAOuAL09xyS1
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIBQOwyE4WX
"Custom design? Well..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAMrqdFAESyB
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjXkRbJIhR5
She turned her head away.34Please respect copyright.PENANAVN82RTwFR7
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxcBlSLdG9U
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."34Please respect copyright.PENANAyTrKxzt1Dr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMjFixAWd6E
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.34Please respect copyright.PENANArcNkcag17e
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0sEEFnTeSl
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."34Please respect copyright.PENANAdFx0hDGTJT
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZz0cbPekrN
"Oh, this?"34Please respect copyright.PENANACoseCpySLv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFX1DDXmaxP
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.34Please respect copyright.PENANAjyoCkEJF28
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwuCy3Vx7r1
"I stole it!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAhfU9BNDnJN
34Please respect copyright.PENANAN67HHAwNQR
"No surprise."34Please respect copyright.PENANAvCD6UoAMJ3
34Please respect copyright.PENANAThSvJtWZP0
"I ain't surprised."34Please respect copyright.PENANAVduKJhJEIn
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtHClz5PykN
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.34Please respect copyright.PENANAbW27wxmher
34Please respect copyright.PENANA88u3tLAnlY
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAIIan6tcl2r
34Please respect copyright.PENANAg1xX1L0CjM
"No."34Please respect copyright.PENANAwzU242vFEA
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwBALtI6Mkm
"Not really."34Please respect copyright.PENANAH4GxTtl5dg
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQOPSbErYOM
"Ah... you two are lame!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAmDlyb0Cmfz
34Please respect copyright.PENANADahwaotbZ5
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.34Please respect copyright.PENANATqKE5SKGGr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAU8aMUX752O
"..."34Please respect copyright.PENANA0dIPR8Iazj
34Please respect copyright.PENANASmmqXvwM3V
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.34Please respect copyright.PENANACf9Iiw6ME4
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlbavFHZYjK
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.34Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ6xHZjXGn
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1toktlgMtj
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."34Please respect copyright.PENANAziqPskTDzY
34Please respect copyright.PENANAn2nEYq8W7m
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."34Please respect copyright.PENANAr3iRMM2eaJ
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjrobKqgG6Q
"I-I see... I suppose so."34Please respect copyright.PENANADf0qrUkqO0
34Please respect copyright.PENANAco8YG82vbx
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAbM0xE3WZKH
34Please respect copyright.PENANARLJKRyZH3a
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.34Please respect copyright.PENANANWyqKYA8Y6
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzjiMBfmz8B
"Did you have to word it that way?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAlUSMFQaaxz
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4IgHtRv6AP
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."34Please respect copyright.PENANAWcdsunZNQq
34Please respect copyright.PENANAObR5EDNbon
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."34Please respect copyright.PENANAyINNnhNfe2
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjv5aupeQRN
"Ya got it, boss."34Please respect copyright.PENANAZo6EVyeA68
34Please respect copyright.PENANACiFN5NepmU
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.34Please respect copyright.PENANAR9zmYuooDn
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlrRK0ovRx5
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."34Please respect copyright.PENANArkIdLXgAVa
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmMEXzjMrhH
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.34Please respect copyright.PENANA99MOhog0WI
34Please respect copyright.PENANA57hd0i02Fh
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.34Please respect copyright.PENANA4vXWyDQQ7b
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhmJt9x7d6W
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."34Please respect copyright.PENANA4CnLBeAi8I
34Please respect copyright.PENANAGiWrx8aayU
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.34Please respect copyright.PENANACRHvqBuWQr
34Please respect copyright.PENANApg8ykWHq26
"...Well, alright. What is it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAYHniRNA2Oy
34Please respect copyright.PENANAi0ziv9TGEW
"I... I wanted..."34Please respect copyright.PENANAHXp1V33bHq
34Please respect copyright.PENANARcJeYjsPb2
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.34Please respect copyright.PENANAIvE1YPgqVX
34Please respect copyright.PENANAbNuTKZa22v
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAmXkbv0rZ4i
34Please respect copyright.PENANAF1RM16Us97
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.34Please respect copyright.PENANAFJfd279M8K
34Please respect copyright.PENANAv8KEfauW6T
"Where's this coming from?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAY2xD5rLLXK
34Please respect copyright.PENANAURBeyKIo4z
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAJL087K1Lvi
34Please respect copyright.PENANA43VavsqMeS
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."34Please respect copyright.PENANARoPPCi5jNc
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAyHF3EsJVw
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.34Please respect copyright.PENANA5Eo9U4zLYT
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6UtDaviKmb
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.34Please respect copyright.PENANAk7hmGOqp0Q
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUvWDbo9o7y
In that light–34Please respect copyright.PENANAJUcwmKuGpm
34Please respect copyright.PENANAGGLn2TMMgX
"Alright, apology accepted."34Please respect copyright.PENANAQXjBGUHAcA
34Please respect copyright.PENANAL9kcpbE6tH
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–34Please respect copyright.PENANAradS7n07Vo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAje25sZLs8C
"--only on one condition."34Please respect copyright.PENANAmXyDaA08DA
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHTw5Uh2ctk
"Eh!?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA6hLghHZNXs
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmq58mMVEX0
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.34Please respect copyright.PENANAWylB6tel2V
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9gHsJIx8FX
"That's right."34Please respect copyright.PENANAZP3UpAQBpx
34Please respect copyright.PENANA8usbGSObQN
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAbpAQqVMfx0
34Please respect copyright.PENANA198NdOzLQo
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."34Please respect copyright.PENANAmDdIDwwsVV
34Please respect copyright.PENANARVH3930FnI
"He sounds like a priss."34Please respect copyright.PENANALwqccT3Sbw
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjFTqlEr0FN
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."34Please respect copyright.PENANARZi15nUgSv
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjB0vFqP6p3
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.34Please respect copyright.PENANAkdcrhiYOdx
34Please respect copyright.PENANAqITnt7Ns9A
"Fine, what's your condition?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAoYcgzwCXvH
34Please respect copyright.PENANAchOAr0EuFO
I pointed a finger at her.34Please respect copyright.PENANAMMpYTVqLiC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ19VQNq2L
"We need to get along from now on."34Please respect copyright.PENANAoPzcSRCuft
34Please respect copyright.PENANAnNQKHZLpvM
"...Huh?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAqBT2MoYW0V
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIj2CEhepP1
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"34Please respect copyright.PENANAnwUwyegmkI
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtZosOh4Ymz
"...Ha, that's it?"34Please respect copyright.PENANA94ylvd1VbF
34Please respect copyright.PENANAz8NCICqNCb
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.34Please respect copyright.PENANAXwSjtQQPrH
34Please respect copyright.PENANAuo9u5FEpaI
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAAJqp52iSXE
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsDiD8YiySf
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.34Please respect copyright.PENANA1BNv9iaNip
34Please respect copyright.PENANAo5RvijZQwA
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.34Please respect copyright.PENANA5WiCj2qGJC
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIaHBftQ1Kg
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.34Please respect copyright.PENANAz9iMHAXdiY
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7ebNDhPCdO
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."34Please respect copyright.PENANAv3aLlqEsyk
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZQ7GdXmITc
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."34Please respect copyright.PENANAtVPY90ZhN5
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhD3EBM8osY
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.34Please respect copyright.PENANARG43hxrMPu
34Please respect copyright.PENANAt2hgVDlgIg
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."34Please respect copyright.PENANAccZfCR9pdX
34Please respect copyright.PENANA84pEIi8D4W
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."34Please respect copyright.PENANArl6XzXouV9
34Please respect copyright.PENANAuFFsxk21jJ
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"34Please respect copyright.PENANAWtlouU9nVB
34Please respect copyright.PENANAollCQ25sTb
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.34Please respect copyright.PENANAh1HewPBsuy
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3eCjSCoNFr
"What a weirdo, seriously."34Please respect copyright.PENANA3jIZ8f1MpH
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0WSbdyiljk
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.34Please respect copyright.PENANAX4tZWNAF4Q
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWsdXsjTZZj
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.34Please respect copyright.PENANApvMlEGYsyr
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzV6tNg3H9A
"You guys! You gotta see this!"34Please respect copyright.PENANA6wWDhwDSZG
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtGNULjCmYv
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.34Please respect copyright.PENANA1tCGty55CZ
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7B6WEsdAqj
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.