The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYQ7e8Zk1T
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZv4AScUjq
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC0VxnaET1
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgIlmasFho
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"Oh, that's a good point."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvcvv6YQUk
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3omRKrIeu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHizVwh1ZAB
**SWOOSH**164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGVqyI03sR
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"W-Woah!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X4eijNzbP
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNFIO6R2WT
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ82VXmPEDH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9SqW9Zet1
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlElvJGSms6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyGDKTGPHk
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupyHYO8ecH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdXG7zoVmb
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOg0sCgZZ2
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"Oh, Juke."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZDyQ7u0dy
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqQZHDOW5Q
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv7E6sK7O3
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Juke tilted his head.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAA6HcdOdB
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNbWDI3Ehn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29zgNGyNWG
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZxSwphkOU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNSND4j3wx
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FYE7VtftL
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"That's a good idea."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTW5OANmCb
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLKkd9QCsR
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgppSIF7bev
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAkVnBT9qO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnyiy3P7qR
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡessgBvjKVS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAxQJ35CbO
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPEquGowLT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcecoHzrMB
**SWOOSH**164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSzMXCzNAQ
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFPWDRAaVt
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLfJE5nQ3C
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclZk7SOBdc
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuqVbcBWR0
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"That's a bird!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDzYPi85Na
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqU3tNatu4
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkGRCmVp65
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fpeMkS6Y7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jqfhWoFNL
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kANY0CnvS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnZa1HRP25
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFYaVn8u10
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTfpqRlCuy
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFST1UYpVvF
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSIislNupv
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczDHT85zMP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5ZtiJDH6K
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKkdyXRL0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KoYnOfKcJ
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0VTe2ePxj
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"Hahaha!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6U0wFEk2b
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"Why aren't you answering me?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb5p0REUSu
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjQmQsQJZt
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLx7Pv2Z7P
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplEC3EaSuG
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"Huh? Why?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEA7VWGRRB
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVlXFh9LQj
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"Oh, alright!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SdyKCDMUi
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxpH1rUrI8
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZglfA8R0OB
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAaJyFi1m1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCXqHTUdBK
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3KgPY0Em2
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y9VK3iS8K
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAqhPAndJq
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"Hold on–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NqMlbIY2n
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jyROuWk74
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAGGIsa93V
"See what I mean?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodG8YXVt8g
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF0AQ57mqi
"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7yjaZNRjA
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFtu4FapIJ
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qRGRI56Ad
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHn0N1gwke
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhUYm0Qtoq
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ljIY13vdQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSRjw1rbs
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiUhlzlIq7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcNZbsRb2p
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIio5SII15s
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnZNBWuUAp
"...Maybe."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCDAtwJR1a
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"Why only maybe!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BT01XWfRg
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAbalRUIc8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9KlMLZB6f
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU25DPgD2e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IS6H5VU59
"Ahhh... this is the life."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGXK8Ue0lt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9BDO4fSdO
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXZOcI9BoN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00W3y4mE50
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK8ERAJkpT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXzObqbvum
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedepzfWMOT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX8a6ywikp
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql5EhtAsfp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmURrtxU4cX
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7bupB7J1m
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MGsLCEME1
"Sure, sure, now scram."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAPaxsjipl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC8kv2PhAP
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1w7phu303
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vouI1xSw7
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsaAErzVXS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq3ijKc8qe
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKEYN2saz5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A2r3Uf8WZ
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudOtqbFUhX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kVRwDflLC
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbj1vRkA2h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN3dGOAlbY
"A nap... hmm..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrCJOFkg9h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQnhmDLjco
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7kB2umfBh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sD0sWawF
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac4tQEKPVH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspElv8hc7o
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqXDY2xLGC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUpJdbKlKF
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HcsdNTusP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXZAxPC4z9
"Ack... this sucks."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ZDXP8q76
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3zr4qCPkh
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTG0tFgVSH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmNf0F4h5i
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD48nK9Fx5j
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi4ILQvo9o
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71GNi9ghPw
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUpNj2u5TX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqveflWRlh
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMXJbvVcDO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV01bWZ0E6U
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC5e1SjKXn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo13gNOSbG1
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbyiVKGfF1
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ998TDtaRnn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSEzalE8vJ
"---Alright, that takes care of that."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZlNbJU4yk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA0Q4OO8AA
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2elS2fNOA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21AJxB2NFD
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHi59F4uIy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7EsfK7jHm
"...Right?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJ2SVjZIW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZDLUXKf9V
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ3npgdwJn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8sCdJBox0
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYsHnuVZ16
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpvlCixlPu
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe857V7eU3S
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkVVGp7UUR
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9XYW7K628
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTIAsb7bKt
Wait, where the hell is she going?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfujhksKF1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDzwAOlU0s
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk8Tj6la5e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AyfJGEIbQ
"Rover."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ixdxQNRIS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHx9TqF1RN
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjuBrtZOlQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXpwgvB8Z4
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtIuZkLhES
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6cGyEXgvm
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW5bIfwCce
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYOcvQAXEo
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptzb3jEk7C
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmQXwhW3p3
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0z340qIfd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8qLFkI2lV
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMEaIJEfDY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbCop6OK4S
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChbVaYatSF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXohLdF79sn
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU4lYKOja1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMbvRo3uXz
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfPtHhVgqU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIBUxSFbye
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizKKyyhFNA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7Q8S5wx48
"Oh, that... uh..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3DngcLDLF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AomaIp9Q2
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p0vxdqnWc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ti6prKil
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QEq7Y5bnU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf58I3c7Wok
"...Pff."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVHx1XAkdB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmsGLBSwOr
"It's not funny!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNMXeBGySI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrUF10I8fq
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tqosgwr7d
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXMzLNVePb
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ910hipVzTm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaS8E2u9Bx
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83ofq6X8K7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6FkcWAhIj
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IcNNiryeT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJKvQeKZhH
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCfRGgAC1F
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkilwpzNG7c
"...I see."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMZuZZ1NCE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bDEws7vMV
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6mTmW5Sm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLYhMWDDu3
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye4ZJXK0nu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9GHU67yt0
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC2PHTcc70
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjldTkhMxw
"What are you doing?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxoP1r8K6b
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIc0l1QxQw
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S8SKZbZHn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hmfink9FY
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43N8HZNYVw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI34dmZd2iM
"W-Whaa!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPlUylazUs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUZ5I98PUn
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkC68LdKZB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd7Q9U2jmA
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvF2ti79KY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7OOBF3k5
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA7eB7rFAw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZLstBq4Ro
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2RSKnUdhu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobiWktTLIb
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u4SpTChmv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI3Gqer7ZX
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEMAGp1QXL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMxZ13FMxN
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8UAHZ3mtb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qC26paLsD
"I don't like you."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ7tzOuWrm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxMbQsCCVd
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgJUpbE0gA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE40trBheQ
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqQX534kWA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeVY5JOgMI
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1H9lVBZfB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCmqSBMoxC
"I... guess you're right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCU3kvvkea
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SMnuSP9VG
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
