A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG7ZPmgnET
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDQPTEVi8b
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7TJasQdyJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvHxopDNrl
"At least... I'm on my back now."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKyO5QF2XN
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bdwgnnT1d
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdbhMyrz2s
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3TAzOBwS2
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHtipBUOoF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2w0wvWBpU
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMB4ySmx9S
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYCqdTFes1
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUTKfO2yvi
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHCqIP4vYs
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDMTyVh5Xl
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZvebsCobH
I was immediately startled.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4e0IGXR7L
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnnGwp9vTo
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOlH5hxEp2
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnurcZUDSiI
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTniBUmMtoo
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3cqgkLtNn
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol3t7vcOfD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQiawy6c41
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApWYtFQKgs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgznLQdwea
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTIOlk4INv
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtipEGAyC3i
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM5NQ4HmYg
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6WIjUwkRR
"Do you feel any better?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QSj5iNkcw
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwqkuOJ7Ua
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BtBUAqZjM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iUh9pWnfa
"That's good, that's good..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIdze8AnnJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZPHLy2f0l
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6yDIydHs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HurohtR6
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3jJeqy6Mz
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGvACJcPfZ
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWigOJGcsy
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCR7dXqspe
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y9VtVDsS5
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiIuTNPEGs
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XrZJ3pCmV
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsIfnhondR
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkpCW1M45w
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX2UFM9WgZ
"H-How'd you know?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dgyzezcbv
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlXvOGEsTK
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH4r1X9nhK
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDJ7h5ZnQT
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofS3FbcuN5
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE1Cmyc9W1
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24gf2pba30
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVnFCJeIy
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YhpbJKfVl
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVI8I9oUXf
Pars nodded.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi3IGFUfiW
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlQGCHMx2C
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6gZypEB25
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV15KspJqZ
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTTv8PY9Qv
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMem3zcFf0s
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV3Ze7iPcT
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXAMEM3EdW
"Mutual what?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa8I0aQbEe
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq6EYyPMiG
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbhm5m4apd
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7JotBKFJt
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXGi8tnX36
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b8TcDkX5Q
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7zMh9vvPD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4utqyMybvn
"Really now..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j0tGCuKs8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41uGDBWWay
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMgEl0Wn4n
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEph3e1HerS
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbHfwIkgYB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbbAmvqxeY
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCIgcxqYli
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAyJ3922lh
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ567N81EU23
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl6x9vDtoD
"Wow... it must've been bad."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8swa8Qohm
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uEy38MzX2
"You're almost as flippant as I am."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XmCn8mbrr
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqfW0W4kLY
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ruRMyn7Z
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoi6564MLf
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkiixJXo8A
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxXJXCkT8s
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcglGq5s0QX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJTBXaqrtM
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzJFB0jwNf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuTYQFOPks
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dfSLongEF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAdmmzg5rC
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UmGyocSKu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxwlioaTyj
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgs01Zss4m
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6tlT3Ew3p
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrmSqlkIjD
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXL9nXCuIK
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQC6EbrPOf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6rtU8LLoM
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1TKbOL72o
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ImJSDDOjT
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGe9YlSnZk
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2whu2e6718
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVtewWAl3v
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgvhvJ5YSv
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCint8V7B1p
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeYI5zwRuD
"I know."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG3zEqrs7Y
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYhYE6oi8L
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vu569m0Wu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJttvklAr59
"Tell you what; I can't help you."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWRgf62eDX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkljvGMw3FK
"...Are you serious?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFn6pQp0yc
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhX8P3qwGX
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBE1CjRQDp
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCcH7Nt7Sv
"What? What can?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaDhMJA3a7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnqauIxhfI
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOAEehn3hx
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iIIgcLbI7
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNCMVGuIs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDkPVTb9K0
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfm6jhtlk0
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ghFRp4eax
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiejf6FhgUj
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCgiwudsBS
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48pGKikgB7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2i0y7gkta
"Give it a try."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDxd9UkRv9
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t9LJZwhVU
He stood up and patted my shoulder.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpZM07gY43
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu0JfwII6S
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeqlDMGRgC
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGJAhODtck
"H-Huh? Right now?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8SUTIaK3I
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qiEG0lC8x
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueC1r15Wr7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxGYpRSTeh
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6yGbonubp
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeD7ianF4s
–
–
–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2K7tMLy9o
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58aT87a4LF
"Are ya all packed up?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI9cFYGjTZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqoTokYL9q
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMDaOPZvYH
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqM6FmiCfQ
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjHftZRyel
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96i55kVNzl
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NYkEwCISM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFj1fPhayS
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Ut5w8KIe
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaPWARoJPM
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAgzlFRo7Q
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekLXaLKmTY
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHKa84RtxR
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPFlb0zDEi
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS3WB6R4Fb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi9Vz4hEpW
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRR2NkZbEI
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqqdRMRZlK
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXqhpoRPLC
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT4aJGX14y
"I suppose that makes sense."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruAjNnYG1I
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInvu8Uf9or
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntdup4p1sH
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHfNJrVih
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmid2fRIqa
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSmFWS7OUS
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVojUojsIZ2
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPklGbXJQUZ
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZsAKVOCm7
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8ZXjYApuz
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi34h6ycP8
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNJqefE02c
"What do I think...?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIuKgEAw4o
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjHeugwpQs
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS0puGTvNH
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0DHhmVXq5
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzp4JIdhhn
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0dPzRXTRJ
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZvBuuoTKy
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnkPxrnzDu
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUlQzoGPX6
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC5jluvhsV
"I'm asking ya, kid."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQave171y3D
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUJHZgnwKD
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBnzuykAay
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqewETzEjli
"It had to be an Endowment."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrCQLB46SJ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKvhJMtdsy
"..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCRjiCsa2W
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLqkH7w2Oa
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK9jslWnYZ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsvVgJXbDj
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTvUFD36vM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4mnzshiLj
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5K2nRxKhT
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47mhpWjLit
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjyNoh36nb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsbYDhLDBM
"Why not?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU1omChWvo
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaVBnO5C3W
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzljblV5RXG
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7LA8y7EPU
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51uqVQXBYH
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE1sJXzPRv
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Skg1CuYB9
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXg1UDLDH1
"Surely, there's a better option."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbovSMcwVo
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkzZWunWdx
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8PBqZLNvM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZL5QkfMIL
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjkYQKlt5N
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh0ALMqaoh
"What if we spy from a distance?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxGxD9jsEM
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1TaTfxb2A
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt7Hr1PCHW
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jNRCFiYXI
"...Point taken."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwcz0hNeTf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7cEAWByEd
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQqJFObUiB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvpweYvYWI
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ByaBF1np
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl4SG3cYkF
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxGnL3ZGg1
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU4Im6TGwk
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0r4FW2pfz
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwNexZfy51
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHia6O01Za
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PIjbcwdOE
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvjdUfAVzQ
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUfHshKZpt
We nodded in unison.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANsvVwHQ8W
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwzj1tGJUH
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHbPKmhD9W
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtdNmdX4B7
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6NgKFc0tF
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06AVsqLQQC
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO2u7ruRYG
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcexLDiKLE
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxiISFX4nW
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb5nVbAocQ
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAlQKzBobx
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc7ZJZkhSa
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB0y0JnlDB
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSfjYkHswJ
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRthUaQwb90
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliQ42XP0Xj
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5CAN5BKjd
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQzga3fRQD
"Well... I won't deny that."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcuD8jhshX
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeyCFFH0Z
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZaE9OOeYd
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWP7P6cqKa
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSvb8988pR
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWVfaZ9ngJ
"Again? What do you–?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2sl2gDEP9
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QABCX7kh2
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxosLLNGn2c
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4sfe2h6AG
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Dqe2uczL
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPFp72UfeK
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamHAOEQZRU
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQHoHgMs1B
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ktv35f0l
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxy7OxaPE6
"I didn't ask ya that."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoy3uSiZ29
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaMLxDLor8
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hHFE584SG
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7Fref2zsJ
"That ain't surprising."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktmAfHD8xd
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePc9NB9Rj2
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtctim6FS6J
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EAXUwOxcX
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE2PS4bBlh
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiFTqNnuZs
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHLWkDm4Yc
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Z6peretP
"Yeah? Like what?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgRsB24tu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB51Q9e2wb3
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHsF1xTiF4
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1lrUY57RA
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHtzp8qWbs
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Ba8f8PjP
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ946vDlt8Nu
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju1aexl7Be
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTGJ77JyjY
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT75iIqPDZm
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cXtfC8KfY
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAoThAXloi
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfgwZTOBby
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPz1fG5eIq
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKMN3HWNnb
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PdEIKWXT2
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyTuCGVoMW
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMuH28ljo9
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclAXVcJykx
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN7ZDI8kat
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDyibyUXZf
232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmsQwDzAKZ
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
