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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXORjznXiix
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVg0A6vkQY
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwyHxOr9ON
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4covyEuvc
"At least... I'm on my back now."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGqXRmqx9g
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrdhRBq8cv
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Ha3iArnN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhb7CATP0v
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzloxtQdI7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWE16UQdF
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yt67fOKNP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oCk2lnOBL
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PHDWSOVk0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFYAxqpxT6
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jRVcDHgSM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnS5VrjlI8
I was immediately startled.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZKOulFmFO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzrQsrfg4j
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CzaN6EVue
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzy2pWwLiR
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTHy0pDBAS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJD8Ykggs
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROus3PKv8U
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r10eKKYY7
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hbuUdTLUq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadLvA7Wo65
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgVcpNh5z8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qunjcwbSg
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpELq1VDjV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYNi4EXUDY
"Do you feel any better?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFOKk0ga7D
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XK2CNtS1Q
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc03hntOi5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ1NZvzjQ6
"That's good, that's good..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3iz8XvIT2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUERbVgAiIK
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFIaO10NAY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mFb03AXcC
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4bkjRnFoT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeHJjKguAO
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVYA4udNLc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX9dOVVh8j
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5x2I2JkvH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK983BQ0E8
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GPyJrxl8I
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVnnN4ISPy
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcfV875w2L
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4Nm33JZJP
"H-How'd you know?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJvo42m5Nv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccEI0LzK1E
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FliqgzWYU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlWPjMOIFd
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKynDraxVko
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ3MSVjf1t
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaPXp9FvGY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm0bciscTB
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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SufvTYHhZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0rrsmNLXx
Pars nodded.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq854QHhei
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Zf03oZoC
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuDaa93pP8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolgGsOwtjz
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb0d9APbCz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKJOZ7fntu
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ38TvTUCF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmzWsLehHw
"Mutual what?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbugLuP0zNc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DM0gqFfbi
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmJCU3kcL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjSlrraYcO
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPGOz0vTQ7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFFuPXPlum
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFoqLI3L1l
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SsiDLErkw
"Really now..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNrDpdevSp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlae10iCN5l
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RH7aBfnT5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31yIhOiHqv
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcauAL1HUlB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqYXbUW84r
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTXwPRpNth
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBI79C4cCt
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xGz0HL4LW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwLpCd9sbI
"Wow... it must've been bad."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUBITbFyd2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLihdCJq5Tf
"You're almost as flippant as I am."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrOV6aolJl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpE5CdFMOc
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDopROH5eC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObKTQL5o8K
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLv978L96J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDp7V8XYZA
"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..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6JOVzhULV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6CxfjjU7H
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Imnus9yY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf9owAFt2U
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVitkARgjG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8QuUnF95Y
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2T1bLFvBd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2hF1pSW93
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBtxFfEiBN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDB8G19AkJ
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK8QSwNH44
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmZvqKQ3rY
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlARtOYQoPd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9FpfiJYyn
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJLd4rSXOQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv18iPgY5w
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqwBeoh1hP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUitfSL0v7
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wvVD2I2Z
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2zhsKzekU
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJZUeoyK9c
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOjXyje9sn
"I know."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsXf8cgT8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uBq2jkc6C
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n9dXHIhOo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodmxMqOOA1
"Tell you what; I can't help you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LZ50M7hrh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobO4z1eD1i
"...Are you serious?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWps7d0b8K
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz5NkVc7i9
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rK6E0ui9G
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMrNMfsAJi
"What? What can?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLjbTszJ9g
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhMoRfd94i
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE2rexzQgH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY1luDYvbs
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BB5SRhIQM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFexMprG04
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R8bPWFzq9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtV8pkl1Yg
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jf80gIdxY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWRR7wl6br
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAahehAQEf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwVz6CJAPq
"Give it a try."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDrNYkTqDX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpyaClws6Y
He stood up and patted my shoulder.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNo2ZN2pcr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuybF76GkWy
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGUuBUuj6n
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbgIqKr5Bx
"H-Huh? Right now?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInDPja1kYF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TK6ObDNEj
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtGVzm9Sy4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWz8GpH2mW
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS5tTylp0D
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm2xBpZDlE
–
–
–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkjz2IWzjo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPTZEfgSAQ
"Are ya all packed up?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVUMzk51ZU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEMbWXtFky
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvELMU1nVg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uO6Q6tFs6
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPsqgR5wwQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdBZmNf7tc
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLfnSiRGCN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUeXp1wnLJ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw98XgoZqP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dycKth9iz
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NAJsbfA7h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWPX85kCZE
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHulZ81nYNg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwP5ZhMrO
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKLSr8QB8q
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy2W9eSu5g
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ey28h0cPT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7dGWMI5xD
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBk27X6sCP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxInHfEm0s
"I suppose that makes sense."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLEzLxyS1P
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVxDp5882b
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Vhy91eSB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8EK8pV1Oi
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Tmmt5CiD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlBhLpysCX
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFHWzEaupO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SXvf3yGQv
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFXHPLZWV0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Hb0LkLWn
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym9QHllyGC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSmdLlQxoY
"What do I think...?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0gNg6L5LI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KFnCpc0vr
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqicvS4jCM7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfqjIuehoC
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifiFP0vXmk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLFmF9PmQ
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcEjm2TfEB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQvWOUJvmE
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuErKEmV4Yh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbQ3o13ub
"I'm asking ya, kid."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezqZR1KFf4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa05NqzWoP
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxMwZmwAL7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxksSqCcWh6
"It had to be an Endowment."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSa2cVN1Ut
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbGlgyvBaA
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcHZM3pKzc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUetK3fKT5
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw7ELvDtfE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfkwq4w6rN
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeofP0HsPGt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWmKiccbOg
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQpASm8b5i
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfGNClKBOr
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMat3Ae69xd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xOAc5Plz8
"Why not?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3B32wFstT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY6RWbvbw4
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw3tKWHw5S
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hEfBP3row
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJYlxnxqEw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFxkG3rxpM
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao53B6VWra
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gy5lvWiAG
"Surely, there's a better option."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xsZDKokPY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM40Qj6xKU9
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgWcy1TTfj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfsZVz4cgF
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJysR1xdDQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3MLV4EEa0
"What if we spy from a distance?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMKqkjLinu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6wDTDEXRO
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL58kvKgwW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84t2VtmRC5
"...Point taken."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKShaRf5lmZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4pJNpzC7N
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLJOtKLwDb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF16DdWgj1V
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqroFKUoFS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyQXGJQaWP
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsqVf6B28H
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJGimhjIVG
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHQS9N66FY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tKqiurnEf
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwleUkFw9gl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IMwRFtypY
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxCR87akxj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVapPc4Yr7
We nodded in unison.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9PuL5sUXR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP2ISx78cc
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxnkJIpDVf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GPkfTJVrM
–
–
–
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEE0kkzYzw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinGFjnYawl
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LGdRmFXPR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbNjvn7isW
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nwFy6B1Hd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw9ewiKUlg
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFL59RBIZE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPhCMCJGzP
"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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzUYiiAU0v
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEZJvPVkaI
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9iTYWZdog
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsUNE6kfqd
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG64E7MrWNp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxC0MwQ8JV
"Well... I won't deny that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrszbxfXU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjEt4yu0YI
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofFdTx7LyU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlU5SptsZn
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tXTP79O4l
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcfv9rVUL2
"Again? What do you–?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan3drH6d7J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKKfgh0rxp
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4bM4tUPxa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfrd5HOcRF
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrrlUBLiW7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSZHdxmcLB
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImBid81qoD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm9Y8YkOBn
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NpPCssxex
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DnHHxT7dL
"I didn't ask ya that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cFAA3A4nm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzskn2eZlCN
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqkan7wGgo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaCzSRjd6f
"That ain't surprising."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd6ru2z1T9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AHtqPbeGj
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFx1JC2PTN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSEKfXxJ2W
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA5ZeLD13c
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8WlGHF3EZ
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQhJoXAHDy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ddHyHgvz0
"Yeah? Like what?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTwxbPP6pX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJGti5ePf0
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXgisyfbYz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRdEjirlsM
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqlKhDT2OK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEh3Ern8lZ
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUA4li5Jvc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPOwfd5zi1
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mG9PjD0Vj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilMlkX0rjA
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZCSswqcO1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWm2VEh1I6
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9XSfOANXb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H5W4UUthb
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6HIxeAo2L
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjmGsrygfh
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLpe5HHTKq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYr5Jl2djA
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–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXpqB2tZx9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3neDGJMzKa
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ8IQTiDSp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtPs0hrGik
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
