I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre8QdTFTU6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf3LeRRfBj
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdkhyR5riz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwTTwhewSW
"How?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkGwCSKaJs
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOvJpdSKqq
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStyJXgDSim
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCFPcgUy1N
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3THqzfTGA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVnAvUlXdI
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANEDrXk3gw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv6QFLJZNC
Pars turned to answer Juke.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsCuNO234O
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr27UJAoJMi
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwo0wkMIl8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEMsssJAR8
"That so, eh?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMDgqgYyBh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT6QATFTdU
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAQIDYsoP5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJlDta8RFZ
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF6jjo5dfK
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lT0gEvyXS
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4NgcPINFd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lBJSUAJtv
"Hey Becker, how's the–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxikZhflZP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqnNIW17kn
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5L9drcSXu
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYothGL0QWv
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWmwQDXWY8
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNkTwEIOiI
"Are you a kid?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQiQhtHMxr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWiyjsPz7x
"H-Huh!?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidiw7WztZJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlmJGGyY61
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOarVJvMSw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBn3uLKFVi
"I said, are you a kid?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Y1zx5bsV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSBvVovoxC
"I-I, yes, I am."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXITT9rk5X6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDYMXRD6TG
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7EErDxlHH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCYvDDTlH2
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSXLQHR59Q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWjICSOoZC
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxY5zvrjT4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6wEwVn70a
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KMk6QKJus
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfxfRoRQLU
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Tku3ChJh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKq4rBp0FX
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxvNlDOyO9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbi6jJS3Gy
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNwIaphntD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWnr796e9u
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Arm42W5ZO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxIQshTam2
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHIM8BvpCe
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXYmA5MiTV
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHgY0LTWfX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvdBkQav0R
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtWgUPcfGF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkypw2HCHTn
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHsGCNkTOR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozcoRA6tIv
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS6i2c2Wy6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A0CQgUn88
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZgaRpn4S2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75rYBaVhZi
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkew0Vn1gni
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPtjijWqn3
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2n9hEVvU0
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrX8rVeASY
"W-What?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GPwyvx3qT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2XVF4WMmY
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3okz72yEo
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwngFnd7Pr
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrZyNCBdgj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVPmQSNtYh
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB5eLg8H1M
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjisJj4Bul
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vENcNjPdH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgho6jBTS4E
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oAbkidMI2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurveBbSE3W
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YUjPMdls3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yZQXhKfo8
"I'd never."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoXgzEKw9l
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS38gNn2N9
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJCqVax8Uz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjK4OZ1q4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyDVvllOan
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZEQju7Uzk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9nKlMuWJA
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqc7PUsNQY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZIqsGUey5
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj6Y5FAGL7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyougILJJ2
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1zLcFOFfM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4ZUuguJsA
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPrmtgcQfh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5dpEkwhaN
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNV7vBYi5z
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamymTHhxnz
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1mBKIFrCO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwFGRotdJK
"What did you want to tell me?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbED8PgBNSV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW97aGhYaGN
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV5mxmxghI
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcKxCOYSWl
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8WczLdDo5
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLMYwoLqSD
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXVTR4twU2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPtRGp1wMf
"S-Sure. What is it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTpuWyrxgt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwCw986lLM
"Do you like fighting?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYVdY440y
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPiGVIr8NX
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPserYBy0Q4
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0esVYpKdt
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJ70X4D2I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZdqczSQCN
"Then, why do you do it?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvVlEzPhql
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjTIImyeOh
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpvZ2QGnl1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxJbpD4s6l
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiEnPA2GwQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdWGE93TQy
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZVryaOC1U
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBGrjmgHWc
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKk6axIYQj
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MSy9CdGkR
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN03hzKLw3
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUcvQYzt7O
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FuTZkhTi7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B9vjQyGQe
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9ei9SH83N
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qQCfDK9c1
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5rl6bmNZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflNG3Rj6M3
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzIoFGR0zD
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHpF3Pu7hy
"...W-Whaa?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYby3zTnnGg
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXXZT1VOLU
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW46HOoExiE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSc7yCXrSg
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33zGMVklqA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEkF53NQeQ
"It's... it's okay."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbFbuN6Sk2
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ820qdyDrx5
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevRTNjz7Lx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpP9iTvHyQ
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeex1BtyWDy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdvFlr0C8T
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aXG7ANeon
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnd6Weq5OG
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAHJLqezGG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ3fXOmiuz
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd9Vv9Xr83
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Hx9vhIKm
"...Y-Yes."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDaPQ8x6Xz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4vAcam0uz
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOqIpadI9k
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANNiV975pN
"I see. I see now."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQw0iKtZDa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yAijUt5Tp
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lIWxNXSEQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4Wx4oPFYB
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7BDKfqw7A
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdm9j2iMfa
"Like, um, like what?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lcZKkTk6W
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG5kBWOXtH
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCcXDCkLta
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6uckvOEn2
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpfCfLI7wh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl5lDzh74U
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdkqncR7gE
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4agzTo4Vjz
She paused to scratch her head.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3TOqJhIFP
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAlsiDU25r
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSvVgfrLqh
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK121ORpIhv
"I... I, I'm not–"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRzcZ9bgsV
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezZ02HcAGa
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbH3joVluN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFJ0yoZACW
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgAQlPK3sG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT8UcfYp2h
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYlUAfzIyk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeyBTPbD78
"On the right?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllHuFKjhjQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vY9LWVfPb
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkvRl7hjnS
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKKCz1mwXT
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusIIFyiVt1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rqK3j9JsL
"..."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYU10pcTKN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqh3dhWKmP
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMafYvVyeZq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DTnvGn6Ug
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3PtyVwJfH
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GBTcpUnvA
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWTr04ZIXq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2FyFaN70L
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Kj0IdYUY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSDYMan6U1
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNDQcNFMhF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIq4IazXDl
"...Maybe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jpxF9Yt1D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzkvfBm8p
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppp1teXDXU
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXUDpx81cH
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
