Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuaMKEHAVE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyfhZP5zun
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfczVxsfxl
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gvHneqYsy
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWm5FEXGNz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZtuz7bQNZ
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnXfeNxHbQ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqBUKQPUms
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQXMo9hT8w
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFOLGEGyd7
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT1tlFSQ2y
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjg7DPbVSV
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UWZIbwIwD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ8lDBC3ca
“Well?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGyZt0jP3w
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIocfU51Tc
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOmej0bZLY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDydnqir3ZC
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0subJToYHY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKnL8yA3La
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26ap6yoH6r
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiA992KEyd
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAateGdTgD2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOWrG3Zkm7
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1b2BcCGmS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4ajwK3o8W
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPlDdqP8dT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkavXIixHs
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZAVAn5wix
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFD76zUtdQ
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxeSm3cvk7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ381qUogUTi
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkdAgHENB0
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuaFoqhw5r
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoos2AlaD7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsje2Ar3vd
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbGjpUb1h
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI1K6YyJRG
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BHj0eX1Vg
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUZLgbwlkB
“...Yeah.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbuTLo9f6b
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpXGyV2qd4
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro6IThlub2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEfbjoXPAP
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiO3TJsB0J
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcxMSgAeQ6
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz53gn8ics
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIloCfk52HG
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbC2Qqu7r9
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9xDOBh6f
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAHJuw5GM1
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7bROQODHk
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV6tHHEsRS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE9xabyvC1
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Q8JTnr8P
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgne12rnA6G
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbSoLdmUUh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8NwmXGFzR
“...?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIUqo2MPu6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tm2jVDZpb
At that, I had to tilt my head.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3txSXM9dK
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI003iLin0
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TjgN7n07O
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GF8qlRxix
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1PalqUX1j
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpqWJ6mN0M
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiwzsvYyvY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMjEOWjM1i
“Dennis still ain’t here.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNweIXFPFF
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLfIuW6n9h
“...”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLTA28kbox
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjySRrpt0OG
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTINKmAICQZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLauXf2kw0L
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPazlISBEF
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFdu2NT72b
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bUYwPqeQc
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Id232b28
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh0CNZHMY2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnEXI2YaEM
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby2o4eiXiU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8geJgP5OZ
“--!? W-What!?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX9661Jp3J
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3zRXoYkzK
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5JA8yDqXs
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJybTY0uhO
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUSTFWNO0F
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EkMuNln6P
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsemZVQ5ua9
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZORIZTexA
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYkwROKY2h
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh0YeOtctl
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2WHiIqdSr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTu5qdCIco
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE29iKJP3ED
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hAlu5nyAx
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9VxUTAr7d
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz9OuNPEqn
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R44w7gc3N
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU14Ds6TIp
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVKgw6SvrN
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd2ZUY79Lf
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqVcMsJ4br
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAxE1D7Tay
“...”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSPydZCAMg
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5a28HLp50
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI6ZPDPnG0
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiHPIN6MG7
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xq2cui06p
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYPLYXgBJ8
“I-I see…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAdla2ZhhR
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4SzjQhmJP
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgoO2Ref2p
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbP0dUYciZ
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89JzQxkYNd
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HcaZzZMEF
“You don’t, ‘get?’”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddytj4ODwL
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUjucWHH8v
“Y’know, when–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhgeq5pXAq
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtHZey5F9d
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0InoZNDo9
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jM9xV9gBB
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNngVMK2z7K
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo0goTUAxr
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f0b8QGNDX
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OO2Li2yt9
**SLAM**223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUWRBzpQZb
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGitUacpGPW
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pM6wuHwpz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEemTqULeAO
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSIN2KQbeP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZGCn4I7v
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztTvAxKk99
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5jEYxTZOt
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuq4uEXVtl
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQchebqVq1
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAqTicRbEk
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7JVTXrqlG
“M-Mister Dean.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDzGcyWyBv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGGWRk5qF0
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRBRImAcJn
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxjbd2tz2
“Yes, child?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurRPjc8JGr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxvttYk1Hn
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAfnu0361v
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE39dgntVzd
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgur0xDpvZY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeJAqLUMyD
“R-Right.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5mhCIhmXc
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6GN6rFKcF
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV0XBRMwhe
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4BO5h2WUO
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueV1ZxcwdW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPNs5VMOPE
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6sfk4rJCY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q8iHuQdSV
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCbLrxnmI1
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO21haCfsx
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86BNEx7Eld
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtohjIjcyE8
–
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–
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–
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5r7WrUDm9
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxVsr3pZBB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOuwF1anK8
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQZM3RJ3s9
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSIiIRa99t
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6VNaojbNz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUeEGXHo8m
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl0ETYNe4A
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk2r5vVqC2
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOQP4uaukh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ZD5ZZ1EU
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiZxmqeCii
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwOBpQg8S5
“Haven’t you explained that already?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP6Q4XC5Jx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiDUH852qY
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfK7UWujAQ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcYqH6kPZR
“What’s that?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyK7WsuSbo
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIXjXmDybw
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILTQkHvnlo
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj70BEnzBVh
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIylsLxI517
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAoCMMskEN
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ2nOTb1th
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4lDXpGhBq
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG775jaarQ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr7NtnS3Ir
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21uj7rPo2n
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5qz7gS3nV
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIpWAExcv5
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAAbBcPVvn
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O5NEndudW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRG1DLsCL6
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wv6V9nZw7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkW3FXugCP
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcTG2stfGo
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMwsM4kXC1
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaHLuxfoOW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QZ5AQZ4bS
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQB85mVwv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6QLp3qCAw
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8VrIZEQjv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ebve97kaf
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAujN44BS4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8u3mMECvN
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr5WL4fo0O
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNIfI0o25T
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNjHbJRy6b
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OoxOSyR7k
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBz5DYQNed
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNSt8A0G1p
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAViiUIUku
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFrH07luCw
“I think it likes you, child.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ScGgdhuzX
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yr64Ldxwh
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qtpopFSTM
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnMYsuXWTb
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WesZDB38N
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And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3zo5tUyCi
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDTrxUV1XI
“Hah?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi4HM8Tic2
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“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5mAZGHSDT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3J5DVGbKJ
“I… smell like flowers?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9f9nbYg4p
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZJ90bAm7y
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCoLeDvGjG
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrCcV5xeCD
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP8zsz1xN3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXElgMXY2Uj
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsA0H7F7VI
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaGqfHm8am
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhbLc2mEY8
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5aOlizjzU
“Really? I didn’t know that…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxptvADkZxe
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemeQaBno58
“Ahem, moving on–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78PjEf1s0R
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwfJmWhvUb
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8xD5Q4X6z
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIaGwwP6Xm
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ88fmKZnjx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmPaLSOyGF
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfomzWXZ5E2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHz8ITMttw
“May I know why I’m being told this?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNK02OJZnU
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“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe7OVRCmNM
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiYgxjwx3q
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp4C6KNmjB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvE68nZKKH
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG6dsX5U4R
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrikIyVvSG
“My help, you say…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rnQWs4NAE
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzefajzvIE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD4L544ES6
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRQDMHy4LW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBmGp2ofxi
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR45e8kgtyu
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWhWAOrnto
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yCwcbP0Vy
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTno9WAhtVK
“...Energizing potions?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosla9OqqjZ
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHYf7yyLw6
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfJBQGbBZN
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmKU9K12wb
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DuC22Ppex
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TmqSrImWS
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nB7tHAPKJ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsFlrc9I0z
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rqlK6dmAk
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlndd3XqLt2
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0D9e8vkhE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTOiYu7iIG
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs0wYmOUul
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDsFz3xxqf
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnedTD9ULU
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I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk4O5soo8P
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“Is something wrong?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35JwrWou6j
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtuQS0kAus
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw7C3vSADM
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“Well, kid–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR40BO9hhh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1vhGijYh6
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq3v0SNgxZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2EwJaFuhX
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XxCtqD46U
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqzhJVI0Je
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG5waYDoIa
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFS4i8JrZh
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD1r6zotuX
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjkUY1Fh91
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9FKxEsoLP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtfsnpoatc
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzVFCgRpX6
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“...Comfortable.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ2cXHgMfJ
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLFYOKE6Rj
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomWfUoIbfQ
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDAHJaDF5u
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Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qtqr6WlAH
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt9tUiw502
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ477end5mPA
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj67QFNNhGm
“...A little bit here.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCtZkK7RM7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ELhK1IWg
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xXbY0mhBy
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjDmvWYwRp
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtN0v6l1pm
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY0kiygiOT
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As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CkMSGpR8r
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aNEJCpamV
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI7ffAPIjg
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“No time to waste, though.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOOB831Bmi
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6GCgwELeE
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGPVQvA0sJ
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Vpz8YTpF
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“...Crap.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKugVNii8qf
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4AgcdnnGo
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“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcTToKxNrI
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Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTqdEzUQdr
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMtVslokV
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB5cP7mKfe
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd6K1Es290
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfv6PsjjVa
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSlk1FdPwv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I1oAf5H3p
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrxVb17YnC
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12pE3Nm0ai
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ3aCxnro7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCZFHIrjU7
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm0QAkYhq9
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC7yPREJrc
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco34pNvFMk
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwLCahQC16
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JzOP9wMtG
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f3Re6RwHQ
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With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEeaVcvP1U
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xg4VycQwB
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EMGU281Wg
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8RsaDB6GZ
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgrUhH1hP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZIUsru9b7
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BoQl4Of8e
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VhveNrFIY
“N-Nigel!?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TY3FCzGcq
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KwHEUqxWj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzREC0tNlIl
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnM2l3h8xW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpkbvuqxVY
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ItUb4AGp
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q0mXbgptg
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIxMDmshvF
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl0Mvl8ciJ
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jm0ddpOse
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A3ufBM55o
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV8dacYBb6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYQRU8UZfx
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgqt1Mpdgx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eZE7om7vP
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtcdP3eYG6
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“Is this… a clamper?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQDjEyVhhY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDreyE4B9Mq
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzmsSeS3Nj
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–
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtuupQib4
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z8s77jk0K
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpIRrvXLAv
“That I asked you?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUeKMVpMk
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYroEEtvDXZ
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOs7d7aBkA
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1myKh3mSnO
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8eAuV1cO7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtdQGkNuhc
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxsh7pVKCe
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOtUuozMpw
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOcM5edqQD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ6JJCWN4u
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRn7i7QKlr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYNad1nhwi
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVJmDQLIM8
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD4GIMkIKu
“How did you–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc5oLXLbPW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UMtV79EPh
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GkV94vJoQ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqdnPD3mlZ
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj6WupJ6mr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXkPPYp8Dh
He continued cutting as he spoke.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kBW31lLzd
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGGElP99VB
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh8pttq5B4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAc0gE01yU
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoER68Lr4K
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDpdMh7Afx
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfW6oc82d2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3YThG2uil
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWLzr8zASi
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAFrAVnlkW
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd4eTHvral
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ100F6yFOFP
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AH7rQIFA7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26XCJON6Fd
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnckn3FnjmS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeIq3Nq33J
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7ys9iOJ9C
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1YjzWdz6b
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsFXRLFy5f
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElH7V7t63d
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCTjeIFeYp
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9u8YGY3ki
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V4NgndYaQ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEGquMoTtx
“I… darn it, you got me there.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGluZ9B9wE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp3u4cOmrT
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQstTxYFcxS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UZho9n072
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjOX41vq4W
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLlqgdhyo2
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1V24FUx2c
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEeND40CBg
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF7SWLKXX1
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxax5FyNZkM
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FdEvDQiPP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuc5VbLJLQ
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCll3DuVTiY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxH9hioXP1
I looked at him with pursed lips.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkO931hwh6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0vIa9ftMM
“Why not?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96I6jvZkzO
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf80Y23vqy
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmaJ6ZB7cN
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ahhhS6jt
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jXt5p3i6d
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6HfOBenR5
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4MPPVLOyI
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxQmxoPRSV
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnojU3TU13p
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZpcD0U3m3
“--!”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO18zeIEvR
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0261nhZxWa
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU8FygRG6D
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxsVAQkOgv
“Did anything else happen?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJJBiYK6EY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt07Nkgm8ng
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMC7JHE0Fm
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4tD3CdxUi
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5h2POdxyC
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXXjPHbHEf
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A0QNNbdEN
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9WcKUs6rl
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEMnjS95wB
“Uh…”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLg3m0S8HE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW1irkfuZg
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAQZfJOOz7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNpUreJTf7
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwRk6NMTvD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDovQWE6BI
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N2pCMoIbr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV12HX90qV7
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjYUHxRUSW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY1ycSXxNo
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMYtFsfHtS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pJJCVoVGD
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9UgRWB8oD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfwHtQGSyH
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM4TzQhokR
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5zrWPcYKw
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvncgb7NF4t
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafyNMh6koc
“...O-Oh.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjLv7zIbJR
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLlXCnnQ8y
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbutUYlSubS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqxFSJ2DzC
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMOM8x48OE
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbBYa5bcuE
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWGoGpdKIB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gWEWMvMLe
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjQfUi06ua
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zw6Z3Gs06
“Make sense? How?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPknmQyktu2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ylFgAvDg8
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzWt4gnL1F
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpTw6fSTm1
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodNrllsfZ7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K9RnwJTJI
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorLPMf5XFg
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUV9bLMwiv
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbsCGLojYN
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWta7I7CyF
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwmm0FQJH8
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbMhPIoGBb
“So she still fought alone, eh?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hdd8TpPop
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I0iYE7NgM
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX69g30jMa
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7r21fYWb
“Relieved? How come?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCEGvTrTyK
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2VygYe9ly
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJblCGoIEA
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQguuc4Da64
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaECVHvbygf
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGd2RIGrK5
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMAAmFf3PA
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF25w2smveo
“You’re probably good friends with her.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8IK1nZZPB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlbhjqhGN8
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaoFkXjGmU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ051pG11r6u
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PasmIMLUo
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cfYiI7WJd
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYuclo1pu7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrcwDmNYab
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAPS0iDIrw
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ865neAcr1S
“H-Hurt? What happened?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xJKRvx9ZC
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr1oPYOqAn
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpEL6W2Y1J
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gPfWYE3Sz
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLHyQNEAPZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjx6tL1TYt
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriIjxEzKNU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcbcShE4SQ
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SJdGNk3pW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMGqNfgc5O
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp8lvO6XF3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mYiwXbfZy
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmWvsIUMmx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFnq5oD2Tn
He shrugged.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CwfmhqTT4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H6PbBbN0B
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRgR5FBmpv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT10BSFeffG
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzABmgheUay
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiaUIlgmIB
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOk4PdTct0
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dICJHqFu
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUjHsRotOb
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ693WTyHBoO
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj4F7V3iIF
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK6oo4suf8
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMdYQI3t8i
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcgNIVsCQU
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJwspRIR22
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbgfiRCAf9
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OVqGv1qj3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGwJZRof0H
–
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHZYmCGFO
–
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvLxPudEyS
–
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q1XzPuesT
“...Role model.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeJ8sy3hpZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMZavwAHSL
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViZzXjOWxj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Nv5LvTzE
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfNdsFjFyX
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cco3CiBQr
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmW6W3iUey
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQPn5bX1K2
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFK6LkpnV0
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHuM96UWS
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf82yGXqeh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieSgJOMf1k
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuosjUw0R6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc2IFCJZZk
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7bzn6apXp
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi4nNpMGjs
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMEaJX4ihq
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMYmcm1orb
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
