The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClEBKI9pP2
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QZdgbVVeg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb8X1J5YqB
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0cUelUDtv
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pz91sU5Oc
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrAkMdFnZj
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6V6QJNMAN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yVkmobYFv
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ2uKkuwi8
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“...”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMbd5YnNs0
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUZQKDSfVB
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO7kjK8Enn
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJIluS65Yf
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXVhQgOWIS
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw3CGs1d6n
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EhCTYVyRl
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wcCSWMe75
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“...”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxzHGTnPuT
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji1kez8Pe5
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmO1UFaaVu
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvK5h1cKK
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8zqiWGPpS
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGxBWQ09B6
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“Yes?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cuBil07Hf
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCtpxWsKSQ
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkcqhGmVnm
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSx1t1E0JU
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkAXImFFq9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSaxREvtyH
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocra7rZS26
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHa4p7eH6U
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmuh0z1pcm
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXaOrRBJeO
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvexoh3X0J
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVU65PRtaG
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02jItjMDTD
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZAZZReeM0
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd370aKPqA4
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“If you insist.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnxTX4m8wY
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUQY2dbpqG
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“Kenny?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJd8rTMdLy
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RozKnmYee
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DA5nToa5D
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVssC3Lb3Pw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C44bmshpI
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDqLOpB67k
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaPeeYGprG
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKIQpUTNnR
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjvawCfUEd
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixnZp8GQ9I
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnheDERKcmU
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlACEEvWWbh
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWezXHyTeHs
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtELkIpzzTX
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“I see. I see, I see…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH3VUUJS3Y
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaRXp2D3Uv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkBQWEwmmc
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRL0mJcwyf
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQyV4CpTq2
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx84UUZIeer
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFqgvfwvTQ
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoITi3DZZt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJlN0KGtR2
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjN6DejNYs
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“Please?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VfmbmwumH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocsM1dnWdg
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vNqSUglWQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0YQaaMdRj
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmNt5dS1Yq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIQL74ujfQ
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMKHxXjpGr
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC8M6luhVW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMXBGQvUKE
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01drAkrJQQ
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lZWqUV9Eg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsOZkUiQEB
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBLwVviRWK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjSCihCSPL
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzyrPMpBhL
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“I started young. That’s all.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaslocALZ3B
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku0l2GexxA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCD9qUhO5B
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDmPN14GXK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd7v1soU5J
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwCdeDsv7H
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgTIJ2V4bz
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Q4jSF60H
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICDWxCPxPW
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She jumped and then waved her hand.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZrVfB2Wjs
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2l9GojnK6
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“Right.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YohxEKRPJ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusnoIOhlHN
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0WKUZ3bzZ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8HHATq2q7
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxn3M6405f
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ov9eAiXm
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“I– Wha!?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3u3IfwxYi
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegnUfm0beb
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUxBI5ic1h
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXrKd1lauY
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aW7fLHDXk
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmM3Vso1Br
“Your own… peace of mind?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAJTnO3v5A
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae26pBd40S
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0iF2PV5VO
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IifbfSCKL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddx1b0tZAU
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AvhClUkyp
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH4wrQZNBu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLPx425NNP
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTpiVsHSD4
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She shrugged at my comment.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi4F1N0e3I
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWJzPCbFe
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo4MRHNkIh
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYedXLSgfd
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgXF3DpTNw
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IHGbR4KEU
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO8SLivzoo
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV3S3wbj8l
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ188B9TlDSB
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“...This is ridiculous.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsctWwnK7GQ
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEmuh9DCeM
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YD3TEAIrp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBndBAXOvgo
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmzghUJ8ZE
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0x0qf8l44
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mPpYSlvid
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8sm2GYjhi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRojkvDfIcz
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0KWM4zUHh
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloJVtIFq7w
“...Hmm.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1EjYTDtBW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDv14j7qKG
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ3QC3Oc1N
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“Do whatever.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPNgvsipk8
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcUUA2uuFl
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNmnajdmDh
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp3Y5S386g
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuEK178QFD
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLB47frx6A
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBO39HKYmw
“D-Darn it.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuUNptuk7R
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTnVCQbR7o
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN3YGZfLF2
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“What are you doing here?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHXGUD861d
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEpCGA8kX4
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g3WNmpXea
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuBSwkGNFW
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHuHldd96W
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“...U-Uh.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1wdl4hPyu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcd52VlBTS
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ox2ZlrSCV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O3ZbEIZbB
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCdYXWA50G
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPvwLifUfR
“I… I-I.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X2HqOik1T
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrypdeZOIh
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JsJthrRZr
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhLS0QQX2Y
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlmP30wMuk
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnX86mohbj
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcj7bFgF85
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW922GZdFxj
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnsWNvvHwu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvFijKINOc
“I-I’m here.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfi10jXcxe
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWX1R0sBmc
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0RBi6QLWN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj6NaEFEkB
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ineeZFZIB
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoLVnFyeCM
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQraHvIQ3j
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHBLEV98e8
“I…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSSmxriCmb
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TQ6ls4sif
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2BVG05fke
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvt1IYfY1l
“Hello, Rover.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs4fMePDiN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc16SVwQKk
“Hey, Kenny.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJGpKtzkSs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUmmY6GIKc
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi25FWPDlL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5EHArXvdc
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvl2qBxpui
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1cAa72cLw
“Cut to the chase!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyElURV6Oxw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQMYaI2n0k
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EQ1UMZKOk
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzATqyt0gNt
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQfQr2mIUl
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg85KRi6sk
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrLAY0COC9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxJz9eHdRp
“Y-Yes.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8C3MU7epC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRG5qwcA9
“Now who told you to do that?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqvAFzwvXG
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJth9OsSKcZ
“W-Well–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcfXHOYME4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd4lcWCFLf
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOopqpDHVO9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs4IE6YY9B
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6yCp2VoT8
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Uk5Sdo1C
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eCjM16HJ1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy2NWX3M7I
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM4tuGhNJP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3T7bXUmuP
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDv9dfjZPy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTDUIh3XLP
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhse3KkqAzz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfTmVvf98l
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnn6A3LDdx
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpWsNLdKn4
“I refuse your treatment!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n78vQePzm
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBg8CUNEYa
“H-Huh!?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFiUvJH3KK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXyTUomENg
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpyZOE9NCN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEvVWqzZ59
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHVBggQDuy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEON4sCmxa
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ6PG2r1e8
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGVW5RIqv2
“I– Wha?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvmdA1o0Ew
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpN6UcsGUF
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXMsBFz0QN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8m2r5CCgn
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8bNYQVzrs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg3pBTcR7p
“Stupid? Weird!?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdVdCMhxDa
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu68HvclKei
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9cI6g5gEv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0bNfVFWQK
“...”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsIx7MkNBL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrKj6JnC3q
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjaFrrCbUi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3buCiO1mI
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmGbkvplfs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtMNN19afX
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP0FFE5ACo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fyj97LnEo
“It’s because I upset you.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvTx1UIOky
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HGj0LLQSk
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXAghCCtYz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwio9gcQcy
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN4kPS9sny
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOQcooXew
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNbFoxfKSi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KVPcu5Jnh
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1TxGec2Tv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aF1UxNUp7
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI5MC3GDFN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkWhRkXKV7
“S-Sheesh.” 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZaZghvMed
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglQZfSV4B0
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2rKYXh5nn
“How do I use this thing?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctM7gcVk9s
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8TFDJoZOh
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJluYfM9qq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBIoemBw6M
“Drinking works for me.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpeIE3EPgW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtA3VcOLSG
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsNdnmo8dp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d869zmyz3
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnFUA6yi8j
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfczcy3EVVx
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVBCB3Pbbg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl1i38JUQZ
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCMTqvWdkQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7eObFO4gA
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOGmnTaYeH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9VZfnncN1
“Whatever.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFm6pSuQpm
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIX5Syxqd7
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dCD5fG9am
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVzgpPI3DF
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn97nMd1t8k
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRglyI4Xnn
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmro2GDkykQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiJRVVIIrt
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAso3LEyq4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2PSZoxw4B
“Leaving already?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ztXyH3w7l
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SkWIxtU6C
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXhwAIMkY7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6qZE6mDRw
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qYsWntcxY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxOQ6v21oT
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIXanz6ozY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhOyHw4Zuj
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqAx4b4iwn
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kr6jxYGS9
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gb9PKPMKs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWz6WVtext
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq9Bx3rKDa
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNFrmoCjzc
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlduWyHbLrt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAyx2stG22
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMp9sVtU8w
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfz5qMt8w3
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd9uX0bZW7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh7Hx9g9NO
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs9QQZULRw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7IO0d0HKb
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8QZnWF2Ap
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9OT5pYuRQ
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJcd5L54Za
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pIeRyjSYh
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeSwKE0zwR
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3birA9XRLQ
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bDx5GsGhC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lqD7qUfW3
“H-Huh?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCfDqo2NDX
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTclgk3xMN
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuWTYhDxcv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KzfUkhAbm
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkaTwFQwlE
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOipGdS8bxC
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPrTpZAhjt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvEJsD430Z
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIJy4XRbUs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnl3fzVH91
“I’m n-nothing so special.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeSQMlS0iD
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbeMkMYIqv
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uzsel3PHA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXDyQYqRw0
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpjm6nEGvH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbol7miqbw0
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LyqP3Z6B
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9JoXPlH8b
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE21SKidsh7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQGeRXxBBe
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjhblTmayg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyEQqStXuA
It took me only a few 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSfTw2FnDS
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWRIItJr5f
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxohuIbswb
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYABdKX6wI
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYuQkPPyiN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2thmnaQB66
“No, really, Rover.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT8GbkweSv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevPX2d8lzr
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviEXDPuuOu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOkFdRE1xH
“I think I’m just lucky.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW0HfENRMw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZSrnaRz1N
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgYLpLx62d
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghvmm1O9Ck
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADRpCvAsbu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVLo3DyV9l
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1IME5kZE
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdccwkQ3JW2
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlKRYki30U
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgra1YJLUp
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLinIfGZMbw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHvSRYRwwG
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEuJIzObp5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlONrpAthVb
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNZkrrz5L7
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLInonHyCI
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMCYgUBrfu
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“D-Don’t rush me!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HZZqT6alu
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4nz47tz0x
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXsz5Tg9Og
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TrHKZYJG5
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINoMKehpXC
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb0qxK4Wwk
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“I didn’t say anything.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmZfSk6ZE7
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI2srTKPWE
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkN02mzO2q
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And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMdEUUyv2c
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszqor82O84
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0oOqmrtpP
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“Told you all I did? What?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUpSIQebx3
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She was caught by a wind of fury.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfFX8wY5wX
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C86UN7x5r
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gsIeq3UqY
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VnyLyqDKq
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“What’s so funny?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx5Bc7BM3K
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk5wGdE2O9
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsLQJqo7Cr
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPFgFVzVcE
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhqcRK4Dap
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuxVALLxKX
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAxrRtV471
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“A little crazy?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Q7ro7b0q
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMOVP6KoET
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyfd4u6agB
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN60nkM5qB
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“Well–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGJ7GM6OdJ
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7u4xQSF6W
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“I–”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1QLcTF5Fo
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8e66gwoyy
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMatQUV8bv
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“See! I– huh? You do?”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEbIlH4lcQ
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hlbyKXMEt
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqBen7V80E
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc35Kz2iNm
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdzdcXs1YD
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp15ZP5AD9
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUKql6UXeU
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8PIIYlrnv
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1vLtMrjJj
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vp0aUYmMM
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“Ah, right.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPIAOjnBZO
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzRC0GeQ1n
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3RLpuJ5NF
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKGrnHA7xt
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6pQNkjqtz
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She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYJ2Jd7E18
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“Wait, one last thing!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDO7xbtCRc
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0cCagovNh
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXqSRznLR6
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“...”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKdUXxLGuU
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I smiled.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqL0fXWjh6
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“I will.”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5APzzuNtJ
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X34k1Hm29
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“Yes!”169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIglprULTo
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVAZCP8KJf
