A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4PREs9UvG
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He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ob6PFNRNS
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"At least... I'm on my back now."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc71hg6sHI
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvWjdsjgii
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqFNW1Wdot
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k3ogKJuwx
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHsDSe1dQK
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjVeRSIdF6
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9WEGiV4Wi
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uKwomnpwx
"..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2lTWgm3EE
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLPtrQfqtV
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxbAcjsaL5
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I was immediately startled.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg92uSpMZqe
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXhsPujzba
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBTZzob6B3
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c5Y6OrLQc
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn5Zu7oOz5
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFSJcii0o6
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkMnZ9CSQM
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSkN6GThYJ
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kyBxRl1QZ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVjXttU6NW
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGSwt4kXmx
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNykWO3J3L
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmyi1LWO5C
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO2ULp2AAh
"Do you feel any better?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHENfg0YNFw
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXm5uqC6fh
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T9dC5PmH7
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A9VeMFY4y
"That's good, that's good..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6efc0SKSu2
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9pXCpTcZL
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuswfrTI7c
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy1TAFDjJy
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcL5STe8tu
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilbVnUej1u
"..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK28cV1f5gi
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbqAzjtQ4n
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0i2W5Hon7
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wyx9kCkil
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmS8596gLv
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0C8bEmyaH
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w18C6gSLH
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa70lPKQI3Z
"H-How'd you know?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeZROM1fvo
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTvY8ZVUeI
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAIlBFuulN
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6gzlBvwCr
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWHB7khWIH
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TMLe83Jf1
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9iY0jx2co
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooE6EnuI4W
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV1F2Q8gxF
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixhTH6fzG6
Pars nodded.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Lgq83Eke
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva6xFBShyP
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSqlkL8z0l
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHel9fDTaG
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7kTzKN7lU
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdeBQASLDE
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbCQGZP7ur
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ftLOcVyTz
"Mutual what?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkibapLxEX
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByA3VnhXAC
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCvvIo4dDE
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs836iAK8Hj
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6McdPMu4TW
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zlcCbW1W9
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz23o0o7ISk
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q8DwqjnJe
"Really now..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjq4ffPJx3
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmhxK0Yypd
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y75JNBxD3
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxnKrVhV27
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwu8X33KYZ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVHZjjHdJk
"..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMeNT54E2A
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvqB9YJeTn
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXen2UXzc9
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpCr8pH5DI
"Wow... it must've been bad."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP0OMKiyEx
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPzDUFTTMk
"You're almost as flippant as I am."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9x4hMtC5t
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tmTM873pX
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIusQcMSDWP
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnWOkZroNE
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqxbZ4m93O
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOo46Xayeh
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmxFDqA2uT
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFyKkkfsmA
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamXDHNFyyg
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ4C5kovrw
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUO6vkglUn
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3HQHZvXDH
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ1oThvqcO
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yHyyWHLcB
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTwQZ6l82B
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jQWHyCEGp
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CN7lIHKRq
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNpHhZ62La
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRacYjdqXur
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Ro0xmVzZ
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PgoFQMeVi
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbheqEtfpM
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV6aq3h3Pn
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicQ0w2wBB0
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcyCAjYHmz
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4In93S56e
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeTmLqyyzZ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSyC2izA7P
"I know."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiUHo7e4kz
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aKhxnO3nE
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPcLGsg6mE
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SwXySySyZ
"Tell you what; I can't help you."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1ivhCblOP
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzkxuqJTOz
"...Are you serious?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQMjyzzVsR
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRXCizLIoY
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMvnlVpdMA
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhRHtltGIV
"What? What can?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOxKuPeYCH
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qCSBuuFeQ
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWplQ6ie8Q2
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4SCGUg4Gm
"..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1qBgtRiuf
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A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9cpPLtc5q
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcU9cjSYTE
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfbCKS79FS
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9uPTEisgS
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbYLdrnjU3
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYbrth3fR5
"Give it a try."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX98epgp6j
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC5PDrlYRD
He stood up and patted my shoulder.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflPGHF2vsM
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXYoJmjOf8
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0J7Fqflbb
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdF9TPMqNX
"H-Huh? Right now?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr4naJaI95
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Ojwx0TBP
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKWrHefny
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoTU6vO8i7
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTCJGISRd0
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–
–
–233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcIQptWUlC
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"Are ya all packed up?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQLGYOrFmG
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS32d45kYh
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdw8lacxYW
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZhvpeFAe2
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTwqCl0ZFg
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFrzStqLvo
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs25yDag8HL
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTEYsMRRt4
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAsG7Bu2Xu
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2mNI9eRwm
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyo56XIxpu
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrYQnA3tVr
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqx1H2iYqi
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqd73dJQuQ
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWlEuqCdSw
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQTD7ZS0vJ
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK0m3gfj6g
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYNzGT6JHa
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJBdtlwMsd
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo7hXBb0IT
"I suppose that makes sense."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKxuD7BhX8
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRvee4NsE5
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJaG2Uaj3g
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBwwUZV5wd
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m9YjhPEZZ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQAkacnV5t
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdj9o7iRQO
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8StUai93e2
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdK0M6uuPr
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzxM5f0DtE
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXuJsKq8R9
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEyiAPkJR8
"What do I think...?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvoaDR4Clc
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOnPouhxsI
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxNjxKSd4
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9pghJu0o6
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqFn5bJ78C
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UV7bHhck7
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztaxxwzmpH
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5KSd11oRz
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EQdVYne2i
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1Az6vTh49
"I'm asking ya, kid."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHkiVxHl0s
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrqExz35qY
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ77n6B0Xk
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc5PpFVly9
"It had to be an Endowment."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiicjCbNH9m
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl4GxQL4KO
"..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkRRjfxEw8
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBkB7pEOaU
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFgOyFCM7Z
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg01zontaZ
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tDWnIzar5
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J5rjRwZdE
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6CQ4HvwpZ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUO0IHG3YX
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTzIaQZ6pJ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh3Y2IsDgY
"Why not?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncVcYjOvWn
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4dYRkcbgM
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IWltCT1oQ
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOk0ODU8WR
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UMpQGcqxE
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Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCB2oB0s1W
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"Surely, there's a better option."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmM4ADbR2q
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"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl9ddPlZT8
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31UibODNJu
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL9XUKaCPW
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"What if we spy from a distance?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1502P748xR
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"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2paEtMT9E
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoyhnkkbTc
"...Point taken."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxWJZOG7TB
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As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVjtFzUKHP
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"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMah15qycc
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Kpoe2LQQh
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gOatZ5OcG
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyAM4XAzRW
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWpKHvMp6R
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8U2dkHEYa
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDQQhaQHeb
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9IKsPnfV7
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡociAfyKgwq
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We nodded in unison.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI3NZRm0Lx
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"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPEtmNEPzO
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgazr5jGa8
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljt7MUXOdk
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At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HVzARddKd
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"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkt2ILCKWh
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Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypK1rlhRXg
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3haIA4S8RK
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSHv5VuSjC
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVIxNqZ2Su
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEkUep2rob
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"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI56fkR7nEf
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"Well... I won't deny that."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zSQBZr82i
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I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0F1S8HoMl
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"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8twFOUmlD
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR853zPJrsx
"Again? What do you–?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jQB4vhjgI
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As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjfLZ3CjPm
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"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zydSppVLn
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He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXrg996Fyo
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"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB4P72EsZL
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y0o9bkUJr
"I didn't ask ya that."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKz3emkkRB
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVEAVarJDY
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtJ2DIrcI6
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"That ain't surprising."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7koKRNYyEW
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"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjn0r7O3JE
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Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ttGype2oK
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOPwNAOJEJ
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt01A97O0b
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz511eZNs7g
"Yeah? Like what?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SzyEbAda0
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"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIf3Rroonq
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEA7xM1hB6
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUhuKDJBL3
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94Kck30bPe
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCGpi94jfk
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I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6X4IezCho
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I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEWxaqxXh8
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWjPTRUYOE
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFjnQCvhpn
233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDAgqoDpqD
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIeV55HWS9
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"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN4iCZlGEW
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I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURFBWaD4dD
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"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSyL1Flo5m
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Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
