As it would turn out, Serpents and Vines was a remarkably easy game to learn. The goal for all the players was to make it to the end of the board. Each player had a turn to roll a die, and depending on the number, the player would move that many paces. However, some tiles had, as the game would imply, serpents and vines, where the former would bring you closer to the beginning, and the latter, closer to the end.
Such a simple game made me think adults shouldn't be playing it. I also felt as if such a game existed elsewhere under a completely different alias. Setting those feelings aside, I was enjoying myself.
"That's a five. I barely missed a serpent, phew."
The bearded man, Damon, was in the lead. Nigel was in second place, and due to an unfortunate series of dice rolls, I was dead last. I was surprised that something like this could make my eyes twitch, but I was able to keep myself composed.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dCsiDeLQv
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"That's a three. Damon, it's your turn."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Uvhp81oD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LCD5QsOTA
"Right on."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdRL3LPViC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoKozn1XeM
Turns shifted and the die rolled. The process repeated a countless number of times and the minutes passed by quickly. At some point, it stopped being that way. At some point, rolling the die and moving a figure a few paces forward became dull. Looking at Nigel and Damon, it was impossible to tell if they felt the same.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzrCMSfs3S
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkkgyK2gUA
"Six. Lucky me. You're up, Kenny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwexYyvU5YH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rnBaCYBJd
"Huh? Oh, alright."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMGtDy4jGi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yclr6N6Is
I grabbed the die and shook it in my hand before throwing it on the table.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh2ycBYWdk
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"A two. That puts me on a serpent, doesn't it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48F6zLd89q
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj8HSe3Dip
"Ha, you've got really bad luck with this game."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0wIJ82ruf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQVzWpA4MV
"Luck..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OAfMuKUaw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhSETtMBuG
Damon had a point. Maybe the absurd reliance on luck to function was why this game so quickly lost its luster. I moved my figure forward and was sent straight to the beginning. I sighed as my head sank.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4z8stqr31
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yNMyCjGad
"It's alright," Nigel said, "there's not much you can do about that."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRDIIqteAe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff2agyWQMk
"That's what's so frustrating. What's the point of playing a game you have no control over?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKUw5uExld
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBINONHzVJ
I looked at the two men, who looked at each other and then back at me. They both shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GYIDS1zMa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaoIZf5kZe
"You people are strange..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRBaGk435
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOgCAhZzsK
"Maybe so," Nigel started, "but games like this help to keep the nerves at bay. I'd rather be frustrated than uneasy."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8lFylCoT1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSWC21lI5k
I looked at him, conflicted. His words didn't align with what I knew.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUfeE38S59
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbGtBqlrub
"Uneasy? Are you feeling uneasy?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEgqNiO2uO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1JlwsR7Bx
"Pff, of course I am. We all are, even Damon over here."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkbI36OACC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZLyFU0kKb
"Shut up! Speak for yourself."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi9l8iMfzH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidi5wZmtPA
Damon looked away with a grumpy scowl.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3dVGndx5m
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HdFkGazXX
"Especially Damon," Nigel stressed, "It's only natural if you ask me. Our upcoming operation will be the biggest battle we've ever fought. I'm sure the same is for you, Kenny; aren't you nervous?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQiCxPBtbU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgiViM08LY
"I... well, of course I'm nervous. All you said was true, but..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Cg7yW8D7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch3THZExhj
"But?"
I pinched my chin and thought: why was it that I had a reservation for his words? I knew better than anyone how parasitically such events nibbled your psyche. But still, I struggled to believe it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX7I4QzQD4
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Fortunately, I pinpointed the reason quickly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ3gkdiPgw
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"The whole Retaliation Crowd seemed so enthusiastic during that meeting. I didn't see you specifically, but with how loud the room was, you were cheering and roaring too, weren't you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrMKtD0X8C
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPXg1LhYD7
"Mmm, that's what you're talking about."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL1SC7O3JL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8DqpWQOij
Nigel looked away and placed his chin on top of his fist.
"Well, don't tell anyone, since it's a big secret and all, and I don't want to be beaten for spilling the beans, but we collectively agreed to act that way."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeCRypE3So
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeBMDjBNJ6
"...Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4gunApvuK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnYlThXMFq
He looked back at me with a smile. A plain smile. It surprised me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7BghEtSRR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FUDKxQlMA
"You've seen Lola, haven't you? It isn't just her, our officers are doing terribly, too."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5gfYa9zYv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHEgoPfGmV
"I can't deny that."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYmG4eDJWh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa6PC5gxq2
"Right. We figured that it would make the situation worse if they thought we were dejected too. Let me tell you, after hearing the news about the Raptors, it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj69edGEcPf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHRkxFVfig
He grabbed the die and shook it in his hands, releasing it and landing on a five.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcPSv5Zvfl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lcRGBssHo
"I don't know who started the cheer, but I owe them. They saved this whole thing."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7gFhKC6as
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp81leap8Xi
He stopped talking and moved his figure. He looked at Damon.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFfSDJc4jh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEQ2DYn4H3
"You're up."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jPnwDuMXt
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMucgpcxu2
"Right on."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ014Oy1jJI6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFVsTLcrx0
They kept playing the game as if nothing happened. It gave me ample opportunity to mull over his words. I had a knot in my stomach at first, one that came from confusion, but as I mulled over it, I felt something spark inside of me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeuaystSJH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKU7C55fak
"That's... that's incredible."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMWaaPZP9H
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBCU1UMiiw
"Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Ygg0M8mq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXUWy9vhV8
Nigel looked at me with his mouth agape.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq4Ci2pQNu
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekgknYhFiZ
"Incredible? You think that's incredible?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT8TvgpR6D
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsdRJSSXo7
"Y-Yes? What's wrong with that?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3uiNGYvtH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKKihR4QUW
He pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, but then shrugged right after.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XIqCplqBD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeqO7BQgc3
"You run into all sorts of crazy people in this job, don't you, Damon?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWyTpu91lV
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOCegGj3Fn
"Are you calling this runt crazy? That just ain't fair."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu4kHTf4nl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WvK2cHruH
"I'm still here! Have some tact, for goodness sake!"
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouAGL7xeMw
I sighed and clutched my head. The other two started cackling, which only furthered my frustration. I tried not to let this moment spoil the other.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEc91V9nFO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3vAdkEvJl
"I'm just messing with you. It's flattering that you think that. It makes me feel like I'm doing this for a reason."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBOh5Gxn9F
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SnL0q1WAH
"Doing this? You mean fighting, right?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Aq5xQuaP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBunmsxDpsM
"Yeah, fighting, sure, but being a guard in general. I'm glad I'm making a good impression on the kids. I'm sure Damon thinks the same. Right, Damon?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1UeizaKtm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOsp7oNLPP
He didn't voice a response, nor did he make a gesture. He had an eerie glare aimed at Nigel, who looked completely unbothered. As the two continued to play their game, I looked at them. Guards with a duty, poised to fight the very next day, yet here they were, playing a trivial game, and smiling through all the stress.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyKrCHlSV0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyK2ey1Gfc
I used their playing as an excuse to leave. I stood up from the couch and patted my pants.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUVFCWuT00
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWcm8cBhsV
"Thanks for letting me play with you two. I'll be taking my leave."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL50JJoFIu4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKDJATl517
"Take care," Nigel responded, "We'll see you on the battlefield."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IysOl06P5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcmLAp1ffX
"...Yes. Hopefully not for long."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtelS5PuKr
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WttBQfoNm
I had no doubts that I'd be seeing them. Or, at the very least, that they would be there. It was a comforting thought. It made me warm. Nigel patted my shoulder with a quick chuckle, and I wasted no time leaving the game room.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcA960a8Uk
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As I approached the door, I looked at my hand. I curled and flexed my fingers. I balled it into a fist. I felt ready in mind and body, and more than ever I had a conviction in my heart.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mW4xAiYuA
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–
–
–
I was out of the game room. Instinctively, I checked my wrist, then as I lowered it and asked myself why I did that, another question barged out of my mouth.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DV4Wm8TYD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxuBJqu6Mj
"What time is it now?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCHcUiMEwy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmujdYk9oK
And as if someone had heard me, the door to my left opened. I looked to see who it was, and out came a person I was all too familiar with, but with a face I hardly recognized.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR24NhTdoXk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bS8wFK9BR
"Juke?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIDdrLY7qU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkjCV24Zj6
He looked at me and perked up.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wotrZ2lEi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMcEV8lkdb
"Ah, hey kid. Fancy seein' ya here. What's with that face?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzMFpqdLEO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBksZj90iqJ
"What's with your face? I mean, why is it out?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGeW6oKggW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOOqOsdPhX
"I can't wear that helmet all day. Starts hurtin' my neck and everythin'"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RgM6C2Csd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCro709CHr
"Ah... that makes a lot of sense."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTnJMYtSvP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhzmwqe4PJ
Juke began to massage the back of his neck, and as he did, he muttered something under his breath.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8sdFEmSZQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK3Ch0YHdZ
"Kid, I swear, ya kill me sometimes."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UrbdaWNjw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOxDdX8AtA
"Kill you...? Do you mean to make you laugh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdH76kf2yO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX5HBHGpEt
"Does it look like I'm smilin, eh!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeIqiFt9A7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJoSaSDZQ8
"S-Sorry, sorry."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgdMLSjngZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXKB88sl2n
I slightly bowed with my apology. Juke walked away and up to a couch, but before he made it anywhere, I stopped him with my words.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtdJ1HtyZD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW3DSdAz9N
"Hey, you forgot to close the door!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvmzSuzZbT
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"Ah, shit, yer right."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iKeedUOz0
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Thus, he walked to the door and closed it, then he returned to walking towards the couch. But neither I nor my gaze followed him. My eyes were glued to the door he had just shut.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJTPPaqU8t
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVamaBz7e
"This is... the changing room, isn't it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAZoDlyVKh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QDHa2Rfwd
I looked at Juke. Juke, who was missing his helmet. He let out a big sigh as he sat on the couch. I connected the dots, and all of a sudden, a little snicker escaped from me. Juke turned his head to me. I quickly suppressed my voice and walked up to him, sitting on an adjacent couch.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLbtkstxFP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegalBBXMQg
"Did ya just laugh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUjjcpU8Ke
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVVOcqt0fi
"N-No, why do you ask?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJJxqdoRVk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsSmhlvAGZ
"...I think that's the first time I heard ya laugh. What finally did ya in?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPiAUehvsT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0P1OkwiTv
There was no point in hiding it anymore, but if I explained it to him, the situation would lose its humor.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH8Tbwb8jW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJGe7xTufy
"I'm just laughing at the circumstances, that's all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYk5QLlkfq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmWSXcjeq9
"Now yer just confusing me. It ain't cuz of my face, is it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZM3l58ERX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiYRr2tDIO
"No, not at all! Not directly, at least."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o6O9NkgR7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5EYnFUnTB
He narrowed his eyes at me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6xHmS7Cql
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H5Twep7NA
"I'll take yer word for it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqokwJjUn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLD1ugn23V
There was a momentary pause. I206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG64XC8rMG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvCuuji8rq
"So, what have ya been up to?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy90JpOKZv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20FYxdF6Ij
"I'm exploring the area, that's all. I'm shocked by the size of the basement."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYN79pYKpv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkiBF3Fr8P
"Yeah, tell me 'bout it. It keeps branchin' to more and more rooms."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZzySQGVPs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ109lIpkENe
"How was the room you were in just now? That's the last place I haven't checked."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCjtAoY18h
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd6PwR8K2f
"What, the sleeping room? It ain't anything to write home about. It's just a bunch of beds. They're pretty damn cozy, I'll give 'em that."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbboPCnlht
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BfsTQDfaZ
Something about what he said made me do a double-take.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsVuTfZkhA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCO9iSzVJ7
"The sleeping room?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ6iZOtZtX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7dNfEapxV
"Yeah, or a bedroom if ya wanna get all smart."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0THGfWBfIW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda6XBJ953f
"No, that's not it, but... it isn't a changing room?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S23jkKRAf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6UZM3fHPr
He cocked his head.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprtqSo0H5r
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzH8FUrOil
"What are ya talkin' about? There ain't no changing room. If ya wanna shower, that's upstairs."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN5grACiWF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6yF3Kobua
"Nevermind. Ignore what I said."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0D1dj3Il
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFeYKI8vsb
Maybe not every member of the retaliation squad was noble and principled. Juke shrugged at my request, and another round of silence ensued. Since he had already brought up the topic, I decided to press him on the matter.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaCNH0gElS
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaeOorubBU
"How are they? Does the room smell bad? I won't have to share a bed with anyone, right?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF5jTIgbty
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsTO57JCRa
"Nah, there's more than enough beds. The room's gigantic, I tell ya. I ain't a good judge of smell, but I got no issues with it. And, the guys and gals themselves..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWHAha7E75
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR9I2Da6DW
Juke cut off his sentence. It made me apprehensive.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm1Dpg8Rfs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuOBknshFy
"...They ain't so bad. Some of them got a few loose screws, but it ain't anything I haven't handled before."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkgSqGWc42
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi7v3ZUcgn
"Loose screws?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdeOcNj0XT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXtQsGLwoU
"They're a story-telling bunch, almost every one of 'em. And they got these crazy stories, kid. I can't tell if they're tellin' the truth half the time. Even if they ain't, they're crazy for telling 'em."
"Well, are they at least exciting?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7o3C3eFVA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MR9CRFNA1
He huffed from his nose and smirked.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXQdOcNMVw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsKVYe0A9i
"They ain't half-bad. But I can tell a better story. A weak guy like me's gotta get good at spicing up his boring tales, don't ya think?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFni0LxTyLg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kBbJ9pEgi
"Boring tales..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOSVcbFrj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGhovcSJXS
The only story Juke had told me from his past was brief, but from the content alone, I would be an idiot to call it boring. I didn't bother to mention that, though.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviGvRgBD0o
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhPigpfGWA
"I wouldn't know, Juke. I wouldn't know. But if you're so confident in your storytelling capabilities, why not try them on me?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiLxVw6GDU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkGwxaVQbZ
He raised a hand to his chin. He rubbed it for a few seconds while staring into the distance.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JCySEIzsE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdeewkNTS1
"Nah. Ya ain't the right audience."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CTeXjLNH3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAZEwAcf64
"What, am I too young?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wbmfkTr3P
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwcPNZOSak
"That's just it. Yer too young. Kids yer age shouldn't be hearin' any of it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyoEDq31mq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrkzJPBWCj
I rolled my eyes and sank into the couch.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUwTR2GZZa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAKGL603LE
"Kids my age this, kids my age that. Kids my age shouldn't even be here, don't you think?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPbjjL0x94
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbwzOYgmqh
My statement hatched a hearty chuckle out of him. I wasn't trying to be funny, but Juke probably knew that.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRbeX0lyEX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW17dVWpZHq
"Ya really got your work cut out for ya, kid. Ain't this yer second mission?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4gqX9dskt
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK02gyxjBSL
I straightened my posture.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcozqcjGGIe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIATLyUglMw
"No, but it's my first really big one. I can barely remember why I took it, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvffYrXL12k
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMh3TInwFz
With all the balderdash I'd faced since our arrival here, it hardly shocked me that I couldn't remember such a detail. It didn't make it any less frightening, though.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhdwIqKh7X
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWz4gHOSJu
"It was someone on behalf of the royalty. Don't ya remember? There was this wizard guy who ya were buddy-buddy with."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeZTefoGsK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61eO73frcG
"Wizard... you mean Roy? Roy isn't a wizard."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVUhh8bzKX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3l9zReA3I
"Is there a difference? If yer good at magic, yer all wizards to me."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcZ0CBjCek
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWA40jdTPV
"That's frankly offensive! Not to me, mind you, but to actual wizards."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKvty7ClZ0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKe2dIMqJp
He gave me a blank stare.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9GAcdgONM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw7C8MX3j4
"Seriously, kid, what the hell is the difference?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTOFPc76Tt
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIHfX9jMKB
I opened my mouth as if I had the answer at my beck and call. All I had to do was run my mouth and it would come out effortlessly. That was what I thought until I made a light gasp, and followed it up with nothing. I retracted my head and lowered my gaze to the ground, suddenly deep in thought.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0VbPlBqEH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy222Q6zWU
"...I guess it's a matter of status. Maybe Roy is a wizard."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61C5REzKoH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfbmU7K3nY
"See? There ain't a difference."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcBNEWis4f
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzTgsj7GbK
"Well, of course there is! When you think of a wizard, you think of someone who is dignified, powerful, and above all else, modest. That's a stark difference from what ideas the title 'mage' gives you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrTBIQ4qNp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX04PRRxlm
"Yeah? And what are they?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71cwV9RScf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeFp1v452c
"For me, a mage is simply a magic user."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEVgQgApPU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5jJdt5ibw
"And what about a spellcaster, eh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzCuJvbBcg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlQP5PlmFI
To that question, I simply shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv2pJ7mPcm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1aZupP3M9
"Nobody uses that term. If you meet someone who does, it's in your best interest to avoid them."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddnsy6xLnM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqUcRWj5Wl
"What a load of semantical garbage."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5VuY6p2Pw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12HXVzAsZc
I sighed at his simpleminded conclusion. It wasn't my job to convince him, though. It wouldn't be worth the hassle anyway.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7fO0CEBxn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5khmM6C1tL
"Since ya got such an upright definition, tell me, did ya ever meet a wizard?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhBsnuHUhR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSMPX85Ti9
"Well, not technically, no. Again, it's a matter of status. I think it's a title that needs to be bestowed upon you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcvxt7b7XH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nmgm4yJbE
"Eh? And by– nah, nevermind, I don't care. I want ya to tell me if ya ever met someone like that."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ737W5bDtIC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhLfdsMObf
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzfuGDQymB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH91SsAmEvp
I thought long and hard about it, scouring my memories like I was going through a book. Certain segments made my head ache, but for the most part, I recalled all I needed to reach a conclusion.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs38p5xCtv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ekgd11C9G
"I don't think I have. Maybe Skylark, but he doesn't use magic. I don't think he can even perform mana manipulation."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP60vReStq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk99u1mdQOZ
Juke nodded along to my words, which confused me, because he had no idea who Skylark was. He shouldn't, at least. I put that detail aside and fired right back at Juke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B7Qu3nJ7L
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAoJod7sY0
"What about you? Have you met any wizards?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hdHQc2ufo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWh82mLriP
"I'm starin' at one right now."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3vkXLnsHd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS02trp7dqd
"You know what I meant!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQi6JJdma
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw54q9KdVnr
"Alright alright, I'll answer. Goin' by what ya said, I definitely met a few wizards before."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNQiYeOSz9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oO6C94tcH
"A few? Really? Are you sure you aren't being generous?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHRovfvDi0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mPxNpWVCR
"Me? Nothin' of the sort."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDPmnQFSq5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIh3x6wr26
He said that with such conviction, but with how he has described me before, I took his words with a pinch of salt.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lKSg10PQW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GCo8WDPEU
"There's one of these wizards right 'ere in the buildin'."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1xkI6jvOM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsel2W9bYd
"You're definitely being generous."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlmpFBYzfq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwIeCVze6a
"Nah, see for yerself, kid. Those folk call him the 'Mud Wizard.' Sure, I ain't seen him fight, but if all these strong folks are calling that guy a wizard, that's gotta mean something."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZuUvcecqs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbcghfRbsr
"The mud wizard...? Does he make mud with magic?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIkHafF7Y9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0slg6Ybt9a
He nodded his head.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG6XK2YJYh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i5zAJOPeK
"I saw that bastard do it. All he did was make some dirt in one hand and water in the other, and just like that, mud."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS702FCX90u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMxi6sxcuS
"...Oh my goodness."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ALTm2jvj9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyQDYgyl5p
I buried my face into my palms, embarrassed.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ixD81socm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK8mfnvqCn
"What? It's just mud, kid."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxPM97AS3M
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbVZxvnBFH
"No, that's not why, exactly. It's just, it's so simple, and I didn't realize it until you explained it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrFUL0mgjL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1iKlkiYPu
"Ah, I get what ya mean. I hate that feelin'."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cewYYOlUc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eZqtUvQDv
"Yes. I hate it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sLWU3rxU1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmc8q7I3ds
Our conversation came to a short halt. There was something I wanted to ask Juke, but he posed a far more interesting question of his own.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyPgseGaxc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDXUkipj2f
"How's the group, kid? Are they keepin' yer head on tight?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2K1serzH3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjzeDFhBAK
It was an easy question to answer, as loaded as it sounded.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwrz50AnBB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLkjTraBoZ
"They aren't driving me crazy or anything, you don't need to worry. Honestly, they're an inspiring bunch of people. A few of them, not so much, but as a collective group... I think they're admirable."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlsQXXLaI0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRbOzKzyd8
"Are ya serious? They just seem like normal strong folk to me."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpvVeVTYwq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQinZbWo5U
"Don't you think you're reducing them a little?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDX9xQKENm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhARUZnxxJ
Juke diverted his gaze as if he was about to put all his muses into my question. He looked back in two seconds.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5fssExuH3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsmL48ghhy
"Nah. The only thing that makes 'em different is that they ain't doing it for money."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1nqJIa6G5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMDEDkkEIY
"...Considering why we're here, isn't that a significant difference?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVZsrLCU6l
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQPg67Vwb
"Nah."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqB85SlxTg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWXPUD8fxO
I sighed and abandoned this topic before it got out of hand.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ96WBJXxnz
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xb2NHuYoT
"Well, I don't think they're 'standard strong folk', though I suppose I haven't been a combatant as long as you have."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfbjJD9iQY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XIheyMndY
"Damn right ya haven't. Ya don't have the sense that I do, kid. Ain't nothin' special about 'em."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqJm17GqGP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogaa2LlTYG
"...Well, maybe not to you, but at least let me testify."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvODcFPOD2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1mOExCL8A
I fixed my posture before explaining. Juke leaned his cheek on his fist.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhuyYCTn9O
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjcA0FpnQP
"Do you remember that cheer back in the room? The attitude of the Retaliation Crowd had a whole back there?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNxPoAYUz
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJqGY3JRXu
"'Course I remember. I called 'em crazy for it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1f690xruj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNLEPEdFEm
"Right, I remember that too. But, that aside, they aren't the foolhardy people that attitude would lead you to believe."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjAfG2bzzS
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HE0xUsfOm
"Ah, if yer gonna tell me what I think ya will, then I already know."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzmN3j4u6u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlRU2VbLNO
"Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQIlGVYpx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqt0PNisbN
It came as a shock to me at first, but as I thought about it, it only made sense.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV84WnhTWS8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWA9fEqLR8
"Something about doing it for Lola, right? I'll give it to 'em, that was pretty dandy."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTCl4h4xoT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Wn3YhyJp
"So someone told you as well?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYVera7w5F
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRB2hmDDhW
He nodded with a smirk on his face.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq80rciF1eB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxB6FFG74W
"They're tellin' me it's a big secret and all, but they're telling this junk to chatterin' fellas like yerself. What a bunch of show-offs."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Me3wTRjS3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT94A1SlwfK
I responded with a nervous chuckle. The idea of them being show-offs wasn't unfeasible, all of a sudden. But I still held that conviction in me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2dxzs5cKq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSoUoTMGiA
"Well, show-offs or not, I think it's admirable. Something else makes me hold them in such high regard, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy20a163ylg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeamPMb9vQ
He kept his eyes on me, indicating that he was paying attention. I was beginning to get cold feet, but since I had already thought it out, I kept talking.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq69vnGeXRF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYxaagOcCQ
"It's their attitude that I admire. At least from the few I've met, they're determined to see this mission through. And they have all that determination despite their fears. Despite the fact that they're afraid, through the foreboding tingles and tremors in their fingers, they look at the task at hand, look at what must be done, and declare that they will do it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfK9IVOiXg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZePu5uiJEr
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyi3tDUFJ2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wJ3YH0da7
"I think it's admirable. It's something worth striving for. To be that brave, that decisive, that sure of oneself, that–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdizbOzoZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBK8ql2q56
"Strong?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD408QxmSer
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHZ8eFrHFw
Juke suddenly intercepted, putting a word in my sentence that fit better than what I was going to say.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeqwPh8pqi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4abbg3y72m
"Yes, strong. That's precisely it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE539uDkLU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXa6KYTvbT
Juke looked away and at the fireplace, slinking and sinking deeper into his couch as he released a heavy sigh. It was an unusual feeling to say he was 'wistful', but what else could I call that sullen look on his face?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0p23cyEz8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfSeJnLivi
"So that's where yer coming from, eh, brat?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDSetlBhWE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQBvQF4Wnt
"Brat is certainly new..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySAzTsk1mN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJWp0aVG43
"My bad, kid. It's just that I hate seein' strong folk like yerself think that way."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2iufONR3A
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFSCvk5aTz
Juke uttered something unexpected and curious.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6KIW3SkC9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKkj44hPKx
"Think like what?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW60Q8EX5oS
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7QzHQ3qNC
"Lemme ask ya a question, kid."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC7ldWx37X
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Be5rTp46
Juke stood up from his couch, standing with his arms wide and posture tall.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Brl7olfro
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE0S5uf9Fl
"J-Juke...?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCI94s3lJN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzNspgjnWV
"Do ya think I'm strong?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxc1hkAjjL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYzOsSxJ3Y
With what he was doing, this question kicked my perplexion into a nauseating fierceness. I felt inclined to pinch myself to check if I was dreaming, but I was long past hoping that I was asleep.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsy0Pk8VC7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLsjN2rng5
So, with nothing else to do, I answered.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ7MibjO3E
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkXW4ZP5RS
"Yes. I do think you're strong. Admirably so."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZNmqxlxty
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYQ0emvAFT
I couldn't help but remember the times Juke was there to save me or to fight alongside me. Without his help, I'd likely be dead. Despite his nonchalant disposition, Juke was someone I could rely on. In that manner, Juke was one of the strongest people I knew, and someone I was proud to call a comrade.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWza9V5dgl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0MeXSt2Vl
"Yer a moron."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVY4DtAMu0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVmfpZWwOW
"H-Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAN1pfKQ73
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KexsgvR2b
But my resolute answer was shot down. I composed myself quickly, and with a will I didn't know I had, faced his scrutiny head-on.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q7eBXVnhc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9uiaUmkxP
"H-How? I understand that you may not be the most capable, but if it wasn't for–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp7ncjLESC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BqjpITsNr
"In front of ya is a guy twice yer size. I've got muscles and a sword on my hip. I'm a guy who's been doing missions and fighting monsters for over half of his damn life. Yet yer the bastard who tore a Lionant apart with a flick of yer finger, like it was instinct, and ya ripped a hole in the ground so large I thought I was gonna drown in all the sand that fell to cover it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fCrTFPIvX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrhhxhwJcI
He put a hand on his chest, and his other on the hilt of his blade.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSScKBdZJje
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQscF45T9qk
"If I fought ya right here, I'd die. Ya already know my tricks, yer already experienced enough to where a big weaklin' like me can't just swing his sword and cut ya. If ya really wanted to, I bet ya could destroy this whole building, what with yer plants and explosive magic. Tell me, kid–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrBk26ZU8j
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM4LHXCjt4
He took a step forward and drew his sword. He didn't brandish it, only used it like it was a paper with a speech on it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzU0ObZZIy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1am7Jpzh1I
"How the hell am I strong? When I'm faced with these Retaliation Squad maniacs, when I'm faced with yer power, when I'm faced with that girl, Rover, who moves like a damn monster, when I'm faced with the fiends and beasts at Hard-Bringer, how the hell am I strong?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxbd5jtBCH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Gn4o0Pxj
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBXKBl54as
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk21lLAGoG
Time wasn't an issue. Juke looked at me with patience he had never exhibited. This was a question he wanted an answer to, though the look in his eyes told me that whatever I said would matter little. I had no space to think, though. Something grabbed my throat and squeezed it hard enough to where the air couldn't reach my mind, and to where the words couldn't form. I was in a box of some kind, though I couldn't see it, and the couch, a comfortable surface but a moment ago, exacerbated my feelings by locking my movement.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBw6bnhvAv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1vGCgy7nj
However, these feelings were irrelevant. In front of me was someone that I wanted to help, and if I couldn't start now, with nothing to inhibit me but the mood in the air, then I was hopeless.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD2nmtZJZ5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTgZ6WU7RD
And so, I spoke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7imZKffpU2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhnccYFBJ5
"Y-You– You may not be the most capable, but if it weren't for your decisiveness, then that Lionant would've eaten me long ago."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMK33tmZlv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhtpBUZGjW
"...Yer just like that bitch."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd66iXceXk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGb1ne8mLI
It was a response whose content stunned me. Too still to make a reply, Juke continued to speak.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoAiBS6jPC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyc8BtSXKQ
"Ya yap about things like will and determination. All yer lofty ideals ya strong people put on a pedestal and teach to everyone else, turnin' them to morons. Decisiveness? The hell's that any good for when the most I can do is swing a sword, eh? Courage ain't gonna brave the storm of an armada, like I saw yer kind do so many damn times."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYOqRHAiPL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLBQivOnGX
He took another step back. His face was contorted. It was difficult to look at, and looked difficult for him to have. I snatched the moment to make my rebuttal.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Nyf2bTC5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rHMUEb3Oa
"S-Such traits aren't useless! It wouldn't make any sense for it to be! I-I mean, what good is power if the one who has it is too scared to wield it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UcV4Gb4cg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxZJu2YQB
"And what good is bein' brave when yer a dumbass whose only got their arms and legs, eh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyGI7eiPEZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7NuaII7R3
"You're missing the point!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eq3CkhEZG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0XXG28L37
Juke clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair. He looked calmer after doing so. I noticed that I raised my voice.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnSnw0Pnk5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgB2M1z2xH
"At least with power, ya have what it takes to keep people alive. Yerself or someone else."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKLf71Slju
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ548xjXQOt0
His comment struck a dissonant chord with me. Time stopped for a moment, and by the time the world around me flowed again, Juke was out of my sight. I heard his voice beside me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPau61Mzad
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IRrudezFY
"Who am I kiddin', I'm arguin' with a kid 'ere. Sorry for giving ya a hard time, Kenny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTaBPybHzn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc4Dr2S93h
And he walked off, towards the room. I couldn't let him do that. I couldn't let this end on such a note. But, I didn't know what to say. A part of me was flustered; another, angry. But all my being knew I had to say something, anything.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEuZNuLVz0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1rrmiOE2N
What was happening today, where I wound up in such situations?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnBdLT2qvP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRodpuRJ8cU
I discarded the question for now. It was just a distraction.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mjYfwCrps
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXFqyTK1je
"You're so adamant on calling yourself weak, but you've saved my life before. That doesn't line up, don't you think?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXljZtjNZo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM8c4K60nK
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ8eM6M8T5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCLBQvnfRu
I wasn't looking at him, but I heard the soft thuds against the carpeted floor cease. He let out a grunt and gave me his final words.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc8kMQqJJO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr36EZ2kFne
"That was just luck, kid. That's all that's keepin' me runnin'. Has been from the start. It's gonna run out one day, ye'll see. And when it does, my ghost will find ya and all the strong folks who say the same shit, and laugh at yer damn face."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMrSDoNjF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXTka58OIa
His walking advanced. A wooden door creaked with an echo, and what followed, a soft but poignant thud.
