Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZCOdcdQ4K
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfFaWfCWOd
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1ETU4UZn8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ5nKjcBKJ
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP5gcUQDNw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz7sYln9KO
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ua7cEMJZS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECeCU3FPtn
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq0T3F0Bl2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpF4ljiFbo
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH49ap4QmB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5H0z22Gct
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP7Ed2n1yC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6PUMP2dqz
“Well?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd7BmE3uCn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vhf5krF9O
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDb7ikomfE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOYIPBrcIc
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8pcqTWdLA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLWZM92fZ
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFk0z23j1g
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i6w5usg3d
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAPnTrT6QV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFCZ9mRJzY
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3ONHkQuvp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmbmeGO2tk
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCbTuHuhvi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePjEJqW1dP
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwvZDZZkLb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbfbhwu8bM
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqkpwL3iDu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJrAYwAROx
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaYeE58JzS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W60JciNNv
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKG8ZLIkmo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsbV4Rvr1i
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeHecXSWux
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDj3nUd5EM
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9B24pBZqo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPnckxdcsw
“...Yeah.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnQoMVNBJD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENnfc39HTQ
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8i6O3Szi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ru6XNEaz0
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMQsuZR3Gk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHeaifmKpK
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXB9ecIS6j
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFFdWPDsOy
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzNoKjgyzZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDam5ryEGL
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwA36wM93D
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0L6m2XZlu
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB6G8X5R5a
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJ075mk0J
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TG56NeFT1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwmkUH1xlJ
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekRxn3kU5v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37TW6IOBiV
“...?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZuU1ERCDD
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At that, I had to tilt my head.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCJYd024sb
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“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl7bpqJjqw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49eO3ovo6R
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqpBbnZTzd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OdoTnIxBC
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MVrHTQV6A
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSSBeQAGd5
“Dennis still ain’t here.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHkacrJDMe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07WBh6UW63
“...”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvBXXbCxtn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGVlBprs4Y
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAbwV1SIm0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFEIDMGDax
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK0p4l35Ut
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TX0awMyO2
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzhfaSEDJx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r7hA8ks8f
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFcRD0C9rz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrXrLR63yA
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5d0QK2zeR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6tlpjtrS0
“--!? W-What!?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7CLXeRtlK
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Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax7guVjK0Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF14BJzRSI
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRI5jT4A4L
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttLXWZifbb
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimNsHhvMXO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7lrrgORqv
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVGrApx0TO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlawSPiEn9A
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoh4R0lh8W
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqAaKEEr0W
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DKIZJUVxl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLO1WApd1j
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3FAI58vKL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxKB2BZkGe
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruLHbttSjo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFINu3hCwTI
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogPvvnRya6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb65qaGeRef
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzCj7Mqxw9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRs0BsJVJT
“...”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3sJyuFj9h
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I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxPwcv3udw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtgYu9l3HZ
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOLZkkUawr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqSONQlww6
“I-I see…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemFwwDG6zA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUWy7KdYbP
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehgsS9dUh0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIXs0pKKaT
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ydBvktzX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJjhXneY5L
“You don’t, ‘get?’”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ51wdFiwdb
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“Y’know, when–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFYm2fduJL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GxNaw9ctH
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKr9aBMxkN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPswjKrGLqX
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG0ZXhsiDG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUicu0EvDb0
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAxKoVczHY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrgiaX8Gfq
**SLAM**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1fg4cToZm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNnKMm8Fqm
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESQHPvzhAp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD4DxlACIg
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01IWqrDTWs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvgu6qiCqv
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq6aFeaJ76
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx4oI5uFyj
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9eZe2BX8w
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgcpSuUmdZ
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41ZsmwYdZf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ902XxflWqh
“M-Mister Dean.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYRxO1J1zg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qlb57JQar
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAYxT0zPpC
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“Yes, child?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxwyYf10aL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5867v1FxTa
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6wSIyitBW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnktiQIDe3
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WwSttrhXQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7txrKSw5lD
“R-Right.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ166p7wNipA
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I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLJzsSFn4O
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn2MM4GuzF
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsI2MU5APl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHYLJHdxir
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBbHTPQDdv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsrIVJ5Lz3
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7mnaI43AY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZf5gd7X4z
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68yI4Sw4gk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbBVtHejc9
–
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–
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–
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With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphsdRh9LXS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDLwMk0vEx
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeENLEruVU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P5C3tjzN3
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEjONCie3W
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqARep8YYX
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4MIP80F3z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk5qQ2uMSL
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz7d0PgfTv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1GnCjFVji
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej0VJ9jlir
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiMFXhTqn3
“Haven’t you explained that already?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWerKs1Wyt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pw5BTl8rH
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4pStRzt5w
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYNJT1k8op
“What’s that?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35aEUkGYq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQPD8e9xGY
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXOXH4m45v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1jrULdVnJ
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkezgl6QK4J
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDU0hOK7Ow
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyTMGosYc3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt3a07ySsc
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsSkbEz44X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu6bMtZInp
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolPrswkuXL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2TNuawmeF
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyAf0txLxz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6zP0aDXPD
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW3tHtOahA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz52mWi05Y2
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWefdswdRDT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQF11UoKBt
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwkRW1BJWF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfFuPcmory
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHciy9S2EpT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AOzVVhjL1
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEhozNorz0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOzJ54RqmA
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPFR60WRQ1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLMsdGB7DE
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsk6njfus6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWtaCYJ3SG
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMnIoxl6Nl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYSVh03AOc
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWes82UVozG
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“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxeCrVWFdd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaSYRjyL8R
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFX9Fgt4X8
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“I think it likes you, child.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjjOnRjjyk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRNk1hcg4V
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2kj2BoauE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4uZ3MelhU
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl4TGEHFKF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uuUQifqhU
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpD0ZGjjsL
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“Hah?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpLvOSkkhc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAcLYDcWCP
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf6FNGSMjO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKjp4hg7XJ
“I… smell like flowers?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpHIJhIJkf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxWffUbkIr
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sT5HoBG6E
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp5pO7q8wu
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXUOWNc4EJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq0e7A4wI7
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrphInGxd9
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“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9RUv6cZ28
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu2crakeAM
“Really? I didn’t know that…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXy7lommOJ
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“Ahem, moving on–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz6ceKisy2
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Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u2eLT2HG3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYJ0AyelGz
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ4Mi4zvtN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqhytHAu5v
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN73iZjBwN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPpriW8hEj
“May I know why I’m being told this?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDhNYcpqXv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BQv4Qv6uE
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl89KPSFpmC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf91lORj09
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpBgOLxy9K
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“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjgqQYIghE
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“My help, you say…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaV2g9Y9Nd
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It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbJkS4RmtC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV4vn47B0n
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiE2hNO5fH
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“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLumAF6SC9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW5BRprpjl
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOW4h3RfRX
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“...Energizing potions?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVKswxAOWn
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I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRvjomuu3c
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“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfibhlyKgHZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cPYCgDkvA
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMibLFkqXdI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51N58AHTWE
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAr7oRCXrz
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“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWsunHnEGW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvve0bzo7V
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCHWaBmovS
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“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jvf4KDWDJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMm4Fn60gy
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKyO0VXJal
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82yWRcesv0
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZEsiuGT77
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“Is something wrong?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wremSq2SP
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Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSEffjlpFh
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“Well, kid–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEguqzXUDZm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ColjX0Kuq
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mISss8Vu3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrJsRz3eUA
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkRSB3Tlze
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83lNVHNbmk
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaJsSadFgC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7ykTGWflk
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84yhWfInZb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsOTFiiSh
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JHczf3n47
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ngh5RKGqg
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJOLX2iDXu
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“...Comfortable.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7nP7TF8r4
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I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuObULolLW
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Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjC2XB9SFI
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–
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This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYtoHdAq51
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgbRliWe81
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznHym3db8f
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Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCjJBJPjzp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbNWE1GgyX
“...A little bit here.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41DV2Rbiql
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It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzyRRLnojz
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And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvM35H4gKS
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“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm3AjjQxkq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0y93p8UQk
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr07ijE73tJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGda0YC09Cm
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeiSFW9Typ
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“No time to waste, though.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI7i8AxdFy
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So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIxF6NpG9y
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I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzzKOyLfRM
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I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqZfO8alAf
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“...Crap.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HlohzSPwX
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My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6thi9t4UR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50UBJK8TGX
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB2xXUJAyP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiLdh7yyFj
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5a7pdko0B
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“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWasFVFYo0L
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r5KGXf0QA
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2DEYSMCyr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrjMlHCQ7A
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJoJFZw0nO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo1f7Xqcup
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd1Wp3c462
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfkzyfne9R
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpZkZcaaAf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbvOfhlCqW
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4NUcmd7tD
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And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYBDmsqcDu
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“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvaPJXx53H
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“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeSylpyj9u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM1c99Stb8
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfGLyziMhh
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“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl4O2aMNn4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CrTNWr2v5
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YmUMRiYXr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDmQMk0EoF
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWjfMFX926
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“N-Nigel!?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VC2gWYxb8
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“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvoStuHewH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAjXxhAP8E
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhKNXyde2R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqSMINxltC
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKjIREERgO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTonm6nmdpD
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZvqMeP1PD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodHX8EvMK4
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaIBQd7FIR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKj2IbsSXI
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxeoiUgA7L
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu3QIkCZIN
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkZzHoVzci
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZca1rc8rJ5
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W0OZiEdk4
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“Is this… a clamper?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmKSyoJiHK
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“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5LA6sT2fS
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–
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Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
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“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAItQU5OVO
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“That I asked you?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIijhTqyUKV
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I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jmp44P8E1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQtp3tvzMK
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXD297j5Y1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRePQdUOuiN
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdmwbMOgVR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCfSHNjjtM
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nnU3UsK73
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszl2uoPpDs
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWUUtJ1mzs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYIEDXFkRy
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1KFksiUPl
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“How did you–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dwcdfKbVw
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“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckopqTZM3I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKxCFTCqL7
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yJrnb3fWh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyBCwheeXa
He continued cutting as he spoke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH12OGHP80k
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iYeesOHLo
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMXMFMs2fv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnRDxXZMP2
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxxfy4JCMu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2k4zBuPTj
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnOV408zYp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWruk5hXvF3
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrt1oJ7Qij
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLsJi3bJEe
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ0Y3nrVZw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PV8tdNxUW
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRuMaWd6a4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfBXpZ4w0W
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE1dLoLhra
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXomI2OGNB
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEWQ9fqfo3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4NKZ0XuVQ
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LKtVpHZOn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ2bTUXD5s
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr2cHKpsRA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHko0f70PX
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvvLa9d6Ra
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQIqR0E0z7
“I… darn it, you got me there.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHu7bp8eiu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipp2PAsixd
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw2tVrudYl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PaT1Xc7WK
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5HkQaL7M3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWBkXSsrrE
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW1mAEZulD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxViKoO9YqG
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65bk7Uq40Q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly8IhoFmFu
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXOapiAGLX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG6SA75Z9s
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWNNd87nqQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EkQ1c5NUt
I looked at him with pursed lips.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXfG1DCPTw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ckwztxSM
“Why not?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpAE20Hfvk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM73EvAQl5S
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMIpj1sUWQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDBuKdb33t
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzxQkLX3yT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdmzTXC5lp
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehhILDaoe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd70X0hVH72
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPKvvaCNo0
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“--!”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQZA1KJ54l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qiArgwTFF
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtelgjvqRZl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i5DFYh4IZ
“Did anything else happen?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7c4LpsHPu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlyfvHaZuC
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINclVkhfwh
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCqf4xDlFs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj7YO39mWM
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87lauQbbat
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZmFa52xv
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3WVuaio33
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArdWjUTKAe
“Uh…”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9sArHdKXo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinn661U61A
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh707NC8tH7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC4MjWB2OZ
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIjmpLPoBA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV9yqfBkG3
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82T2ieQ2dR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBIhcUgso6
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTB6MgK7XQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGidtnWXI6
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vyKS1mDFI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l9Ns6CyiJ
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg9WLM6bhI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx9TCU7af1
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqJRxoUe8a
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW39g06MEA
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LBTpj5CKc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFrfGEBGUe
“...O-Oh.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrC6IXJkNV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJLiwl04Cw
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9atJw3Vys
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8Q76jhOQ5
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RKaqOb2pO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBfkxxvjFB
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z8XyIjhmZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYQlHG8BTB
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6idiooocb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1KmsvoxeG
“Make sense? How?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4noLvNZiBD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZVcGxvZOH
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHclXYyVrO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogRLhCQJXF
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbm1UEFBYX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJqtaY5fC4
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNy00K5AfH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysEFZmn2IT
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Ks4VM9As
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbBG1bQpoA
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0AnPIwPBN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRsCoLt7MH
“So she still fought alone, eh?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc14x2Vptl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcGYv5vf97
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdtGG8t6cF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj5e0OVQdX
“Relieved? How come?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiQdYhg0MI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lyf4j6Jv5
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8iqrGFW0S
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTHk0n9aZV
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXMPyP0Iqz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cnyrJ9LsX
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlKZFK2nGH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbaSa1qesv
“You’re probably good friends with her.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI1CopoyPy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ37ule1g76
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNHcfL4BMr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkBWNzCCTF
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWizck6J2s
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p0Q5trE62
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALvWVKkwkh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaWZwb2Gov
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3wxWIibHm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ej1oygtSl
“H-Hurt? What happened?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JPmlyWqQ1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hfVLW4Qrm
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Un6a3jEit
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DrsAfSptd
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAKPEfFqDb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeiMFjUHZ6
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguId2H4zQe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBc7pZa4zd
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUIKzx0sPp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavnL5WOOQb
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yzsCtDXXQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiTEtZuUjj
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2K65YpK2M
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZjtWeixmf
He shrugged.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CAiVsPd7v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI2TZUCoKb
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd8Tq94scx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLUtkpwA7g
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs0yAaJ5oI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFMSU6dfpL
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AW8Tjb8jV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7JcKkYKe3
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82wMUyCPtv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGUUrqjTNM
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDjznwlsnY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWp3NoXnDE
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXrdvaG47t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6slqLGoPQ0
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUx7Lr17XY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pbTWBPUQ1
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE8mj969SS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjqPoJwiYW
–
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–
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–
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdCd0Q59oO
“...Role model.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJuaVocexM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPK59t7oTv
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoKMY0yenT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXDaBIJusS
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2WZfGemQ1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlZZG32bnQ
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJnWCRXcGE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWe8GQAyHa
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqhH1HvZYV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiPj1OEhgh
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDzTvmBtHq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VUTTVeSMJ
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Be5ggZuVM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3UHSvMch2
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqeI7y6ZwS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQULZOpCL3H
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj3vy2oZsW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmvTUdhI7V
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
