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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9thGI3uBS
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWtefPq0ib
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRyEmDr0rF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykAHY4S6Oe
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjEC4XbqCW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR22Zcm2HWQ
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRkMjpU5df
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nhXdeBkJY
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMfLIOGq6Y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRVFCipeD3
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEnFnAHddy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXOo6buCHK
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21WBFQVwhE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKKrfWmixB
“Well?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRi9VsvEk9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRWg6HiWll
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFwLHJTTrY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u4a2KVNXR
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wYVg4IweF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVsMCdvoAb
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeS1Fi3RG5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezaGs2qb5k
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVV3l8Dx32
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7305x3GsYw
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn1qbnAAnV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBavsxQNdzM
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbzLQV4wjR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5eYxXw2Aw
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nbxNguwgG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOur94txY0
“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…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEPwKAAM10
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5eMHrPtAs
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS5ARhAifL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k8hb9Ijlj
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxK2MC8ZXQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHuFfNhA5Z
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Po1OBOGh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyu5yymTzg
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWUl8sfKsB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb2jUCG8DW
“...Yeah.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5zP9OxTpO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqCahUGMdI
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–258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YY6gvEKRL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfM4KykXCB
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokjTqhSRfX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P4zsaIiWG
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2fAQyBpq9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeHSOMek3I
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO6vEXsJl0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn6o4fCgvh
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tVcaZRL1Z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpUuKBW5Jj
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9GY7worb8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwmZQrYvAH
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5I7zmZ7Lp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ20Qzx4rV0
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb99LheKCOC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY5HD8i3FY
“...?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8gqwSPwNA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgcx1vrlFt
At that, I had to tilt my head.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSVbjCNYYt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK3Wp6h4gM
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xQOz01jS4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XBUUkpcSh
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm0fIDgNaT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOVj9dCtZS
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI45J77bbd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOf5kNhVXf
“Dennis still ain’t here.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbcfCYVL7N
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqdwdC9IqS
“...”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs6zyHa4n2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDFRQIvIuM
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5rpiqagga
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ609AM6ZXel
“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–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxvsbpbn48
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIYUsbBon6
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGexYi2r0E
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDnvHRdkL4
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ChDA5e7Pm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpLUHdjFax
“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’.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8YkWWKsWl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnbH7mImOE
“--!? W-What!?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAn4nIcMw2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKVjQ9eRFQ
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogJ6XID4fd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4sJMgaA6J
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1qMs1dFkV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASaKre0Np8
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8w2laGG28
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGbDgJTvvH
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgage8a9qVr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvUNcdCyF3
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. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHa0Pq8tFJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpQREUVYJK
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQVDamxr6p
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSwuVrjMak
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqzmrY7Ov0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh83ESEYGe
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r97ltLRKu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0LvJ99b62
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ1Sw0puUQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyCCRj13Bl
“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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM3EZno8XI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTykxx8HlZ
“...”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6lcEzVoHi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oCcTWki7r
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupqWolKEv5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC1R2JPqRn
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gkd6F9k9I
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5MjvQgdsl
“I-I see…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTr3E65m3C
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwH6qmV4WG
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi38oGzr4H6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6tNbWMJhN
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGkFAP0cay
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71o75rS5qL
“You don’t, ‘get?’”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvwjBXhA4z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tH4fPZBGM
“Y’know, when–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OQjgW69id
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmNVprFet0
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFSoHySpSo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzrMLXHsa7
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2tJbVFzAB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwIWjqgKLv
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqsFAgMxf0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfwKxU4NQQ
**SLAM**258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVZz7PLuZr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ4E8jSdtB
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtCu30LOcl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQotqelGz5h
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p82woV5Qa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjavwT7e2d
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46VZMdA61j
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMP1TwiVsw
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbAvryAihM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa8ejleufS
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8cRcjDJQQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVBtYgE7iU
“M-Mister Dean.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8w32YuH7z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYACWa7IjmX
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIHUCDNtkt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NjNXurF7u
“Yes, child?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JwK4RiDG3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEsRKWWgTE
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjZT3R8xCr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2lz7JcwAf
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZHLg1urv3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VoQxevyM1
“R-Right.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy146eiopd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp7TlIDnJY
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZWiDt54Jd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSKa65Orip
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurpBiGRFcq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyar2APtA5e
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6668vCiVO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD0ZAWZUwc
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rE68PaoUi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWChRY2pX4
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv310i4UrG6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QjAV5kngT
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazndZNMOQO
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSBebdW5gm
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4wLGD3uE8
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5e11J7s6z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAlgv9cZDV
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr6ZizUcoQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XBJjxj0Jc
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmG8t4Aqug
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeswe7b0VQ
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAR9qr3wUD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64R3hhDZ6P
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–258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgT12uCT2V
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPncBMlZ0HW
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsilpnwrpn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuifTW3Vkt2
“Haven’t you explained that already?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzSuwmQmAv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd5AdUiZ1C
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYppjae24zz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4zQgfXuXE
“What’s that?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBvKw6A6s6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhibHOvIS7K
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbi7gI0MPE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC8kNQlFmv
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudFQ7djnOY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC3uq9i201
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:258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0Yhr2mRSx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqp1Pj8y8x
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIixHIDWEe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwshrpXTZq4
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd2a9crtMY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSKV1c1ttJ
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlsUzIhzOQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7LB23ie5o
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9OCxnRtQD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkpLPMQ7kN
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4BQcjxdQq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSPDmlAHvA
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jO8G5zf0f
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYSgnz7PIZ
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l43o1ukCR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPx8y0Jxr3
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizK5IfzcEW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hZkGk0m9z
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnla6RMjEcU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaK1DV2IN8
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNyiheHGPk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrpn18Wqfg
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcRrMYvms6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNtRCRwXIG
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfXZA0PXEY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4ouNp4edK
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajaNBYdiOg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9El2fp75kQ
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d2c1nomIJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOuhmwnZ0M
“I think it likes you, child.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBNPnoBrlo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuc0tIxiH7
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5tT4ozdyR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ouLejXmGY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5UQBOejLZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mDGdDytmS
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS9AOINF7z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhysNzSa5O7
“Hah?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PNW69Mtl2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNETrjAkeG
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B5sw9Uy1r
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdNBAn4CKd
“I… smell like flowers?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17eBd4k1g7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhTISckYmb
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzWzMmUkyi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDORzJnQIVR
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LlIjJlFK9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBgqj7I5XO
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdkZheuoOU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHirsWZwkd
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsgEXCJZF0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi7PEAbUn3
“Really? I didn’t know that…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzMctcEUpB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kooCP9MfZ
“Ahem, moving on–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZSGOEbHr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuaxzRA45z
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCLjeYPSm0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNUR7FRer7
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNBWiZiBwM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAQkOzIMv6
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:258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhYrFrifar
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAcnIzsDaM
“May I know why I’m being told this?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxvpn9hUcg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsU1KszCuZ
“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?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6vOo3ewnV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWrV9NM5xq
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CR6Ouyadr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZLwjQDwLG
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBkpW8HGRa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuEgbeIUp6
“My help, you say…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw2l5zGicA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b1aNauY6D
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBDL0JuAIM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaa0Y0NVk8
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M9Zm5f1W8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH7uWp8WzF
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tzafTdrQC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZEQofIyD0
“--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?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxdiH6yzAx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG2VsiRtH4
“...Energizing potions?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVaHaF8VaI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xwFIpXfiO
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMqed80Pi5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh7ALIISRB
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdOEVHxGsv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0G4Zcm42I
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBS1ToovS
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqaDmu5Lvc
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyx8dZZZc6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg2Zcden1t
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanL4h4OQVf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYv7NB1LV0
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl5efGs1oL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi8KxJVDZB
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjZO7b5227
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUhEI6x5mQ
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdsirZGABP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vIEPQt4DE
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPcmbB8fmq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDJbEiYHpd
“Is something wrong?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nZWrCvZqJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFsAyJzgGJ
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0J5PFph7O
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81bHb8sYdk
“Well, kid–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFyWee93HA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuIIBDZOQM
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE5Yw7TNZM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLsaGgDS99
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN0FCUNej4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiJIH4sZch
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XDYhEXCSO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMiJiCI2l4
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5SIH48n7y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqNuhhJdWI
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlxHsMmEfa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvBnaeISoF
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09wRmg3Hdf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu2ROpYSsq
“...Comfortable.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D7ndoqLkt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJBhV5bfvC
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbIJ4EeSpH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9xaIOguC0
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEEUQALOo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qMvpi8yhP
–
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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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRwunnv6YN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQBDr8zvYt
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG5ElubOLc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxSqm5APt0
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0porX78y3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy6glnBWVO
“...A little bit here.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLNEf1Ekcx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBwnIjATHy
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. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp60xoEXDo1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCSz8lLTlY
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtzV8G3dPM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbe4lwx3mf
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7UVYtfedS
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIZk8JOgUp
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwktEdf5uF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhDbky9PpS
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAl7kxPnBW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHijOmQaR85
“No time to waste, though.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTTbkFwtbJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qjvoFpHLd
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41JxEkkmVd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdAD0ArAJP
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejtssxCa1n
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM3lLtcJvP
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ET4x19GdK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6MTTFUVbP
“...Crap.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJAEjloa3j
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqARivvbtIm
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGdpOWDeb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dfOCnCH1P
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvcHJ5kFXo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE9kh1UpGV
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKlEUkAS22
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkODrUtUFjY
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYq4D48Icm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM0M4cxg2T
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtwJCyvssW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4zXQ2m3kM
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGh67QMPN6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVyCD6Coi8
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzjAlnsCot
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8dffcHEnG
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPt6O6MrTE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSW4WaQXyv
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieI8wq37hL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThStoXyU0T
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9v94zr2JQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyckNOBegxB
“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?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFRmJziFn8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3NeuBAg8T
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIza6AYYbO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBsptiyJEm
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW9I9WWRRu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgmosSUixs
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ715oxXbzgW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw16A8ZQFU2
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfmBbmOmnv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwHksiC5k3
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vvXgRWSC2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGT1iCBTaC
“N-Nigel!?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6xKyyAa8n
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6jq2lr0hN
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAq4gKj9bv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4j0HqMxTA
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBRA5AAWCg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JZIyri38f
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7nOnCA19z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq2Fzp6QSb
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOJVfZVA3M
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHij8Ismvy
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9W3Gl14Ux
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdoHY5YhhL
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGQouckVEX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShK3SbwF7o
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZed60YIA4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9yb0YLEee
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4tdKNQpdC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC21y4deQc
“Is this… a clamper?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1zDcwxxvJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimTIit6NGj
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqhZE9qiQg
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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.
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmHwMMvNK7
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB22G710f5g
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqPH9qrZKH
“That I asked you?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyWKiwgXeQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDfSbvJLzx
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMWUD0jmtF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2LZyLe9Sh
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTvuo7qcCd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc43AtPIVl
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxrzlf6Wvy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7d6nm566b
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lQ2dsOuQw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNTmbHEQQI
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI2AjrlJE2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxbZcILeg2
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrInGV6lbLt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH77InCg5J
“How did you–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaxOhEfQNc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1n6aVAyc2
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFowwrnre0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxZ3fIqrFF
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAIYK2cVPG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd5063GmEF
He continued cutting as he spoke.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5Yi3oJUrN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMJ32iiwsm
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTIMmyEIBN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYhAaSypd2
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRPhJ6JeJn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZltK6nWmr
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3etk4R4aG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLpwAxBTgE
“...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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hAmvH1XwV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiOZbaTCZI
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeqjqYh9Fm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4yt0DBvOt
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKY1fGBZuK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEDNUxIQZr
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQqaYY8fL4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevFb58Jq9o
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJliODjommh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2EeYBlLOl
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:258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo663aiDqTO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTlLtHaOAG
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP1PC2paki
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FBjX6ylDd
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbVOxYbIWa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGLnURLvYG
“I… darn it, you got me there.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcfDETUOwN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrDWK79mC5
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SKBuscliH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7B0nfTL7I
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xp98UqW8D
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVZiUYh66U
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6v4KW90c
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWi46L6UNB
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89jJZ8QyZZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDAONEn6U5
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ZUqbIO7x
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hAu039RpD
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84GJhep7Sw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHdCbaNr6t
I looked at him with pursed lips.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyUzUiN0AB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVtV2ce7F1
“Why not?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGuS5900fH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bDiDpv8Il
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXfdsiC8tB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1r7CTNv1M
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q9p4qQ4Fe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnmYbWmKG0
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFSUhEsZMJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t1hnJvFs1
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbiwWlxKmX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpBk6ppfoD
“--!”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSrjGGBG8u
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYimluNugg
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. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAyFhQXGMI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBU1jMM3ro
“Did anything else happen?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCVxLyvpan
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhujZRz7fnD
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FFzZUeIv9
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGdrvyeS5z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9YMgkrzLT
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pqc07Jplu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgVOHq2Xgp
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7zhZbV1D7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EW95ZdFBE
“Uh…”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XHrYjKb3x
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhJnGELZGg
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ3pAjLLhf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHXtVhzDrO
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL63eQKqEaT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepCpCSo8ii
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPmxsKgyvT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7RVSopQ7s
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIm5g6VDZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB95c4f3U0u
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge8xW1ktcA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1VGZYzIss
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcPd0ZzOqq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAn535WPDb
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yg9ROMAX2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx63wnxAYMu
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5Us6hF55V
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEHRcWWwxA
“...O-Oh.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXhEbb6sad
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmkxs4d79O
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf33KS5deB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPDnXcQaAY
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODIbS4FZ8s
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjECQ7d7Kv5
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iMqSHUVat
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfYiC0CkZH
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91q1f90Br2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwGQP1zv8c
“Make sense? How?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg410qD3Y6C
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8GlKEbZAz
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHqvU59i2K
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1zKpQgZd
“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–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR83uA339B
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaWDbjYLwm
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnns9iJEJ4J
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt09BRHzBPv
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9plrWuIPeo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U600eoz8s
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEXNs9ULVG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YB0klyR65
“So she still fought alone, eh?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFiYAGfjE6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDORLRAUZA
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWke5zVnqn1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLUqu1ZK3N
“Relieved? How come?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UCc6cyrG8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZa7Juqrvh
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN1dmTLaOu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5r4mJJIEm
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexrhRtam4e
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl200u8CYe
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCc38t3WUD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfrLqoHvl9
“You’re probably good friends with her.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRPSDnG2Ue
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3FgtjmMgn
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknKnw8bSJP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k8WoV8TbK
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzOP8FuRtU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEvcZgj2Ur
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7XL3uIYsX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2bFf9INFH
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0bZAAD5Js
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFECfaxZRX
“H-Hurt? What happened?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg6mNZ2unA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnj0a7qVmj
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhss9dLfjw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQWPlcdlhP
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpd6zPsF4L
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCXfmZIBIi
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGrRUcYgDA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNtIcSGQ1w
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuLlWySizG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8a4KnZxSE
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopccIUwzvE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHU3IEcyyF
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuN4ONTypX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hEGWNcLVP
He shrugged.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iXUXjfxoY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE18Xk8asH
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mmEraNcIb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN666BnuCRO
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeglfB8nYBr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWjklIVkEQ
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3TRKis9WE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRxF1xyuB1
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv3XV6ziqP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gKYkvztqv
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM1jr6xBZg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcG22Xl1qZ
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFfS3HH8jK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANmadReGr
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHryjAxkXVO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXdrpucRvb
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZQnjsryI6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBJGTU8MoA
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO7zqHHcX2
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmRg93LCiP
–
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnZkHQWD6t
“...Role model.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaDmpebB78
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCsh3oHSbY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9T8oawJCn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfL8aIr40u
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9dV2lsXoD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzZ9rRLaQg
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGhTZ39Gx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0wsSO92FR
“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.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRypTRbA3fz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZPoFKsg4s
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOkIa6pGPt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz2LQuPERa
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUla1kYusL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM0xZf3gVF
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIlheNnwa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvqxHlKkH5
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPsnSOTSks
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbykMsyyrAp
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
