The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFEZ17Qs19
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgKOk7N4GR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLwEt5ODtD
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ofFc1sh46
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmENRP0Dmz
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PV4rAPjl4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCsynoWajH
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWez7NNkVR9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSra9qq2Py
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1SN1yDgTj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwyeub79WY
“...”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv19Q0GBBK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIdiual1Xb
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dh1h0GbCN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2br0XQPrxr
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMD7MorOrc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqJEcQeknu
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqU3ilulmN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLFBFogx6O
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr0EyXiJ75
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw54LfNxAz
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKoLrc45zq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt795Tj0Mxz
“...”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQhtBpAz7j
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0reFcsbZf
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs3SU7Q6ng
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rbd0NIdl5
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJetIg6k8OP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUJ2VP4Pvd
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiWKpXiM7E
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EKU9AibrH
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmPR44lc2o
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFk6o06ziy
“Yes?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgqMnOVOBl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NbeyJfYkp
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXpVZmHqOe
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FeTTxmQx2
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57yHa0qjz1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7JseHN5xc
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjP4dOoW0F
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG40Rp2XaZ
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk7mDv1K6f
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Thlm2kdQ
“You made this in eighty minutes?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEMgWwcaEu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx17s1mviW
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi0VV37Vdv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdbfZ8YWTk
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmFlJUZgm0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX86cJGHJQl
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHAKrd1MUK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMDul0iFOg
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk53TDnIFy
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYwxKmLCS7
“If you insist.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6m4ZXFWd5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFtVjfUlNs
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsstbiOImB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLstAtYivSi
“Kenny?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYfwXhU8q0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ4Lx9SiVK
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsE66RYlCR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8yd9vD78B
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN35pdze6ay
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpV3VL7lpv
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp1GLPSWzz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnaNXkUTSB
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWdwuqMUPh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmU9VeOpuf
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NEpss3SWQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DwwGkIPoA
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraaG55WqCz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R3t9Vj74o
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXLqi3ifPP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkTWQurUSy
“I see. I see, I see…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF8LAAlV6z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gm8OFJNHj
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv88Ns7RXM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHMZ3sIEt7
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJQBrjS5co
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtyBQIIYZ3
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXMd1fWavl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1SNxUikxR
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxqpJnzoy3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqesHzlVlTC
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMznPxQdzO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhXOoE3Vm5
“Please?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74b7gxkqGM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9C1vC8VKr
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdydPUQ8mw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2o8TsfAXS
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwojz17yt46
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwNJSrbZkA
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAbMic670Q
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlwbjd6A7b
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jw7cQT7MM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIV6KuXBdN
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH4edMINAZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4HDcoKlum
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbUK8osQp1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv0GWchnrA
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZaY7kfEnK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh0NRQW41O
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1bDTgUJqO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8SwXyFDsv
“I started young. That’s all.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmX98s4eL5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxK7cbM2T
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tp2TqMSju
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlvKEVe8wf
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oR2TBlL9b
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD8Sse6rAL
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HgNXoMXaD
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvCosjUGWC
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkQRslbBkP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eRURyh1Tu
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4JXaiYT0C
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfnk8ycUG3
She jumped and then waved her hand.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRhsF1dJO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHFkDIHICm
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf6hpBj1lT
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CLyTjRzuG
“Right.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmbal3kUbR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OjOGdsIY
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeCbwqwsp1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlQXe4gmSa
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX18I9lEq1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmlKNPRPwu
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB21Pc3ebRX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU8FhuU7S0
“I– Wha!?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkND1gy0V3G
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDsTAF9Sus
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3U1bXognc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIbMYHTn2G
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPeiKLlmNP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOb7cKwNCk
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi0b9783Mc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PoXLxWn6V
“Your own… peace of mind?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYi6a40502
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJdKQSWWPZ
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEVIKSzML7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQSpKLNSQ
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYwkfRwA1S
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuwjugHnAz
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAevVID1rW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC2FHTgQZB
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJt28ZL2NJ
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv0mMikF8M
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNzCts11ny
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu4MDtJoFR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bticZuY8v
She shrugged at my comment.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1eDcYsXFR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Pvjcga1I
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWYGS3FeW4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGELwvDArX
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWU6Sh582Y
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yelo3vQqk
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lg1nat4kX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mRgDNNak9
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYDJLCRitl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDADnWFH1y
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1PIx845RX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXtdju1kql
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKU8KTdJvh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Aut6zz4v
“...This is ridiculous.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XWOIsvUrr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD1f3ZrpYg
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGnwYYETo3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRy9MizfqG
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhkOB6TVTu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN6n4pjMFf
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Kl2DUoj7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35kyZA6lzA
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmRqf4cJXU
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUaP227F1v
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAYSWs4pdM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMryTfCYo5O
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V4MyKSqQ7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRD1npnebQ
“...Hmm.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4kvQxshhB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXPkWKmpq5
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmfWIMjjR7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Jq9YYytP
“Do whatever.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiqxj7SY5B
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEZYmH9Xrp
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAo6J0yMM0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3I9lKa0G4
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCMa6XeJj1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRV8ZkIWNQ
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6l5SIc5J2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LFeo3EY8B
“D-Darn it.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC795UgcQN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87xcUSesyt
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA6Lh6JWUw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkIjFsQZL8
“What are you doing here?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8gsjkOrM5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIqQj1P0q0
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7UkTW5bvA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi70Ljyih82
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ6kpj2Bsh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAE6Q4ITaJ
“...U-Uh.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMm1FZAv4V
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6OM7gL3OZ
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ItlLRNvK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymGUFuhaAb
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNq0E7tNr8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LGesVV7eb
“I… I-I.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSbHhvLWOl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CvHlM52QA
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIctp29qWm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklOqeDvclw
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaslW6wSI7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLQvDerFQD
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7aNVPkmWP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SivAdW46X
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvbfWFrcB2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyW5btS5dr
“I-I’m here.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcwYtKEiiX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGpZDcikcO
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZPbROopuA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWRmjeFvRG
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI2KEfRwfB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoANIk38hLV
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ho78uWiJ2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9pBNYX1pc
“I…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyu9t1GCjk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiiYy54f3y
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P5AgUZprU
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWm9MbDHHG
“Hello, Rover.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWITWAyQwq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHH9LZWglb
“Hey, Kenny.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenkHasSJpI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtUAYuelc1
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbZiqYEMX0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07KnStxv37
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs0DTQtm4z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgSDxEUTiy
“Cut to the chase!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhOcxBS7CB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy48hHrCGRL
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ukl7H8Ymi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9pWq5mING
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFuiPLe6tu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nsuM8gYAF
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijY3MPQb3t
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0QxPoN9Vc
“Y-Yes.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqpIMeRH2b
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTlnZ10dwi
“Now who told you to do that?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp1Z95HMFY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIciSXFB0XB
“W-Well–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs4wDOsLi9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp4p67sgOp
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j4JBZk7DG
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveEweaHncg
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHHfGcgm0W
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArdEx6heTG
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTHFrmV7Ac
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ7mLWiGX5
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLcmWW2L2h
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN7e3iGbp1
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlgBe0y8gz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wk3JLlEpt
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gD5kas9uS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHzGjQoh0g
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeFl2G76PX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3NcyWQofR
“I refuse your treatment!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbn115OlJE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz4LKuX7Py
“H-Huh!?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UlVuv9daz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoRG1dxMfq
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ5AoRg6f4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1lxUXMG3Q
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJs7VZkZ5i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh77sy0h73T
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUhr6GVIvR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnVnOQuyTe
“I– Wha?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWz5e7UuI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUe4JQ7gyA
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oon0SPr7t
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85PyJKXFhE
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7f2rKMNJi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpzcv0ExEm
“Stupid? Weird!?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjhKc4unZh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6TGEPcm5m
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX7jZAR1Wm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2BCF4xWMj
“...”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tpShdR5zi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUffdlubfab
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqygJSS3TLp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu28DDePc1
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVSUusTsuQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBkq7K3gsL
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfmarx8yzv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmce8EoH2s
“It’s because I upset you.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM7bMqd2XP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirofeOFwqH
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV3QFKLFyn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxL3SIDWn2
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWioH0Nnpn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOonTxjNIg
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4pG5KKGX6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhm0sajOHU
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lx5YqRdVc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ukj1K6Hk
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq3q8IYyl9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiZjIAANEO
“S-Sheesh.” 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvZnBsS9QV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp1YPosbIX
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt1XH7OB5z
“How do I use this thing?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6tRAudIn4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N3PKJBe20
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDTZZUx0jw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUlayrm2dQ
“Drinking works for me.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zQWxincRY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4NMfpBYpJ
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFp65wpXlJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w3RGNzpEN
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76fsahkCtt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEr0Rwofud
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE6mMxW4DW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPfhU8Xy6i
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmpDylJTi1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiP5eWQZL1
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8q6pW1Wa1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2IkEhk51y
“Whatever.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa3QFJDENI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazeUzxax7k
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithupqbxqz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5KGZvvO1h
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bYImeCeGQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciPbUlEaap
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OMmMPnd6D
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPTFji06z2
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaARHRIo3Bx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RM1VyeisZ
“Leaving already?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmlDSTos1p
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCCJv9zylS
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdGLoGZMMa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51bgWJoxxP
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5mXEfm01o
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEKki0HAzo
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ770klxwBLB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPg7LINZok
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xHWWQHzTX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvJd9J00fS
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphJeSCswVq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbsCCOCwuu
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRYtNUgr0o
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw1dLV8817
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiJco1DPtQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8lgsjnfxh
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80bqdfqdMt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQAnYVgXpc
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgLIoJHYvl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LCmzuE1J6
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61E5Bfhbsh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCbDGLnm60
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lPrsqHbr7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRJAaECDXt
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L5tnhvqFA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk09iB7Eq4L
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1Oql4ynn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyZLTWAh1S
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2tiPDBh5s
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0CkNpTpXe
“H-Huh?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPLnOYJy1d
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfPBr3gq5J
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UW4vwft01
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV6wrWw5Fb
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hA3szbp8w
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbzJ2FDjlE
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KKnplk2Pi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZmdnoEyCX
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwZDSBYtGZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SZ4gVtBMI
“I’m n-nothing so special.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4goc3FFc5L
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbx7StuqX
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa4PlhTQJv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfkQDllMis
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPQVr5CpLC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6cHXXEQ5w
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQnHGuPOXw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClPxr2rZdA
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m9UGIubxV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuycvQc5xur
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuo9lQdPUb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWvzeIqq1H
It took me only a few 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBR3Srn1yR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO21FVkTZXb
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR9oKjKkUU
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8HxUbmDPp
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FfcnkH1j3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNTPcj5PuR
“No, really, Rover.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPmxuht7F3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0PKTEryKv
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHTpUuAdxk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq9Fpqsczk
“I think I’m just lucky.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPAp5pkRmg
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADShP8kx9M
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU3MvcAQh9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3zdIquhOh
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyBVoGf7Gv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteSKqyrKFn
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczAqTgUQDj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiFMyctvUB
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgEXIBJqV2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecLGR3q6Pp
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vOsoKOItG
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn41CEyjFoH
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YdFAMHqQj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXXMvj8C06
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaiJ10ySeH
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVOtAivQ6S
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwO9mpSXk5
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5udeaSvrn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ1bS0MTli
“D-Don’t rush me!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsYmUgciuB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUABg4BU3U
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGRPcfsfWz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ONI0h1Ap
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBamIf6Qh3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AuaGfgFcq
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjaqNA02CD
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIkDuSGuDx
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7b4ItfUPv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoXzHus2iy
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdmaz3FBsW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEzTW4XA1Q
“I didn’t say anything.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aX5PX8UWz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7g9NVm62N
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsOkBtotdY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc6ItxnqK2
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cAfGAVKH0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeyRiu3EsY
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi7TPVH2cO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVctbQB9PT
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlcsMBO6Cu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsll4HDXFi0
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK3Ebl9sPR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwV7re6Atz
“Told you all I did? What?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzYo1IM3Hp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeJjwcAiyf
She was caught by a wind of fury.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoXsjU3ldH
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTZjxj4bBW
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDe4PORWYA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfrLw4Xz3O
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0K19OW1EJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFtdl2gpoi
“What’s so funny?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQdp4ZelTJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDfPOJxg1C
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr7lPiajl9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XVSmTwXcN
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaipAbx2FOZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt9BY62PNZ
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXJtZDWNEr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNgk58Zq4
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwroZURnXsM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz91OI8FtK
“A little crazy?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbovCminjq4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gdpYorS0a
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RP2RR9OVx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKupWJNDnv9
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcBGPUe9XH
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWVwpPS2iJ
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sfqxlxF1Z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9GjbnsTRg
“Well–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cSl81lCFk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0rbwCIZEu
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn21Hcbxp3p
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPXOIAG1Ad
“I–”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA7xleMzmS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBnOskYqI2
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHMNrMZ7p5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOZadGyhQy
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf13qGr42K
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFeBMa7Wqc
“See! I– huh? You do?”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG7XTgxt1i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNLajsO3Jf
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ7OI2xXc3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m8H5045g7
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44xIm8JSiS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgJ0pjTXsX
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeUMnOxeOW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8GdelL8ef
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB81u2XlsV0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHL4lmmvRQ
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SZ3aInSgR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi39vHjrbFa
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIghe2410fA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUORp1Q5iSM
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmql0q7sBIQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtrIBG767n
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQImHdmMU0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx76tXd16Rw
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd78FbcnNY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPbO7SavU2
“Ah, right.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHmBzXXS4U
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpHWNybM8X
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZvoZV69kI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOhoMqtYgx
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zc3dKoofm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ5cERWEM8
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok5RhkIVFb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeoce9YIIj
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ814ViGuoMv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQUcmbHNM1
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vk6XbJxu5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6XrN2a2sd
“Wait, one last thing!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9VPPnM0FF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiraXjuFC6
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIz5m3QKu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz1KjbaS6o
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZHuPWV5L
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMLPyzs5y6
“...”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXORmIoQDz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BV7ehjlQU
I smiled.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP3QuZ4qFy
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR4PypBjlg
“I will.”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOt55vNC9l
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd6a3rO3Yb
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOJEQd44Ep
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzFiu81HOX
“Yes!”186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkjC4NKDB6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yJVfysaKy
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRSkRhybMQ
