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.
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKyaU0HCv9
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoT5fLmvXz
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd1zB6cpMh
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–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRwA0QQmel
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaJYo2RYIz
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NcgYOVf2a
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZsGh4DVTM
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6pjLkfJVy
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkY92b5m7S
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJdQ1RTmkK
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“...”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C7in8wIEM
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeN01QeUtA
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wV7vWO1qz
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1lbRUd6sh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yJ8EPK1BB
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEBru8AZoy
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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–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39JLGKpDik
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“...”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7c4iphm4F
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7Sy3laFau
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMkt9JjXGO
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7SLEcxabZ
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqb7fzuQgE
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“Yes?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoDDIzsHfl
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbrUFObbLj
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1apM5H12yA
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YmCCbonTE
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SCQ6r2szh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eH0HrVqHf
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TpVEWCAb0
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lttqHzjfm
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcdqLM53pP
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTz9nJQED3
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ERLDwtKcc
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHswDDBx8I
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ0eicdoXj
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmipNSsiV9
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp53dz3e68B
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“If you insist.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgKD1eJnzE
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIRhkT2hxm
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“Kenny?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fHl5G51gH
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9pVusqyzP
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9APKAoqopt
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSqS91RfO7
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX5pLF3mF9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr9gLPboEl
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1evV8BEhV
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9GJnkjuTw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1n9QDpiwB
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZoUTFze2j
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ5CTM7Zfk
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“I see. I see, I see…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnako5k7AT
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eTsxzvXrY
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMrOKlBWUH
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8NfHHM1Is
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3jHSjZiFC
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjawNOxuc8
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLv7kZMyBr
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBNbUWhAdo
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPmryGIgeH
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“Please?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Yw8wdtrs
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnZ3vX7kot
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9A7NauDWN
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F6rO8cwdq
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLuKMWr2ud
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdEK6UAOIp
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SW1SUr7Ya
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ylkn6D589
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYScsc2AUHi
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBraynCsWZi
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltbJPGS5bF
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkBBPixOhd
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“I started young. That’s all.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aJlv4wlGy
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gJOQluReX
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5XkWNEGJd
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyPKbv0q3S
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They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPgH3gbEQM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkGdNqfheT
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX6MbccOvV
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeidWTQGT3t
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She jumped and then waved her hand.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SLkKvqEoN
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV3pIqJpq7
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“Right.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQVFotsr3S
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81QSdAPZM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwrIyf5hy0
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0tvMBrWQB
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ9QR6blKS
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“I– Wha!?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hfX0KFn9r
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXF2o0uegI
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2M01LTW3T
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0iC8HvdNs
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zsQTANXBW
“Your own… peace of mind?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V8CCiQKkK
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yP6idcTLD
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyU2Aldb9M
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOdMjK8gq2
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLS5pE8GmC
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwnLsEaemm
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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. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuDtPznitu
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc1wOuZHem
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She shrugged at my comment.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgRCjOwWAg
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfmoSAoRur
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ4SemwElq
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizuA7sYyJw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLFGUo4L0X
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd5zJ7bDj1
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–
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANWiwWQvgb
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jSM24pkzk
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnl6e75h1o
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“...This is ridiculous.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueFtaKvLP2
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcbWNUi4Tf
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW9fk1MVA9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMIVwXXdWe
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bLftNax1u
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ncflWWHc
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLALxMmhbOU
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AA8StFzlK
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53U9j7UG79
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUxGEyiAn4
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“...Hmm.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYrEvT9Gqo
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KP4oQprDj
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“Do whatever.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre7uuxoDeI
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46SooekWnQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nod9QWy16
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx8ajHYjGr
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldCOw4Jr1W
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“D-Darn it.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fanTql7gG
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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–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToVxpjWm8B
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“What are you doing here?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3GAAUQKag
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCBEdYxsj3
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz1iWsaPEJ
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapyTVAoXuw
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“...U-Uh.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf02nw04uWh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkVEdInH7F
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXmHOu1vo0
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe80sWmJTx
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w1aG5o904
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCbP5EJHJl
“I… I-I.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN6WuEG9SI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NJYZxlerp
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOUhV3wgd0
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXMdaaOWdn
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsYml5qkKl
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhdG6elJ0m
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARGIGO6kUY
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkuT3rj3rY
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFKcdkXBxO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7AWCIuHJE
“I-I’m here.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYzktf7XEW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYInxd3EfN
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJwDOvgmAV
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9uugkt4KG
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRynlYFyzxv
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCuYP4LjsG
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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OgnckFWL3
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkiqE4ORtG
“I…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oeT6yyLN5
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVXJIQUUiS
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ1Gptfk3x
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyywbJakAFR
“Hello, Rover.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmBPiE2UoE
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQubtqrBsON
“Hey, Kenny.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZEhZyAQyW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlhHNsM4kS
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNYx1QCMQF
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKLkWoTZBg
“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–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoN6kxzrcQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG9UlGpAfx
“Cut to the chase!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNxTjuN5oF
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsmDzglF0o
“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe2PHkYOWK
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlqDINJlFz
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC4MGzqTlP
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJuoV9aN8U
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RGghS2MVW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy81rKEtXT
“Y-Yes.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs7VwegwDY
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7q0WdWCRp
“Now who told you to do that?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNdE0qtMD3
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYZnsda4ij
“W-Well–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODcja4FDwE
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJiewZmegT
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeSrCcmJsh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAkKF6rJds
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U6S3oyZqA
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmNbCXF2NC
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB6jGtmEXO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOgvIdd08q
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCsryMApar
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsejRybK6bW
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5IohozW38
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX01eDSWLH
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuBvdZRfTe
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwtJQ2AJXt
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPByEWWPoxg
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRmHkeJHGx
“I refuse your treatment!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbQL28Xyfz
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMHhbq2iXR
“H-Huh!?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnoAsiDhwk
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMOADJu7ID
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgN5go1DK9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0eljCEvRo
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatL1bsJz1M
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXMglLYxVc
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyeRNrIgO1
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b1J2FSNZ2
“I– Wha?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lRcUh2gVZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkPjkeqaG9
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–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPkTIzPNcM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzCku3cS2H
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ393MrGiZoN
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbHk8DIYK7
“Stupid? Weird!?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWGzF49n52
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVyssNDkLR
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDt7B1oHOw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnQvKmhPmS
“...”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGxvrOqsDf
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXLkiKYoCP
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkHxPAPf2u
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3agvqVjkvW
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0YZfxucrI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkf2i2y5S9
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvFMJwvsRd
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0506F9cFf8
“It’s because I upset you.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79hmZ4whWs
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivDKPBhufo
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8b5GBogtu
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVHpMW98rm
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGLn3H9rKm
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NebyMeX4j
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSTFU8q248
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIpzfmYO0P
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0GBoniNVM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPMUqP1V14
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlskuilxsaD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr3BT7CMHM
“S-Sheesh.” 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER1QM7GgUm
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WVEWoGYqS
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.
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZTl94g8VX
“How do I use this thing?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ukVbks4L
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48pMGxrS0C
“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbseSdlfpTD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0nJR5TthS
“Drinking works for me.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX9Ot4gDz5
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxpRCfRk4r
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApY9RmVd9r
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31wlszz31y
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfq1Fwf8Br
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhlO1ya0rt
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aJHnoL25e
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTdOQ8xczG
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuDrJzWaU4
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“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTnJoy2TOQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUzvrYHyNC
“Whatever.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU9xhjjorn
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzyxaLbf4D
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. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u96olXAbO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu46cYIJaD
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbqw7bjCof
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItgLOen4Yz
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxntXbyS3Xz
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRTGZcTOmc
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWn7CXZgDY
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“Leaving already?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl5ewe3kgj
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjA7yQe6FN
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8fhgysia9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi46h1TiqXN
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG9tiwo4CA
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W3pyiNwOn
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJNU06g7yD
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“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBMBPU7bUD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSceys9Q91m
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjObYXZwmT6
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXn576UPZ6
“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?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPbsXXs4Ka
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCIm3em4Ny
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofhCd0U89K
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P0QbWCAJy
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5kU6RTAYK
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNPNUng8D3
“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PX9rpfe4u
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBRJTntHde
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq0z8xsrer
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5lGR7Aelq
“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqcUx55azh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz1SV7kIaF
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINZL5k1Vxi
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4ouZoChBL
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsuuOmtWoJ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3OLVfhvvQ
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtmDbOfLbz
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QvUlfK4Xl
“H-Huh?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VccsDeJZq
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeeQNvZ1nD
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELOnX2l8eb
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOhMGMoQn1
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitNUUjgU2Z
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd95x3KTUvM
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipTN2huMD1
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4awKmOhZc
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZzKzI6tTE
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtTwL9PsOi
“I’m n-nothing so special.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbId2pGPMM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAE74G2iZS
“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!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppfsIz2fcW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfLWdIcHKR
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oa9mCGNoB
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UJwMPMw5B
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhioJk7gejs
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GExECw4hW
“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060cjLYKq4
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mkfj47ZC6
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. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE7MKkOmuB
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wHwbHzGpW
It took me only a few 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb1dUWjfMI
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgHqquGPfD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLSx7Nwdwm
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudqdV51rvR
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“No, really, Rover.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc34M0nrmK8
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe9ghDf0Ma
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlga6z6SGYG
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRcqPQZcYL
“I think I’m just lucky.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxi9vXxzl
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H99qU85Eq
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqlOGNKHbE
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfdW8Kf8i1
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDjOBmpqHk
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TnSoADojs
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt0NW69qNu
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcHThzgcuj
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXj1JGNRx8
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKpmuLRJ3u
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboqWIx60a5
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJujGq7I5MU
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fsM0H942b
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwIf08tGsf
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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. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j45pC4h5f
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“D-Don’t rush me!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvBfkZM1Cr
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3gzbUVQvw
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“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…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRavsqA4zM
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3aDYW2F61
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HtdpfHOD0
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVRlm6m9EC
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“I didn’t say anything.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR2OEKUoQU
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3tzUGvmc8
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z4OGKiKXb
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeO7wxDOYe
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxG4ViDhss
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYnKUgAf63
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“Told you all I did? What?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEuwWSVAg7
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She was caught by a wind of fury.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9hC2nPare
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlSY7S9DRt
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiNXZPLxt2
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn03ToPwDW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlSPR7y0uk
“What’s so funny?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy1nTufhKc
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCniAsQtNe
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyb6RBZzqX
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PYYdSEKqg
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYsTeezdCJ
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR8M0R7jnX
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“A little crazy?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8TCsUODbJ
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“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!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSVrv2AKDy
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWyfALzHik
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjeb1wMizv
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“Well–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdknZ4BuCe
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lphqxIxtb
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“I–”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP1eP8hPKi
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc91Wrjnjoh
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wtg0NqxT6
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“See! I– huh? You do?”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JytMFDcKg
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EB1SmaWn4
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“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.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou56VP1lci
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZFHKV1IJJ
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6pJVu58Bo
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSH3vsYj9Z
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVoq9giVJA
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy77LDsqYt
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsMjxrwfhA
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Uv7ZnK8v
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“Ah, right.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPONMh5jan5
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiUonEsLcH
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr3fhFifI2
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wBLebpOfM
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“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG07d1FMOMx
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq7T6MM8t9
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“Wait, one last thing!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Knqaj7ZT
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggFla32rjy
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKq60IOvRT
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“...”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddc1Huj6ZR
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I smiled.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rYXJkuHRs
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“I will.”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsxafn9k2W
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbGkTAxs5B
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“Yes!”251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiKAErFOxF
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOfFJ0TgqO
