My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFP2uztySz
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8KqHMDjUa
The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEGYlXUvyG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvlSKE4o9G
"Haa..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgsGxZvDI5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WbbtjKVyf
"Are you okay?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Vjy8i500
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo7tsPy6Mo
"Phew. Now I am."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gD6po1nwp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZadRlrWVU
Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKOZRSaQJG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypWC0O5GkI
"W-What is it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyJ1Fdy4wn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjwXinbf34
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZpcXTSXJ3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCuljHnJpb
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHbxZdZy9B
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AwDWi8C32
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdWGbHPrMM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHPD8Vwtcq
"Well..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q0WEYF4DU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpf2v7XauD
I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZL0h3hWd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CTICS3C17
"Come on, tell me!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6nJFYcPAA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnpQSmiaM4
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqLiJ2o0wo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vMq54hEvt
She sighed and shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsyub1JEAQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXKm4BTuFj
"Are you feeling nervous?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut2MunxLUn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97I09MWzcn
"Of course I am."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSyNTl3Eu2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9AMPFb5tb
"You shouldn't be."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeVonaeqS3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ek73QTWO
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pm10MQPFj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbKErwgF1y
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJkKcO5wG3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8crUET7CM
"...What's that supposed to mean?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgok12SiOo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj9HVba76y
I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2LWKymrje
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0msj3dGKz
"I think you came here a little too early."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc075NhDHLw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY8FimkGWc
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVmiMIyXCs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcaaBJBwwa
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx6qTILVKF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9NiOXLtXO
My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.
"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"
**SMASH**
The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.
She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.
"Hi, I'm Flinty!"
The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.
"Are you two seriously my teammates?"
"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"
"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"
"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"
She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.
"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"
"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"
"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"
I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.
I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.
"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"
"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph! We'll see."
I stuck my tongue out to her. She stormed away and sat at one of the tables
"I don't like her," I muttered.
"Yeah, she's really rude. I think she should apologize."
"I'd rather we don't speak again."
"...But isn't she your teammate? You'll have to do it again eventually."
"That's–"
A good point, I wanted to say, but couldn't squeeze it out of my mind. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"At least try getting her name."
"Why don't you do it? You're better at handling these things than I am."
"How is she supposed to apologize to you then?"
"I don't care about an apology!"
"Of course you do! You wanted one from the prince, remember? You totally care about whether people apologize or not!"
"...Darn it."
She saw right through me. I didn't want to get up and talk to her, but logically speaking, it was the best course of action.
I groaned as I glared at the girl. She didn't return any looks. She looked like she was about to fall asleep. A perfect excuse to not talk to her presented itself, and I–
"Ack!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcdO0rEnf9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfAMmIBCet
Was smacked by Flinty.
"Go!"
"G-Goodness, when did you get so bossy?"
"I-I'm not bossy! I'm just trying to help."
"Fine, I'll do it."
I hopped off the stool and walked towards her, rubbing my shoulder on the way. I stood beside her in silence for a few seconds and she said nothing. I imitated a cough into my fist. She opened one of her eyes and glared at me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJb9vMPlI4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFFiLrART0
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjeuMjz2MM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaETewNYi8
Three times did I want to stop talking and walk away, and two times did I reconsider sticking my hand out, but I did so anyway. She looked at my hand for an uncomfortably long amount of time. I was growing increasingly annoyed.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTcGD5zSRR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFasJ8XTvP
"Aren't you going to say something?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp6XfaQdvy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gOaVj6IFx
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc53IMLggUu
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoONSNlhxFR
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHis1WNJUg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkFlFzaZ1Q
I pulled out my card and showed it to her. I didn't actually know if we had the same mission, but I was willing to bet on it. She skimmed over the details and pulled out her own. Her eyes suddenly opened wide, and a smirk plastered on my face.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnwruE37i4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltkgG8K9lQ
"...I-I still don't believe you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNrgdApabe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf5EYewxV4
"Are you serious!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyXXMyDBub
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNMIdAL2IA
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL7vIujGqA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC0gJ53mQN
"Can I at least have your name?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHqkiHwtL1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnXobulB85
Sweat beads formed on her as her gaze switched between me and her card. It was obvious that she knew she was wrong, and yet, she refused to admit it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8d0Tc9EQy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihpTo688qr
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwnXf9cIh3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hThUZMcNg
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV07ncJFcny
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5iBupfZ4L
"A-Alright, I won't forget."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq5mnT6FsX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0ZdUAWoOE
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMBzmap8zp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8owABjuVWA
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJJGZhETwR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq9a268EGU
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ00evUzzVP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb5ClTMbV2
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRF5kX2v6R
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejmtuBz6j
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGeCAGh91h
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafIz3K3TqS
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjrUsThoTd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GkrpgbC8a
"She's not very nice at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN031pUBfZG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpruyq5vMde
"I suppose not."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPr4KuXzZn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqHpHecqA6
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByBQYbzVvm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ3Cjtltmx
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgYk0O4ACj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEzpMcRE1O
**SMASH**206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeOjX3nP0u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1BHo857XW
The door flung open yet again, revealing a tall and fibrous figure. Once he stepped outside of the blinding sun's light and into the guild, all of his features became distinguishable.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGV5FFPT3H
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqyNLSX4z1
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j53cNrYfK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHDi0fhvoa
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd3ouI7ch5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDZsyOjnTW
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsrogKZ6n8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdp9E9Pcjs
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTKXOLFo5r
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYM7Om1y4G
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwlJPDUUZ6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MCaDk5FU4
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjLk95ISB5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDInsSBB6Ck
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8UQl9790Q
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6y6uKUyv8
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrhKBkE5UB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG99yqSsSK
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9jofje47k
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8iD80QRPk
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN1mztDaVy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXslTV8kbWj
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFfUEFyLo5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjLW1fmfSR
"No, not at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRhsetihMi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBudCxLbtJQ
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcyP8nsPLY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2EH85EMSc
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2R56PxxNN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ25Iom2YkY
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDUPrlI2az
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdedXSLcBL
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUI9M1as4L
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHzufUqDLP
"Is she our teammate?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN7qH38QsO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81H5CZCc5P
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCBSIMINUk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6Uoq9EvK
"That so? Lemme test the waters."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFOWHATZiF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyjd7kZDUA
"You'll regret it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgSR6KFS4x
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjVsU8S1MR
I leaned back and watched the impending catastrophe unfold before me. Juke greeted Rover, she mentioned something about him looking strong which Juke rebuked, they shook hands, exchanged names, and Juke walked back to me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ1n2G6rk7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu7xqqJltG
"...Wait."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW6XBZgHoY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aweis4s2z
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaQEtVL8WY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRcnn2wC8R
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBaU82oMSb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyAmdwg2qB
"A little? Just a little?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoGt1Qlahq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsnvkZjv27
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3yap8LGyg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo2PArwRLf
"I met her five minutes ago!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS2SLwYe50
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gIwLFKzOA
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJySm4iefWt
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qakE0DWRx
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ8Y7yyS4u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmevzm0gg7
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEiwrMZcb9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzpff8mdaK
"Really?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJvpjJrPqF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDroDRWnvS
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghLeeIKRU4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pRD9AkBhF
"What do you mean 'really'?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkmYcKC1yn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAERFVBSclh
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzcQs1EIyn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB5OJjgzhH
"--!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVVav6UKW6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QEgEV6oFo
I understood the underlying message of her words. I thought about it myself, and she was right. I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Though, frustration wasn't a preferable alternative.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kYbALAaQB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs3Pdxlr7Z
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyqZxWX730
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuIxDZccsj
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pViFl1XES
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxEmeIPPxT
**SMASH**206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWaybeQNpk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrbNQOj3e1
The guild's doors swiftly opened for the third time. The figure there was tall, and his apparel made him unrecognizable, even when he stepped inside. Everyone's attention was fixed on the man. He scanned the room and nodded to himself as if this was the reaction he wanted. Then, the man took his head off.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5a7mwN5b2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiFowTW0qF
My jaw dropped yet again.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRCL6Xl9U1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAYcfsfdCZ
"ROY!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE7Iqvzggs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPStQ3si6s
–
–
–
Certainly, Roy's visit was a surprise. I thought for a moment that he would be joining us on our mission, but he immediately called me a fool for even thinking that.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaWyO0raJU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92RdlhEvtn
Roy was responsible for handing us our cargo and carriage. Juke held a package in his hand, and we were also given a map of the city we were visiting. Roy didn't say much afterward, he was simply standing and waiting for us to leave. Considering my impression of him, even this much consideration was a shock.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNKMoJOiCM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD7KhaveKO
"Alright, the cargo's packed, and the carriage is full of a bunch of food. Should last us a month if we don't waste it all. Water's up in the air, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEaWWlHHXn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0fePORnlR
Juke exited the carriage after a quick inspection, rubbing his helmet at his assessment.
"I can make water with magic," I replied, "it shouldn't be an issue."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FIUWEFdnY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAL2hnQ6PX
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaOUxvwokK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEnziWfTLN
Once Juke asked the question, Rover immediately stomped towards and entered the carriage. I looked at the carriage's steps, partially in sympathy, but more so because I was cringing at the prospect of riding with her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRLgciI3MP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeErceQaGtk
Also, it didn't help that the entrance to the very thing I've been losing hair over was standing right there. I did not doubt that, once I entered it, it would galvanize me into staying put, and something about that terrified me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFYcUBfSfL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQpJB0twN1
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ5mGO0bzO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr5VXOXaQp
"R-Right."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVngBGpROr
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzAY9cpruD
Juke entered the carriage, leaving me alone. I gulped and took a step forward, pulling my finger to my mouth and clasping it with my teeth–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfu39GwrY4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2rSiFzbM6
"Ack!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3nMtweOn7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadyfncDx4D
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazEKvAJNHU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRSDkNPlvO
"F-Flinty, what was–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFTjTqbXoy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNAVDHzbC8
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxffXnEyB2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWmpv8bYzs
I was expecting a frown or a scowl, but instead, I was greeted with an assuring grin and a thumbs-up. I was baffled and at a loss for words, and I still had my finger in my mouth.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmownUnworb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPg1uvrHfC
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PqXwMJXNR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq3ZXWXJkz
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ0UXUD8NZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R0kF8VICT
"No, I'm not just saying it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKphT3dM8Bb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy5npaR7D5
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlfD58ko1x
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDa4FLZAdO
"I don't get why you're so nervous, but I think you should have more confidence in yourself. I mean, you're Kenny, aren't you? You always manage to do amazing things, y'know."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxgOzNXOTH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTTwlbcMH5
I wanted to refute her words, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. They were too, joyful, and too much like her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaN8CoGK6l
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ByQ9Pd0i
"Even if you meet someone big and bad, even if you have to fight the likes of Hard-Bringer, I'm sure you'll be fine! You're tough, and you're a good person, a-and even if you get scared, you've got friends with you; friends who can fight and who you can rely on."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7i3C18ndW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1cDkjhxmn
"I–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ04XIGmU7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWde1dTpCLT
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nDHzkskbi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Vmea5qeZ
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorAhrP9NkT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz3VBLozda
I repeated some of her words, digesting them as I stared at the ground. I didn't agree with her assessment at all, not one but. And yet–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO8YyfCDtA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmhhsOFQfv
And yet...206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHMvUq5YU5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtpBZ5PNMK
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOudxK5sU2G
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqihB0m3TK
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8F41EX76E
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYBV3mWZWG
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k99U6ZRdn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdihPXNrZOE
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qjqSKkT3v
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJPVmOvzA
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl435VcDlo1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9Rj2wA3q
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnXbeyNoaV
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvHxYvCu6s
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBWw7wodM7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqjFKkgMWh
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT863aH3Bk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0QocsDl7V
"O-Okay."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rpkf1Dh6I
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KiD8QpfHN
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBjyKrZieJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7ak1esqpS
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfMqwnxW9U
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxm12u3FAe
"Okay okay, fine."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsgsfnynYd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpqUCsfpMC
I ran up the stairs of the cart, peering my head over the threshold at Flinty and waving at her. I entered the carriage and sat beside Juke and opposite Rover.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yFMB8m8TG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJJmkX9cGK
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw1ttUoBFI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQAComWiPZ
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniFt4T0Ivv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDXaUhMMsj
–
–
–
The wheels against the paved trail provided a comfortable amount of drone to the ride. It removed the silence and made the experience of looking out the window far more delightful. Though, I wasn't the most qualified envoy of such information. No, that was Rover.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qIsMoVekN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDeKNnWUU5
She was on her knees with her head sticking out the window, taking in the sights and making gleeful noises like a child. Considering her age, it wouldn't be unfair to call her one. It was equally expected as it was surprising.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDbmbWYuHR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV81wehz6v
Truthfully though, I could care less about the enjoyment she experienced from the ride. The reason why her giddiness was welcoming was because I didn't have to talk to her. And because I didn't have to talk to her, I was enjoying the quiet ambiance of the ride, my eyes closed as my head was turned to the ceiling.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAG7YmYMfA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtB1sUmNUD
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjN5tRQllT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDaNdZb1Nz
"Huh...? What did you say?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjIpVdanWV
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpMRhLU17U
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0He4ClzE6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGfiODbLRx
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalNC3Ns1jy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU7qHI7kdp
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFEcUBPex2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqwdHP2J3W
I looked turned my head and looked into the back of the carriage. All our food and resources were stored there, as well as our package. I couldn't see the map, but I was certain that someone had it on their body.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlN9XPpdV9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qTvcUElVJ
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwVodsM9Fu
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2fEHqpVoS
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1bN0NuIk7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSbKK2EOfN
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7zueXZK1r
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsxkfyHwVS
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vTRqkgXHo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnQgnnSpyE
"Note?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZoQH7oMy7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCffTSEwuYa
I turned to Juke who now had a piece of paper in his hands. It was... glistening, and though I couldn't tell what made it so, it likely served as protection from damage.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN12VbjqrM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxcqdneeor
"What does it say?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZSMdesSnj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGy7xwI9zq
"It's just using the royal name and all that. Kind of like a free ticket to a play, only for whatever this 'Communication Tower' is."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqgkky4X3L
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleRiawlefY
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ngdi0JoyX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vZSwEOmSC
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6TZTlc8vS
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXAJmqa9lr
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPktB03fP0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrBpON6tAj
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VDK6Zd0a0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCXwb2XPZn
Juke sighed and put the paper away.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVGyFhak7Y
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Gtz8zeJ0
"So, how's about a story?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCY7PScK2Q
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAMve8dwXn
"Why are you asking a child for a story? Aren't you, what, in your forties? Don't you have something more interesting to tell?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbgs9vjCqs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zEJ3rJqNr
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg2FRxM2JH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMdFwf884r
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwz8eWp15E
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcoGgDJ5Fw
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuRxTAZAGo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpbErQVIN9
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTzesueef5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkxkHYdrfn
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW3j0bZ8j1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLXFoMlq4M
A new voice entered the conversation, and who else could it be but Rover? She perked up at the word 'story' like a puppy who was offered a new toy. She had a sparkle in her eyes that she tried to hide immediately after asking her question.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAat5kFMCsE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhPPBrv6Rh
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8NsIi0TKG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aGX6T1H1D
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm89tv6ak6h
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jmucc9opN
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFu8azRlKa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENCQsU6ymW
"Seriously? You have to be lying."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlHFGBa60l
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugmCvoEH4W
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHasSjQJHa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUYE10KKb5
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs87pAs3hjw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQphBEqCVG
"Nah, I ain't got anything like that. I'm a weak guy, so I don't have any crazy feats or big battles. I got some other stories I can tell ya, though."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XYN2qGlNA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ip3RLwAlQ
"Like what?" I asked.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NYE9M4E3u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhyrQU3siP
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkvmy0MPrl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApLqoUqt2H
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz93ugpAGyL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOvmLq2yg
"...Stardust?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHT4NkL17F
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0PRzivvQy
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fOdzdPGYv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3UfJcsvIv
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92IOHVHtPO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Fdsnfs4f
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsizVf9jyx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9EFP0RWqs
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6XSjUAu8o
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhMSdGfkRz
"...The what?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOGMBZNFJn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ19Gi8qBh
This was the first time I've ever heard of this. Rover seemingly grew tired of making miffed and shocked expressions, because she sat down right across from me and cleared her throat.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk69xaLAmz8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoMN9Sgdpi
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPi7jdEGNC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZgO2b0rz2
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCux6hHa8MY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTAvkyajLt
"Of course I do!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4alSMr8UEk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauSfkby8R4
She pumped her fist.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKlgvGobGG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKrm6deFuj
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy70AjuEl6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjur3uIuAg
"Sorry, Juke, but this is more important than one of your fairy tales. I can't stand by and let such an uneducated brat remain uneducated."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9FmNLppp4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk3J5mOPsy
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuivuslwlQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hSDSnJJ4G
"Alright, so here's how the story goes: long ago, the humans in the Flatlands got tired of being treated badly by all the other races. So, they built ships and traveled the seas to–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOoOi6uzv9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB9UmsRE0z
"I already know this."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkngth7Rhst
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd5RvYsu5C
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1oUQNCsII
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA5e6EMF6h
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo2ZoCINar
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUzhdNUScJ
"Arg, well, there were twelve ships in particular, and the captains of each were total legends. Stardust in particular was known for being super powerful, but also a total pacifist. She's awesome."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGQOTBmGAi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQhvucOizV
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXPR6JemPP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fG8WI9NyB
"Eh? Why?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3K4mFzeGw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsHVt2AYaX
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUJqWvxhJT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0eFVRoz9b
"Anyway, point is, she's a big deal. She's probably the strongest human to have ever lived, and some say she was the strongest even back in the Flatlands. So, Juke–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHmGaSUSCT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd08lQ9Ku2o
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINVeOawDrq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv2wXtPHgp
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4TCTi6pZI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZJEt2eDFR
"That's cuz I met her."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQ75p8viA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51P7zjCEHX
"WHAT!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9dPJPgCnO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ZFdnG5ZO
I nearly saw her eyes bulge out of their sockets. But, I had a question I needed answered before I teased her for her stupid reactions.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdeTAFSCpC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBC4JqJoTJ
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjTHf1P2j4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8hrWyHVhB
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrhZQgagwz
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a3yNuwyWn
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp0OTYyOB6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkI2pHT5Ss
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zq3gJCEAa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKm9PFtCW7
"You're kidding."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFYIGfPE4w
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwT4C3zouA
He shook his head no.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XEMNckZWO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbRT8GvYyx
"The way I met her was crazy, I tell ya. It was eight years ago, at the Sextet Rivine. The woman was battered and bruised, hanging on the edge by grabbing onto a tree. It was windy that day, so she was flailing around like a flag. It was hilarious."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAAykbEg9u
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y6JCGwMC5
"You're making this up," I said.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk7KMqtgEw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXetXysOgx
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTz5lb8BgU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafdVjuAwkG
Juke shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQVruIenSa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9O1tht3Wy
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSwS3UR5eL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLqVrqcYQ2
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo8zJ36dB3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GieMIHh8h
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUBvJb4bQG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPysmeGT9s
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRFrMxsjuG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEo3MtluER
"Fair enough," I let out under a defeated breath. I was sure now that the job of telling a tale was bestowed upon me, so I needed to think of what part of my life to disclose and a way to divulge it without sounding insipid.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2DNMn6S9F
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38jKT4YxmE
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFJ2L9kcI3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU5F5IqWVR
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Y5lT4Qqp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOPW49im1C
Rover was livid and spewing spit as she clamored. She quickly calmed herself and sat back down, but her gaze didn't turn any kinder.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmrabhjcm5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiZxoXvwHF
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO49biQ83G
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsFkLEzyEH
She pointed a finger at him.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYujdVnKX7c
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiCAoezNxR
"You're lying! You have to be lying! I don't care who you are; if you meet one of the twelve founders there's no way you won't walk out feeling like your life changed!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9mBdfimaN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oT1aCIFpv
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDFjfwUElW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhmnGGMT27
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xtB7mb53a
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOJ1rl0OzO
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fh3vFYovx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2C6jzusj7
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcukw5m4W3F
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtPUONyy0p
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFmG5HRyi4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaLDJ63aLf
"--Ngh! You guys...!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6qtwcdg9b
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikNC3zw3E6
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0azutdnYN0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScRxuI3iCi
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCMa9KbShO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcDkMCV7pV
Her voice died down. She put her face in her hands and sighed. I would've guessed she began crying if she didn't lift her head back up and glared.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSOVILxuKJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz85OMidqC
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM8rOm39d2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnh6qDQz32
"Ya look like you have something to say."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5fhgBIyL8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi2DZlw52n
"W-Well..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ8oxzxEAz
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu30t8MSc2
She turned her head away.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBQekPdh3t
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1WVsjMmAT
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcseTV6xFFU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnirvifKI10
I absentmindedly blinked at her. She tossed her gaze between us and the carriage wall a few times before sticking with the wall. Juke and I turned to face each other at the same speed and time. We both shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTe1CLKZkb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlkjECw2aw
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc02jMMmC3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2sNntBHW7
"Mhm, I told you so."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6TRrnKeaJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79rcBZcTEs
–
–
–
Snap, crackle, pop. The fire ate at the wood with a snap, crackle, and pop. I couldn't avert my eyes. Stock still, I basked in the warmth, one arm lazily hanging on the top of my knee.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4jcUcvZyU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbE7hBd81e
The coachman Dennis held a stick over the fire. A fish was crudely pierced through it. It wasn't part of our original supply; it was something that, for whatever reason, Rover took the liberty of catching. She held a fish-covered stick of her own. The two looked quite happy cooking and admiring their upcoming meal. Rover had even brought spices from the forest.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x1hJluXR9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcidhNS83LI
"...So why am I not getting any?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTB44vacHL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HKzyqPoET
It wasn't just me. Juke wasn't brought a fish either. When he asked why, Rover simply responded with "Go get some fish yourself, you fraud."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqqcigruhH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmVlre8wNO
It was obvious that, despite her apology, she held some type of grudge against Juke. So, her motive was clear, but that simply begged the question–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWOOiZUYq6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ471Gegsyr0
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4p2NxipNn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAYPy9nlpm
"Eh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq4kDtNnuW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDx6iGaZG2
Rover looked up from her food and at me. She was visibly irritated. At this point, I was convinced it was just her normal face.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWxZ4WlnR6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZb9s0P7y7
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X6hmNmaqT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACryaYnCnt
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEyP9T4up5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYcjeV4wpJ
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJqEoZAbXR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz8jZv9Xbd
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCvuzgnWRN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtRAWrsK30
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIBDDRxWY7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JxrcUP8aR
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EVEaLHukc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0hRxz0LgN
Juke handed me what looked to be a fruit. It wasn't one that I recognized, but what truly surprised me was that I was holding a piece of fruit at all.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fn3CYvN7Y
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvaucKsN1q
Though, when I looked at the environment around me, and when I considered the miles upon miles of forest we'd passed throughout the day, holding a fruit in my hand was far less stupifying.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXulYPQFzru
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRJDhsQiqw
"At least I know where all of these fruit are coming from. Who knew there were such flourishing plains and forests right beside a badlands?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjGoOWLCW7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR989n349AZ
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAvO4FBhRs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvVABiDV0Q
"A jungle? What elevation?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8pVljLxfC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OSBv0tFsD
He shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXb5VicTaC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqF3eQvFCW
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3DnFL8Anq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GcjJMfvK8
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RUTV8Ia9f
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhiMJEEnk1
I took a bite out of the fruit. It was sweet, but the sweetness was rather dull. It made for a fine part of my meal, though.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppGzDWfiBf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEyud08qfu
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZRkCnJ0LB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RC1ux6haK
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJILpY5JUWX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1MqpNqv09
"Why?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcMyMGAiZl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG0rxoKOhI
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxijmnLUCm3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ALZr2m43X
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmEOKWwHw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SU4LPX62o
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw5x8pfLt5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4covPjad5a
"Hpmm? Shu aup!"
She began eating louder, staring into my eyes as her teeth tore through her food. It was gross, but I didn't have a chance to chide her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR1h0MxT5h
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEM72Zkz0m
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ794leuEeQh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr3yYATImY
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9CeFxp9BU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ySKxK0Adj
"Nah, it ain't anything like that. I guess I know why I started; it was to avenge my family. But after a while, I dulled down, became unsure of why I even move around anymore, but I still do."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn7xEfbHlm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AXa3XeTPf
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH9QxymVSh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc7swTicDG
I didn't know what to say. His situation was unique, and in some aspects, beyond my understanding. Still, his somber tone of voice made me feel guilty for not doing anything. I thought that I could've at least consoled him over his loss of family, but he didn't look remotely upset about it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsjOtPFZE9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm3RElgbqG
"My final answer's that, I'm looking for an answer. Not just to why I'm even moving, but to a question that's been plaguing me for a while."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmFoUSzeL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTusn37OEpE
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOgqIQLhLi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv78RjxOn1
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TQjH1F4Jl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqmhX5F7sB
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSffw5CPX7D
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX49lsPVeiq
The sudden yet welcome shift of focus caught me off guard, so I needed to think of a good starting point for my story. I found it quickly, but I feared the reactions I'd receive for saying it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbLZECwxTN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFq39wj6Ou
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytuOHx6FZe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmRXtaDZpP
"TALBOT!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNsVsbX1w9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjh2FzmKLD
I sighed. If Juke was having a drink, he would've spat it all out. It wasn't just him; the whole camp threw astonished gazes in my direction.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerqVM3G8ao
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrCcfy5CXz
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwBbVNHpGA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvzYV0ugs6
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡystyQcf6L8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdX9eHX6Am
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1NFTvXg59
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMXY62fgHb
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY6BOE2Itx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowTWPB0KSh
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDlmnLiito
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3gcd728kT
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuEhvtNxFC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH5vdweHtZ
"Are ya kidding me?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4anbQg0W9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiDAn8VQeQ
"That's so lame!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1914tiyY8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89t4rTUPbG
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IOrOBaxAl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdVclvkZZN
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouV0pTXEfs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAPqy5Lz7y
"What's that supposed to mean?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKV57MPCHT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTcNE9AXE2
"Nothing."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7K5MhqBF7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAEoXc9V2L
She returned to chowing down on her food.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm7e6ZHioh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWyIFoICX4
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwiQlv74el
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5h5wvIqbR
"Well..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyI6C4T26C
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrCj4wHPoy
I told a rough recount of the events from there. Everything ranging from my meeting with Flinty and the prince to the wrongdoers I helped stop in the forest in the Green Zone. I didn't believe that I told it compellingly, but Juke sounded quite pleased, and surprisingly, Rover had a slight sparkle in her eye.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMTMsaVWhV
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQYz3fjmgq
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGDJXb5Kz5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT6gHRpgNR
"...No."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0UWtfZWGc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydJjl2hKzV
"Eh? Why not?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbuMvFfAzG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc92x0bspkW
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlwLFSp3ns
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ZkXk8XQl
"Huh!? What'd you say?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIy9EGXddy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeJGlfsZui
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fWVvsA0Tx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2uzk7tllM
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEGPpMruok
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasqHow1Awn
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTrP5zvQbj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mZuR2iodg
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtu7IB5IFa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0NboocR93
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrxMJuZmUR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj1fnsuh9d
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxIJFQbOm7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H0s3ycnwJ
He simply nodded to my response, which made me doubt that he even acknowledged what I said and left the rose tint on my cheeks. I furrowed my brows and bit on my finger, but it did little to recollect myself.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwIfLmLYXl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAluRpKAOGq
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbdUIY06o
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AvIxVR4zZ
Rover spoke up all of a sudden, putting her treasured fish to the side. It was a perfect excuse to flush away the shame, so I gave her my attention.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnos8MVbKuY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRj3bQ1SmX
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiolev3oTyk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrhG31aBt6
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXfFin3O1a
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGVzE6Q63Y
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQUKEYjL1X
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqA80vHB9r
She paused, putting a finger to her chin in hesitation. I thought of making a derisive remark, but I couldn't get anything out without being a stuttering mess.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7kRV0p4E0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cIlJRgLv
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDSc8bt6M0
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oUIEwQXPb
The tale Rover proceeded to narrate was less a story about a mission and more about a dual of hers. I learned numerous things about her character during her recounting; for one, she was every bit intolerable as I believed her to be, but she also had a rather unusual taste in weaponry. She told of using her rapier, yes, but the weapon in the opposite holster was a dagger designed for parrying. I'd never heard of such a tool before, so I asked her to show it to me. It was unremarkable save for the elongated and thick crossguards, but that was the whole point, according to her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxmmV7LElp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3A42DaJvT
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx9u4gcnkI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd5acTHJQI
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNPkG1B968
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8TbEs1oXO
"Custom design? Well..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4O63FOgWJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51JK6QQxJg
She turned her head away.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUPi5qJNZD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkwUWwvvxN
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBVpZkSGji
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5PMT1H5Uj
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK03NN1xRAH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2NhUK9Cu
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipXfmuWoJg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQDSre9nJS
"Oh, this?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsq2R677kZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcqi7hiU35
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS2BgigzEY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi2KNwlOLX
"I stole it!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIzsUaB8PL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6czTAaX1oB
"No surprise."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0WaIBq24z
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBb7LQAQzB
"I ain't surprised."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo76w0Sxz1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEbAQqPTdQ
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAwc3JjOd3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbihOseU1Z
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH43P8t2woq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6J2jhILGK
"No."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfQE03rvJk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdZ1U8llZz
"Not really."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNpciCDiwH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfecrknFX2R
"Ah... you two are lame!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANotPkHaH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr9SzUeGrV
She put her dagger back in her holster and snatched her fish, gnawing at it as she glared daggers at us. I pulled food from our rations, taking a piece of bread and corn. Though they were bland, I ate them in silence, letting the ambiance of the fire add a piquancy no sauce or spice could provide.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfNjaRHTB7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8AOoC1w2A
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXUUGBeN0M
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eRAqO7uPd
This situation was nice. It was surprisingly nice. Even though Rover was a volatile beast, I would be lying if I said she didn't make the campfire feel complete.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oIOsrqQtC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6bPEZTqeL
After we ate, we packed up for the night. I snuffed the fire out with water magic and Rover took the burnt wood elsewhere. Juke brought all the food back inside the carriage, bringing blankets, pillows, and perturbingly thin mattresses outside. No– the lattermost was just thick blankets.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kr73AGd4t
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwKjq4ufDQ
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8N0sQcGFU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpJGUt3fsH
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDQyKGRDjq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkUmKsD1kw
"I-I see... I suppose so."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjLZ7XI5SN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IJfM6s5bO
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUk7Xis04d
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYj3c8pqZF
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3LUIcD6JL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTZEn2TGRB
"Did you have to word it that way?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1MK9Vq3TO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1jtSiyuaj
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc0Sb8HXvm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UHZp2gTzN
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7LrKU6uKX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZEMoOTdEV
"Ya got it, boss."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCksYqRTTEp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH0TpfnMry
Juke put his faux mattress and pillow on the ground and tucked himself in for the night. He fell asleep at astoundingly quick speeds, which made me put his combatant status into dubiety.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEPQiUdjHA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb1cJ4SQ30
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYB4FkMP0Z
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYTQDwrlRm
I grabbed a triplet of sleeping equipment and laid it down. But, before I could lay on the blanket and pull the sheet over myself, Rover suddenly returned to the campfire. She had a pensive expression on her face, and our sudden eye contact did nothing to assuage it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs2p1uHFXQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBv7pu1KGQ
"Is something the matter?" I asked her, which broke her out of her thoughtful expression back to her typically vile one. However, I didn't receive a noisy, vulgar rebuke.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftcQ7Y4ZdK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIRyiprzDR
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfazefJqJL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU5RPeu0Py
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6oqbymNSE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIEtvrw5Gp
"...Well, alright. What is it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhFmwbPEMY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3iRRjrR6V
"I... I wanted..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKivMeDqyv1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzje6kVnx7w
She shook her head, holding it in her hand as she sat down. I lowered myself to the floor as well, expecting something serious from her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o6KdLNVSW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt8HyeqzO4
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuk1pqwUIj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxtB4SrBn6
She began to pant after her apology as if the action took all of her energy to do. I'd be lying if I claimed it didn't undermine her apology, but that was neither here nor there. I had something different on my mind.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2bdtnoe1w
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsBMY9PyTu
"Where's this coming from?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJwWvT6Ndk
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAs5KuBwuY
"Huh? D-Didn't you say you wanted an apology for what happened in the guild? That's what I'm giving you! I'm apologizing! Sorry for doubting you, alright?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdr3caB13d
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSNxNTrp3b
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox7sUBLiyM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ4sWlHklW
I didn't say those words with the expectation that I would be receiving one, however, so I was at a loss for what to say. I was unsure if I should even accept the apology. Frankly, Rover has done more things than incessantly doubting me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwVGb1u61g
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXN61dhrQi
But, back in the guild, I recalled Flinty's words. Not perfectly of course, but I do remember their amiable ethos; I remembered how she mentioned that I had to get along with my comrades.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu2qpNt7XK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6hGkdAZW1
In that light–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL0K7upDzg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy2IJkvv7c
"Alright, apology accepted."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAs6yRwKU8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IVynpwJsZ
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8QqtwHX0C
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KSjHxbrYT
"--only on one condition."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM81dPBLeDG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXiXWeFFje
"Eh!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzWWTYT780
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUm9RRGmVk
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7sgounzGN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnth621DzCl
"That's right."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeBvW7wDbN
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q9Wy53n76
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFcE4F3Z12
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7RuBou4Il
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFGjM4ntjO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgeIStKS85
"He sounds like a priss."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYednaKYPm8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaDOUFwEoK
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKBxnJAexZ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0akFPMIVog
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXFxQItGv1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUug2sggfF
"Fine, what's your condition?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lwm2PQAw7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG5AdVHiNv
I pointed a finger at her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYFsd2cAcT
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGjHuXn0G
"We need to get along from now on."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn73atsw1U
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLdsokVrPO
"...Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rgDb3JVwy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqYdIyEoyQ
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRxsunQrB4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25kNNkJeBC
"...Ha, that's it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4CNFFSApb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE5Fxd2WLG
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLdn2ue28G
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5BczJSdZn
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N9vAHEl8K
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNWFSa0BGx
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijI4ebK5jd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mu3IJ7L3a
Though she agreed to my condition, I knew it would be stupid to think we'd magically become best friends. No, we would still fight, and judging by how she was still letting her chuckles leak, she knew it as well.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUKfaVSBeg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqn49vnWjg
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCjHTtoHgs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkwyR39H5k
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v5aHtxdVn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jX8B0iKpU
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NkHLdN0B
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN0uYJYboW
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjRrSwc9TF
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1HWET90QI
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q3yeJcQxJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxnc0pJUWq
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1WsOzblrj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKWzOjgFjb
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp4eHvnNHm
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEIwSQOHiT
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4WqM3KCd5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qMj6u3kPI
"What a weirdo, seriously."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyiODRTUAn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCga8xQnmp9
I called it a night there, trying to erase her words from my memory and making a mental note to watch myself when I'm acting absentmindedly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7HcaPlBCe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDqT1gmAbW
–
–
–
The carriage drove exceptionally smoothly today as if the vehicle itself had received a boost of energy. I relished the pleasant ride, chatting about this and that with Juke as Rover peered outside the window.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NJFQeMpkE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcAZQxPR93
"You guys! You gotta see this!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrZT3cNTSX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt44Z2jZN8
She retracted her head back into the carriage, urging us to look out the same window she had. I hopped off my seat, figuring that it would be fine to humor her. So, stuck my head out the window and scouted the environments. My breath was stolen from me.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Av24nsiK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tbGZynfpv
In the distance was a city in the middle of a gargantuan lake, and we were heading for one of the dozen bridges leading to it.
