My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf6Sxb5Iet
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrEudACWx5
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3rE5HSR7P
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8KPcnP9Zw
"Haa..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizQwkOdL8i
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5srxpyryR
"Are you okay?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKghR78VjS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBUgWX2DbT
"Phew. Now I am."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoWxozHiva
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwzAVOunZ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2YTVtTpzV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLQcqCx90D
"W-What is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMjQjdzr5O
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQDrN6bnN6
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJtZwC0vEp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ymS9N4klq
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD1jrSxpo9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGHCwjlNoa
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1agaRsP9o
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr34tP2Pcw
"Well..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIwkL3qfkB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fZ0GZK5Qa
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBHwvvkxLd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0OOF1hgfA
"Come on, tell me!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvnzM10lFn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01IaDIvUjZ
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfDoxZVsoO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w24zkYBR5
She sighed and shrugged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WyMGOvRbd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7ham9pp4f
"Are you feeling nervous?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMKrG5kr9a
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5yzIfiVO0
"Of course I am."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0257iYv7I
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtKnnCKYOh
"You shouldn't be."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFBlaLNnFs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkJsW9kVPF
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ItPcjNwak
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi0iJjvm6U
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3YSagYQmj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINLUyAWXW
"...What's that supposed to mean?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfATekv0bId
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUeEwQnK5O
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosmdeAYC1B
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBw2Ua0Gvu
"I think you came here a little too early."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYRHIQ9Rqr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2h8DyoEFk
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeygemCHhGI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R9xRCTkm7
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb9immBES5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq6o8F9bgk
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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXowZQIEZaZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzVgEPliO7
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1DrbqQwHx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mS9rkJOGm
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlVVcwaQQ3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCA4hP1i03
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lea0j4OOg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LFXwOwU1l
"Aren't you going to say something?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuYGnicGNR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0GcSdxjBr
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK87BPelnkZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTSGIPTToC
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV6ZSg0IYO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpll9Ccd6Yc
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBQ3mLUYrn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav8Ue5gnXj
"...I-I still don't believe you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje9KJaZxxU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ieLt4JRen
"Are you serious!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKcrIQzI3w
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J48FkLxeB
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrON9KgUtw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nf2q47xI
"Can I at least have your name?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd16wyYfXO6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55omQDeRb8
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigfuyExLST
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UWAWMnTv4
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXll8uEah51
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUyIAKeNBv
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivJL670iCt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKzkcX5S6F
"A-Alright, I won't forget."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sTc5o8Jua
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiAKXaD0hS
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFi5yHzSnO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4qpJxfUFU
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRc1kglCDU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHwGtc25vG
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx5RljA9lZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfshy5SICn6
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J0bulooXE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuqwZAtoLN
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rnhZnjYbg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSFPXYkquc
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRCHVUjlur
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1I3jKYqD8
"She's not very nice at all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7N3l05LxK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35jo5BVNTW
"I suppose not."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCM3Y0nijW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxgHGpwQCU
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OyySe0ovB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1fKycK7lN
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvi5X2jGSO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdG35bRknq
**SMASH**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmsThoolpp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB7Jmz1cXF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ603apVJNT8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyc2L8uwY1
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW61JWj3iw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKXc2Gil9B
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGffySPLPT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT5Rdx5dIC
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oFLiJGonX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddOpSzHMwV
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItIEnLP4Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDFUxq9S3P
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtJaPUVHbY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVBx7bg66t
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNiMSsA9gw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLAfDUuW8j
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bXJleqocV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5wtWJbyCH
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87WHQjJ7rB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROHDlDe2lh
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT1treNfUE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FhE5p0EZB
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xVezlpG3E
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczaaKG9kD9
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYklOECOxH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qkgQUHsCt
"No, not at all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6p3hVD515
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wF3qXCxzr
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQHTurZpF1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Yr1XFubZ
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOCXSKPqlI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IoONNb0bH
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP7cPDADGb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMbuzCeu12
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAeUJkCpZs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr9YXzmmXx
"Is she our teammate?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvC0HUt3kC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0JLHgApep
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwWX1ecV3X
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg8txHgH7r
"That so? Lemme test the waters."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYkhDZYn0f
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtPy59Iiih
"You'll regret it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ69kVAi1a6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoSIsaz71O
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0PXfGqSYJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdVkTiY659
"...Wait."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAKD9jX3PO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiUal09Gq2
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaeG6LidvS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D87ZlXm8t
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfxXOUF902
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKoaqT8YEL
"A little? Just a little?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl4pRKdVg3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSuPjUSyQX
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Y0g2rXO9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx47D20t4aQ
"I met her five minutes ago!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ7ViTMvZ9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP4vssGOTW
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIalY5olhY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth4PiKNHjj
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30PNXlQ6jG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOCuNJw7c3
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHvhI237Gq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxfMgyI0eT
"Really?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFxrsV6xVD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJOn3REoky
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMowYkroUV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LACwjLnSZ
"What do you mean 'really'?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl4bo98AB4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lxtBNw9Nk
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH99nBBnMn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK2cj1u39Y
"--!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwOQEyKmIJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG71VxCfb0b
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZfnJ9K7pG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYNLEMHsIO
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzijtiFLV0L
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOWAJttUv0
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8n8mQV4fm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2OsoIHJKK
**SMASH**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuKJb5zKfa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40qataTQbn
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkhU39aJIr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SYLyZwwyj
My jaw dropped yet again.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBXmGkXdhd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7quLOJVcIz
"ROY!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR9p2CSUcv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33efjU1VfX
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSooC44M9e
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJLM4vX1Zu
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUAzMbAmjT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZa0u3Lh0S
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkqFulRWhv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3y8vBJaW0
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC8O9S500v
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCAgZXEJvv
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh4KXS2aR2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJItRABeG9c
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0cBq6U4Uq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fzW8JLQ5b
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFBXJBNIl9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxGqwoUW5E
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF8jBL9lJl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybyKkHuVlO
"R-Right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tCWaa9tgl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOmN8aqPgm
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz65e76TH3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuJUvtzgCf
"Ack!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0LiwMn3t0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66eQQSr65q
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiUteRCvAQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU0CuXjccX
"F-Flinty, what was–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitB0QsomzF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61yD5OUQfU
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mt1VHFes6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdotnHNewJ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBTAzyU94m
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNLkAVm55Y
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrDvth2OWa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX4QQZbuvn
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRMpBgodlz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC9Ti1ypvR
"No, I'm not just saying it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzbCPjJvpr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww60Yge7Cj
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nohB1RjCf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhOyBBUB8u
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPtSNFHyah
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAI1SAn6TF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tp4VeyT2g
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF71ajSGpA
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TXKogmQj2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaVGUvriPQ
"I–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno2dTec8Lm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28dBTDEXAl
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TBkHYC4Dm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbX3d4MTtl
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElJwdr1fqN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLjPRW5y4
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9EgnBpWrl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJIaXO5JhU
And yet...166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkj46S3QA6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ugtm8EjhG
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIRqSlmtM4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oRgz94jdr
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQZns7C4EW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88nM2LxR8G
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Sizvz30Jx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk6jlG0xEX
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PNCvyYW1u
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYftloEChyz
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ4auAWOoh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kaWStdFBX
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw7kcV5pSE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OnFWMI8tV
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DRAnOyJdR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMZIbtEfqn
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ2JssqaR2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEHfAYhPNR
"O-Okay."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAg274frB4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhQw1wBFLL
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7ZfgCoLsm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMdVo8piVA
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec7Jx7WoH1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYCO54pLup
"Okay okay, fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1aCT3EiJE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ7v0dpvrZ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42oX3X0wpv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MRmIHvSeW
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfvWZB4TAc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoWQYmZLMp
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2odwoU9YMm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDySnl6WVp
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoduc3NfVj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3r8l4SarK
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX28h6lMMsr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdThWz7Qt7g
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH5gPq8SkX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GfS7cghht
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE2BPFuRcX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCpCIRdvqM
"Huh...? What did you say?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFpR0MQQkE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapT2TkwHhQ
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudOT9pcoiR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7XSEeP0Lw
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyQEFWbwEk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADG8WDszh3
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuqokWCbKv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUpEkHcOFb
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot5BOfNAjo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqEPYtuGzu
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMObzUnkbAY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYXVJDCQzp
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXVhV2ruMo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tymLLtjey
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl1mdJuCae
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI7hEvonMt
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3kUdkgvll
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8YutedWaw
"Note?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6rmkYjBxz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0FEc5oo0h
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cSlXsjvi3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7ysdYzx37
"What does it say?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLlgBEBAWN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMPJaVUqpf
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLMv9VShhU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4Dy1ld9cK
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELJ8a4EZDC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiz1fonwsd
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN4MDQPRDH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMYbh7X1bN
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAoBmDJVAj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor0kL8y1Qk
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdxgcn5BE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KjCLJXUOV
Juke sighed and put the paper away.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLk2k6MlwU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpztKg57Bs
"So, how's about a story?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1oMaUqDeZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZVcLvgzyk
"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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrQTWsBG96
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN8NVUkp46
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8YlHqZ9gC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI2jcFT5qX
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lz0IgywfU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPkMtrlLNa
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkoVRtq3fN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4akvJjmROB
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzrJpS6RcY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cunHaU9il
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyueyQY7y7I
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVoQKkHjTt
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9lAj7Wnr5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IVDK6ipG1
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYNpncT1oV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaLJSdkhA
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF6YENyTbr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oq0xf4WVO
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiChGwzIqk3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXMKPoztCw
"Seriously? You have to be lying."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5nOE8HBet
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwmXckBiDg
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hosBHgPzu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5vndG2oyr
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8IbhFl723
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgg8HUotCQ
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBumfUc0Bxh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewHl72AY7P
"Like what?" I asked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIMFqHcNsD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb9CX3WvqI
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahh3BriGeN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW7J02td3P
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCHlBTkZpt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjSkyNOM8o
"...Stardust?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7YVXTzbZx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl46uNIOT1
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoHBcNL928
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBpu6RVwBG
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89jFoANlbx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzerZTqFJQ
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla2hgcXjzk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7JuKiM1Z0
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSTXoHfCqb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoHHyRxidr
"...The what?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCngIdTlkb1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS9C2W9rm8
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ99ueJP06M
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60D7G6TGCl
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABmDQqL1Dp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrd9WphMie
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsqj7zxbbJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGQ2j9SYig
"Of course I do!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPJg1j3cRy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8JmgD6BTa
She pumped her fist.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n2MeRDSvg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPxVuBBK2D
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyDB7yrRoI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23QEHsXCin
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqHzI4Mbc7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFnnXwPcKJ
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLWDmcGyC3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbUeLrS7t
"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–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXKLVF1iFK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SLTF3Zi2d
"I already know this."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPJiJz4Zcc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdbD9GyTK5
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQeNbzu2VC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ398tanZHLz
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHhUnRxonn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGRIQpjl13
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WaflcMM5w
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqcGNd9THO
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpQ5eCuZj2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUkUOdtjlF
"Eh? Why?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi42JuYvpi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoj9pFy3FA
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46vWkOWd3r
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVZxfBDr4Y
"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–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8q1cVVzN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0UysF1IqX
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81o4VyQPC4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRIYP24OT2
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx0pmvCXwf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCwEJar8i2
"That's cuz I met her."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn6DvzXEkE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElD7yj5zZg
"WHAT!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6dBE4Ubv8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFgagDUVdC
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9gJRZDEPo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlCXe29R2t
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCLt6SSjk9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MF1mvxL8l
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQejheu8rl5
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKnY0Ort90
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbu3bAR2mL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEOhaIVQih
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFGBKZuWF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusqaLf0lCv
"You're kidding."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljJ6hzvApv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NUjGkfW74
He shook his head no.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Yy0tJSfm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdonT1qSaal
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAXVuKJgSq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTFysRMXoC
"You're making this up," I said.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv6jpu5fE0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzNmntnD6S
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOAhEBo5oH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNy2qkqYNd
Juke shrugged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjWcQkNV2k
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pTVRFv76d
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVcgJG3Py6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdYiTANyYF
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dpnhSmHlk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMYZSvOYss
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq9WFhbyXQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfxTmvZJ8e
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEyrTMSqxM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEulbBs8f87
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZJitOsQK4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQj33JAt1I
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGBcMejKhR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GjIRioPk3
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBhKLGPxUT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEiRwwG1n0
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPhfsYY5T7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlUQPeLT2J
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjoUQ8KV66
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHmgajEVI4
She pointed a finger at him.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I3jWG6Jmb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVeT3z945
"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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokSjWp7OwA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55x02J83Xw
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8OZenXolG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMJmUB8H2L
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuPNB3zY8c
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR9RWNC69J
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hUNFuNtQm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0NasC2ThO
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBkTYjDbiz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78r0jxa3fI
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGAPkgJEmN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx71RdIi4S5
"--Ngh! You guys...!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXP6KR4F8z
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiSEYVZvCp
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafSyrgVyYt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIllzJeeo6
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEAoN2bsW6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d2s8bld3k
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Fw3IKOs3G
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZLqEcE2Kj
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuU7tq67wt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQtnSxwd7b
"Ya look like you have something to say."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVGp4pPEJi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUpg8TT0YW
"W-Well..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN55M1iJra
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WXExYNNdH
She turned her head away.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBR59kmV48
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAW6ihAhTn
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrms4nLnUdL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37xbiOIXJW
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV7JRJ34im
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMK5sSDSIs
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH12ELQz4S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBnrS5i3N2
"Mhm, I told you so."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9FV0hmXoK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuI0NYZm9g
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HHsydwGGV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyIe28APJU
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y22LL7vlG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElABmhxjRR
"...So why am I not getting any?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ32O4uksoI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO14aznyTS
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclB6cqvyO0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdNLZ30TdJ
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYrDlxYsEI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarAkQGIngr
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEhQMkSNsB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxICD53Pou
"Eh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNCB6L1YEi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnknEHno8w3
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnJAwE9JBn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJsZZI4dVe
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0PNMApoEh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmx2PHTMdQ
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4BB2xoXJI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzBLCMaYnG
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTMJYW6CNw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4xtOO2KM2
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMgMRt9Mox
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsmvOi5ShV
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRACWA3D74H
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv2ScZIqAb
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzRV3yduT9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYhHW3t6oI
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbPe1YxKRp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARbcVW1Cbj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YSkg8wyI4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt19BAuZld
"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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ76QxEXSk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7xYAAW38y
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJBsCNcMRi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxQTh0x9sI
"A jungle? What elevation?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDuPBKQ3BL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJf1jB0BfN
He shrugged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaX0vXTVYi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsz1PrSf8E
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf4boloyQn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZzlCFyU5J
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuRqAbQXrf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXi2rKLs51
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnHydVS5Ss
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMAa3CLNxq
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKwfsu0ywq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTn5Xnx6U8
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRDiDUjazc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIZotA3TdT
"Why?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxTJVghvMy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFor3hbzjE8
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eDXy10Pg3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuJP3QLRcH
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBTaiUmnhZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDqllUEqt
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHjCi4Eo0s
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98MHlyfLLo
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkrBwJSM2X
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6YrU1hBjO
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa7JcDxrax
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jD0mbDdXB
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmvokoIkDm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFgn3zkzwK
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN0NttZ5ix
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pv4AeXsCu
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszG55oWaty
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMHc0iTqBn
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN0U80yle2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGYVYxc54x
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ac5DxloSI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjBNWPc1n0
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ttLHspdHI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF3bJscO9W
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKMonQ9f3T
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjqpGHJ1MV
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM1RowUJNS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC79CUww39
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfVHJgOeej
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3NUa123Ia
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xol5JnFDD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEsiVekIj2
"TALBOT!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHImknSrjI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZKX3lGY0n
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhiYIU0kxs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7MUGMmJeP
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhpxgFjvz2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0EAu6E8sI
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeiWVR4ztH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDziBZhZ7lj
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMobOQebof
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VRYCvWHZL
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIEYfqzh0m
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9qXlryzav
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0267tC88o
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttHUEN8Bhi
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRLl3vPAvJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPepIiTqaBs
"Are ya kidding me?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhYDx9yQ8N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN2UJmiJJf
"That's so lame!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaMvEkXxFa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCENVDU1eCk
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNDYNlSuv0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ480hPA5H98
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOssKwAfzw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnaGuPa4S0
"What's that supposed to mean?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG1FgWhazZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8w3B9gKwW
"Nothing."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsB4tA4N5T
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgyqgu6lWk
She returned to chowing down on her food.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETc9NcHuwM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSprUqdy2k
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oVgdrO2el
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtu8DNXxEv
"Well..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTVOTJ1OXV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMMkMLkQE
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jo7MDrP91
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfOkVPxCuz
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPhAhq0CDA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExXeaUSvyp
"...No."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Im3GQpU29
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rbXNbcRwj
"Eh? Why not?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6V1DUlh2Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMyyp8kxtT
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9e12TsRK1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSzDjqo1cT
"Huh!? What'd you say?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuAHekbyoF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZonplAbZV
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3LffOwCDl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiKwQ3T3x1
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaQwtBqjOQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkctQwL3b3
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2hDuykrhJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmkL7Da3EE
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrj8de46T1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBw81VUcsx
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1PZRez7Ef
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA37Qj1xywD
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJmHGSdvuG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uedw22Nxe
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2qHtrEOcQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLrNlerBEJ
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5xGCSD2sF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBIF4Q5rsw
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnpUYZUgmW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4GU4CmiJC
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhTCyfnHCQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmA7PhW2vR
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfuino32hY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxvPHsHxM
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiq5Ai3UjY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTNxzJkRH5
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3kK77GeFs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsY8TRRvfH
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9xED2xzk6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c9O6nJjvK
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVhL7w0GY9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5BJvSZY4P
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbubR5U6K81
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFXMBd25Vb
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtheyDpjan
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVbbMDhTUV
"Custom design? Well..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd4slQVtGY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEIGvNjTjf
She turned her head away.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzOqfLVKZi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw2vg3LAbT
"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y8LBsi8aK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8baDRv2oG
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH3XROs3ib
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd10fiqoqNb
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEGSyTSzkH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kjb8BuxiS
"Oh, this?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ237lWtnxHH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNVRG4UyIa
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ4z98HQ28
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKzFwuDYih
"I stole it!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfaCKwOBY1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBYHJ88VgY
"No surprise."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl7MiLueKW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yw9II9lot
"I ain't surprised."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYXc2MH1Bb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4oycveEHB
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLktKUMOH8M
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oih8TjSD2
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXN5fH0OnH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihBRzMMuFk
"No."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8qY33rEeO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f78QvVpPy
"Not really."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE3LNqSq5R
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1AXDLx8QQ
"Ah... you two are lame!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Ci87BBJx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJSFMUStMM
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMVOicfEzU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIRaWolUQs
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kk1XGSH7p
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3dgLmRelW
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZuqcTY9ly
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUVgbkuAIB
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IV99ItLym
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQvHL6xg5V
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oQtuQP16D
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ulk4FrC27
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnnsTvn1r6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcU8hWt5gW
"I-I see... I suppose so."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRrUAEkNXO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYTQJxSTWJ
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR8IWEfz4M
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5sxAaR4k6
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6eBYWLJpb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNbgzOjJW8
"Did you have to word it that way?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRtTVbOy2q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoAaFAwZu6
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyiINGmaYB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVs2wbW9WO
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjAYTOVZQ6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvPg2BM4wz
"Ya got it, boss."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca8RP4RweT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbhdDaEcqF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT34RBrjYjh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK90TUmvKXu
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkunowWlklX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7xoZjI4Qe
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16UYJvqqW6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL8TDjpSqX
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWfK55XEro
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW1L1wIvZ4
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhOTnV53Uv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8OsDnzMNr
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ709h089IGa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotd3Qqjv7x
"...Well, alright. What is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI7MZUXgPL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJF6gInEIh
"I... I wanted..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UX5SaOw6V
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FddfJaEGQ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEcgQqTCga
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtmAllq5OT
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUPCUfMRZB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat5NFh0pFF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvZ5CiSlgx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbfXwVZvOK
"Where's this coming from?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaGEimbsCO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cYlKfvKry
"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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ857kA7cVuk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BER715nqi
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7fmi343wf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz6OzLvimF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBviP00Rtx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNB8TZhZPm
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn153wltQ2q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQkxO1InZb
In that light–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbEBAlVSxs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES8BtZ3IOE
"Alright, apology accepted."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxr8icJkYE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1faaVU64i
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdZNS5vz6N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeNESXSk7v
"--only on one condition."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EBUaAMHut
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXuWODCOeU
"Eh!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJJFtI7VQZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqE4hJk9WT
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht8ozNxVj4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpVDGmpAKM
"That's right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ944R7TjMjf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KuB5UhU8Z
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtghkJH4DC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDeLfxYCKE
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD97Pw6BrN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiMDfVObi6
"He sounds like a priss."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9SeFNbj4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mULNVEeKz
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf9YgW8w0C
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnPREF6enK
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3nFN1Eooc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK1ZcXrFEE
"Fine, what's your condition?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHOTH1VQ9Z
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3yctdBXn1
I pointed a finger at her.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4aa9G4V9i
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxbgMIiBz5
"We need to get along from now on."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC8M6mLs1E
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HIKNnwkrz
"...Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAce5bPCVpl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHILYsWu9e
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbuXLFZMUt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM70TgIUHT
"...Ha, that's it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFC63B9jRP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBWbq5BsqJ
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ400rs6jxeQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAdHN3Kpp3
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpWInwbwpJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8hZPuRzqk
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZsMm0dbFJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4xCzMVt57
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy97h9XvbPu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpgucAWW3Q
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNpEQyHsoq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoqhXIBIf6
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxNKFp0d3F
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpt9ho3Ocp
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogsRjPOsVi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelBD8MAnoX
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKqwlnjA8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOhOZ0JDdW
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU92kD8fZx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvNaTbB5LU
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCn2vnTOa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiGHgzhHhN
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8BYaPGzP0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSQPUJW0P5
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ6RYQUd9Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TrWyhLrPD
"What a weirdo, seriously."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSfBHJl1Fg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaplepz0Fmt
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIIcI3zPFT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBiDlHmE6j
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn73XixwVC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPPCoaVELa
"You guys! You gotta see this!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe9r8ZrTyE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwreiQliZK
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5C6kWBngA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Fx1CFLHx
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.
