My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sUE2rXOD3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5wWZmCuD7
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBYEjPYivf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuMeNTL4Be
"Haa..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRs2IpzxB9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXj9uXhRLH
"Are you okay?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvfgJiDd97
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoWVA5dTkK
"Phew. Now I am."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCmiUEgBUE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKMbTwoNwy
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcX6FFMgjP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJRiNpUUdY
"W-What is it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwB9j9DjdS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMihcKL0bUU
"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAKxtWaf9H
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi89TAA9YpX
"You're right. But, I can't help myself."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5daZJVfrOt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51e3f1nM8m
"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubfCkkHEpn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESZA1sw0r4
"Well..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYkXx8Fy4I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR47aWmiBT
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNoIYrOCyu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtOSUMzluQ
"Come on, tell me!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpGmyEnNKi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOoaqAtsW
"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtwa7acRzd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1haMzgvXp
She sighed and shrugged.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx4zUsgGwS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXtBlL2e3T
"Are you feeling nervous?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgNQhzZhL8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyTFgXHzIz
"Of course I am."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wpmzUwien
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdNiPbUNu
"You shouldn't be."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BkjDhzEqF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAXAvw8htN
"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8tS407VNI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt54D3OzMpU
"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3pg9ErpX4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxCESXuWbM
"...What's that supposed to mean?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOFkSY4471
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcBTC9Eefu
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1DJd5QGob
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2MF1W22OQ
"I think you came here a little too early."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6CcCyRwcm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8P3zzFTwb
"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5A3wpOvQm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7mxq27j9R
"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMiOdUkHhB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNndPLB3Ved
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!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ44uBNpLbO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBTh0fNU5l
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxJJENQtMN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnq9pkdymr
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Kenny. I look forward to working with you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx74TXdbfTP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBSXlOZInX
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VfivoZ1lc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cCgjMHr8S
"Aren't you going to say something?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9wWeVVbq0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz9pyeEVUh
"Hmph. Not until I'm sure you're my teammate."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIZG7krNkT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MChqM91ui
"Do you need me to cross-check our Combatant License? We have the same mission!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Tbc4Jh1f
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP5esQgDGH
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAonDDnxEKg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7iNQzsRrO
"...I-I still don't believe you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8D1uga2rL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhmCh4UzYw
"Are you serious!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Aiuff08U
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJmylxACA
I stomped the ground. I was sure a blood vessel was going to burst, but I quickly recollected myself with a deep breath.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP3Asd8x8R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mDsBaQrTs
"Can I at least have your name?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm2epEv4rn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rlS6N3o9H
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm77bg7S7l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRoWOJxxSI
"F-Fine, I'll at least give you that. My name's Rover. Remember it!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UOtB1EPGt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwySJjWvaE
She jumped off her seat and pointed at me upon that declaration. I took a step back.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflbssdPKEI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn8zRj1u4Y
"A-Alright, I won't forget."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXzriA8CHN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69aoNpKhpe
"...Why are you still here? You got my name, didn't you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9lDhglCoN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgHFycYu4b
"Well, I was thinking you could at least apologize for being so rude. Especially since you were proven to be blatantly wrong."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF61L3cr17K
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b1n1pTTNN
She put a hand on the hilt of her rapier and narrowed her eyes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY3MVJ3Xbx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeSxxZzcFz
"You... y-you're pushing your luck!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTatnOa3Yb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpIZEgk4SC
"I'm asking for something completely reasonable here!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvSD389nZW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSw4QFxgce
She turned her head away and sat back down. I rolled my eyes and returned to the stool. Flinty gave me a sympathetic look.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKivRmxu9Fw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFUDYfI4Ne
"She's not very nice at all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cyfHoCsOD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWj0qBVqhG
"I suppose not."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyMPoxzj6m
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswbvshUJi4
"I'm sure it'll work out fine, though."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgJxkwLlFA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIlbJu9ux3
"You have too much faith in me, I really don't understand it–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHptRkUYzh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyTQe1xXwd
**SMASH**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwvCaThB2p
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJRfzlzi2p
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lTYirzlLw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0OOG5kw3I
My jaw dropped once I saw the thing covering his head.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2EGnYOdkq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kNwakNdg1
"Ah, hey kid! Bet ya didn't expect me!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqITPWhW56
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVcAz30PJb
It was Juke. He was waving his hand as he walked to the stools.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7EKQHITsf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGhppxMeik
"What's that face for? It ain't that surprising that it's me, is it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1wKBj2TlV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpaQtqbo8i
"...When I think about it now, it isn't."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU1jenmGsA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbjcvOvymj
Still, I couldn't pretend like I didn't experience a great deal of shock.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxNihsLGQO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJ1fDXMqS
"It's nice to see you in good health, Juke."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVLMjLTmTX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzye5mXChpi
"Yep! Ya look in a pretty bad mood, though. And who's this girl?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5d6KtrkF9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71HngIAdRH
He directed his tilted head at her, and Flitny returned a bright smile.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqHLF9AJUA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zjiuYOfJc
"Hi! I'm Flinty! Are you one of Kenny's friends?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIp4KvZ8QY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnokWcPK5CB
"Something like that. Nice to meet ya. Ya aren't on the mission, are you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrfjORSXXh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfROmSmevW
"No, not at all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob5z4oS5zF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bihmqUHoc
"Good, I don't wanna babysit two people! Haha!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgQfrpHi2d
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhUTPkVhcY
I smiled at his joke, and Flinty looked amused by it. Though, I found his choice of words rather pitiful.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvsXsQt2Nv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZoHGg2Meq
"If that's the case, Juke, then I have some unfortunate news for you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NYSNAbCZo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAKHPHMhTj
I pointed at Rover. Juke followed the direction and turned his head back to me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N00zxcrpH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjxRNz7UUq
"Is she our teammate?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO17nEC8h2X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYtnx8a81S
"Yes. She isn't very pleasant."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALpF9JisMP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdibip4RDmG
"That so? Lemme test the waters."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51JR8gxYja
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3R9vAPNbg
"You'll regret it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7voi5SOpq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5cTyQeWR
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUJCsS90BC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDilBmkBZPA
"...Wait."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsNf0AkOrq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtonR3eNC1M
It wasn't supposed to happen like that at all!202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfQnOtTLsb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp69HMRmTI
"She seems nice enough, just a little hotheaded."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXaRfpaZMC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9riGEZroZl
"A little? Just a little?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqHRTdPhdM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssSF6nKGe0
"Ya must've just caught her on a bad day."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnZknoR8pD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoHBs8iSmJ
"I met her five minutes ago!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVMEFD5Wcv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40mQ3kR6Sn
He merely shrugged and sat on the stool to my right. I pinched my nose and looked at the floor.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpTcOciIVd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJik2GsryA
"...You have some weird teammates, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAKcoCTSDh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gjTB0u2H2
"You're unfortunately right. I'm dreading this mission."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC2d6jLSfj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYekNZWeJ0S
"Really?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Odsz60FLo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY7e41Aep7
I turned my head at her. She had a look of slight confusion, which only made me puzzled.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DcsW0Cc2P
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ud8VUqSds
"What do you mean 'really'?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR6SiQAaAi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OwllISygH
"Well, when I look at you, you stopped biting your finger, haven't you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl8pVLjHvR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscagQbMzTe
"--!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EZkaTyO7q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1trtlHbrGd
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc2RSSC4Et
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh5TnjI788
"...I guess so. But I can't say I'm looking forward to it anyway."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9I62uGtZP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZfC6l2ZJ2
"Come on, Kenny. You'll be fine, I know you will."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibBfea6efR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyqx3sG9i2
**SMASH**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHMtaTbVFR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRk1d6lKnI
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEXNjCWk2t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDczjmsE7y
My jaw dropped yet again.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumBx8qKaft
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5d8AzmUgr
"ROY!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwFdSzdTew
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf52zrU2jqH
–
–
–
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBFFqwLVzo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZcGaS3GK9
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxeq2oXDjQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVFDvjHRZB
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5629dVJNXs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcm7nzjTRb
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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZlcvbjOfe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIX8DJ4epI
"Phew, that's good to hear. So, are we boarding or not?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfb8GJ7ciz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVo10vo7QD
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQLe3hNZaK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K0CoHTlkY
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVfJ4pXFrL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfbSHBPs69
"I'm gonna climb aboard too. Jump hop in when yer ready. Don't take too long, though."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83y5rvxaJK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekvCp4A4ze
"R-Right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtz1RhaNhi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6MJrnXRDl
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–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI7O33Kct9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtqQNxW9T0
"Ack!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwA1nqDb0y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcRRVfPs5s
And then, someone smacked my shoulder.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT7ZPfTuMh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPuZBZRp5Q
"F-Flinty, what was–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS7K7QeJkX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS7vxsLK7A
"Good luck, Kenny! Come home safe! I know you'll do great!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFuFy71Alr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoXEASL56A
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSKjSlHtVg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaGMejhHlK
"Kenny, come on, you'll be fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4C1p3jhO4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHhPFWYiob
"...It's easy for you to say, but–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tc6OXEdDq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq6uhInrQO
"No, I'm not just saying it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS300L8LsM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuPO1wcnrA
She put a hand on my shoulder, then quickly removed it and rubbed her head.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMwiF7lZzo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q279Gkrj3
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbem67FGDMX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCiECZUes9
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mwilVCiUL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OvlnTfqeF
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHPEcwlx82
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojGov82nne
"I–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3KgV9Isyj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsiEBi1YJ
"So, come on, cheer up, don't be so nervous. I mean it! You'll do great!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEXjPwEXMJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRetJ5LqHJ
"...Tough, and a good person, huh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIa3K17Siu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HZaZoQDti
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–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0tfaKTqYn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGPDi8VGOh
And yet...202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlwdITxCHC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm51zul668
"...I don't know what type of Kenny lives in your head, Flinty, but thank you. I feel a lot better now."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9ekawZ1lB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcURuPEbowl
She looked baffled at my words but then gave me a giddy smile.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr85TrjwG4f
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclyUM8rzvj
"Yes! Good luck, Kenny! I'll miss you!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUaXmocBN8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROYTMQjpW
And then, she wrapped her arms around me, leaving me paralyzed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbQAZYKgTo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEpcahyhiz
"W-Whaa? W-W-What is this?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbeNPL132t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93L20dunHH
"A goodbye hug. Come on, return it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSbAGfQvH7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeTeljehHm
"A-Are you sure? I mean, this h-hardly seems appropriate–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNOMPFT6ls
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs8YiB6LsS
"Yes, I'm sure! It's supposed to be a good-luck sendoff, and you're ruining it!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrYslJZWfj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG99chP1Dj
"O-Okay."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxtDSTxFso
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCr1eXDT8b
I returned the gesture. She squeezed me tighter, stopping after about fifteen seconds.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCf8lu74kC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡathRdNpGaA
"Now come on, go. Seriously, go."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtevM44qKh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitRd3xBKSv
"Okay okay, fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEMsHpaNyE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJHWkBnCtS
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrTZIwyFoe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQgO2XdToB
"She's making it look like I'm going on a pilgrimage, that Flinty."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDmB1NY2CV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xf0eKYEZv
I might have been seeing things, but I was sure that her eyes were wet.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX9WRBJZ1O
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarESCpHonx
–
–
–
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGsUjwNHxh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hjf3cKLT1
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvfjRMvoSa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFEqgRRbaz
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC8yuUlEvK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4ZuGidLcm
"This carriage is extraordinarily boring. Kenny, keep me entertaining, why don't ya?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnfm98KRQG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AFwidznbB
"Huh...? What did you say?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSlQAdwsp4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFW2aFVcJj
I had to rub my eyes before properly facing Juke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr14KHeGOm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQrJjMd2Fx
"Let's chat. Ya got any interesting stories?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqWdVybf26
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlRUlzcJMK
"Well, no stories, but there is something I've been meaning to ask."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yncsDuNux
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldwT97u4cF
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NKz29lHUq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10GlqsAj6e
"Do you know what's in that package exactly? Is it some kind of letter?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2Ax9KoU2s
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmenLIz8s5q
"I dunno. That's my best guess too, but it's too fat for it to just be a letter."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkigTpHLIdA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUcIyCeB4t
"...Well, I suppose you aren't wrong."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhq7rlWpNs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9vdUj0MsS
"This stupid note that crazy mage gave me ain't much help either."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYFKlP0ZZe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjfNPWjifd
"Note?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpPG6I1M2l
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Z5JAjlJ6
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CxnwVbmh3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiDfyn3EqH
"What does it say?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0mNDmT6sr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrl90KizUO
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBI6aQahg0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKn6lesYYO
"That's useful. I'm surprised Roy didn't leave us to figure it out on our own."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsW9B48NHx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKI8BeOvLm
"Ya really don't like this Roy guy, do ya?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXTUV15lbY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoEyA7MVb8
"It's not that I dislike him, we just have that kind of relationship."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv26hgFYUC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWOGVsiiTc
"...Ya strong folk are crazy, I tell ya."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36xqtHRDkA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7cMgoXMqe
Juke sighed and put the paper away.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL1EMBoCL8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvamUwpvVcT
"So, how's about a story?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOAXBItDZp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyw6Qjs6ZL
"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?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQby1TS3Zh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLroTWjbMU
"Ack! In my forties? Holy shit, kid, yer cruel."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DtKvfj8hW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo89ukJepS
I rolled my eyes and did a brushing motion with my hand.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIehyaOMAG1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ0tXMmhSu
"Even if you're younger than you look, my point still stands."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2q7KaLlD1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKMT3jID9S
"Yeah yeah, ya got a point, wizkid, yata yata. Fine, I'll tell ya a story."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxhkZzvZ0N
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd0UL6r7Sc
"--A story? You're telling a story!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIT2KF6MA7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGIPU21bjn
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8SsTXMs66
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yST1VPxKA
"Ah, the girl's interested too? Ya two are putting pressure on me! I gotta come up with something good..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcUI0xjzTx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmBrKGHbl5
"Don't come up with something," she said, "tell us one of your war stories!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprBjR0kQ4Y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd71e1R3ks
"...I dunno who ya take me for, but I ain't got one of these 'war stories.'"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPiQ9Vlh2H
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmxrVKmh1o
"Seriously? You have to be lying."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmGvInrqCC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0XxbxvXvg
"Even I'm surprised," I butted in, "I took you as a person with a bellicose past."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQTxlRUDYZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0KSMoFeWK
"Yeah, bellicose, whatever that means."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY9hqTQs3W
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXyhy1JXgJ
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aMzdIIxYm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI6QIOzbkS
"Like what?" I asked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr8mHpfa81
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8etnp3RPQ9
"Well... Ya ever heard of Stardust?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJx5fT3qq1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIg4Kp4cjq
Rover's jaw dropped to the floor, but my face was inquisitive.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hr51oHxJy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bnjirpYOc
"...Stardust?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m3YBQI8ie
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3rLRdJ0Mw
"You haven't heard of Stardust!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0emt49noH2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVp4nCIsKU
Rover stomped the ground incredulously. By her reaction, it was as if I stated I haven't ever heard of the Flatlands.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyfFSIdxqf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05vUpyZi6h
"No, I can't say I have. Were they a legendary hero of some kind?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCJHtXivvg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrsrNYcyPL
"Stardust was one of the twelve founders!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvQjZDQlaT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v8B9klrXk
"...The what?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKAnFxrvyX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQSmldwP5x
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr0upwHbGG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHM6uvM8DY
"The twelve founders. It's folklore and history that almost anybody should know."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz1IBdNn7F
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC1piQmsLA
"Well, I don't. Do you care to explain it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXOYTCJlPP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkimdukMx8
"Of course I do!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU4DyfRTPL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSewQzezTk
She pumped her fist.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyutF7Zv95
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCNx3s0dRs
"Hey, I thought I was telling the stories? What are ya doing, stealing my thunder?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCG5IjGefw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb17SW8Zbbs
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG0ZWyWbTT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe9CjdEMuO
"You really need to choose your words better," I replied with repressed ire.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiI9LL3tgU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4nJ9xlMSI
"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–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BfiZWbk9H
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAH3zBK8qL
"I already know this."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMiFQ57z5Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnfGPmkkv6
"Shut up! I'm trying to set the scene!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGQEuFxaKI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnALVk0TcT
"But I already know this. Just get to the point."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosTp31Mmqa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM2aYT1iNe
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwzbIOVuI7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREmmArN4Jr
"...I'd expect someone like you to hate pacifists."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTqisDZxPv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hEEJKox3x
"Eh? Why?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi5lKTC2xp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjSqUI9dVx
I shrugged. Though I knew my reason, I didn't want to give her one.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY6rfdjV5s
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HFeSfirGZ
"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–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MHCtjhrLz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NyJArJUrD
She turned her gaze and pointed at the man of the hour.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw5xVBaTjf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxMMocCBCk
"Why are you mentioning Stardust here and now?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWFNyhlBUw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HqBiFWUyO
"That's cuz I met her."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2bMtBuGpa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZgyhi6OH
"WHAT!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUeGTAqA6u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKUIBDpnBV
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KiSjWZAw6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFmJAgBGVZ
"How did you meet her? Wasn't King's Peak inhabited nearly four-hundred years ago?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGt1nMeukK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYlAgaXmbR
"Eh, don't you know, Kenny?" Rover interrupted again, "The twelve captains were all granted eternal life by The King himself!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVYh5LM4t3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY2siNp2YN
"...This is turning from folklore into myths. Eternal life? That's not possible."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdhPBnv6Xw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B0KH8g9MO
"Well, eternal life or some other magical do-hickey, I did meet her, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOqV9tigQE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuXJ7bjAru
"You're kidding."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3AeVkLqJN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1dxDnlOie
He shook his head no.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPkXZSzt25
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBHqWGxxX0
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRygR2tPGUw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJawXE4MSOP
"You're making this up," I said.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahqlHtvJXF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SnFaHWW7L
"Yeah, that's completely unrealistic. How could Stardust be beaten up?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQacOPEAEHX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV0S7tK4ux
Juke shrugged.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXs3gXqqV9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLkbVRindo
"I dunno, but it happened. I helped her down, gave her some treatment, chatted a bit, and we went our merry ways."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eCqoP0ucV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqvM22L1AT
A story about encountering a legend being this brief left me bitter and disappointed, and I already wasn't expecting anything.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNtg1P898a
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyYgynt6Iy
"I can't tell if you're really bad at lying or at telling stories."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAqslJppVa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRCha0DjhI
"Hey, I didn't say it was gonna be a good story, just a true one."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLK4xGkdQm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMKoW6DtMG
"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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTP6tRtJva
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWnKQUi3Gj
But, I was unable to even start, because the bearer of a furious foot stomped on the carriage floor.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhgxsB1dkP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib5EWBu3ie
"Are you serious!? All you did was just chat!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHcvT6Dpjv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSBz5m43aE
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cUbtHrE0e
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed3oBVLTr1
"W-Woah, lady, what's so bad about just chatting?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBZfxU76kO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUFWsV8G93
She pointed a finger at him.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKKZsn232r
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jV1Ngahh9
"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!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuOtJrPIU4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PIgyosqRV
"Sorry to disappoint ya, but that's really all that happened."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUhlGAlR8v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaYsG2Z1mJ
"Y-You, you're... you're kidding, you have to be kidding!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7et1ccQDa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX2qIsvQPY
At this point, I was more bewildered than cautious.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E04KI8ULJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jZO4Fneft
"I ain't kidding. Why are ya getting so pissed off at me anyway? It was just a story."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYOTTvSeOY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgq5tSYH6W
"I agree with Juke. It was disappointing and mundane, sure, but you're acting like he just attacked your whole world."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PZ7Lg9AvD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS8p1sLM8F
"--Ngh! You guys...!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqU9SwefaS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLx1hmUq3m
She was fidgeting like a searing kettle, ready to burst any second.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrhcDbPoOQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE31vOjJ0qV
"You guys just don't get it! You just, don't get it..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0gW6SSf4m
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu3gFhF1ud
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KrtzyPO2A
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi13M0bKTMK
"...W-Why are you two looking at me like that?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY38iPtNth
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VVugL46v2
"Ya look like you have something to say."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrencIQpyp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIULuy1iwtX
"W-Well..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhQ1jO6fYR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGeNFxaLIm
She turned her head away.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25REkf52C
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWohH3yI8mJ
"Sorry for getting so rowdy, I guess. You two wouldn't know, it's not fair of me to get so mad."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMkaFNJVtT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrUgCaK5pt
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNoA24l5cC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4tPoZ2U77
"Ya were right, this girl's crazy."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY8oX5HYNf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BLvb5SLXU
"Mhm, I told you so."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Jke5O6e1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgflfggI0w
–
–
–
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxse9o3cjKY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJxOMK9sep
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4sACu2uKG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWsRCpU2x7
"...So why am I not getting any?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMqukfZURZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodkDrafbuY
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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdLbdYwVFr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpELUX4RqtH
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–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB7JkLqaYU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj7fAPraJ5
"Seriously, why didn't I get any?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xw0bFIPJU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrTvaJEglH
"Eh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr1hu2vTd0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EyJd7DjQe
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rAskkd5B9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5fNpVYpyO
"If you want fish, go get some yourself. The creek's not too far down.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxJQFUkUxt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxlwCiNTcY
"I've been providing you water the whole day, and this is the treatment I receive?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcH278xGwz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC886DiKtI
I sighed. I didn't really consider it such a big deal, but I was upset nonetheless.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcGcOTehBR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUURVHucuI
"Well, your water tastes better than creek water, but it doesn't make up for a whole fish!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjp19NQh5V
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p2I9zGtAo
"Your logic is twisted and strange. I don't follow."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWhU1NmJwh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrVhNVQsX8
"Ya gotta relax, kid. Try some of these rations, they ain't half bad at all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xzsl4t5p1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqwx6oDSsf
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCoheZO21Q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB47WgyBDF
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Md3EHqDE4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ClmCLedpN
"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?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fLEbphLp4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaW2UUYd5b
"It only gets weirder as ya ascend King's Peak. The worst I had to cross was a jungle."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlo1ZblIQ3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMvZs0sl0t
"A jungle? What elevation?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYav3Xy621
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4aUB6ghlm
He shrugged.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsleijqni3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjWoMvosUG
"It was somewhere in the Sultry Ring, though I dunno where."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnal4uWKia
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcNF5cALbZ
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoodLnLQLGl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPWAmC1W2H
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMyn7H536G
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43SVoBMidG
"Hey... when did you visit the Sultry Ring?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdwFZG5MJZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLtLwvTX8A
"Ah, it was a long time ago. I was traveling a lot in my younger days, ya see."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSBUzzKoFG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k2NZmwsi5
"Why?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk70FbEx3bE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNus0K0hSW
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pcpAInrqi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMyOi0R9Qk
He gazed into the horizon, lost in thought. Rover began obnoxiously crunching on her fish.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6emehjxPR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcADFLz9QeH
"Can you tone that down? You eat like an animal."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zjZOUfktc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfI1bVUGg5
"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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCiMjqj4dR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYKrY3WTNo
"If yer asking why I did it, then I guess I don't have an answer for ya."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXaNPgvUeW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjxzpAFX1
"...You don't have an answer? Do you mean you don't want to share?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVQ6cEvMWY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjeoAhYadY
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrwmn0Iq1A
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjA4jNHVi6
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreCvBNPxwz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1uEreGo4g
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q0202MBYv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf576kEGqc
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB4c6SWqk2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXc24DPXJx
Still unable to find any good words, and not wanting to exacerbate the situation, I said something simple and innocuous.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhmbzCbgCZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzKDgwgMgb
"Well, I hope you find an answer soon."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWIirUpACJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdwQnlCirG
"Thanks, kid. How about ya, Kenny? How'd ya wind up in the capital and on all this mission business at yer age?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtAoZLi19m
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWmjFZvCTK
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoQDHwHwq8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP1hd49nfD
"It started when I got a letter from Talbot University–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F2GcHIPYK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7o6u2yUeS
"TALBOT!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9CfM8PsHy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCUF31Yl3v
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLOlkj6f2N
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb8MvPY97D
"Why does everyone react that way when I mention Talbot? I get it's prestigious and everything, but it feels like its too much."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4osJ0lWXLl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJMtwC82Zh
"Kid... Ya got accepted into that school at yer age, and ya don't even know how big of a deal it is?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnfThPJQjr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaPhivT2hn
"Yeah, I'm struggling to even believe you," Rover said, "Do you have any proof?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMkeJwYRDH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJc0QFCEOc
"All my 'proof' is at home. That is unless you don't mind me making a potion here and now."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQck0i12A3n
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU3kWv69V4
Juke and Rover exchanged glances, mulling over my proposal before nodding at me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ751itParfV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fRCu3mLO7
"Well, too bad, I don't have any proper equipment."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgblpZhQR99
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74CMLr1edn
"Are ya kidding me?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWANFStEgQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXDtAuJFRB
"That's so lame!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzvahZREbP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bue527hFL
I smirked and shrugged. Juke planted his helmet in his palms while Rover narrowed her eyes at me while202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfxZ8RPB4I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrO8qyAud0
"...For some reason, I don't think you're lying."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZDUzOWGJM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4wQOjdvXW
"What's that supposed to mean?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8sP7W2TWF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYG4weTjA8
"Nothing."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRfN4xE7zr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlljPAhPnj
She returned to chowing down on her food.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoriJdPbp3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qUjjI5JQR
"Alright, so ya got an invite from the university. What about after?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkhZRky7oD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkfkfwbmK3
"Well..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxH0kn4N1P
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy500PksPmB
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CkO6VdXs2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eGZZNiEKz
"That's kinda cool," she said with the fish in her mouth, "can I see the tendril you were talking about?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwd3Z8JQVg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMCOLWK0GY
"...No."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKxUzfGjDP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLl6hONOP5
"Eh? Why not?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzah08sYGR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajm9hT9ZKw
"Because I don't feel like it. Besides, you're rude and ill-mannered, so why should I listen to you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklq50et1hz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyy7WwCtf4
"Huh!? What'd you say?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AzJ2AnE8q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82xlkfcAqy
She almost spat her food out. She quickly realized that she lost her temper and returned to eating while mumbling something.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MxCl2CvN8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqH524DwB6
"Say, Kenny, this Flinty girl... is she yer girlfriend?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjPGsw3IHS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bsxEs2EBl
"G-G-Girlfriend!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfAGM3GkvA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukSW4S4LLA
I felt a sudden rush of blood on my face. I was sure that Juke was grinning deviously underneath his helmet.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHat3Qq538y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGTm0GYxxg
"Nah, I ain't gonna tease ya, that'd be cruel of me."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNd2tqbIP9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHYkJ1Z0T8
"S-She isn't my girlfriend! Just, a close friend is all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vsKjfbbOw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWWoLuuI7B
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY7B3B2k4U
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuYINGBtuf
"...Y'know, I kinda wanna tell a story, too."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaMOKsR54j
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCGTnNeOyG
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H6wmWVSTd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6HambmH2U
"I didn't take ya as the teller type, more as a recipient. Well, ya better blow us away, girly."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmbcVow3pS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfPs6dY59M
She momentarily furrowed her brows at Juke.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sMGRHEQTn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ZYDwnRba
"Hmph, of course I will! So..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRUm0FnSZ8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULjaChmupS
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUtqGT7vS1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD1ZDWcIwp
"I guess I'll just talk about one of my missions. So, listen up! It's going to get really intense!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThuESetfmF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN9OrGfS61
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd3bsVwtS0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGBf070Wsn
"These things are deceptively effective. I even caught a few greatswords with this thing, that's how strong it is!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgbupx0GAr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbTd03eOF3
"Is it a custom design? I doubt ya stopped a greatsword with a run-of-the-mill one."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP1IYcDVhm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ9iYQsXih
"Custom design? Well..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUpBxcP1v9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UbcwyY00U
She turned her head away.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlHXceRGdy
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"It was specially made for someone, but not for me. I got it as a gift."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIlwFPKwVx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ8NqydXU8
Noticing how timid she grew when she spoke, I decided not to question her further. Instead, I inquired about her other weapon.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ976JQvlxa6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpUwZ8Z7t8
"What about the rapier? It looks too posh for an ordinary one."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc0jn62iWg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHLckeAE36
"Oh, this?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9cSwow2Qo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2YEn1nN2m
A shameless smirk found itself on her face as she lost all meekness.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz68XcdGGr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yw4GYyqrD
"I stole it!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGnRrCYUkx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqu9L3kI7D
"No surprise."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip4KXWaoFB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAMoLiBBNH
"I ain't surprised."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH4xNXGeCg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE56Sy8KaX
Juke and I crossed our arms in unison. Rover looked troubled.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh06ePWEOB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0qv5K4Z0
"Huh? Don't you two want to find out how I got it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrL0Dy2HTl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTqlKzuexf
"No."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtMSGmmg99
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wx4aUOu0n
"Not really."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLLQZF3QV7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJNmstQa4Y
"Ah... you two are lame!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhRGl9Ujih
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0bUTk0vxT
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVgwZjnWY1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIMbbWljzD
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfcwqTluBY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk61YMALfGb
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK13BfA1gll
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGhyjsERUz
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICZFzVppRF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4VTVvsadb
"I have a feeling that I won't be sleeping very well tonight."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HdXBAXhhv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hmqc4M0rO
"Ya serious? Equipment like this is a blessing. Otherwise, ya'd be sleeping against rocks and trees."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2KsrcrNab
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXPXmQUqot
"I-I see... I suppose so."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ7RrjP0PN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrNPWk7FgI
"I guess this is ya first time going on such a long adventure? Not much of an excursion now, is it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4YlJZMRGq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8yVhzLo0r
I frowned, letting my eyebrows fall in dismay.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFipgVEuAJe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINzgZCWWW
"Did you have to word it that way?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoelFS0bJaX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU3c448UzS
"Haha, sorry, I guess I do like teasing young brats."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESf7sWoy5Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK9Hr5V1PX
"Yeah yeah. Go to sleep so I don't have to deal with you anymore."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGOwIN1r9c
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBTpRbsMMo
"Ya got it, boss."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UIGFyEcDv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN74TPV9Ow5
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YnIpd38Uw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIczmuxb9ik
"It doesn't matter anyway, I suppose I should call it a night myself."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE3eg2gzaI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa16irs9Yk
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEzSSjjoNp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtJtInpNIu
"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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98iAvEBjOQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGIUM0e3mY
"Do you mind if we chat for a little? T-There's something that I need to tell you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOONHcQxvda
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG7tlu9xAA
I was immediately struck with crippling foreboding, but I knew running away would do me no good, so I obliged.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58VxxMrKcc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrrsXhP6Oy
"...Well, alright. What is it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BNZeWJ3nY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ud0avkEzr
"I... I wanted..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIi60SCK2R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0OpQfY4nA
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KaLPjMHEz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4F02RVXly
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry! There, ha!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxZ2bm5soW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCkX1zlJHz
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN0unWH95Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEpizS6Pjy
"Where's this coming from?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiLLxitxen
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE3SsMmtI7
"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?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91QZSNcNyd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DMFFy4xis
"O-Oh. Yeah, I did."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb09aHwFBD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9TQT3aqVt
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSq26Y3weL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYitU6L5pl
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4bdRENSXI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6jRRhGA9Q
In that light–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboT4De2DJq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O3IjBHuds
"Alright, apology accepted."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIP8U8SnwK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaaAgjm1JL
"Phew, thank you. Do you have any idea how hard–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLauXZkgW4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRxV3rZbE7
"--only on one condition."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg796PEn0JU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYhYwq3RNr
"Eh!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSjzQwJAVG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jjT4KkPdA
Taken aback, she widened her eyes in abject horror.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjapXP206Oq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNUseu0XwM
"That's right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsYINzXXaM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJbnPsg5OB
"But I apologized! Isn't that enough?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH4W7i9mSc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHRKvyUOZ4
"No, you need to make amends, too. Some guy with a bowl cut told me that once."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRYNVeaePE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0wzZfRdDD
"He sounds like a priss."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK0KQvwWS0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlNyN8haUW
"I don't know what that means, which is surprising since you said it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU7YchD3QV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnAZTL6OP1
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbJqRw4u6u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqhDSEarOa
"Fine, what's your condition?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv3YCHosrB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPQnIA7Qu
I pointed a finger at her.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7UUVYrmul
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJiCJTMvfN
"We need to get along from now on."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5BSsRJ3TB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ELpd4dmzX
"...Huh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87o2ANB91Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZPUbeU2JC
"That's my condition. We need to get along from now on. How else are we supposed to work together, right?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYIQjJY5jO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSUi4FPlbD
"...Ha, that's it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVASnDeNDv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxndBwvdAw8
I nodded my head in the face of her cackling. She stopped after a few seconds when she realized I was being serious.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVRN9xl8xK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKP84iFb8c
"Ah, well alright, I accept your condition!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVEwk7F3kH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNgP65IeQp
She stuck her hand out, and I readily shook it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtKwtVd9oj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAZPYN0nAS
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmUFb4I7WE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO8CdlWpei
"Getting along... that's gonna be hard.," she muttered under her breath.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ERqSyBXlo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuWP70JAmy
"It's necessary, though. I'm sure it's possible."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DNAXnnGva
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkW5eqVQzv
"'Course it is! My mother used to say the same thing is all, so I just think it's funny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKKGV8J2G6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Qh4InWJ9
She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1NwIHYy60
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNQYtlxbuh
"Goodnight. Don't let the demons bite."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpP4DhYeP4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrzpyTXYCO
"You're only intimidating when you don't try to be, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7SefG8RVs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7TsKhTm7K
"H-Huh? I said that as a joke, for the record!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrsLFjnabr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsI23Rmvhp
She walked away,, but to her bed. Instead, she walked to a lone tree nearby and leaned against it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfxNIfJxMw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxBHUolm20
"What a weirdo, seriously."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93MROVcoHk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcNhkuLc3o
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeFZI455jb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi4dXq5nXp
–
–
–
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa3oH5jedV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB2VImi1hN
"You guys! You gotta see this!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPay78cwA41
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFrm5ojs7S
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3apDMeR5u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0OZCQ1WCM
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.
