The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPshQpVU43k
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2BxKEMx5j
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1M0GLOMbO
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2OppLHSAq
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"Oh, that's a good point."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEFVYCNOUM
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtYs5vFQet
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**SWOOSH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCPg7mMqum
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"W-Woah!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cu69qEh7i
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44OU72IhwI
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbXmCSnJmh
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGGsN4esRJ
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig6tmNqROx
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubxf2JJX1h
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"Oh, Juke."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPqU8LtWrC
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR5yHWuYbQ
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOzXTVYNzr
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Juke tilted his head.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GzZb2Fhvm
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD4FbLGoCn
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr51xTXhB2e
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdEvCLJWZd
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"That's a good idea."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tiTpS6QyK
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcayfhiCap
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9s3AMr0hU
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64NqOpu4sB
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr86buPgfS
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGUAQfoqT
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**SWOOSH**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLoi6B9ufR
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oy3hOreCd
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjbp7U8Pj5
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAGxgM8Phh
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"That's a bird!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiaHlnAaJ6
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ee210rwM
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7nZXjxxeU
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SjSIDuf7s
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD8y1uUicQ
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQygzFM8na
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMgmaqPvjk
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSvgzE1aWB
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j8UfixAGC
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mRMNy1nrf
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrZ84X28a3
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIOBCtd47z
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"Hahaha!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorro9uLyC5
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"Why aren't you answering me?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFq4ujZyGv
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAW3clXfi0
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS0ujx8LRl
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfG6GKFi5K
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"Huh? Why?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3IY0MOEbo
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiGOM2557C
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"Oh, alright!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wtNYGN23Y
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtyRtu8fvH
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsInFf7hXYh
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSAT5P8jyP
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqPQP7IQmB
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4picflPyA
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbTSh6IFFa
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"Hold on–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnWcYfUf9W
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dZxiCxBhJ
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbRXK0R7y1
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd74KrdraH
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53fHl8SdtU
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66gZ1IOWDE
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxOxHcMQfz
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ99XImqZ1
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqm5boZ9md
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQEDj9cNXp
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"...Maybe."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbPxM4IskX
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"Why only maybe!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72KbNF5qkk
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYMLJodQ8Z
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7LdwnP6iA
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2xtl5vCIN
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"Ahhh... this is the life."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76rSHCXUzN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTDyuPZiVp
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX57nJN9Tvj
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dgDv4mqdl
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8s2YifVm2
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEen8Dh26f
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6nfN8rZu0
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UBneBxURP
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuN60b0SFr
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGuGacG9IO
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykcvoC1Mdp
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NPBJ7zqAq
"Sure, sure, now scram."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOaJyRpLmG
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ephDJHrhB
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQiPS2bxBy
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY44aSHqyz
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErMrgDZq0Z
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhPMtiYwFr
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU3FAK0aWg
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYAEhfpFNz
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxUOsfDFVm
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbeXT1miDY
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKzownJ4mC
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5cYmtPTte
"A nap... hmm..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ181cAvZvMT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNujNvDGfr
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRmaBegrij
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKdnuqVCIk
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ojyRGDBC
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrODRIyckPd
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqjAVhStZv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUwevUPreh
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAOBPeZIYx
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtNkb7jsBW
"Ack... this sucks."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe408YVAEKh
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGsxaSpfla
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPeUBx6MUK
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS27TaM6KP
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsHdlonQ4R
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRKRCcWrUi
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbwMFVFnZ2
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCW4bFm1vw
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0fDgdTsFP
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwAZbFVJ8f
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIregg7lIE
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VtiKuprJv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUYCeAp6aS
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVcUhT1ujc
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVfMtoUHq2
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg76rk9z1b
"---Alright, that takes care of that."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtkLGYAW9B
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nvouVbLs4
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhz60KbJUd
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLbKrRM6Hb
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAsWaXuTEZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS3qvltkEJ
"...Right?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XbwUjppT8
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpzA88S1vV
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw74gvSwq4
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNpkqNQSKd
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1qcBW0ZCA
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ze75Dn4b9
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoCEkylxnP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rmZoFYOOb
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lX6gIBSd5
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLlzAI2iFM
Wait, where the hell is she going?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH40XTESKaj
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AQFzjDVb1
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKghO6jQzFq
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTvHwW5Sya
"Rover."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHgmOgM32F
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z3hKxRtxf
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFkADjU0xU
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLAK968MLz
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEcjVt5G8i
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFzujm1LO2
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHlnGmA6ok
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZPWJW74oq
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UxWIktpI7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTANV6jvdi
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9ezpqGUog
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6Wb9nYdl
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURKP8n2M9T
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kyQIQo5Kr
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0ar4EHODW
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T8ry8aJy0
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWXysvqStp
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOAS4P9czk
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGThcrs3EG7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYSl6kkc4l
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrIHwBdkSZ
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"Oh, that... uh..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL580SK4Ha6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXNKgdVD9D
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd5xAqEPJ8
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmSOTcFJJZ
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqxkRpL8Ro
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GpqmMLiHn
"...Pff."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Fgcu9ZvX
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbHjm7Y0p8
"It's not funny!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAru9UXqrWG
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTYegN0FcG
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aJRaCCFpT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3TLc40kB5
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy1nCSYIlz
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBNIucNaoV
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYrQO5Jgf7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjWs33jJjr
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1GRUIZdy
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPewLesJ4C
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ5b3YLr93
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"...I see."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXg7tXS4Dx
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I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppxvYIGd1O
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDCzEsQVNL
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4yWJui3oJ
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvWbjBKhnG
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"What are you doing?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvAAwREM4i
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqKxQYckNm
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs4Em7MWCw
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtbh9Pcwns
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9ew1ZiaLd
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"W-Whaa!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4JXTH7czb
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45ySrrMDG8
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iAE5IGKuQ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjprtq8XCG7
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1O25gks3C
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozV5KjT0Fh
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUsCzfbawR
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxQh5PIPQC
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbpuaQz0fB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWh7QpF87N
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8acn7Yli7f
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"I am not going for a piggyback ride."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmexlUCdwZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79onoMiYpc
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3N63kpvOw
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOY74sUrXT
"I don't like you."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl6MA7Jsl7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMFgkgnuy0
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kkWY16t6w
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuWpG8CxoN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzuJI5MGgF
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUokYtsyME
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIJxZa0cPg
"I... guess you're right."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdTuntNMnC
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcds61Jncok
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
