I was blessed to be in a city like this where every resident had all their attention on the task at hand. Where every resident couldn't be bothered, or couldn't afford to spend time ogling at oddities occurring in their environs. Truly, I was blessed to be in a place like this.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Ih09NBnv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1WuSFzzgj
"How's the weather up there?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3sg4BXah6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUvknE9Vq5
"Shut up. You're not being funny, you're just making me feel worse."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgNxRQLJ8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5r9FO7Mu5
I had my face buried in my hands. Like a child playing hide and seek, hoping that people wouldn't notice as long as I didn't notice them. Rover wasn't assuaging my shame whatsoever; with the way she boisterously walked, putting one foot in front of the other, it was clear that she wanted attention heading my way. I could hardly take it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCZOUTRy2m
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpJ41b9hZT
I knew Rover was bigger and older than me, but I didn't feel it until now, until the moment when I was carried around like a wounded child. That was because I was one.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkZm5MXO3N
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFrUFWdt1n
"Sorry, sorry."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlFtymRiyx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwbPudfWSW
"You're not sorry, you stinking liar."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXKMlaQmAs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfrTVkFBRz
"I-I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed! I swear!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM76RDb21br
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9MjoGmLh5
"Really? I doubt... that..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN5zehkET3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUtvrLkE1L
I opened my eyes and put my hands to the side. Surprisingly... Rover wasn't walking in the main street. Rover wasn't taking inordinately wide steps. Rover wasn't talking to every passing face, yelling "Lookie here" and "Isn't this guy a loser?" She was by the sidelines, even hunched down a little to make me stand out less.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyyZUZBBSy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A8jfs5os7
"W-Wow... I can't say I expected this."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQmDiUeFfj
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaY9nJ1pSt
"Huh? What are you talking about?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ksa1xPYs
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRalbBIAbM
"Nevermind. Thank you, Rover."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3p3x7fOrB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyTnEpA2O9
"You're not making any sense."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcwNEWZtSw
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbmS28g6FC
The tension in my body evaporated. I slackened my arms and rested my chin on the top of Rover's head. She began humming a little tune, and to my surprise, I found it very endearing.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLSUsthRUB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp7T8qV2Td
"What's that song you're humming there?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9mfWvKrd4
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6w7HizkSq
"Hmm? Oh, it's one I heard from a bard. It was a song he wrote about the sea. Pretty cool, isn't it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwYeBdVRe8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ6SvQXGtf
"The sea? What's so interesting about the sea that one would write a song about it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARuEYDvCXb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BGu0KJaBu
She lightly shrugged.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1wga8OqvJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJaky0dagP
"All I know is that the song was really good. It went something like: 'Did you ever see a whale, with a polka-dot tail...'"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIH6yfxOkI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8GUEYlh3K
"That sounds like a load of nonsense."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDFbbG9lCH
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOhJgqeeD9
She lightly shrugged again.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFQmwArmON
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNxzAePOzJ
"The sea... I can see why it's so interesting."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtd7NIZlHJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDumXrP5Y1y
I lightly chuckled at her phrasing. I wasn't very funny myself.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0qkWGySNC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgIkSwasSr
"And what makes you say that?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMz1kprIC7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHRAaxR9ge
"...Well, across the sea are the Flatlands, right? I always wondered, what was the trip to King's Peak like. Did the founders have to overcome other hurdles? Were there monsters in the sea, too? Or was it like the lake, where it was just really pretty and calm?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdI7Ir1YOx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9NrrPWty1
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSoTNJ719h
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZPghYwoHV
I looked up at the sky, giving her words some thought. Naturally, I've never seen the sea myself, but if it was anything like the lake, then it would be a nice place to see, wouldn't it?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1CDb0p52x
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYQDoN1a9u
"...Come to think of it, Rover, you were supposed to tell me something earlier, but you didn't."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9rpml3FH3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMxYTQff98
"Hmm? What are you talking about?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXoydmjc7s
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfAEQlS9hm
"I don't remember exactly, but I told you something about the magical plants and became angry."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4eY36myCy
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDyhiN1wPV
"Magical plants...? Oh, it was about the founders!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7174Ync5A
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aPhpcVv8I
"Yeah, the founders," I snapped my fingers, "I wanted to know why you're so obsessed with them!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrfysFtzgg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstPqaFyAa6
"It's not an obsession!" She immediately yelled, ramming her head into my chin. I flailed my arms not to fall off, then rubbed my face.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WRcUaQFmp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK09iZSo6pf
"That was excessive, apologize."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfpn8HLplM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aeuAlKfgw
"F-Fine, I'm sorry, but I'm telling you, it isn't an obsession. I'm just really interested, don't you get it?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDakamoqRbL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ61qh0VwRy
"...No, I don't get it. Being so interested in other people who might not even exist seems dumb to me."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb3Hygu1mX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iIB4WqS7A
"Of course they exist! It's not stupid!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4gSbRsJVl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFDbacVmRX
"It seems pretty stupid to me."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2hrApYm2g
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv680u33AD
She huffed and closed her eyes, facing the ground while... growling?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RyFLGkiPO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju9lkorLkV
"Well, it's better than your plants, that's for sure."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbptdNH1S0x
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJT6zzYENF
"You don't wanna go there. I have a track record of proving doubters wrong, and I don't think your personality can handle the sheer awe they will inflict on you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPPDVBx9pl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsVewBiLQT
"Whatever."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElGDtWgqsi
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEQ0m5eaHT
We moved in silence for a little bit.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz6TR3RYSo
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW06Y2jxj9
"I apologize for calling it an obsession, but why are you so interested anyway–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPWv3XJxvB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJcIiOimaf
"Kenny, I have some bad news."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdetSyyNgyR
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X7Ap4DOu0
She suddenly stopped moving. I looked up and noticed that we were in an intersection. I surmised what the bad news was about instantly.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbO62hi4uq
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE49iqzAsA6
"You don't know where to go, do you?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ48oIRDFx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrrAeiNq6F
She shook her head. I felt terrible because I was about to dish the same thing unto her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YYLYg0aP5
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATACpbMucF
"I don't either."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK54KjvZNNU
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43UoNz4X47
"What!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsW3U1nBWB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9stHOHrSsK
She turned her gaze to me with a fierce mein. I simply shrugged, a sweat bead trickling down my head.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSadQFUoIt
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKOW48esrG
"H-Hey, it's not like Dennis told me where the stables are..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1YO6sSude
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLxsFqQ5hA
"We were all there when he parked the carriage, though!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK82lLLWdpI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgF5wPUqIX
"So you're just as guilty for forgetting as I am."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCVC7ulAgG
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisLvJkl1rI
"Hmph."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Q72E2AZC
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjWcJoZAFr
I sighed at her silly behavior and crossed my arms, tapping my finger on them in rumination. In that moment, we weren't lost, because tracing our steps would lead us to our abode easily. However, I didn't want this trip to be for nothing, and I imagined that Rover agreed. Thus–
"Alright, put me down."
"Eh? Why?"
"Just do it. I'm going to ask for directions."
She tilted her head at first but then released an "ahhh" shortly after. I made a stone cane as she lowered me. Though my right leg could hardly handle any pressure, I was able to walk by myself just fine. We ventured slightly deeper into the rowdy streets.
"Uhm, excuse me, sir–"
The person walked right past me. Rude, but understandable.
"I'm sorry sir, but can you–"
The second person ignored me as well. Considering how heavy the box he carried looked, I didn't become upset about it.
"I'm sorry miss, but do you happen to–"
The lady spared me a glance but did nothing more than that.
"...I see the issue now."
The very same hustle and bustle of the street I was thanking a few minutes ago was now an obstacle we suddenly had to overcome.
"This is taking too long," Rover muttered, arms crossed with a sharp look.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait for the right one."
"Are you serious? I'm not gonna wait around for that! It'll be nighttime before we know it!"
I simply shrugged.
"It's annoying, but we could also just walk back and wait for– what the hell are you doing!?"
River stormed away from me, now deep into the traffic of people and animals. She turned her gaze this way and that way before locking it on something. Whatever that something was, it was close to me, so I looked around me only to find nothing. Then, Rover stomped back, moving more to my left, and picking up a person who was just about to cross me.
"W-Whaa!?" The person yelled, dropping his wooden box on the ground as Rover carried him over to me. She had a triumphant smile, but I was too deep in shock to reprimand her, let alone say anything.
"You need to think smarter, not harder, Kenny."
That asinine and audacious statement brought me out of my trance and into a fit.
"I'm the one who needs to think smarter!? Do you see what you're doing right now!? Let that man down already!"
She looked taken aback at my sudden tone, but complied, setting the man on the ground. He looked shell-shocked and anxious. I thanked the crowd yet again for somehow not caring for what easily could've been a kidnapping.
"I'm so sorry, sir. My friend didn't mean to scare you or anything, but–"
"My cargo! You brats made me lose my cargo!"
Somehow, the man was more worried about his cargo than the fact that he was snatched up. Somehow, it relieved me.
"I'll get it back, geez! Don't be so uppity..."
Indeed, Rover stayed true to her word, returning to the mass of people and coming out with the fallen wooden box. She handed it over to the man, who accepted it after standing up and brushing the dirt off his pants. When he took the box, he had to bend his knees down, muttering how heavy it was underneath his breath.
"What do you brats want with me, anyway? Is it something about vases? Well I'm off-duty right now, go make an appointment at the–"
"No no no, sir, we weren't here for that. Honestly, we just wanted directions for the stable."
"The stable... hold on a sec."
He narrowed his eyes and scanned my whole body, doing the same with Rover. That was when I noticed how well-groomed his hair was.
"You two are foreigners. Here to deliver something, I presume?"
"That's part of our–"
"Blah blah blah! Nope, nope, nuh uh whatsoever!"
Rover looked at me with a deeply perplexed look as to why I just yelled over her. I gestured to her to lean in so I could whisper.
"This thing is supposed to be inconspicuous, remember!"
"O-Oh!"
She put her hands over her mouth and took a step back, nodding. I wiped my brow at the arrow we had just dodged.
"Our business here isn't important, sir. I know it's unfair to ask, but can you point us in the direction of the stables?"
"Meh... sorry, kids, but as you can see, I'm busy. Chow."
"W-Wait!"
He turned around and began walking away. My yell caught his attention, but I didn't know how to follow it up at all.
"That box you're carrying looks heavy," Rover suddenly interjected, "If we help you carry it, then will you tell us?"
I let out a sigh, silently thanking Rover for the sudden save she just pulled. The man looked at nothing in particular, clearly mulling over the offer.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rOOBMsDmP
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz45ZhhVHE
"Sure," he blankly stated before walking to Rover and handing her the box. As expected, she held it with ease, and even the man was surprised about it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8U4UOWKWu
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPTg0fnwf1
"Just follow me. I'll take you to the destination."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0kfgw2uIp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjpcAs66AF
"Sounds good. Kenny, hop back on."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5P5ZB14sO
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7Xj5jQYtS
"Huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5sPuT1k0J
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0LsrpdzU
She crouched yet again, unbothered by the weight she was carrying. I, however, was not in a good position to hop on her back.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga6CWiZe0k
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGZimQi8K7
"B-But he's right there."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hq8Lz4j87
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfspjrN5i4
"O-Oh, right, well... Sorry sir, but will you care if my friend rides on my back? His leg is injured."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKePWrpBTWD
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EDe8TTGSx
"Fine by me. I don't know why you're asking anyway."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOGsqGvfA1
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHVssBRsxT
She turned her head to me with a smile.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUt59hToan
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5rg2yL2cc
"See? It's fine."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJxu2dHXm6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C4ngjK3hQ
"...It doesn't feel fine at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tj9nYrI65
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBtfp5xErA
Despite my mutterings, I got on her back. She stood up and followed the man effortlessly.
–
–
–
"Just wait here, let me talk with my colleague..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYdzH43sMa
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb1EilP5Ty
The man entered a room, shutting the door behind him. The room had no way of peering into it, so Rover and I were stuck outside. I could tell Rover was getting impatient.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TaY2rSrZA
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34f1gabLoH
"Can't we just–"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcJy0Guof3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZKnUo4KAT
"Let's do good on our deal, first. I don't mind waiting a bit longer anyway."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16g0VZ2Zbh
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpMKkHut7W
"Fine."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ461XsHv43n
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZHykpSSRQ
A minute later, the man exited the room, wiping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief. He pointed in a direction with his thumb.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvafCrirsTI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxa9KlfiGt
"You kids are good to load it. Thanks for the labor."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XzHMH8jcd
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2snwFD137
"Uh-huh."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrd0X7Gy3Y
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYbt3rUing
Rover didn't sound very happy complying with him. I understood why completely, but considering how she scooped the man up unannounced, it made sense why he'd withhold information from us.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMhyIOTNA7
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEzJNO7S56
But still, even I couldn't help but twitch my eyes at it. After all, we were carrying this hefty wooden box to a carriage not too far from our own.
"Do you need me to get off?"
"Heh, who do you think I am?"
She tossed the box into the air slightly, grabbing it with her arms underneath it, and pushing it against her chest. Carrying it like so, she boarded the carriage and placed it in the designated area, wiping the dust off her hands after a thunderous thump. When we exited the carriage, the man was talking to a woman. The woman waved at us and boarded the carriage after.
"Don't think too much about it," he said, "it's none of your business, redhead."
"Hey!"
"Hey!"
"I meant the one with the darker hair."
I pointed a finger at myself, and the man slowly nodded with a smirk.
"I wasn't trying to snoop in your business anyway. Now that our business is finished, I thank you for leading us here, but I also suggest you start speaking to others with kinder words."
Rover nodded along to my words while the man gazed at me blankly. After an uncomfortable amount of time exchanging eye contact with him, he broke the silence between us.
"Say, where are you brats from?"
I put a finger to my chin, wondering if this was information I was permitted to disclose. I cast my gaze down at Rover, pointless as it was since her slight trembling told me her thoughts.
I figured that ultimately, it would be–
"...Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Hmm? Consider it a census thing. Since I assume you're here to deliver something, the origin of our customers is valuable information."
"The way you phrase it makes you sound like you run this whole thing."
He huffed. His smirk turned into a warm, humble smile.
"I'm a part of this contraption, but I'm no one so important. So, tell me."
I narrowed my eyes. This man was frankly unreadable, but at the very least, he didn't seem like someone from the Eastern Country. Even if he was, a city that was based purely on communication wouldn't have any biases, right?
"We are from Zariel Capitol."
"Eh!?"
Rover expressed her surprise, looking at me with wide eyes. I simply winked at her, hoping she'd understand it was intentional.
"Zarielites, huh... ah, that's good."
He chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, his stern demeanor did a 180. The man in front of me was amiable and blithe, nothing like the sly businessman from before.
"It's good? Why?"
"Well, if you're here from the capitol, then you're probably on important business, aren't you?"
I felt a sudden weight form in my stomach. Rover's grip tightened around my legs.
"I dunno what, nor do I care. I'm just glad, cuz it means you might be able to send a damn message."
"What do you mean?"
"Oop."
His eyes went wide, his chuckles became lined with hesitation.
"I can't tell you the details, but security is sharp. They aren't letting many people send letters through the Pillars. But I'm sure they'll make an exception for you brats."
"...I, see."
I didn't know how to take this information. I couldn't deny that it was useful, yet, when it came to this man, I struggled to express any gratitude.
"The name's Dave. I might run into you brats again, so I'll see you later."
He turned around and walked away, his legs moving in a strange, irregular pattern as he waved the back of his hand to us. I watched him disappear into the street with Rover. We stood like statues for an amount of time I couldn't even tell.
"...That guy's a priss."
"Ah, so that's what that word means."
"No... I just felt like calling him that."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind. Let's get your stupid leg un-cramped already."
She suddenly turned around and stomped to our carriage. Dennis was nowhere in sight, to our dismay. I theorized that he was likely heading back to our abode. Anyhow, the carriage remained locked, but Rover and I entered through a secret trap door underneath it.
Or, rather, Rover dropped me to the ground, and having nothing else to do, I crawled under the carriage and into it. I entered the back shortly after.
"Alright, here we are..."
Sifting through our supplies was tedious with my body glued to the floor, so I used the carriage's walls as support. I located my bag instantly, rummaging through the pockets until my hands touched a familiar cold glass surface. I pulled the bottle out. The liquid inside was a dull purple, perfect for loosening and correcting muscles.
"The Tea Mage said I was overprepared, but look who's laughing now."
I took a quick sip, and immediately, the pain in my calf dissipated. A moment of flexing and stretching my leg later, and it was as good as new. I got on my feet and exited the back with a pep in my step, making sure to put the potion back in the bag beforehand.
"Alright, now I'm– wah!?"
"Hey."
To my surprise, Rover– or rather, Rover's upper body –was in the carriage as well. She was holding up the trapdoor with one hand. A moment of silence passed by awkwardly, and instead of breaking it with conversation, Rover helped herself inside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, just checking on you...?"
"You are a terrible liar. Come on, tell me the reason."
She released a defeated sigh, putting her hands on her hips as she tapped the floor with her foot.
"I wanted to find that letter thing Juke was talking about. The one with the royal's name on it."
"Eh? Why?"
"Do I really need to answer that? You heard what that guy said earlier, didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, but–"
"Then I don't need to explain myself! Move aside!"
She stormed past me and into the back of the carriage. I followed her in a panic.
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning to go alone, are you?"
"Eh...? Are you dumb?"
I let out a sigh of relief. At least Rover–
"You're with me, so I'm not going alone."
Nevermind.
"W-Why now, though? Why don't we wait for Juke to join us?"
"Why should he? The guy's fast asleep, and it's not like we're fighting anyone, right?"
"Y-You..."
I couldn't deny that, as Rover sifted through the miscellaneous supplies in our carriage, she was making a decent point. Still, my gut was going haywire.
"I don't understand why it has to be now, though. Can't we just wait until our full party is here? I mean, really–"
"Hey, Kenny, you did hear what that guy said earlier, right?"
Her tone suddenly deepened. She sat down and turned her head to me. Her face was void of frivolity.
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Stinking liar."
"Now is not the time!"
She pursed her lips, but the 'whatever' muttered under her breath told me she understood.
"Anyway, the guy said that security's up, yeah?"
"Right. So what is... oh."
I pinched my chin as I slowly came to a realization.
"That can't be for no reason, especially if these bigshot towers are the ones being guarded. Something fishy is going on here, don't you think?"
"...I'm surprised you can infer from words this well."
"Are you implying that I'm stupid!?"
"No, what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying now."
If the city of communication required its stalwart pillars to be guarded, therefore inhibiting the process that is this city's reason for existing, then obviously, something was amiss.
"Point is, I think we should get it delivered as soon as possible, then high tail out of here."
I would've nodded along to her suggestion, but the sudden thought of something unprecedented and dangerous coming along left me... peaky.
"Shouldn't we just leave as soon as possible, then?"
Her face morphed into one of abject confusion. I had seen this exact expression not too long ago.
"Are you stupid?"
"Whaa?"
"I said, are you stupid? We have a mission, we should see it done, right?"
"R-Right, but this unaccounted factor–"
"Who gives a shit about that! We'll just deliver it and leave before it becomes a problem!"
She slammed her fist into her palm. Her look was stern, and her eyes were ablaze. It was a visage of determination. It was familiar, somehow, but more than that, it was assuring.
"W-Wow."
"What is it?"
"Nothing," I said, robbing her of the definite satisfaction she'd get from being validated, "Y-You're right, though, let's just get this over with."
"That's the spirit," she yelled, pumping her fist in the air, "Now come help me find this letter!"
–
–
–
We were back on the street, far closer to the middle now that I was back on my own two legs. Nothing worth mentioning was going on that I haven't mentioned before. However, we carried our gaits with a more definite purpose. After all, it was our reason for coming here.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG2MEj6cAI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhMDVhUqCM
I held the note in my pocket while Rover carried the package in a bag attached to her belt. It was a surprise to find that the package was in the carriage, unsupervised, prime for stealing, but it was more surprising that it could fit in Rover's shoddy bag. The shoddyness of her bag didn't seem to bother her, however. She had a happy look on her face and a cheerful air around her.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUj3ns8dOQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPrM6PoU9O
And then, it looked like she was suddenly struck by something. Her smile turned into a grimace, and her brows furrowed.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtp1zXpYZe
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y5PJhZAOF
"Is something wrong?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpb65FE6pX
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80hZ0bGhOw
"Huh? N-No, it's nothing."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV38T4h361
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIhYGZW0CN
"..."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXZH2rs3b8
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJFVXfoXkK
"Alright, fine, I'll talk."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL63yYioMM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr1EaY0rCc
She kept looking straight ahead, hesitating to speak, but I waited patiently. I waited and waited, and it didn't look like a response was on the horizon. Until–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CRSpRaZ6i
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq42PkpKc5S
"This is going to be a dumb question."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QQJA8NlUM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn7eB7F190
She spoke. I waited again. She didn't continue for a while–206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbO73XQdm3
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv47cdoMiC3
"So don't make fun of me, alright?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6KlC7wRK9
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFqR9iTLvP
"...I can't make any promises."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGr8AZ53tS
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW22KF5U6o
"Hmph, then I guess I won't talk."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNueHvhT3du
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBAEIfKsr3
"...I won't make fun of you."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SxG7zDc6t
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zoQCEmE34
"Okay."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolAOCyiLXu
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7PPtqFhQy
Again, there was a long pause between her next words.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbQSm6G6YJ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSaRgFXop
"This is the first time I'm ever working with someone else."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5U9WdDZKn
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofxdtvTeTS
"Oh, same here."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIlBcrpLaf
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANnuKGQ2Mm
"R-Really!?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA7S5BDc6m
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMTOLgQdQC
She turned her head to me, flabbergasted. I thought for a moment, then corrected myself.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8XSTMvCS2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tMhbvnDWe
"Actually, Juke butted into one of my missions a few weeks ago, so technically, no. But officially, this is my first time working with someone."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqSM5qrcdL
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSrFJGlICl
"I-I see... well, technically and officially, this is my first time."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfcMxVzj2Q
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCird3DElBT
More silence. She realized that I didn't just stay true to my word, but that I didn't react at all.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWXJZDLSVv
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkQqs6dDnY
"Don't you have something to say?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF3ZoILOP2
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLqeB02PM
"That's a weird question. Not really."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4mm5ON4dE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcadpQ0jrFc
"Oh... alright, that's good."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5BHPWXEYg
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gkOa7J8ib
We kept walking. I noticed that her feet touched the ground with less stride. She clearly had something more to say, but I didn't know if wringing it out of her was a good idea.
"I'm gonna be honest," Rover started, "I don't talk to people very often."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dwop5gGD6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzWCWZr8Qy
"Ah, well, if it makes you feel any better, I thought that was obvious."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqEfgbnYKM
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWvPPelEEl
"...It didn't make me feel better at all."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1moF34OTp
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2bVeyRpk
"S-Sorry."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8guXi52JB
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZsUEKbmJk
After apologizing, I admonished myself, realizing that my wording hadn't improved much in the past few months at all.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcIvkZ05hW
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOch6tY0TbJ
"It's fine. But, well, uh.. when you said you didn't like me... I don't know. Usually, I take flack from others pretty well, but for some reason, that didn't wash away as fast."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezKIS5AUB6
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaxyNTio8r
She pinched her chin and directed her gaze to the sky. She didn't look nervous now, but deep in rumination. I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid any risky blurtings.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp9GXWIKxb
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWrdVFcaof
"What do you think that means?" Rover asked, "You seem kinda smart. Do you have any idea?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMQGzdlgKQ
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vEKVza7GI
"...Kinda smart, huh?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSLOoLsMIY
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGfbzBxMQn
I followed her gaze and looked to the sky. My previous decision was overwritten, but for whatever reason, I didn't feel any pressure to say something meticulously.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7YRcUjvkE
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wnZvJTHgY
"I'm not the right person to ask. Honestly, I haven't talked to many people until just a few months ago."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwtNoG0vgI
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGCvj1qtUQ
"How was it for you, then?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5cTtZWYpK
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb69NNTj2C
"Uh... I guess, it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just a natural at it. But, you know, people often tell me that I say stupid or insensitive things."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kGibXMC1j
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAdSmxT1SH
"Damn right, you do."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJN8jwIfAx
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqmzrPclTf
"Case in point. I'm not the right person to ask."
"Maybe not, but I wanna hear your opinion."
"Oh-"
Her wording made something click in my mind. I snapped my fingers in realization.
"You care what I think!"
"I care... what you think?"
She repeated my phrase incredulously, continuing and not letting me elaborate.
"That's dumb. I care about what everyone thinks. But I don't care about it for long, so that can't be it."
"That's a very simple idea. I also think it's inaccurate."
"Why?"
"Because... hmm..."
I thought carefully about what was going to come out of my mouth. Not out of fear, but out of a desire to say it and make myself clear only once.
"I guess when it's somebody who isn't a stranger, their words mean a lot more. That's how I always thought of it, at least."
"...Huh."
She was on the precipice of drawing some kind of conclusion. What exactly, I did not know.
"Say, if Juke were to say he didn't like you, what would you think?"
"...I wouldn't take him seriously. He says all sorts of lame and stupid things."
"Are you sure? What makes me different?"
"Well, you also say lame and stupid things, but when you say things... there's always a nugget of truth to them."
"I see."
In some deep recess of my mind, I was hoping she would chide me. It came out as a neutral statement, though, and I didn't know how to feel about it.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqdoYMaY94
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfvCMVGbh5
"But if Juke came up to me," she suddenly said, "and drew out a sword, and started calling me a bitch or something, then I'd probably be sad."
"That's an extreme example."
She shrugged with a slight smile on her face.
"If you did the same, I'd probably just beat you up, then I'd be sad."
"I'm getting mixed signals. What are we even talking about again?"
She suddenly came to a halt. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were contracted.
"...Is this what my mom was talking about?"
"I am so irrevocably lost."
She paid no attention to me, continuing to stare into whatever void it was that caught her eye. Then, her gaze swiftly shifted to me, and I winced in surprise.
"Hey, Kenny," she said, shifting the direction of her index finger from me to her rapidly, "are we friends?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Just answer! Honest thoughts only!"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5yEdTCtNl
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxRYOgwkKF
The heightening of her tone galvanized me into speaking, but I didn't have a proper thought to articulate.
"Well... I have my share of grievances, but we've known each other for some time, and we've shared a lot of good moments... So I think we are friends, yes."
Speaking it out, even I was surprised by such a declaration. However, Rover didn't look happy or distressed, just confused.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi950A8dIc
206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjZZhkxYD4
"Oh my goodness," she began to whisper, "when I was telling stories at the fire, or even when I was giving you a piggyback..."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
Her eyes contracted, and her expression froze. I was ready to shake her and ask her what was up with her, but she violently shook her head before I could.
"Sorry, I just realized something."
"Mind informing me what!?"
She straightened her posture and looked down at me with her chin haughtily raised.
"No. Let's keep going."
She began to walk away, not even sparing a glance to check if I started as well. I rolled my eyes and followed her, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
The pep in her step returned, but the look on her face carried a hint of distress, just enough to where I was unsure if I was simply seeing things.
I decided not to pry into it as we kept traversing the busy streets.
ns216.73.216.10da2
