A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6idjFOaNG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kMMd2N9h5
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5mTL1wj8e
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp5ta1aY7f
"At least... I'm on my back now."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYcJ6OV1XV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl2aXDUBFU
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlFgkkIX95
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq1wN2dTYp
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xOhHy4TMT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKZDjZ7PGx
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO9JpDOhKS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfHmr3SNnz
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAIMVLZkk9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dxI65H1YY
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShl5xKQrSd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFvgZj1VZP
I was immediately startled.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD8a1dhxbi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul7rcCE1yy
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gd4e4uHu0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyjy2NsDqc
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6PGraX4Vk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0qQAP3DKa
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxayu8DmpD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vt1X6wCZ1
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxKaPfaqo6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYRBTIcMPE
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbXaplrsB7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBBt2BtII5
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9zwgHniAS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM9j1l8diS
"Do you feel any better?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXHSyeAGoP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZLrqK2MM1
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrywSGU05r
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwEhwhzXrU
"That's good, that's good..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Fh86dFvI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjRDWxWNQb
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9r5w3rJXA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a2eBN9kx8
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7lexiuiH6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaAiNgn04P
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EDg6EBmRX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQjha1vTfC
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHjeJxk3l5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoWrDtYDwf
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVUeY15r8P
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASDPFSe1OZ
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6dzzYGLCg
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflsDZSejLP
"H-How'd you know?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrP6BJg6WW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaliRgqDKo
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCKon1qMV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmvuUr23w8
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeDGX0zt4p
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikbrlhveF7
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9xbudCAgP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J2E3vPm5R
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetFPuDCule
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKtoj7yim
Pars nodded.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIXXqfFpEC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0GdYRjUl9
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICwZf8Pjoq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0AMFDdYSe
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu51y5xyTxi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zTVPFgplU
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyG1ZKgYwP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOGoHghUwR
"Mutual what?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbonm75mdj8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU28KQs2SMw
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTKYqlk3FN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1MFdduse9
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EiXc8fxKn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaZlJub9Hu
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ843oASjc41
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uPQUoMm8n
"Really now..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTjDKKswM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSt3cbaQhB
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfi5ffZOrw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UNT6Xd1qm
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG4l95hMl2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YmHHJfxxv
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf5AE6rDoW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7UPzeoxBJ
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIWkrmU40U
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMmpfmEb2I
"Wow... it must've been bad."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCr7E3fEwy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqhpx4h0rP
"You're almost as flippant as I am."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusFoYdDjlm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9DPy0csBM
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr352ZEOJtT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hj0xFwodz
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5e7DP01iN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ82Of4zuG
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIQXYzr8al
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH0WgOJD1F
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2ZeQ5hUPx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklbkcEWwiL
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MRHXGMYRy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaVh70oTre
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj0TPc6ulO
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKMIlEBCXD
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOGQ896PjL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkgK6deVdX
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf8XqY5zrq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqRcqCK07f
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK5qObtLmC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHy38MntJq
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ9o8sASfe
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvDi64GESa
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M1DcwxlC7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySdbhNNJS
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPd3rewRHC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJMq8VBWFw
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4irWq0Juh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUofCqM7FzH
"I know."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNJSR2xc6S
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXWX8vYVRF
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTcqZqH85P
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eknVRs8ki
"Tell you what; I can't help you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOim8hugLZa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ606H5HOhFN
"...Are you serious?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9o5gw3OpP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmzJ5dMFZX
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqDyVmDqjX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtekkEFcFsE
"What? What can?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK89mWJBDt
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pxsjEfXHd
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ZYSsX3LF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fDYpeC4xS
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx9zX8Omh0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAorUeVW8hf
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfs4CFWczp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCveOuvdKH
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pO4Fq6U3h
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJgZUJQmYn
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQUmCUxVdK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6NPY89fqp
"Give it a try."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHvCAjebs6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6KCNEGlMV
He stood up and patted my shoulder.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQFXdlDq6n
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov2MzModal
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vigt6BQvC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn1WNz1Q8z
"H-Huh? Right now?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2taBdhBFBl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh6QvRlvIW
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8eEHhhZl5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOZEX6Y21o
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIqtYP32vC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh2dGgOsHa
–
–
–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLgFxjvwWM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjqnflrH27
"Are ya all packed up?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNCFpVV3Pv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQH4axadLC
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg1rk0npWo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo61tvWgQeA
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBm0c70deA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTQXzbWwhl
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyJJsuae0l
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9afQ8W2kPq
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFojjfQk9K
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjT61ZLkjP
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW56sSywS6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCJMM7Ikza
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZknPxqtS7g
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKBhadDC2r
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLjTA1VFwx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7BWUegf5C
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIinbvgXAL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7r71VgEph
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwguqPfjcpe
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUDoBWb3kN
"I suppose that makes sense."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMNrsixDqA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEI61jdzFO
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4k1FLg1W
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUAEJqgizw
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdGTMcBKqs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0W4cXScRz
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv6VSO6PfW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSa20pWqq5
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5P5URJaK9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN6yXVBVyp
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRPDl7mNo3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCglA2wisAx
"What do I think...?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4VjRcbTaZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlmdxt7HPB
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBiaZ2JMD5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFMlhESQxO
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV8JsLrFmk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoARX15tNku
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqTimJzTlP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9lvV7Kyz3
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hEDoQ8Ay3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h6JR8qqD3
"I'm asking ya, kid."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPJ27SfCe7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKFYaOkzg6
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCw6YXY0rT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz30ouwCmjv
"It had to be an Endowment."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqOL8Ak7Rd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBoBp5Zz7O
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QuwMHDqCh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXXpQMJBoK
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDftQkFHnZc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wvHTU7ayc
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc9d1j71VI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRy41N7VBW
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20cTo9QpUF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVCuaMdsKO
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtmprsfzRU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fGDFtRkUs
"Why not?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsysYwcpOl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf3B5f3V4i
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gXY2RpLE4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG7q7sazL7
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wu9ObID5r
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnO0Lim0in
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0PcQ7ZX2J
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDs9JazOcL
"Surely, there's a better option."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS4v1noWFB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqMFC2EmuR
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6v3i4wksu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xue63lYcK
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduopBmqm3p
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX8hy3ofQD
"What if we spy from a distance?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEF98jdzKf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGHVJxZSmn
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmVdDSgfHO
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQBrdiAUwi
"...Point taken."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQOFFJWLyj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JVJE5CZ3U
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi3KSeOnWI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH615Xu6SE
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRchC5dWvZg
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxby4v7oKOI
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5VgSlODsx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikquJZ4CH6
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7DcxjsWl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1oXBFAMnw
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhNClKISrR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMxIdMdiuF
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaoPkCbYol
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgF3Ava5i0
We nodded in unison.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ6XeJAQav
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7ZNEfcNRW
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvASTGfF6Q
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxz9xlPDyX
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnkXQjbOpT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO6meSFqjp
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQttKYVpn6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT7rZ7H51f
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw2TyPyx6Z
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlaLvAhaje
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUP8tuJ1U
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB8XNUNS7j
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7EjdT7fiz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBVQJi7vFb
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxCodGG0cZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH9BK2ykP1
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CZoANUsZi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnOMrheyUD
"Well... I won't deny that."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUzUzu6R5f
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdgprWyKKS
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzk2V12EWa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOthYavF2aY
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lI6YB6ALP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp03JeZVUWb
"Again? What do you–?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEYYjrIxsp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuAwjcnpcJ
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBACcnMkyD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs2u1fz5ss
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl8Xa4lNJW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJER5zyuoD2
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9Izg6XmJH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn4NuuEygg
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPsHhQ6kLk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VxyFAvZdE
"I didn't ask ya that."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdjhmCj0vu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNWtjOJ7JQ
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQhzFNNyhk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigafNE5l9Z
"That ain't surprising."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuXMjP1gHf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprdKVmK7a
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y5orGdaft
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3CgjCXmEb
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgTebwfD2c
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5woSOqt7h
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0hyBRNj8l
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPnZDri0xa
"Yeah? Like what?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N3Z5NiywV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMo4G0uGrE
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqBKhkNfmj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FzRcLa74E
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeNhstYohP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1sud8kcC3
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuqvNU82Dk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo0RScUlIe
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E8JGadwyK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN7a6RrS07
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc9tZiGFb3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71bAuKusxh
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6WknF8jts
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnBpPC4DgM
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsiSo5cGkb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ2eca5Utf
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAB3xtCngs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc2jcIIJ8m
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptrtIcQteR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlGwGxbSSG
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh4iyflx1r
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MKqxZaHEN
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
