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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkyA9dfel3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10SzQMzjNd
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1iOqqfSMQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbpWa3YKqO
"At least... I'm on my back now."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAMtAYKOCp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulqU0jJRR
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq1YBXrEU7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVl9xvvHK9
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj7cQs6CT1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rmlPLQokE
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhVtfTR8LO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1RrMsUnrH
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rfPyi3uCx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFHYuZIxbv
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPLMGvqWnb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvwrkaUFUG
I was immediately startled.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRreiBT3rqW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0NtMiEWqs
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTXdZXdzox
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrR4llCkkP
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuZoREFuEj
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn36YHwMkV
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT7mEnHTs2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSN4dSkyhs
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4gx3ojTCG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B8tXnfonb
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ts5RQzWQ7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3yvnRc4Ha
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS6nW8CNGl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5gPE1q9xP
"Do you feel any better?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsGXFCM9c8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELl37kCUBJ
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FrOHLSfye
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymH3nsABHF
"That's good, that's good..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjaBS9QlGf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmaKPnh9r6
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjlUhvusbA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2DPcF9k68
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Vptvmw0z
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujQ0e6HdZD
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiGt1TeeSJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eQPNv0ZgW
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZQGGOtQPO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMlRtDwjuq
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyoqCee1lh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ApmpgJ2z
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5opLONgLl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHlDSZTTPI
"H-How'd you know?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtMzEm4OD5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nm59sbYTB
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnmRh27qtp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fsbRSbJRQ
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZYc7Cf4mQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmCnu5HMG
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLNxJHCtvu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq346Lrxsj
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?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZqk5zObWV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmCROYzAD7
Pars nodded.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWZFTNByM6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZOtbLPB1e
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqTzQErEiT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIkeDVKXVg
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhlDOYOXYS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoUsNmMBdF
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpWj28CjMq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39h7JLdkMw
"Mutual what?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhWtOo1SjT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgPV6etEJK
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcLBstPvpo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUWhuYkRVN
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiqk7evfYf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuJrDOvri7
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE6Clnt3Of
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOHHSMQWaU
"Really now..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwCy85F2IU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU24rKHYtT
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkMuUty1Wn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts5JNWCrT4
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXn4jWvKnO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F5eqeSlqh
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGmleEaJ2F
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnOeLWdm18
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHVeZlUBAb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRT5jzFADE
"Wow... it must've been bad."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP91JRogCvN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfKpSuDoL1
"You're almost as flippant as I am."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxskCWHuUUc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ829JaElamu
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ETp3fqan9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEGIkjQ3lY
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVv8VkTfwm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLtBM6vL84
"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..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlbBId0j9o
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmETa2xz9c
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQAuXHNQhq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1NJPn6R9a
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcoU30cPxR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTS0z0gBuB
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAgbRmxDMp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxVKl1cgbS
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL5jRDepzH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeg1KmFndC
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS3wENW827
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIBKKx6O36
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvmO8NfSiF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23JsfVT6xT
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhisdS9NCy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyyMthXHSM
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56zSRJlZAU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSqxMaj4vV
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaDsp6gH9Z
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAzz8bl1aO
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhn0HOLFON
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0A3oUUiYY
"I know."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ9AwIzT31
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCgZDvd8HU
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0IXMJLpXn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBbIuuzOPf
"Tell you what; I can't help you."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ohFNSqL0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTuTrnzlo0
"...Are you serious?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtt0JiJ3H
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QodyOn3qI
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazR3D4pGoO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwsQHnT4vj
"What? What can?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0lROXAVP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EpIMe4Z7u
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKugMlU3Ud
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FjtM0pj6w
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKHY4msI2L
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGOqTSrxm
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG8n9E9EFd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5VPDwBjFI
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RztT5kMg3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVYqTFRBOv
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AQ81HKDnu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtgVBadppN
"Give it a try."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CjkX31Zwq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNysyx58TvV
He stood up and patted my shoulder.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbcQX05DpB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WC1ZtPDLr
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh8jYXlBbX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltOoglgOj0
"H-Huh? Right now?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7drqNQ2pzg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauG9OAdOwy
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGURsfJW6jj
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25N3JL12WC
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwkgIxSu60
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWwhuLXv1J
–
–
–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqSvH8ZvYB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezmhYq0S12
"Are ya all packed up?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGl41KdKbJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyldkNslCbu
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFxkYlMqiU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iBV2IVwFN
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7QGkDEHfk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuvqKbYgP8
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DJw48Erjk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM1v0W5DCH
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp8cmP6ETv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvAYyvA3r7
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv1FZmFTc0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNtOha2Qeu
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvPK16ZKU4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIoLsXLYU
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MAvaRxYVB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyvMsjc1tW
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG51DewYic
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wWarPHenc
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv40ej09yE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGsNWaG2S
"I suppose that makes sense."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq9SlePJKY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCtxvacQ5g
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X5VZ1KCzg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKtndpw8PN
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHk3VGgKRn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq0QcXv13H
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU5s2jNpKO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllrbKC9DzD
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeoH5eNeQY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ5jO9uUEe
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8tmEUgv81
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOcB6NhAjt
"What do I think...?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWglrfbXhs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6htFToFQ8
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPh1ABzHtz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanUvbH5TqD
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaNlZ8mDl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmYfE3t4MZ
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR8gmjQyuf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC3cdTx4Is
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9ReMi1U0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoxB0um10P
"I'm asking ya, kid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBeAxz4mMX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxUwyX8anp
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–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR2QXyZvFw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQHYFzwMKv
"It had to be an Endowment."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM50rbJg8r
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM14sveO5t
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXVVZEgD6K
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXQ20nWoga
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZS7SZjbEz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8eFUvyjRQ
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi93OOKSeR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HNv4sMs3y
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdqbYWl5cI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHATKEAvOa
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zB54460ky
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRnxMO79Er
"Why not?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMoVd31oeo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VPiyeQKZl
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLgv87zg5p
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzzkTEQNtn
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqiRvZSOYE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTOy9Nmyqo
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVb4sPfUlH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxmmihDHRC
"Surely, there's a better option."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Mtvhh70j
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIToeoCwxl
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIYCoU5Z5t
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVogkMN9YpO
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxSVQrZUDV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ89ukUROvf
"What if we spy from a distance?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZWFizJ4HH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSCuqKMpTg
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAIUNWmBBA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF3OSKUb5d
"...Point taken."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7I0KTwP5a
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfnyC7D73K
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIr6ZdnAbH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaGoUA1paQ
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyk7Ds80S0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66JcRRJfE0
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzbVa8z0xO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXvAXnE3TB
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78WmwbwmB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdoPzHGG5q
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxxXBGWkDW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G61V4Gdl5
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF4ZYIyOzp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjmiwUdT6c
We nodded in unison.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIWE9gJ8IL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0IJIdK6IV
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpL2COmrzL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA25KwVHLMt
–
–
–
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj4LL8xiPv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld2xZB9MdB
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFLcLivKvs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhWPTWw4Eo
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOsFmxvwCq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TVCLEHyL7
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk0uRaQiq1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDwdBm0dHc
"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?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DheDnEaAW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6QtY6liZA
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC6FcbvO9b
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwbJZwhjMb
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApwIg9QcIG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7C5WyfMi5
"Well... I won't deny that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD9blC8f8h
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAXJXJImQv
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8y30pjMVZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtz6kIbEm
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFbsTXZomH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj2OWKLRjE
"Again? What do you–?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokO1XSx1JC
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuz4pE77QW
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYPu62qb1B
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o6mKx9cuF
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADu80RgVft
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoEFMEI5jp
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheN3dtmF0C
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5s2obDNY5
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxOr7tzp3W
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGfY945mKN
"I didn't ask ya that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK6Fe5j0pI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcnnmw8XRS
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgz3fixdXo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEW06CaWs7
"That ain't surprising."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOVrw7SwSv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ud3B3NBY
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDqXdvkdsK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYYknUxzbu
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ti9PHBOl9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LA5ZoDj0c
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKdy9lyozq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01TR67z1rO
"Yeah? Like what?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U8M8NC1YZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLIx172rNG
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXPXUkWLDJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hptausRBC
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKrlJ7OV3p
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwix0Vdqkw1
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK37VXnWao
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2kCsMrHQb
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uIcmEf4v6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmcjUITBQ8
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT97eMzTXvR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8d9XBMuL3
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kHHJruiCY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hSaDUeCvo
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO20KUd7Ml
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixaRHaJD5L
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODFwuatlvE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvCNSklUSJ
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–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKtFyWjBx9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IGiZkVSDW
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HZ0OaOCdb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Q7QpMuA3
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
