The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkJwDoqXna
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kd0T05dc8
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A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3wYuzO8DA
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“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSdXGy5KMr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy8rjX0TlJ
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdZKgtuUC0
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Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Du8RHgsb
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“...”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IbA92MVN3
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It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x3fzIbbo2
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“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ438EbyOXVE
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Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kit5CeU5l
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“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsQrBLUCUo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ymh8z0Xla
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ8p59VFML
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“...”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvRoCMYVkV
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But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKwrFVJYZx
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Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAdfwneeCp
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Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63XDBsEq6s
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–
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Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0cIrh9dE1
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“Yes?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzdTVjbd9B
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The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAox8RZFBCl
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“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaaIm7T40Z
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“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwAg5C2sbF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1LOQdcnuC
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu8A3IXj8W
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“You made this in eighty minutes?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Adoa1SZg
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“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPbQTPjh6M
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“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv65oJY5MT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOtV4ung0K
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqojvC6Az4
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“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qH6xGWHy0
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“If you insist.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXrSdHvKZY
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She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SkdOx3ysp
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“Kenny?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXNsrQeB2U
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“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEuYgcmnMy
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“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLAZ186HPf
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I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPyXTTzgHi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAADxhrIhSN
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CD7Xc0Hax
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She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfqUi1lNl
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“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bUGVhyAHT
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I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysyZ3j9AxU
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“I see. I see, I see…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HFYtbNL6f
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“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIemo78uuUC
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“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z1Ks7BpdA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdgsKSkBUE
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY9Qfg3ZXf
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5LNo1pKcp
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZy70tUeQj
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She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABTdqe0TL6
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“Please?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcR3RTx7q8
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Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaSyUh6hzf
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“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sE6z5QAWg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FioHUkiVJ
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOo9FBH2yX
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She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHWZUbDgss
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“–How long have you been an alchemist?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ265joMIyYY
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“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgFqQRFDtk
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“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbtbXQOfrL
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I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkD0VToNUP
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“I started young. That’s all.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkmA50zH9L
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“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dOwzQDdQp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgtBNPXk9y
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj05du6iqyF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9bgkzyTfI
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSzr4UcpSa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv05mdPgFMa
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zYD87pj1H
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“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvTe72sx2T
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She jumped and then waved her hand.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkLxgBWjvj
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“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QTnV8SIE0
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“Right.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSRJmg0Ft1
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“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbMQQ5wslS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeQgKqVuzO
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkh9eYqVY3
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“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDjxGDITTB
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“I– Wha!?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf2phdFAkg
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I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZw25OQss2
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“Who asks something like that to a child!?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfCQJFyhOQ
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“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPWyIhv89i
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiERQGmy5D9
“Your own… peace of mind?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSm8wKnSwq
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When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O0LrZ14i9
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“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvXU0QzITC
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“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBPjlGUZEY
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She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ruF1PgeNK
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“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76RScVTfG2
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“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3JIIlHdFn
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She shrugged at my comment.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pnet8pzAH
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“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqdeuhTgbb
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Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ranXKA8zB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoxHnzycYX
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdBP940A5n
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–
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As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUmDI2bCpy
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With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx48M5xzRwC
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Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaPKiO8FNZ
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“...This is ridiculous.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhJYuT7ZIo
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I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErJ4fmhehA
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“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbrqEQFin9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWONNF098vT
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2gNEF3Oqx
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Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W89A34ews
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And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU0bsalDwU
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“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQCazrHeeU
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“...Hmm.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGL5Xl19u2
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The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdj2YScNXg
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“Do whatever.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv4Asbst1R
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“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhuZlluRCx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGNdA74JFR
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB5pOGdxRD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9588Wcd5l
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCmXRKPDE9
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“D-Darn it.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfABQzuSP0
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Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtUFX1hGJF
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“What are you doing here?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTtQemsi0E
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And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyjp1ABvnm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiKlHGvnaf
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQksVPRR18
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“...U-Uh.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVMCpUvBLI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxRMzRvXzX
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gbmyn6QP7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGctgpffXNc
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi21TUsKRBj
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YCNuOqEuJ
“I… I-I.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6kFJdpcbs
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsZeBEFdPF
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G7DTPGtV5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKCNIJS28i
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SYZL7Q9WY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv2X8AUXvI
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnndkDWA1J
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc3KGNJyYw
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PPrKzMi2k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q1sqXxKIU
“I-I’m here.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQvmmp4Sjp
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDsPZ5vmFU
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMPiPEBs9x
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wmo8aMBRy
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5LLS6Js0t
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKV9FmMXzb
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ZdGX8Xdo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoj5qbIyXI
“I…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BIVBvSQPt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HZpTmTrV7
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp4jNUixDy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYqYIht9b8
“Hello, Rover.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0UC4kzyxi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb0bmZ4ufm
“Hey, Kenny.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oxM1Ledm5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXbsk2HXft
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9twhq4lMLG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8ySIk7F6D
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVHHK3hZ7Z
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvhCIxmkXa
“Cut to the chase!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpfd40C8iJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpKoHG4v49
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvXpaxvf8k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNaZwiYNqo
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLUBCJ8wpE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5vkXStoov
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC09wRM5Bs6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnn4ACGQLd
“Y-Yes.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhxLBnfgi7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3LFEl1RaE
“Now who told you to do that?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mUZCD9c1q
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVenigrp8WM
“W-Well–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h5oeHdOJY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJoPUWbHfo
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jiyyxeHmD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU2DHPlFiT
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj3lqQUa9q
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqrsOZI183
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCFTMmDS7l
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsymHn327Dk
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBiOB8WPq3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E5DnA3d2y
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHILv12UvO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtT5l71Wka
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MW5bd4uPT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUDHWUY7U1
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXAjJ2VddI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bCcpBjFuY
“I refuse your treatment!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrZk9Zw4UI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkumA2PgGC
“H-Huh!?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nKbDXO9z2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZW6Ry6L4K
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xYjm1dhB4
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNbLeR6UE8
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSWwJl3G9C
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYNPR45UV1
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SYVHGdKvH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpHh3g8vNr
“I– Wha?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdV9IYHDBG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9BwQTgElG
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikhIj2VjNA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcClI9nEeu
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix3JIuNsGC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16KtuXu7Hf
“Stupid? Weird!?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCp0sGviRm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjqhet069b
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDUjBiTrI2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Wy1I6jLP
“...”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM75uHdyC3
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The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjxEPn7fiO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDCzx7gEXt
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrnMJaeSI6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNe9eeuC5C
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnamWLRV8Cw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28R0Uj2zZy
“It’s because I upset you.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJxqpSNLzV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGg5PpqSFC
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FPwZCsYEe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfXuGv0f7Q
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK74HvR0y2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH17dntpbT
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin2v6uArqn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WXirLRMFz
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYz9z88Gas
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQz7fJ3C8A
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXwZydhfxV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKUhIe3At2
“S-Sheesh.” 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm9NdWZA7k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2PgGeOvAU
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4JY2obL7J
“How do I use this thing?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOQ4Rz1AWx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpAmeIJTvA
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hVm7uYQ91
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODuICUwBgl
“Drinking works for me.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX2EVZdkC7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u5WcmGqiU
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiVyzvbE5m
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74lzvINBir
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUfhtAaYUJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMzXkgho7J
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26v0kMsz5V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrenZDvBk6U
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu1TPTqJoz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfM6iCdM6x
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg5HmqLNh0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnC6bsSJLf
“Whatever.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmRFKpn3oK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8oEiIwUhF
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVSoadFPyR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMctAj52rE
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbUtmdo3OK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPJPvshX7J
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZEm0spiPC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2oTl2yTaz
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULalxRjO2X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPAqrykzWX
“Leaving already?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLL4XVGyVn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QdeHQnVQV
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0d8Hz3ocC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3noCdIkqbe
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdG61bn4MN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqxVyN1tWg
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaD5LbsNrT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXuL2DIT1Y
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiSH6enyCV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PSUGRnd3m
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g4mtB4rIe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX2HcZfRK0
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkzbGiMumi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBKGRzpttW
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3SEc8eN1G
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvYiqrKJSq
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFGHVUkcKn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsx22oquEI
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrrPLsxAfl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0w0WTkKn3
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzkDQLnKLK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeqr2VNZoQ
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOZFQVx10v
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmgM584CGK
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jicmWtwn9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbGRZ3KwUp
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2h06cchQk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16mf9mlwOI
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlAONi4H75
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujKOzmwCWx
“H-Huh?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAcf4Rroyw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfBfftTAfn
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDuTD2Vgh6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vH1ilSxgC
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYEAySCk7p
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqDZnRb8DJ
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqw7fg2Wbr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8HmZ0yWo3
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFBzT7K4Ps
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RVoNO8dRh
“I’m n-nothing so special.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuggGAeHwg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtlGtje3R4
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadhZIiTAec
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC533pkfdrk
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB0IHgo25Z
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ458AbkzuFU
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprZN9vD8Fi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaKpYdrRmb
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zx8XhU7WG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpcK4DwNof
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYJiN4Nh6h
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTakCHcGUu5
It took me only a few 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYlYxIlupv
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“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjR4h6lS8k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukGO3VRjce
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL318m0gKRa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjfnXokkEN
“No, really, Rover.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9URnBsyJg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVEkBJP1px
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9xIFewLNr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMJCP02o8K
“I think I’m just lucky.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4bKFQ7rWz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OchMdzX1T
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdPCZcfC9B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU8ndRLPlW
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIOnO88r3B
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKLdYJXf6j
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qRvLlslae
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NRrd9d1Ox
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBgfyZk8fh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kdsch1GWE
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lSH7V6vqD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtZ9bJD0Nh
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaIrFfs29c
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S6VUJ3D5n
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
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I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU49jz6Q2GZ
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Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNDshf15Yd
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“D-Don’t rush me!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv7vOjdNfL
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“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkcHfwayTj
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“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQWtvCboQ9
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I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjWYpotS7T
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I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC6rSgELhG
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“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8tfX8VKJ
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“I didn’t say anything.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5oZXyDDes
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She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKqTAr9EII
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“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqam5Ym7t7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuHJaO8IGf
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBydtSffWgu
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But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxLP9HAzKx
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“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfcdpPJ0dp
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“Told you all I did? What?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKIVOwBWTb
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She was caught by a wind of fury.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXjhdIPu68
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“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquXFviApSz
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I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsST3SIGWwP
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“What’s so funny?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJawucPaMP0
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“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHOV8d4XPc
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“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM3i1UXPfj
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I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mxHQ4RISv
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“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OJHz53KXM
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“A little crazy?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiugtc85f50
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“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibNWA1Efvd
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Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu8DIVT92S
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“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAmloGTg1R
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“Well–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbXetb8xP5
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“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGg1RoKNAM
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“I–”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv35PKUCI2
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It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93UtEG1Aos
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“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN5Ngo45RX
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“See! I– huh? You do?”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFgVM8B4TT
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I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo4ITwjmvZ
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“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC6gKujlrl
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“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux4tXkyrKz
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“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonG3JLgTUV
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Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7ofXlnkUZ
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“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N5F2mibYN
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“I’m starting to think you hate me.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2rlc5WbNk
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Her hands twitched upwards defensively.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrPIpifWAN
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“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAS2lKkSyn
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“Ah, right.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrphzvXzFp
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She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx7hwMLQtq
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“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdPvp6z3z6
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“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ993epVKDsK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurRYhDEtxN
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1bj7IlFV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURDpHcSDLU
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCssbhHJ2Y
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“Wait, one last thing!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyu5JUBehq
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Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRHpd4mvx6
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“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQILUuMWm1l
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“...”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd8GoQxbLO
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I smiled.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeeNlDw88T
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“I will.”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XGHhWhkNK
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I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupe7qH0WuE
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“Yes!”235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAV0PCPw3H
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A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kEoniLIsi
