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.
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu54KkZRtv
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSha3oA99L
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDrXCIf8No
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhaFd6fL0I
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARmga0khCd
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HwCWNVq9X
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZqyHIAcKZ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBmYUXYbSi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYbjOvuLI4
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt59qRi0y1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZA2CwdIEh
“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRHmcgtwko
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG9aewdMuU
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA9ILbQQXl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojJTpBe9PD
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3exSp0EQS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgZuQKpdwt
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nfhbPUbHM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TwD4bj9ld
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRrqXZjCYi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKFgIu3TH8
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYjBsmiDAV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgYxem8dxc
“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D9dhjwdas
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9jYws3gKz
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZlZgLyNUv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBUanhYp9
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DFWS3Uo98
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevcxOWE3Ix
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NrLg8ApTa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmKdMisxTW
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQKDuXiFVP
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YYFFzCVEW
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEcb8qu4QO
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrSDJdtwe8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCEXerr548
“Yes?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR1GKV6CrZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1lDEIAszo
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu4cWEmJn5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneylXVzaKA
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfPizUvIb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc0Butcb2l
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8e0jeitCY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzodpytero
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LeEiBKZHA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaGpImShDo
“You made this in eighty minutes?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiKSVyOaET
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxryEixPyi
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTK26L7BYU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr1BF1716D
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr22a4cTsFN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaMkmYQWWP
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCutOVhTjjA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6TEDk17C3
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJGoq0H8Jo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxZFvbX0eO
“If you insist.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCg7exhNrP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KJtp8GHda
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQak3vbznK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQQf8l5ft9
“Kenny?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzURjaArQT5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduwIUXdYtJ
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x6hqqRPgm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kMWcDM3J7
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRwsq48baS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC80RAcEmv
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1LMo5onGG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8D2F2iTxi
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwacdFGtc0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E1ku6eSwZ
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdgtZEFWI5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53SiR8lm7h
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUOI5Hn6oC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Om0GCl9Ag
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GNY3Nqemo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPvU2UJS6X
“I see. I see, I see…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZmmLTAV2F
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPSyJX09nN
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F0ID7Dsvh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyJXKbXHtr
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGdAytXEg4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW8XVqJce6
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5RK11fTkE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgZSzrXM1U
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS4aqanigB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfislgXo9lj
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJKMJUXmsD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5EX6twbPX
“Please?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOhYjkxecw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSw28yVfky
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5xy43IXff
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUSpS7nChv
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzlrC6qB6k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGDT6IOYjz
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJycNI3wCy9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1BOGfiEMF
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGLLw3BG7c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbqPBFLJ8T
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuPKBv7CgX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1AoD3cO1G
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJankAKsrH8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT585bEyZs
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDaP8qNPI2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3nCrPauI6
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3leqCimni1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGCXL2Ypaa
“I started young. That’s all.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo9qDyL9Ef
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uis1hHZAe
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWfj6Lwcf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8klejHwx9G
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkIBuHnrn0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavWCWVXsn3
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ6K59GkEc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpLioPX94a
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDXBgN7Aug
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1KAQwSksQ
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO8OeNSzVn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sdKEZcpGS
She jumped and then waved her hand.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TFKeavDPM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z1htIN2Ko
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgZCb1idQQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZIrKMgJif
“Right.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwQ4FMgCE9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC83KiE9wE
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA944pJka4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXNy7u7pj
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxPZlApbc8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOdgIj8f4G
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cxu9CUAjv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxgbWQH0cM
“I– Wha!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzfFj0MOTI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK08jv34oOU
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0PiT8POfH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcsVnUgcZC
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1lHWTdpVl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZMwUTnsVY
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGSBxvQa8b
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6mFKfCVtH
“Your own… peace of mind?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSfMEZsITR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiGzgb7hO3
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmGGZH5jK1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dh430QVAc
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulOLQ2UjI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgZjFgSfzf
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTaGyAvoV1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO84YsnmvaH
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXONkDILiym
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWE2eYD7tb
“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. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D4gbTPosy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eBKaHFBl
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lEKmS5eCi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q7RZtlQAN
She shrugged at my comment.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy73S35UQ58
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7DO0EvuiY
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzavSzDW0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT13ffodoqs
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQB0pZnxn8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNw2JStsHn
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoRyViGPfP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UN4qOwYD
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EJdNFBa1X
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIz9M1HUmw
–
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5TdHvp4S9
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lykpgewDO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFjgN7wm9w
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf6bLTDvx1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEO6tlFuwf
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EmTSpH5bF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexNVvAXLT7
“...This is ridiculous.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aOU7DGAlD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEXyo0F96k
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VPuj8dko8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfUv3t76Jx
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPFC7TX0Ha
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKmFVut8y
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUhgRp6kWf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF8f8glC73
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh14dMwe9we
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm3s410TyK
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA32Jupuwpt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Eji1ibovW
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDemf0QPUa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZCchULFcp
“...Hmm.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt1RdFpZbR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSMSbn2gB8
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9ex5QFr7Z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoVNt6h5iS
“Do whatever.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdfALhNOC0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVEFyL1tYc
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0RaiVeMrK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPlVtjk7wj
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL66q949lPM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OSFtkZPWV
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloe1fUmoQu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlON0lj4Br
“D-Darn it.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUNk1rFpJl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFQlRZUpYI
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXAG0IEALl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErRAuwYXwg
“What are you doing here?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUK8CBZoZd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9LoEC4WIN
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMmzZjwjzS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6TSrKJm2v
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGu47vHYIj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOzSXq5mTC
“...U-Uh.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ExLX6ULw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz77hozZMI
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKezHAW0lB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE570LTYtOG
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt8jNHHGCP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSMyxl9TzN
“I… I-I.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdxeS30jMk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJz5KMOZef
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiGkEnauDJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccj54XxQr7
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iG2P7WwSI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV6ivqm1TE
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0UktBA5D1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJpF547di3
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ534gbOBRVg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1w4Pm1elf
“I-I’m here.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN0NKZ02aF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJQ98mbQug
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqAHKqchWO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDjulQTvNs
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwpzAKlc9N
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLZPxtHBdL
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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDg1uKYcFr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVponmWbpXL
“I…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzeAQUetIi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOBH8uepzC
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BGTfBm62x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd4p8ScEIN
“Hello, Rover.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiZhwIRjQO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UyIvPojpr
“Hey, Kenny.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrtXXZ3IAw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwZf1km61H
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zIrEUCnrl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZA4znBlwi
“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–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlRCQgy2ZI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZdJhbxnI4
“Cut to the chase!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dzrBH1m0q
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECLaxkKI4v
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlQk41RyDX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2Zy5zN2Vp
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1WfHWmY89
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyE9T6TCdP
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgGJqmM0Xt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hE0JIJ5P2
“Y-Yes.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VUmxyl8fe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKJ7YB7NjH
“Now who told you to do that?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHilPNhRlm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6GcLYxjA
“W-Well–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuXWYEdqdH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviqA8Keb4q
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9KY6hseJl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHJiFxf1jF
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ4NPUAlZt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5X8cBNaX
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mJKejRtDQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84QAxZSLs2
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjDRYR07gG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc1HCuLMrJ
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwf2k9rTi4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzDxD9aYXS
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHauaveKL8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdqRbMN0HS
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV16TrnwTi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9Lv9hDbBt
“I refuse your treatment!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaIB6ASEPq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauFh8ko7Qk
“H-Huh!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOR4D1ALYg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL1bcYznhQ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjLcX59zJp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxCKJLWXCf
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mqYurDvLZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKLPiQQ7xs
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRRq9OdYty
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLC5VItUmU
“I– Wha?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xyMNQ8qiA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66iyK03Enj
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–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgSBPmIOFg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiYOEnrV8x
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gUZ5iqmp1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYGJyo3Odx
“Stupid? Weird!?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlRlOc76tA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6N3nsBce1
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS3mVsI9rm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD7PMmfuBc
“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQOWGHFwsF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkySDl9Zfg
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbmY1lVfIS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kBeflf9Ce
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwXppf4pJo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHfYcJU5mP
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDkRLunzKf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuqSosn6lz
“It’s because I upset you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKP33sHdEY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4E4rjCHP3
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjaTOyxTSV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5uOklo0k7
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUPQEVSQJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXp6B3V4eL
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSWdBVozkw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z8mSbaPlS
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgBs2XzwNj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcjyJEK5u7
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ADuJ53UQH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhH2zOMD9z
“S-Sheesh.” 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz18Bhv3Ylt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaJMuMnBHZ
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.
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF8UQ2rDQ6
“How do I use this thing?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtZbHWzs0O
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJZ8llSdMO
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM2rDdKz5u
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC38VgdHSBA
“Drinking works for me.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KhdGz2V7Y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMgpBhBxIB
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEA2LHd3oP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIx9sorfTm
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8gvq9y79k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNr6eu6eqT
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJGLn2adbp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrQwE6ERFR
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG41J2Iwcn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYwmwf86kN
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkChZpuqJy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzoTngpSsX
“Whatever.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPk8TpuMju
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1coTmDrAWQ
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. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi87DWgHykp
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk5C6KEuev
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GjmuyuZR8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcmSre4z6I
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kFxxpC71c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6kGZTjofl
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2kzwi0ECT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaL3RIW2ow
“Leaving already?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ9GtLhFdR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENpHW49uJW
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy57LGlmD5s
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhKw5PIbaW
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcU7EW61jS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPACJ7iKbu4
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSwaYtMxTH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3DtCScSmn
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ez8AVje2X
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwVPEzyzsL
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGQX7Fqh8y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GgRgJS9Ke
“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?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo3ahgXa4L
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzneodmnIl6
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ515J5kRC4q
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgP0ukz4ds
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXanNvuFJj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5RBGD2al2
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk5gQVlorI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42kSUnOilJ
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rizir78WX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cfvAeRh8F
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr0IF4X36I
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMYFrwOTgb
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfwWuozEyk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXajnQoE0R
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92CvLXei9L
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkQxhtotDs
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuMi8BKTSv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9fsupBNue
“H-Huh?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexGIDdMwji
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ47nidjJi
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLao9EWj7BQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCzN1d2JIc
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN7lZIE837
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oI2QQ49yB
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo439yridm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6zP50ScpE
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvE8xVk7J4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wtosgVrR2
“I’m n-nothing so special.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDiBLUswvr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0SfD3dG63
“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!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54Gt5vXjOn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdBWqTSoTS
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS7PEpUFKV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFPlGqrvbR
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6gqvjBpHK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFhJz2JvHo
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpHCe4HxKn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaC0UDB0is
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. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcf38KoFH6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Dsxb7zGp
It took me only a few 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwndoUroIf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBveTn6C8CP
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJrw8EKUwh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6vf1FYXaX
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhcyxPKG2g
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolXcWoB2wG
“No, really, Rover.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLz0mNOS46
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JxFPdhNJI
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQZYsk1PLT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopGts7magA
“I think I’m just lucky.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrEJeuIibq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1jAKejLVe
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZsIJR9Kr9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuZG7aUtHH
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbY475kTfY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUzbx0YSlj
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAN1rSSvCO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHJNqQWMIO
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicTAs7vTiz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vl4dqmOw2
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTAU75IkPM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZpdrU7VoS
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx2o4OAyrg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaExHdsjVT
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi23GRUW4R
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTOLVV3DPW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAoUaX4pSz
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. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIsEi41x24
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIzOKo37Vp
“D-Don’t rush me!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJJ5ff7m2l
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0WLHFNcjX
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzElNb3GJ57
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNayOByIHfM
“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…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufMGUu10Mu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQaANh2OeQ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7flfdFYtE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5titsyj7zm
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8faQ2Cem0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcijAQRWrD
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE0JNbKKQE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqESdwkmt5
“I didn’t say anything.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimFIu04hLm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK9vZQ3uC6
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw408z6dNY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPKM7poG9L
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7tSRqDPej
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuSB88U8Xh
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ2dITbixC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtkQHpu2vs
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIGlASrdxa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV2W4Hfgux
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUuRGyEytg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS3VTr0KfZ
“Told you all I did? What?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF73OA6cWfN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYaDwN9aRY
She was caught by a wind of fury.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBpqN3kxbx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCxpLo2beN
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRhS3NKUS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcUL9YgPkM
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyKZNUR6x4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSM6QwrRv1
“What’s so funny?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLvlyLDvLW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsCfgVfxMf
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODcnQAne1T
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeAsAN8Ek5
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0SEOBtH8x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1zOKbl0ds
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oaGfgEjZL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CuACgbYAA
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9skZnDzreg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RgYU85I9P
“A little crazy?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFWDEg3wRb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVs8w90fhI
“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!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDCFfTghsf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQERidbdgb
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkIZA4bKto
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXAwAUhEs8
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4AtzkBOAT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqs1w2JjBP
“Well–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjRljfcKvZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR4XBDpAZs
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9oYd3QoIE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpMAhQIbCw
“I–”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkpoYnRNy5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUmTITtpLO
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWvk2UkXIy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlctwPOPrt
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEVxwhUG7E
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kLMl7e9AJ
“See! I– huh? You do?”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAdTfOqjfG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz3dlIuZdz
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFGG1FYngS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEquzg3yAUy
“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.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQPROhaqSv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xyugibq2K
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf98AmxHei0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbxXaznKh
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4RSPEIoxH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHPAkJreAJ
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8d2nB9Jxi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhLb5bY8jT
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbKkZChSPe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBBjW908vc
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoXwg6tGFS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWogTuMDlA
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TSsSk5Gqq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8xlGBqshZ
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52xYFB67mC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjPJK0emu
“Ah, right.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2qJVxxaX1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT2O7bpuYO
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkx3scJ21S
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPCTSA9Fg2
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS1v7GQx24
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr22s5khFcZ
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarE8hoy6df
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv1YofnS7O
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpvJjzQdKf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCCqLAvdTj
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj6ydhXhDv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj3YD1qhml
“Wait, one last thing!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLAoJ0Tn5W
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnARsPX2Ys
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCKQHc4NjS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFwy7Pgx81
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9qufr0Dap
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6l8RhngW2
“...”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRhcyxp3KM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn5wyENvto
I smiled.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOt6w1YRYg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUFpleEK3s
“I will.”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOstbCfN05o
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqZzsACV4Z
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKHDsCSBYz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eUDYkFkBi
“Yes!”179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Zn0IDTS3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy2f7nC9yO
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOplJGrmPFK
