The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxdS6Nhei1
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG29MxdivY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGOruD0Sss
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5e19UK1CY
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjD78MjR1L
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJqR4tkyCj
"Oh, that's a good point."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYIz8ZR8Ti
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDj16LcgB9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaJdBMAeRP
**SWOOSH**408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XDF9JgYGm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK110Uty5Qf
"W-Woah!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4O7xYyeew
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JH8Kkbin5
And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0amJTX1Tm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwzfUhjAus
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTItCMh1sp
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bSTh2pDjK
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPhU4h2f9E
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkA7eShNL7
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIckytWm18B
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYIaSDoKRa
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9uwBjf6K
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPjnz6Bfl0
"Oh, Juke."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn2iv1WC0G
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0AZFnS21C
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoUMdCF1hN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLRo81Xx9d
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevzPdVr3tS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4ulAmK1MS
Juke tilted his head.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xvN7XX0od
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9DDmjYTkE
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2GmnSqHXu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPchlAgBxI
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZP50lhUhO
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5nPgAK8EI
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfushp4br7L
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoc7H9QCB6
"That's a good idea."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8rCVS6Sss
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA4WcdgriV
I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbTNbohVCu
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspQAir3WuL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfLV3Cjkra
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwszzclXWsB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHSAZNZYey
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGrL0JBRw1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgxhgLDDNV
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlWqR4QIBT
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP0ErRlmT5
**SWOOSH**408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6KlDNA7pm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6RtmUqZPx
Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZstys5FLyO
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEkbLc9yXX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvFgF6szN5
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mGErNcqzy
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu64Rwc8hw
"That's a bird!?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02P6xLV7vP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOwIWPOy4K
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeE8Bt6iCe
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSokarUdHG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRSPhjv2IT
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdC3TiQTUw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8QGkTwqgQ
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRFNq50QX9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKkvD7anMJ
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVSWfNJE4W
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKei4cYICv
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjZXT8kh7W
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCfZbb55sV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEbxSu1WpJ
He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FNrTrWmJQ
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ERSgyJGw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v374ZYgzi
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KlAfhpDc9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNUn7AM9Lf
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00HcNS5dWk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qM1w914fw
"Hahaha!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRfroiZjQC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfIPA7xj0P
"Why aren't you answering me?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmSQyXz1NQ
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQHEeYpUUI
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80E4iPuIqh
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuKRAwtGqC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSEIdAjWU0
"Huh? Why?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMYvy7u9CC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUbQ8BRu8Y
"Purely for the sake of the mission."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvH0z8egWn
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"Oh, alright!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nk5VvVyDH
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi70JI5qVwd
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRGgXI79fM
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkkhbebZyu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN8tJdPxcz
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvPYZLjMEe
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2ABDah69b
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQdgRPuZQa
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"Hold on–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCZxaUxnNq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVlatCE6h6
Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVe2dXtiQY
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ760juecuwA
"See what I mean?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRkZRSTEyF
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BQFglpPOL
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwhP7bOJmV
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK1tuKep2a
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaAEcDwo6Q
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY7UtHZ0eI
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG5Wy3dyE8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXs5xU4bw1
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRSbmUuY56
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85tHfjx7Wv
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6Ls4uEhJ
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"...Maybe."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3updS3a2jh
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"Why only maybe!?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgO43LFlEG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoQJRWw7so
"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzJWsQb47t
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9M7vbtZO2
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSadQ5dhHlc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PqnWMC2WZ
"Ahhh... this is the life."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHwgIusfO7
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcOZj2GLJZ
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAQebrhMDJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pwil2at8v
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaiYWM2LJF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslm6bAAhGv
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBQIuqhB8Z
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OFBe6KYix
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJXV05D1M0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMviZvfNcN
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf0HTYajdC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbYATCrjNg
"Sure, sure, now scram."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8UejFx9Bu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQewhqU0Dth
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO5hGuk4bQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ9NiAlvqM
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjtIsKzpZw
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQhMCiOhAt
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqmxykbRxz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2qm6GWuXt
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jYjgjtR0P
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjieTXqaMf
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdYymzEWB2
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoY45wt2xM
"A nap... hmm..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgcZYZkDRk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyFvenUrjx
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77AZyMhNhG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ75CmwVNE
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AJxA9vyqi
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRkmc4uHft
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyad6seMIoO
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rZ97THdWZ
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMqNFT8fhK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAKcFHGcCs
"Ack... this sucks."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlA2exQ6TQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBJNwDqBXh
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19c93aVjzx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXAZ1JJ43z
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM6JhPrQZh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi7OUkRvJa
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSlVyEHoRe
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEnOKARktY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8yiQhrEol
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ1dFWp13s
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qRXCk1gMW
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBAEYFu23K
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXpKnEN1pL
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TenUVX5Dy
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA5861N6pd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNgNIqzgpC
"---Alright, that takes care of that."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnvVlMWL6J
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Qp0iwkwE
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0WvZhYJ6N
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf14Gc4rYk
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmh3jHAEn0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjxTSE0VRz
"...Right?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NGut19fzt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzHBC3dkWH
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8xQA4vQjv
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JsnhcEXaI
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd04Odypmwo
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyyQqhgOax
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75hxJK7zSq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nuv4HGvQ0
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcQJb8RhLA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55nDxYkFUM
Wait, where the hell is she going?408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEZiocSzLN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJPt8Haq1K
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1s02uFLwS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbs9xW3Cqy
"Rover."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc2BUG2zE8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mrvLjCrSj
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Og43tBiBS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZOQXsqcuc
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FFpYhSQxp
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVFO0kT9GS
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8rRIxSZ1M
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTvwxBY2Ox
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiEhfc3diM
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t3bJ36TA7
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpvJCv2C3k
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuL0FSKS6X
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYjYim9RcD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4g17u2PcA
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06eXuJaafm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S75oiCYsQ
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuhktBGvCn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AwlSEKdFG
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElEOfzQC4M
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnB1XPh3Cy
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQAWyCRERC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNq4dccq6a
"Oh, that... uh..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiI3b8ecv9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7mtckN6qq
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hGmMeyfc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5jjvb9lH7
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9StdsV3N6r
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Kc3k3rNH
"...Pff."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBW9QlgfHH
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPxoA97WiX
"It's not funny!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCLPbkQLTZ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj0Qc1fK6g
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtTvsd2MxS
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4BeisszXV
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP2wDdZFqP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI92edeXpM
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlfboFr7Kh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V6fMyZbWN
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljkrPXwwcB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5LBS9YUGU
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3wTzOVwzg
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH2i9KPS46
"...I see."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWsA8SY4Ms
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvVmH1IRfm
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwceUChDXNV
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTl503j2A2
"..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTx2kQTOEh
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICmogn648L
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgUhOpafUR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e58ALO08m
"What are you doing?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVpA7QpiCP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkqzwjkkK4
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3YfKVA3yn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVKVJfrqgp
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbmopAU981
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8XQOCsuZk
"W-Whaa!?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE44YEX5Vyk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYdxOeXQCc
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhTidwsvvo
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwn7MsKDHk
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZDnLZBCs9
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEjqTlzBbe
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7l4sL6O9a
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3lQOi25NG
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lQ1ctXM9R
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0P0SMHPh1
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pArY0dWDc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e5ZthFXNX
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcLAFbqBYC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDyxaoa81i
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhIek9DIQq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rp9DywWVW
"I don't like you."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5kIhwQoY0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr46hYM1rE
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCONv6etjlJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyy9y4eJZd
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGFHLlFGRM
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBrIdkKmwL
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0D5Lto4Fq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggXMylxSAE
"I... guess you're right."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa8kNOEZG1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswoAzTK0pH
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
and then Add to home screen.