A buried memory resurfaced. At least, I thought it was a memory. It might have been a part of my dream, of which I remembered very little, but I was leaning towards the former. It was a memory of my father. It was a rare moment when I was out of my room and speaking with him. He sat me down by the table and went on a tangent, as "men his age do," speaking of a phenomenon known as restless sleep. It sounded like nonsense to me, and I told him that I thought it sounded like nonsense, but he dismissed my remarks. He said that I would understand when I grew older.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4HSwPf5Uw
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz9E7FjrMP
He wouldn't have known it, but he was a liar. Because here I was, my eyelids turned to stone, gazing at the ceiling as if I hadn't slept at all.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S7oStqO3i
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac48wx1hhY
"At least... I'm on my back now."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIXQxXDuyy
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZq5IdbfpW
I tested the waters. My arm rotated just fine, and I could roll from side to side. I lifted my legs one by one, then both at the same time. I wasn't sore, I wasn't in pain. I crooked my head; all the perturbing sears and tears had vanished. I heaved myself off the mattress. I tested my leg strength, and I could keep myself upright without issue. I have undeniably made a full recovery, despite how groggy I was. I didn't know how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long. I walked to the window and pulled on the blinds. It was bright out.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYefmLQO6d2
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTKcN7A5qV
I closed the blinds and scanned the room. I spotted a cup on the nightstand and reached for it, taking a sip. I sat on the bed with the cup in hand, periodically sipping from it as I stared across the room. I had an urge to stick my finger between my teeth and gnaw. I resisted it, though. I found enough solace in the way I sat.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyWdxiTy9U
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3odW2bUWe0
It was quiet. Inevitably, I indulged myself in rumination. I was nervous, I knew that much without even thinking. I was also relieved. I was glad that, at the current moment, I was sitting here and not outside the city walls. It freed my thoughts. It let me sip the water with a motionless cup.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBpX5f7oF8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjgg5woh2H
"..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bap6wFFnh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISHveNE2KZ
But, I was nervous. I set the cup aside, rubbed my face, and stood up. Staring at a wall would do me no good. If I talked to someone, my stress would surely subside. It would help me stay awake, too. I stood up and ambled to the door, opening it.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6DlF0MEKm
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsd3ZFY6me
I was immediately startled.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUt5YdGcZn
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtovaeqEVxJ
"Oh, Kenny. That's funny timing; did you just wake up?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMKNdY3OGp
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5bM8QPdmH
I jumped silently, grasping my chest and taking a deep breath through my nose. I stepped away and looked at the man conveniently before my door.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwhYD7gJf
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER54DFjWov
"I did just wake up Pars, yes. Did you need anything?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFI3ZuKbRq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qBAy00p4P
"I was looking to chat. Mind if I enter?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF79OY6sUY
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkEEOYC9v4
"Of course. I was just meaning to talk to someone myself."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ki65ktSJJ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWVdXl2mVf
I let him enter the room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms like before while I sat on a nearby chair, turning it so it faced him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdHNxHOSdr
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNJcVAxMWJ
"Do you feel any better?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHlh8rRdZo
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JH4rOyavN
"Oh, yes, much better. I'm still tired, but I can move just fine."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3JPQesdwq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaNDZHeDS
"That's good, that's good..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNpaDvdMZL
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MXAJGqoRP
He tapped on his arms with his fingers, not uttering a word and filling the room with an unpleasant silence.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnmCdK16Qq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iMYScJZRT
"I'll just cut to the chase here, alright? Why aren't you with that red-haired girl?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw61gvAmbUa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIDbCWeYj0
"..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEeBzIRsYh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7DdUtMv7B
To my surprise, I didn't react to his inquiry. My body didn't jolt in shock, nor did my eyes widen. I just sighed, because truthfully, I was expecting a question like this.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCViXHyZZb7
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S95BSg2JJ
But it didn't mean it was easy to answer.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJBLIqQjkZ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtDybrnhbA
"Judging by your reaction... It must've been a fight."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMCnfmWdrv
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM9Iomerm8
"H-How'd you know?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyxqtVGxW6
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIyH5OqLzZ
"I have a lot of experience with quarrels. I get into them all the time."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZccyBTtlq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJJL2apyr2
I smirked at his statement. His esoteric wit didn't irritate this time. I was grateful for that.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU67Sc29BRZ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYJUUmlk8X
"It's good that you said it out loud. I don't think I would've been able to answer so openly."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeQEtvwsvo
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThuf96ajmh
I leaned back and firmly rubbed my face before returning my gaze to Pars.
"It's funny– I was just about to ask you if you happened to have seen Rover around. Is she with you guys?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f8fC6RR4P
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1bxH9HGSG
Pars nodded.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ3rq1V6XY
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LWnNdEKNx
"Yeah, she's in one of the split buildings. Unfortunately for you, she's in the one where we're going, since Lola's there as well."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMEqHKXwj9
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCTA8Zxt9A
"That's great," I replied, unsure if I said it earnestly or not.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGjqDRRZn4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42VUsaX7Zn
"But I'm still lost. I don't get why you two separated at all. Last time I checked, you weren't the best of buds, but there was a bond formed there as mutual battle partners."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULU7Rz941q
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiqBm1B3nU
"Mutual what?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD3jhaOumR
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfpqW3zHLK
"It's something you notice the longer you're in the combatant business. You can make lifelong friends in one day just by battling alongside them."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqaxdIQ9dz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscTDIVUzxp
"Is that a studied phenomenon?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F2MrI34zC
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TQFEefxVE
"No! But if you ask anyone with as much experience as I have, they'll tell you the same thing."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbxgJpnq3a
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh9KXh9oqy
"Really now..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsauSdIMrQK
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyBFyeuX5J
I felt like we got sidetracked, but the way Pars spoke ensnared me. Fortunately, he was a man not easily taken off-task.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7mARs1ndA
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjIXHsljdE
"That's beside the point. You must've had a pretty bad fight if you two separated."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOdrVUX46q
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU5mSXHOOw
"..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcbWZJYzub
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCqwCWxr3R
I fiddled with my fingers. I thought back to yesterday and viewed my memories with warped eyes. Even though it was recent, the magnitude of the event made it remote, detached from my mind as if I were reading a stranger's book. I remembered the outcome but all else I could recall were caustic words, drastic actions, and weighty, suffocating feelings. My amazement rivaled the strength of my jitter; only one day had passed and I had tucked it away. Yet, I let a little piece of the memory stick out of the wardrobe that harbored it.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAjnU7eSSf
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmoHNk13Ie
"Wow... it must've been bad."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwvhFID4bj
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNM4PtRdOt
"You're almost as flippant as I am."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0YBoQC5UO
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUp9PQX3lt
He uncrossed his arms and held his palms out, pushing them to and fro with a nervous gaze.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvSntzQQPc
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywBIorbXOs
"I didn't mean anything mean, you know."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqQvjxyPkL
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36NMaIiDaH
"Yeah yeah. She and I disagreed on what to do. She wanted to stay in the city, Juke and I wanted to leave. After learning of what you and Dave told us, the situation is different now, which is why we're still here. But..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT3YWAOsOO
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhlrVk5wko
"It won't be easy talking to her again, will it?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYLYhiWE7E
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJZfu4uFFv
I shook my head no and kept fiddling with my fingers.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK6Is4Hmn0
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsxDmE3Fcp
"I'm not sure if I can do it at all. Or, if I even want to."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDOUuhTZBa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yTGLfPXNk
My gaze turned into a meek look. It wasn't a plea exactly, but I made sure my face invited advice. I had too much shame to ask what to do with my words.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAeGwcb4bk
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAkgiPIhHG
Pars stepped away from the wall, crossing his arms again and nodding his head.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptBgwLE5x3
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5g89dNAMC
"Baby's got his first fight on his hands, huh?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnt4z2qCup
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv566EWtpp9
"W-Whaa? Did you just call me a baby!?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhorFx5eLhZ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQC8xybEeC
"You're right, that was incorrect. You were a baby, but from here on, you're taking your first steps into maturity."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEbTXQ6nCz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGbxjiqOhW
I wanted to correct him. After all, this wasn't my first fight. But when I looked back on the other few I had, this one was much more severe, so I kept shut.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2wp4uqo9U
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEGc3bJtHM
"I don't want you to liken me to a baby, though. That's frankly rude."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6x3b7tNam
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XGneHBONK
"I know."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUDkRFmDqw
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cPyVkwhjW
He took a few steps towards me and sat on the floor.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwCZ3VlFpg
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt8Fx12lhb
"Tell you what; I can't help you."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs4LfbxSJa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSorAn5wUm
"...Are you serious?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G7uOo11m2
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1RoPZcrCd
"Don't be disappointed just yet," he exclaimed while thrusting his palm forward, "Because I know what can help you."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc2nX91R5P
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFyUpfAKB7
"What? What can?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nqHMMppdP
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6gxQgYGZG
"Well, I'm sure you've been told this before, but I do this with Lola a lot, so I have a bunch of experience. I just make up with her."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBA3a6dD8A
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrSgJMh62a
"..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdghiiAVmtP
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SB49kLp9D
A little explosion happened in my brain. Clarity washed over me; all the haze blew away.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJpxG2rtN
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0KxX5RsvW
His words, I mulled over them. It was really that simple, wasn't it?471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17li5BRPGo
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRnw2xt4b1
When I asked myself that, the haze immediately returned, and as I skimmed through possible outcomes of speaking with Rover, I was filled with more and more apprehension.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD30n4JiPQh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgXQt4VYLi
"Give it a try."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFsZp5GMTW
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVvRuX7JJT
He stood up and patted my shoulder.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnNQWiJntK
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHcJwbO5YU
"Come on now. I think it's high time we start going."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwb5STbxYY
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBl5WUOoSY
"H-Huh? Right now?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2nT5N29Pb
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVnex47BsT
"Yes, right now. I'll go wake Juke up. Get ready to head out."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroEhU8gHMN
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbCK3KhqhM
Our conversation ended. Pars exited the room and shut the door, leaving me unsure if he helped or only made it worse.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQDu9C0437
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmdbcOe0y
–
–
–471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xCELReUfW
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RRPmkfAFo
"Are ya all packed up?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH1k1xKSo6
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQRVSS27Pu
As I made my way downstairs, I saw Juke at the bottom, his hands gripping the bag's shoulder straps. I gave him a bemused look and responded to his question.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBXfNGhb5z
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZXYIdVwjo
"You're the only one who's carrying anything"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRrgKHLHQB
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ41gyGCE62
"Ah, well look at ya, yer right."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXf2jZzrw4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs8DxjXkOP
I made it downstairs and scanned the room. It looked the same as when I left, only Dave and Pars were engaged in conversation. Dave was rubbing his head; it was clear something troubled him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHksHotovGz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNlA1cgT5L
"Did Pars relay our discussion?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos5Zsu1BiR
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS13gNCBgB
"I dunno. I ain't listening to what they're sayin'. I'm too busy thinking."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VbFuX1Sic
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WHCIs6zRJ
"Thinking...? If you don't mind me asking, are you also nervous?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKfvBAVSzg
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGhCgPqg7S
He huffed through his nose, like what I said was ridiculous.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop8NObYlGa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2DXkBHetD
"I ain't nervous. I'm just thinking about the whole operation. I ain't gonna fight Hard-Bringer without a plan."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nrdY9Ee1E
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhVO5pFNCu
"I suppose that makes sense."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zsnMyqXOM
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMEyplcQZM
"Ya remember that crazy lady we fought, right?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxduZoGZ5Iw
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfkzEc5C8d
"Yeah. You said you figured out her power before, didn't you?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQYQSNNHnG
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSMM9qKX3R
"Good thing that explosion didn't hurt yer memory. But I'm afraid I lied to ya."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VaMhZJt7Y
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfNs3N9Shu
I blankly stared at him. I wasn't surprised to hear that, but it still was a blow.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQwaAg41JA
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqQtiG33Oo
"I have a theory, but I wanna ask ya first. What do ya think her tricks are?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu3cLxK2K1
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLwHAWvTqq
"What do I think...?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84cG2mefwa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtZEssu0IC
I raised my hand and pinched my chin, gazing pensively at a random vase in the shop. Though the craze of the event made it difficult to remember the details, there were two oddities I couldn't forget: the Harbinger could strike Juke from a distance, but somehow didn't always do so, and the Harbinger dodged and blocked my attacks as if she could tell they were coming.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7mfMmOpPJ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4bqFo04QK
"You suggested foresight. It's a part of it. I don't think she can see too far into the future."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJnrsWSiu
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pnLTdETLa
"I don't either. I'm thinkin', just a few seconds."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUIMYXrhDC
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsA0R5V9pQ
"That seems right. But then, what about the kick? How did she pull that off?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8mDo1DW0y
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBpaYxndOj
"I'm asking ya, kid."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIgl9PuoLC
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi9Wa1icqj
I rolled my eyes and continued rumination. Since there was nothing rational about her power, I threw ideas into the world and saw how my better conscious would react. Was it wind magic? If so, Juke would know. Was it an illusion? Illusionary magic has been stated to exist, but no corresponding mana exists in this area. Was it an Endowment? Likely. In fact–471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXA6XJCn6C
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJNISLGllw
"It had to be an Endowment."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWjref7DVU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDihK9rwNh
"..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6IgNbEp7
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWqOpPgzqF
Juke was silent. I took it as a signal to elaborate.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzICdaDOdw4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCWNH50rCI
"It would explain the inconsistency. Endowments can have downsides, so maybe she could only strike from a distance under special conditions. I don't know what those conditions are, of course."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt2VzTCiDP
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iI0YiGIWJ
"That's a sound explanation. I just don't think she's got an Endowment."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p315kyW9H
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASEYKjtrj7
I looked at Juke. Though I couldn't see his face, he looked rueful.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx5trB59WX
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x3uK8kjzw
"Why not?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Trcg6oRDS
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JjjIJe4Mr
"It's just a gut feeling. I ain't sure. But yer probably right. It's a pain in the ass not to know what's goin' on behind her bullshit."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnFkbURzot
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFy57vrw6
"The task at hand is to figure that out, isn't it?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVku4lSM72
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0N6Cl4UlH
Juke nodded solemnly. From the tone of his voice, it looked like we both knew what that entailed. I sighed and pinched my nose, then spoke again.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf7jO3Y2uY
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt2bSc6e70
"Surely, there's a better option."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1oevga3SP
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTszVuf0kO4
"I don't wanna fight the bitch either, but all the roads are pointin' that way."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2MGThl75
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaQMQYZ4AT
I wanted to refute him, but all the other ideas I came up with were ineffective. Still, I decided to give them a shot.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ePzHFPl5v
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmYk3NCAlz
"What if we spy from a distance?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkITQJ8Ecr
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR68BjLRW1k
"Yer crazy, kid. Did ya just get possessed to say that?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KEcprJvmt
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WuERCGJLo
"...Point taken."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOWLt0GkPB
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxyeQG1f0u
As I thought about it more, the idea of leaving people to fight the Harbinger while we sat by the sidelines was sickening. I discarded it immediately, thought the reality it meant I had to face was frightening.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQJOpmv1p9
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmKwPBo9Ct
"'Course, we could always bank on others fightin' her and doin' all the dirty work."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPul2DtPXv
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnvRAm1EHg
"That doesn't sound too different from what I just suggested."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApmvNxZQXX
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMY91sxe7K
"That's cuz ya ain't... nevermind."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00eLcN2Z89
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJREXvfyGX
I smiled weakly. I took comfort in our shared reluctance to do this. In truth, what Juke said about others finishing her off would be nice. If I could, of course I wouldn't want to fight her. But, that wasn't for us to decide; that was up to our luck. As I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best, Dave approached us with Pars in tow.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIitPFkTBp
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOEgYdd53S
"We're ready to leave. How about you two?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyBFvrdDDg
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWVdI4rvHo
We nodded in unison.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9uQcxC8S8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ1IAm6656
"Good, good. Then let's head on out. We have no time to lose."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NN7v30phh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2om5DW8U5
–
–
–
Out on the street, the sky turned ever dimmer. We went through the same motions as before, scuttling in and out of alleyways as we watched for oncoming Bringers. I no longer felt like I was always on my toes, dreading even the slightest error. It just became tedious.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlZaqPlGjj
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqFZXRYUNx
At some point, we became comfortable enough to chat. We spoke in whispers, of course, but exchanging words at all made me think we were getting careless. I didn't voice my concerns, only chewed on my finger as I darted my eyes around.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn4MLZ4Qws
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIB3N4w3Ja
"Ya look a little nervous, kid. Are ya fine?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA8pGYe8mq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOOgXiNXsB
Juke spoke up in a whisper-shout. I turned my head to him and replied at a similar volume.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iiriUqEcE
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xYdunfgBf
"I feel like that's all you've been asking me today. Of course I'm nervous. Of course I'm not fine. What part about this is fine?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItWA10Ww1O
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVhRAp6cLT
Silence came for a few seconds, and I realized that I might've spoken too rashly. I didn't apologize, though. I felt no inclination to.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocE9dOrF1E
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqByXxXDQd
"Yer right, I've been asking ya that a lot. I must be naggin' ya."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI78XmQgSn
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJrK6piON8
"Well... I won't deny that."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXGqCRHLj2
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbrKgrxBtR
I heard him chuckle under that bucket helmet.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNz6eoSVZx
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbRwnogFIZ
"I'm just keeping ya steady, kid. Just makin' sure ya don't grab yer head and curl into a ball again."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifugkeEEj5
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBB11PHLVK
"Again? What do you–?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRe5SeXj0Y
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eI4EEShVO
As I formed my question, memories of my first mission with Juke surfaced. I kept quiet, but I could feel my cheeks curl into a smile.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5RvvbvqAQ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAd3vOESWt
"You're surprisingly kind, Juke."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu4khdbiob
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwOip9bbkT
He didn't respond verbally, simply nodding at my assertion.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA2UWr4sw2
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoIbE1LFfx
"Since you asked, I'll tell you what's on my mind."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaX8x9nFBC
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZCelMBZgT
"I didn't ask ya that."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7RY8PlcJE
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9XVWb0SsD
"Pars came into my room yesterday. He asked why I wasn't with Rover, since I was with her when I met him. It was, well, a difficult conversation, but I learned that Rover ended up joining the Retaliation Crowd."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmytTD5Z6Ib
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPidfsp5dL
"That ain't surprising."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyGKaS3rbR
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AdFHBGZLw
"Yeah, it isn't. It really isn't."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeikePCueK
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhovatzk9M
Juke and I stopped talking for a moment. Pars' and Dave's quiet banter quickly filled my ears.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGLkH8rNH8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLUuv4R8Zr
"It's funny. The thing I'm most nervous about is meeting her again. I realized that quickly, and then it made me think about a lot of other things."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMug1GqPV5
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN96E1rFTK
"Yeah? Like what?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeYod3ie5
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4q02beTk8
"It made me think about home, and coming back to it. Not just Buffalo Village of course, but the Capitol too. I was so caught up in the state of affairs that I forgot I even had places I called home."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgHd4Pv1wJ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6BnLabmcN
"I can't blame ya. All this is givin' me a headache, and I'd wanna head back home too if I had one."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2720NIRh9
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxVgbrwmgT
"No, that isn't what I'm getting at. It's just..."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIrg1Wr9Km
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxQ8N70urR
I stopped myself and pinched my chin. The words got stuck in my throat. They required tuning before being released, yes, but there was another thing keeping them from leaving Before chaos broke loose and the three of us separated, it was the robes of that woman.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8gcoR7YFa
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVddxyTJtjI
I had terrible thoughts in my head. An abundance of worries and I withered because of them, but nothing I could do would make them leave. All I could do was shut my eyes and look the other way.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR8Zn043HL
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8theGQS5JK
"I hope they're doing okay, is all. Flinty, Annabelle, Jackson, and even the Tea Mage. I hope they're doing better than I am here."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5VBGyVXAt
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0cSWp5CLc
I let out my thoughts in earnest. A minute passed without a reply, and it never came after. I thought I would've been agitated, but I was relieved. Dave and Pars continued their conversation, but we stayed quiet. It was a moment I'd be ashamed to spoil. With how easily my mind wandered back into contemplation, we arrived at our destination seemingly instantly.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI6l94FYWU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY5cE8Q9VG
"See that," Pars pointed as he stood by the alley wall, "That building is one of our bases."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtgCqVHpSV
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDLUU3yxD6
I moved to his side, squinting my eyes to see through the darkening sky. The outline came to me quickly, and then I could make out the building's details. That of which were–471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoHuqR7dmH
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoiPvkH5Xs
"Is this seriously one of yer bases?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjND0ivyN6I
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPsZWbb7G3
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. The building in question was a flower shop.
and then Add to home screen.