Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQMKpcWjHQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQaUMLguDE
“Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKFGxqSZ10
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1XYXDPe56
Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It probably wasn’t the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51u3sKpnQ3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTRHyJrFTg
Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1PO2ho7dw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN15MwZIacu
“There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I’m certain you aren’t faring any better.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0REgQWCSI
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtISd2JhCS
“Y’know, that ain’t a bad idea.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQHAtsVdqE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz2z11Tmz2
He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCOiVqwPyP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvE5LcOLzB
“Well?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvylOiv8fY
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjbkQtj2Ho
“...It’s about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIeMJVLN6D
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nOuvh3Xpu
“Really? That thing’s messy all the time.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU7pOpPDiv
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbizvsiDmV
“Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I’ve heard of things like that happening.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMqTsCbXeB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0J8J9Mp9l
He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h9KHJfDOU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLmiNPbIxg
“I’m surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn’t even bleed from that fight.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5CBbkdmbd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqmoIWH5Id
“I ain't bleedin’ either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. ‘Least he didn’t dent it.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwUaqnqrrl
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xPAWTucYP
He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer’s blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlcwWggdfP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89T0SP8OQW
“I’m glad, cuz it means I ain’t gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can’t, since I’m stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR6TB65XPT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3DA1PABV2
I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi75Ze1BVye
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyisHDQRckP
“You only have yourself to blame. You and I could’ve left if we stopped caring about the letter.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ9bSrHDNJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrClF6PkM6V
He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJNcBrosuE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDGphesy3h
“C’mon, kid. We agreed on somethin’ back in that alleyway. ‘Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMMMhQgfBs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cvbxbTe64
“...Yeah.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKMcoikGpk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8usJRpdRQr
Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXtGHQ4SWJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Tq77LZkH
“It’s so stupid. I don’t like any of it”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEeHV1eHhs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tpDUEeiXC
“I ain’t liking any of this either.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYO8AV7lQ1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHl4hLcyTX
“I know! I know you aren’t; you’d be a maniac if you did. But still”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz3dxNCpAA
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Myea0HyO
Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyI4dNN57j
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNGAxRHs9d
“I’ll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegrDjHMaMi
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsGCrTYVqT
“Y-Yeah. That I agree with.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC2RPGrvuT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv4nPVUhbX
“It ain’t amountin’ to anything either, is it?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHdD9e5e8n
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbeWqTNLkj
“...?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcZ2iwrsx5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlGpaMbqyV
At that, I had to tilt my head.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPLX0CHAfG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsrz3Hvj9u
“It’s a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn’t it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yJbSdU6aI
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjr00bhjix
“...I guess yer right. But it doesn’t feel like it.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWYockoitB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYT8AVoSQc
He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xyXCeK6KG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMy1GahQv9
“Dennis still ain’t here.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8LXjxTho7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqGgE4KukO
“...”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbqZIdXal7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOPQhoFhf2
The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke’s forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLr1VnQBuj
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v02XOe20T
“I don’t really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he’s a lifelong friend–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqeXStoYTW
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmH8SM8M2X
“I get what yer sayin’ kid. Ya ain’t entirely wrong, but it’s more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuMPVneTp0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXVCbP09mv
He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwSbKOrCZ1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW2TzCZ193
“Think of it this way, kid: let’s say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don’t eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin’.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWIa5yjCaA
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TPlzrjrMo
“--!? W-What!?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3jzIwHDSm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eoDIz0FuY
Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPykdDutKs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytjdTzG5pW
“Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn’t eat an apple?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1V7fLiiT6
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZjALh4Fp9
“...You aren’t pulling my leg, are you?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwKXqZFpxD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusKQZ0sHib
“Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I’m serious, kid.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncKXoDS09O
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡantA4nplMM
Though I still had my eyebrows raised, I did what was told of me. I pinched my chin and stared at the ceiling, wracking my brain and hoping an answer would fall for me to grab. It didn’t come to me very easily, and I looked at Juke with a slight plea in my eyes. He read it immediately and urged me to keep thinking. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQsHEgefTL
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGq9WPid0P
I sighed. At the same time though, I figured it was a good use of time, and I knew that playing by his rules would make me understand him better. So I ruminated away. I thought of it from Juke’s perspective at first and realized that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. Then I thought about it regarding recent events– aside from the fighting, that argument we had came up, and a shudder from my shoulders urged me to stop that train of thought. Then, taking how he said it would click for me into account, I thought about it as if I was the Kenneth Juke knew.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqBhYFDf3F
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfOhpD6Sgd
That didn’t really work either, but the idea of a different Kenneth gave me what I was looking for.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb2d3hmYFv
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19JRG7ARMN
“If you’d kill yourself over an apple… that must mean it has a lot of sentimental value. But it isn’t just a sentiment that makes it that way.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYocfFxdrFO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8UCe9kUxo
Juke nodded along, and I took it as an okay to continue.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OnZGKoRrL
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD66T333bjP
“It’s like the shape of a grant. Because you said that the apple meant something, that apple became a symbol. Because you made the terms that this apple’s consumption is correlated with your life, you’re putting stock into it. You’re giving it something greater than sentimental value; you’re making it a wager. Either I’m good enough to eat this apple, or I’m not good enough to live.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaxsKf2lOG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDduL4MYotb
“...”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCynYLsnLJN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsNHKt6NKo
I looked at Juke for a response, but what I thought would be a satisfied face just looked a little lost. My face must’ve looked really surprised.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yGNQAO29Z
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOhF6V66fX
“Ya ain’t wrong, but I wouldn’t call it a wager. It’s more like a checklist. One that ya just have to fill.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIrXLFfw53
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjlgxIZFAn
“I-I see…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq807OIykm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0XiarW5Tm
My analogy must have gone too off the rails. Or maybe I wasn’t thinking like Juke enough. Either way, the side effect of going on such a thought train made itself prominent. The sparks of my earlier declaration rekindled, and I grew proud– but only slightly –for making it to this top floor.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3aILU6j0K
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UG9z0HXI5
“Seein’ Dennis safe n’ sound is one of those checks. I got a few other ones, but they’re too private to tell ya. And others, I don’t really get.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWYbGGaPbx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcSlJSH6mR
“You don’t, ‘get?’”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtLgUP57Le
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ32ERuv1X
“Y’know, when–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGoavvnO2U
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLf1mIxjHO
“No no no, I understand you. I do.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspMaUQ67aU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy2rAW1xLG
My muscles loosened a little. I felt awfully warm about the words I would spit.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9b2vnLOWH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ8X3hKvWl
“I just know that feeling a little too well sometimes–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rLxBB0xFN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRrFs0TK2M
**SLAM**479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EgQnlFve0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJkgLQhRxr
A loud, thundering sound rang through the dusty room, startling Juke and me and putting our senses on high alert. Juke put one hand on his handle, and I already called the tendril forth and aimed it at the sound. It came from the door; now it was opened all the way, but the figure responsible wasn’t behind the other side.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVau7VdIn2Q
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirFjKix9sR
That is until I saw a head peer from the frame.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHtLVpmQMw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8RJikfFNE
“Oh, thank goodness. You two are safe.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBkV47aMOM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MVCpk22zw
The head belonged to the dean of the Pillar. He waltzed in haphazardly taking little steps and checking every inch of the room. When his eyes landed on the Bringer, he squeled for a moment, but quieted down once he noticed all the blood.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp8FLPKAwW
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjELF9yfix
“Phew. For a moment I thought I came at a bad time.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujeihAdCIv
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eD9BbFJWX
“M-Mister Dean.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDHd9xcOXH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2iHmifIEf
I decided to speak up, as the present situation was too absurd for silence.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z2BLWMBLg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eDVAqRdZC
“Yes, child?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPlWZU0Xmh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs1mYCMFkd
“Uh– well, first of all, are you alright?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFVqRLJMvs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCMYeKDgSf
“Yes, quite alright. My shoulder is still in pain, but the bleeding stopped long ago. And again, I must thank you for releasing me.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjd3JkwIYz
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NAhdqbTb8
“R-Right.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA6sONfvbO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirKxE5zqzH
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and looking at Juke revealed he was in a similar boat.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oJ6KlhWdU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlci0hytvCT
“But, enough about me. I came here bringing good news, and a friendly face.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwXxzoCtP9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHn2ZSWKnp
“--Please worry not about explaining it, Sir Dean. I wouldn’t want my duty as a leader stolen as such.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsQVcIlNqA
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhwZkJH3kf
From behind the Dean came a soft voice. A voice of confidence and care, a voice I’ve grown fond of over the past day. And seeing the holder of that voice cross the threshold made me retract my tendril, and put a hand on my chest in relief.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkx5ruJIiD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG9vezZaZu
“Hello, you two,” said Lola, “by the looks of things, your side was a complete success.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA9dnAg6lZ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcESW6WIUbn
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDjxqnhFc3
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpclRhe1Su
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQRJC40wZm
With the arrival of Lola came the confirmation I was desperately needing. We had won.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPdg0tPW5t
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E4cPTNI6Q
Though it wasn’t without casualties, the foreign pillar was rid of pesky Bringers. Its control was seized by the Retaliation crowd, and the Dean still being alive was a great relief.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKJEhJXSNT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb7RtmwxfP
“I was afraid of something like this,” the Dean explained, “but I couldn’t halt the mechanisms of this city because of premonition…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BoxZvCTDj
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs97xk2L8nb
Either way, we had what I was assured was an invaluable asset. I didn’t see how in the moment, but as I was taken to the answer, Lola elucidated me about the status.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuXBhcqKKq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsUdsjuqlI
A majority of the crowd hunkered town at the top. One floor with wide windows served as an excellent watch tower, and ranged specialists were tasked with observing the parameters. The floors above were converted into restrooms or hospital rooms. A few crowd members ventured to the lower floors to gather all the food and water available, of which there was a grand amount. It made sense, as all of those supplies belonged to the Bringers beforehand. Half a dozen of the healthiest and uninjured watched the first floor and the surrounding city, both defending from infiltrators and–479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCW1z9TgMi
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe7yJr6fIP
“They’re looking for recruits. If fighters see that we have the most important building under control, they’re more likely to join the effort.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ShQCNLoyo
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k2NS079ds
“Haven’t you explained that already?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrqNq3YvCT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkSCX964TH
“Yes, but… there is a slight problem we’ve run into.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEB5rPi8ts
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFSPfVZgGB
“What’s that?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhwbc8pRNO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk6SO1EbWw
Lola turned around and crossed her arms. She nudged her head to Dave who was beside her, and with a sigh, he stepped forth and spoke.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwqoUF8VN2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuLFMjT0fM
“Everything is done in two ways here. Either letters or signals. Old man Jackson was always responsible for the latter. We do not have Jackson anymore, so unless we make a lot of noise, we can only commune with letters.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4NevQ9YVy
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP874cbtt48
I realized the implications immediately. Even if fighters were available, everyone was in hiding. Nobody knew the state of the central Pillar, and I doubted that the crowd’s existence was well-known either. But then I remembered the prowling Pars and Dave from yesterday and asked:479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylpyyxueLq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsrSIO224d
“I know I wasn’t asked, but I think making a signal would be effective.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qvj5kYPGS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFPv7rb7te
“We thought so too. But we don’t want mages to waste their mana on mere fireworks, so we thought of something better. Since Hard-Bringer miraculously hasn’t set the city ablaze, it’s very quiet out.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A4SOB9nZu
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMEvkvbh6J
“...Ah, so that’s where you’re heading. But how will it be done?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FkrLNgFxN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95MDo8UC40
A smirk found itself on his face. He turned around and continued leading me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PUVrCAMYs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwvGP5Jszb
“We have our methods. This place has been around too long for it not to.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHebHk4Teu5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIOlkYekbF
I followed them further, in a location past the Dean’s office. Hidden by a camouflaging door, the room I entered was lit and energetic but smelled foul.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80TvwyUrnM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8yLS84c2w
“Oh, goodness. And I was wondering why the office was so small.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT0sCuVVRG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXGMPVYq4W
The room itself was decently spacious, but that detail didn’t attract me. Rather, it was the presence of wooden walls and fences, the hallmark infrastructure of a city stable. Only, it was far tidier and metallic than most.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWqQx6hTDt
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2boFR0IrCG
“Here is your answer, Kenny,” Lola said, standing beside a stall. I peeped inside and–479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p0szBKZTR
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedjoHm4reo
“GAH! W-Why is this here?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzaPSP1fSA
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0APhM7wZcV
A creature resided within the stall. One with reins around its beak, and one with a stature I’ve seen deceased more often than alive. The Communication City’s signature raptor.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHj3GP3fM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhda1vzmyk
“It’s the Dean’s private delivery bird. It’s specially trained to traverse the city walls, as its tight curves and winding streets are difficult for the average one.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHuncdM62H
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj9A9mnOH1
“I wouldn’t call any curves ‘tight,’ but I guess when you’re as fast as these things, then they can be.” 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyPWXxvseo
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRvCxf7VhI
The raptor leaned its head over the gated fence, staring at me with wide, occasionally blinking eyes. I didn’t know what to do. I was never in close proximity to one, and I never had one look at me like I was some kind of puzzle.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgVga09U2m
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvE7C5C3jQ
“I think it likes you, child.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAFrs0GyTQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdJHEMc3pf
“Please, call me Kenneth or Kenny, Mister Dean. And, uh, are you sure– certain?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bslsTFt6p
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSspxGLFfOJ
The Raptor’s gaze grew more intense. It appeared that he was trying to see into my soul, and I felt like an ant under its wide eyes.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KyV07BZ5b
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzqIiU6iYc
And then, it leaned its head down even further and… sniffed my hair.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzoQioAAm2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOJkogjG8f
“Hah?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oGU6nYAW5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSbWf8KArR
“I hear these animals love ta smell flowers. Ya do have that kind of aroma, so thats why it likes ya.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtO6xWd4nl
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi51M50F444
“I… smell like flowers?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQcJhFhJZV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxs1d5tsr3
I looked around the room for an answer, and everybody present nodded simultaneously. I was completely taken aback, more because of the shock than anything else.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKgMqitHM6
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LDk79b6WU
“Why am I just figuring this out !? I don’t smell– well, I don’t think I smell like flowers?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QQiUmFTuB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV7IaUZV78
I even sniffed my hands and arms to make sure, and nothing of the scent reminded me of flowers.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wfosNA8dq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUitBc1vbc
“Well, ya get used to the way ya smell to the point ya can’t tell. That’s just how yer nose works.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvzCUhWWuU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEJJP5yoQg
“Really? I didn’t know that…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2zpBBKqcZ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZYAsbAvKT
“Ahem, moving on–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf7yIFi7TP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA98jvQATzv
Dave interjected with a cough. I turned my attention back to him, anticipating his oncoming words.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLGjRzUo6n
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YgEGYYZXK
“The plan of action is quite simple. We’ll have someone riding this beast, sprinting around the town, and yelling about our victory. The Raptor’s speed can be easily modulated, so escape from any roaming bringers is easy.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK5d1P7rnZ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTkChY3bMP
I understood what he was saying. I even agreed with it. Though shaky, it was a great and efficient plan with the resources we had. What clogged my throat, however, wasn’t the plan itself, but the subtle insinuation of telling me this plan. So, I had to ask:479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEqihPEPzk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJbMgnUvLL
“May I know why I’m being told this?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDmcAfIKND
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGBbwMBYR4
“If you think it’s because we’ll make you do that, don’t you even worry. We’re not so cruel to put a child in such danger, are we, Dave?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzUle2KpcV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4B8z4ChK0
Lola seized all my worries immediately, causing me to let out a happy sigh. I wasn’t even bothered by her mentioning of me being a child, as I welcomed this discrimination just this once.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi3VyZVzPs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPI6jIqwdj
“But if you need to know why,” she continued, “it’s because we need your help in facilitating it.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AfIaLESnr
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZkhct5VIM
“My help, you say…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6qt6UgCj1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP6pPGIORC
It wasn’t such a terrible request, though I had no idea how I could. I waited for elaboration, since they looked eager to hand it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpKeQFJxfm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK88o9ZJsKh
“I’ve heard that you’re a prolific, experienced alchemist. At such a young age too no less–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMoijAJQgl
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ug0hUHvmg
“Please, don’t mention it. I don’t want my achievements embellished, especially because of something like age.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1DtZTCjtp
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgkHtyDgTj
“--Anyhow, your skills are most needed. A single raptor can’t traverse every corner of this city without some help, so I was wondering: do you happen to know how to make energizing potions?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnHJSpQS1c
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzgyBkatdL
“...Energizing potions?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72n1K68eMF
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiNAVQ8qSa
I knew how to do that, naturally, but Lola was off the mark somewhat.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sicquu7SB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5pf1auSqP
“Wouldn’t endurance be more useful? When you’re running both a marathon and a race, just finishing it is most important.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS0CA5BrkZ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z5eZDovP0
Lola had her eyes wide and her head slowly nodding.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBgSaqsGPn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsaELkPDL9
“You’re correct. Do you think you can do it?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCJAstxrWP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QO5FDtWon
“I definitely can. I can use some of the empty flasks in my bag. That is, if they aren’t broken.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JpWebing2
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8A35di1E5
I turned my head at Juke and stoutly narrowed my eyes. He didn’t notice until a few seconds passed, and he jolted when he saw me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5BNgAJSKt
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNicrtE3FhS
“T-There’re few good ones. One’s unopen, so ya can juts pour it out if ya hafta.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS2HDa6SAn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfINhukCLy
“Phew. That’s good. The potency wouldn’t be right if I was just using random cups.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAIfQSZstQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMNlOKO9j9
I turned around and marched to the exit of the room. I stopped myself before leaving, because I noticed only my footsteps were echoing.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Muai7TXV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpV5AU9WvP
“Is something wrong?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00AQUY2O8g
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hq5fgDONc
Lola and Dave looked at eachother. For being such well-spoken people, it was strange for them to fail finding the words. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Vwv6AD4h
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwLlc3xKyp
“Well, kid–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7NRNHvueI
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMipu0G3qW
Then Juke suddenly spoke out, and I diverted my attention to him.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4NdieHIVn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2POhH8m1x
“Ya just look a lot more comfortable than I’m used ta.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAynbmkfXzd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORa91efeqm
After a moment of droning silence, Lola and Dave looked at me, nodding in agreement with Juke. I didn’t know what to say, but I had complete composure to react. Nothing within me flared up, only a single sentence popped into my mind.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeeP0PyNOV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJEBURHMbO
“Comfortable? I haven’t heard that one before.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r4ZJc3uos
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9mEhAvBZD
Whether it was good or not, I didn’t care. I had a special duty to perform, and that duty took prescedence. Before leaving the room, I asked Lola where supplies were stored, and once I was told I began moseying through the Dean’s room.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZERcMhOksL
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pVu9J1RiI
Their perplexed looks didn’t slip by me. I had never seen such a face before, but I knew what it was. I knew it because I’ve made it, albeit a much harsher version. It was the face of a witness to the breaking of boundaries, the erasure of an image of the person one knows. I wasn’t bothered by it– If anything, being looked at that in that way was oddly relieving. But I still couldn’t stand it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9TqajjmCR
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmKQ5QHLew
“...Comfortable.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYtDiM9rr4
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4C51Kliga
I mouthed that word a couple of times. Juke always had a fascinating way of phrasing things. Comfortable. I spoke it, I whispered it, I thought it and I chewed it. Comfortable.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqEnWjobcj
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDNLzPhs10
Yeah. When it came to alchemy, comfortable was just right.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCdxNt5cHe
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjooxVDRO0a
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kcc6mxLVb
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzUDKHaKLC
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3fhxCVQvy
This process… wasn’t quite nostalgic. I didn’t know what nostalgia even felt like, but I knew that if I was just five years older, I would be sorely missing performing this.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBEQQ0qLZP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkexQZpa31
Scratch that, I missed it even as I did it. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdVvl0lIAH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiukp3sZgs
Even with all my experience, I wasn’t afforded time to let my thoughts stray and frolic into useless concepts. All my focus was directedto the task at hand, the busy method of making an endurance potion. Oh, how I missed it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtll5nrHTM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2gBBDvlAU
“...A little bit here.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDSvawS8Ht
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQE56kiL2i
It took a moment for me to shake of my rust, but as it was only a little over a week since I last did this, I felt good as new afterward. I was performing mana suspension with utmost precision. I’ve made this particular potion so many times, I could just let my hands take it away. Still, as I was going through the process and remembering the materials, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my throat that told me something was off. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPy2W1brRh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfTx6QdeXy
And it wasn’t until near completion that I realized what it was.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmndTwZflw9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gORT7ogOO
“Of course. Goodness, how could I forget the most important part?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCOHxqJej0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl459Z3QSKP
As I stood in a little booth, there was one natural ingredient from the heap of materials that I was missing: fat. There wasn’t an ounce of raw fat anywhere.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFtXSNf81O
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSgG6OCkh4
I sighed and rubbed my head. I knew that I didn’t look hard enough, but having to descend to another floor to pick up something I already should have was a complete hassle.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUggzBk3gV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzTHQEZPcV
“No time to waste, though.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY4QUglVMK
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLd1IKIPmt
So I stood up and exited. The booth was one of several in a particular room. Every booth was an office space repurposed into whatever the circumstances demanded, and I was lucky enough to get one for myself. There were a couple of crowd members up here chatting, and I made sure to wave and grant small greetings as I passed by.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWNwr2gfVX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEreUIqccNp
I reached the stairs shortly after, and while descending them, I thought of how exactly I was going to acquire any fat. I’m sure there was meat as part of the rations, but from the few sparing glances I took, they all seemed dry. The only wild animal in here had a mission to complete, and I didn’t fancy the idea of killing an animal just for a potion. I reached the floor amidst my thinking and figured that I would figure it all out once I got there.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqOzUoELoX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsDvQ9QqJJ
I walked through, waved at those who waved at me, waltzed to the mock-up kitchen organized by a couple of members, and inspected. Indeed, I found out that I did not figure it out once I got there.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14i5bx7B99
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPhPyu1JEp
“...Crap.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIFjDpnJqV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9kev2lIRW
My index and thumb were on my chin, and the arm that held them rested on my other. But looking like a philosopher didn’t manifest what I needed, and I eventually dropped the pose and sighed.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCFe9b4s7o
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxoubiNOiT
“Is there something you’re lookin’ for?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7mYSFCHvE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQXRy7mUHW
Who was essentially the lunch lady noticed my plight.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHULBElT1u
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlQnd8doza
“Yes. Um, do you happen to have anything with fat on it? And I mean raw fat.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKMeSsAIdD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI4hMyJrhJ
“Fat? Fat, hmm… well, there might be some in the trash.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vvw3L4VOu
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhim4eM23e
“Excuse me? Oh, sorry. Can I ask where the trash is?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss8kYOAWNO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKxkDaPbqy
“You sure can. It’s in one of those buckets right there.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJyQyHUg7J
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVZdSGOmq0
She pointed with a spoon to the corner of the floor. In that corner, small, lidded buckets were clustered together. They looked to be made of wood. But, those details aside, what I noticed was how nobody was within ten meters of them.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoL8L4JQNK
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdKhsGR0P5
“M-May I ask, what kind of fat is in those?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN6N3vHqYF
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuae5yzqHoP
And she responded with confirmation of my immediate fears.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCzKIuNUR3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSukHVcGjnn
“It’s from spoiled meat. We didn’t have salt or ice or nothing to keep it preserved, so it’s already home to the bugs. Crazy how it turns to junk so quick, isn’t it?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5fceIaVjd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSl1ENbxw8
“Crazy indeed, ma’am.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSSIyFNoqX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnWq5NFXzj
With my back slumped over, I hobbled to the corner with a profound frown. I thought of maybe taking my tendril and producing some kind of flower, but none of their aromas were strong enough to suppress that stench.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaJMND1mnJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18CU7LGqZ2
“Mind if I ask what you need fat for?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqEvJXQFQE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfVlkEZXx5
“Oh, yes. It’s for a potion I’m making, you see–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZC3gOczQU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qUkAbOxva
I cut my sentence short because, unlike the feminine voice of the lunch lady, the one I heard had the sound of a gentleman. What’s more, I recognized its timbre.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABqtH1wn4F
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0DRl7AbkL
“N-Nigel!?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8tVUDCzTJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPneKwip354
“Correct! I’m honored that you remember me. It’s swell to see you in good health, Kenny.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5BKp1von
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqoOr0KLI7
“Y-You as well. Also, please, don’t sneak up on me like that.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bNblhf1hs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgQVQXXjHw
He lightly shrugged in response. I clicked my tongue at his insouciant attitude but dropped my grudge quickly.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65o3rUKHHn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoimXAcVLV5
“It’s good to see you healthy as well, Nigel. How was your time at the battle?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGjIygiTrm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuvJTgjxo4
“Ah… well, first, let me offer you a hand.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlWkpsg4S0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWk2jqFsh4
“A hand,” I asked, confused as to what he insinuated.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgjSfilJA3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvAHQAn66Z
“You said you need fat for your potion, and I just so happen to have a knife.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SMVW6vCxb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EuiuXpouj
He pulled the knife in question out of its sheath and headed towards the buckets, but not before tossing me something.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mnh39Busa
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOY7q78uL
“Is this… a clamper?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aYLzYEhuE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMHozPwlx
“It is. I’m sure you know to put it over your nose, right? Anyway, let’s chat while we work.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz5lj3eKlB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd19IefKq1
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l5NSG7fFD
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqvVXAsMz6
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg2ciC6Ybm
Nigel’s presence was a lucky blessing. Another pair of hands was one thing, the knife was another, and the clamper was nice, but what I was truly thankful for, was having someone to talk to while I groped and tore stale, smelly, stonymeat.
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sevpJlaQ
“So,” Nigel started as he made his cuts, “what is it that you asked me?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk0Qp06o08
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEcmBQG0Ey
“That I asked you?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmzRcOALcO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6DZsfSgpM
I thought about it, and it seemed to have slipped even my mind, but I remembered my earlier inquiry quickly.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhO0fMBuhs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwshjkrAQ2
“Right. It was about the battle. How was it? I mean, I know it was rough for everyone, but…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBKtga4Vrq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ650baHIRil
“Yeah, I know what you mean. I might as well tell you.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvoGkZolbc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHQp7djknb
He stopped rotating the meat on his knife and looked down at it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w2lOsFf7m
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimwQwE7hVo
“...Was it, did you lose your friend?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr3qPJ5P72
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKm1aZnrcc
He jolted when I asked, raising his head with widened eyes.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgpHL5KCEU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4OCRVUlPp
“How did you–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ872TNd9KYk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiC4Tl5Yg1
“I was behind the crowd the whole time. I had everyone’s backs in front of me, so I started keeping track of the members, seeing who was there and who left by the kind of hair or weapons you all had. And, well… at some point, I noticed the head you were with changed at some point.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jrEbqdCFz
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BiLRzDKLu
“...Hah. You’re a sharp boy with a keen eye.” 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPpvStmw0B
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ211kt4GqJL
He continued cutting as he spoke.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwj0PLI85A
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm4qMTqgHY
“Yeah. Damon died during the big ambush. One of the six casualties we suffered. I was left without a partner for the rest of the raid.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ6RDNcF9c
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVKSpRYB7P
He looked at his hand. I stopped my own cutting, and my limbs twitched, urging me to reach out and do something. But the only thing I could muster was a few consoling words.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMSAhKJHuS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3igDOuu4P
“I’m, so sorry to hear that. He must’ve been a good friend.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4KcjhyLHN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkLW22DFX0
“...Do you think so? He and I fought a lot, I wouldn’t call him a good friend. Just a colleague. Besides, things like these happen in the field.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwTtTcelg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm3UZqU4tz
He said those words. He said those words coolly, without wavering hands or trembling lips. His cutting paused, and his eyes seemed to stare off into nowhere, but I couldn’t read anything from his profile. A part of it relieved me, and another made me want to scamper away.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9oHKpPDJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8X3zS1J7b
“You saw me at a bad time, truly. Sorry, I’ll continue helping.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEpnhH53lf
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2kiM61KYK
“Don’t… don’t you worry about it.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRGm5I6j9V
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnBd6w5f6O
“Enough about me. Tell me, how was it on your end?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fo0Z0rB6p
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ydjzUd5O
His switching of the topic was decisive, so I decided to halt my scary thinking. I sighed and paused my motions, reaching for stored memories I preferred to forget. However, the deeper I dug, I had to wonder:479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToAuixu5Y5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK7oyx3VtN
“Is that really something you want to hear? Are all crowd members like this, just talking about unpleasant fights?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCmSwUNqtS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lLgw6gK6r
“That’s not fair of you. You asked first, right?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9DbODLwXK
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxChww6Xuy
“I… darn it, you got me there.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vkHln2AbJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8fu8HK3MU
I continued peeling and let my mouth run.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8HQGrvAb0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6AKF6U9Y3
“It was me and Juke. He and I were partnered, and for the most part, we just whizzed by the rooms. The one we had to tackle was that of the Dean’s, and for what it’s worth, our fight went smoothly. No major injuries, we weren’t too tired, nothing.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn177vz5agg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ40NcM13O
Though my right hand would be painfully sore in the morning.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4McDF4lGSF
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3tnIQiCZq
“Excellent to hear. You must be a proficient fighter for it to have gone so well.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRBlTHZ7SS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pz24I52to
“Not really. I’m just somewhat competent with magic, and my partner had an incredibly useful endowment. We got lucky, that’s all.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNWaRJc94x
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiIkQk7L0t
“I don’t know about that, Kenny.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPja7Dh1fO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEe0jkxVst
I looked at him with pursed lips.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpQKdc0KJb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9AUJrJZ5c
“Why not?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEzBuzIHAB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsva8SKimyZ
“Lady fortunate dictates only half the battle, and it's never the half that’ll be the coup de grace. She is the roof of the house, and man is the foundation; without you, she would simply collapse.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXBS6PHTCg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7ymyTt0Zb
“That’s… an interesting way of looking at it. But I’m not convinced. I mean, we even ran into an opponent we already beat.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYcxrWZXry
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0RLzQq20Y
He raised and wagged his finger, going “tsk tsk” with his lips.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iaDYF0QQk
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7egVfWimbP
“And who is it that managed to beat that enemy in the first place?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59s4Wwzt89
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKhX7GVwIt
“--!”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5FEx99lMU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpbrAVLt64
Though my gut still told me something was awry, my mind was convinced by his words. I took it with a grain of salt, and taking it with such a sully still loosened my facial muscles. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4705nbz2V
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO77XBPvlI
“Did anything else happen?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPExGtaqJ3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j89KxiJYb
“Anything else? Well… Oh!”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvjGnM3o46
I perked up and yelled all a sudden, startling Nigel and making him ask “What?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFz7BCmQi4
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwn0cryFyA
“I forgot to tell Lola and Dave about some information we learned. Juke might’ve already said it, but I still want to make sure.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXDoPqAsu0
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgrLK2idi6
“Some information? Would you like me to relay it while you make the potion?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aszMLzOeF
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xal3ROYk1
“Uh…”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyQ89aPhj4
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXEm6lMy1y
I hesitated, but when I realized how silly that was, I spoke.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmaUVEwSZo
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdFNgDp5X5
“I don’t see why not. The gist of it is that Hard-Bringer has a grade-zero mana spinner, so it’s prodigalto let enemies slip away.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb8iwO7VoV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzXY6kBvBa
“...That is quite a concern. It means we need to confirm all our kills as well.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrng2qb9g9j
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9deiUe7FU
My face retracted and my eyes widened, shocked by our utter differences in derivatives from the information.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IgdWoAnJ6
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEIaD3O4uj
“Being together with just Juke must’ve been irritating.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwhREfJYvm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zePBnkCAY
“Hm? Why’s that? We were split into pairs, weren’t we?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3JOzVskrn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0syPfUuhj6
He tilted his head and raised his brow, which made me inclined to do the same.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWmjP09ojH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW14Jj41ALR
“That’s precisely it. It was just you and Juke, meaning that you couldn’t work with your other partner, Rover, right?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBKj6TWgtP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhEDx3gwOt
“...O-Oh.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlZSZwfVxx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp4OCfHMMQ
I realized then that there was a great misunderstanding. I didn’t quite know how to address it, but I decided to take a swing anyway.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw1qxKa4eC
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiz4pmPASz
“See, Rover and I– and Juke, I suppose –we had a falling out. She’s been evasivefor the most part, and we’re likewise.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3wT3KP3i7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi4StQgTcX
“I see… she’s been avoiding you? That makes a lot of sense.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8itm2mt6qb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM5QzIFNc9
I tilted my head at his assessment, as I couldn’t imagine how such a conclusion could be drawn.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYM1PcqGY
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfBl59yUe1
“Make sense? How?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD8WJhWo9b
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe70aGHcn9m
He adjusted his sitting posture by slacking his muscles and raising his legs, holding his arms over his knees.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElgEEzDaEz
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGi9saVaKg
“When Damon died, I had to make a quick adjustment. My intuition told me to stick to our agreed formation, and I was advised by a buddy there to group up with her. I did, and we spoke for a minute, but when–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLl90a6hai
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccsi5qqTax
“Ah, so you were her partner? I figured.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4kR1D05St
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bpIqnk3Cp
Nigel looked surprised as I finished his retelling for him. I could tell he needed elaboration, so I handed it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50sUbPLmtH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgoj9XlQzM
“I was the last to leave the room. You left right before me. I gave her a look, and I think she understood it. I’m very particular with my messaging faces.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUU2FR3Tw8
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vhXkvxHYj
“So she still fought alone, eh?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vwXHXY088
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLZHJH4RmD
“...Yeah. She did. I heard she’s alive, though. I’m relieved.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Q4xPGCk8
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Q8kzrmZ3
“Relieved? How come?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSIDtcMlv3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvGNynpKEn
I jumped at his stupid question, contorting my face as if it offended me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NOrXRlZV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJsBi76o0y
“You just said you fought. Ah, who am I kidding, I know what it is.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrewfzqkffK
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaQKTX69pl
He pulled his arms closer to his chest and continued peeling.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cTujzIqYD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Yme4a3AO
“You’re probably good friends with her.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUOn1eJX5b
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqeMyvGlsK
“F-Friends? W-Well, I don’t know about–”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uqIPlIzLc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZz9YRLQWk
“You’re friends, man. Don’t kid yourself. You wouldn’t have given her that check if you weren’t.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVwZQ5aX73
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWj6yBF8Ij
He continued his peeling without care while I sat still, shaking and stupified. An outrageous conclusion, an unbelievable string of words, worming its way into my ears and trapping the nerves that signaled my limbs, the engine that ran my thoughts.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGNaNJ0C7M
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kEl5dUldY
“I hear she’s hurt,” Nigel continued, snapping me out of my trance, “Hurt very badly.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhFJsyNBao
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hr8Alx6vH
“H-Hurt? What happened?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pafTuA14H
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wz2I6OQyW
“I don’t know the details, but she couldn’t walk when I saw her. She was making one hell of an uproar though, so it’s nothing permanent.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIcBZ2whik
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eLHP6ygkN
“That’s– that’s good to hear.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rOYwcNAuX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgjzmGTubP
“I got a suggestion for you. I know your relationship is shaky with her, but believe me, what I’m about to advise is good for your health.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtQDOc1LGM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbGPHBg1yM
A moment later, he put down his knife and slapped a gelatinous mass of yellow onto the floor before me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEnRSaH4VL
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx6Xc7TzEi
“Here’s all the fat I could get. Take this and make your potion, then give her a patch-up.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMgl2NANFe
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvrpMJxzlL
“A patch-up… you mean, a healing potion?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTZTihhwJ6
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzuE1jPqrL
He shrugged.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR8Mrmu2S5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkVRFdBJex
“I’m not the alchemist, am I?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS57HjjqxK
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91lnqLvFsQ
“...Yeah. Yeah, you aren’t.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQjxOpjUNL
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JvW8fB4Nw
I stared at the blubbering mass. It was small enough to fit into my hand, and though it would feel gross, it would be light as a feather as I carried it back to my mock-up lab. But I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. Because now that chunk was no longer an ingredient, a box to check for my task’s completion. It was a rope; a rigid line to drop me into the depths.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZocwW74C7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pE6m6eFzJ
All those thoughts, all those tingles, all that premonition and ominous prospecting. I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. So I had to.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKTUUAFYTW
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrSWtOeao0
“Thank you, Nigel. Your help was invaluable.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37CKcPFjgq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3smlHMb9rU
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s my pleasure to be a good role model.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97FyvPvSmH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ05qTx57s0
It was impossible to suppress my smile. His cocky optimism– somehow, it was exactly what I needed to fortify my duct-taped prospects. 479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMM5gxY5EU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDAW4JvxKY
I picked up the fat, momentarily amazed at how he cut so much so quickly, and waved him goodbye, making my way to my lab and steeling every twitching fiber in me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm6sGfwaqY
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhJnz83e1z
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55NQMx95hI
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkO2Pegje3
–
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFm8aPeBco
“...Role model.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nSrlVfQ5J
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms50fFgzbg
Nigel’s hands were a complete mess, covered in gore that assaulted his nostrils. At least as a soldier, the flesh he bled wasn’t rotten. This was a new experience, and in some ways, he was glad about it. He was glad he didn’t run his mouth. He was glad the kid didn’t notice his hands.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyE12H4Qga
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpu9AfFmq6
“Who am I kidding, of course he noticed.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHyk8yOGEE
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9c43SSTHg
He stood up and brushed his palms against one another, though all that grime would need more oomph to come off. He sighed and tucked his knives away since the kid let the other loiter on the ground.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAO7TKiWZh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp7ila8Ulp
“I’m not cut out to be a role model. But I’m glad that kid’s doing good. I’m glad you’re not here either, man.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGYifjiy6A
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFPD3dtCkG
He put the remaining meat back in the bin and closed the lid, moving his legs to the closest washer he knew.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4vS4JynF6
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurtMcKZg1V
“You would’ve been too much, Damon. I can’t handle all that empty praise. All that talk of being a moral guy.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbYj3Msg94
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tftUjaUVh
His legs came to a sudden halt. They jerked to and fro, but they didn’t make one nudge of distance. Nigel scoffed and laughed, looking at his disobedient limbs with a hopeless smile.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9imAQZ66Oo
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0NhAcn2WC
“...Not even my hands? Had to go straight for my legs?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5qOwikjTr
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI93HlWplrh
He closed his eyes. It was all he could to stop the spill, the salty water that trickled for a mere colleague.
and then Add to home screen.