The fat Nigel and I amassed was substantial for the potion. I didn’t know what to do with the leftovers, but I didn’t dare to throw the fruits of our hard work away. It wasn’t as if another endurance potion wouldn’t be needed.
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4ENVwi6hz
“Now all I need to do is to finalize it.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc425oI0XyB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDPnCq9zJD
A few minutes of careful mana suspension was the remaining requirement for a job well done. I did so easily, channeling my shaky focus to form it with haste. The liquid turned deep blue, the color of the distant sea, meaning that–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGheIasi86W
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCvXxf5txR
“It’s a resounding success. Awesome.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv1iFv8Rga
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk9WLq6Zpl
I wiped my brow with my forearm and patted my face with my collar. I wasn’t sweaty or anything, but my head felt undeniably hot, likely from all the blood that rushed to fuel my attention. That aside, I now had a finished product to deliver, but as I tasked myself I came at a small crossroads.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdIar3yCVP
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwPogjaGAG
Should I go and deliver this now, or make a healing potion, and deliver this later?480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT8rao56ek
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8QA1oNDYa
“...”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbpGqkrBNW
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmEoanuZG
It seemed obvious to me what the answer was. Pragmaticism dictated the practice of the former, as the recipients of this potion were operating under borrowed time. But my left mind dictated otherwise; it told me that it would be a slight– no, a flagrant offense if I didn’t brew that medicine.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXpTTRV27m
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfetUiHaZp
“...That’s new. Where did you come from?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDR0A0jbtq
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMilK0xkBU
Thoughts like that– I didn’t recall having them. I was hit from left field by this warping, contorting, sapping feeling in my chest. It didn’t disturb me, however. Rather, I was confused. I was uncomfortable, but I could bear this panging, especially with a distracting duty.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M8BXQAgMo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHe3EHDVfi
“I know better. I don’t have the time for that. No, I don’t.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPZriTfK7Y
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqWXFBQjj1
Indeed, I was creating with urgency. I spent enough excess time finding ingredients as it was, so any further stalling would jeopardize the whole city. I had to get out, and get out now–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk5LYXUXZi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WIWdSO8q0
“...”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzAHoTs6HJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wcbpYQCoV
But when I jerked my legs to do so, they didn’t. They stood in place, locked to the ground by that warping sensation. I clicked my tongue, because now I realized what was happening, and my irritated frown turned into a worried grimace.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGZe1pK1H0
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeL3dH4hui
Even though I had a duty, to leave Rover to hang with a broken leg longer than she had to, left me with a pit in my stomach. It’s Especially so, because I had the power and the will to relieve her.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeADUubfCgE
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbqnFyD8yG
Fortunately, I had a compromise. I found that compromise in my bag, slouched against the wall. I sifted through it and found what I needed, then made a quick exit from the booth.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBQeDsiUKn
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQm6v0p2bL
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTULJnSXbp
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuWMF53GuE
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswxqAMvy7b
Knock, knock, knock. The strength of my banging knuckles surprised even me. I stocked hardly half the force in my flicks to produce such noise. But I summed up the cause immediately. I was nervous.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsxhsnnNIv
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXv2M4n9Xc
“Yes?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TbFydbBLH
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBEWfYEaXi
The door opened quickly, revealing a Lola who was peekingher head through the opening. Her countenance lost its vigilance once she saw me, and it likewise calmed me down.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwgQXhnjhG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UPbCnw3rl
“You’re here what I think you’re for, aren’t you?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOWcp8ODVi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZNE8CN7j7
“Y-Yes, Lola. Here, this is the potion I made.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI08PLKv00
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSjyDWRYHA
I stretchedmy arm out as she widened the door. She grabbed it with her free hand and inspected it on all planes. At some point, she stopped twirling and nudging it and blankly stared at the blue. I noticed now how fluidly the streams swirled.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSfNVzdU5v
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYoZHaPcnP
“You made this in eighty minutes?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexK4YEUHjI
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyRUmHAP1i
“Did I take too long? I’m sorry, I had to grab some ingredients from a lower floor–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hb7VHtKDR
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcWXw9u8Yn
“No, not at all. I was expecting you to take longer. Thank you, Kenny, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded handsomely.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwexuSMqVeu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdshVsvzAL
I raised my hands bashfully and rapidly waved them at her.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46fXLhUBTo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4cos0GbW4
“No no no, please don’t! You’re helping us enough as is.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAcFQG9P09
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKC2evuvoC
“If you insist.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJTrPZ4CPL
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LOKdXphwI
She said so with an upscaling cadence, poorly singing the last syllable. I blinked a few times, and my eyes reopened to blaring blurs. Only my mother ever did that.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8axS4RV6ha
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh7p3hy5Ey
“Kenny?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewNRYEKxYu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHITcN6haHs
“O-Oh, right. Do you need me for anything else?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCSuFVouN9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgklW1fO7Hf
“Hmm,” she hummed, clasping her chin, “if we do, I’ll bug you. For now, make yourself at home, and get plenty of rest. You’ll need it for what comes next.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxGDs5zdfC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk21OACcz4R
I let out a chuckled sigh and slapped a hand on my chest, muttering a breathy “thank you.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n4NQtgE73
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR9NRu7YHR
“There is something I’d like to ask you, however, just before you go.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVB09ivey3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoW03bpUj4
She said so right as I turned to leave. I twisted my head and looked at her, gesturing for her to shoot.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJAa6gxWNI
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyljpAsDBKM
“The concoction in your other hand; that bright green tint can only mean one thing, yes? A healing potion.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQqHfdndmK
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqH6C9Scsl
I nodded at her assessment. I realized the speed at which this could turn dangerous.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWzXdnhNph
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbyDvsUzQ5
“I see. I see, I see…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uMOI9sURf
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HDcNAR4Vn
“A-Are you going to make me make one for each soldier?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYUU3o0wpb
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMlxFXQBrN
“No, I won’t ask that of an outsider, let alone a child– oh, sorry, you don’t like being called that, do you?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gzpmpSQbE
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCNg87GXZQ
“...Don’t worry about it. I appreciate you being considerate, Lola. Is there anything else?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzS2rVlpyO
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6swHBskqYZ
“I-If you don’t mind my prying, could you answer a few questions for me?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRs2uu9kA3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluD2SnCElD
She stepped over the threshold and closed the door, but stopped just short of shutting it. As much as I wanted to chat with her, though, I had somewhere else to be.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRApGoPHcFF
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZY3tHaG4G
“Please?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgPxkPTDu3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBiYrLBo2v
Though it was difficult to draw a line while she was making such a face.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTZvJDH2On
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzRZA8gCs4
“F-Fine, but please make them short. I have somewhere I need to be.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QeKDGPEZi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dwKEVhj4j
“Thank you, I will. It’s just two quick questions. First–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSyKlP7K4Z
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXReiBCoDfV
She paused right before asking, as if a crucial memory struck her from the woodwork. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegikQZwOYp
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHU7UPNy4A
“–How long have you been an alchemist?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6xo7uD94I
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9DCLZL3W8
“I’d say… hold on, that question has two answers. Commercially, it’s been about three years(1). Personally, it’s been for… seven?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnKFbz1Caq
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ7StLieVG
“Seven years? That’s over half your life, isn’t it?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTED08yZI3d
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6roBCEWBkH
I gave a simple shrug with sandwiched lips.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8U1c3NVch
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAjqsPiJgN
“I started young. That’s all.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH77wSaKDJ4
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTuQ6Caz7z
“I see. Being trained at such a young age, no wonder why you’re so skilled.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMunaUv95p8
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P7uk4r6dV
“P-Please, don’t flatter me. I appreciate the remarks, but they just…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lVSdKWjkZ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAaFb9ilZz
They don’t sit right with me, I wanted to say, but Lola gave a predictive, discerning nod, so I stopped speaking.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuRDPGid7Y
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7bCB4n4j7
“Only seven years… then, maybe–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5AGCNZD8t
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUH6rVNls3
“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t catch it.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUK8xB4Npg
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzixwL2TJj
She jumped and then waved her hand.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljKMBI7haf
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2yoXLmNzt
“Don’t worry, I was just thinking out loud. Anyhow, for my next question…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbAhWaYTzD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRknJdEvwU
“Right.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPubJ42ZkCk
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd62h2eNdQx
“...I apologize if this may seem extreme, but I have to ask.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQsWQ05vQ1
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bZHxHl7UE
She straightened herself and turned her head left and right, seemingly afraid of anyone hearing in. That assumption was validated by her leaning her head in.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8foXki45nH
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvBqMdMN9D
“Did you kill anyone in the last operation?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFiVTzTVyR
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGJGbRsBg0
“I– Wha!?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMNWjl7LmD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tJ04SmirC
I couldn’t keep my voice down, much to her dismay. But, goodness, could she blame me? She put a hand on my shoulder and told me to calm down, which I quickly did, but I still had a storm thrashing in my skull.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xIGU7dmII
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxenHeVXT6M
“Who asks something like that to a child!?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMK4kph9YC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu6KXuKe9i
“Shh! I know it’s selfish, but it’s for my own peace of mind! I have to know, please, did you?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYll2rNSWX
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeR8h2lUe6
“Your own… peace of mind?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACijkDdjSG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5OZYNIBOR
When it was twisted that way, suddenly, I wasn’t so apprehensive. I was still bewildered, but answering that question didn’t feel like falling into a trap anymore. And so, reluctantly, my lips spoke the answer.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVb5Lv0H1z
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKJfEt6MPb
“I didn’t. I hurt some people, but I never landed a killing blow.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiBN9YZyZ9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwwOsSWeKS
“I-I see. That’s a relief. Oh my goodness, that’s a relief.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB5uZ7dNMu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofDuBAkSSq
She leaned against the door, closed it, and putting her hand on her brow, she closed her eyes and began to… pant? I wondered how she could be so worried. I was beginning to think she might have a screw loose.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAvbs0rDXR
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefr4OEShKm
“Thank you for humoring me. You have no idea how much it calms me, to know there’s no blood on such a young man’s hands. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSpHeaeIfJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37QoEOjTC9
“You… for some reason, I feel like you regard me much more highly than you should.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNGaYilqRI
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyxRLgJhTZ
She shrugged at my comment.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L2QwA09uF
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qvkWQioe9
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I think I’ll keep you guessing. Now, shoo! You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHNsWVhDjr
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YrkIneSqf
Brushing me off with perfect logic before I could respond to her outrageous statement, I clicked my tongue inward and turned on my foot.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhSZJ2xAat
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHBNQjHtnA
“Goodbye Lola,” I shouted. She opened the door and slid right through, waving at me right before closing it.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc60oHdxGN
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYdAg7m4N
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96jW8WGZP2
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud7HpvxNcE
–
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleX3D4vAdf
As I inched closer to the infirmary, my body had an expected reaction. I coped with it accordingly, though that didn’t make it easy to move.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIQcXwClbB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLl3FN3HPX
With every progressing movement of my foot came a wave of resistance double the magnitude. I had to dig my soles into the floor to wade through the spasms, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth just to keep my limbs moving.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HisbcVCeU
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBuvfM0gIu
Of course, I was exaggerating. But goodness, did that swelling weight pound against my chest. My limbs did shake as I reached for the knob, but I managed to grasp it and keep my hand there.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlea7pgGbH
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ffyX0Zjw9
“...This is ridiculous.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctKcKO106J
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmykkYArlj
I sighed. I looked at the healing potion and gave it a few light shakes, watching the agent crash like small waves against the flask. If push came to shove, I could drop this off by the bed or table and turn the other way. In fact, if I had to convince myself that was all I had to do just to open this damned door, then I would do so. So I kept saying so, a lunatic hustling his mantra.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vMRubFlRK
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYciUwWvZZ
“Just go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it off, go out. Go in, drop it– off!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wQQS2Op9K
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxvniYWWM2
In the midst of my chanting, I bit the arrow and slammed it open. It looked far removed from how I imagined it.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgiOT11Nxa
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqY5ZYhzVl
Instead of a small room with curtain-covered beds lined up with uniform spacing, it was a small room lined with dingy, almost make-shift mattresses. About eight people were in the room, and one was slouched on a chair opposite of me, his head hung and his arms crossed.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKRXFM7bIP
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe9lYGllBu
And seeing how his groggy face raised to meet mine, I realized how noisy my entrance was.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbZPFPDZFo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhynmsO489x
“S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. I’m just here to deliver something.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ6r6SvjsO
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RUBjMcWNc
“...Hmm.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00veuxOqaC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlRivMYSVV
The man stood up and haggardly walked to me. From his gait alone, I could tell he’d been drinking, though I wondered how exactly he got his hands on alcohol. He stopped a few paces before me, took one long look with narrowed eyes, and casually shrugged.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidRWS4ezVd
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjPHlHO3vz
“Do whatever.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkbJEdcgHw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtV23pvg2K
“R-Right. Thank you, sir.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYvRmo3YVs
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQpmFODJLQ
He gave me a thumbs-up and plodded back to his chair. I looked around the room, feeling blessed from my lucky break, and eyed all the patients.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCabLGVl95
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhCBn1QFC4
While most were in their mock-up beds, either sleeping, eating, or chatting away, one mattress was empty. By process of elimination, it belonged to the person I was looking for.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDMuU6ZDBY
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yOFlwKcUS
“D-Darn it.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0pa6DymOA
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR2G5iMjus
Gnawing on my fingers, I did one more sweep before releasing a sigh. Rover was nowhere to be seen– not in the beds, not on the window sill, not in the corners, nothing–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTLeIlcpUc
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdPT8nE24k
“What are you doing here?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RQzCWq5u4
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNNwrN35MG
And then I heard a voice call from me. I jolted, nearly dropping my flask, and turned to face its timbre. Only as I saw its bearer’s face, did its course tone ring a bell in me.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtYnVC7hfB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1NZLZ91DD
There was Rover, sitting in the one corner out of my sight, eyeing me with a lion’s eyes.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSmMsnGEkz
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXfgaVwoTa
“...U-Uh.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z4TXQjOYV
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WcsQH1zhg
All my systems shut down at that moment. It was one thing to imagine meeting her, but seeing her face-to-face instead of a mere effigy I controlled the responses of was a completely different beast.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabFfwDrou9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsB9oztxic
“Well? Come on, spit it out.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DbZE4GnES
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTkljzKT4I
“I… I-I.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7XmoUUegG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwCID6Pphf
My body didn’t shake. My eyes didn’t blink, my lips didn’t part, and only the functions of my lungs and stiff throat continued normally. I was completely and utterly frozen.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHihDAt2ZY
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIK6SoXuxf
Suddenly, I felt my face fire up. It was a familiar feeling, but I was vulnerable during its assassination. In front of another person, of whom I had their undivided attention, witnessing my pale cheeks light like fireflies.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH3107R5Lh
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ncUuAm5LS
That shame was too much to bear. I stuck my hand out, darting my eyes between her and the potion, and even orbiting my other hand around the flask to emphasize it. Despite me putting it on a pedestal, Rover tilted her head with an eyebrow that raised to the ceiling.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwZv83oJPO
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ694D6rfqPK
“I don’t have time for this, just spit it out!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ9RTO1WTO
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEy7fVv7WG
“I-I’m here.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGR9SmiDvP
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgkwSmWkPH
By some miracle, her urging words kicked my chords into action, and I was beginning to form words again. Only, they didn’t have a present pilot.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiZ7AVWXMr
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yqhOVuLk7
“I’m– I made— I– Rover, I’m here–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFECibUZJSt
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ukemR2Sb
As I kept stumbling over myself, Rover rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked at me, tapping her finger on herself as if she was waiting for me to stop.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc4YkA4Dvn
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwOjcawhV9
“I…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIlacMER4N
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjoJ8BGTId
I sighed and pinched my nose, shook my head, and slapped my left cheek. I looked at the corner between the wall and ceiling, whispered something akin to a prayer, and finally looked that woman in the eyes.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgveI58HbD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGQoIbZFUl
“Hello, Rover.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn23e6FVyP
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTEIyLcf8M
“Hey, Kenny.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhggmLRJLT
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiqvcpS0rG
I retracted my stretched arm, then extended it yet again.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF8ZkuRPpu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3LwjqeDZE
“I made you this. It’s something I made, in light of the news I heard. Well, it’s just leftovers, but I did want to make one for you–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLMK7P7TxI
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uC4ZBhULe
“Cut to the chase!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxPyxyqBMc
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK50X5iqFMj
“R-Right. It’s a healing potion. I heard that your leg sustained a major injury, and so, I’d like to give this to you. For some relief, and quicker healing.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxNmSdR81z
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnPQYyovdd
Her eyes widened. Her crossed arms slackened, and I took it as a signal to move forward. I took it incorrectly.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VCJj3jFCK
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf0VJo85D6
“Hold on, you brought me a potion?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zEeXwIhC6
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYWW9Yv3jf
“Y-Yes.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYe1pqPodw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkwi2iqnTx
“Now who told you to do that?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3rBM4YaCS
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8fsCY1vw9
“W-Well–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB9skz8QRn
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97kMjv89U1
Nigel suggested it, but he didn’t tell me. No, mulling over that was wasteful spending. There was only one truth in this situation:480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe6310PVmP
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05lQ1weOXc
“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t told.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73b7TFzOUf
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc1w7HFdij
“...You? That wimpy Kenny?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMW2CTQRbT
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64j9y9l2Nu
I wasn’t mad at her insult. It was all too accurate.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA64YuLz3G5
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrb3w55YrS
“Yes, the wimpy Kenny.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XryQkWTmt
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IjZveHdER
“Ha! You’ve surprised me before, but this really blew my expectations out of the water!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkqFDnRGk9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaHTNeUuwV
She rubbed under her nose and hummed to herself with a satisfied tune. As I couldn’t read her mind, I stood in place and didn’t budge.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCYLkRFIjr
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGuiWS5GuL
“I refuse your treatment!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBNNVJu3oa
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M1myAFQgh
“H-Huh!?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LSmccVs2V
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3k9AYQmbV
In a single moment, all my apprehension had been voided. All anxiety and dread, crumpled into a ball and thrown out a window, replaced by a slate of terrible vexation.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHFWARZPfj
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsESqrRsMLG
“Why not? Don’t you want to recover faster?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lb2XNmY3Q
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExXxNuFXax
“Of course I do, but I can’t accept it. Not when you’re looking at me like I’m some kind of monster.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvc4rpmy5r
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOq48Avq44
“I– Wha?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQN1f9hlR3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3aNufauzr
I stopped pointing my finger and used it to feel around my face. There was no mirror, so it was the best I could do. Something was off with it, and if I didn’t figure out what, then I couldn’t give Rover this potion, and I couldn’t confront–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWUnAjdqVS
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHeCletjt1
“No, stupid! It’s the face you’re making! It’s weird!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35z3x7UOo0
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkskhGRP1S
“Stupid? Weird!?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq8Zgb2C9C
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYG5LkQkjP
“Do you need the whole room to hear it!? You’re looking at me like a weirdo!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gMEZQOyXw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgPTE4ZzJV
“...”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u0RHYpV6m
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DU1LuoeHn
The energy to argue was sapped. I understood what she said, and could do nothing but stare with mouth agape. Rover leaned further against the wall and looked at me with her chin raised.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynuFEu78Nq
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbkkQzuLUV
“Why are you looking at me like that? Hmph.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuPkpOkFzR
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z4I27be6Z
As I had no other mode of operating at this moment, I blurted my immediate response.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNx31kkEQX
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76A1ULWS8t
“It’s because I upset you.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3OxKg0hj
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsBnVxRJFp
And then I realized that something like this required thoughtful phrasing.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhbXM5g5HB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf2p5R6BhX
“I don’t– well, I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable than you–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyHNpk9E5q
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO62C3cVvmr
“That’s bullshit! Man, forget answering that, I don’t need your whole, your spiel you know!? Come here!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgYH6DM3Bq
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqYa5ISj6a
“Come, there,” I asked, pointing to myself.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukllh05FUp
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMEuFJJVOT
“Yes. Sit by me, I can’t stand looking at your working legs.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSinU1NrDi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJSJqlIOvr
“S-Sheesh.” 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Fhgarjrs
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv1mYq8GCS
I didn’t even begin thinking of a way to respond to that. I just did as I was asked and walked to her side, sitting against the wall beside her. She snatched the potion right out of my hand and eyed it like an appraiser. Only, if said appraiser was terrible at imitating one.
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4rcgPHE5o
“How do I use this thing?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPIRt2FEaE
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF0NsIhbAQ
“You, uhm, you have to drink it. If you have a needle, you can inject it right into your leg, that’ll make it work faster, but not better.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgJYcd6PPg
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEEB2Cpb04
“Drinking works for me.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lC9opCgf
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iKtvPM584
She popped the cork and chugged it to its last drop. She shook every drop out, set the flask on the ground, and entered a fierce coughing fit.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz79hcntTE
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKGUa5rt5Q
“Cah! What the hell, is in this thing?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcLbW4GJrG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxAp6LzkSR
“That’s not the problem! You drank it too fast, you dingus!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiDgAgBDrY
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUdH4rN83m
She looked at me with sharp eyes but couldn’t do anything in the midst of her coughing. I slapped her back a few times to help it pass her throat, and after a moment, she calmed down.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOYGyMBZHC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLTBCT4dMQ
“If you drink like that, it’s likely to go down the wrong pipe.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkj4aMHldZ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx110zr7KIX
“Whatever.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYaiyhrnqH
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNggTtbMsu
With her dismissive reply, she turned her head to the side with what I could only imagine was a pout. I silently sighed, because for all the gritting teeth and flexing fingers her behavior should’ve invoked, it was within my whetted expectations. I tolerated her usual brashness rather well– in fact, my body was as relaxed as a koala. But I didn’t come here to watch her pout, and I no doubt must’ve warranted that face somehow. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8CSwjWzbu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpIyzVquN1
She discarded my earlier words, but they were genuine. I didn’t want to make her stressed. Not any more than a person with such a leg should have.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXpIgt2ps1
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpytHXemSOG
And so, I got up from my improvised seat and brushed the little bits of dust that landed on my pants. I turned to Rover, who already had her eyes meeting mine. It was with such swiftness, that I almost staggered before my goodbye. Almost, but I fixed myself before it.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsATEC79kHg
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2XAWe82tv
But before I could even take anpreludebreath, she spoke, reading my intentions.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71C2vUC0sA
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNZI7VncCQ
“Leaving already?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmjEsYXtoG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8rmK3txGz
“I-I am, yes. I think it would be best. It isn’t as if I don’t have–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xvwa5q7DJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ039jX0gQJ6
“Hold on, not yet. I still have something to say to you.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUGxMexMj7
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ32839lT5
She didn’t reach a hand. No, not one inch of her body nudged my way. But her crossed arms and crunched eyes enacted a greater force than her limbs ever could, as if a fortress wall materialized on my head. My butt returned to the floor soon after, but what I tried my hardest not to reveal, was that it was self-assisted.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxEmFooGrm
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPYAjG5OxX
“That’s funny. I do too. Do you mind if I start first?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAqJwQGKkw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxhfMyhKka
She shook her head back and forth, keeping that iron countenance but giving me the go-ahead. It made spitting out my words difficult, but I was lucky to have rehearsed them. Only a little, of course.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVlrUG3fhF
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm225xdaaI
“I wanted to tell you, that I’m sorry for what happened earlier. My conduct, of course. I was just– you remember what I’m talking about, right? Back in our little rented room?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwx8E0lfH4
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWRxXvJopm
“Yeah, I do. I remembered how much of a wuss you were.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ75mFWUdVo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74mXOz5YiV
I almost chuckled. Blunt as a bat, but it hit a bullseye.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOcq6I9IXJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNOAsTxJFH
“I was being conducted by fright. I couldn’t fathom, putting myself out there, and making myself a part of this mess. Risking my life, your life, Juke’s. But, honestly, those reasons took a backseat.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIxmitLNG9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8qZCfHaHA
I noticed the subtlest rise of her right brow.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV1NvJsDZD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHndVZhZk2
“I thought that, the lower the engagement, the better it would be. Screw the job, screw the people. The less involved I was, the better. The less it was up to me, the better. I don’t fully get it– not yet I do –but with the words I have, I can tell you this much: that’s how I felt.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcfdCCN8Lr
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZviCfj9zd
She nodded along to my apology. It looked like she was expecting more, but I was finished. So she’d understand, I concluded with–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoru4B6H2w7
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rECyQQqsD
“So yeah, I’m sorry for being such a wuss.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdufGZ3QpLD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQfEa2Y4j6
“...Hmm. Ha, I guess kids really do grow so fast.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwMYKjS36h
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdner9Pqfz
“H-Huh?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeuhhwd4bp
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lxYCYENhM
She rubbed her nose a little and continued talking.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGoLuiGT6x
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADrB04m5rU
“Just look at you. You’re nothing like the Kenny I knew.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymJQsc8zg1
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndbIakPXj4
“I-I, well, I don’t know if I agree–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjKSQlxaRw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCma4J9upk
“Nah, on second thought, I take that back. But that doesn’t matter anyway. Seriously, just look at you.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7pv3jMy0x
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV0chtkOgW
“I’m n-nothing so special.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgKWkoFV90
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi55zo8Gy2
“Sure you ain’t. But here you are, in a room with a bunch of battle casualties. You’re in the same mess I’m in, and you’re finally working to get that letter back!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzf5duUDzS
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagZcRHEe1l
“The letter certainly isn’t a priority.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1a1MO9Uab
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi7yNtR0dG
She casually clicked her tongue, tilted her head sideways, and waved her hand downward.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHNx3CKBrC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vEX59mcZ6
“Don’t sweat the details. That’s not the point. The point is that you’re in the same room as me again, and that means you finally grew a pair.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu3F5Uf2CM
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1j0NeyrPh
Whether it was he boorish phrasing or encouraging insistence, something about her made me sit on those words. I raised a hand to my chin and looked up at nothing, entrenched in thought. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzT9TnmLGA
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3muJjVOVXK
It took me only a few 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5AtYEotl5
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SO0utz0tO
“I don’t think so. I don’t think I grew anything.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJYuH2zTQL
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgQ1e2tg2X
“‘Course you did! Stop giving me such crap–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjvNJt4jQJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaMEMSqETf
“No, really, Rover.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dj9Cwmogo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxblwxaqV3
I slouched my posture and leaned back, lifting myself with my hands behind me. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSzna2LNKz
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG6oLQ4XZc
“I think I’m just lucky.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRibvojuL4
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUNKD662QZ
I veered my eyes away from the ceiling, looking into Rover’s, and was taken aback by her utter dejection. Or was it disgust?480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafxcWACiyC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrZdLmPj7g
“I-I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t been trying, it’s just–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA2N2qtC1i
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2D7sgFf90
“Nevermind all that, Kenny. You’re starting to give me a headache.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMUtsrhPS
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNEyMn4Fca
I stopped my frantic hand-waving and began to scratch my head.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88oNZLUMSi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ZpCOwSRX
“You’re doing something right. You said it yourself, so you know. But enough about you; I have something to say, and your weird drug is already making me drowsy.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQyXDWRl5
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBly2cjULC
“It isn’t a drug! I wouldn’t stoop to such barbaric substances!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBE2c8rYku
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlsND1Nhoy
“Uh-huh, whatever. Hear me out before you can’t anymore.”
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUXkAsglDx
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut, squishing my cheek by resting it on my face. Though Rover looked ready to speak with her gaze matching mine, she quickly jerked her head the other way and appeared to look off into nowhere. I was confused, but I didn’t voice it. It would be unfair of me to interrupt her as she gathered her words, as I hadn’t been so many times.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHjg7XhWID
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHqEOI35HI
Eventually, Rover’s face flared and became ruddy. I didn’t think much of it initially, but as I continued to remember that it was Rover who I was talking to, this meant that whatever she said had immense gravity. I perked my ears and sharpened their hearing– as best as I could with the poor funnel my hands formed, anyhow. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Dnra1cti
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU2FTTyxc5
“D-Don’t rush me!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoYT0AamRA
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNJ3QkfOiI
“I’m not rushing you! I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you just spat it out, but–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxKhoZcMuB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWOquBC1h2
“Shut up, Kenny! You told me yourself once that I’m too crass with words. Just let me think; you already know I’m bad at this…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7X5apU1Jk
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJzIojKqjM
I had no recollection of doing such a thing, but as the clearest memory I had of her was of the incident that night, I chose to believe her. She spent the time fiddling with her fingers, biting then nibbling her lips, darting her eyes this way and that with such ferocity her head jiggled with each motion. I could see my reflection on her sweat, and she was so engrossed in thought that air stopped entering her system.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWf9fR4wfw
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b4W7t3SLL
I was exaggerating, but I couldn’t deny that it was making me uncomfortable. I wondered then for a moment, as admonishable as a thought that it was, if this is how people felt around me at times.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP8k94fNZo
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qpbYS3SeX
“Gahh, forget it! You convinced me, I’ll just say it!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UCUeJjSv
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ezzgqVk9z
“I didn’t say anything.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnAWFoiZDM
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0a5Q74vWA
She straightened her back and puffed out her chest. Her guise of bravery was there to convince herself. The instance her lips would part, she’d cross a fine line, one whose threshold would shut and lock with her passing legs. I knew that gesture all too well. And since I did, I gave her nothing but my most diligent attention.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3axnKbvO3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnXbKnLrv9
“I’m sorry for being such a priss.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Ruu8vzEu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiF2UX8r2o
And I was returned an equal blow. Rover stuck her tongue out after saying that, ready to clean off the ‘mawkish verbiage’ she just spewed. That’s what it seemed to me anyway, but she refrained, as she had only her body to convince me of her sincerity.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUDOapYcdg
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYleEpsOH01
But whether she was or not, mattered not to me.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0QgIvoRsC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNUKXYAZ5E
“I don’t regret chewing you out, don’t get me wrong. But I shouldn’t have abandoned you two. Not after how we’ve, b-became friends, and not after how you told me all you did.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqOEdPmvTx
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXweoVSjcwK
“Told you all I did? What?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRJmhcIAGE
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JG5jUP9xV
She was caught by a wind of fury.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkxKFwHhJm
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeEcrnxbW3
“You don’t remember!? Are you kidding me!? I really should–! Gah, you’re making this so much harder than it should be!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc4WDO9GZA
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaoHqo0awL
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. She stopped her rage immediately, donning a look of perplexion. 480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOxcPQb7Mu
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgpfCj1B9v
“What’s so funny?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrJbmkb6mi
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jAYis6pJ1
“N-Nothing in particular. I appreciate the apology, I suppose? I don’t think I’m all that deserving of it, though.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyq5OKr8Yb
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01EJOKK6fu
“Hold on, I’m not done yet!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5tC4N1MvQ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojjDCu0JxM
I nodded in understanding, and so she continued.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVR9Y4QVS3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W5U1VW2va
“As I was saying… I was so mad, but I was never that mad. And I get why now. Because when it comes to anything Hard-Bringer, I get a little crazy.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIC5k9AYv1
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyAy6we9WL
“A little crazy?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b2pHfimdI
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIiKo2z4r1
“Yes, idiot, I just said that. They piss me off like you wouldn’t believe. Screw that, I don’t get a little crazy, I grow mad, mad!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklv8IKYFtx
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24UF8H0o6G
Her hands balled themselves to compliment her offshoot tangent. Her escalating tone made me concerned, but she relaxed soon after.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe0lxBz7x3
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq685blUQHc
“So yeah. Sorry for messing up. And, sorry for thinking you were such a wimp. I thought you were totally hopeless, but I was off the mark.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kiXzCyQQe
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMMCkv5NAH
“Well–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWebD0xuiU
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoa9JeeaSQ
“Shut up! Shut up! Do you know how annoying it is to hear someone undersell themselves all the time?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlioJnDWeTd
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Czqn1aHD
“I–”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JmUSBFLWM
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlRi53gBSy
It was that precise phrasing, that specific selection of words and syntax, and her usual, but energized voice that spelled it out for me, that allowed a candle to ignite in my mind. A quick image flashed in my mind, one of a man of close acquaintanceship, and then my throat spoke on its own.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNlk1W4A26
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcoVqizw9C
“Yeah. I do. It sucks.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcF84zGz4R
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTkC2mv0Au
“See! I– huh? You do?”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1IO5IdCmL
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSvHdszhWs
I slowly nodded along. Rover looked with pleasant surprise. She was more than eager to take my word for it, and in fact looked delighted after I spoke.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxNxdAghWc
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC8sPio3bN
“Still,” I began, “as grating as it may be for your ears, I really have to stress that I think you’re wrong about me. I’m still a wimp.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimKgmL9D1s
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyvD3rbW4Z
“Whatever. Think what you want, but don’t speak it out loud anymore.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2yQyNpoO
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruuPzAAbeL
“I… haha, sure thing, Rover. I’ll do just that.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI8tDCbeqQ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQPbka3Zh
Her candid words were the perfect closer. There was wisdom in that harsh language– a funny thing to call it, as she was only a few years older than me –but wisdom nevertheless. No speech of mine could be a better finale, so I gathered myself and stood up from the floor.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yMRzTlvY6
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8eAvv378B
“Perfect. I was just about to tell you to leave.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOlDvGVKAD
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGujNdL0O7
“I’m starting to think you hate me.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVXNOFUluZ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSGaalMMMs
Her hands twitched upwards defensively.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3deuFt3Sb9
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70X3WYPNmm
“I-I don’t. I’m just getting sleepy. Any second now, I’ll doze off.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyARp4byUx
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU01i3dxKR
“Ah, right.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwodNTMUpC
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tozdvYLof
She mentioned it just a few minutes ago, but it didn’t compute with me until now. Recovery would always be an exhausting thing, especially with assistance from potions. I wondered for a moment if there was a way to mitigate that.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz1Xlz7OhB
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYARURZzA7
“That one Bringer was invigorated even with a restored limb, after all…”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqG7i7cUKL
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ldGo7hVGb
“What are you mumbling about, eh? Scram! Scram, I tell you!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEcKDA8L3s
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0axNkwFXZ
“Alright alright, jeez. With how grouchy you’re being, you really do need that rest.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQk2ifQiQM
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg6IHdpnjk
She stuck her tongue out at me this time. I took it with a light heart, waltzing to the door and stretching as I made my way. I placed my hand on it but stopped short of opening, taking one last look at Rover. Her eyes were taking turns closing. I could tell she was exerting herself when she waved me off.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOHjN9riYG
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrv1kUFCdy
“Wait, one last thing!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsoRxBWO2I
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRdkU8wBEY
Then, she shouted unexpectedly. I looked at her with a blank expression to signify my okay, and she continued shortly.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaLm7j7pkb
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykQCU488iV
“Tell that old bucket-wearing fart to visit me sometime.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gHbhSYFaJ
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkrkut7bHv
“...”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54aNH18sbW
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19AulVzgke
I smiled.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyNONcDhGd
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpieDLk446
“I will.”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHbgdQmXXp
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGCaAbtHHm
I returned her wave and exited the room. The moment the door shut behind me, I let out a quick breath and–480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5FFY8UIAT
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ7NwGOnPo
“Yes!”480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeD29z8feH
480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O03V91FZB
A jump with jubilation. I had to. I never experienced such success before.480Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnYFHD2lEG
and then Add to home screen.