Mountains and Buffalo.

Chapter 13: Onward.

My finger, covered in saliva, was pulsing in pain, and yet I struggled to keep it away from my teeth.

The air inside the guild did nothing to ease the tension. Aside from the creaking of the wood, and the soft sound of pen on paper from the receptionist, the room was silent. I was beginning to regret showing up early, even if it was a proactive and intelligent decision.

"Haa..."

"Are you okay?"

"Phew. Now I am."

Flinty was sitting on the stool beside me. Hearing her speak calmed me immensely, but then she snatched my wrist and the anxiety came crawling back.

"W-What is it?"

"Stop biting your fingers, it's gross."

"You're right. But, I can't help myself."

"Why'd you start doing it anyway?"

"Well..."

I didn't tell her about the mission from last week, nor did I have any intention to, so I just returned to silently perching in the guild.

"Come on, tell me!"

"...It's just something that makes me feel at ease."

She sighed and shrugged.

"Are you feeling nervous?"

"Of course I am."

"You shouldn't be."

"Easier said than done. This is a really important mission, Flinty."

"But you're Kenny, aren't you? I'm sure you'll be fine."

"...What's that supposed to mean?"

I sighed and dropped my head, staring at my knees. I thought about putting my finger in my mouth again. Instead, I continued to wait, staring at the door in anticipation for the teammates whose identities I didn't know.

"I think you came here a little too early."

"You're probably correct. Sorry for wasting your time."

"It's okay. I wanted to see you off, remember?"

My cheeks turned rosy. I nodded and kept staring at the door, trying my hardest to keep my gaze away from her.

"Hey, wait, why isn't the Tea Mage here to see me off–"

**SMASH**

The guild doors suddenly flung open. I was hoping I spoke my complaints into existence, but instead of seeing a stuck-up middle-aged man, I saw a girl around the same age as Victoria. Her red hair was tied into a small ponytail, and she had what looked to be a rapier by her hip and a dagger on the other side.

She made eye contact with me, and I shuddered; something about her almond-shaped eyes unnerved me. She narrowed them and then stomped toward the receptionist's desk. They talked about something, the girl made a face of disbelief, then she begrudgingly trotted to Flinty and me.

"Hi, I'm Flinty!"

The girl glanced at her and then looked at me with her arms crossed.

"Are you two seriously my teammates?"

"No no, I'm not working with you two. Kenny is, though. Anyway, it's nice to meet–"

"Gah, are you serious? This little brat is working with me?"

"Brat!? You're hardly older than me!"

She flagrantly pointed at me. Her irritation morphed into ire when I made my comment.

"So what! At least I'm old enough to think for myself, and do taxes or whatever! You just came out of the womb!"

"What the hell are you saying!? Is this any way to introduce yourself to a teammate!?"

"Of course it isn't, which is why I'm talking to you like this!"

I looked over at Flinty, making my bewilderment known from my expression. She looked upset herself, but from the shrug she gave me, I could tell that she wanted no part of this.

I didn't either. This girl was rude and unnecessarily hostile. So I just crossed my arms and looked the other way.

"See! You're admitting to it by shutting up!"

"Admitting to what? I'm your teammate whether you like it or not. If you don't believe me, you'll find out soon enough."

"Hmph! We'll see."