My Adventures In Philia

A Backstory To Remember

3rd POV

Ria sits near an open window while drinking a cup of warm caramel tea and reading an old book with light brown pages along with a worn-out leather cover. She reads each word on each page as her eyes move at a slow pace.

Today was a relaxing day to flip through a book so Ria thought maybe she should read. It's been so long since the last time she once read a book. People would say that Ria is a smart person and a true bookworm.

Then all of a sudden, her stare turned towards the staircase where Nean is climbing down carrying her inventory bag with her. They are not going on a quest or any adventures so why does she have them with her?

As Ria directs her gaze on her, she then draws out Nean's attention by calling her name.

"Hey, Nean."

Nean's head turned towards Ria and her face lit up with confusion.
"Yeah? What do you want?"

The black-haired girl looked at the younger girl with honest eyes and asked, "I wanted to ask about that fight."

Nean didn't understand what Ria mean and so she asked back at her.
"What fight? Lexi and I fight all the time so I don't know what you mean."

"I am talking about that fight in the Park when we first met."

When Nean heard what she said, her eyes widened in shock. The little archer lowered her head to the floor and then avoided the question. "Why all of a sudden, why did you decide to bring this up?"

"I wanted to know what made the two of you fight in the first place and I am not talking about what you mentioned earlier, from what I know, you and Lexi only argue sometimes but you and Lexi don't fight physically with weapons so why-" Before Ria could continue, Nean cut her off and fumed.

"It's none of your business..."

Ria placed her book down on the mini table that was right beside her and faced Nean. Without hesitation, she dared herself to speak. "Listen, I just want-"

But Nean interrupted her yet again but instead, she glared at Ria with a menacing look and ranted, "Don't act as if you are our parent or anything! Why do even care about us?!"

Ria's expression was grave on her face. She was only asking something but Nean would not give her an answer. The question itself was personal.

The Mage then spoke to the little archer in a serious tone, "If you don't want to talk about it then I wouldn't force you."

Ria picked up her book and used it as a tray to carry her cup of tea. She walked past Nean giving her another sad glance before entering the door to the dining room. The little archer stood there while her hands form into fists and her head hanging low.

Unexpectedly, Lexi walked in from the staircase to see Nean standing there. A wave of negativity soon hit the young sword kid like a fast-moving wagon. She senses it in the air and stared at Nean knowing that the source was coming from here.

Being the sweet child she is, she approached the frustrated girl and lightly tug on her right sleeve. Nean quickly turned her head to see the short blond girl looking at her with concern. Lexi asked, "Did you fought with Big Sister?"

The blond expected Nean to answer her but instead, the little archer nodded at a slow pace.

"You need to stop being mean to Big Sister. Why are you like this to her?" The sword kid asked but as she faced Nean, she fumed at her. "Why would I be? We are just strangers to her. And you can't just call her 'Big Sister'."

Lexi argued back, as she felt upset from how Nean insulted her Big Sister. She couldn't allow it at all. "But we do! Big Sister is an adventurer mage from a guild, She is very smart and strong! She is also a kind person so I don't know why you can't be nice to her!"