To our little ones || Aonung x Neteyam

Chapter 17: List

Tsireya knocked on the door with a wide smile. She felt nervous and a little anxious at the idea of seeing Lo'ak for the first time after their kiss. It had been a few days since that night and they were yet to have the opportunity to talk, so she forced herself to be confident and take the initiative.

The door was opened by her brother and her smile was quickly replaced by a frown, drawing a mocking laugh out of him.

"What? Were you expecting someone else?" He teased crossing his arms.

"Where is Lo'ak?" She tried to look past his shoulder but Ao'nung was so broad in comparison to her that he managed to cover her view without trying.

"Good morning to you too, Reya. I did sleep pretty well last night, I appreciate your concern, dear sister." He played oblivious making her roll her eyes. "What has brought you here this morning?

"A ball." Her smile came back.

"A ball?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, tonight. Since Rotxo left I was hoping you and Lo'ak would go with us." She clasped her hands with a pleading look.

"Reya, I have no intention of leaving Neteyam alone to go to a party."

"I know, but since Mrs. Sully is here I thought that there shouldn't be a problem." She leaned her head expecting her brother to agree but he never changed his expression.

"I'm not going."

"Ao!"

"Listen..." He rubbed his temples. "If you want to go, that's alright. I think...Lo'ak would like to attend."

"Really?" She said with an airy voice, holding back her excitement.

"If you tell him you want him to go he will be there. And I guess since Kiri will be there as well, he won't dare to do something stupid, so...yes." He turned around to go upstairs in search of him and not long after his lean figure went through the main door.

"Good morning!" She greeted him with her usual excitement.

"Morning." Lo'ak smiled in return as he got closer. Tsireya didn't question the strange tone of his voice. It was a little choked up.

"I know it's early but I came because I wanted to ask you something." She waited for him to ask but Lo'ak only nodded to let her continue. "Uh, well, tonight it's going to be a ball in town."

"Alright...?" The soft smile on his lips didn't reach his eyes and he almost looked a little lost. Tsireya felt embarrassed for being so overly excited when he clearly didn't care much about the matter.

"And we, uhm, we got an invitation from Miss Fäe."

"Miss Fäe?" He thought for a moment before opening his mouth, surprised. "Oh, that's right, It's Liri's birthday." Lo'ak clicked his tongue. "I forgot..."

"Liri? Are you two...friends?" She inquired.

"Yes, she was my student before you. I gave her piano lessons for a couple of months although I don't think she

needed them, she was very good at it."

"Ah..." Tsireya kept a polite smile noticing how the tension he wore on his shoulders had suddenly disappeared. But maybe that was her imagination. "Will you be attending, then?"

"Oh, I don't think so." He averted his eyes to avoid hers. "You know, with Neteyam it's a little difficult, so..."

"Ao said he would stay!" She closed her mouth, her face growing warm from her outburst. "And...since your mother is here..." She saw doubt in his eyes. "I really think It would do some good for us to go. Kiri has been feeling a little down lately and I know so do you. A little fun couldn't do any harm."