endless path, infinite cosmos

chapter 97

Everyone was standing around with an awkward atmosphere at the sudden lull in the events. After Ais had punched Tione's head, she was now rubbing the bump with her hands and giving her an aggrieved look. "Dat hwert Aith!" Because she had been laughing at the time, Tione bit her tongue when Ais had hit her. She has tears on the edge of her eyes.

Ais stared at her with slightly furrowed brows. "Sorry...Don't laugh." Ais apologized and walked toward Vahn. Tiona was just about to laugh at her own sister's misfortune, but seeing Ais approach she became cautious. Ais completely ignored her and stepped in front of Vahn before reaching out her hand. "Come." Vahn, who had just asked his question earlier, was somewhat confused by the turn of events, so he just accepted Ais's hand.

After he grabbed her hand, Ais started leading Vahn towards the tent with the other three girls trailing behind. Tiona wanted to stop her, but seeing the serious expression in Ais's face, she knew it wouldn't be easy to stop her. For now, she decided to just follow along to make sure nothing happened without her knowledge. Lefiya, who was standing next to Tiona, frowned as she stared at the two holding hands in front of her.

The tent had multiple sections, and Ais took Vahn into the eastern area which he discovered was the room where Riveria worked and slept. She was currently looking over the map Vahn had drawn previously, but after everyone entered her room she looked at them in a curious manner before asking, "What is it; did something happen?"

Ais pulled Vahn forward before she had him sit down in front of Riveria. After settling him, Ais sat down next to him on her knees and looked towards Riverira. The other girls didn't know what was going on, but Ais eventually spoke and they all had very different expressions after hearing the words. "Riveria, teach us how babies are made." Ais had a serious expression as she made her request.

Riveria frowned before she looked towards Tione and Tiona with an accusatory look. "What happened...?" Tione, who had nearly fallen over in another fit of laughter, froze after hearing the cold tone of Riveria. Tiona, who had a shocked expression at hearing the 'brilliant' idea of Ais began to explain. "Umm...it's like this~" She recounted the events but spun the story slightly so as not to embarrass Vahn. Lefiya, who was at the tail-end of the group had nearly passed out with a red face after hearing Ais's request.

After hearing the full story, Riveria frowned a bit before looking at the two sitting before her. "I can understand why Vahn would be here, but why are you Ais?" Riveria could feel the echo of endless future headaches resounding like an armed battalion in her head. Ais was already a very beautiful girl who many men had tried courting, but she had never shown an interest in matters related to sex no matter how many men tried seducing her.

Ais stared towards Tione and frowned slightly before turning her head to look at Vahn. After another few seconds, she looked towards Riveria and said. "Tione laughed at Vahn. I don't want to be laughed at." Ais had trouble expressing herself, but she knew that seeing Tione laugh at Vahn had made her very uncomfortable. Since the question he had asked was one she didn't know the answer to, Ais felt that she was being treated like a fool unless she knew the answer.

Riveria nodded in understanding. "So you're saying the culprit behind all of this is Tione. Yes, I understand now...I will have to make sure she is properly disciplined later." The more the spoke, the colder her voice sounded. Tione, who was standing at the entrance to the room gave an awkward smile and started backing away. "I have some things to take care of for the mission...I will excuse myself here." Afterward, Tione left through the flaps of the door and disappeared from the site without another word.

Releasing a long sigh, Riveria looked toward Vahn and Ais for a few seconds before turning her gaze toward Lefiya and Tiona. "I know you're fine Tiona, but are you going to stay and listen as well Lefiya?" Lefiya had been in a daze since earlier, and hearing Riveria speak her name made the small girl startle. With a red face, she stared at Ais and Vahn with watery, frustrated, eyes before nodding her head.