Once Ria felt better, she grew embarrassed at how she had acted. But more than anything, she appreciated her aunt trying to make her feel better. But it also made her feel childish for getting excited at the thought of a sleepover with her aunt.
Runark, to his credit, didn't linger on the topic after she got over it. Which she appreciated. It wasn't too long after that Arastia left, drawn to her never-ending duties as President of the Blood Humanist Society, of course.
"Head to the operational facility now, the briefing program is starting soon," Arastia had advised her. "The other freelancer pathwalkers we hired are also present there. Go there. Find three other pathwalkers to befriend and create a party out of. Our standard operation requires groups of five in accordance with industry norms. True adventurers work together with others. We can have the sleepover tonight and catch up some more later."
