New Life Online 198 Piggyback Ride

It's been a couple of minutes since the chopper started flying. I can't decide if I want to go or not but Mari insisted that I should go with them. Petula really is a piece of work. When we go back to the guild, get ready to prepare for the scolding of your life. Also, why on earth are we riding a chopper?!

"So how do you know each other?" Mari asked so suddenly. I thought the loud noise of the chopper would help me avoid the topic but... we're using headphones.

"I just met him in the game and we became friends, nothing special," Thankfully, Petula already knows what is going on after what I did a while ago.

"Oh, I thought you're his girlfriend. Sis said messing around. Not in a million years Mari.

"We'll get there, sister-in-law." Then she winked at me... girls teasing around is the worst.

"My brother might be a bit introvert but believe me, he's a good guy. Compared to me, he still has a lot of practice to do with his cooking but you know, he's a guy." Ha...ha...

They talked for a while now but I heard on the news that the party is in the middle of the city but we are not in the right direction.

"Hey, Petula. I thought we're going to the party? Then why are we going to another way?" I asked.

"We're going to fetch Zia. I found her data and it seems she's a disabled girl. I can't believe it at first but I guess she's like my sister. They both have diseases that even the best doctors can't cure." Oh... I didn't know.

"What? That's so sad. By the way, my brother also got diagnosed with a disease that also can't be cured. It was after his accident." Mari, please don't say it's me being an idiot...

"I thought I was in a coma because of the accident?" This is the first time I heard about this news.

"Doctors said that you will never wake up because you have an incurable disease that paralyzed your whole body. That's why after three years, I can't believe that you woke up. It's actually a miracle, really." Wait, what?!

"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? Why just now?" I asked. I'm a bit startled of what I just discovered.

"I'm sorry, bro. I don't want to open it up again because it only reminds us of what happened not only to us but also to our parents." She's right. I don't know what happened but I'm ok now with my sister. It explains a lot why after I wake up, I can't feel a thing... even sadness.

"Hey, guys. Are you telling me that Aries got cured of his sickness? Maybe they can help my sister?!" Petula blurted out.

"I don't think so. They told me that after several tests. Those doctors still can't figure out what on earth happened. Why he woke up. I also heard that they're not even sure if my brother still has the disease or not." It looks like both of them calmed down after hearing Mari's explanation. Why are we getting so serious all of a sudden? There will be a party after this too. Azzie, on the other hand, is just taking a nap... inside a flying vehicle.

We talked about that for a while and I guess it doesn't really matter as long as I'm alive. Still... somehow, this reminds me of the girl I met at the tomb of the Frozen King. It felt like she knew me or she was watching me...

-Hospital-

We arrived at the hospital. It's kind of far from our house. I hope we don't disturb the patients because of the loud noise of the chopper. We got off the Chopper and went inside the hospital.

The hospital doesn't look that big and it's really away from the city, a good place to get away from pollution and noise. The restful and peaceful place is the best for sick people after all.

I just followed Petula like she knows where to go... I guess she even knows everything about us... Where is she getting all of this info! We arrived in front of a door of one of the rooms. I guess this is the room of Zia.

*KNOCK KNOCK* Petula knocked on the door but we didn't hear an answer for a while.

"Pizza delivery!" She exclaimed after knocking again. I don't think anyone would be fooled by that.

*Opens* Then suddenly, it opened and a girl opened the door.

"Where's the pizza?!" The girl asked really quickly and looked at us like she's scanning for something.

Then she stopped for a bit then tried to close the door but Petula was able to block the door with her body...

"Hey stop! Don't close the door!" She insisted... I guess I already know who the girl at the door is... She's the only girl I know who loves pizza so badly.

"Miss Aurora. I'm Petula, one of Zia's friends. Could you let us in please?" Petula... jeez...

"Oh... I'm sorry. Azzie? Mari? Why are you here?" Aurora was able to recognize both of them. Aurora's a friend of their guild after all.

"We heard that we are going to a party of some sort and there will be a lot of foods so you know," Mari replied as both of their faces lighten up.

"Really?! Can I come?!" Really? You were baited by foods?

"It's my party. If you let us in, then I will do the same for you later on." Petula replied.

We entered the room as she opens it for us. I saw someone in the bed and she's... covering her whole body with a blanket. I think she's hiding.

"Zia. You don't have to hide. We came here to fetch you. We will go to my party, well technically, our party." Petula, that's harsh.

Then Zia removed the blanket covering her face. As I look at her, she really looks beautiful without any cosmetics on her face. Her natural beauty is really... something. Her boyish style in the game is really different in real life.

"I can't... I can't walk after all." Zia's pretty different from what she is inside the game... maybe because of her current condition. New Life Online really gives people a new life and a new version of themselves.

"That's why I brought this guy over here, he will carry you like a princess and make other girls get jealous. Haha." Petula smiled after saying that. Wait... what?

"I don't think that's a good..."

"Wait... I think I know you." Before I said something, Aurora cut me off. Please don't say anything...

"Well if it's you, I don't think there will be a problem at all. Please take care of my little sister." Aurora... I'm not into your sister. I don't really know what to say. Mari and Azzie seem to be troubled because even Aurora knows who I am, yet they don't have any idea.

"Well, I can't say no to girls. Is it ok with you Zia?" I asked.

"If I'm not asking too much, I would like to ask for your a.s.sistance," Zia's really shy and sweet. I was really expecting you to reject my offer though... I can't catch a break.

Of course, I carried her to the chopper and it is piggyback. I can't carry her like a princess. That would be embarra.s.sing for both of us.

The girls talked to each other like there's no tomorrow. I really wanted to go home...

We're getting near the city and I can tell that the party is really huge because we can already see the lights from here. Is it just I or the place doesn't look like a house but a huge palace... like what the h.e.l.l...

Just a couple of minutes, we arrived at their house. I know now why Petula sometimes has a bratty att.i.tude. Not a good way to judge a person but still... I can't help it.

-Ebonywood Mansion-

"Finally! Ok girls, let's go to my room and pick the clothes you want. Don't worry, most of my clothes are new and I haven't worn them yet. Hey, butler number 58, please help this man change his... clothes maybe? Doesn't really looks like clothes. Anyway, see you later." Petula ordered. This is the clothes common people wear, you brat! Butler 58? Just how many butlers do they have?!

The guy helped me choose what to wear and stuff and I can tell that I look great. Maybe I have to at least take care of what I look from time to time.

He told me to go to the great hall. What on earth is a great hall? Thankfully, I brought my phone and used it to search the internet. The Great Hall is where people meet at a party. So, I did.

-Ebonywood Mansion, Great Hall-

Wow... there's a lot of people and most of them look familiar. I found Akko and the others in the group with other people. I know their real-life faces so I can tell. They are really dressed well. I hope I'm not really out of place.

"Hey! I remember you. You're that guy I've met near the vending machine!" Oh... jeez. It's Leion...

"Yeah, hey! It's been a while. I haven't seen you for a long time." It's better to hide that I'm Scy for now.

"You look familiar in the game but maybe because I've met a lot. So who invited you here?"

"It's Jay. I'm one of his guildmates." Thankfully, I know someone from both sides.

"Oh yeah, maybe I saw you from his team. Jay's with his other guildmates there. Why are you not with them?" Please don't ask too much...

"You know, I'm kind of not fond of parties and I just want to stay here and do nothing. How about you go to your friends?" Shooo... go away.

"Nice meeting you here. I'll go back to them now. Have fun!" Finally, he said his farewells and just went straight to them and of course, he forgot to ask about my name again.

I looked around and I found some familiar faces. Why is Siegriel here? Maybe he got invited by Petula because he's Leion's relative. Though Maisie's not here and I already know the reason why.

"Aheeeem Aheeeem! So I guess, most of the invited people are here. I welcome you to our humble home and I wish my Dad won't kill me after spending a lot of money for this party. Kidding aside, it's really a pain in the b.u.t.t but we really need this party to get along with each other. We've been playing for a while now so a little bit meet-up is kind of nice. The party will start now and I hope you guys partic.i.p.ate in some of our NLO themed events later on. For now, enjoy the delicious and marvelous foods we prepared for you guys. Eat to your heart's content because you deserve it. KAMPAI!" Petula had a great speech. This isn't a humble party at all.

"Kampai!" The crowd excitedly cheered.

"Scy! There you are!" Out of nowhere... Elou just shouted my name...

What the h.e.l.l, Elou?