Auntie toasts the VRMMORPG

80. THE DUEL - ROUND ONE

Flora jogged to the battle ring on the Clan Riverstones compound. It looked like another bamboo hut on the outside, but inside was a 25-meter big ring surrounded by benches. During their tour a few days ago, Lana had explained they used it for duels but also performances and seminars.

Speaking of Lana, she waited on the entrance of the hut together with a chubby brown-haired woman, who was a good head smaller than Flora.

"Hello, Auntie Flow. You are early. All excited about the duel?"

"Hi, Lana. Actually, I'm running late."

Flora explained the situation, and Lana introduced her to the other woman after she suffered an elbow to her side. Her name was Honeystream Land, she was married to Lana and assisted her with the administrative issues of the clan.

"I heard so much of you. I'm happy to meet you finally," Honey said with a little giggle. "Thank you for everything you have done for the jerkies, especially Lana."

While they chatted, Robby and Hub joined them.

"Please keep the commentary civil, Lana. I'm keyed up as it is." Robby ordered.

Flora gave him a quick hug and kiss. Her poor boy looked stressed. Now she felt guilty for foisting the duel on him. She consoled herself that mastering conflicts strengthened relationships.

"I make sure of it, Boss," Honey promised.

"Ressa seems to be-" Lana began, but Honey put her hand over her mouth, proving her commitment.

Tigressa was nowhere in sight. However, Mia and Eddie arrived. Mia gave a polite nod, while Eddie hugged Robby and knocked on his bald head.

"What were you thinking, young man? Getting eloped? Not telling your mother and your favorite uncle about life-changing decisions!" Eddie ranted. "Not to forget about making me get up in the middle of the night!"

Silently, Flora cheered him on; only her gleeful smile gave her away.

"You have already chewed me out before, Uncle Eddie. Please have mercy. I know I'm in the wrong, and I should have told both of you sooner. I just thought how precious life is because Mum almost killed herself in a fire... I mulled it over for some time but then seized the moment to propose."

Struck, Flora didn't know what to think. Robby proposed because of her? She hadn't put the thing on a specific date; she had just assumed he had hidden it for a while. The revelation that she found out soon after it had happened was a game-changer. The last bits of lingering anger evaporated.

"I forgive you." She blurted out.

"Really, and no bringing it up the next time, you are miffed?"

"You deny me all the fun!"

The group laughed, and Flora saw some tension leaving Robby's shoulders.

The bass sound of Ressa's bike announced her arrival. This time, she stopped at a polite distance.

"Quite an audience," she said instead of a greeting.

Honey covered Lana's mouth again, some nodded, and Robby walked to her, but Eddie beat him to her.

"Hello, dear. I'm Eddie, I'm Robby's uncle and practically raised him. So nice to finally meet you."

Ressa smiled at him and shook his hand, but hurried to Robby's side, snuggling to him.

"You did a great job. I like the result." Petting Robby's chest, she smiled at Eddie as they exchanged pleasantries.

Flora felt like puking. 'I raised Robby! I achieved great results! Robby is mine, mine, mine! And don't you dare to charm Eddie as well!'