Chapter 234: Concern
'To think things had changed this much...I should have people explore and re-evaluate the other Floors as well...' thought Vahn, seated around a Checkpoint's bonfire with Lupheria, Lasti, and two parties of Sisters, eight of the more than four hundred currently exploring the First Stratum's First Floor as part of a training exercise. As for what he was referring to, it was the many rooms, passages, and even new Slime subspecies uncovered by the Sisters as they seamlessly coordinated to explore every centimeter of the expanded First Floor—having grown from its initial size of a small city to a moderately-sized island.
ding
'Hmmm...?'
Just as Vahn was preparing to close the displays only he could see, a faint notification sound dinged in his head, prompting him to open his messages. The ding in question denoted the message as originating from a source he set to monitor status, so while it wasn't an emergency, he felt compelled to read it immediately.
'Oh, wow...' thought Vahn, his brows rising as he opened his chat with Orihime, presenting him with her posing topless in front of a mirror with her left hand covering the important bits and her right hand covering her eyes from embarrassment. Less notably, she was wearing a very mature pair of white lace panties and an elaborate garter belt with stockings, all but confirming she was being influenced by other Maids or members of the Dragon's Pavilion as they were a popular pairing among those he was routinely intimate with.
Drawing Vahn's gaze from the selfie, a message appeared beneath it, expressing, [I know you told me before that I should only send photos like these to the person I fell in love with, but it didn't feel right to thank you with words alone for saving Rukia-san.]
[Your figure is nothing short of incredible] affirmed Vahn, sending the message before promptly adding [But if you're uncomfortable wearing those kinds of clothes, don't let others pressure you. Also, it might be a while before Rukia can freely return to Karakura Town, but you should be able to meet her in the palace and possibly the Tower in the forthcoming months.]
[Really!?] responded Orihime, adding an exclamation point to emphasize her surprise.
[Really] confirmed Vahn, adding [Now, head to bed. I know you've been training hard these past few weeks, so use the remaining time until the Tower's opening to rest and recenter yourself. I had better not hear about you working here in the palace, understood?]
[I understand] responded Orihime, followed by a lengthy pause before a second photo appeared, this time showing her back and very full bottom, accompanied by the message [I was going to send this before, so please accept it. And, once again, thank you...]
[You're very welcome] responded Vahn, exhaling faint from his nose as he resisted the urge to comment on Orihime's rear profile. She really did have an exceptional figure, but even with the benefit of being a first-generation Ascendee, she had yet to satisfy the prerequisites to become a Second or First-Grade Maid. Thus, while there was nothing implicitly wrong with her sending him increasingly daring selfies, he would prefer if she considered her full range of options before wholly committing to the path of a career Maid...