Hello, Virga

Yesterday, Rome and Rei hopped aboard a heavy-duty flying cart driven by a Vuduri woman and man who claimed they were taking our heroes to see Virga. This did not jive with what Rome had assumed but right now they were literally willing to go along for the ride. Let's see where they end up:

     Rei did not enjoy the ride as much as Rome did. He kept glancing upward, searching for any signs of bat-wolves, even though he had been assured the last time he was here that they only came out at night.
     They traveled along a barely paved road through thicker and thinner stands of the tree-analogs with the multi-colored trunks. Rei called them Crayola trees. Rome liked to squint her eyes so the colors blended forming a wavy rainbow.
     At last they came upon a clearing, surrounded by a tall fence. The driver came to a halt and waited until the mechanical gate opened. Once it was fully open, she drove through. The man turned around to make sure the gate closed behind them. In the meantime, the driver flew the cart over a better-paved set of roads until they came to a village that reminded Rei of some of the more rustic places on Earth. The only difference was the dwellings were constructed out of Vuduri aerogel. In some places, the usual white of the aerogel had been stained with a brick color, not unlike the trick he used to make Rome’s library appear more academic.
     At last, they pulled up in front of a two-story house. The whole block consisted of detached dwellings which in itself was a departure from the usual rowhouse appearance of Vuduri housing. The man turned to them and said, “This is Virga’s house. She is expecting you.”
     Rome waited but neither of their two Vuduri escorts made any move like they were getting out. Shrugging, Rome slid over and hopped out of the cart, followed by Rei. They walked up the front path and the door opened. Out came Virga to greet them. Her blonde hair sparkled in the golden rays of Aleph. It was still curly but was a little longer. If anything, she looked more beautiful than the last time they saw her. And also, she was very pregnant.
     “Rome,” she said, leaning forward and hugging Rome. Rome accepted the embrace as surprising as it was. Most Vuduri would never think to initiate physical contact but then the Vuduri of Helome always were a little different.
     Virga released Rome and stepped to her left to hug Rei. She pressed her head gently against his chest. Rei was about to say something but Virga released him before she fell through his miniature PPT tunnel.

Wow. Things really have changed. And it looks like for the better. But wait until you see who is inside the house. And who got Virga pregnant.