Eternia sat down on a ledge. "Hm. So who's invited? Surely Giselda has to know to plan her cooking!"
Nareen pondered for a while. "There's us three. And Akshi. Elizabeth. Libra."
"Tamara", Eternia added, "Suiseiseki and Souseiseki. Shinku if they passed on the invitation."
"And Mir!"
"Yeah... Mir..."
"I would like to invite some other people, too, but I haven't seen any of them again yet."
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Sackboy are coming, too!"
"We should probably ask Wati, too!"
"Oh yes! Wati!" Eternia drooled a bit.
"I'll try to cook for 20 people, then we should have enough." Giselda concluded.

"Why, hello there! Look what an orchid blooms in this snowy garden." Nareen was greeted by a melodic voice from behind.

"Oh, hello Arion! Good timing!" Nareen was pleased.
"I admit it wasn't coincidential. I hoped to meet you here. Last time you were busy, but maybe this time you want to join me for a gig?"
"Aw, I'm sorry! I can't! We're so busy with things right now."

Eternia sat on the wall and couldn't stop staring. The newcomer was...

Arion's brow furrowed. "What horrible luck."
"No, I'm glad you came! We want to invite you to our Christmas party, you know!"
"A Christmas party?" His face lit up. "Hm. I'll have to check back with the guys first. We had plans to spend that evening with the band."
"You can bring your friends to the party, if that helps! The more the merrier!" Giselda chirped.
"That's Giselda, our friend and cook. If she says bring them, just bring them!" Nareen laughed.
"Okay then, I'll ask the others!"

"Oh, and I am Eternia." All of a sudden the redhead stood in their midst. "And... uh, I'm done with work, so I could accompany you to your gig if you want."
Arion looked her in the face. Without missing a beat he said, "Sorry. I'm sure you're super nice and all, and it's not your fault, but I just can't date girls with red hair."

"Whaaaaaat?!" Eternia's smile shattered like a broken mirror. She even looked like she'd break into tears any moment. "But... that isn't fair! Just because of my hair?!"
Before Arion could say another word Nareen interfered. "Sorry, Arion. My friend is a bit brash in the presence of men."
"No, that's adorable! Girls who're confident and make the first move are great! I just really can't... stand red hair. Pink even less. Let's not get into detail but I associate some rather unpleasant parts of my life with that colour. Sorry."

"Besides, I asked you first and it would be rude to date someone else then!" He winked at Nareen.
"Err... I already told you..."
"Just because of my hair..." Eternia whined.

"Hey, listen, there's not much time! I'll go and have a chat with the others and we'll talk this through on your party then, okay?"
"Okay..." Nareen let out a silent sigh.
"See you later! Bye!"

"Blimey!" said the necromancer when he was gone. "He WAS flirting with me, wasn't he? I don't want that!"
"Nareen..." Eternia was at a loss of words, her hands shaking. "When I regain my composure later remind me to explain to you WHO that was."
"Hm, he was the first man who - in theory - might have gone out with you, wasn't he? I wish you the best of luck on our party!"

"Nareen... I... Ah, forget it." She shook her head. "Okay. I'll go to get some things now. Can you and Giselda take care of the rest?"
"Huh? Sure, but where're you going?"
"Have to meet Libra again, things like that. We still need a few small things for the party that I forgot about earlier. Toilet paper, for instance."
"Well, okay. See you later, Eternia."

Dolltopia Archive 32 <-- # --> Dolltopia Archive 34