Tamara headed to the kitchen, where she was greeted by giggles and avid chatter. Clearly the Rozen Maidens were having fun.
"Hello Tamara! Sit down and have a drink with us!" Giselda chirped. "You're missing out on the whole party!"
Tamara took a seat and turned towards the guests. "So, how do you like our kitchen?"

"It's adequate," Shinku said. "The mix between royal and rustic struck me as odd at first, but your wingling friend has explained to us your limited options in choice."
"It's a bit on the small side, though." said Souseiseki who sat in the corner between the others with no apparent chance for a bathroom break. Her face hinted at a need for relief.
"The food is super delicious," Suiseiseki added. "It's been a while since I enjoyed European cuisine."

"We can hear music from the garden!" Giselda tugged on Tamara's arm. "What is that?"
"We have a rock band visiting, Giselda. It's Nareen's friend, Arion, and the guitar player from his band."
"Wow! That's so cool! I hope I can watch them later!"

In the garden, Arion paused between two songs, putting the break to good use by sneaking up on Mir. "Your outfit is terrific! The mix of Asian style and gothic darkness... so unique!" he complimented. "Can you sing, by any chance?"
"Huh?" Mir was flustered but tried to hide it. "Excuse me, sir, are you talking to me?"
When she looked at him over her shoulder, the singer was stunned by her porcelain face. "Perfect! You know, we wrote a song about a Japanese ghost for our new album. Do you want a job as a background singer? Or play in the video clip?" he asked her excitedly.

"I can't allow that. She doesn't fit in with the band AT ALL!" said a commanding voice from down the garden.
Arion slapped his brow and growled, "And that's why I have pink phobia."
A young girl, maybe 15 years of age, stomped towards Mir. She was dressed entirely in pink. Even her curly hair was bubblegum pink.
"I don't want her in the band!" she pouted.
Mir stared at the weird creature in front of her face and preferred to stay silent.
Brian looked up from his guitar. "Oops! My sister arrived! Pink-Chan, come over here and say hi to our host, Ms. Nareen!"

Nareen smiled at the new visitor. "Hello! So you're Brian's sister?"
"Yes, indeed. And the band's manager." said Pink-Chan with a frosty voice.
In the background Arion rolled his eyes. "She's delusional again, Brian. What did you give her for breakfast?!" he hissed towards his friend who just shrugged and smiled helplessly.

Pink-Chan's gaze fixated on Nareen's necklace. "So you're Nareen, yes? Hello." Her tone became icy.
Through squinted eyes the girl measured the woman. 'Black magician!' shot through her mind. 'I can't allow my brother to keep such bad company!'

"P-Chan, what are you mumbling about?" Brian scolded his little sister. "Be nicer to Ms. Nareen or I'll send you home right away."
"Harumph!" said Pink-Chan and pouted even more.
Nareen thought it better to leave them alone for a while. 'Whoa. That child acts weird. If she acted that way towards Eternia I'd guess she stole a lollipop from her, but what did I ever do to her?'

Dolltopia Archive 46 <-- # --> Dolltopia Archive 48