Their talk came to an end when there was a shy "Good evening, everyone!" from the other end of the garden.
A woman with a long black ponytail had entered the scene. She wore a djinnie outfit, a weird blue coat and ill-fitting golden sneakers. Despite those questionable fashion accessories, she was beautiful.
Nahh-Ati jumped up and yelled, "Sister! You came!".

Wati was instantly on his feet. He bowed to the newcomer. "Lady Nahh-Ato! What pleasure to meet you here!"
"Oh, Captain Wati. Thank you for keeping an eye on my sister today."
"I'm always at your service, mylady!"
Nahh-Ati rolled her eyes. 'I wish they'd stop that overblown talk and just admit what's going on between them.'

Even without Nahh-Ati and Wati gathering around the new guest, Nareen would have known who she was. She already knew that belly dancer outfit, after all.
"Lady Nahh-Ato! So glad you came to our party!" The necromancer made an inviting gesture. "Please, make yourself at home! I'm Nareen."
Behind them Eternia got in a huddle with Tamara. "Phew! Tough competition, I'll hand her that! She's pretty."
"Ah, so is Wati above or below Arion on your date wishlist?" Tamara inquired with a sarcastic tone.

"Thank you for the invitation," Nahh-Ato said with a friendly nod. "My sister never had many friends, so I was a bit worried about allowing her to this party. It seems she has met some good people, though."
She leaned back slightly and whispered to Wati, "Which one of them stole my clothes on Halloween?"
Wati barely heard her over the pounding of his heart. She'd never stood so close to him before. He managed to regain his composure in time to answer. "Uhm... right behind you, mylady."
"Don't let her close to me, please."
"Of course not."

As everyone was distracted by the new guest, Brian took his chance to slip away from Arion. He quickly went over to Suiseiseki, who promptly blushed and turned away when he smiled at her.
"Sui! Merry Christmas!" he greeted.
She looked at him from the corner of her eyes. "Merry Christmas, Brian."

"You're not wearing the scarf I knitted for you," she added. It was obvious she was hurt. "What is this abomination around your neck?"
"I'm sorry, Sui. My sister made this for me, so I have to wear it today."
"Aw," Sui sniffed.
"Err... I like yours much better though! I'll wear it everyday starting tomorrow, promise!"
Sui's disparate eyes met with his and she sighed. "Promise?"
"Big promise!"

Brian carefully put his arm around her shoulder and was happy when she didn't flinch. "Sui, I just came here in the hope of seeing you."
"Really? My sister is also here, though."
Brian smiled even wider, olive eyes gleaming. "Then shall we go for a walk before she finds us?"
"Yes, let's."

"Doggie!" yelled Giselda and Nahh-Ati in unison when Filou dashed along the garden path. The dog bounced around between the party guests and barked at everyone.
"Good doggie!" Giselda gave him a treat from a hidden pocket of her apron and Nahh-Ati sat down in the snow to play with him. "Aw! I wish I had a dog, too!"

"Nahh-Ati," Nahh-Ato gasped, "don't sit in the snow! You'll become ill! What is this beast? Wati, do something!"
"My lady... this is just the dog of one of the hosts. Don't worry, it's tame. I saw it numerous times in front of the palace."
"Tame? That's what you say!" Nahh-Ato shivered with fear.
"My lady..." Wati was stunned. "Are you... are you afraid of dogs?"
"Oh my," Nareen murmured. "I guess that there's no chance for Nahh-Ati to have a dog herself."

Dolltopia Archive 51 <-- # --> Dolltopia Archive 53