Meanwhile in the garden Arion approached Nareen.
"Nareen", he said sternly, "I just came here to see you, but I get the feeling that you're avoiding me."
"Huh? No, you're wrong, I don't." The necromancer felt her cheeks get hot but she tried to stay calm.
The man looked at her. "Then tell me, please - will you go out with me or not? I asked you so many times but you're acting like a lotus flower, every approach rolls off like mercury."

"Arion, I'm... I'm really flattered that you like me that much but I can't go out with you, sorry."
"Is it because you don't like me or do you already have a boyfriend?" he inquired.
Now Nareen blushed like a tomato. "I... uh... err... I..." she spluttered. Then she took a deep breath and said: "Look, my heart already belongs to someone else and that I haven't seen that person for quite a while and we never were a couple doesn't change that. I'm sorry."

Arion let out a loud sigh. "Just my luck. The interesting girls are always taken."
Nareen felt very uncomfortable with the situation. "I hope you're not angry on me. You and your friends are always welcome guests here and I'd be sad if you broke contact now."
The singer leaned back on the wall and closed his eyes. "No, of course not. You just broke my heart but I'll get over it."

"Alright, is everyone here?" yelled Libra as she walked firmly into the middle of the group. "It's time for gift giving!"

Nahh-Ati looked at her curiously. "This is for the hosts, right? I hope Giselda gets an additional present for all the yummy cookies she baked!"

"First of, let me introduce my sister to you," interrrupted Eternia who had walked closely after Libra. "This is Yuki, 14 years old. She'll stay for a while and she's sorry for any inconvenience she caused today. Right?"
"Uhm... yeah. Hello everyone." Yuki didn't look very happy as she stood there in the snow with just her thick jacket.
Nahh-Ati let out a small shriek. "Whee! 14! Then she'll probably go to my school!"

Yuki's brows furrowed. "Aw, psht! As if anyone would mind if the hosts who offered all those yummy food to everyone without asking for anything in return get presents now!"
"You hear that, Giselda? Even the thieving bear enjoyed your cookies and muffins!" Eternia said with a grin.
Nahh-Ati chimed in too. "I'll get my own presents tomorrow morning from my sister! It's fun to see what you get!"

"Gift giving? Oh, we almost missed the big event!" Suiseiseki and Brian joined up with the group again. Suiseiseki's face was glowing.
"What? I thought our concert was the big event," mused Brian. She poked him in the ribs with her ellbow. "You silly, you!"
The young woman grinned. "I want to see this. Maybe Eternia gets something I can borrow later."
Brian chuckled. "The real gift was this wonderful day. Right, Arion?"
"Yeah..." The singer sighed.

Both ignored Arion's obvious misery. Instead Sui clinged to Brian's arm and laid her head on his shoulder. "Yes, this was a fantastic day. I just wish we could have had lunch together."
"Don't worry, one day our sisters will give up and approve of our relationship."
"Oh Brian, I certainly hope so."
"Then I'll take you to the best French restaurant in town."
Sui giggled.

Dolltopia Archive 56 <-- # --> Dolltopia Archive 58