"Well if it isn't Mr. Spying-From-The-Shadows. You're just what we need, actually. Doesn't Sakiko look absolutely stunning? What she needs is some real encouragement from someone she doesn't really know- no offense meant, of course, but you're sort of just an acquaintance, and therefore your opinion won't be swayed towards trying to comfort her if she's not as beautiful as we're telling her. So tell her- isn't she just like a little winter rose in that dress?" Arrika said, patting Azador on the back.

ooc: uggh... piano recital... in...20 minutes....save me...!!!

IC: Sakiko's blush deepened as she yelled,

"Shut up! Fine, fine, I get the point! I'll host the damn party, happy?"

The mage ran back to the wall, and ripped off the dress quickly. She shoved her comfortable - and much more modest - robe back on, and took a deep breath. She came back, and sighed,

"I'll host it, except I'm not going to flirt or dance or sing or any of the activities you mentioned. I'll just serve people nice tea, not beer, happy?"

OoC: You'll do awesome. Better than my recital last week, for sure.

IC: "Yes!" Arrika said, grabbing Zeze's arms and swinging around happily. "Wait, what? Okay, I understand the whole no flirting part, and I get that you might be secretly tone deaf, but you're not going to even dance!? Or serve beer?! Whaddya mean, no beer? That's- that's- it's unthinkable!" The Sheikah gasped dramatically. "Maybe when Azador tells you you're beautiful you'll change your mind about all that too. Tell her, Azador! Oh, and you're welcome to come to the party too."

Ooc: i sucked... went way too nervous...*sigh*

IC: Zapheta yelled happily and did a spin. She performed a very jumpy cartwheel, and protested,

"yeah, no beer equals no party! Who the hell hosts a party without beer, eh?"

Sakiko folded her arms, and said,

"That's what you get for having me host anything. And you, Arrika, give Azador a break."

She folded her dress neatly onto her arm, and said,

"You two are in charge of invitations. I will do exactly as I say, no more, no less."

Zeze crept towards Arrika, and whispered in her ear,

"I'm bringin' the beer - you too, alright?"

"What about Zora wine? Sovelis has a whole stock of that- Or Irish Cream? I don't know what Irish means, but it sorta tastes like coffee. And liquor," Arrika whispered back. "Alright, alright. We'll invite tons of people and anyone we happen to lay eyes on. Your party will be so loud and awesome the neighbors will try to get you evicted!" Arrika said gleefully. "Not like you even have any neighbors. Masakazu is such a hermit. Point is, you'll be happy we bothered you into doing it!"

Ooc: Eek, my post disppeared! Ah well, I'm typing it again, then...

IC: Zapheta nodded enthusiastically, and punched the air with her fist.

"Yeah, sounds like a blast!! Well, I'd better get goin' and do the decor and all, ya know? Don't worry, Arr, I'll totally transform the dusty little house into a booming party machine!"

The bard laughed, and tapped her feet together. All smiles disppaeared as she smartly saluted, and giggled again.

OoC: The stuff I did last night disappeared too...

IC: Seth trudged through the snow, dripping over a large tree root and falling face first into a deep, soft, mound of snow that trapped his legs. He dragged himself up quickly, breath fogging in the air as he finally found Arrika and Sakiko. "Guess- what- big party! Yea- Kasei- put up a notice- didn't actually see it, of course, but I Saw it, if you get my drift- we gotta go! Please Arrika please say you'll go there's bound to be tons of food and everything!" He exclaimed, his reasons for wanting to go limited to the food that would most likely be there. "Please please please please-"

"Geez, alright already! Like I'd pass up a free dinner for the world!" Arrika said, patting him on the head.

Zeze smiled widely, and yelled,

"Whooaaa!! Two parties, then??"

Sakiko shook her head, a smile on her own face.

"Sorry to disappoint you -*cough cough*- but I think our little party must be...erm, postponed, shall I say?"

Zeze's face fell.

"But...but...!"

The mage even gave the bard a small tap, elevated by the news. So she wouldn't have to host a party after all!

"Well, then, you two must go and enjoy the party. I shall stay home for a nice mug of tea..."

"WHHAA?! No way, you're so going, with the dress, too! Masakazu is coming! Well, I'm making him come!"

"Guess you got lucky this time," Arrika said, pointing an accusing finger at Sakiko. "Nevertheless, you're showing up at Kasei's whether you like it or not. And in that dress. Do I make myself clear, Missy?"

"Yes!" Seth said, punching the air, hugging Arrika for a brief second and then running away in search of Thorne for another snowball fight.

ooc: a new character is about to enter...

IC: Sakiko slapped the 'accusing' finger away, and scowled darkly.

"I will show up if I feel like doing so. So there. You cannot make me do anything."

Zapheta growled,

"Do you know how much trouble Arrika went through just to get that dress?"

Sakiko raised her eyebrows.

"So how exactly did you get the dress, anyway?"

Zeze quickly and adroitly changed the topic.

"I have a perfectly green dress to go with my eyes. Hey, I have an idea! Let's so super fabulously glamourous for the party! We'll be the glam trio!"

The mage's scowl deepened.

"Zapheta, that is highly unlikely to happen. Although Masakazu may borrow my red dress if he likes - he'll be a more than able subsititute for my absence, if it is to occur."

"WHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Suddenly, a peal of laughter echoed through the crisp, cold air. Zeze's green eyes twinkled, detecting a sense of fun in the distance, coming towards them. The bard hollared back,

"WHO'S THERE?!"

"WHHEE!"

A swish of the wind was heard, and a dark figure crashed into the snow in front of them. Quickly, the stranger popped out of the cold snow, appearing to be male, tall, and face pink with the cold and excitement. On his feet, two wooden boards were attached. He was gasping slightly as he apologized,

"Sorry, did I intrude?"

Zeze peered into his shocking hazel eyes, which were sparkling with life and thrill. The bard muttered,

"Not at all..."

Sakiko raised her eyebrows, surprised at the bard's sudden timidity.

OoC: I thought they were going to be a deep, beautiful shade of blue?

IC: Arrika couldn't help but just stare at the newcomer and his flashy entrance. Zeze seemed a lot more docile upon seeing him. "Erm... can we help you...?" she asked, then looked sideways at Sakiko, trying to catch her eye. "Now, she's either going through massive shock from being taken by surprise like that, or..." She said telepathically to the silver-haired mage. "...A perfect couple, in my opinion." The Sheikah grinned. "So, um... what's with the planks on your feet?"

ooc: erm, hazel sounded better... I kinda changed my mind, last minute. Blue seems too common around here.

IC: The stranger flashed a smile at Arrika's direction, revealing pearly, white teeth. He slid around the fresh, soft snow with the planks on his feet, creating a rectangular track on the white ground. He said,

"My name's Laido. I discovered you can slide much faster in these things! So, what are three beautiful ladies doing out here, in the cold?"

He bent down and plucked off the strings that attached the boards to his feet. Tying them together, he slung the two planks on his shoulder. Laido grinned,

"I heard something about a red dress, I think."

Zeze immediately burst in,

"We're discussing a Christmas party! Would you like to come?"

Her face quickly turned pink, and she turned her head, abashed. Laido smiled,

"Why not? Sure! I'm a party animal, myself. And you three?"

He smiled charmingly in Zeze's direction, giving her a wink. His blonde hair had been ruffled in the wind, giving him a light, playful appearance. Zeze's blush had deepened, and Sakiko did not fail to notice this. She seemed to understand Arrika's look, and thought, Yes, I can't disagree. He'll be a wonderful date for Zeze, i think. She smiled, amused at the thought. Zapheta murmured,

"I'm a party animal too..."

Laido laughed loudly, and drew closer to Zeze. Small sparks seemed to go off his eyes as he whispered,

"You and I. We have a connection."

Sakiko raised her eyebrows at this sudden comment, which seemed too passionate between meetings between strangers. However, Zeze didn't seem to notice. She clasped Laido's hands, as if it was meant for friendly purposes only. Her green eyes sparkled, returning the small flames inside them.

"I agree."

They stayed silent for awhile, as if reading each other's minds.

"Um, I'll be back in a second, okay? Gotta go- er- check something-" Arrika muttered hastily before running at least a hundred yards away from their gathering. Once she deemed she had gone far enough she fell into the snow and started laughing uncontrollably until she thought her lungs would burst. The sight of Zeze, so overcome by 'love at first sight' that she was stunned silent seemed so unnatural that she couldn't help but crack up.

Arrika walked back at a slower pace, a smile twitching on her face. "Hey. Yeah. Yea, I'm fine." She said, mumbling random sentence fragments. "So. Laido. Gonna come party with us?"

Laido nodded,

"Yup. I mean, will you--?"

He turned, looking at Zeze with hazel eyes. The bard nodded fervently,

"Def-fin-ate-lee."

Sakiko raised her eyebrows once more, and suggested sarcastically,

"You two have known each other for quite awhile now. It's moving too slowly, if you ask me - why don't you get married now?"

Zeze smiled at Laido, as if what Sakiko said was a very valid possibility.