Anala tapped her foot thoughtfully as she tried to calm down. She looked at Kancor and Caitlin who had already mingled into the crowd [ That Fipa boy has become such a slippery eel ]
She'd being trying to talk to them since they arrived but they were always slipping through her grip, " I can deal with that later. I should get to my room ". She heard a familiar cute voice and smiled as she turned, " Grandmother ".
She smiled and touched his cheek, " My freckled pride and joy, your awake ". He nodded, holding on to Axis while he held two of Bonsi's finger in his hand, " I missed you. You look even more gorgeous than I remember ".
Anala laughed, " And I see you're efficient in the art of flattery ". Archie nodded, " Volumes one through three grandmother ". She looked at Bonsi, " You're raising a well mannered boy here Bonsi ".
Bonsi smiled and nodded, " With your help Dowager ". Anala looked at her longer then up at Axis, " And a fine crown prince at that ". Luscious suddenly popped up from behind, " Why, thank you Aunt Anala ".
The three jumped while Archie laughed. Anala soothed her chest lightly, " As eccentric as always I see ". Luscious sniffed slightly as he held her hand, " That's the nicest thing you've ever said about me Aunt Anala ".
Anala took back her hand, " How many times must I tell you to call me Dowager "? Luscious nodded, " You're right. My sincerest apologies Aunty Dowager Anala ". Anala sighed as she waved him off, " And still as goofy ".
He suddenly hugged her, lifting her off the floor " You're being no nice to me today. I missed you too ". Anala gave up struggling and Archie laughed. She sighed as he let her go, " I'll see you all at dinner ".
Luscious winked at Bonsi who mouthed the words " Thank you " and he smiled back, " Your welcome ". He walked off casually, " I have to find Fay, don't want her getting upset with me ".
Archie's mouth formed a circle when they got to the top floor, " Wow. This place is a lot bigger than it looks ". Bonsi laughed, " And it gets even better....We're neighbors with your Sister Qidu ".
Archie's eyes widened with excitement, " Awesome, I won't have to sneak out to play. Let's go see her ". Bonsi smiled [ She knows you so well ] " She said the same thing. Axis are you joining us "?
He looked at their expectant faces and sighed, " Fine, but only for a little while ". Bonsi knocked and went in, Axis followed behind her " Shouldn't we wait for a response "?
Bonsi shrugged, putting Archie on the floor " I don't think she'll mind ". " Archie! I was just thinking about you ", looking up he saw Jewlica giggled as she floated around, and immediately ran after her. Looking up, they saw the kids laughing in the air.
Bonsi looked at Axis, slightly worried " Tell me you see the flying children too ". Axis nodded and calmed down, " At least I'm not insane ". June was doing a backstroke and stopped in front of them, " Archie's parents, if you're looking for Sister Qidu. She's in the middle room ".
Bonsi smiled, " Thank you June " and took Axis by the wrist, " We should go say hi ". Axis ducked as August flew by, " She's probably turned in for a nap ". Bonsi nodded absent mindedly and pushed the door open, " It is a very unlikely possibility ".
And she was right, Nectar was looking around the room as she pointed at a servant holding a figurine, " What are you doing? No glass in this room ". She walked in the direction of a table, " I thought I ask for the edges of this things to be padded ". She groaned in frustration, " It isn't even dusted. Its almost winter, are you all trying to make my kids sick "?
Bonsi and Axis looked at each other then Nectar who was giving out instructions. Axis nodded, shocked and slightly impressed " So this is what she'd be like if she took being an empress seriously ".
Bonsi stuck out her tongue momentarily, " I don't like the thought. She seems so scary too ". Axis found himself laughing when he remembered the first time they met, " Agreed ".