Luscious was still a bit worried about Nectar [ What could have caused that sort of wound to her heart? And what does it have to do with winter? There is the solstice coming too.....will it affect her in any way? ]
He was brought out of his thoughts when Archie tugged at his coat, " Are you okay Uncle Lu "? Luscious nodded with a smile, " Of course I am. Why do you ask "?
Archie pulled at his ears slightly, " You seem both worried and confused about someone ". Luscious laughed, looking at him " What makes you think its someone "?
Archie smiled innocently, " Because you never worry about material things. Just people ". Luscious nodded slowly [ To be seen through by a child is not that much fun ] " Do I now "?
Archie nodded, " That's one of the things I love about you and now I get it. All thanks to Sister Qidu ". Luscious found himself smiling as soon as he mentioned Nectar [ I wonder if I'll ever be able to call her Qidu though ] " What did your almighty Sister Qidu do now "?
Archie rubbed his chin lightly, " My amazing sister Qidu was once broken. It took some time to heal but she's in a good place now ". Luscious frowned slightly, " Broken "? [ Who freaking broke her? ]
Archie nodded, " I know it doesn't make sense but that's how it comes together in my mind ". Luscious nodded, " And how do you know all this "? Archie shrugged, " I'm a half demon, half elf. Father says it's a lot easier for me to see people's true selves that way ".
Luscious nodded, slightly surprised " You're awesome Archie. Best of both worlds ". Archie chuckled and suddenly went on, " But that's not what makes her amazing Lu. Its the way she's trying so hard to act okay ".
He frowned slightly, " She's not okay "? Archie put a finger to his lip and nodded, " But don't tell anyone. I'm sure she doesn't want us to know ". He couldn't help but laugh as he nodded, " Really, so it's just us two "?
Archie shook his head, " Of course not. Sire Soul knows too. He's fun and lets Jewlica play with his hair sometimes ". Luscious nodded with a smile, " Then he's really something ".
They heard running and Reli appeared at the head of the table, slightly breathless but with an excited smile on her face " The empress of our Lishflour empire humbly asks for your presence outside ".
There was a bit of murmuring but Kancor got up with a slight smile, running his hand through his hair " What's that Oddball up to now "? Melanie got up eagerly [ An escape route ] " Who wants to see what Sister Empress is up to "?
The kids cheered, including Archie and basically jumped out of their seats. Bonsi shrugged as she got up, " Dinner and a show sounds fun ". Eros nodded in agreement as he got up, he had a slight smile on his face " If my empress has asked, why shall I refuse her "?
Jiro couldn't help but chuckle as he got up, " The empress is full of surprises ". June suddenly ran past them, towards the open door Athena was standing next too " Last one there's a rotten egg ".
Anala scoffed slightly as she got up, " Well, I'm no rotten egg ". With most of the royals already going outside, everyone ended up outside. Athena led them to the garden where a series of different sized gazebos surrounded an artificial lake.
It happened to be the same lake Reli was planning to see earlier and when Nectar asked if there were any bodies of water around, it was the first to come to her mind.
August waved his arms in front of him as he walked slowly in the dark, " I can't see anything Lady Athena ". Athena giggled, suddenly drawing her arms wide apart.
An orb of light no bigger than a watermelon appeared and she suddenly threw it up. She snapped her fingers and it bursted like a balloon, the small sparkly particles falling everywhere.
It made everyone applaud as they stared in awe. Athena made a slight curtsey and they went into the gazebos of their choosing. They looked around, wondering where Nectar was when she appeared out of nowhere and into the center of the lake.
Athena flicked her hand and some of the light particles surrounded the water and showing Nectar. She had her hair in a messy bun with curly tendrils dangling all around her face.
She took a step forward and the entire lake froze over instantly. She had a bright smile on her face as she spread her arms out wide, " Thank you all for coming. This dance of mine is called Drunken lover ".