Snippet: Y19: Christmas Celebration

"Alea, Lív's here!" Zeldine's voice summons me from the kitchenette.

"Well, let her in then," I yell back, but I'm already walking to the door of my Juliet balcony.

"I'm still not dressed right!" she calls back.

"Don't worry!" I shout as I open the door and a cold gorgeous swan drops into my lap. "Lív! I'm so happy to see you!"

While holding her in my arms, her weigh shifts as she changes into her human form.

"Ohh, my lovely Lív, how have you been?" I ask as I hug her tightly.

"Such a busy year! I'm so happy to see you, Alea!" Lív says in her light, gentle voice. "So this is where you live now?"

"Yeah, I finally made it - my own apartment. Uhh, don't mind the clutter - Zeldine is storing some stuff here for some secretive purpose.

"And I'm still not elaborating!" Zeldine shouts from the bedroom. "Hi, Lív! We'll be out in a second!"

"Hi, Zeldine!" Lív calls back. "Is Kass there too?"

"Yeah, I'm here! Just a sec- coming out!" Kass replies, followed by some aggressive whispering before she pops out. She's wearing some dark red gothic dress with a Christmas twist, I have never seen before, but it's stunning.

"Wow!" Lív blurts.

"That is beautiful, Kass? If you tell me you made that yourself, I'm very impressed!" I say.

"Thank you! Yeah, even with how expensive cloth is, it's cheaper to make. And I'm starting to get a hang of it too."

"You can tell!" Lív states and I agree.

"Tell Alea her bedroom is off limits for now!" Zeldine yells through the door.

"Uh, did you get that?" Kass says with a smile.

"But I'm gonna need to get dressed too! My dress is still in there."

"Uhh, the blue one?" Kass asks.

"Yeah, the one on the bed."

"Got it. I'm coming back in, Zel!"

"No! Wait, okay! Just open the door a little and I'll hand it to you." I don't know what she's got going in there, but the curiosity is killing me.

"And are you gonna join us too at some point?" I ask before heading to the bathroom to change.

"Yes! I am there - almost there!" she calls back.

In the bathroom I'm having my own struggles, as the dress seems tighter over the shoulders and arms than when I bought it. God, dammit. Sleeveless next time then. But it means my training is paying off, so I should be happy, I guess. Maybe Kass can do something with it though. I pull my hair back with pins and find a silver eye shadow to go with the look. I could have gone with this for new years. Maybe I should have gone red for Christmas anyway. It just becomes a bit much with my red hair too. Maybe a burgundy like Kass' dress next year?

"Can I come in?" Zel asks, already opening the door. "Oh wow, who's this distinguished hottie?"

"It's good?" I ask, making a little turn.

"It's amazing! God, you could wear that for new years as well!" Zeldine blurts out as she walks around me to get to the toilet.

"Right?? The arms are too tight though."

"Omg, beefcake problems! Keep it going and you'll look like one of those American wrestlers! Hold, wait - that is the best idea ever!" Zeldine can hardly stay seated in her sudden excitement.

"Zel, we are not going to America to make me a wrester!"

"Damn shame..."