Ma was ecstatic. She immediately began making plans to impress the Waxworths, dragging me into it every step she could, particularly since she didn't have her usual staff to help out.
Ma made sure to let Pa know just how much work I was putting into planning the party. "Kezrin's selecting the menu," and "Kezrin's chosing the colors," she continually boasted, even if all I did was randomly point at something on a list.
"Good girl," Pa once against clapped me on the shoulder. "Glad you've been learning from your mother."
I decided not to argue with him.
I was glad that Pop didn't make me go and wait at the docks the day Nozzel and his entourage was due to arrive, but then I had to spend the whole morning with Ma fussing over my clothes, my hair, my makeup. Myzzi was lucky; she got a once over and was declared "acceptable" and then left to her own devices. She gave me a sympathetic smile, and the good sister that she is, did her best to distract Ma and her nerves from continuing to hover over my shoulder.
I heard Pa's laughter before I saw him. I lingered back next to Myzzi as Ma went to greet our guests. He and Nozzel were laughing over a particularly explosive play from the previous week's footbomb game. Nozzel walked in with his usual swagger and confidence, accompanied by half a dozen other goblins: a couple of bodyguards, someone who looked to be his assistant, two more suits, and an older goblin with a cane.
I heard a little snicker beside me. "He is frog-faced," Myzzi muttered just loud enough for me to hear.
"And this is my lovely wife, Rennasta," Pa introduced. "And- Kezrin? Kezrin! Come over here and say hello! You remember Kezrin, of course, and over in the corner is her sister, Myzzi."
Nozzel smiled warmly at me. "Of course I remember Kezrin!" He quickly threw his arm around my shoulders and said teasingly, "Still the silent type?"
"Never say what you don't want overheard," I blurted, repeating a piece of my father's advice, one he usually used against me after I'd just accidentally repeated something I shouldn't have. I blushed furiously, waiting for Pa to scold me.
Indeed, Pa angrily opened his mouth, but Nozzel beat him to speaking with another laugh and friendly squeeze. "Excellent advice. Though, I'm rather fond of chatting. So I guess that means you only have to worry about listening!"
"R-right." I nodded and forced a small chuckle.
Over the next couple of days, I started to dread hearing Nozzel's boisterous voice approaching. He made a point of always addressing me, usually with a compliment of some sort. I knew he was doing his best to flatter me, and I didn't like the queasy, fluttery feeling in my stomach whenever he looked my way.
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