The Barrow-Downs' Third Birthday Party and Downie Awards

[Nurumaiel]

A scream escaped Nuru's lips as Alasse pulled up the tablecloth and greeted her. Satisfied that the stranger wasn't a reporter, she grabbed her arm and pulled her underneath the table with her. "Quickly, before we're spotted," she whispered.

"Spotted?" Alasse looked a bit puzzled. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

"I'm hiding from all the reporters," Nuru explained with a grin. "This place seemed safe enough, and perfectly away from all the reeling drunkards." She stopped and smiled in apology. "I'm sorry, I don't really consider them to be reeling drunkards. It's just that I can't stand the stuff myself and it's... er... rather odd, if you follow me. Rivendell, where I come from, has never experienced anything like this!"

"Oh, yes, I can understand that," Alasse replied. "So that's what you're doing under here? Hiding, I mean?"

"Yes. And I'm looking for a friend. Rie... she's a redhead. Might you have seen her?" Alasse shook her head slowly, trying to remember if she had spotted a redhead in the crowds. "Well, she's a wonderful woman and you'll love her."

It just so happened that at that moment someone kicked up the tablecloth and Nuru spotted a woman in a forest-green dress that went well with her red hair. "Come on, Alasse, I see her!" Nuru cried, grabbing her newly-found friend's hand and dragging her out from underneath the table. "Let's go, snatch Rie up, and get back under cover."

This seemed like a good idea to Alasse, who was curious to meet Rie, so she followed Nuru through the crowd as the latter called out from time to time, "Rie, Rie, over here! Rie!"