[Annunfuiniel]

An annoying peeping sound came from one of the closets near the entrance to the Grand Hall. Those that were close by recognised the disturbingly untuned Für Elise. After some clatter from the above-mentioned closet the melody (if you choose to call it that) ceased and a sleepy "Hummmh?" was heard. Then the conversation followed:

"Hello? Is someone there? Anna? Is it my sweet Anna? How are you?" A short pause and then some laughter. "Is that right? So mom and dad and Andrew are fine? That's nice to hear. Now would you give the phone to yo-... No NO, please don't play with the push buttons dear! Oh my head..."

After another break the monologue continued. "Well good morning to you too!...Oh, nothing special...planning to do, er, some housework it seems. And Anna told you are doing fine...or that's how I interpreted her 'Mmama, daanty'..." Short silence once more. "Why of course you can come! That would be lovely! And when would this be?...I *gulps* see... Yes, I mean no, that's no problem at all...See you then! Bye."

At the very moment when the conversation was over a slightly messy (yet extremely dashing) lady pushed open the cleaning closet's door and rushed forth. She had already dialed a new number and spoke hurriedly to her cell phone. "Is it the GwaiAirs? Yes, this is Miss. Annun and I need a copter preferably yesterday...Well of course to Annúminas!...Great. Yes, from The Grand Hall."

Annun ended the call and stopped to think. She eyed the Hall and frowned. She had hard time remembering what had happened earlier that night (or was it morning already?). Several flashbacks intermingled in her mind and she got more and more confused. 'Dancing yellow chicken with diamond necklace chatting with an innocent looking dragon about vodka, cherries and Turin going to therapy?' There was something wrong with that image but Annun had no time to consider it further.

She saw Isilmë still sitting at the bar and walked to her trying to appear calm. "Isil! Can you forgive me I left you like that?" Isil tried to give her one of her disapproving looks but clearly failed in this attempt and burst in to warm laughter. "Forgiven and forgotten! But I bet you don't remember half of what happened after you rushed after Mith and the vodka!"

Annun had to admit that but then she remembered her haste. "You must fill in the blanks later for I'm once again sorry, but I have to leave you and this party for at least a while. My sister-in-law just called and informed that they would be paying me a visit today! And if I get lucky they will stay for the whole weekend." Now she really loved her brother and his family - Anna and Andrew were the light of her life - but why-oh-why did they choose this weekend of all the weekends to come and meet her? 'No luck no duck', she reasoned (thinking about the buffet she had hardly touched) while saying good-bye to Isil and headed for the roof.

Before leaving the room Annun's eye caught up with Diamond's diamonds sparkling in a cozy couch and she thought if she might still do those mental housecleaning jobs she was renowned for. Seeing, however, how deeply focused she was on her book Annun sighed and decided to do the dirty work herself (ie. push around the maids). She took one final look about the Hall and made mental notes to talk to Sophia and The Saucepan Man in the minute she would be back. 'And there are so many new faces here! I need to do some serious mingling as soon as I shall return.' And with that she left the room.