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 Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:24 pm
 The late Christmas shopping crush was almost unbearable, endless crowds of harried parents dragging screaming children through the malls and streets. Even more unbearable when just about done, laden with parcels and bags, squeezing between bodies searching for that last perfect gift. When Maxwell nudged him - by unceremoniously poking the sharp corner of a package - into a near-empty shop, it was a relief to finally relax a little and take a free breath...until he realised the shop was near-empty by virtue of being the most unmanageably expensive liquor vendor in the entire district.
"What are we doing in here?" he snapped very quietly, "you're not supposed to buy presents for yourself, you know."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:32 pm
" I'm not at all," Maxwell murmured, peering at the liquors. " I'm just...looking. See that?" His claw seemed to point towards an odd bottle with two necks. " Look at that. I haven't seen it on shelves before, the Milagro Tequila Romance. Differently aged tequilas, done to careful perfection." His eyes glinted softly; he crossed his arms as he surveyed it thoughtfully. " I'd like me some of that. If I had cash to burn for myself..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:36 pm
"Milagro Tequila Romance?" he scooted closer for a better look - it did sound pretty interesting, and the bottle alone was fascinatin - yikes!
"A hundred and fifty bucks for a bottle of tequila?!" he sprung back in a hurry, just barely managing to keep his voice low, "you could probably get one for thirty bucks at a 7/11!"
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:38 pm
The corners of his mouth pulled to a fanged grimace. "Juli! You work at one of the best bars in the county and you tell me to buy 7/11 tequila. For shame."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:43 pm
"Just saying," he stuck out his tongue, but the horror soon faded into wistful fantasy, " If I had cash to burn - and I mean really burn, I'd...I dunno, fritter it on gourmet chocolate-dipped strawberries or something..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:45 pm
"A hundred and fifty bucks on chocolate-dipped strawberries? How many do you want?" Indeed, the horror had not left his face. "And do you want diabetes with that, too? Fritter is right..."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:50 pm
"I'm not talking about the kind you can get in supermarkets," he flapped a paw dismissively, "I mean the uber-gourmet ones, the ones that made with really good chocolate and have cool patterns and things. I've seen some online before, they come with roses and stuff like that..."
"...not that I would actually spend my money on that, of course," he hastily added after a silent pause of sheer desire, "I'm just saying if."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:53 pm
" Thank God for that," he said, humour returning. " Mr. Buy Your Tequila at 7/11 and Buy My Strawberries at Super Gourmet Confectionaries. Well, we'd better go back to the Christmas shopping; I've no idea when the stores close..." Rather mournfully, they trundled back out into the Gaian throng. * * * * *
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 2:15 pm
 She really had no idea what she was getting into with the last minute shopping, but Amara was still excited. She slipped her arms into her peridot mini-jacket, tugging the high collar around her long neck appreciatively. Brown pants became capri's on the long-legged femme, but she was quite comfortable with it and leaving her dainty hooves bare. She still wore the clear wrap around her hips, as well as a certain necklace over her heart.
The Spiraffe left her room with her accumulated money tucked within her pants pocket, turning to head down the hallway when she spotted a Hyte she'd never met before. Despite this, she knew exactly who he was, due to a rather exuberant Guardian...
"Julien?" she called merrily, turning towards the Hotot she spotted leaving his own room. Amara noted he was bundled in his own warm clothes, causing her to wonder if he, too, was going to brave the Christmas crowds. She could at least introduce herself! Crossing the hallway to the genteel Hyte, she extended her hand with a happy smile. "Hi! I'm Amara! It's about time I met you properly, I daresay." The Spiraffe giggled softly. "I was about to head to the mall, but I wanted to say hello!"
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:36 pm
Parcels and bags safely stowed away, fifteen extra tenners furtively counted out and hidden in the depths of his wallet, he'd thought the coast was clear when he finally sneaked out - but, oh!
"Amara!" it was with some surprise that he realised this was actually the first time he had met Chrys' lovely spiraffe ward - and Gyasi's beautiful daughter...how time flies! "oh, I've heard so much about you, I can barely believe this is the first time we've seen each other in the flesh - but Christmas is the perfect time for meetings! The mall? Doing some Christmas shopping?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 4:04 pm
Her long ears rested against the curl of her chestnut hair, her smile shy. "I hope it's been good," she commented, only partially joking. Amara tilted her head to the side, small tail flicking at the inquiry, betraying her excitement. The Spiraffe nodded, lifting a hand to tuck an unruly lock of hair back from her smiling face, "I am! I've been warned against it but I just do love the season." She sighed whimsically, her ears straightening again.
"A season of giving, really, it couldn't be more perfect," she gushed a little, caught up in the excitement of it. Her grey-beige eyes might have literally held stars in them for all the romantic notion she held of such an enigmatic holiday. "If only I knew what to get everyone!" The stars faded a little and she laughed, thoughtful. Not wanting to be rude, she clasped her hands together and returned the question to the charming rabbit Hyte. "Are you off to brave the great outdoors too?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:28 am
He couldn't help but laugh, "Everything's been good - and I see it's all true." He had never seen such enthusiasm for the occasion before - it was infectious, and he was rapidly warming to the spiraffe girl already. He really hoped the frazzled crowds outside wouldn't disilllusion her...perhaps he should accompany her to make sure she doesn't get mugged [ed. note: because Juju would be so much help in a mugging lolol]? "I'm nearly all done with my Christmas shopping...just one gift left, or two. Who are you shopping for, if I may be so bold?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:39 am
If possible, she brightened at the news of Julien going Christmas shopping as well. Before any excited outburst could leave her lips, she paused long enough to listen to his question, giving the rabbit Hyte a warm smile. "Of course!" Amara chuckled, flattered that he'd care enough to ask at all. She'd already ordered things for her family online, which left three important friends to buy for.
The Spiraffe's expression momentarily flitted between several emotions, and not a one more prevalent than the previous; her brows lifted with a gentleness, her lip drawn between her teeth with uncertainty, her eyes briefly far off and distant. All at once, she gathered her wits about herself and was back to her cheery explanation, "A cookbook I saw for Ciaran, a big fluffy blanket for Cobalt, and...well, I wanted to get something for Maxwell," her ears tucked against her hair again, her demeanor at once shy at the mention of the three males, "but I don't really know what to get for him."
A touch of fondness lingered on her features before her smile lit her face. "Could I be so bold as to ask if you'd like some company? It sure would beat going out there alone."
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:21 am
Oh - he nearly started, but then he bit his tongue. He might not actually buy that ludicrously expensive bottle for Maxwell, he was just going to have a look...he didn't quite fancy explaining how he came into the money, or his change of heart for that matter...but if Amara wanted company, and if she might need help with her own gift for the jaguar...well! I couldn't possibly refuse, could I? he thought cheerfully, not wanting to admit he hardly cared to venture out into the Christmas Eve masses alone.
"I would love some company," he smiled, "shall we go?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:49 pm
Julien might as well have told her they were going to the amusement park for all the glee she reacted with; Amara gave a small sound of joy before wrapping her arms around the Hotot's shoulders, giving him a hug of gratitude. "Let's!" she agreed enthusiastically, releasing the poor Hyte and tucking her hands into the pockets of her jacket.
"You're close with Maxwell, right?" she continued as they began to make their way out of HyTech. "What do you think he'd like for Christmas...?"
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