SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Part 2

DC: ML will be with you shortly to explain what happened last time.  He's just going over a few things.

ML: Here I am!  Here's what happened last time:  DC moved to Japan, and while him, WhiteWolf, Ravenclaw, and myself were talking old times,

       Tai calls with a problem.  Him, TK, Matt, Ken, and Takato can't figure out what to get Sora, Kari, Mimi, Yolei and Rika for Christmas. 

       Being the pals that they were, Henry, Kazu, Kenta, and old DC decide to help us out!  But while we were going over our options, the girls were

       having the same problem as the guys.  But Jeri, WhiteWolf and Ravenclaw bail them out like me, Kazu, Kenta and Henry bailed us out. 

DC: Nice recap.  Now, anyway, this chapter basically circles on the guys, and where they go to get the gifts for their significant other.  That's all you need to

        know. 

ML: Yeah, and by the way, you all know the disclaimer, so I don't need to go over it again.  Also, I'm sorry about the lack of time getting this ready. 

        I had other things, and I got sidetracked!  Anyway, ROLL IT!!

            Tai and Matt left the group and went through the mall.  Of course, the two had been thinking, "Why did ML have to have us pair up with one another?"  But they calmed down.  Tai said, "Hey, Matt."  Matt said, "Yeah?"  Tai continued, "We'll get Mimi's present first, then we'll get Sora's."  Matt said, "No, no.  I insist man, Sora's first, then Mimi's."  Tai said, "We'll never get anywhere if we argue over this."  Matt said, "Agreed.  We'll go get Sora's."  Tai nodded at this, and said, "I wanted to get Sora's first anyway." 

            Tai and Matt looked through the stores, from fragrances to plush, but none of them were the right gifts.  Tai said, "Well, not so easy, huh?"  Matt fired back with, "You're right.  How does Mimi do this?"  Tai said, "I don't know.  But let's give it another go."  Matt nodded, and the two trekked back. That's when Tai found the perfect gift.  He motioned to Matt, and said, "Looks like I found something."  Matt said, "Really?"  Tai said, "Yeah.  How's this?"  Matt said, pointing at a pendant that had a red gem on one half and an orange gem on the other.  Matt said, "Nice choice.  Hey, I just remembered something."  Tai said, "Yeah, what is it?"  Matt told Tai, "The red and orange symbolizes both your crests."  Tai said, "Oh yeah.  Red being love, and orange meaning courage."  Tai and Matt then went into the jewelry store and Tai said, "Can we buy this one?"  The jeweler said, "Sure.  That'll cost about $95."  Tai said, reluctantly, "Sure."  He gave the cash to the jeweler, who boxed it and wrapped it.  He said, "I'll leave it for you to fill in the information about who you're giving this to."  Tai thanked the jeweler and ran out of the store with Matt in hand.

            Matt said, "You got it?"  Tai said, "Yeah."  Matt said, "Nice one!"  The two then tapped knuckles.  Tai then said, "That done, let's go and get Mimi's gift.  Sensing she likes pink, we'll get her something of that color!"  The two, courage renewed, looked around.  Then Matt saw something in one of the casual boutiques.  Matt said, "Hey, check this out."  Tai said, "A classic pink turtleneck.  Good choice."  Matt said, "Hey, I know her size, and I hope we have enough cash."  Matt said, "Hey, do you have this in a medium?"  The clerk said, "Yeah.", and went to grab the shirt.  Once he had it, he said, "Bold choice.  That'll be $35.50."  Matt paid, and the two left.

            Meanwhile, in another part of the mall, Davis and Ken had been looking around, and Davis said, "Well, it sure isn't easy.  Especially during this time of year."  Ken said, "I know.  You really think we'll find the perfect gift for Yolei?"  Davis said, "Sure."  He then saw a cool looking beret.  Davis said, "Hey Ken!  I think our little problem is solved!"  Ken saw it, and he said, "That looks cool.  Maybe we should get it."  Davis agreed, and the two went in, paid for the beret, and walked out. 

            Elsewhere, TK and Kenta were looking all around for Kari's present.  Kenta said, "OK, so since Kari's into photography, maybe we'll go into a photography store."  TK said, "Kenta, you read my mind."  The two ran for the camera store, and looked around.  They saw a cool looking camera, with zoom lens, auto flash, not to mention it came with a roll of film and a carrying case.  Kenta said, "Yeah.  We should get that one."  TK said, "I was thinking the same thing."  TK grabbed the camera, and came up to the cashier, and paid.  The money was big, but it was worth it.

            Henry, Kazu and Takato had been going around in circles, and in the crowd.  They were looking for a hobby store that sold cards, especially modifiers.  Takato saw the store, and said, "Hey!  I think we have it!"  Kazu and Henry looked at it, and Henry said, "You're hot, today, Takato."  Takato said, "Oh, stop guys."  The three went into the store, and got a few booster packs for Rika.  They cost about $29, but they knew they would please Rika with the booster packs.

            DC said, "Come on, you don't need to start beating up about this, ML."  I was just thinking, "Great.  I need a real good one, but I don't have it."  I then looked at my wallet, and thought, "Great.  I'm plum out of cash."  I mentioned DC to come over here, and I said, "Man, I'm out of cash."  DC saw a bank, and said, "Hey, there's a bank over there.  It might help."  I said, "Thanks."  We ran over there, went to the machine, got $100 000 in cash, and began the trek again.  Over in the jewelry store, I saw some pearl earrings that would look great.  I then asked the jeweler, "Can we have these earrings?  They're for somebody."  The jeweler said, "Sure.  That would cost about $99."  I said, "Oh great."  Luckily, DC showed up with a visa, and paid for it.  I said, "I didn't know you have a visa."  He patted me on the back and said, "Now you know, mon ami.

We ran for the food court, and the guys came up one at a time.  I said, "So, now that we're done, we could get out of here."  Davis said, "Now?  Maybe we should refuel for a bit."  Tai said, "Yeah, ML.  We're starved."  I said, "All right guys, but I'm paying."  I paid for the guys' food, and while we ate, we talked about our purchases, and how the girls would be so pleased to know what they were.  We left the mall feeling satisfied, yet we were wondering what the girls would get us.

OK, the guys are done and over with.  Sorry again about the lack of time on the chapter!  Next chapter's the girls.  R&R!!