Triad thumbed through the racks of tunics trying to find something that he
knew Sheba would like. Why was shopping for women so bloody hard?! He
must've been through twelve stores by now, trying to find something that
really caught his eye, but nothing seemed to stand out. He sighed to
himself as he went through the final rack in the store. Hell, he didn't
even knew what SIZE to get Sheba. He knew it couldn't be a large size,
given her light frame. In the end, it came down to a lucky guess. Triad
sighed again; luck was never his strong point.
"Can I help you, sir?" A saleswoman asked him. "You seem lost; I don't think these clothes would look good on you."
"Ha ha. VERY funny. I'm shopping for a gift right now, not for myself!" Triad snapped. He'd been getting this all day; he was sick of getting the 'man in the woman's section' jokes. "I just can't find the right item for her."
"Her? Your girlfriend?"
"No, she's taken already, by my best friend, thank you very much." He'd been getting teased about this all day too.
"Are you jealous?!"
"No, I'm not jealous. They were made for each other!" Triad stated, obviously flustered. "Please knock it off!"
"Can't do that."
"You don't get paid on commission, do you?" Triad asked.
"Nope. I get paid the same whether I make a sale or not."
"That's nice to know. Leave me alone, I'm trying to think."
"It doesn't look like that's your strong suit. I can smell the smoke and hear the gears in your head." Triad raised his finger in protest, but instead, he turned his back and walked out the door. Triad muttered to himself the whole way down to the next store.
"Damn! Do I have a sign on my back that says 'Give me a hard time because I'm shopping for a girl who isn't my girlfriend'? Jeez! Salespeople must just hate me or something. I wish I could find one bloody worker who was getting paid on commission!!!" He muttered to himself while shivering from the snow and cold wind. He shuffled down the street and was about to enter another store.
"Triad, why are you muttering to yourself?" A voice asked him. He spun on the ball of his foot to see Mia standing next to him.
"Mia! I didn't know you were out shopping too!"
"Well, I am."
"I can see that. You were wondering what I was grumbling about? I was upset because I've been catching nothing but flak from people today. I go out shopping for my secret Santa and they give me no end of trouble."
"Well, considering you came out of a women's clothing store, I could see why." Mia stated. "It's safe to say you're either shopping for me or Sheba, correct?"
"Um. . ."
"I guess I was right."
"You were. I'm actually shopping for Sheba. . . I could use your help on this one. You know. . . you. . . being a woman and all."
"Having some trouble finding the right thing, eh?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I'll help you. I have to go into this store anyway."
"Jenna?" Triad asked.
"You got it." Mia smiled. They walked into the store together and began browsing through several more racks of clothes.
"I've seen enough racks of women's clothes today to last me a lifetime." Triad sighed. "And they don't seem to be getting any better as I go along."
"Cheer up, Triad. At least I can help you now. How about this for Sheba?" Mia asked, holding out a beautifully decorated white and dark red tunic. It was sort of the desert style clothes Sheba usually wore, but it was made more for winter weather.
"It's not bad, but I don't know."
"Well, we can always come back to it, right?"
"Yeah. Actually hang onto it for right now; we might want it."
"Good idea, Triad." Mia stated. Triad and Mia continued browsing through racks until the Mercury Adept paused.
"What is it, Mia?"
"How about this?" Mia asked, pulling out a more cream colored tunic laced with turquoise stripes; it was quite breathtaking. The set of clothes looked really like a perfect match for Sheba.
"Wow! That's great! She'll love it!" Triad exclaimed. Would you put the other one back while I go pay for this, Mia?"
"Certainly." Mia smiled. "I'm glad I could help you, Triad." The Mercury Adept turned her back and casually walked back to set the other shirt back on its proper rack while she waited for Triad to pay for the tunic. However, the sounds that reached her ears weren't exactly that of a cash register being rung up. . .
"Hey! Give me that!" A female voice sounded. "I saw it first!"
"No way! I was just about to pay for it, how can you have saw it first?!" Triad's voice sounded.
"It doesn't matter! I want it!" The voice yelled.
"Well, you can't have it!" Triad shouted back.
"It won't look good on you, you cross-dresser!"
"I don't want it for myself, stupid! I'm giving it as a gift! Or haven't you noticed that this is a WOMEN'S clothing store?!"
"Then why are you here?!"
"I just told you!" Triad's voice sounded again. Mia sighed. He'd gotten himself into trouble again, but this time it didn't sound like it was his fault. She walked calmly up to the front of the store, where a rather large woman was playing tug-of-war with Triad; both people had hold of the hanger, not doing any damage to the shirt itself. "Leggo, will you?! Go find your own!"
"This is my own!!! Shopkeeper! This ruffian is trying to steal from me!"
"Ruffian?! Listen, lady, I've had it up to here with you. . ."
"Excuse me." Mia interrupted, kind tone in her voice. "This really isn't the time or the place for this. It's Christmas time, right? I'm sure there's another shirt in the store that you would like, ma'am." Mia smiled, warmly.
"What?!" She yelled, and then she turned to Triad. "Your girlfriend's pissing me off!"
"She's not my girlfriend, woman! She's my friend's girlfriend, now leave her out of this!"
"Well, she's so ugly, I don't know how anybody could be attracted to her." The woman stated.
"Ugly?! Get some glasses! She's a knockout and you know it! Just 'cause she's a whole hell of a lot better looking than you doesn't mean squat!" Triad exclaimed.
"What?! You are dead, little man! Then I'll take care of that wench over there. . ."
"Not on your life. Besides, if you got through me, you'd have to get through her boyfriend. Besides. . . he's not someone you want to make mad."
"Oh yeah?!" The woman shouted. Before Triad could respond, a blast of ice energy plastered the rather large and ugly woman, knocking her unconscious, but not actually harming her. She let go of the hangar and Triad promptly put it on the counter just as the shopkeeper came out.
"Is there a problem? I thought I heard shouting."
"No, no problem here. Just want to make a purchase, that's all." Triad smiled, nonchalantly, putting the money on the counter. "Keep the change. Gotta run!" Triad stated, grabbing the shirt and jetting toward the door. Mia followed him carefully.
"The woman who wants to fight over a product. . . there's one every season." Mia smiled.
"I never thought I'd see you use your Psynergy on anyone like that. Was it because of that bad things she said about you?"
"Maybe." Mia smiled. "You'll never know."
"Remind me NEVER to get you mad. I'm just scared to think what Isaac would've done in there."
"Probably would let loose a Ragnarok so big it would decimate the entire block." Mia laughed. "So, how about joining me in the quest for finding Jenna her gift?"
"Sure. I think Jenna really likes perfume; I overheard her talking to Sheba about it when we were in Tolbi a few weeks back."
"Perfect; I know where the shop is too. Come on!" Mia laughed, dashing ahead of Triad.
"Hey! Get back here!" Triad shouted forward, trying not to let the tunic touch the ground at all. Triad finally caught up to Mia as she reached the perfume shop. As soon as Mia opened the door, the air was filled with heavy fragrances; flowers, spices; you name anything that smelled good, it was a scent in the store. Triad's nostrils flooded with the smell, and he began to cough somewhat violently.
"You okay?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed, that's all. Let's try to find something Jenna'll like." As they glanced at different bottles of scents, a salesperson finally came over.
"May I help you?" The shopkeeper asked.
"Yes, please." Mia smiled. Triad coughed instead of replying; he thumbed his eyes. The scents were making him tear up even behind his opaque blue sunglasses. "Sir, do you need some air?"
"No, I'm fine." Triad sighed.
"Now, what are you looking for?"
"What do you have for spunky, independent, and beautiful women?" Triad asked. Mia elbowed him in the stomach lightly. "What? That's what Jenna is, right?"
"Well, yes. Still, let me do the talking, Triad. You've had your share of trouble today." The inventor sighed and shrugged.
"Have it your way."
"Well, we have this scent." The woman stated, pulling a blue bottle from a shelf. She sprayed it into the air, and Mia and Triad caught a good smell of it. It smelled fresh and clean, much like clean spring water in a babbling brook. Triad's nostrils flared again, being exposed to yet another powerful stench.
"That one's nice. . . but my friend isn't big on the smell of water. . . though I personally love it." Mia stated.
"You would like it, Mia." Triad stated, getting another elbow in his gut. "Ow! That one really hurt!" The salesperson continued showing various scents to the two shoppers, and each one got closer to the mark of what would be good for Jenna. Finally, the saleswoman pulled out an oddly shaped crimson bottle.
"This is one of our finest scents, designed for those with a fiery personality and a love for life. The scent is quite alluring, and it is a favorite of many who visit in here. Give it a smell." She said, spraying a little of it into the air. The fragrance was sweet and hot at the same time; something of a hot cinnamon and sugar all mixed together. As soon as Triad smelled it, he stopped in his tracks and said not a word.
"Triad? Are you okay?" Mia asked.
"Ohh, No." Triad said, his voice somewhat loopy.
"Beg your pardon?"
"I'm not okay. I'm crazy like a. . . really crazy. . . thing." Triad replied, voice all over the place. He handed the tunic to Mia as he rubbed his head with his sleeve.
"What the?"
"I'm SPARTICUS!!!" Triad shouted, running around in circles before barging out of the store, babbling like a moron.
"Triad?! Is he okay?"
"I think so. I think the scents went to his head."
"I've never known anyone to get high off of perfume before. Whatever this scent is, I'll take it. Garet's gonna go nuts over Jenna now."
**********************************
"Halifax! I am the Captain of the Halifax!" Triad ran around the street, still loopy from the perfume. He started waving his arms above his head and started saying stuff that made even less sense. "Adjebuna Lima Kyma!"
"Sir, are you intoxicated?" An older gentleman asked.
"Damn right, I am, kid." Triad muttered.
"Sir, I must inform the constable if you keep this up."
"A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
"Please, you're making a fool out of yourself. Tell the truth, are you drunk?"
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!" Triad shouted, making even less sense with every passing moment. "Et tu, Brute?!"
"My word." The man said, running off.
"Ask of me tomorrow, and thou shall find me a grave man!" Triad called, laughing about nothing. "Soft, by what yonder window breaks?! A ROCK!" Triad shouted, leaping on his back in the middle of the road.
"Mommy, what's wrong with that man?" A little girl asked.
"He's insane, dear. The men in the white coats will be here shortly."
"I love chickens, guys!" Triad shouted. He quickly leapt back to his feet, where he stuck out his chest and began to project with the voice of an actor. "Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears!"
"Romans? What's he talking about?" A member of the surrounding crowds asked.
"He's drunk or something." A man replied. "All right, get on with it, man!"
Triad inhaled deeply and projected loudly, moving with each word as if he was a true actor. "To be?! Or not to be?! That is the question!" He shouted, raising his left arm into the air, looking skyward. "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. . . or to take arms against a sea of troubles. . . and by opposing, end them?! To die, to sleep, NO MORE!" Triad shouted, with a strange drunken passion that sounded like it was genuine. "And by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. . . 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep! To sleep, perchance to dream: Aye, there's the rub! For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come when we have shuffled of this mortal coil, must give us pause. . ." The crowd stood silent, staring, at the 'actor' who finished giving his speech. One person began clapping, followed by another, and another, until the entire crowd erupted into applause.
"Wow, from drunk to visionary in twenty seconds. The guy's amazing!"
"Exit's that way, folks!" Triad said, pointing back down the street. "Watch your step and don't push." Triad walked back into the perfume store, the people still applauding him.
"Triad. . . are you okay?" Mia asked.
"I told you, I'm SPARTICUS!!!" Triad grinned, obviously still tanked from the smell.
"I should've known better." Mia sighed. "Come on, Sparticus. Let's go back to the inn. By the way, who's speech was that you recited?"
"I dunno, I made it up as I went along." Triad stated, dizzy. "Alas, poor Yorek. I knew ye well."
"Okay, Mr. Actor. Let's go." Mia stated firmly, dragging Triad out of the store by his tunic's cuff.
"Cut last sequence and fade to black!" Triad stated.
"Triad, shut up."
"Can I help you, sir?" A saleswoman asked him. "You seem lost; I don't think these clothes would look good on you."
"Ha ha. VERY funny. I'm shopping for a gift right now, not for myself!" Triad snapped. He'd been getting this all day; he was sick of getting the 'man in the woman's section' jokes. "I just can't find the right item for her."
"Her? Your girlfriend?"
"No, she's taken already, by my best friend, thank you very much." He'd been getting teased about this all day too.
"Are you jealous?!"
"No, I'm not jealous. They were made for each other!" Triad stated, obviously flustered. "Please knock it off!"
"Can't do that."
"You don't get paid on commission, do you?" Triad asked.
"Nope. I get paid the same whether I make a sale or not."
"That's nice to know. Leave me alone, I'm trying to think."
"It doesn't look like that's your strong suit. I can smell the smoke and hear the gears in your head." Triad raised his finger in protest, but instead, he turned his back and walked out the door. Triad muttered to himself the whole way down to the next store.
"Damn! Do I have a sign on my back that says 'Give me a hard time because I'm shopping for a girl who isn't my girlfriend'? Jeez! Salespeople must just hate me or something. I wish I could find one bloody worker who was getting paid on commission!!!" He muttered to himself while shivering from the snow and cold wind. He shuffled down the street and was about to enter another store.
"Triad, why are you muttering to yourself?" A voice asked him. He spun on the ball of his foot to see Mia standing next to him.
"Mia! I didn't know you were out shopping too!"
"Well, I am."
"I can see that. You were wondering what I was grumbling about? I was upset because I've been catching nothing but flak from people today. I go out shopping for my secret Santa and they give me no end of trouble."
"Well, considering you came out of a women's clothing store, I could see why." Mia stated. "It's safe to say you're either shopping for me or Sheba, correct?"
"Um. . ."
"I guess I was right."
"You were. I'm actually shopping for Sheba. . . I could use your help on this one. You know. . . you. . . being a woman and all."
"Having some trouble finding the right thing, eh?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I'll help you. I have to go into this store anyway."
"Jenna?" Triad asked.
"You got it." Mia smiled. They walked into the store together and began browsing through several more racks of clothes.
"I've seen enough racks of women's clothes today to last me a lifetime." Triad sighed. "And they don't seem to be getting any better as I go along."
"Cheer up, Triad. At least I can help you now. How about this for Sheba?" Mia asked, holding out a beautifully decorated white and dark red tunic. It was sort of the desert style clothes Sheba usually wore, but it was made more for winter weather.
"It's not bad, but I don't know."
"Well, we can always come back to it, right?"
"Yeah. Actually hang onto it for right now; we might want it."
"Good idea, Triad." Mia stated. Triad and Mia continued browsing through racks until the Mercury Adept paused.
"What is it, Mia?"
"How about this?" Mia asked, pulling out a more cream colored tunic laced with turquoise stripes; it was quite breathtaking. The set of clothes looked really like a perfect match for Sheba.
"Wow! That's great! She'll love it!" Triad exclaimed. Would you put the other one back while I go pay for this, Mia?"
"Certainly." Mia smiled. "I'm glad I could help you, Triad." The Mercury Adept turned her back and casually walked back to set the other shirt back on its proper rack while she waited for Triad to pay for the tunic. However, the sounds that reached her ears weren't exactly that of a cash register being rung up. . .
"Hey! Give me that!" A female voice sounded. "I saw it first!"
"No way! I was just about to pay for it, how can you have saw it first?!" Triad's voice sounded.
"It doesn't matter! I want it!" The voice yelled.
"Well, you can't have it!" Triad shouted back.
"It won't look good on you, you cross-dresser!"
"I don't want it for myself, stupid! I'm giving it as a gift! Or haven't you noticed that this is a WOMEN'S clothing store?!"
"Then why are you here?!"
"I just told you!" Triad's voice sounded again. Mia sighed. He'd gotten himself into trouble again, but this time it didn't sound like it was his fault. She walked calmly up to the front of the store, where a rather large woman was playing tug-of-war with Triad; both people had hold of the hanger, not doing any damage to the shirt itself. "Leggo, will you?! Go find your own!"
"This is my own!!! Shopkeeper! This ruffian is trying to steal from me!"
"Ruffian?! Listen, lady, I've had it up to here with you. . ."
"Excuse me." Mia interrupted, kind tone in her voice. "This really isn't the time or the place for this. It's Christmas time, right? I'm sure there's another shirt in the store that you would like, ma'am." Mia smiled, warmly.
"What?!" She yelled, and then she turned to Triad. "Your girlfriend's pissing me off!"
"She's not my girlfriend, woman! She's my friend's girlfriend, now leave her out of this!"
"Well, she's so ugly, I don't know how anybody could be attracted to her." The woman stated.
"Ugly?! Get some glasses! She's a knockout and you know it! Just 'cause she's a whole hell of a lot better looking than you doesn't mean squat!" Triad exclaimed.
"What?! You are dead, little man! Then I'll take care of that wench over there. . ."
"Not on your life. Besides, if you got through me, you'd have to get through her boyfriend. Besides. . . he's not someone you want to make mad."
"Oh yeah?!" The woman shouted. Before Triad could respond, a blast of ice energy plastered the rather large and ugly woman, knocking her unconscious, but not actually harming her. She let go of the hangar and Triad promptly put it on the counter just as the shopkeeper came out.
"Is there a problem? I thought I heard shouting."
"No, no problem here. Just want to make a purchase, that's all." Triad smiled, nonchalantly, putting the money on the counter. "Keep the change. Gotta run!" Triad stated, grabbing the shirt and jetting toward the door. Mia followed him carefully.
"The woman who wants to fight over a product. . . there's one every season." Mia smiled.
"I never thought I'd see you use your Psynergy on anyone like that. Was it because of that bad things she said about you?"
"Maybe." Mia smiled. "You'll never know."
"Remind me NEVER to get you mad. I'm just scared to think what Isaac would've done in there."
"Probably would let loose a Ragnarok so big it would decimate the entire block." Mia laughed. "So, how about joining me in the quest for finding Jenna her gift?"
"Sure. I think Jenna really likes perfume; I overheard her talking to Sheba about it when we were in Tolbi a few weeks back."
"Perfect; I know where the shop is too. Come on!" Mia laughed, dashing ahead of Triad.
"Hey! Get back here!" Triad shouted forward, trying not to let the tunic touch the ground at all. Triad finally caught up to Mia as she reached the perfume shop. As soon as Mia opened the door, the air was filled with heavy fragrances; flowers, spices; you name anything that smelled good, it was a scent in the store. Triad's nostrils flooded with the smell, and he began to cough somewhat violently.
"You okay?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed, that's all. Let's try to find something Jenna'll like." As they glanced at different bottles of scents, a salesperson finally came over.
"May I help you?" The shopkeeper asked.
"Yes, please." Mia smiled. Triad coughed instead of replying; he thumbed his eyes. The scents were making him tear up even behind his opaque blue sunglasses. "Sir, do you need some air?"
"No, I'm fine." Triad sighed.
"Now, what are you looking for?"
"What do you have for spunky, independent, and beautiful women?" Triad asked. Mia elbowed him in the stomach lightly. "What? That's what Jenna is, right?"
"Well, yes. Still, let me do the talking, Triad. You've had your share of trouble today." The inventor sighed and shrugged.
"Have it your way."
"Well, we have this scent." The woman stated, pulling a blue bottle from a shelf. She sprayed it into the air, and Mia and Triad caught a good smell of it. It smelled fresh and clean, much like clean spring water in a babbling brook. Triad's nostrils flared again, being exposed to yet another powerful stench.
"That one's nice. . . but my friend isn't big on the smell of water. . . though I personally love it." Mia stated.
"You would like it, Mia." Triad stated, getting another elbow in his gut. "Ow! That one really hurt!" The salesperson continued showing various scents to the two shoppers, and each one got closer to the mark of what would be good for Jenna. Finally, the saleswoman pulled out an oddly shaped crimson bottle.
"This is one of our finest scents, designed for those with a fiery personality and a love for life. The scent is quite alluring, and it is a favorite of many who visit in here. Give it a smell." She said, spraying a little of it into the air. The fragrance was sweet and hot at the same time; something of a hot cinnamon and sugar all mixed together. As soon as Triad smelled it, he stopped in his tracks and said not a word.
"Triad? Are you okay?" Mia asked.
"Ohh, No." Triad said, his voice somewhat loopy.
"Beg your pardon?"
"I'm not okay. I'm crazy like a. . . really crazy. . . thing." Triad replied, voice all over the place. He handed the tunic to Mia as he rubbed his head with his sleeve.
"What the?"
"I'm SPARTICUS!!!" Triad shouted, running around in circles before barging out of the store, babbling like a moron.
"Triad?! Is he okay?"
"I think so. I think the scents went to his head."
"I've never known anyone to get high off of perfume before. Whatever this scent is, I'll take it. Garet's gonna go nuts over Jenna now."
**********************************
"Halifax! I am the Captain of the Halifax!" Triad ran around the street, still loopy from the perfume. He started waving his arms above his head and started saying stuff that made even less sense. "Adjebuna Lima Kyma!"
"Sir, are you intoxicated?" An older gentleman asked.
"Damn right, I am, kid." Triad muttered.
"Sir, I must inform the constable if you keep this up."
"A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
"Please, you're making a fool out of yourself. Tell the truth, are you drunk?"
"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!" Triad shouted, making even less sense with every passing moment. "Et tu, Brute?!"
"My word." The man said, running off.
"Ask of me tomorrow, and thou shall find me a grave man!" Triad called, laughing about nothing. "Soft, by what yonder window breaks?! A ROCK!" Triad shouted, leaping on his back in the middle of the road.
"Mommy, what's wrong with that man?" A little girl asked.
"He's insane, dear. The men in the white coats will be here shortly."
"I love chickens, guys!" Triad shouted. He quickly leapt back to his feet, where he stuck out his chest and began to project with the voice of an actor. "Friends, Romans, Countrymen! Lend me your ears!"
"Romans? What's he talking about?" A member of the surrounding crowds asked.
"He's drunk or something." A man replied. "All right, get on with it, man!"
Triad inhaled deeply and projected loudly, moving with each word as if he was a true actor. "To be?! Or not to be?! That is the question!" He shouted, raising his left arm into the air, looking skyward. "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. . . or to take arms against a sea of troubles. . . and by opposing, end them?! To die, to sleep, NO MORE!" Triad shouted, with a strange drunken passion that sounded like it was genuine. "And by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. . . 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep! To sleep, perchance to dream: Aye, there's the rub! For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come when we have shuffled of this mortal coil, must give us pause. . ." The crowd stood silent, staring, at the 'actor' who finished giving his speech. One person began clapping, followed by another, and another, until the entire crowd erupted into applause.
"Wow, from drunk to visionary in twenty seconds. The guy's amazing!"
"Exit's that way, folks!" Triad said, pointing back down the street. "Watch your step and don't push." Triad walked back into the perfume store, the people still applauding him.
"Triad. . . are you okay?" Mia asked.
"I told you, I'm SPARTICUS!!!" Triad grinned, obviously still tanked from the smell.
"I should've known better." Mia sighed. "Come on, Sparticus. Let's go back to the inn. By the way, who's speech was that you recited?"
"I dunno, I made it up as I went along." Triad stated, dizzy. "Alas, poor Yorek. I knew ye well."
"Okay, Mr. Actor. Let's go." Mia stated firmly, dragging Triad out of the store by his tunic's cuff.
"Cut last sequence and fade to black!" Triad stated.
"Triad, shut up."