Author's notes, part 1:
First, a BIG thanks to thefutureMrs.Kaiba and Blood Pony for reviewing! Thank you for feedback! Free cookies for everyone! Chocolate chip!!
Because I was away on Saturday, I'm going to have to load two chapters. This is the first one. I might have to do something similar in the future, because it's getting awfully close to Christmas.
Oh yes, I have to edit the summary.
Again, I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, the characters/monsters, the song "lower world" (which is owned by DJ Setup, whoever THAT is), the Honolulu International Airport, or the amnesty bin that appears at the Honolulu International Airport. Seems that the only thing I own is myself (again).
I'll stop talking.
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The weather in California was positively balmy compared to this. The wind hurled drops of rain mercilessly against the terminal windows. The sky showed no signs of clearing up. This was definitely not the Hawaii that the world was supposed to see.
Raphael silently observed three girls walk by. They had made the grave mistake of wearing white. His two companions would enjoy the view. Raphael had other things to worry about.
Like the location of the baggage claim area.
The Honolulu International Airport was a large warren of hallways that looked distressingly similar. The signs posted above the various passages did little to untangle the labyrinth. Even the nap he had taken on the way over didn't help his nonexistent sense of direction.
"Hey, I think it's this way," Varon said cheerily, as he ambled into yet another hallway. Amelda rolled his eyes.
After going down a couple of escalators and past an amnesty bin, the group arrived at what appeared to be the right place. A very loud, honking siren cut through the large room. They had wandered into a hockey arena.
Several people openly stared at the Doom Warriors. Raphael couldn't tell whether they were staring at Varon's horribly tacky shirt, Amelda's overly baggy yellow shirt, which he wore under his trenchcoat, or his own shirt, which was covered in dainty flowers.
It was better not to ask.
"It's our bags!" Amelda exclaimed, as he charged towards the lone group of luggage that sat in the middle of the floor. In the process, he bowled over two children and a little old lady. The children cried. The old lady tripped Amelda with her cane, who stumbled, but did not fall.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BAG, YOU FREAK!" someone yelled from across the baggage claim. The three girls in white shirts had found their way to the baggage claim area. Raphael saw Amelda's gaze wander to the wrong place. In moments, a goose egg graced his head, courtesy of a handbag.
"Can you prove that it's yours?" Varon inquired calmly. The girls looked among each other. They turned toward Varon.
"He's so CUTE!" they squealed simultaneously. Raphael sweatdropped. Amelda glared. Varon ran.
One of the girls shook herself out of her stupor and opened the suitcase. Several lacy articles of clothing lined the bag. Raphael blushed and turned away before his nose began to bleed. Amelda wasn't so fast. Another goose egg rose from his head.
The girls closed the suitcase, turned as one, and left with their belongings. Raphael dried his nose before letting out a sigh. Amelda was going to be talking about them for a long time. Varon returned from his impromptu run across the baggage claim area.
"Are they gone?" Varon asked hastily. Raphael nodded. Varon held another suitcase in his hands.
"Found this on my way over. I think it's yours, Amelda. Hey Amelda, are you listening?" Amelda sat to the side, rubbing his bruised head.
"I'll be fine," the redhead muttered, as he opened the suitcase Varon had found. A trenchcoat fell out. Amelda stuffed it back into his suitcase before shutting it.
Raphael breathed a sigh of relief. All their bags had arrived safely. It was time to call a taxi.
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Author's notes, part 1.5: The Honolulu International Airport is THAT big. I hate to think of what would happen if Raphael had to find the airport's post office.
"lower world" is a reference to the location of the baggage claim area (which is on one of the lower levels of the airport). Raphael's comments about a hockey arena stem from the sound of the sirens in the baggage claim area.
This was supposed to be the ride over to the hotel, but this chapter wound up taking a life of its own. Therefore, Amelda gets to narrate the next chapter. Considering his temper, and the drivers in Hawaii, it's going to be a long chapter. . .
Amelda: Are you saying that I HAVE A BAD TEMPER?!
Me: The story's over, go away.
Reviews are always welcome.