Mako's Message: Hey people. Been busy busy busy this weekend. Wrote a LOT. Unfortunately it wasn't all for this story, but you'll see the rest soon enough. Also unfortunately, the two chapters I have for you are really short. But you're getting two of them, and as an added bonus this is the only time you'll be hearing from me until the next update. So enjoy this little bit of popcorn chicken(It's too small to even be a nugget) and I'll hopefully see you guys again before Christmas.


So, in case it wasn't clear last time, I didn't get a chance to give Dave his present on his birthday. It was one of those "not in public" things and with Katie AND Riley there I couldn't get him alone.

The day after I didn't go over to his house, because the last thing I wanted was to knock on his door and see Katie there. Even if what Riley said about that ship sinking was true, it's not a chance I was willing to take. Especially since Katie was still there when I left.

It was also one of our recovery days, so I didn't see him last night either.

But this morning I headed over as usual ready to give him his present before we did anything else.

He opened the door about two seconds after I knocked and was ready to head out right then, but I stopped him and pushed him back into the house. He had the strangest look on his face when I asked him if his Dad was home, but all he said, "Ah, no he left a few minutes ago."

So I pulled him into the living room and handed him the bag. I think I said, "happy birthday" a little louder than I needed to though, but I was as nervous as I was excited about this. I mean, on the one hand, he loved the gun, but he did say all that about not wanting to kill people, though he did give me a staff that turns into swords... but just because that's the sort of thing I love doesn't mean it's something he'd want.

But it turned out I was worrying over nothing. He pulled the package out of the bag, unwrapped it, and his eyes lit up. He pulled out the batons, held them up, and said, "Oh wow... these are amazing" as he ran his hands over the leather wrappings. Then he knocked on one and asked, "Are these metal?"

I nodded and he said, "Sweet."

Then I pointed at a small bare spot just under the little hand guards and said, "Press there."

He did, but nothing happened because he was holding it up so I reached over and pulled it up and off.

I really love that "shing" sound a blade makes when it's unsheathed. That's what they're talking about in stories that mention a "singing sword" after all. It's so beautiful.

And I'd thought Dave's eyes were wide when he opened his Christmas present. He was silent for almost a minute then said, "Holy shit."

I grinned and picked up the other one then stood up and pressed the release with it pointing down and the shell just slipped right off and thunked to the floor. Then I said, "Come over here," as I picked up the shell and slipped it back into place. It makes a really solid click when it's back in place. Totally worth the money. So I handed it to him and turned him towards the couch and said, "Alright, press the release and flick it at the couch."

Thing fucking FLEW off. If I didn't know better I'd have thought the damn thing was spring loaded. It's a good thing I have lightning fast reflexes or I'd never have caught the damn thing when it rebounded off the couch and the Lizewski's would have needed a new TV.

Dave just laughed his ass off and said, "Oh my god. These are fucking awesome. I love them Mindy, thank you so much."

And then he hugged me.

Really hugged me and held on for... I don't know. It was awhile but not nearly long enough. I wanted to just melt into him.

Best two thousand I've ever spent.