The Shopping Bug

~VIRUS~
*the young technopath had finished his practice this morning.... he /had/ to perfect what he could do... oh he was new yet, and there was plenty of time... buuuttt... what if he`d met Warpole /before/ he`d gotten as good as he had... when he was still doing it unconsciously half the time... of course, that was the reason he`d stayed in his room for so long... but still, if he didn`t perfect it..... a skill that you just had without practising... without perfecting it... was useless... but maybe he`d go for that walk with Toshi today... he`d found her in the gym yesterday, so that`s where he`d go today... he wandered down towards the gym*

~SHIFTER~
*She had thought the same thing. After her own training session she had gone to the gym. If she didn't see Yohann she would go to her room, but she had to try to start getting out. Seeing Pole the day before had helped her to feel better and more confident. Mettalic and Yohann had helped as well. Fidgeting she looked around the gym. Please let him come.. She probably should have checked to see if he had a training session scheduled.*

Toshi! *he turned smiling... the Dutchmans thick accent making it pretty undeniable who it was... he was most likely one of the few Dutchmen on the entire base, and almost certainly the only one she knew.. turning around he stood there... he wasn`t working out though... he rarely did*

Yohann!! *Smiling she moved over to where he was. She had been half-afraid that after she had left him alone with Pole he wouldn't talk to her again. Seeing that he was as glad to see her as she was to see him she no longer feared that. In fact for the first time she hoped she had finally found a friend. Someone that could ease the loneliness she felt.*

*he chuckled and smiled at her* Hey Toshi. You sleep well? *indeed, Pole hadn`t scared him off... he hadn`t seemed that bad to the young Dutchman... true it was a first meeting, and a relatively informal one at that... buuutt.... there lay hope...*

*Reaching him she holds her hand out to him. She felt comfortable around him.* Yes I did.. How about you? Ready for a bit of exploring? *She really didn't care if they explored the mall area or not. It would just be nice to spend time with someone outside of training.*

*he nodded and took her hand and helped himself up* Thanks. Yeah I`m up for some exploring today. I mean, you can`t just train /all/ the time can you? *he chuckled*

*Laughing she helped him up.* Your asking the wrong person that.. Until recently my world consisted of a space smaller than this room.. All I did was work..

*he chuckled* Well how about I /inform/ you that you can`t do only work?

*Blushing she ducks her head.* All right, but I warn you I really don't know much about shopping and malls. I had one friend who took me shopping once.. *She smiles as she remembers the day with Becca.*

*he shrugged* Never been one for malls meself. More for finding out where things are than anything else. Exploration is my thing. Still, I think I have /some/ money if you want to go shopping.

*It surprised her that he offered to give her money for shopping.* I've got money.. *chuckling she starts to move for the door tugging on his hand.* After the shopping with Becca where she paid for everything I found out I've got an account. Since I've never spent any money I've got a lot in it.. *Each member of G.U.A.R.D. was paid a salary.* But I would rather just explore..

*he chuckled quietly at Toshi`s tugging on his hand* Okay. I`m coming. Let`s explore then shall we? *if one knew what to look for though, it could never be forgotten /what/ Yohann was, how /dangerous/ he was.. in particular until he could /totally/ control it... he /sensed/ tech.. he /knew/ it was there... but he couldn`t... just yet... define a particular piece.... but his reactions were there for any to see.. if they knew*

*giggling she pulled him along after. She had pulled up a map of the compound on the computer this morning so she would have an idea of where to go. Although it really didn't matter anymore they could have stayed there in the gym and talked for all she cared. She knew better than most how dangerous he was. Her concern was still mostly for Warpole though. He would be able to feel the tech on her. Her bracelets very high tech in order to control her shifts. They also had the communications and teleport chips that most G.U.A.R.D. members had as implants. The implants wouldn't work on her. Her body would eject them the first time she shifted.* I thought about going to the park more than the mall.. I don't deal well with crowds..

*wryly* Won`t it be a bit cold? *he /was/ European, and all of Europe got snow in the middle of winter... true, Holland wasn`t as bad as say England.. or Russia.... but still... it was cold enough*

*Blinking she looks back at him.* Cold? Oh.. No.. The park is inside.. *It hadn't seemed strange to her at all that the park was indoors. In fact it never occurred to her to think of it as being outside. Even now she rarely went outdoors. To be honest the world outside the complex frightened her. After living in close closed quarters for all her life too much space overwhelmed her. She hadn't yet told anyone of her fears. It would be one more thing that set her apart from the others and might keep her from being allowed to go out on any missions.*

Indoor park? *he blinked... well that was /one/ way to avoid the cold* Lead on MacDuff. *a quiet chuckle*

MacDuff? *Confused she tilts her head up at him.* What do you mean by MacDuff? *Was this more slang like she had been hearing in the halls? It was little things such as this that should her lack of education in some areas. Math and sciences she did great in. But literature was not high on the education list for G.U.A.R.D. What had been allowed had been carefully screened.*

*literature was... or should that be had been... the dutchmans life.... true, his love was sci-fi/fantasy.... but he loved it all... from Dickens to Shakespeare... Watership Down to Leslie Charteris...* Just a quote. *he wouldn`t go into it* Just lead on. Show me where the relaxing park is.

Oh.. *Frowning she turned to lead him down the hallways and elevators to where the park was. It was more of a greenhouse although a rather large one. As Pole had said the complex had everything you needed so there was no need to leave. Reaching the park she turns back to Yohann.* Where is this quote from? Who is MacDuff? *She hadn't forgotten about the quote. It worried her at times how little she knew of the world outside. That was just one more thing that set her apart from others.*

*entering the park he turned to admire it for a moment* It`s from a play Toshi. A rather old play. But one of the classics. *in reality he`d mangled the quote slightly* Ever heard of Shakespeare Toshi? Arguably the greatest playwright /ever/?

No.. Who is Shakespeare? *Turning away she walks over to where some roses are blooming. Here it comes.. The realization she is different. She would have to explain everything. After that the chance were he would decide she wasn't worth the effort. That was the way it seemed to her that others had been. She didn't know things others took for granted.*

*he shrugs* A genius. You haven`t heard of him? Thought most people had. Aah well. Learn something new everyday eh?

*laughing ruefully she turns back to Yohann.* That's me.. I think maybe I should explain some things about me Yohann.. I was raised by G.U.A.R.D. But because of my inability to control my powers I was raised in isolation.. *Biting her lip she waits to see what his reaction would be. She was slowly beginning to think he wasn't like the others.*

Aaah... powers must be dangerous then if that`s the case. Gotta get them under control first. *he chuckled... but after all... he knew that... if he hadn`t had control of his powers... and he`d met Warpole then... and that was just the obvious example....* I`ll have to hire out a video one day. Or else take you to a theatre if I can find one which is actually showing Shakespeare. The theatre is much better than the video version. TV audiences are never as appreciative as ones who`d go to the theatre. It was made for the theatre after all.

*Sighing she holds up her arms indicating the bracelets.* No control.. That's what these are for.. If they malfunction, or break I'll shift uncontrollably. *In that one sentence she was letting him know how dangerous he could be for her.* I wasn't allowed out of my isolation until a way was found to control the shifting. I've tried to control them, but I can't.. I'll keep on shifting until I literally blow up. Or at least that's what the doctor's think. *Once more confused she shakes her head.* I know you are going to get tired of this, but.. What is the difference between the theatre and TV other than screen size? *She only knew of the theatre as in movies. Not the live productions.*

Shape-shifter? *he inquired.. he realized quickly what she was offering him... if he ever had to face her in /true/ combat.... he knew what to do... he hoped it never came to that... and then he blinked* You really /did/ live an isolated life. The theatre is where they do live productions. I`m not talking about the movies as compared to the /real thing/. The theatre. Live productions. The greatest experience.

*Chuckling she nods* That's what I've been trying to tell you.. For the first 16 plus years of my life I lived in a world not much bigger than normal quarters.. I knew less then 20 people as well. It wasn't until the compound was destroyed that I went out side of the lab. Luckily I had the bracelets by then, but they were still being tested to make sure there wouldn't be any problems so I hadn't been allowed out in the general population.. *sighing she turns back to the roses.* When the complex was attacked and the orders were given to evacuate the doctors, my friends, tried to get me out.. They were all killed though and I didn't know where to go. No one else but Pole knew about me and I got left behind.. You don't know how terrifying it is to be suddenly thrust out into the world.

You might have... particular reasons to be worried about the outside world. But everyone has been thrust into the world at some stage. Perhaps they`ve heard more about it than you... doesn`t mean they`re actually terribly knowledgeable about surviving in the real world. No-one is when it first happens.

True.. But I bet you knew what a car was. Or what the lights on the street meant, or money.. How about that you don't walk into a home without knocking. The difference between a home and a business. I didn't have any skills. I survived though.. It wasn't easy, but I managed.. Pole finally found me and came to get me. *Smiling she turns back to him.* Amazingly enough it was my skill as a shapeshifter that kept me alive. Watch.. *Her body seemed to shimmer, shifting.. In moments a rose bush spread out from where she had stood. Her bracelets now dangling around the central shaft of the bush.*

*he sighs* As I said Toshi, your problems were greater... but never forget that other people have them as well. *he watched her for a moment as she changed... interested.... if it weren`t for the bracelets, he wouldn`t be able to tell her apart from all the other bushes in the park..*

*Since she couldn't talk as a rose bush she starts to change back.. Then remembering her clothes were now torn when she became the rose bush and remembering how most people reacted to nudity she alters the change. Changing to a tiger instead. A tiger with one minor difference. This one could talk.. She had worked on being able to talk in her changed forms. Learning how hard it was to communicate during Venin's escape. With the added bulk of the tiger the bracelets disappear. If he felt around the front paws he would be able to feel them under the skin.* Your probably right.. I'm learning so much.. I get lost and overwhelmed at times.

*wryly* I`m not surprised. *he chuckles... then* You`ve proven your point ya know... why not change back to your... human form? Not that I can`t see how useful a tiger would be but....

*If a tiger could blush this one would be. Still he could probably tell how embarrassed she was. Her voice a little sheepish.* I can't.. *Reaches over pawing at the torn clothes.* I um.. forgot that nudity isn't a um.. *The tiger ducks her head looking any where but at him.* Sorry... *Nudity didn't bother her at all. Ever try to find clothes that were all natural? Especially for young kids? Besides with the constant testing of her skills and the fact she was monitored 24 hours a day in her isolation what did it matter? Then it had only been a small handful of doctors that ever really saw her, but she hadn't learned that nudity was taboo.*

Oh. eheh.... you wanna go back to your room and get some clothes then? I don`t quite know what to say to a tiger.... if I say the wrong thing you might eat me. *he chuckled... he was obviously joking.. or at least, it was obvious to him*

*Laughing she shakes her head. Or at least to her it was laughing. It sounded more like roaring.* Yeah.. One problem to my abilities.. Never a set of spare clothes around when you need them... It didn't matter in the lab, but out here. It was one of the first things I learned! You should have seen the stares I got wandering nude down the streets of Seattle!

*he bursts out laughing* I`ll bet it did. *he shook his head* Come on then... where`s your room?

*Grinning, which can be a frightening thing to see a tiger do she turns to head back the way they had come.* I'm over in the command section. *She wasn't in the area where most rookies were or even most of the G.U.A.R.D. Like in France her room was next to Warpoles. And like in the lab she was sure the room had more surveillance in it than most rooms did even if the cameras were hidden now and not in the open.*

*he chuckles quietly and followed her* Never do that to me again Toshi. I prefer talking to people.... and also prefer em clothed.

I'll try Yohann, but *shrugs as she sits down to wait for the elevator* I forget sometimes.. But I did remember not to change to a human form where clothes would matter this time...

*he coughs lightly* And am I ever glad of /that/....

*Laughing once more the doors open several people in the elevator jumping back at the "laughing'tiger. Ignoring the looks she gets she steps on the elevator. Some of the people deciding they want this floor after all. Grinning she leans over to whisper to Yohann.* What's there problem? You would think they've never seen a tiger before.

*he chuckled* They are probably not used to a tiger wandering around. *dryly* I think if *I* saw a tiger wandering around I`d be tempted to scamper. Tigers are known to be man-eaters at times after all.

Ah.. I thought it might be cause I was the wrong color.. *Closing her eyes she tries the new trick she had been practicing. Hoping it works.. If not.. Well she might not see Yohann for a while... Slowly the tigers fur changes color so it is now bright blue and red. The colors one would see on a macaw. Almost afraid to look Toshi slowly opens her eyes.. She hadn't felt her form shift so at least she thought that was ok. Still she looks at her paws and then the rest of her.* What do you think Yohann? Better? Think I'll blend in now? *She was having more fun than she had in a long time. If only Becca were here.*

Umm.... *he gave a look* Well they`ll probly know that you`re not a /real/ tiger now. They tend to have black and orange stripes... rather than blue and red.

I kinda like this color.. *The few others left in the elevator only chuckle at what is obviously a rookie. Toshi waves at them all as the doors open for their floor. Carefully she makes her way out of the elevator not wanting to hurt anyone. Waiting for Yohann before heading down the hall to her room. Receiving stares all the way.*

*he followed her, not wanting to get totally and absolutely lost..* It`s a cute color. Depends what you want it for I guess.

*She thinks for a minute.* Isn't there a day where people dress up and eat chocolate? *To her the only candy was chocolate.. She loved it partly because the first time she met Pole he had given her some.*

*he blinks for a moment..* Oh Halloween? *he chuckles* Yeah, but that was a couple of months ago now...

*Sighing she sits down in front of her door.* It was? I remember Pole telling me about it.. *Luckily her door was keyed to respond to her in any shape.. As the door opens she moves in.* If you take a seat I'll be right back.. *She continues on into the bedroom remembering to shut the door before she goes on into the bathroom. Getting rid of the excess bulk would be messy. A shower would definitely be in order before she could go out again.*

*he chuckled quietly and just waited... he was quite patient* Okay. I`ll just wait here.

*As quickly as she can she cleans up and dresses. Stepping back out into the sitting room. Once more in jeans and a t-shirt.* Isn't Christmas coming up? *She hadn't paid much attention to holidays before. Not like she could get out to shop. This year she wanted it to be different.. Pole always got her something. Which since it couldn't be organic was normally a glass figurine and chocolate.. Processed food didn't force a change as clothing, paper and some other things did.*

Yeah... I think it is. December 25 I think... *he was dutch, and therefore celebrated St. Nicks... which was right at the beginning of December* You wanna buy something for your friends?

*Sighing she picks up a small glass parrot.* Friends? Friend you mean.. Unless.. *hesitating she seems to become more interested in the figuring as she blushes.* Maybe I can call you a friend?

*he chuckled slightly* Course you can Toshi. *he raised his brow* Only one friend? I mean I know you grew up isolated but... haven`t you picked up more friends by now?

*Still not looking at him she shakes her head.* No.. Most people are afraid of Pole. I may have one other friend, but I don't know where she is. *She should ask Pole where Becca was. Becca would be the perfect person to go shopping for Christmas presents. She knew everything about shopping.*

They fear Pole... and therefore they can`t be friends with you? That`s crazy.... *he shook his head*

*Chuckling she looks back over at Yohann.* You haven't seen Pole on a rampage yet.. No one wants to be on the wrong side of his anger.. *Shrugging she sets the parrot down getting up to grab her id. She would need it if she was going to buy anything.* Pole is my brother.. He isn't, but he is.. Everyone seems to be afraid that if they upset me then Pole will come down on them.

*dryly* And they don`t think that by /not/ befriending you they`re upsetting you? I mean... I`m sure Pole /can/ be extremely bad if he`s on a rampage.... smarter thing to do rather than not be your friend because of that, is make sure you don`t get on his bad side. Seems like common sense to me.

Well you're the first that seems to have figured that out.. *Although she had to admit Mettalic had been really nice to her. Maybe not a friend, but at least someone that would talk to her. Smiling she held her hand out to him once more.* Shall we go shopping now? I promise not to shift again..

Others will. Give them time. *then he chuckled and nods* Sure... let`s go shopping. *muttering slightly* And hope the crowds aren`t /too/ bad...

*She shudders at the thought of crowds. While she was adjusting to all the open space she was having a much harder time adjusting to people being everywhere. Bumping into you. Touching.. Taking a deep breath she nods moving out the door.* I hope so.. *Whether she was responding to his statement about others or the crowds wasn't clear.*

Well it /is/ close to Christmas. The shops might be packed. Have any idea what you want to get?

*Biting her lip she shakes her head* No.. I've never been Christmas shopping before. *Suddenly this seemed like it might be harder than she thought. Where was Becca when she needed her!*

Well... what are his interests? *he wasn`t /great/ at shopping, but come Christmas time, or even birthdays, he did well enough to get by..*

*His question stops her cold.* I don't know.. *She had known him for years and couldn't remember him really talking about anything. He had read her fairy tales and helped her with math and other 'school'work. Told her about some of his hunts, but she couldn't remember him really talking about himself.*

Come on. Bookstore. When all else fails, get a book. *in fact, he nearly /always/ bought books... no matter what ones interests, you could almost be certain that you could find a book they`d be interested in*

*She could only follow him as they headed for the stores. In this she would have to trust him.* All right. Would they have something on.. *thinks for a moment.* Shakespeare?

*he chuckled lightly and nodded* Yeah they would. They`d have transcripts of his plays. I dunno though... you think he`d like the classics?

I don't know Yohann. *chuckling ruefully she tosses up her hands* It's hard when you don't even know what they are to know if someone else would like them..

This is true. *he frowns for a moment* So you really have no idea what he`d like? *arriving outside one of the bookstores and ducking inside*

*Frowning she shakes her head* No.. I hadn't thought of it until you asked. Pole was just always there. From what I've seen in the last few months the Pole I know and the Pole everyone else knows are very different people.

well we`re not really interested in the Pole everyone else knows.... you`re the one buying him something. So it`s the Pole you know that`ll be getting a gift.

I hadn't thought of that.. I guess I'll look around and see if something looks like Pole.. *She felt overwhelmed in the store. Despite spending time in the library she hadn't realized there were this many books! And in so many different categories! With all the people around she tries to stay close to Yohann.*

*he chuckles, and walked around with her... he didn`t actually /know/ anyone well enough to know what to get people... he didn`t really feel he even knew anyone well enough to need to get something.... Toshi... perhaps.. perhaps Metallic... but neither were /certainties/*

*She saw several books that looked interesting. Nothing yet that really said Pole. Her eyes seemed to devour the titles and the whole atmosphere. She was like the proverbial kid in the candy store.* I never knew there were so many books....

*wryly* This isn`t even one of the bigger bookstores. *he avoided them this close to Christmas... but still, it was big enough*

*And then she saw it.. A large table top book on planes.* Oh.. *For the first time since entering the store she rushes away from Yohann's side as she moves over to pick up the book.* I remember him telling me once about how in a war pilots drew pictures on their planes. He showed me a picture of it once. It was like these..

*the young man was Dutch... and all that that entailed.... being brought up in the Netherlands... and they had not forgotten WWII.... the look of the warplanes brought back all he was taught... a choked voice* Why don`t you buy that for him then?

*His tone didn't escape her. Even as she hugged the book to her she looked over at him.* What's wrong Yohann?

*he shook his head quietly* Never mind Toshi. Let`s buy the book and leave... please.

*She wasn't sure what she had done, but if he wanted to leave.. Nodding she moves over to buy the book. Stopping to reach out towards a copy of the complete works of Shakespeare. Smiling she let's her fingers trail over it before moving on. She would come back and pick up the book later.*

*he nodded quietly.. and then he shrugged.. he murmured* Just stay here a moment if you don`t mind. I have to get something... *his eyes fixed.. not on the Shakespeare... he actually thought that was a tad too complex for someone who had never been exposed to literature... but on the fiction works...*

*Nodding she sat down on a bench outside the bookstore. The people had wrapped the book for her. Surprised when they asked who it was for. She hopped Pole would like it.. For the first time she could get him something.*

*he is out a few moments later, it was a risk.... but still, he`d like it when he was 10-12, and although physically she might be older... her isolation made her younger in terms of literature* Come on Toshi. *snicker* You want to wrap it?

The store wrapped it for me.. *She opens her bag showing him the wrapped package.* It looked complicated to me..

*wryly* I`ve always found that part of the fun. *holding his own bag behind his back*

*Laughing she pointed to a store across the way. This one had prints.* Well I was looking at that picture there and thinking of getting it for Pole as well. *She pointed to a Vargas pinup. * I know he would like it.. *She was starting to get the feel for this shopping.*

*oy... what had he done?.. he hated shopping.... but he swore, there was some genetic imperative which meant all women, once they started, just loved to shop... and frequently dragged the men along with em* Okay then. Why don`t we go and buy that as well then...

*She didn't know what had gotten in to her, but this was fun.. Jumping up she hugged him before quickly moving away.* Thanks Yohann!! *It didn't take long to get the print. This time though she would wrap it herself. Or at least try.* Where do we get the paper to wrap at?

*he just inwardly groans.... now it`s wrapping paper? What next?... he leads her towards the wrapping paper store* Oy. Didn`t you have some other friend as well? *inwardly wincing... this could mean /more/ shopping..*

*Grinning she reaches over to poke him in the ribs* Just you silly.. Maybe Becca, but I'm not going to buy you something while you're here.. *She wasn't at all sure what do get Becca until there right in front of her was the perfect gift. A t-shirt that had 'Shop tell you Drop.. ' on the front and'then crawl...'on the back.* That.. I'll get that shirt for Becca...

*as he noted the wording on the shirt, he groaned... he made a note that if he /ever/ saw Becca... to either give her a piece of his mind for /not/ being the one to take Toshi shopping... or... run for the hills.... he hadn`t decided yet* Well let`s buy it then.

*She wasn't sure what was wrong with Yohann, but she didn't let it bother her mood. Getting the shirt and then the wrapping paper.* All right.. Shall we go back to my room to wrap these? *She really hoped he would help her out as she had no idea how to wrap anything.*

Hang on. *he chuckled, nodding towards a music store* Have to get something. *he slipped inside, bought a CD, and headed out again* Come on then.

*Smiling she heads for the elevators and her room. This Christmas shopping felt good.. Later she would do some shopping for Yohann.* Yohann.. Can you tell me a bit about what Christmas is?

It`s a... religious festival. Although some people now think of it as just a way to bring families closer together again. But originally... it was meant as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our saviour. The son of man. The son of God.

*She just blinks at him.. Completely lost. Holding a hand up she shakes her head* Never mind.. I don't understand any of that.. I'll go with buying presents for now.. *Chuckling she realizes there is so much she needs to learn.* I think it would take too long for you to explain.. It seems that each question I ask you leads to a dozen more..

*he pondered for a moment about giving her his pocket bible... then he chuckled quietly, and realised that he was heading back to his room... not Toshi`s* Oops..

*Caught up in her own thoughts she hadn't noticed they were going the wrong way until he said oops.. Looking around she tries to figure out where they are.* I've never been here before..

*he shook his head* Sorry... not used to having company. This is my room... *he trails off*

Really? Can we go in? *Steps toward the room then stops realizing that might not be something that is done.* I mean.. Is it ok? *She hadn't been in anyone else's room before.*

*he blinks...* Aaah... it`s not really built for company. I`ll just drop off my presents I think... it`s a bit too squashed for two people... so aah.. you just wait here.

Ok.. *She tries to hide her disappointment. Not at all realizing what it could look like if she went in. She moves to lean against the wall on the other side of the hall.*

*he slipped inside for just a moment, putting his two presents away, and then came back outside again* Sorry about that...

*Smiling she pushes away from the wall.* No problem.. My room then and you can help me wrap my presents..

*he shakes his head... he can`t believe someone /hasn`t/ wrapped presents before... he wasn`t great at it, in fact there was no real use trying to save any paper that he used to wrap things in.... but still*

*Seeing him shake his head she laughs. She had a feeling this was going to be interesting. It hadn't looked that hard when the ladies in the bookstore had wrapped the book for Pole, but the way Yohann looked now... In no time they are once again at her room. As the door slides open she steps in looking around the room. There isn't really any table large enough to wrap the packages on.* Ok Yohann.. How do we do this wrapping?

*wryly* Well you don`t have a table but.... I usually use the floor anyway. Just clear some space...

*nodding she slides the coffee table aside giving them plenty of space to work.* All right now what? *She pulled out the framed picture for Pole and the t-shirt for Becca. The store had already put the t-shirt in a box for her. She then pulled out the wrapping paper, bows, tape and everything else that Yohann had said they would need.*

*Yohann started to explain how to wrap things, starting with the picture, as that was just easier to wrap than a shirt.. at least he found it so*

*She listens quietly before she starts laying out the paper.. The roll seems to get away from her and rolls up under the couch. Laughing she goes to retrieve it. It takes several tries.. Several tears in the paper covered up with tape or bows. Somehow Toshi ends up getting bows, tape and paper all over her and Yohann. Eventually though both packages are wrapped and 3 rolls of paper have been used. Sitting back with a smug smile on her face she looks at the 'colorful' packages.* We did it!

*he blinked slightly... not even /he/ was that bad at wrapping presents... not even on his first try from memory... of course, he hadn`t worried about bows and the like... he just chuckled* Yeah... yeah we did. *he chuckled* I hope he appreciates it...

*Biting her lip she looks back at Yohann* You think he might not like it? *She was a little worried now. Maybe she should have let the stores wrap the presents after all. Had she missed something? It had been fun wrapping them, but she wanted it to be right.*

*wryly* It doesn`t really matter whether they like the wrapping Toshi. It`s if they /appreciate/ it. The joy is in the giving after all.

*Relieved she reaches up to brush a strand of hair out of her face only to find her hand now stuck to the hair with tape.* Ouch! *Reaching up with the other hand to gently pull the tape away she doesn't realize it too has tape on it. For a moment she concentrates on removing tape from hair and hands without pulling out hair.* It has been fun..

*he coughs a bit* Yes... it`s been fun. *he checked his watch* But it`s probably best if I leave now. It`s starting to get on...

*Succeeding in removing the tape she gets to her feet.* Thanks Yohann.. I've really had fun today. *He's right it is late and if she wanted to get down to the stores and get the last presents she wanted. Books for Yohann, though she isn't sure what yet and something for Mettalic.*

*he nodded and moved quietly off to his room, lost in thought*

*She barely waited until he had moved away before she rushed out to finish her shopping. Grinning as she thought of Becca. Now she understood what the other girl felt. Although Becca seemed to enjoy it a lot more then she did still.*