"Well," Said the bespectacled youth, "Are you sure you're going to get that?"

  The man in the black trenchcoat looked up mildly. "Yes, of course. Why not?"

  The youth hesitated just a split second before replying. "Well, it's soft toy merchandise. Don't you think he's a little old for that?"

  "I like soft.. toys," Came the reply. "Are you accusing me of being too old for them?"

  The youth shrugged, an amused smile playing at the corners of his lips.

  "Besides," The man continued, "I happen to think that this suits him very well. It's soft, cuddly, and silky to the touch. It's not as beautiful as he is, but it's cute in its own way, don't you think?"

  The youth didn't reply, the amused smile now a thoughtful expression as he stared into the depths of the shop.

  "And one more thing they both have in common- they both stay in the same position unblinkingly no matter what you do to them."

  Now the youth turned to face the man in the black suit, amused smile back full force. "Oh?" He said. His smile grew wider as he turned to the racks that lined the walls of the store. "Maybe I should get some toys too." He picked up a set of pajamas with giant pandas printed all over it, and turned to the other man, waiting for a response. "How are these?"

  "A little big, unless you're the one planning to wear them." He poked at the buttons of the pajamas, experimentally. "You might have trouble with those buttons."

  "That's okay, they'll come right off."

  "I suppose it wouldn't be a problem for you, then." The older man replied.

  They walked down the aisles of the store together, slowly. "Do you know, they actually have an anime for that?" The youth asked the man.

  "Really? For this?" The man replied. He seemed as close to being startled as he could get. "I'm almost scared to know what it would be about."

  "Oh, not much. Just the character in question rolling about the screen and not doing much else."

  "I see." They reached the front of the store, paid for their purchases, and left.

  "Where to, next?"

  The older man pondered a while, then said, "The chocolate store. Can't destroy the world or have a decent anniversary without chocolate."

  As they left the area, the shop they had patronised blew up. Giant plushies scattered all over the place, burying the entire shopping district in them.

  Tarepanda takes over the world. Fear them. Love them. But you can't escape them.