The next morning, Lina woke up still in a sleepy state, but more than eager to get on with the day. Her friends and herself have decided to go shopping around town that day, and even though Lina personally disliked shopping, she knew she'd tag along and in the meantime find it more enjoyable going about it with her friends. She got dressed and pulled the curtains aside to see that the day was young, the sun new. Subconsciously, she was smiling all the while she headed down towards the hotel lobby and spotted Irvine sitting on the sofa. He had nothing to preoccupy him while he waited for Lina, so he sat admiring the lady concierge behind the counter, throwing an occasional smile her way.
"Irvy," Lina yawned. "It's still early, what are you doing down here? Go get some rest." Irvine shrugged coolly a little bit, musing with the idea, a little sparkle dancing in his eyes, but he was just trying to cover for the fact that he forgot he was supposed to keep his being there a secret in the first place.
"Dunno... just seeing if Seifer's down here or doing something stupid or tricky," he muttered, but Lina seemed like she didn't hear him, which was all the point in murmuring. "I just wanted to get an early start," he said a little louder and Lina nodded. "Go out and have fun with your friends, I'll probably be hanging around here or the plaza if you need me, kay?"
"Okay, thanks Irvy, I'll see you later," Lina said, taking a quick glance at the clock. "I said I'd meet Jen and Amber at the mall about... now so I'm gonna get going." She waved goodbye to Irvine and headed out for the mall. She crossed the busy street, thinking to herself how much this city resembled Deling considering it was so full of life, then headed down a block and a half. She found herself right in front of the mall, and standing there until the comforting shade was Jen and Amber seemingly uneasy with their arms crossed in front of them and weary smiles on their faces.
"Liz, you're a little late, why not try coming on time the next time around," Amber joked and Lina nodded. "Come on, let's go shopping." They formed a little pack and headed into the mall which, lucky for them, was not as tightly packed as the usual weekend rush.
"So I read in a magazine about these hecka cool bracelets they're supposed to sell here and only here in Magality. I guess they're supposed to be enchanted or something like that, but how cool is that? I heck of want to find them and get one," Jen exclaimed. It'd just add to her collection of fairly useless, but somewhat stylish jewelry. Jen had a tendency to act on impulse, and usually that one urge was negatively skewed implying new ideas and themes for her personal self image.
"Oh, hey look! There they are!" Amber cried, pointing a finger at a store just down the hall. The three of them rushed down and saw that indeed, in the windows, manikins were position in favor of the best lighting to the bracelets and necklaces they sported. The three girls stepped into the store and spotted immediately the shelf tucked away near the back of the store completely filled with bracelets and accessories here and there. They paced back and forced, picking up items here and setting them down again there, then picking up a different item, and comparing it to the last. It seemed so difficult to make just one decision.
"Hey, how about these, guys. Come see," Lina said, lifting in the air a little clear baggie carrying three similar bracelets. They were all stunningly beautiful, all with a thin silver chain and attached to the end a ring, each with a different colored gem. The stone was clear cut and light burst in all directions just beneath the tiniest bit of light. The bracelets were absolutely beautiful.
"These are tripled bracelets," Jen explained, feeling suddenly so proud that she knew exactly the different types of accessories that would matter most at a time like this. "They make three kinds with similar patterns and stuff, and they sell it for more. It's still a good deal because you get a three-in-one kind of thing." And throughout her miniature lecture, Lina and Amber had their eyes focused on the dazzling gems, as if they just couldn't get their minds off it.
"Let's get them!" Amber smiled. She loved accessories just as much as Jen did, but she wasn't as self-centered when it came to purchasing them.
"Sure thing, but I get this one," Lina said, lifting to eye level the bracelet with the soft clear gem that she'd kept under close inspection from the time she'd brought the subject up. The gem could seemingly change color under any situation, almost as if it were magic that influenced its appearance, but what really brought the entire image to life was that it blossomed with beauty at every movement.
"No problem," Amber said. "I want the blue one anyway, it's so pretty!" She giggled and slipped it around her wrist. Jen stared at the remaining green one for a minute, undecided. She had a tendency to try and snatch from others what they wanted, but then again green did happen to be her favorite color.
"Green in mine then," Jen announced proudly as she tried it on. Perfect--it went well with her mysterious dark green eyes. There'd never be any real need to match clothes. The three paid the salesclerk with the merchandise still around their wrists, and then left, satisfied. Outside, they found Irvine circling around the entrance, taking periodical glances at his watch to check the time.
"Irvy...what are you doing waiting for us?" Lina asked as she approached him.
"Finally!" Irvine called. "I was um... chilling with the laddiiesss... they're oh so attracted to me," Irvine replied with a wink. "Really, I swear! I had thirty of them or something all clinging onto me! I finally got them to go away when I pulled out pictures of my beautiful girlfriend Selphie." They all giggled at his story for Irvine was known for stretching the truth to its greatest extents. "Well... they were here..." Lina swung a hand around his arm and led him out of the mall parking lot.
"Come on, Irvy. What do you say to eating lunch with a couple of girls who really admire you?" Lina chuckled at him and he smiled a silly way that made him suddenly innocent as a five year old.
"Wouldn't have it any other way!" he exclaimed and they went to go eat dinner.