The ding of the bell goes off as Spartan enters Treetop Fashions. Under his left arm is a medium sized box wrapped in black wrapping paper with a silver ribbon on it. "Terri? Are you around?" Spartan was their purposely close to closing time, hoping to catch the red squirrel alone. Not wanting to make a big scene of giving the gift.
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Hearing the bell, Terri glided down the staircase about to wonder who was coming in so late, but upon hearing her friend's voice, smiled as she reached the foyer. "Hey, Spartan," she said, eyes gracing the box under his arm before looking into his eyes again. "What brings you around these parts?"
Spartan gives Terri the smile that he reserves for his friends, "Your christmas preasent, I wanted to give it to you directly. I felt it would be inappropriate to leave it for you at the Four Seasons." Spartan explained, "Or have it delivered." Spartan walks over to the counter and sets the box down.
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The smile on her face spread into a big grin and her eyes widened in actual surprise.
"Wow, really? Of course!" Terri said, almost bouncing up and down on the spot.
Spartan smiles at the bouncing of the squirrel. it is good to see that she is enjoying herself. "You should probably open it." Spartan says with a polite nod to the gift.
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Without needing much more encouragement, Terri joined Spartan at the counter and began to unwrap the mysterious present.
At first it doesn't look all that remarkable, if not a little confusing.
The Gift
but upon closer inspection...
The real Gift
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Terri wondered, very briefly whether this was some kind of joke and Spartan had learned of the Beast's ability to shift into a squirrel. She was about to say something, confusion on her face.
That was until she looked closer and saw the cat, which only aided her confusion.
"Spartan...?" she began, lost for words. "Its a cat?"
It wasn't that Terri wasn't appreciative but just completely shocked.
"Yes it is," Spartan said with a nod, "I thought you may like a climbing buddy to keep you company around the shop." Spartan gives Terri a smile and then an eyebrow raise, "Do you not like him? Its okay if you do not." The face of the hoplite does not show any sadness or disappointment, he was prepared for Terri not liking the gift.
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Sensing that Spartan had clearly thought about the gift ignited a spark of guilt inside, and so she smiled, keenly glad to have received the gift, even if it was a little unusual.
"No, Spartan, he's beautiful," Terri replied, carefully opening the carry-cage and slowly reaching in to remove the pet, holding him under the forelegs to hold him close. Once secure, she gave him a stroke. "What breed is he? Oh, and has he got a name already?"
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