Merry Christmas! (and a Happy New Year!) Pt.2

Disclaimer: see part one, ‘twas the night...’

Summary: Christmas in Pallet town.

Speech. Thoughts. Pokémon.

The Season For Giving.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Misty bounded down the stairs, jumping the last few and skidded slightly on the rug at the bottom. “Hey, Merry Christmas, Misty!” came the various replies. “So, how are we doing this thing?” Misty asked, rubbing her hands together in anticipation. Ash shrugged. “Well, we usually pull Christmas crackers first, then the presents, so...” Misty shrugged. “Well, it’s better than what me and the sisters do every year...” “Yeah, what’s that?” “Argue over who gets the biggest box, break whatever was inside and not talk to each other til New Years.” Delia frowned slightly. “That, doesn’t sound like a very good way to spend Christmas.” Misty stretched her arms out, stuck her hands behind her head and leaned against the wall. “No, but at least it’s quiet.”

After pulling some Christmas crackers, with much laughter when Ash lost his grip and tumbled backwards over the couch, they finally settled down to exchange presents. Misty, now sporting a paper hat with Staryus printed around it, suggested that Max should get his first as he was the youngest, to which he was the first to agree. “Okay now, Max.” Misty reached over and grabbed a small box from under the tree in the corner of the living-room. “Now, I never got a chance to get to know you too well, and I have no idea if you’ve already got one of these, so... anyway, merry Christmas.” Max eagerly unwrapped the box and practically squealed with delight when he saw what was inside. “Wow! A Pokétch! I’ve wanted one of these for ages, but the shops are always out of stock! Thanks Misty!” he beamed up at her. Misty sighed with relief. ‘One down...’ “Anytime, Max.” Max put the Pokétch on his wrist and reached for another box under the tree. “This one’s for you.” “Thank you, Max. So, what do we have here... a Pokéball?” she raised an eyebrow at Max, who shuffled his feet and shrugged. “It’s a Mantyke that I caught. I figured, seeing as you like water Pokémon, well...” Misty’s face lit up. “A Mantyke?! That’s, wow, thank you sooo much.” She briefly released it from the ball to have a quick look at it. “Wow, looks pretty strong, too. Thanks Max. Seriously, thank you.” She recalled the Mantyke and beamed at her younger companion.

“So, Misty, what’d you get me?” it was May’s turn now to receive presents, and Misty’s turn to give. Misty blushed. “Well, I didn’t really know what to get you as we’ve never really talked or anything,” she reached for another box. “But I do know that you’re into Contests and stuff, so...” May tore open the wrapping paper. “They scarves, to use in Pokémon Contests. They’re supposed to enhance different things like cuteness and beauty and coolness, stuff like that to give a winning edge.” Misty shrugged. “I, don’t really know much about the whole Contest scene so,... anyway, yeah.” May smiled. “Hey, these will really help me win more often?” Misty nodded. “Yeah. At least, that’s what I was told.” May beamed. “Great! Thanks, Misty!” she grabbed a small box sitting at her side. “I didn’t know what to get you either, so I got you this.” Misty opened the box and took out a tin. “Wood Polish.” She read off the label. May nodded. “Yeah. It’s for all those mallets Ash and Brock use to tell me about.” Misty grinned. “Hey, this’ll be good for covering up the dents and scratches their thick skulls caused. Good one, May!” Ash and Brock glanced at each other. “Now that will just encourage her.” “Uh-huh.”

“Okay now, Brock.” Misty stood up and reached into her pocket. “This one was too small, or maybe too big, to wrap up, but I think you’re gonna like it.” Brock glanced nervously at her pocket. “Um, before you continue, does this involve pain in any way?” Misty frowned. “You have got to learn to be more trusting of people, B-Man. Now, stand up and take your gift like a man.” After glancing around the room nervously, Brock slowly stood up. Misty frowned for a moment and took her hand out of her pocket. “I think I better give some background info first. I’ll keep it short. I helped out this girl back home, a friend of my sisters, and she owed me big-time. So when I was thinking about what to give you for Christmas, I decided to cash in that favour.” Reaching back into her pocket, Misty pulled out a small card and handed it to Brock. “Um...?” “Written on that card is the phone number of that girl I helped out. She’s agreed to go out on one date with you, provided that you pay. She’s tall, blonde, and I guess by typical male standards, she’d be considered hot. Though it’s not like I’d care.” She shrugged. Brock’s eyes had glazed over. Still staring hungrily at the card, he grabbed a wrapped parcel from under the tree, shoved it into Misty’s hands and raced to the phone. “I’ll take that as a thank you.” Misty sighed, before turning her attention to the parcel. “Hmmm, hey this is Brock’s recipe for water Pokéchow! I’ve been meaning to ask him for this for a while now! Hey, thanks Brock!” she called out, but was quickly drowned out by Brock’s scream of sheer delight as the mystery girl gave him the details for their date in two weeks. “Well, he’s happy...” Misty mused.

“Hello, Merry Christmas everyone!” Professor Oak called as he came in the door, Gary trailing behind. “Hey, Professor Oak, Merry Christmas!” Everyone chorused happily. “Why Misty, I didn’t know you’d be joining us this year.” Misty shrugged. “Neither did I until a few days ago. Oh, but I did get you something, though. Now, where’d I put that thing... ah, here it is! Merry Christmas, Professor!” “Oh, but you didn’t have to do that.” The professor started, but took the gift anyway and unwrapped several tapes. Misty shrugged. “I figured, what do you get a guy who has his own Pokémon lab? They’re recordings of various, rarely heard water Pokémon lullabies, all personally recorded by myself in the pool back home at the Cerulean City Gym.” She reached out and took a tape from him. “This one you’ll really like. After all, it’s not often anyone gets to hear the Gyarados lullaby, and lives to tell about it.” Oak’s eyes lit up, and even Gary and Tracey moved in for a closer look. “You mean, you’ve actually managed to record a Gyarados lullaby?! That’s incredible!” Misty shrugged. “Well, it doesn’t take much to get my Gyarados singing. Very musically-minded, he is.” Oak eagerly pocketed the tapes and beamed at Misty. “Thank you! I’ll just head back to the lab and see what I can find for you, okay?” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked out the door, Gary following with a brief ‘Merry Christmas’ at the room in general. “I think he liked it.” Misty scratched her head thoughtfully. “Oh well. Who’s next?”

To be continued...