xp_logs | Crystal and Lex - Let's do the Hula Shopping! (Reply)

Crystal surprises Lex by arranging for a limousine and driver to take them shopping for the luau. Before they even reach the first store, Lex has been talked into wearing a skirt.

Crystal headed down the main hallway of the first floor of the mansion, followed by Lex. Today, they were going shopping for the Luau cook-out party Lex was planning. From the notice he had posted on the kitchen, it seemed that the man was in need of all of the help he could get. At least he wouldn't have to worry about having beautiful decorations, not when he had asked the Princess of Attilan to go shopping with him. Crystal stopped at the front door and pushed it open.

Lex wondered why they were going out the front door to get to the garage, he thought it was quicker to go out the kitchen. As the door opened, he followed the woman onto the front porch and saw the limo waiting in the driveway. "Huh, who's the lucky bastard that gets to ride in that?" He asked, heading down the steps on a path to the garage.

"You are," Crystal called after him, remaining on the stairs leading to the driveway, where the limo and driver was waiting for them. "I do not drive or own a car, Lex, I requested the limousine for our shopping trip. Should we require even more space for our purchases, I will arrange to have them delivered to the mansion in another vehicle."

Lex was flabbergasted. He turned back to her with a 'you're kidding me, right?' look, and then turned to the limo. This would be his first time ever riding in a limo, and it was just to go shopping. "Oh, don't I feel under-dressed." He took a step forward and smiled at her, "I think this is going to be even more fun than I originally thought."

Crystal returned the smile. "Well, we are going out to shop, and we could always pick up something else for you to wear, but I do not believe that this will be necessary. We will not go to any dress-code specific stores, and I promise that we will not stop for lunch at a place requiring a jacket and tie. The limousine is simply a comfortable method of transportation, you are dressed just fine." She headed towards the limo and stepped into it through the door held open by the driver, then waited for Lex to do the same.

Lex paused only briefly before following. Once inside he plopped down on the plush leather and buckled himself in. "I could get used to this," he said staring around at the regal interior. He turned to Crystal, "So, where should we start? You'll find that I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when it comes to shopping, as I haven't been to a civilian store in more than a few years. That and I'm an ignorant man." The last was said to amuse her, though he didn't know if it would work.

"Ignorant in the ways of life at Xavier's, perhaps," Crystal mused as the door was closed behind them. "But then again, who can know what to expect upon arrival? Whether someone comes from an experienced mutant background or is still feeling uncomfortable at discovering his or her status as a mutant, the experience will be new and different for everyone. As for shopping, do you have a general idea of the purchases you wish to make, or do you wish for me to take the lead in this regard?"

Lex had to laugh at that, there was no better way to phrase it. "Do I look like someone who'd no how to decorate for a luau? Hell, I didn't even think about theming it till the last moment." His smile was good natured and he leaned back and began to relax. "Besides, I feel like you probably know exactly where to go to get anything and everything."

Crystal smiled. "I have done my research. Not only do some stores carry decorations and party supplies for a variety of gatherings, but there are stores which cater specifically to your chosen theme, and both exist in the New York area." She moved closer to the opening in the divider separating the driver's area from the rest of the vehicle. She spoke briefly with him, then moved away and fastened her seat belt.

"Oh. Well, I'm glad I let you be in charge. I'd probably have just found some fake grass and tiki torches at Home Depot." He wasn't lying, he had no sense for decorations. "So which are we going to go to?"

Crystal had to keep herself from laughing. "Why, the latter, of course. I have done the research, after all. Why settle for a few standard leis when you can serve guests in coconut cups handed out from a tiki bar? We can still have leis, of course, perhaps even with real flowers?"

"Real flowers," he asked feigning surprise. He knew that she was reveling in his ignorance and he was having fun not having to think. "Can we have hula dancers too?"

"It might be a bit much to hire hula dancers to come to the mansion," Crystal said, "but perhaps we will obtain the items necessary to form such costumes and see if people at the mansion wish to take on the role, or at least dress the part?"

"Well, I'm sure enough of the girls would be willing." He thought about all the girls lining up in coconut bras and grass skirts. That would be very enjoyable. That was when Lex realized he didn't have the money to pay for everything, and he didn't want to ask her outright if she was going to be taking the bill. He slumped visibly for a moment, trying to figure out how to approach the topic.

"Who says this would be limited to the women?" Crystal asked, raising an eyebrow. "Men can be hula dancers too, yes? It is your party, will you ask others to wear a hula skirt yet not be willing do the same? I intend to wear the outfit."

Lex cocked his head to the side trying to figure out the tone of her voice. He thought about what he had said and almost cursed. He really did need to start thinking before he spoke. "As will I, I just meant that I was more inclined to care if the women were interested. In my experience men rarely dress up without getting highly intoxicated." He hoped the answer would soothe her, breaking eye contact so that she wouldn't see how dumb he felt.

"Well, we can have the skirts around so people can wear them at whatever point they decide to get into the spirit of the luau," Crystal suggested. "We can let people know about them when we return and can always get more if additional people display an interest."

"Sounds like a plan. So, are we going to have a tiki bar, cause I'm going to be manning the pig roast, and I wouldn't mind if we added some more flavor to the scene." He was going through the mental list in his head. From all the movies he'd ever seen luaus implied tiki huts, fancy drinks, and a bonfire. Beyond that he thought it might be good to get something for limbo, and other yard games, and possibly even get a volleyball net.

Crystal nodded and smiled again. "Oh, yes, the tiki bar is a must, complete with tropical drinks with little umbrellas."

"I'm glad we're on the same page with that." He laughed and and settled deeper into the cushioned seat. This was definitely the way to go shopping.