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From time to time, Tori (or the twin's nanny, Alice), took Ixi or Sanqui shopping. Usually San hated it but his sister Ixchellia tended to enjoy it; at least when there were clothes or interesting items to peer at in the windows.

The girl had only been to the shops a few times in her short life but she knew one thing about the activity - it was fun to find things you liked and take them home!

From watching her mother and Alice, it seemed all you had to do was hand over some bits of coloured paper and/or shiny metal pieces and the people who worked in the shops gave you whatever you asked for. It was brilliant. She just couldn't understand how Sanqui found it boring when there were so many things to buy.

This particular day she was out and about with Alice, who was running some errands as well as taking Ixi shoe shopping. Ixchellia had grown lately, tiny bit by tiny bit, and, though she was nowhere near beating her brother in height, some of her shoes had become a little too 'pinchy' and tight.

Holding onto Alice's hand, Ixchellia looked this way and that as they walked, gazing into all the shop windows the pair passed or sneaking glances as discreet as a toddler could manage at all the passersby. Ohhh...goodness, look at that shop!

Something about one of the small shops along the walkway caught the girl's eye - the dresses and scarfs in the window were so beautiful and there were sparkly things scattered around, plus some of those coloured sticks she saw Alice paint her lips with sometimes. "Alice?" she tugged on the woman's hand gently, turning eyes shimmering with hope to her guardian. "May we go in dere....please?" she pointed excitedly, belatedly tacking the 'please' on the end.

The nanny blinked down at the girl then, folding the handwritten list she had been reading back into her apron pocket and glancing at her watch, looked over to the shop Ixi had indicated. It looked very girly and glittery and Alice couldn't help breaking into a giggle. She was so different from her brother when it came to this kind of thing!

"Certainly young mistress, we can tarry there a while." Alice decided "There's still plenty of time left for us to pick up the other things on the list" And the girls headed towards the store, walking through the open door into a world of feminine delights.

As they stepped into the store, before she even heard the woman proclaim she hated kids, Ixchellia sensed...something!

The girl with the light cocoa skin paused just inside, next to a rack of multi-hued garments, taking in the rush of new information with a feeling of awe.

That 'something'...she really could sense it. No, she could sense 'her'; another Curio. Not that the toddler could have put a word to what she sensed but it was there as clear as a glacier spring. She detected notes of grace and poise, mingled with innocence and beauty. Images of silky, soft fabric fluttered in her mind and she caught a wisp of incense, though none were burning in the shop. She knew what incense sticks were because they were sometimes used at home, to lend a pretty fragrance to a room.

She picked up also, the sense of something ornate, precious and priceless, all the while the images of lovely fabrics dancing through her thoughts. And a connection, somewhere...

Although she couldn't have understood what most of these things meant nor explain them if asked, Ixchellia was already making a beeline straight toward the only other girl in the shop wearing a pink tutu with a strange looking top in candied colours and cute, trailing bows.

She left Alice browsing a display of various kid's shoes, careful to stay within sight. She knew the rules: she was allowed to wander inside the store so long as her nanny could see her.

Standing before the other girl, Ixi gave a small curtsey, accompanied by a summery smile and an excitable, if not polite, greeting.

"Good morning! My name is Ixchellia Allura Song. It's very pleased to meet-chu!" she chirped confidently, not realising she'd mangled the formality somewhat. Her name was a bit of a mouthful, though she managed to pronounce it without a single stutter, despite the words being drawn out more slowly for ease of speaking.

Flicking a quick glance toward the girl's guardian, she chose to ignore what the woman had said earlier. If she didn't like kids, boy, she was really in the wrong store! But that was okay, Ixi was only going to talk to this girl with the pretty clothes, so it would all be good. Besides, Alice was here, so she had nothing to fear. She giggled at that thought - hey, it rhymed!

She was about to chatter more to the girl who'd caught her attention when something else distracted her and she looked over at the woman who'd talked loudly before, noticing she was gazing at the girl as she talked. Hearing the words of Vinaya's guardian, Ixchellia's mouth fell open and she blinked at them in surprise. A soft pout graced her lips as she looked back to the other girl. She almost wanted to shout 'No fair!' on her behalf.

"You only getta choose one thing? How can you - possibly?" Ixi questioned with feeling. Pausing, her expression shifted to a more thoughtful one, as though considering this difficult rule, fingers twisting into her burgundy hair absentmindedly. "Well...one...is better than none" she finally concluded, smiling brightly at the girl again. That made perfect sense to her.

"I really love your clothes...and your hair!" she exclaimed suddenly, clasping her hands in front of her with a soft clap. How did she style it like that? Ooh, and she seemed to have all these pretty markings over her as well...and sparkly gems too! Did she draw on herself, though? When Ixchellia drew on herself, she couldn't do anything as intricate as that.

"What is your name? Do you like clothes? Did you draw on yourself? An', an'...I c'n help you choose somethin' - if you want!" So many questions. But she just HAD to get to know this fascinating person who made her feel so funny. Ixi was hoping already they could be best friends. Instant friends - how cool would that be?! She giggled behind her hands just thinking about it.

***

Alice tried to keep the girl close by, pointing out shoes she might like. Knowing the twin's penchant for mischief and their level of boisterousness, she always liked to keep a careful watch. Sure, it was easier when they were separated but still, both were quite unpredictable at times. It was best to know where they were at all times ...and what they were up to. That was important.

"How about this one, Young Mistress, do you prefer the shiny black or the ones with the...oh"

Alice gasped softly when she noticed the toddler had gone, then where she was heading; straight towards the woman who...seemed to be having a difficult day, perhaps?

She chuckled, shaking her head. It were as though trouble attracted these twins like a magnet.

She didn't yet notice the woman's child, still casting her gaze around to see where her young charge ran off to. She had lost sight of her somehow behind some racks of clothes and toys.