Vlogmas: a YouTube Christmas Special [YouTube]

Day 4

On the fourth day of Vlogmas, YouTube gave to me:

SprinkleOfShopping (Louise Pentland [Sprinkleofglitter])

****

The shops are busy, but Louise Pentland's brain is busier. You think her thoughts must fire at five times the speed of an average human's. No sooner do you catch up with one thing she's saying than she's moving on to a completely different topic. Shopping clearly puts Louise in her element, which is lucky for you as you'd be lost and overwhelmed in the crowds.

"I love Christmas shopping, don't you?" she remarks conversationally upon leaving yet another packed store. Her hands are full of bags whereas yours are empty.

"Normally, yes," you agree. "But for whatever reason I'm striking out today."

You find yourself being pulled into the Starbucks conveniently located next door. "Let's have a sit down and a snack and put our heads together to see what you need, then!"

Louise Pentland, WhirlwindOfPink.

****

It's miraculous to witness the wonders that a delicious hot drink paired with a biscotti can do. Louise has one of her many cute notebook opened out in front of her on your little table, sparkly ballpoint pen at the ready. "So," she says in a businesslike tone. "Who's left on your list?"

"Well, I did most of my shopping online already, but I've yet to find presents for..." You count the names off on your fingers as you go. "Jack, Ben, Emily, Bethan, Marzia, Marcus, and Niomi."

Lou scratches the names down in her notebook, dotting a colon next to each. "All my friends!" she notes. "That should make this easy." She takes a bite of her pastry and chews it thoughtfully, brushing the crumbs off her paper with the side of her hand. "Marcus and Nims can be hard to shop for, but I know Marcus would be happy with a gift card to one of his health food places or Topman or something."

You screw up your nose doubtfully. "Is it tacky to get someone a gift card for Christmas?"

Louise waves her hand. "Only if you know the person well enough to get them a personal gift. You only know Marcus and Niomi through me, so it's okay. I can almost guarantee you they will be giving you a gift card as well. There's nothing wrong with it, it's like saying 'I care, but I care enough that I know you'll be happier if I don't try to buy something specifically for you and I'm voluntarily relinquishing that power unto you'." She gives you an authoritative nod as she says this.

You chuckle and shrug. "Alright then. Gift card from Topman for Marky Butt-Butt. What about Niomi? Maybe something from Lush?"

"Ooh, yeah!" More writing. "I'll help you pick scents that she'll like. Now, as for Emily..."

The ideas, fuelled by caffeine and Louise's sparkle pen, flow freely until your pastries are gone. Finishing off her drink, Louise snaps her notebook closed. "Let's get shopping, then!" she says, full of enthusiasm as usual. You can't help but feel a rush of excitement, too.

Louise Pentland, SpreaderOfSparkle.

****

Now that you're in the right mood, you realise that shopping with Louise is probably one of the most fun things that this modern world has to offer. She's such a joy just to be with in any scenario, but today in particular was the most fun and least excruciating shopping experience you've ever had. The hours fly by, and before you know it, the sun has gone down and the shops are turning on their exterior Christmas lights. You and Louise admire them as you walk down the street laden with packages.

"He caught you?! That's like something out of a romantic comedy!"

You laugh. "I know! So cheesy of him. But, you know, he saved my life and everything, so I guess I'm grateful."

"Eh," Lou says with a dismissive wave and a twinkle in her eye. "Who's left on your list?"

You shift your bags to look at the page ripped from Louise's notebook. "Jack."

"Ooh, Jack Howard," she muses through her teeth. "He's a tough nut. Did you ever decide what to get for him?"

"No." You stare at the list, completely filled out and crossed off except for Jack's name, followed by two question marks. "I don't like buying clothes for people, and I don't want to get him a gift card..." You chew your bottom lip, looking down the row of shops. "What do you think? You know him best."

"Well... Jack is quite nerdy, isn't he, but he's hipster-nerdy. You might find something in Forbidden Planet."

You shake your head. "Forbidden Planet's closed already. We just passed it."

"Well," Louise says encouragingly. "You've got some time yet. Let's call it a day and get some dinner, yeah?"

The list flaps a little in the wind, reminding you of your unfinished business. After a second of hesitation, you nod. "That sounds good." The pair of you walk together down the pavement. The strings of light make halos of the flyaway hairs that circle the crowns of your heads.

Louise Pentland, AngelOfChristmas.

****

The snow is picking up outside the window of the pizzeria. You watch, chin in hand, stirring your ice water with your straw and thinking about the days to come. Louise invited you to join her in a whole slew of "wintertime activities", as she called them, and you've got some of your own planned as well. When you think about it, you can't help but smile at the prospect of all that time with the people you love. Louise is in the bathroom now, but if she had been here, you would've hugged her across the table from a sheer overflow of Louise-love.

Right on cue, the lady herself appears, giggling slightly. She sits down and leans forward to whisper. "I'm pretty sure the lady in the stall next to me was having a poo, except I guess she was having some technical difficulties? Such awkward grunting she was doing! I hope she's okay."

You share a laugh as Louise does a dramatic reenactment of the woman in the toilets. As you settle down, she sighs happily. "I've had a really nice time today," she tells you. "It was fun to have a little one-on-one time with you, we haven't had that in awhile."

You agree, but you're pretty sure Louise has no idea just how much you love spending time with her.

Louise Pentland, FriendOfYou

****

A/N:

Suggestions welcome! :)

Happy Christmas
virtues <3