Event Private can't pick a present like a chump

They had two weeks. Two weeks to decide what to get for their Secret Santa pair and Stella would have complained of having aneurism if she had any physical brain to worry about but Adeloise would argue that it wouldn't really matter what she got for her designated person. She always did say that what really counts was the thought. That was what Adeloise would really say but she'd worked herself up to nervousness — she wouldn't be if her dear sweet friend didn't stop egging her on.

Adeloise sat on a bench, snug and warm in her coat and scarf; a few minutes earlier than planned. She had a pout on her face and a glare fixated on the neatly wrapped box on her lap. Stella stood near her, but neither spoke to the other. It was arranged that she and her pair meet early in the week so she could be home with her family for the holiday break, but this, Stella argued gave her even less time to decide for the gift. So here they were, in some sort of cold war because Adeloise refused to be 'influenced' by the older girl.

A sigh passed her lips, forming a little cloud of smoke in front of her. Adeloise hoped her they liked her gift, at least.

Adeloise counted only a few minutes passed her from waiting, but she was a little restless and kept herself distracted by fiddling with the ribbon of the package. It was odd for her not to be talking to anyone she realized, but she didn't want to be the one talking first. It's not like she didn't want suggestions, but clearly she didn't like criticism and Stella had been no help to her on that department.

Before Adeloise musings wandered even further, a voice pulled her out of her riverie. Her body straightened up to regard the speaker only for her to simply stare. If it weren't for the sound of Stella clearing her throat from behind them, she would have kept doing so until she embarrassed herself. Her cheeks noticeably flushed when she realized she had yet to reply. The girl almost had to scramble to her feet, nearly dropping the package in the process out of carelessness. Good thing the other one stayed home, she thought to herself, she wouldn't be able to live this one down.

"Oh, no! Not at all. I haven't really waited that long," she explained, once she finally regained her poise. She had a smile on her face like her blunder didn't happen, "It's a pleasure to meet you; I hope I didn't have to interrupt any other of your plans?"

A quiet sigh passed her lips when he hadn't commented on her delayed reaction, relieved that he didn't seem to be any more bothered by it that he let on. That could have been rather embarassing to talk about. At least it's only Stella as my witness, she assured herself again.

The girl's eyes seemed to fluttered about, somewhat nervous at such a simple gesture from the other. She felt a cold wind brush behind her, reminding her that she needed to keep talking. "T-that's good to hear then!" she managed to stammer. She managed to regain her smile as she continued. "I was worried it might have seemed too soon but you're right." There was a pause in the moment with Adeloise glancing down at her gift for a last moment to contemplate her choices before she extended her hands forward. "I hope it's something to your liking; I wasn't very sure about choosing."

Adeloise honestly wanted to scold herself; she wasn't normally this self-conscious. In fact, 'self-conscious' was one of the last few words she could use to describe her behavior on a daily basis. She wouldn't even want to say this was rare for her. It might not be the first she ever had acted this way around anyone, but it felt so weird for her that she didn't even want to consider it natural at all. Ahh, why was he being so nice at a time like this?

The girl had to control herself to not visibly tremble as she received the present from him. She could have sworn she felt a chill at her fingertips as she held the package but it was simply replaced by her nervousness just as immediately.

The smile she returned didn't seem as nervous but Adeloise knew for herself that it hadn't faded just yet.

"I'm pretty new at this myself too," she confessed. Which was obviously why it took a lot out of her to consider what gift to get. She supposed a set of blank journals seemed fitting. At least, sure hoped so. "I suppose it would be nice if we opened it together?"

Adeloise breathed a long sigh when she turned back to her gift, almost hesitant to unwrap it until she heard the rustling on the other's side. She was careful when she unwapped the gift, making sure she didn't seem too much in a rush to find out what it was under all wrappings. True, she always said something about material presents not being the core of any gift giving but she was a curious little girl, what could she do? She heard him speak first, taking a moment to look up from the package and offering a cheerful smile, mixed with some ounce of relief that she made the right choice. "I'm very glad to hear that!" she chirped, before returning her attention to the present in her hands.

She didn't really need to tear off its entire wrapping paper to find the contents and as soon as she caught sight of the cover of one of the books, there was an audible squeak that came from her. After seeing the other cover, one could say delighted wouldn't even cover her reaction. She was so giddy, she was visibly trying to keep herself from bouncing all over the place. "I love them," she said in a small voice, holding the books up to her face like she was practically breathing them in. While she herself was the kind of person to experience ghost activity on a daily basis, it was always a delight for her to see how others perceive the spirits and how others translate it into fiction. It was, to say, an adventure.

"I love, love, love them so much, thank you!" Adeloise repeated, her voice now clearer than earlier. She was so ecstatic that she didn't think much of her motions and stepped to wrap Johann into a little hug, not very aware how the other would react to the gesture.