Getting Into the Spirit of the Season

She blinked, considering it a moment longer, before finally nodding.

"Very well, if you are certain, I would be more than willing to accompany you."

She rose from her seat.

"Shall we leave soon? I am quite eager to begin, and I would very much appreciate your expertise on what would make appropriate gifts."

Even if her voice was as blank as usual, she seemed a little more animated as she spoke. Not quite excited, but at least more interested than she would normally be.

"Very good." She nodded, following closely after Celeste. "I would like to return to my room just to collect some spending money, but I will be ready to go as soon as I have done so."

Euphemia had gotten a job working a cash register at a cafe, mostly to follow Celeste's advice of putting herself in situations where she'd need to interact with people. She never really needed to spend her money, she didn't eat and rarely bought other material goods for herself. So as a result, she had a lot of cash saved up.

"Very well." She nodded again. "I will collect my things and meet you there."

Giving one last little bow of her head, she split off, walking down another hallway towards the dorms.
____

Precisely 15 minutes later, Euphemia was standing outside the gate, a small wallet containing a large wad of cash in her pocket. She had taken the opportunity while she was at her room to get changed. She'd considered her usual robe, but she was aware that when most people went shopping together they were usually dressed a little more casually. So, she decided to change out of her uniform and into the clothes she'd bought with Isabella, wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a bright T-shirt.

For once, she actually looked like a regular teenage girl.

Unfortunately, the fact that she stood with her usual stiff posture, and the fact that her clothes were in no way appropriate for the weather while the cold didn't seem to bother her at all, left her still looking a little weird.

"Hm, yes, I am quite cold, however, it is not an issue for me."

The cold did leave Euphemia feeling mildly uncomfortable, but with the way her body functioned, there wasn't any real harm it could cause her, so she felt no need to warm up for the moment.

"I am prepared to proceed with the shopping. Shall we go now?"

Euphemia blinked, looking somewhat confused as Celeste pushed the warmer clothes into her hands. She still didn't think it was all that necessary, but she wasn't about to disobey instructions from her teacher. She wrapped the scarf around her, pulling the gloves onto her hands.

Once they were all on, she gazed back to Celeste, noticing the change in tone, a small look of confusion and almost worry on her face.

"Mr Forestier...did I do something wrong?"