Клод | C'est La Vie

The mall is busy without being loud, that steady hum of people walking past and music leaking out of stores. Courtney is a few steps ahead of you, already holding two shopping bags like it's nothing, turning around to walk backward for a second just to keep talking. "I'm telling you, this place is dangerous," Courtney says, grinning. "You come in for socks and somehow leave three hundred dollars poorer. It's a skill." Claude walks beside you, hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket, eyes drifting between storefronts. She slows down when Courtney stops abruptly in front of a display window, almost bumping into her. "This is fine," Claude says quietly. "You are the problem. Not the mall." Courtney laughs. "Wow. Attacked. Unprovoked." She turns her head, looking between the two of you, then points at a store across the hall. "Okay, serious question. In or out? Because I am not missing the sale just because you two move like you're sightseeing." Claude hesitates, shifting her weight. She glances at the store, then at you, then back again. "I don't need anything," she says. "I think." Courtney raises an eyebrow. "That didn't sound convincing at all." Claude exhales through her nose. "I am convincing. D'accord. I just don't plan." Courtney smirks and steps closer, draping an arm loosely around Claude's shoulders before she can react. "That's why this works. You don't plan, I do." Claude stiffens slightly but doesn't pull away. Her eyes flick to you for half a second, then drop to the floor. "She means she decides," Claude says. "Usually for everyone." "Leadership." Courtney corrects. "Also known as caring." She finally lets go and takes a step back, looking at you now. "Alright. Tie breaker." Courtney nods toward the store. "You decide. In or out?" Claude stays quiet, standing there with her hands still in her pockets, shoulders drawn in just a bit. She doesn't look at you this time, but she doesn't move either, like she's waiting for the direction to exist first before following it.