( The incongruity of someone who acts like Collette, and who talks like she does, being exactly the way she was isn't lost on her. Neither is the stiffness; or the addition that would not, she feels, be there if they were both "normal" teens. It's all old ht.

And for all of it, Collette smiles, looking passingly amused. )

Likewise. Come on, let's take advantage of the weather while it's being nice. We're not even getting slammed with winds, or fog, or anything overly dreary! Good paper weather, don't you think?

( She wasn't waiting for an answer, not with how she looks from Ellie to the door, and then she's moving for them. She knows her way out, smooth given her situation, and with no hesitation or outward appearance of anything being amiss. )