Of the list of least ideal ways to start a day - no, the school year, seeing Keelan was right at the very top of it. Eithene knew she could try not to be affected by her, but the spirit wasn't just an imprint of a soul, oh no. It was an imprint of her death, all the emotions left behind right after she died. Keelan carried a general feeling of guilt and melancholy, virtually impossible for Eithene to not feel.
The image of the girl faded a little from sight, and Eithene grabbed a prettily decorated chocolate cupcake from a plate in front of her, taking small bites. The sweet cream flooded her tastebuds, and served to calm her down a little. Jae said nothing about her temporary lapse in concentration, whether by choice or not, regardless, she was grateful for it.
She reached over and squeezed Jae's hand, facial expression a little more natural now. "Thanks, I appreciate the offer. It'd be way easier if I could just take Charms and Defence, I'm much better with actual wandwork."
Jae's enquiry into her family's business brightened her up even more. "Oh, it's doing well, we had a little group of tourists who were so taken with the idea of a little antique bookshop in the middle of nowhere!" She snickered, taking a jab at the remoteness of their home. "Mostly I think it was the decorations, though. Father managed to get the back room cleaned up, and he's completely transformed it into a tea room, so I've been making sure it looks pretty and such. Speaking of which," and here she leaned closer, excited, "I found that a witch opened a shop down in the city. It looks like a curiosity shop with the occasional stuff that Muggles believe to be Wiccan props, but they're actual magic books and ingredients. Buying my things will be so much easier now."
Between sentences Eithene managed to finish the cupcake, a cheese roll, and a glass of juice. Orange or pumpkin, she couldn't tell. Hell, it could have been guava juice for all she knew. All she really needed was to get food in her system, something to keep her mind occupied. Now she looked down at her plate, brushing crumbs off her fingers, and chuckled wryly. "Sorry. I'm starving after the long ride from Enniscorthy. Aeroplane food, Jae. Just doesn't cut it."
She remembered something. "I'm so awful! I've been rambling about myself, not sparing a thought for you. How's being a prefect? Lots of work to do?" She coloured lightly, feeling selfish. Knowing Jae, he would probably brush it off, but she would just end up making a habit of talking too much about herself.