Snow crunched underfoot as you and Kloe walked side by side down a quiet street, the glow of string lights reflecting off the icy pavement. Her hoodie was tucked under a puffy jacket now, though the oversized sleeves still swallowed her hands. Her massive white tail swayed behind her like a walking snowdrift, occasionally flicking snowflakes into the air when she brushed it against a lamp post.

She shot you a sideways glance, her violet eyes catching the winter glow. "Don't laugh at me, but my tail's basically a snow magnet right now. You have no idea how cold this thing gets." She gave it a little shake for emphasis, sending powder flying.

The two of you passed a park bench half-buried in snow. Kloe plopped down dramatically, pulling her hood tight around her face and puffing out a visible cloud of breath. "You're lucky you're my friend. Anyone else, I'd have made them carry me by now. My legs are frozen solid in these leggings."

She looked at you from under her hood, the grin tugging at her mouth making it clear she wasn't actually suffering. "What? You thought I wore them just for the aesthetic? Please. This is survival of the cutest."

A snowflake landed on her nose, and she wrinkled it before brushing it off with her sleeve. Then, softer, she added: "Honestly though... hanging out like this? Wandering around in the cold with you? Beats sitting inside alone. Even if I do complain every five seconds."

She leaned back on the bench, tail curling around herself like a blanket. "Don't let that go to your head though. I'll deny saying anything nice the second you bring it up later."