"How about this?" Willow asked, holding a skirt up for Elisa's approval.
"Oooh, that's a great color," Elisa replied, taking the garment and holding it against her body. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Well, I'll just try it on." She tossed it on top of an already overflowing pile.
Buffy came up behind the two girls, carrying a fashionable duffel bag. "For slaying purposes," she explained, tossing it to the right of the first pile. "Keepers," she stated, pointing to the second pile.
"Ready to model?" Willow asked their new friend. Elisa nodded and entered the dressing room. Willow liked Elisa. There was a sense of strength and power about the girl. That made sense, given that she was the Slayer. But there was something else. Elisa had to deal with a lot these past two days. She was forced to deal with being in the future all of the sudden and her brother was a vampire. That had to be difficult, but the quiet girl was taking it all rather well. It was admirable, really. Willow moved over to Buffy's side. "So?" she whispered.
"So what?" Buffy whispered back. Willow just gave her a pointed look. Buffy rolled her eyes. "She seems nice, but the jury is still out." Willow just smiled. Buffy's body language told a different story. She was relaxed, comfortable. If she still had remaining doubts, Buffy would have been tense, ready to jump into a fighting stance at any time.
Elisa stepped out of the stall and twirled around, showing off the unfamiliar clothing. She wore the long, flowing skirt Willow had picked out with a long sleeved sweater.
"That works, now try this," Buffy said, shoving two more items at her. Elisa returned to the changing room.
"Should I get that first outfit?" her voice could be heard, muffled by the door between them.
"Don't know yet," Buffy replied. "We'll start a 'maybe' pile."
"Amongst others," Willow said, laughing at the clothes lying all around them.
Elisa tried on outfit after outfit, putting them in various piles according to the other girls' suggestions. Eventually, the three girls escaped the mall, loaded down with bags containing their many purchases.
"Xander gave me some money, but we didn't use any of it," Elisa commented. "How did you pay for all of this?"
Buffy smiled and waved a gold credit card.
"Your mom's?" Willow ventured.
Buffy shook her head. "Giles," she stated. Willow gasped and shot Buffy a stern look. "What?" Buffy was incredulous. "He told me to go get some Slayer supplies. Slayer," she said pointing to Elisa. "Supplies," she motioned toward the bags.
Willow laughed at Buffy's logic. "Now what?" Willow asked. "We have at least two hours before nightfall."
Buffy shot her a wicked grin, "What do you say to a dinner and a movie. . .on Xander?" Willow smiled and both girls looked at Elisa.
"Sounds good to me," Elisa agreed. After a few moments, she got that confused look again, "What's a movie?"
Buffy laughed. Elisa was like a little child in some ways. She had been fascinated by the mall. Now she couldn't wait to show her more of her world. Grabbing Elisa's wrist, the Slayer hurried down the street. "Coming, Will?"
"Yeah, wait up!" Willow yelled and ran after the other two girls.
The girls raced down the sidewalk, giggling like schoolgirls. None of them noticed the man who all but disappeared into the shadows.
"Can you do it?" the vampire questioned his demon companion, being careful to stay away from the remainder of the sunlight.
"Yeah, I can do it," Glavok responded. "But then we're even? I get rid of that tiny obstacle and you won't come after me again?"
"Yeah, just do it right and I'll let you live," came the reply.
Glavok looked unconvinced, but knew he couldn't win. "This way," he motioned further into the dark alley. Spike tossed his cigarette to the curb and swiftly followed the demon. "Soon, Elisa," he promised. "Soon."