Elisabeth watched his reaction carefully as she showed him the [i]‘s’[/i], noting the broad smile on his face at knowing how to spell her name. Giving his arm a gentle squeeze, they went inside. Her new house wasn’t very different than the old one. Spartan with possession, there were a few books strewn around in different places, but it was obvious she didn’t view it as a place that needed to be decorated. It served a utilitarian function, allowing her a place to keep things. It was a place to sleep and escape anything that needed escaping as well…but a place like that didn’t need ornamentation or things for that purpose.

The couch, however, was the same one he remembered. Vin and Rilith had given it to her when she moved out. There was nothing special about it really. It was a simple, comfortable couch…but it was one that had given her endless nights of comfort from the realities of life. Maybe she was sentimental after all.

It was only when they stepped into the house did, she notice how dirty he was. Of course, he was on his way home from a job. At least that is what she presumed. Thinking quickly, she spoke. [b]“Well, we could do a few things. I don’t have any clean clothes that would fit you…otherwise, I would let you clean up here. If you have clean clothes someplace else, you could go grab them and bring them back…or I could go with you?”[/b] The last option was borne of the fact that she didn’t think he would willingly let her out of his sight right then…and she was a bit curious as to where he was living.[b]“If you don’t like either of those options, you are welcome to clean up the best you can here without a clothing change. I don’t mind, really”[/b] The smile she gave him reinforced that Elisabeth was truly fine with anything he chose to do. 

Dinner could wait for a bit. She wanted Ezner to be comfortable so whatever that took, Elisabeth was willing. It was a conversation of two equals, discussing the course of the evening...and that felt really good.