[color=FFF2D8][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WHxJd1p.png[/img][/center]
[center][h1][color=7DB9B6]Elodie Ashbourne[/color][/h1][/center]
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[center][color=D9A0B0][b]Location:[/b][/color] Sean's truck—-->Elodie’s café • [color=D9A0B0][b]Time:[/b][/color] Night[/center]
[center][color=D9A0B0][b]Interactions:[/b][/color] [@FunnyGuy] Sean • [color=D9A0B0][b]Mentions:[/b][/color]  [@Tpartywithzombi] Vex •[/center]
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Elodie leaned her head gently against the window as they drove, the cool glass a quiet relief against her still-throbbing temple. Her broken arm was cradled carefully against her in a makeshift sling from her sweater, fingers flexing now and again with the sting of every bump in the road. Still, her gaze remained on Sean more than the city lights. The way his mask stayed off. The way his voice softened just a bit. The way he rambled.

She smiled faintly.

[color=D9A0B0]“You know,”[/color] she murmured, her voice still hoarse but warm, [color=D9A0B0]“for someone who just faced down a raging lycan like it was another ordinary day of the week… that apology was like watching a baby deer try to walk. Kinda awkward. Kinda tragic.”[/color]

She tilted her head slightly toward him. [color=D9A0B0]“But it was also really cute.”[/color] She giggled.

Then her smile faded into something more somber, and she looked back out the window for a moment before speaking again, quieter this time. [color=D9A0B0]“I know you were only trying to help. And it… it means more to me than you probably realize. I’m not mad at you. Promise.”[/color]

Her thumb brushed idly over her good hand’s palm. [color=D9A0B0]“I’m not even mad at Vex. She wasn’t herself… and honestly? I hope I get to meet her again someday when she is. Preferably when I’m not being hit or flying across a room.”[/color]

She let out a dry little laugh, but then her expression turned inward, tight with unease. [color=D9A0B0]“You asked about biting. The truth is… it terrifies me. Not just because of what I am now, but because… I don’t even remember the face of the person I bit. I don’t remember their voice.”[/color]

She turned to him again, eyes searching his. [color=D9A0B0]“But do you want to know what I do remember?”[/color]

Her voice dropped to barely more than a whisper. [color=D9A0B0]“The taste. It was… intoxicating. Warm, sweet, everything I didn’t know I needed. It hit my tongue and I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to. I wanted more. I took more. And when it was done, when the haze cleared…”[/color] Her voice cracked, eyes glossing faintly. [color=D9A0B0]“They weren’t moving. And I knew–I know–I killed them.”[/color]

She sniffed, blinking quickly and then shaking her head. [color=D9A0B0]“That’s why it scares me. Why the idea of ever biting anyone–especially you–makes my whole body lock up. You’re the last person I’d ever want to hurt, Sean.”[/color]

She went quiet for a beat, then added gently, [color=D9A0B0]“So here’s my proposition… if there ever comes a time when I have no other choice–when we’ve exhausted every option, and you would still want to offer–I’ll accept it. But only then. Only if there’s truly no other way.”[/color]

Her hand curled tighter in her lap. [color=D9A0B0]“And in return… if I lose control, if I hurt you, if it gets too far or I take too much and show no signs of stopping…I need you to promise me you won’t hesitate. I couldn’t live with myself if I ever…”[/color] She trailed off, then finished with a rasp, [color=D9A0B0]“Just promise me you’ll stop me if it comes to that, whatever that means. No matter what.”[/color]

The weight of her words lingered as the truck slowed.

Her eyes flicked up toward her café’s familiar exterior, and a tiny smile tugged at her lips again. [color=D9A0B0]“Now,”[/color] she added, trying to summon a little lightness, [color=D9A0B0]“you’re gonna come inside so I can feed you and make you the best coffee of your life.”[/color]

The comforting scent of sugar, spice, and coffee beans still lingered in the air despite the late hour as they entered the café. The soft hum of appliances, the creak of familiar floorboards beneath her shoes–this place was hers. Her sanctuary.

With stubborn determination, Elodie moved straight for the kitchen. Her body protested every step, and her broken arm ached, but she moved with purpose. One-handed, she brewed two strong cups of coffee, adding just a touch of cinnamon to his and a dash of cherry syrup to hers, a satisfied smirk crossing her features at the quiet nod to the ridiculous nickname she was still internally swooning over.

She pulled three pastries from the display case–two flaky ham and cheese turnover and a sweet cranberry-orange scone, the kind that didn’t require much slicing or fuss. Something simple. Filling. Easy.

Then, balancing everything carefully, she carried the mugs and plates to a small table in the corner, where the lighting was soft and golden and the shadows didn’t feel quite so heavy. She set it all down with practiced ease, then turned and retrieved a bottle of whiskey from the shelf behind the counter.

She placed it between their mugs with a sly little smile.

[color=D9A0B0]“In case we’re feeling a bit Irish,”[/color] she said softly, eyes twinkling.

[color=D9A0B0]“I also have pain meds, if desired.”[/color] She took her seat slowly, easing into the chair with a quiet exhale as her body finally allowed a moment to relax. Her good hand curled around her mug again, the ceramic’s heat a balm against the lingering cold that hadn’t quite left her since the fight.

Silence settled for a beat.

And then, without looking up, she murmured, [color=D9A0B0]“Tonight… showed me I have a lot to learn.”[/color]

Her gaze lifted to meet his, steady but vulnerable.

[color=D9A0B0]“Will you teach me how to fight?”[/color] she asked. [color=D9A0B0]“Er, or, at least defend myself? I don’t want to be helpless if something like this happens again. I want to be able to protect myself. Protect others.”[/color]

There was no drama in her voice. Just quiet resolve.

Her cheeks flushed faintly as she nudged his plate toward him with a shy smile.

[color=D9A0B0]“And you can’t fight on an empty stomach, so… eat up, Warden.”[/color] Then she quietly added. [color=D9A0B0]”Buuuuut, let’s not throw any more hands tonight, yeah? I think we’ve both been roughed up enough for one evening. Promise me we’ll keep things gentle for the rest of the night, okay? I don’t think I can survive another pounding.”[/color] She sighed as she sipped her coffee.[/color]