Few and far between were the individuals that the honey-blonde woman wasn't able to find one reason or another to try and be warm or friendly towards. And even when she might happen upon a less than friendly-looking face on the streets, she still struggled against that desire to stop and say something nice, even if the chances that her kindness would be paid forward were next to nothing. Elain most certainly wasn't the type who would give to another with some curious expectation receive something in return. The way that she saw things, it was hardly considered "giving" if one were to wait with hands opened as they waited for that gesture to be reciprocated, rather she considered it trading or purchasing instead of giving. Elain never wanted anything in return for whatever kindness she happily offered those around her. As cheesy as it might sound to most that occupied Sacrosanct, the young woman found her own reward in just knowing that she tried to brighten someone else's day or made them smile with a warm word or compliment. She didn't need someone to make a remark on her pale-yellow hoodie and how warm it looked simply because she decided to stop and tell someone how much she might like their scarf or shoes or even just thanked them for opening a door for her on the very rare occasion where a stranger would. The world needed more light and love in it. At least, that was what Elain thought, and it had to begin somewhere right? The more hearts willing to give without getting, the more souls ready to try and help those in need without secret motivations, the stronger a community - or city in this case - could become one day. Like growing a great sycamore from the smallest seed, it would take more than just rich soil to help it flourish. It was hard for her not to think about how much warmer this world would be if every heart gave even just a single gesture of kindness. Even the biggest and fiercest of rivers were nothing without those seemingly miniscule and insignificant drops of fallen rain.

Perhaps that was part of why it was that the honey-blonde woman had taken a near instantaneous liking to the man behind the counter. Then again, it was hardly a feat at all to earn that radiant smile or bright greeting from Elain who was always eager to meet a new face and, with any luck, make a new friend. She never turned down a casual "hello" or "how are you", the young woman so firmly believing that there was a light in each and every soul, some might just be harder to see or reach than others. Even on a cloudy, moonless night the stars still shone somewhere in the blackened sky above, so why would a heart be any different? Her brother was a practically perfect example of this. He was far from the warm and friendly type, and she couldn't really even remember the last time that he actually smiled. Sure, he's smirked or whatever, but it had been far too long since she'd last watched his lips turn into a genuinely happy smile. It just wasn't him. He was cold and callous, untrusting and ready to see the poorer qualities in those around him just so he could have a valid reason to use them as an outlet for his anger that threatened to overwhelm him at any given moment. But, despite that cold and distant exterior, Elain knew that there was a light. It was dim, and each day she worried that it would never truly illuminate his world and chase away the demons that she knew he fought, but it was still very much there â€" even if he refused to admit it. Ludo was different, though. The opposite of Lazarus, actually. As she complimented him on those baked treats and his talents, the man gave her a wide grin, accented words she could never get tired of hearing thanking her as he gave her a slight nod to place subtle emphasis on those smoothly spoken syllables."I'd be delighted to!", she answers warmly, glacier blue eyes glittering brightly.

When he speaks of Italy, suggesting that if she were ever given the chance to go to that world overseas she should go to Naples, she can see a light in his eyes as he speaks so fondly of that far away city. It was clear to the honey-blonde woman that there was a special place in his heart for his hometown, just as there would always be a love specially reserved for her own hometown. And as he makes mention of the local shops, she could hardly stop smiling at the man."It sounds amazing! Maybe one day you can take me. I wouldn't know the first thing about where to see all the non-touristy things", she replies cheekily before giving him a playful smile. Whether he thought she was flirting with him or not, she would leave entirely up to his own interpretation, but the remark was innocent regardless, the lack of anything remotely considered sultry and seductive anywhere to be found in those eyes of early morning frost that remained anchored on Ludo. There was a friendliness to her that reminded her of a little country town where everyone knew each other, where people would wave and say good morning and ask how the other's day was going. It sounded silly perhaps, but it was what she imagined when she studied the Italian man. He makes a remark about the style of the bakery, drawing her gaze away from his for a moment as she admired the décor that seemed carefully chosen for the style that the woman who owned the business was looking for. Was she French then? Was that why she decided to go with such a theme? She doesn't have long to contemplate these possibilities though as smooth tenor tones bring her attention back to Ludo as he seems to consider asking Tal about making the oatmeal sugar cookies a regular item, Elain offering him another bright smile."I definitely think you should! I know I'd buy them all the time, maybe even buy them all", she replies sweetly, another soft giggle tumbling from her lips.

She hardly misses the way that he looked at her as he made the comment on that worst-case scenario of having to make a small match for the honey-blonde woman and she could almost swear he really was flirting with her, making it impossible for her not to smile ever sweeter to him in that moment as she regards him as well. Any young woman would be lucky to call Ludo their boyfriend, that much she didn't even have to think about for a second. He was charming and handsome, but what drew her to him the most was that smile. He truly had a smile unlike anything she'd seen in a long, long time."Aww, would you do that for little ol' me?", she asks in a playfully bashful and flattered tone, batting glacier blue eyes at the man before another chiming note of laughter falls from her."If you make them, I'll buy them. Deal?", she teases brightly as she watches him move to place the treats in that pretty paper box, slipping that large tip into the jar discreetly, though it was hardly a true attempt at trying to be sneaky. Not that she was very good at being so sly to begin with. When he moves back to where she waited patiently for him, he smiles that smile again and it encourages her own warm smile in return, finding it impossible not to. When he replies to her invitation, she is practically walking on cloud nine , surprise illuminating her own pale blue depths at the idea that she hadn't caught a glimpse of him before. No way I'd forget a smile like that. She could practically see the same question dancing in his own eyes as he moves to retrieve a worn leather jacket before moving through the hinged counter door, his smirk only adding to his charm as she smiles sweetly to him before making for the door. He waves goodbye at his boss and Elain is the first through the door, stepping out into the chilly winter afternoon with that box of cookies in hand. She turns her glacier blue eyes to Ludo as he speaks in those smooth tenor tones and she offers him another bright smile as they walk across the street."My brother and I moved here two months ago from Fairfield. I'm still getting used to everything, it's much bigger than the town I grew up in. The people here seem pretty withdrawn, though. But I guess that's big city living", she answers readily before giving him a cheeky smile."Thank goodness I met you, though. There may be hope for Sacrosanct yet", she adds brightly as they round a corner onto another street headed towards Hawthorne Village. His next question has her glancing briefly down to her messenger bag before looking back up to him as she nods."Yeah, I am a full-time student there at the university, actually. Do you attend? I can't say I've seen you on campus before", she remarks curiously, head tilting ever so slightly, strands of honey-blonde hair falling into her face before she shifts that box of cookies in her arms so that she can brush it behind her ear with her free hand.

It is when Ludo pauses that she stops beside him, immediately following his gaze to see that they were in front of the coffee shop she herself had wondered of, but seeing as Lani worked at Inner Sanctum, Elain hardly considered stopping anywhere else. Accented words have Ellie looking back to Ludo and she smiles up at him."I don't mind at all! That's really sweet of you Ludo, but you really don't need to get me anything", she answers gently, her smile only growing brighter as he mentions the tip as she giggles."I have no idea what you're talking about", she says innocently before giving him a playful wink before walking through the door of the coffee shop, stopping just inside to be greeted by the rich aromas of espresso and baked treats. It wasn't quite as large as Inner Sanctum, but it seemed just as popular, most of the tables occupied by individuals either talking amongst themselves or busying themselves with reading or paperwork of some sort. It had a more modern feel, but it was certainly a cozy little place. She walks up to the counter, feeling Ludo's presence beside her as she eyes the menu, waiting for the barista busy preparing a couple's drinks to return to the register. After searching a moment for the non-coffee beverages and deciding a hot chocolate sounded perfect, she turns those eyes of early morning frost to those deep earthen hues of his own."What are you gonna order? I'll probably just have a hot chocolate. It's pretty chilly today", she says easily to him as if they've known each other for much longer than thirty minutes, and in a way it sort of felt like that for one reason or another. She doesn't bother to linger on how or why though, simply happy that she'd met him and he had given her that very first smile that led them to where they were now, contemplating what toasty beverage would warm them against the cold outside world.