For as long as Elain could remember, she and her big brother had always been close. Yes, they've had their scuffles and arguments that more often than not resulted in one of them (usually Lazarus) slamming a door to their bedroom or perhaps even walking out of the apartment altogether the blow off steam somehow. For the young college woman, her way or relieving the tensions she felt when her bull-headed brother decided to get under her skin lecturing her about some guy she had simply be talking to was to call up her best friend Naomi and vent about how ridiculous Lazarus was being. Deep down though, she knew that it was all for good reason and she honestly couldn't fault him for that overly protective nature he carried with him everywhere he went. It was hard for her to ignore the pain that so many couldn't see in then the less than friendly man, knowing that his heart was truly in the right place but he simply struggled with showing it in the right way. She'd been too young when they'd lost their parents and so she couldn't quite say she remembers much of that night, but she knew that Lazarus did. She knew that he remembered every last bit of what had happened while the most that Elain could remember was her brother shaking her awake and ushering her down into the basement where they'd hid until the first light of morning. She could remember hearing the sirens outside their large home, the empathetic looks that the siblings had been given, that ride in the back of the cop car... the tears and utter devastation that had written itself across young Lazarus' face.

Ever since that day when a brother and sister went from having a loving family to only having each other, things had been a little tougher for the man with messy caramel locks and dark forest eyes. Sometimes it was hard for the young woman to see what it was that was hurting him the most, and she often wondered why it was that he had seen it so absolutely necessary to build such thick and high walls around that part of him she knew to be completely capable of loving and caring about others, but she also knew better than to ask him about the reason he had become so hardened to the world outside of their little townhouse, so callus and cold to any that might just want to try befriending him - though in all honesty very few were daring enough to try and approach the brooding guy with hands in those jean pockets and pitch aviators hiding the almost cold stare he gave so many from beneath that hood he often wore over his head. It wasn't like his posture made him very approachable, but what Elain knew that no one else did was that he wasn't nearly as terrible as he looked and often acted. He would definitely need to find someone strong enough to handle his mood swings yet understanding and patient. One of these days, she would find that right woman from her distant brother. This she had decided would be her way of repaying him for everything that he did for them, for her.

Maybe it was the simple fact that she was a dark hunter, or perhaps it was due to the observant and inquisitive nature that she so effortlessly held about her, but she couldn't help feeling like the guy bent over in that old wooden chair rummaging through the backpack by his feet was different. Different from what she was used to, anyway. The young woman remembers, before everything in her young life had crumbled and fallen apart rendering she and her bit brother orphans, how their father had been. The man had been serious on most days, lips pressed together in silent contemplation as he buried himself in the countless books that had once filled that study she easily remembers playing in while he worked, those familiar brooding forest green eyes as they dissected each and every little thing that so captured his interest whether it be a disruption from his studies or a particular article he found in one of those old books. These were a majority of the memories that she could recall of their father, a serious businessman adamant on ensuring that his family had everything that they needed, that they were safe. But, even he had days where those that dark gaze would be alive with laughter and love as he mused Elain in those girlish imaginary tea parties or bedtime tales of princesses and dragons. Solemn and intimidating though he had been, there was also no questioning that the man loved his family. As icy blues a like reflection of her late mother's watch this young man in the café that she was certain she'd seen before in her brief time within the city limits of Sacrosanct, she couldn't help but wonder if that black coffee he was drinking spoke anything of what he might actually be like. She'd heard somewhere that such minute things could be evident of personality traits, and the idea intrigued her even further as she sought to find out if this guy really was the same cute guy with dark hair and fierce eyes that she'd seen in her calculus class.

It is only moments after she arrives beside the table he sits at when those amber eyes meet glacier blues and there is a startled look in his gaze that lingers for only a moment before he removes the headphones from his ears in time to catch her words. At first, his reply had her questioning just why it was that he seemed so familiar to her if he were telling through truth. After all, it wasn't every day she stumbled across someone with the same rich golden honey hued eyes in a seemingly endless sea of chocolates and aquamarines mingled with the occasional sage or forest green. His puzzlement dissipates however and when he looks back up to her, his next string of words has that bright smile dancing across her lips and a satisfaction flickering across her icy blues."Well, that explains that then doesn't it? I was certain I'd seen you before", she says brightly to match that friendly smile upon those feminine features, long braided hair draped over her left shoulder with her drink in hand and messenger bag still slung over her shoulder. There is a fleeting moment of silence when at last he offers her a name and amusement glitters within her glacier gaze as they remain gently upon the young man who then, as a delayed reaction to his own words, extends a hand out to Elain. She has to refrain from giggling softly at his uncertain disposotion, finding it endearing all the same as she reaches for it and her soft hand meets his in a shake of greeting."It's a pleasure to finally have a name to that face, Benjamin. I'm Elain", she speaks sweetly in reply and courtesy as she'd been taught by her mother and father. His gaze shifts away from hers again as now he asks her if she needed help with a problem or something, and though she is half tempted to feign puzzlement on one of the questions to her worksheet, she decides against it and instead those icy blues glitter in friendly amusement."No, I just thought I'd meet the cute guy sitting in a corner all by himself, that's all", she answers honestly, shrugging lightly as she takes a single step back to allow him enough space to rise from his seat since it had looked as though he was about to leave, likely for the college that they both attended. If anything, she ought to think about getting herself to class but there was still enough time to make friends in this solemn loner with a strangely shy demeanor.