Maybe it was because of her family name, or the shadow which always seemed to be following her at a distance watching those who interacted with the honey-blonde girl through narrowed dark forest eyes, just waiting for someone to try and do something to her that could harm or upset her. Perhaps it had simply been her hometown being so much more accepting of the light and warmth within her... Whatever the reason, the young woman couldn't remember a time in her life where she'd been bullied or taunted by someone in her school or any of her classes. She was neither among the popular girls that all the cute, popular boys constantly antagonized and, later, flirted while in the same moment, Ellie had never been part of those small groups known as the outcasts or outsiders. Needless to say, the honey-blonde had many friends throughout her school career, a majority of them made by the radiant smile and her willingness to always share her markers or crayons when it came time to create all those childhood masterpieces that so many parents would hang on the refrigerators only to save them in some special place to show after those innocent years have long since passed. It was easy to have so many as a child, and even easier to think that the more one had, the better things would be although in such a trusting and naive part of one's life, it was also equally as easy for open hearts untouched by wickedness to unknowingly welcome those inside who only entered to use or manipulate that effortlessly given warmth and kindness. She was perhaps what some might consider lucky, never really having had such people in her world, though again, this likely all tied back to her heritage. Being part of the Daray family, there were few that did not respect the girl's parents and the council that gathered their often to handle the concerns of what had been marked as their district to watch over and defend if need be. While the human populous simply believed that they were just some sort of committee devoted to the safety of others and keeping trouble off the streets of their small town tucked away and well out of the way from those who were not actively seeking it, they were vastly unaware of just what it was The Daray Council did. Yes, they were there to protect and serve the community, but against the supernatural beings that hid among them.

And so, it came with its own benefits that her once young mind never even bothered to try and consider, being the only daughter of Tal Daray. She grew up knowing little to no hardship, raised to be gentle and nurturing by her mother and taught to be strong and unfaltering by her father. The honey-blonde has always had the nearly picture-perfect example of what it meant to have a family, and the loyalties that each were to give unwaveringly to one another. It was expected, and even her brother whom she could only ever remember as being the way that he was now had been nothing but fiercely loyal to the family and the council their father led... despite his defiant and rebellious tendencies. It seemed complicated, convoluted in just about every sense no matter how one might try and look at it, the relationship that Lazarus had had with Tal. The two had never gotten along well to begin with, not for as long as Ellie could remember. She'd even been bold enough one day, as the two most important men in her life got into yet another yelling match, to ask her mother who'd watched the scene with an unmistakable look of concern if they've always been like that. It had been disconcerting to learn from her sweet mother that Lazarus and Tal had never managed to really establish that bond between father and son, something unseen always keeping them in a way much like fire and fuel. For years, Ellie had watched them and wondered if there was anything that she might ever be able to do, if there was something she could try and give them that might help, and yet even her mother had warned the honey-blonde girl to simply stay away."If you get too close to a flame, you will end up with burns that you could have saved yourself from". These were the words that her mother told her when she'd dared to contemplate trying to intervene. Being so young and knowing that they both loved her, even if Lazarus has never said such a thing aloud to her, Ellie had been certain that if she came between them, they would stop their arguing. However, if anyone knew better... knew otherwise, then it would be her mother. So, despite the pleading in her heart, Ellie trusted her mother, and simply settled for wishing on the same bright star shining over the distant hills of her childhood that things would be better for her father and her brother one day.

Sadly, that wish never had the chance to come true. And now, Ellie found herself desperately wishing for nothing but her brother's happiness, for him to one day be set free from the darkness that seemed to clutch so fiercely at his heart. She was certain that it was what made the man so bitter, so cold and jaded towards the world and those in it. Whatever it may be, the huntress was entirely convinced that it was the reason behind his unrest, why it was that the man was driven to seek temporary solace in liquor and empty companionship he could find within the sheets of a woman whose name would never be more than some lost whisper through the haze of his want for release from the demons that Ellie did not know nor could she see. Though he refused to let her believe that there was something wrong, something haunting the dark hunter that made him the way that he was, Ellie couldn't help thinking that her worries and suspicions were right. She hopes more than anything that she will one day be able to help Lazarus find peace, even as she sees him slipping further and further away, watched helplessly as the very things which had once eased him for at least a short while slowly began to lose their potency. What would happen when all the whiskey and rum his mind and body could stand no longer coaxed him into a drunken slumber? Truthfully, the young woman didn't even want to think of such a thing. She didn't want to lose her brother. No, she wouldn't lose her brother. No matter what it would take, no matter how much time he would need from her, she would do anything and everything she could to save him from the demons clawing viciously at the man. There was more to him than anyone knew. There was good in his troubled soul, no matter how many times others would tell the honey-blonde she was likely only seeing what she hoped was there rather than what really wasn't at all. For so long, she'd believed that there was good in even the coldest hearts, a light in even the darkest of pasts, and sometimes it just took the help of someone close to discover it and bring it from the shadows and into the sun. Ellie wanted to be that someone for her brother, just as she wanted to be that someone for Vhal, Lani, and Ludo. And, if ever Ashton found himself in such a state, she would want to be that someone for him, too â€" even if she's only just met him, and very much by accident.

When he smiles once more at the excitement she can hardly keep from bursting uncontrollably from something so seemingly small and trivial, it only further deepens the huntress's giddiness. Had she been were, there was no doubt she would have been a golden retriever or something. Ashton then goes on to speak of his stuffed bell peppers and immediately, she knows..."I absolutely love stuffed bell peppers! They're like, one of my favorite things!", she says almost breathlessly, glacier blue eyes glittering brightly up to the bright summer blues of his own. It's like they were practically meant to run into each other, to become friends! In all reality, it was entirely likely that had she been paying attention, they would have only exchanged a smile and went about their own way, but Ellie didn't feel like thinking that way. Nope, they were absolutely supposed to meet."Actually, I really just love cooking. Do you? We should totally make dinner together! It would be so fun", she adds then, hardly even stopping to think on whether or not he even liked her at all or would want to see her again. But, that was simply how the honey-blonde was. If he declined, then of course she would naturally understand that he might not be interested in such things like herself, but goodness, if he was... how amazing would that be!? Let's be real though, what are the odds a guy this good-looking actually likes to cook? She was almost surprised at this sudden thought, the more logical and practical side of her mind trying to keep her from getting those hopes of hers up far too high. They've only just met and exchanged names. Wasn't something like planning to cook dinner together meant to be after at least a couple hours of getting to know one another? Well, it was out now, and there was no taking it back. Yet, she hardly shies away or grows bashful in the least, instead beaming a smile to her newfound friend she didn't know she would be making today. Ah, but when his next string of nearly musical words ushered through tenor tones reach her as she lifts that drink up, lips grasping the straw to take a sip of her latte, he has her icy blues widening in another flare of eagerness she was all too prone to."Oh! You should apply for a position at the Beachside Bar and Bistro! I work there as a part-time waitress, and the owner is amazing. I bet she would hire you in a heartbeat! Plus, with school coming up for me, I'm sure she could use some more help", she says radiantly. Why she felt so sure that Adelaide would like him, Ellie wasn't entirely sure, but when she had a hunch she always trusted it. After all, they didn't call it a "gut feeling" for nothing, right?

Gosh, he is just suuuuch a nice guy! Truthfully, she couldn't help but say this to herself, mostly surprised that he has yet to give her a curious look and make some excuse to place some distance between them. She truly was trying not to overwhelm the man, unsure of just what type of person he preferred to keep the company of and if she fit into such a category of tolerance or not, but it was difficult for her to fully suppress her true and radiant nature. She wore her heart and her feelings on her sleeve, which she understood could be dangerous, but still she does. Too many people walked these city streets with mile-high walls and cool indifference, and it was often these people that shied away from those like Ellie. However, this world really needed more light, love, and laughter in it. Even if it acted like it didn't really want it, she was certain that it needed it. He explains that he's only ever had his coffee black, and Ellie ponders just how many times she's had it that way. Maybe once or twice?"I don't mind drinking it that way, but I've always had a bit of a sweet tooth", she remarks thoughtfully, knowing that if ever she found herself out of creamer in the fridge, she would manage just as well without. It was really just a matter of preference, but so were many things in this life. However, the thought is easily forgotten when she extends that invitation and he nods, his words of acceptance having Ellie smiling. Goodness, he was good at making her smile! Not that it was really a hard feat to conquer, though. But all the same, the huntress couldn't help but take great joy in him not minding that she following him to his residence. She giggles girlishly, finding that she absolutely adored his mannerisms, but she keeps this to herself for now."Oh, yay! Normally people decline my invitations. How exciting!", she says quicker than she can manage to stop herself, a gentle warmth creeping over lightly freckled and fair-skinned cheeks. The moment fades though as he speaks of his modest living and Ellie simply smiles sweetly to Ashton."That's okay, my townhouse isn't anything special, either", she replies, assuring him that she didn't expect for him to call some extravagant mansion his summer home or something like that. Not many people could afford such a luxury, or at least, she had yet to meet anyone that could. While she and her brother had the money left behind by their parents, they certainly weren't "filthy rich" either.

Ashton smiles â€" Ellie of course happily answering with a radiant one of her own â€" and nods his head down the street, the honey-blonde easily falling into stride beside him as they walk through the crowd, attempting to stay close and yet in the same moment ensure that their shoulders didn't brush against one another. The last thing she wanted was for him to be uncomfortable with her nearness."So, Ashton, where are you from?", she asks warmly, naturally wanting to know more about the man she was walking beside and thinking that it seemed like a fair start given the circumstances of their encounter."I mean, you don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable or something", she assures him then, feeling almost obligated to make sure that he knew that if he felt like withholding such intimate information, she would not be offended or upset. Not everyone was an open book, after all. It was something that Ellie often needed to remind herself of, especially since she hardly had any problems telling others about herself. It wasn't as though she had anything to hide."My brother and I moved here a few months ago from a town called Elkgrove. It's pretty far north of here", she says brightly, clearly not bothered about opening up to him first as if to show that she was just as willing to share pieces of herself if he felt like returning the favor. She could ask him a thousand questions right then and there, so very curious about this perfect â€" and handsome â€" stranger she'd bumped into, but again she is able to compose herself. First, she needed to wait and see if he would be comfortable sharing something like his origins before she started asking after even more personal things like what his favorite color was and perhaps if he liked reading. She loved reading. I wonder if his favorite color is green. Her favorite color was green. Maybe it was blue. If she had eyes that were that blue, she would likely love the color as well. She wonders of the things he liked and disliked, what his apartment might suggest about him since they often say that one can get a read on another individual either by their clothes, personal affects, color choices, and various other details so many don't always seem to notice. She studies him as she makes sure to keep pace, all those unspoken questions dancing light sunlight across freshly fallen snow and yet all she does is smile to him, waiting to see what would happen next.