Truth be told, the young huntress had very few experiences in her past where there had been a moment in time she needed to defend herself. If it wasn't her mother and father shielding her from the world and all its cruel tendencies that did not give one the choice to stay soft and oblivious to its unpredictability and ever showing that her hope for the world to find its light again was likely to remain nothing more than the daydreams of a gentle soul, then it would be her big brother who made it his everyday responsibility to look after Ellie, seemingly bound and determined with a tireless drive to ensure that she was not tainted or harmed by what he knew all too well the beings in this life to be terribly capable of. Now, that being said, did the woman have no instincts of her own that might come to light if ever it was a matter of life or death? Some would dare to say that she didn't that she was just some innocent soul that would only end up being consumed by the way things were, left shaken and lost when she discovered how unforgiving fate could so often be. But, if any knew of the story to the honey-blonde woman... if they knew of the tragedy that has already touched her life and did in fact affect her in a deeper way that she ever seemed to let on to, then perhaps they would not say some things about her. Maybe they would wonder instead how it was that, after enduring what she has and the heartache that found her present days every now and again, she somehow managed to keep such a light within her eyes of early morning frost or smile with such warmth and tenderness to a total and complete stranger she'd never met before. It was true, Ellie did not see the world as so many others did, just as she did not understand how it was that so many souls in one city could be so untrusting of one another. However, that did not mean she did not know what pain felt like. After all, her change had been excruciating, and it had been three days later that the young woman came back to reality as a being intended to help keep the delicate balance between the natural and supernatural.

She knew what it felt like to lose a huge part of her world, and it had left her very much lost and stumbling through those days after the loss of her parents. Lazarus had done his best to help her cope, but it had been clear that the dark hunter had also suffered so much more than he ever showed. Ellie could see it almost every day, when he was in a worse mood than normal, when he was silent even in a situation where he would usually waste no time voicing just how displeased he was about something. When their parents had been murdered in what they were told was nothing more than a robbery gone bad and he'd assumed himself as his little sister's protector against the dark, there had been a change in the man that the young woman loved from the very first time she'd seen him. No one would believe her if she said that he wasn't always like how he was. Yes, he had never really been the most pleasant individual to be around, and it was impossible to deny that the man had a fearsome temper he often struggled controlling (though with Ellie, he always seemed capable of at least redirecting it), but the Lazarus she knew had simply been someone without any sense of direction. Now, he was something altogether different. He hated the world instead of simply not caring about it. He trusted no one when once he'd only been unwilling to let others in. His heart was closed, jaded and cold when it had been simply rebellious to a point of defying any order given, even when it was the words of their stern father that tried to command the young man. Goodness knows she couldn't even count the times that the two most important men in her life would be toe to toe in a yelling match, Tal attempting to enforce his authority over his one and only son that seemed adamant on telling the head of the family council exactly what he felt in that moment. Admittedly, Ellie always thought that their father was so hard on Lazarus, hardly ever giving the young man any word of praise or acknowledgment that he might be proud of his son when he did something right, and it saddened Ellie. Then again, so certain was the young woman that their father knew what he was doing, she never once questioned the man in his training or his direction.

Despite the harshness of her brother, Ellie would give her life for him. She loved him without question just as she had their father, even if there were times where she wouldn't always be as honest as she should with him. But that was simply because she knew what the hunter would do if he found out what it was she was doing, or with whom it was she was spending time with. He had no problems with the honey-blonde spending time with Lani â€" though at first he'd somehow suspected if "Lani" was a guy's name or a girl's name â€" or when she would go to work and talk about what a great time she and Abby had or perhaps the praise that Adelaide had given Ellie. It was when the young woman encountered men that it became an issue. In school, she'd never had any boyfriends, and the reason for this had messy caramel-colored hair and dark forest eyes that had a way of unsettling most. The boys in her middle school and high school knew to steer clear of Ellie, because Lazarus had been quick to make an example out of a bold guy that dared to put his arms around the young woman. She hadn't really thought anything of it then, even going as far as to think that she might like the boy that was the first to actually come up to her and start a conversation instead of glance at her before continuing on their way. She didn't know that Lazarus had been nearby, and perhaps only moments after Josh had pulled Ellie under his arms, her brother had stormed over and been quick to assault the poor guy. One broken nose, black eye, and handful of nasty threats later, that was the end of Ellie's first "boyfriend" moment. After that, it always seemed like the hunter had his eyes on his little sister, and in turn, the guys in her school were quick to stay away. It wasn't until she came to Sacrosanct that she'd met Ludo and Frost, neither of which she'd made mention to Lazarus of. Just because they were male didn't mean she couldn't be friends with them. Besides, neither of them were actually interested in her like that. It was the one instance where Ellie came to the conclusion that what he didn't know wouldn't exactly hurt him... right? At least, that was what Vhal would always tell her, especially that night when the witch had convinced the huntress to go out to a bar one night, even having managed to get her hands on a fake ID that the bouncer didn't question.

Although, there was something about this guy standing over her that reminded her far too much of the guy from that night at the bar. She couldn't remember the dark-haired man's face very well thanks to the haze of the strawberry daiquiri and that shot of tequila that Vhal had convinced her to try â€" which she was certain she would never want to taste again â€" and yet even just the hazy memory was enough to make her wary of this brazen fellow who was surely up to no good. He continues to smirk down to the huntress, dark eyes watching her expectantly and almost seeming to say "well?" as he lingers, Ellie trying to find a nice way to tell him that she really didn't feel comfortable around him. She could just come out and say it, but the honey-blonde was always worried that maybe she was misunderstanding his intentions or expression, not wanting to hurt his feelings... Suddenly, she can see out of her peripherals the movement of another figure, and when she turns glacier blue eyes to practically glitter with glee when she immediately recognized the man with white hair and those stunning violet eyes, she suddenly feels safe. Why, she doesn't know exactly, but surely her friend wouldn't let this guy try any funny business. Besides, she can remember perfectly how he'd given her his phone number and made the remark that she could call him if anyone ever gave the young woman any trouble. She would have been relieved to see Lazarus, though in the same moment fearful that the cops would get called as the dark hunter was likely to end up beating the stranger senseless just for even thinking to talk to Ellie. She would have also been equally as happy to see Ludo making his way over to her as well, feeling certain that at least with the Italian this brazen man would have the wind stolen from his sails. But with Frost, it was a different feeling altogether. There was something about the unique man that just had that "I don't take crap from anyone" appearance, and even as she glances briefly to the man standing over her, she can see him seeming to falter. She tries not to let the surprise flicker across her features, instead offering a bright and warm smile to the familiar face she couldn't be any happier to see right now.

Frost's baritones are smooth as he seems to almost catch on to exactly what the man might be up to. And he was smiling! Even when she'd first met him, there'd been the most fleeting of simpers across his features, but all the same Ellie could not help but beam right back to him."It's okay, I was reading while I waited", she replies sweetly, hardly missing a beat. What she doesn't expect though was for Frost to lean down and feel his lips brush lightly against her cheek in what was undeniably a kiss. It takes everything she has to keep glacier eyes from widening at the gesture, knowing that it was only for show, but gee whiz he certainly made it all look convincing! How amusing it was that her first kiss â€" well, her first willing kiss â€" would be from her friend! But her thoughts hardly linger there as she watches Frost turn his full attention to the main stricken in silence, suddenly seeming uncertain about the whole thing. She looks between the two men as they just stare at one another, the stranger seeming determined to hold his ground and yet Ellie remembers perfectly well what happened last time someone â€" namely, her dear friend Lani â€" had attempted to do that. She almost feels sorry for the man subjected to Frost's now unmoving and emotionless expression."I was... uh, just making sure she was alright", the man says suddenly, his voice trying to give the impression of harmlessness. And maybe he really was harmless, but even the honey-blonde woman knew he was lying, trying to cover up whatever his real motives had been. Truthfully, she didn't even want to know. Frost speaks to the man, his tones cool like ice and Ellie can't help but smile, that more impish side he so brought forth from her sparking to life as she looks curiously to the man again. Would he try and say something smart back? What a bad idea that would be... "Whatever, man", the dark-haired stranger says, shrugging his shoulders before looking one last time at Ellie, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and walking off. When he's out of earshot, the huntress breathes a sigh of relief, turning her radiant smile and bright icy blue gaze back to Frost."That was perfect timing. I owe you one", she says warmly to the man.

She really did feel like she owed him something for coming to the rescue when he really didn't have to, the young woman certain that he had much better things to do than chase off boorish perverts. But what could she even give him? It's then that she remembers the scones, looking down to the paper bag. She knew he had a sweet tooth after all, and what luck that she decided to buy two! She picks up the bag and offers it to Frost with a beaming grin upon her lips."Maybe an apple cinnamon scone would do for now?", she offers then, thinking that the next time she made those carrot cake cupcakes he seemed to enjoy, she would definitely need to make a batch just for him as thanks. For now, though, that one peace offering would hopefully be satisfactory."So, what brings you to Hyde Park today? Anything fun?", she asks curiously, wondering if he was here for the same reason that she was, hoping to enjoy the sunshine while it lasted. It was hard to think that they were already halfway through the summer more or less, and soon autumn would bring all her beautiful colors and best holidays that Ellie always took so much joy in celebrating. Gosh, maybe she could invite her all her friends over and not have to worry about Lazarus! She would be having her first Thanksgiving here in Sacrosanct, she wanted to make it into something special if she could! But now, she was getting distracted... so, still smiling radiantly up to the man with snow-white hair and violet eyes, she waits eagerly to see if maybe he would take her up on the offering of that scone and, better still, she might even join her there in the shade of the tree. Goodness knows she would love that! One step at a time, though, Ellie.