#wienblut

       ❝ It isn't frightening? ❞   Her voice doesn't quiver, expression betraying the calm gentleness. Elouise has to tear her eyes from the wound, anchoring them to his.   ❝ Becoming so accustomed to pain? ❞

｡° ᅳ 【 @wien-blut 】

Elouise truly couldn't count how long it'd been since she'd comfortable walked anywhere that hadn't been her cemetery grounds. There was always the healthy paranoia, the cautious steps and attentive eyes and ears, but that simply came with the times. There was no turning off survival in the world they lived in now. Even despite that, it was nice not to have as much tension wringing her shoulders taut. Nice to let her eyes take in the overgrowth and greenery instead of simply darting around for movement, for threats. She'd appreciate it while she could, but by no means would she let her guard stay down entirely. A careful balance.

Delicate hands are held on the straps of her travel pack as a way to keep them busy. Keep them at bay. She had a habit to reach and touch and grab, of having busy hands, and she didn't want to unnerve her companion with any sudden movements. Each step is as careful as it is   ( almost )   carefree, quick glances to keep up with where they walked.

       ❝ Funny how before everything happened I'd almost never come around here, ❞   she starts idly.   ❝ Now that everything's gone, it feels like I've been out more than I ever have when things were actually safe. ❞   Something Elouise was sure only she found amusing but wanted to share nonetheless. Not entirely because the silence was uncomfortable   ( she was very at home in a silence, especially shared ),   but because it felt like something to say. Something relevant rather than rabble.

       ❝ I'm sure traveling might be all you've been used to for a while. ❞   A bit of poignancy lands with her words there although it wasn't entirely intentional. Elouise had no way of knowing whether he'd enjoyed having traveled or if he'd traveled at all and what his opinions could've been. Thus, the conversation.   ❝ Would you like to keep traveling? Or do you hope to settle down somewhere eventually? ❞