[center][url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5gWtkdgdyt5bZt9i6n3Kqd?si=37957e6e11974ccb][img]https://i.postimg.cc/05m61xNT/Elena-Castellano-removebg-preview-1.png[/img][/url][/center][right][sub]Interactions: Luciana/Loni [@FernStone], Elijah [@Theyra] [/sub][/right][hr]
[indent]Elena’s gaze darted toward Loni, the healer diligently tending to her injury. She observed the weariness and suffering intricately etched into the woman’s features, each line and crease outlining a strength that appeared to teeter precariously on the brink of collapse. The radiant glow emanating from the healer’s hands bore an almost supernatural quality, yet the clear torment that flickered across Loni’s countenance as her injury was tended to prompted a sympathetic grimace from Elena. In a moment of instinctual empathy, she placed a gentle hand upon Luciana’s back, softly whispering words of comfort into her cascading curls, all the while her own heart continued to race with the remnants of adrenaline.

When the healer, finished with her work, addressed her and Elijah, Elena nodded quickly. [color=#f9c2bf]“Got it,”[/color] she said. [color=#f9c2bf]“We’ll keep an eye on her.”[/color] Then, after she left them, Elena’s focus shifted back to Loni, her words eliciting a fatigued smile from her lips. [color=#f9c2bf]“You don’t have to thank us,”[/color] she replied softly. [color=#f9c2bf]“Anyone would’ve done the same.”[/color] But even as the words left her lips, she wasn’t sure if she believed them. Not everyone would have acted—not everyone had. Not everyone [i]could[/i]. She had to shake the thought away, focusing entirely on Loni instead.

Luciana let out a soft whimper as her mother reached out toward her. Elena immediately adjusted her embrace, facilitating a space for the little girl to extend her tiny hand, allowing it to meet that of Loni’s. She could sense the tension in Luciana’s delicate grip beginning to dissipate, albeit slightly, prompting her to lean in and whisper reassuringly, [color=#f9c2bf]“See? Your mamá’s right here. You’re safe now.”[/color]

When Loni began to ramble, Elena listened quietly, letting her talk while processing the overwhelming weight of everything that had happened. At the mention of the Sin Sisters, she raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. It stirred a memory that had long since buried itself in the recesses of her mind, a warning about Cloverfield’s North Side and how it carried its own little rules and alliances.

[color=#f881ae][i]“The North is a different beast, Elena,”[/i][/color] her mother had said one night as they shared tea over candlelight. [color=#f881ae][i]“It doesn’t play by the same rules as the South. You’ll find kindness there, sure, but be wary—help often comes with a price.”[/i][/color]

Her mother’s caution tugged at her now. Was this one of those moments? Was staying here, becoming further entwined with Loni and her coven, the start of something that could pull her deeper into Cloverfield’s tangled web? Or was it simply the right thing to do, as her mother had also believed in fiercely helping those in need without hesitation, no matter the cost?

She glanced at Luciana, who had begun to calm in her arms, her tiny fingers still gripping both Elena’s coat and her mother’s hand. If she walked away now, would she regret it? Would she be turning her back on something bigger than just today’s events—on an opportunity to understand this city, its people, and herself more deeply?

[color=#f9c2bf]“I’ll stay for now,”[/color] Elena found herself saying after a beat. She would honour her mother’s lessons—both the caution and the courage. However, as Luciana nestled more closely against her, seeking comfort, Elena straightened her posture and gently withdrew. [color=#f9c2bf]“I just need to make a brief phone call,”[/color] she interjected, casting a glance between Loni and Elijah. [color=#f9c2bf]“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”[/color]

With that, Elena handed Luciana gently back to her mother and stepped toward the room's exit, her phone already in hand.[/indent]