[Elena, like anyone, like any prey, is afraid when his face begins to change. But the difference between Elena and prey is that she isn't one to let that fear overtake her. She doesn't like using her magic to harm others much less does she like to make the first move, but with him? She's willing to make the exception. She'd rather not take her chances.]

[Elena's eyes flash gold as she raises the temperature in his brain - enough to nullify him as a threat and steady enough to keep him that way. Very calmly, she smooths a wrinkle in her dress. Although she's willing to make the exception, she takes no pleasure in causing him pain. On the contrary, it makes her just as uncomfortable as it would if she were attacking anyone, even a human. Despicable as he is, cruel and vindictive as he is, she knows that there had likely once been more to him. And here he was, reduced to a mere shadow of his former self.]

[She pities him almost as much as she reviles him.]

And a guest would not arrive unless he had been invited, James. So I suppose we both make for quite terrible company to the other. But out of the two of us, you could certainly stand to make more improvements on your manners than I.

Do you feel like making an effort?