given the circumstances

Elide

Elide watches him consider his answer, watches as his cheek presses in against his teeth and he chews at it. Still, she is quiet. He will have to be the first to break the silence. If it's awkward, Elide doesn't feel it. To her, this is a favor, one that could be life-saving in the heat of the moment - not a way to satisfy some urge. She has no inclination towards pleasure, not even before Ascending. She's relieved, at least, that he understands the implications here.

"You are the only person left for me to ask this of," she states, a bit matter-of-fact, "and.. I'm running out of time. Or else I might have gone to someone else, rather than ask this of you."

At the revelation that he's never been bitten before, she tilts her head in understanding. In an attempt to ease any apprehension he may have, she explains, "It will be over before you know it, and in the moment... you may get certain feelings. The bite is meant to feel good. But at most, you'll only lose a bit of blood - and I will gain your life drain magic, to use against the monsters," she does frown thoughtfully, though, "it might hurt afterwards, but I will do my best to make sure the wound isn't deep - and you can rest knowing that you've done something to help."

"If you'll let me."

never before had the song of war
been the song of hope ascending