The cup of steaming coffee felt pleasantly hot on her hands that were still cold as ice. For some moments she clutched at it, using the cup to warm up her hands. Then, nodding her thanks at him, but without words, she guided the cup towards her mouth and took a large, rash sip. As always, she managed to scald her tongue, but she didn't mind. It was good to have something warm running through her body finally, especially when it was coffee. As she took another sip right afterwards, she looked down at the black liquid. It got her into thinking. Perhaps coffee wasn't the best choice for Elena right now, unsettled and disquiet as she was. Shaking her head, she lifted her gaze and silently followed the Doctor into the other, somewhat country-style room. There would be enough words spoken sooner or later, she thought, so she didn't have necessarily have to speak just now.
The piano immediately lept out at her as she entered, holding her gaze for a couple of moments. Then she looked around the various pictures hanging on the walls, especially at the one showing him and his family. She squinted at it, beginning to realize why perhaps he was living alone on his estate. And why it was called Tombstone Estate of all names. The thought didn't make it better, though.
Silently damning the lump that had gotten into her throat by the time she plunked down on one of the sofas, she made it herself as comfortable as possible for her. The cup she still held in her clutching hand and swayed it around every now and then. Despite its undeniably rustic style, the room had something to it, she thought. Not as modern. And in no way related to the cell of a psychiatry, which soothed her in some way.
Elena held still after his final question, obviously rapt in thoughts as she stared down at the floor. By now, she had slackened deep into the soft sofa. Her lips she chewed on, almost biting them open, then, as if it was the most honest answer to his question, she vented a deep-drawn sigh. Without raising her head, she began murmurously: "Well, I've never been to something like this before, to be honest. Which is good, I guess, but that way I'm, uhm, not sure where to start, really." Momentarily, she damned herself for ever having come here in the first place. As she had her head lowered though, her expressions weren't exactly readable for him. It was a grimace that showed on her face. When she looked up and glanced at him, she pressed her lips together and blinked.
Just now she realized she really didn't have any idea how a therapy like this would work. "I guess I'm supposed to tell you something about who I am and why I have contacted you, right?" The words sounded squeezed, over-controlled.
