Elle is visibly caught off guard-- she's usually much better at controlling her expressions. It takes her a moment to recover and respond.

"I'm not sure how to answer that," she says carefully.

She feels like it may not be in her best interest to do so. It's not-- she knows it's not-- but the question feels like a trap. Or maybe she just feels trapped by it.

(Her mother's voice makes itself known in the back of her mind: too stiff, over-arched back, keep your head up, smile--)