Beautiful People: Clarkson & Elise

It's Beautiful People time (courtesy of Sky and Cait) once again and oh, is it a lovely one! Lovely. No, I didn't do that on purpose—but it really is, as it is all about romance and wonderful things like that. :) And being about romance, who else could I have but Clarkson and Elise? 

First, though, for most of the story they never think of themselves as a “couple,” but much more as a brother and sister, though deep down their emotions are much different than that.

How long have they been a couple?
They meet at the beginning of the book, so what you see is what you get. :)

How did they first meet?
Ah, this is rather complicated to explain straight out, and besides it might be telling tales out of turn, so I just won't. :)

What were their first thoughts of each other? (Love at first sight or “you’re freakishly annoying”?)
When Clarkson first saw her, his thoughts were in total confusion and Elise was simply the only constant thing he had to hold onto. But for Elise...though she refuses to let herself meditate on it, it was complete and total love at first sight.

What do they do that most annoys each other?
Sometimes it troubles Clarkson that Elise refuses to give up on him.

Are their personalities opposite or similar?
I think they are fairly similar though it comes out differently (i.e. he is teasing and easygoing and she is more quiet and reserved). On the other side, though, she can get angry with people and he has a deeply buried vein of tragedy.

How would their lives be different without each other?
Clarkson would have died and Elise would have been comfortably rich and horribly lonely.

Are they ever embarrassed of each other?
Never. Elise never does anything that Clarkson has reason to be embarrassed about, and though some people (Uncle Eustace included) might say that Clarkson is an embarrassment in human form it only makes Elise more protective of him.

Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?
No one whose opinion truly matters to either of them.

Do they see their relationship as long-term/leading to marriage?
Elise realizes full well that their current friendship is someday going to totally change and though it is terrible for her to think about, she works toward the reason for change everyday. Her face is the first thing Clarkson remembers seeing and he doesn't even think of life any other way.

If they could plan the “perfect outing” together, where would they go?
They would have a picnic on the shore and walk along the edge of the sea tossing sticks into the water for Elise's dog to fetch. Sometimes talking, but mostly just being quiet together, and all very peaceful and friendly, and (if they thought of it) rather romantic. But that idea would never cross Clarkson's mind and Elise scorns herself for thinking such things. So it isn't really romantic...or it is without their knowing it.