𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬: 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, outside of quick conversation changes and the attempt at prodding ––– in essence, he is ( still ) a stranger to her. in essence, she is cautious of her ward’s feelings. when he came around, the only thing she could think of was to let him in, at least allow him a moment or two away from the brisk air outdoors. and then he asks about libby, their name pinching diana like a fork through her flesh. she remembers: there is a common thread between the two of them, after all. hospitality becomes of her before she answers: Would you like some water? Some tea? I was just about to brew some, it won’t be any trouble… but she does not move from where she stands, arms crossed over the chest.
❝ they are not here. ❞ it’s said after a moment of consideration, a glance given up the staircase as if the fae would appear within the second. nothing happens. she turns back to him, a sigh escaping her. manicured fingertips tap against her skin, not out of impatience but an unsureness in what to do next. ❝ i could try calling them myself, see if they answer me. does libby usually pick up when you call ? ❞ a pause, and then a bell - like chuckle [ short, soft ]. ❝ have you upset them ? ❞
it’s difficult to get anything out of libby. and this observation comes from a man who hardly offers idle conversation, let alone the kind that reveals more than boring pleasantries. zander makes a point to avoid the habit, so much so in fact that he can count on one hand the number of people who even remotely interest him or are interested in him past the physical ( his best friend and libby, generously ). all this to say, zander barely knows anything about diana either. he knows that mothers are sore for libby, as sore as fathers are for him, and he knows that diana is significant enough that libby lives here every so often. it’s enough to bring him here, last ditch effort that he has never given anyone else before. awkwardly, he waves off diana’s hostess efforts ( no, s’fine, i didn’t– ).
surprise does not color his features. he is still just as apathetic as ever, save for the slightest furrow of his brow in frustration. ❝ no. ❞ zander almost smiles. ❝ we don’t talk on the phone much. so if i called, or if they called, it’d be something serious. and i did call, but she still didn’t answer, so. . . ❞ he doesn’t talk this much. especially to someone he doesn’t know. especially to a parental figure. he’s regretting coming over now. why would libby come running to anyone when they were hurting? that would mean admitting hurt, and that’s sure as fuck not libby. zander grits his teeth. ❝ forget it. they’re not here. i don’t know why i– ❞ a three count. he shifts on his feet, plants his hands on his hips, sighs shortly. ❝ who’s to say i upset her? what if she upset me? ❞
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