Now really, how could I be happy knowing a close friend is miserable?

....Right how?

Oh. I um... I didn't... ["I told you so" simply wasn't the right thing to say, was it?] You know you're always welcome at the mansion, Belle

[Exasperated sigh.] What am I being blamed for this time?

[Stays silent for some good few minutes after overhearing that.]

[Looks at her in bewilderment.] /What/? I've done nothing. x.com/ouat_snowwhite…

Well, [Huffs.] You're not the only one. x.com/ouat_snowwhite…

........

....I swear my basement isn't as dark and evil as she makes it sound. x.com/sinuoussadisti…

Probably because you've been making a mess down there. x.com/sinuoussadisti…

[Eye twitch.] And /I'm/ aggravating her?! x.com/sinuoussadisti…

[Starts fiddling with the scarf around his neck, because damn did it just get hot in here?]

[Quirks a brow with a lopsided smile.] I never would have guessed you were such a tease, Miss Liddell.

Just imagine the miracles of having much more than a little bit. [Proud nodding.] x.com/ladybellofnl/s…

Looks like the cat finally decided to promote herself from the basement. x.com/sinuoussadisti…

[Definitely needs to catch a drink with @UnorthodoxMaxim some time. He's got this odd feeling the doctor's an interesting company.]

Have you never thought about cleaning down there? For – I don't know – courtesy's sake? x.com/sinuoussadisti…

[Needs to check on 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 ♀. Still can't trust that pirate of hers after all...]

In that case, S T A Y far far away. x.com/gutsyscoundrel…