First Encounters, Poor Impressions (1)

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𝔉𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱 𝔈𝔫𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰, 𝔓𝔬𝔬𝔯 ℑ𝔪𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰

"Pardon me?" Ezra's brows raised and then sunk into a furrow. He parted his lips, his open mouth smile shifting into a stiff gape as he processed everything: the sudden recognition of his presence, the sudden demand, and the sudden sparks when they met eyes.

For the moment, they both seemed to process each other with the intensity of stretching a rubber band with shear blades.

"E-Erina." Lady Sutherton stumbled over her tongue as she hurried to speak to his defense. "Mister Ezra is our guest, so don't start with the nonsense."

Erin slowly directed her attention to her mother. "And?" She cocked her brows. "Who was it that always said Suthertons over all---especially lowborns," she said, finishing with a venomous hiss.

"Yes, darling, but this is not the time to---."

Erin interrupted, eyeing Ezra. "---As a Sutherton I am not in the habit of repeating myself. Move it." She tugged on the chair, looking down upon him; her frustrations suddenly had a medium and she couldn't resist the offer. "I need to sit. So, get moving, now."

"Erin, I am requesting that you have some respect for my guest." Lady Sutherton cried. "You can take the other seat right there." She pointed to the available empty seat.

Erin's eyes swiped past her mother before landing sharply on Ezra. "Mother, I'm being considerate enough. I am kindly asking him." She paused to whisper lowly enough only for him to hear. "Asking instead of pushing you out of this chair."

He heard and glanced up once at her.

"Erina, enough." Lady Sutherton held up her hand. "Do not start this right now."

"Don't start what?" She batted her eyes, placing a hand on Ezra's shoulder.

"Erina." Lady Sutherton's eyes fluttered.

"Mother." She smiled sweetly, letting her claws dig into Ezra's shoulder.

"D-Daviyd." She turned to her husband. "Daviyd," she said again, pleading for his attention with bulging eyes and a high-pitched strained voice.

Yet, despite her calls for his assistance, he seemed more focused on checking his pocket watch as if he was ready to move on with his daily itinerary of responsibilities.

"Daviyd." Lady Sutherton snapped at her husband's indifference. "Daviyd!"

The fourth attempt finally captured his interest and he looked up from his watch. "Anya?" That was all he replied before the dialogue between them turned into anxious bickers and complaints from 'she can not scare off our butler, already' to 'perhaps we should look into sending her to a different lady's retreat'.

Erin was glad to take advantage of her parents' brief intermission. She remained lurking behind Ezra's seat; hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.

"One," she said, roughly tapping his shoulder. "Two."

The longer he remained seated, the fierier her glare was growing.

"Three…Four."

Her other free hand rested atop the rim of the seat, preparing for movement. "Five."

"Well, Daviyd, what do you expect me to do? Simply not be worried?"

Erin peeked at her parents, hearing only bits of their squabbles.

"Six and Seven~," she hummed, threateningly.

"No, it is simply that your anxious fits are not my concern to settle, Anya."

"Oh? But what if some issues are indeed both my and your concern."

"Whom are you directing your tone to?"

"Eight. Nine." Erin was nearly clenching a fistful of his uniform.

"M-my apologies. You know I don't mean sound any way to you, dear."

"Then perhaps maybe you shouldn't open your mouth."

"Ten---."

SCREECH!