Ari projected good mood - he was perhaps not enthusiastic about her presence, but he wasn't mad either. This was a good sign. She brought her hands together and tucked her chin on top. She smiled softly at his work story, but was very pleased, regardless, that he had not gone on, as there was only so long that the hospital could hold her attention for. (But probably, Zelda thought, Ari knew that already.)

The brotherly squeeze was bolstering, except that it also made Zelda particularly nervous for the coming conversation. Ari had never done anything wrong in his entire life, (except for not getting married,) he was the oldest one, he knew everything and Brannon was almost never mad at him. And then there was Zelda.

"Tea!" she said, as if she had just remembered that tea existed, "Tea would be great, thank you, Ari."

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