Blaire held the stack of papers in hand. She'd reread them so many time the words seemed printed on eyes, snippets of the article echoed in her mind…
"Neglect!"
"Incompetence!"
"Greed!"
The last one tasted good, fitting somehow for Bartholomew Bass. Her eyes flashed, seeing something even better in her line of vision; Dan Humphrey…
"Humphrey!"
The dark haired boy turned to see who had called out, his frown deepened as he noted Blair sat on a park bench (Blair Waldorf fitted in Brooklyn about as much as a Michelin chef fits in KFC.)
Making no attempt to hurry, he made his way towards her direction and unusually welcoming smile.
"Humphrey!" She repeated with double warmth. "How strange to be bumping into you!"
"Extremely, seeing as I actually live here…"
Ignoring his dry response Blaire laughed as though they always greeted each other like this and actually linked her own slender arm in his as though intending to stroll around the park with him.
Frowning as this over familiar gesture Dan raised his eyes up to hers an amused question mark in them. Blaire let out a little impatient tut;
"Always so suspicious Humphrey! Can't two friends-" At this Dan gave a pointed cock of his dark eyebrow
"alright! Friendly acquaintances then, take a little walk around this err-charming greenery?"
Dan couldn't help but laugh at this, she was an accomplished actress when she wanted, but even Blaire Waldorf couldn't convince anyone that Brooklyn park was in any way charming.
"Yes I'm sure the syringes in the bushes are the split of the French Rivera."
Another tolerant little laugh greeted his words.
But Dan could see the signs impatience marring Blaire's immaculate features, he had certainly never been in a rush to comfort a Waldorf but his curiosity was piqued, why had Blaire wondered into a neighbourhood she avoided at all costs? And why, most importantly, was she deliberately seeking the company of a guy whom she resented even more then Brooklyn?
So with the shadow of a smile he linked his arm into hers, she looked puzzled for a second, she had banked on harder work then this for Dan to walk with her but a second later her smile was painted back on.
"So how is the rest of the Humphrey clan? Is your dad still playing the role of has been "rock and roller"?"
"He likes the fantasy. And is Mr. Waldorf still enjoying the services of a man young enough to be his son?" Spear for spear… The corners of Blaire's mouth twitched into a cold smile, the first genuine one Dan noted.
"How's your mothers art? Neighbours make fantastic muses.." A second smile this time a relish in her eyes, Dan's arm twitched in hers and she sensed it, but he regained calm and looked down into those similarly sweet and acidic eyes.
"Yes fantastic muses…not nearly as good as short balding men with their own catch phrases though eh?"
This time she was caught out, Blaire's eyes flashed angrily, she'd worked hard to keep Cyrus's connection with her mother under wraps, how did Dan Humphrey, of all people know?
However she made no return on his insight, that would allow him to gloat.
"And last of all little Josie, whatever she's called… Although I don't suppose you've heard from her lately have you? She should be careful though…no one wants to buy clothes made with dirty hands-"
Dan's arm snapped completely out of their entwine now and anger flashed more intense in his eyes.
"Jenny, Blaire her name is Jenny and I have no doubt you know it as she's been the objective of more then one of your wrapped plan."
And with a final flash of something akin to hate he left her side. Blaire so consumed in watching his fast pace disappear dropped the papers she had been pouring over since the day before.