I miss you when you're gone

Spencer had retreated to the backroom once Askaree had made her presence known, leaving her to handle Davante's men. While he could handle them fine, he knew she had a penchant for losing her patience with them and, honestly, he was not about to make her job easier when she made his so difficult. It was true that his initial... protest of working so closely with her had faded to something that occasionally resembled civility, Askaree was still Askaree. She still seemed to enjoy pushing and pulling, testing and teasing him whenever given the chance. Well, rather whenever she created the chance, which was far more often than he liked to admit. She did seem to play him so well you'd think she was a musician and he her instrument. So, because he was petty, he left her to deal with the ruffians while he handled merchandise or regular customers too stupid to know what was happening three feet away.

At least, that was the plan...

However, something had seemed off about her all day. It wasn't in the big things she did, no it was more the small things about her. Her patience was thinner, her temper shorter, her typical flippant behaviour not as... flippantly. Spencer's eyes flicked up from the inventory sheet he was skimming over as he heard Askaree announce her departure, leaning around the corner slightly to watch her walk away. While there was nothing special in the way she did it, he did find it slightly odd there was not one teasing or scolding or seething or any remark made in his direction. Whether it was that he was boring or an ass for leaving her to handle the meathead still standing at his counter or whatever else she could cook up in that strange brain of hers. No. None of that. A simple gesture that wasn't even directed toward him and she was leaving. While there was a part of his mind that told him he was overthinking this far too much and obsessing over these little details all day â€" also, careful Spencer, that almost sounded jealous â€" there was a larger part that demanded he find the answers to his curiosity. Spencer is an adult, however, and he is not to be ruled by his childish curiosity that was demanding answers.

"Get out." Spencer's tone left little room for protest as he rounded the corner, the hired help looking even more disgruntled at the turn of events. He made a few choice comments to assert his machismo, which went ignored as the warlock quickly set about locking up the shop. "You have a job to do. Go do it or I will find someone else that will." Spencer snapped when the other took too long, that seeming to remind the other that he did indeed have places to be. The door pulled shut and locked behind him, Spencer found himself stopping abruptly as he turned away from the building. What the hell, was he about to follow Askaree? Like some sniffing whelp obsessed with her?

No, he was not about to go scampering on foot down the street to chase her when he had a perfectly comfortable car he could casually trail her in. How, pray tell you ask, would Spencer do that without a) causing a traffic jam, and b) do so without pulling her attention to him? Easy. He's a fucking warlock, not a party magician.

Spencer parked his car across the street from the building he watched Askaree walk into, frowning slightly as his brow pulled together in confusion. A home for the elderly? What on earth could she have to do there? While he may think a great many things of her, he highly doubted she made a habit of snacking on the elderly. He sat in his car for a few minutes longer before getting out and crossing the street, entering the building to glance around. Spotting what seemed to be the reception desk, Spencer set about making himself friendly with the person there. It was amazing the information that could be gleaned with a charming smile. While they seemed reluctant to allow him access to anything, he did get the joy of learning Askaree came to visit a resident, an Egyptian man. While his interest was piqued further, the man suddenly halted his questions and simply thanked the women before retreating to find a seat in the waiting room. He wouldn't hide his presence from Askaree â€" hell, she probably would simply smell him when she walked in the room or something â€" but he would give her an iota of privacy. He could always ask questions later.

single | warlock | notes: