#Gwendy's anonymous bf

[mosneakers]

[Footsteps on creaky floorboards rapidly approach]

[Ornate double doors creak open wide]

Coni: Hi...Gwendolyn Darling?

Gwendolyn: Welcome back to the Darling-Avalon residence, darling!

Coni smiles politely; it's her first time here.

Gwendolyn: [Yelling into next room] Dearest? Get your bag on, we have company! [Directs attention back to Coni] Oh, come on in, quickly. We don't want to let those damned heterosexual squirrels get in again. [Scoffs and pulls Coni inside, quickly closing the doors behind her]

Coni steps through the doorway, immediately surrounded by the vibrant ambiance of a bustling household, filled with several strange characters tending to their individual business. Bonehilda, the skeleton maid, meticulously dusts every nook and cranny, while Gwendolyn's anonymous lover remains anonymous beneath a paper bag, quietly tuned into the evening news. Glowing orbs dance sporadically through the atmosphere, as occasional rodents scurry through intentional witchmade holes in the walls.

[Persephone Darling appears from the next room]

Persephone: What on earth brings you all the way out here all by yourself at this hour? I hope you didn't drive. Is everything okay, dear? Gwendolyn: [Gently grazes Coni's elbow] You know Persephone has an excellent talent for reading emotional auras.

Coni wanted to lie as always, but she couldn't bring herself to this time, so she settled for a half-truth.

Coni: Honestly, no, not really. [Shrugs] Just some family issues. I had a falling out with my parents. It's fine, though. I'll be fine.

Gwendolyn: [Nods knowingly] Yes, well, the engagement probably put a lot of strain on the family, sweetheart. It has to be hard on them knowing that you're marrying your brother. But whatever you want to do with your life, kiddo. Congratulations! Coni: Huh? No, I'm not—

Persephone interrupts Coni by grasping her arm, and shaking her head, giving her a "it's not worth it," expression. Coni accepts the message with another polite smile.

Persephone: So, what did you come out here for?

An eager squirrel unexpectedly bounds from a nearby cabinet onto Coni's shoulder, startling her. The squirrel chirps angrily as Gwendolyn tears it from Coni's flannel. Gwendolyn: ABDULLAH, YOU IMBECILE! Persephone: [Shouting] GWENDOLYN, IF YOU CAN'T KEEP HIM IN ORDER I'M TAKING MY SQUIRREL BACK TO HENFORD. AND DON'T CALL HIM NAMES!!!

Gwendolyn: [Snuggling squirrel that struggles to get away] It's okay, I didn't mean it. Shhh. I am so sorry about that, dear. Sometimes his mind gets a little... fractured. He's currently breastfeeding, it brings out the worst in him.

Coni, a known genius: [Stares blankly at Gwendolyn for a split second, puzzled] ...Oh. I um... I was hoping you could tell me more about your cousin, Mortimer Goth? But more specifically, his wife, Bella... Gwendolyn: Oh! Yes! Yes of course. Bella! Actually, I have a box of some of her things. Let me go get it! Persephone, get her something to drink. Don't be rude!

Gwendolyn and Abdullah ascend the stairs to retrieve the box. Once out of sight, Persephone guides Coni to the kitchen to get her a glass of water.

Persephone: She's a little mixed up, if you couldn't tell. She thought you were Coraleye. Coni: [Tucks a strand of hair behind her ears] Yeah, I thought so.

Persephone: With that being said, she's gonna go on some of her famous Darling tangents, don't say I didn't warn you. [Runs faucet]

Coni: That's fine with me. I'd rather not be home for a while.

[mosneakers]

Our fave Gwendolyn Darling has decided to go on a vacation with her boyfriend, who she'd rather keep anonymous at this time

[mosneakers]

I'll always miss Barry, but Gwendy seems happy with her new mysterious fella 🥰