[The annoyance fades into something neutral. He makes a wordless sound, unsure how to respond. Unsure how to act. A stranger, but not, and one able to read his emotions no matter how safely tucked away his expressions are. A familiar face, but not.]

[And without his imposed hostility from before, in moments like these with her patience and acumen and goodwill, it's too easy to forget if Hubert wasn't paying attention.]

[A stranger and familiar acquaintance both, one just close enough to see through the facades Hubert projects, and not close enough for him to volunteer his inner thoughts. It's an uncomfortable grey area for him.]

Then I won't. [Hubert allows the magic to fade from the downed scarecrow. While the caretakers are helping the children up, he idly starts tracing another sigil against the bench's seat.] What brings you this way?