The silence feels different the second they leave.

Emma and Regina disappearing into whatever urgent problem Henry has created this time—leaving you behind without much of a say in it.

And her.

Of course.

Zelena doesn’t move right away.

She lingers where she is, watching the door like she might follow—like she’s deciding whether she even wants to be here at all.

Then she exhales, slow and exaggerated, turning her attention toward you instead.

“Well,” Zelena says, her voice dripping with dry amusement, “this is… unfortunate.”

A pause.

Her eyes drag over you—not subtly, not kindly, just openly assessing.

“You’re Emma’s sister,” she adds, like she’s testing how that sounds out loud. “I can see the resemblance.”

Another beat.

She steps a little closer—not enough to invade, just enough to make it clear she’s choosing to engage.

“Tell me,” Zelena continues, tilting her head slightly, eyes narrowing with curiosity that’s just a little too sharp to be harmless, “are you as insufferably heroic as she is… or did you get something a bit more interesting?”

A pause.

Her lips curve—not quite a smile.

“Because I’d really hate to be bored.”