[She's interested in him. Originally she paid attention to his public conversation with Charles because she likes keeping tabs on Charles, but now she's interested in Zane for his own sake. Metal powers, a blunt superiority complex, the professed insanity, the ignorance and the simple curiosity. It's an odd mix. She didn't expect to find him gnawing on a brass doorknob, but she can roll with it.]

...whatever you're trying to accomplish there, there's probably a more efficient way to do it. Not to mention more hygienic.