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[will_you_see]

Chou had grown quite a bit in the months since Jack had given him to Alcuin; though despite his long and lanky build, he was still full of kittenish energy, and as Alcuin sat in the grass outside his home, the light gray kitten darted about around him, chasing some small insect

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[incassielsname]

I admit that I have spent precious little time in the company of anyone since Phedre disappeared. I am not, I know all too well, good company, particularly when in such a mood as this, so I have spent most of my time at the temple, searching for answers which are not forthcoming.

En route home from the temple, I see a small ball of fur darting towards me; it is Alcuin's kitten, recognizable to me even as it speeds down the path. From the corner of my eye, I see Alcuin heading after Chou. I crouch down, hoping to block the kitten's path, or at least stop it from getting further away.

[will_you_see]

Joscelin's presence did indeed stop the cat in his tracks, though not because he physically stopped him; instead, Chou simply sat down in the middle of the path and looked plaintively up at Joscelin, mewing quizzically.

A smile twitched at Alcuin's lips as he reached them and bent down to scoop up the cat before Joscelin had to decide what to do with him. "My thanks," he said softly.

He had indeed not seen much of Joscelin lately - but perhaps in the end was good that he had made himself scarce, considering the hospitality that Alcuin had extended to Robin. Alcuin suspected that he understood, and they were coping in similar ways after all; neither one of them wanted to be spending too much time in that all-too-empty house.

[incassielsname]

"Of course," I say, offering Alcuin a slight smile. Chou had looked at me strangely, like I'm someone he's not seen in a while, which I suppose is true.

"Not giving you too much trouble?" I ask, gesturing at the kitten. "Your friend is seeing fit to sneak off to see the rest of the world?" I imagine that there is a good deal here for a cat to see, were one to be a curious cat.

[will_you_see]

"No, just... learning to test his boundaries, I think," Alcuin said, carefully stroking the kitten's fur. "Jack said when he gave him to me that he thought we had similar temperments, so I suppose a little of that is to be expected."

[incassielsname]

I simply raise an eyebrow. "A wise assessment," I say; I don't know Jack well, but I don't doubt his opinion on this one. We all spent far too much time testing our boundaries, before, before. "But he always returns, yes?" Testing boundaries, but knowing full well when to turn back. A good lesson to learn.

[will_you_see]

"Yes. He is quite fond of me." Alcuin smiled at Joscelin. It felt good to smile with him. He looked at him for a moment and then added, "Are you occupied? I could put him in the house and perhaps join you for some sparring."