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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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[hylianqueen]

Zelda knew neither the language or the book Alcuin read from but she recognized the tone as the cat darted off toward whatever had taken her fancy. Zelda had known that particular joy, the chasing of a cat, and she tried her best to simply get out of the way. No need to make herself an obstacle should the owner wish to chase the cat, and she offered assistance by way of pointing down the path.

"She's torn off that way, good sir. I'd try to catch her myself, but it might result in more property damage than I'm willing to incur so early in my stay."

[will_you_see]

Chou might have escaped were it not for the fact that in shorter order he caught whatever he had been chasing, and then immediately sat back on his haunches in the middle of the path and licked one of his paws.

With an amused smile, Alcuin bent down and scooped him up, then returned to the unfamiliar girl. "My thanks," he said politely, and then offered her a small smile. "He is growing a bit more impetuous as he gets older, I think. Are you new here, then? My name is Alcuin."

[hylianqueen]

"Kittens are wont to do that," Zelda agreed, giving the boy a smile. "And I am quite new, yes. I just arrived yesterday morning, I think, though the days run together a bit since I confess I fell straight asleep and didn't wake until late afternoon. My name is Zelda."

"What name have you given the impetuous little creature?"

[will_you_see]

"That is entirely understandable," Alcuin assured her. "I know how disorienting it can be when you first arrive here. I take it you have at least found a place to stay temporarily?" He scratched behind Chou's ears and added, "This is Chou. A pleasure to meet you, Zelda."

[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."

[will_you_see]

Alcuin offered a warm, grateful smile when he reached the man, taking the kitten with ease, since as soon as Chou saw him he mewed and started scrambling out of the man's grasp toward him.

"Yes," he said in French, looking pleased at being addressed so. "He is beginning to test his boundaries as he grows, I think." He scratched behind the cat's ears and added, having noted the accent, "And we can speak English if you prefer. I suppose it is rather odd to cultivate a bilingual cat, but he seems to simply like the way French sounds."

[will_you_see]

"Peaceful... yes. Mostly." Alcuin could not help but think of Ysandre's death after all. He smiled and added, "After four years here, I think I am even beginning to think in English, in truth." He shifted Chou smoothly into one arm, unwilling to put him down now that he'd seen his propensity for wandering off. But now he could offer the unfamiliar man his hand. "I am Alcuin no Delaunay."

He recognized the man's appearance, of course - but had known as soon as he addressed him in French that he was not Dr. Chase, and the difference became more pronounced the longer they spoke.

[patriotqueen]

Guy had since long found better use for the bible than the studious religious one. He had never understood the point of it, except to put restraints on the lives of those who believed. The opium of the masses. Keep them faithful, keep them constrained. No, Guy had long lost what little faith his family had brought him up with. On the island he used the thin pages to roll his cigarettes, such as the one he was currently smoking.

"You call your cat 'shoo' and still hope it will stay? Very bold." He asked amused, teeth gritted around a cigarette, as he leaned over to catch the cat that came towards him.

[will_you_see]

Alcuin had the good grace to look a touch sheepish at that observation, as he approached. Though rather than taking the cat back right away, he simply looked down at him wiggling in Guy's grasp.

"Perhaps you're right," he said. "But do remember that French is his first language." He smiled. "It's nice to see you, Guy."

[patriotqueen]

Dogs Guy disliked, but cats he didn't quite mind. They went about their own business and didn't require too much attention, which suited him fine.

He took the animal in his hands and attempted to calm it, or at least keep it calm enough to prevent it from running away again.

"I'll remember, and I hope Shoo agrees." Guy said, though perfectly capable to pronounce it properly if he made an effort. "Good to see you to. How have you been?"

[will_you_see]

"Oh, I've been..." Alcuin offered Guy another small smile. "Well. And yourself?"

He knew what had befallen Guy on Valentine's Day, having heard it from Daniel, but he wasn't certain if he should bring it up, not wanting to betray Daniel's confidence.