Penelope needed new quills, ink, and parchment. She would need black and blue ink for school work, and maybe some new purple ink. Actually, it would be better to get more colors of ink. Maybe white ink? No, that wouldn't be good for writing on white parchment. Did she have enough money for that? And she would want a new sketchbook and journal. What was a biting charm? Did it make the journal bite people? Just a standard journal would do. There were many different types of quills to choose from, but regular quills were all that she needed. She wouldn't be able to buy everything in the shop, so she would have to figure out how much ink and parchment she really needed and what else she could buy. Sketchbook, journal, quill, parchment, ink, more ink... It was hard to decide which colors of ink to get and how many bottles of ink she should get. Did they have purple ink? Oooh, they had Ravenclaw themed scrapbooks and stationary sets. How was she supposed to choose just one color of ink? Blue. She would get blue. No, she couldn't handle just having blue ink. She had to get different colors, including a few bottles of blue ink. Penelope looked at the display of ink. There were so many colors to choose from. Did they have the purple ink that she liked? Oooh, they had shiny ink.

The village changed since the last time Louisa visited. It must've been a couple of years since the former Ravenclaw dropped by any of the shops here. When she walked down the high street, she was hit with a powerful wave of nostalgia of all the antics she did with Paulie her friends on this curb, or by that dumpster, or Puddifoot's display. Ah, to be young and fool again. Not. She was happier at this age, having learnt a lot and shaped her personality the way she saw best. Her achievements in her career, albeit little so far, were promising and having a goal clear in her head felt much better than picking at straws.

Today, she visited Hogsmeade and walked down the street looking at the different shops, until she came across Scrivenshaft's. "Huh." It was the typical place for someone like her, so she stepped inside and smelled the parchment's lovely odor.

If there was something Toby always needed more of, it was quills. Aside from the fact that he wrote for the yearbook AND The Quill, where there was a lot of writing drafts and stuff, AND the ridiculous amount of NEWT studying he'd been doing, Toby also had the uncanny ability to lose... well... everything. Quills, ink, textbooks, homework, his wand. Everything. But he was used to replacing quills and stuff wayyyyy earlier than a lot of people needed to. Which was why he'd suggested hitting the quill shop first.

Paige's invite to go into Hogwarts together had been incredible sweet, and Toby had been quite happy to go along with her. Later they might go get some tea, but first he was definitely in dire need of new quills. He had been relieved to discover that the further away from the castle they got, the more relaxed and happy he became, and when Toby finally pushed open the door for his Hufflepuff friend, he had a genuine smile on his face. If he was smart about this (doubtful) this might be his last run for school supplies in his Hogwarts career.

... Okay. Maybe that was a little bit sad to think about, but he was ignoring that part.

"After you, m'lady," he said, smiling at Paige and nodding his head inside before glancing up at the clouds. Would they avoid the rain today? Doubtful, but he wouldn't mind either way.

Kaleb had been walking down the street peaking into buildings trying to decide if he needed anything or wanted anything when he spotted the quill shop. He could use new quills. Drawing so much he tended to wear them down pretty quickly.

He took a step into the shop and looked around with a grin at all the stuff they had there. And for once he didn't have to worry about not being able to purchase anything he wanted. It was almost relieving. Kaleb walked down the aisles slowly looking at all the different color inks.

Logan couldn’t help but grin as she spotted Kaleb in Hogsmeade. Really, this was great just weeks after she’d taught him to escape the rat race of school he had appeared in her haunt. Not the quill store that was a well, not her thing. But Hogsmeade, Hogsmeade she loved to visit.

Slowly snaking her way through the crowd the normally bouncy blonde couldn’t help but beam. This was going to be fun. Exhilarating even.

Leaning forward on the balls of her feet she just slowly balanced for a moment. Wait for it, she told herself before quickly pouncing forward and wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

If he wasn’t near the ink she would have simply made him give her an impromptu piggyback ride through the store.

"I heard if you breathe deep enough, you can smell the ink drying." Because, from the corner of his eye, it looked like the young woman was trying to suck all the parchment up her nose. Or, maybe she was hoping to dry the air a bit, so the ink could settle. Curious.

But not so curious as the fact that the one shop Rhydian Blackhold needed to visit, was swarmed by cats. And not just one. Or two. Nope. That wouldn't be kosher. Seven. And guess what? It was an additional lucky day, because five of those seven were at his feet. Sitting there. Staring at him. Their fluffy tails curled about their little paws. Where the other two were, he could only guess. Likely preparing to make an aerial assault.

It just wasn't fair. He had stepped foot in here, with the intention of getting much needed supplies, and had only got two steps in the door and sideways, four in all, before he had noticed them. Now, he was practically quivering with restrained urge.

His goal in drawing the young woman's attention to his nearly mushed up stance against the window? More of a hope really. That she would either disperse said cats, or draw their attention enough to allow him a quick getaway. It, was in a word. Flawless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

If there was something Toby always needed more of, it was quills. Aside from the fact that he wrote for the yearbook AND The Quill, where there was a lot of writing drafts and stuff, AND the ridiculous amount of NEWT studying he'd been doing, Toby also had the uncanny ability to lose... well... everything. Quills, ink, textbooks, homework, his wand. Everything. But he was used to replacing quills and stuff wayyyyy earlier than a lot of people needed to. Which was why he'd suggested hitting the quill shop first.

Paige's invite to go into Hogwarts together had been incredible sweet, and Toby had been quite happy to go along with her. Later they might go get some tea, but first he was definitely in dire need of new quills. He had been relieved to discover that the further away from the castle they got, the more relaxed and happy he became, and when Toby finally pushed open the door for his Hufflepuff friend, he had a genuine smile on his face. If he was smart about this (doubtful) this might be his last run for school supplies in his Hogwarts career.

... Okay. Maybe that was a little bit sad to think about, but he was ignoring that part.

"After you, m'lady," he said, smiling at Paige and nodding his head inside before glancing up at the clouds. Would they avoid the rain today? Doubtful, but he wouldn't mind either way.

She had taken EXTRA time that morning fussy with her curls and trying out a few feminine tricks that Dot had tried to teach her - she was still not very good at this whole things - Paige had nearly sprinted out of the common room without Toby all thanks to all those butterflies in her stomach in competition with one another to try and out flap the other. She had somehow planted the idea into her head that they were meeting THERE, but this had been so much better. Walking all the way to Hogsmeade together had been the sweet icing on the frosted cake that was the snowy grounds outside.

Curls bouncing along as they walked, Paige's cheeks rivaled the color of a ripe peach when the seventh year called her m'lady. Covering her mouth to try and muffle her fit of giggles, she nodded her head and manage a small 'thank you' before shuffling her feet inside. The butterflies in her stomach had slowed down a little as she entered what was almost sacred ground for her and her nervous smile faded away into the sigh of awe that passed through her lips.

"I love the smell in here," she whispered.

Okay, so, people talked to each other uninvited here. Cool! It was the kind of place she'd really enjoy even if there weren't so many parchments and ink. Louisa spared the guy a look and a half-hearted smile in reaction to his comment before turning to the aisles trying to choose where to begin. She was momentarily distracted with the cat party going on in this shop, but she wasn't affected. She had two cats back home-- well, one cat, the other one ran away.

What was hilarious, though, was the guy that squished himself up against the window display looking wide-eyed at the circle of cats at his feet. Louisa's mouth sprang into a wide smirk, and her legs automatically changed directions. "They smell fear, y'know," she whispered, leaning sideways on the wall next to the window where he was located. Didn't want to distract them from glaring up at his pretty face and hat. Oh this was going to be fun, glorious story. Where was Tori when you needed her?

Toby stepped on in behind Paige and made sure to shut the door behind him. There were those cats that lived here and Toby never knew if they were allowed to leave the shop. Well... he'd never actually asked, but it was safest to assume they couldn't. He looked around for them now, automatically. He always loved having an excuse to come by here and see the cute cats.

He glanced over at Paige again now. "You mean the parchment?" His voice was just as hushed, and he broke into a small grin. "Or the cats?" Toby thought probably she meant the parchment, but she could easily have meant BOTH. He liked both.

Stationery though. There was always something soothing and awesome about stationery shops, be they in the muggle world or wizarding world. He stopped to pick up a journal, imagining all the things he imagined filling it up with (all Quidditch, cow, and/or family related), though really it would just end up forgotten in his school trunk. "I kinda wanna buy everything in here, whenever I come in," Toby said, musing over the empty journal for a moment before looking up at Paige. "Know what I mean?"

Rhydian nodded slowly, as if doing so any faster would elicit an outright attack from the feline mob. The woman was helpful....sort of. That was until she stopped, far enough away so as not to interfere. Observant, but then so utterly unobservant. Unless, that was the point?

He dared not take his eyes off the cats though, in case one decided to use the opportunity to best him. "So, do I. Which is why, it's a standoff."

Totally. Completely. It may not have looked like one. But it was. An outnumbered standoff, but he'd make it work. Somehow.

"Don't suppose you've got some catnip on you?" Surely not. With the way she held back, there was no way she was that helpful, or prepared.

Louisa raised her eyebrows, slightly interested. "Can you smell all emotions?" she asked curiously, crossing her arms and getting comfortable where she stood far away from him and the cats. They seemed quite comfortable standing there all cute and watchful. "I highly doubt they share your opinion." About it being a standoff. "I think they're just... waiting.." she dropped her voice even lower, all creepy and scary woooo.

... catnip? Catnip?? She contained her laughter, didn't want to bother all those poor cats. "I have catnip-like powers if that helps." She didn't want to reveal that she had been cat owner for over ten years, where was the excitement in that? "Although I'm not a charitable person." Aaaaand let's play a little game with him. Louisa turned so she was standing with her back to the wall, facing away from him, inspecting her nails nonchalantly.

SPOILER!!: why do my student charries always seem to crush on Hufflepuffs they can't have first? XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

Toby stepped on in behind Paige and made sure to shut the door behind him. There were those cats that lived here and Toby never knew if they were allowed to leave the shop. Well... he'd never actually asked, but it was safest to assume they couldn't. He looked around for them now, automatically. He always loved having an excuse to come by here and see the cute cats.

He glanced over at Paige again now. "You mean the parchment?" His voice was just as hushed, and he broke into a small grin. "Or the cats?" Toby thought probably she meant the parchment, but she could easily have meant BOTH. He liked both.

Stationery though. There was always something soothing and awesome about stationery shops, be they in the muggle world or wizarding world. He stopped to pick up a journal, imagining all the things he imagined filling it up with (all Quidditch, cow, and/or family related), though really it would just end up forgotten in his school trunk. "I kinda wanna buy everything in here, whenever I come in," Toby said, musing over the empty journal for a moment before looking up at Paige. "Know what I mean?"

Paige had been eyeing the stationary sets and nearly missed the seventh year's question, which only made her blush MORE. "Both," she chirped, only missing a beat due to the delay in processing his words and getting over the embarrassment of potentially missing something Toby had said. "Although...." she continued, twirling a few curls around her finger. "...I was mostly referring to the parchment. And ink. And quills."

She paused to look around at her feet for the cats.

"Not that I don't like cats. Because I DO. I love all animals," she rambled, taking more curls in with her fingers and twirling them as well. "But owls are my favorite. Well, birds in general." Which might explain why she loved quills so much. That and, naturally, because she wanting to go into writing like her father. Although thinking about her father now only brought a frown to her usually carefree features, so she tried not to dwell on him. Bit it was hard. Very hard.

"What...um...what is your favorite animal?" she asked while tucking the same curls she had been playing with behind her ear. She ought to know this already, having observed Toby ever since she was a first year, but one could easily blame her racing heart for her memory lapse. "Doyoulikeowlstoo?"

Her eyes widened and she could barely contain her giddy grin. "ME TOO! I MEAN I DO!" she exclaimed, perhaps a little too loudly. If there had been an cats nearby, they probably had bolted after that noise. "So you like...stationary too? I mean...of course you do. You're on the Quill AND the yearbook. But do you have a...favorite thing?" Paige had been too shy to apply to either of them. Too shy and too nervous about having anyone else read her writing, besides Thornton and Jaime that is...but even then it was only quiet musings and short poems. Nothing like the sort of things that Toby was able to produce with such ease. Articles that she kept in a special box under her pillow hoping that some of his confidence would be absorbed through osmosis.

Well that was a strange, and possibly dangerous question. Rhydian's nose scrunched up at the suggestion of it. "Of course not. Would be enough to drive me crazy." Not...that he didn't look a touch of crazy at the moment.

Why wasn't she stepping in yet? Essspppeccciiiaaalllyy if she had cat-nip powers. Not something he had really ever heard of. Maybe it was a girl thing. Lex seemed to have them, now this stranger in a quill shop. He would test that theory. Somehow. Might have to borrow Felix, attach him to a long leash. Not like he could actually handle the creature.

Trying to keep the cats in his gaze while looking at the woman, Rhydian did his best to give her an off-put look. "Do I look like a person in need of charity?" No. That's not what he would describe this as. "A bargin, or trade if your prefer that cotton-term. Name your price."

And for the love of Merlin's grey hairs, soon. Not one-done-inspecting-nails-soon. That could be ages and his poor delicate nerves didn't have that long.

"How disappointing," she muttered softly, turning to give him another look. Who defended themselves from having the power of smelling all emotions? Louisa would love to have that ability, it would do her great if she was able to, especially in her department of profession. Smelling how people felt while they discussed and debated would allow her to-- was she seriously thinking about this? Ugh.

Huh. Did he sound defensive again? Interesting. She smirked wider, and blew softly on her nails before rolling sideways to face him again. "You do." He DID look someone who'd take charity, and she was pretty good at reading people. Maybe it was the fear piling in his eyes and paling his face. "Bargain sounds good. So!" She straightened up from the wall and looked around her, trying to milk this catnip powers thing.

The problem was, Louisa didn't know this guy and so she didn't know what were his limits. Of course, she had one thing in mind but she wasn't sure a man afraid of cats appealed to her. "Hmmm, let's see. Young, medium body build, pretty face, pretty hat," she had her hand under her chin in mock concentration. "Okay, here it is; I take the evil creatures away, you give me your hat." Pause. "And go back home with a clown hair." Veeery simple.

Disappointing as in disappointing he couldn't smell all emotions under the sun? Or that he wasn't mad? He supposed, it didn't really matter because neither of those things were disappointing. At least not to him. The woman clearly had no idea what it was actually like to smell emotions. Otherwise, disappointing would not have been her choice of word. It was that, which was truly disappointing.

As was her blatant, oblivious disregard for his character. He did not look like a man in need. At least, once one took away the cats from the situation. He supposed, at the immediate moment, he did look something like a man in need of charity.

It was only injury to insult then, when her bargain price included his hat. Not what he had been expecting given her verbal list of his physicality, but obviously she could tell good quality when she saw it. "I can show you where I got my pretty hat, so that you can pick out one more suitable to your pretty face."

The clown hair? That was a minor detail. He would not trade in his hat for a few furry creatures. He had more dignity than that. And the set of his jaw said just as much.

There was a commotion outside, Louisa could hear it into here. She didn't care, though, if experience at Hogwarts taught her anything, it taught her to stay away from any kind of commotion breaking out during the students' weekend. She'd served her duty as a Head Girl and was done with it years ago, thank you. Merlin help whoever was responsible for that school now.

Now, she had a very interesting situation on her hands with a man afraid of cats and didn't want to separate from his hat. "Are you flirting with me to distract me from my main demand?" Louisa asked in a monotonous tone, inspecting HIS pretty face for any signs of lunacy. "Because it's not going to work on me."

The cats were successfully stationary at his feet, though, that was impressive from those creatures. Of course, Louisa made sure to keep her voice down so they wouldn't come to her for attention. Actually... she smiled to herself and got her wand out. "I wonder.." She waved it conjuring a ball of yarn. ".. what you're hiding.." She threw the yarn at his feet. Cats loved to play with that silly thing, didn't they? ".. under that hat." That he didn't want to give up. "Give it to me and aaaall this will be over." The cats looked super excited playing on/at his feet.

If there was anything going on in the streets, Rhydian was completely unaware of it. See, he had this problem. Two problems really. Cats were being used as leverage to deprive him of his hat. He was starting to get the sneaking suspicion that the shopkeeper was in on this. That, or the woman was Feline Literate and Articulate. That, was an even scarier prospect.

Needless to say, his nerves were tickled the wrong way. " 'S not flirting if its a fact." His lips pursed, his brow drew down as he contemplated the situation before him. The words came out in a disquieted mumble. "Plus, you started it." Yes, he was going there. And no, he felt no shame for doing so.

And then. There was the yarn. If there was a more cursed object that could enter his existence, he didn't know of it. For not the first time in a short few weeks, a rather undignified noise came from him as he leaped backwards and up to land his bottom on the windowsill, feet perched on the edge with his knees drawn up against his chest. It was a highly unassuming pose, with little room on the ledge to accommodate him, but its execution had been a flawless feat of agility. At least in his opinion. He was sure the cats would disagree as they tumbled they yarn about inches below his shoes.

An agitated glare was shot towards the woman. Carefully, with one hand bracing against the window, the other went and lifted his hat up off his head. "Hat hair." That's what he was hiding. "And brains." Those too. Those were special. Not that she could see them. With a huff, he plastered the hat firmly back on his head. No. She wasn't getting it.

"I'll manage without your bad bargains. Thanks."

Paige was a sweet kid, and Toby wondered if she was aware of it. He paused in his perusal of the empty journal and smiled across at her, then nodded his head. "I love all animals too. In fact, I mean... aside from Quidditch, working with animals is the only thing I've really thought about doing in the future." Truuuuue story. But that was a whole other conversation. Toby looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled again, turning to look properly at Paige. "Y'know, I interned at a Snidget sanctuary last summer. They were awesome." He set the journal back on the shelf and added. "And we... my family... have a pet goose. So yeah, I love birds. Including owls, for sure. I don't actually have an owl of my own, though, but my grandma does." They had tons of other pets, and Toby used his grandma's owl or a school one to send letters, usually.

Right as he crossed over to start looking at the quills, Paige asked about his own favourite animal, and Toby's features lit up. "Well," he began excitedly, almost childlike in his enthusiasm. "I try not to have favourites, y'know? So nothing feels left out. BUT! I really love cows, for sure. I know loads about them, and-" He paused. He thought. He had been about to launch into the story about the stolen borrowed cow, but it occurred to him now that that was a bad idea. Good influence, Toby. Be a good influence. "... and I also love dogs, too." Except thinking of that had automatically made Toby think of Finn, and he felt a painful jolt in his stomach. Right. No Finn. Right. That still hurt. But Toby pushed past those thoughts for now because he was with Paige and it was time to be happy. "But I love all animals." Unless you counted that debilitating fear of spiders, of course, but Toby still respected them even though he was terrified of them.

He stood by the quills now, toying with the idea of a multicoloured sort of rainbow quill. It was tempting, but Toby had to wonder how long it might take to lose it. Surely not that long; it didn't seem like the kind you could easily overlook. He picked it up to take a closer look.

"Sure I do. I mean... I like everything." Everything EVER. Although that was actually a total lie. There were things Toby DIDN'T like but THAT was not something he intended to admit out loud. "Ooh, y'know what I love? Colour changing ink." Yep. Rainbow quills. Colour changing in. ALL THE COLOURS. "Not that we should really use those for articles... or homework... but still. I think it's super pretty."

SPOILER!!: TOBY!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

Paige was a sweet kid, and Toby wondered if she was aware of it. He paused in his perusal of the empty journal and smiled across at her, then nodded his head. "I love all animals too. In fact, I mean... aside from Quidditch, working with animals is the only thing I've really thought about doing in the future." Truuuuue story. But that was a whole other conversation. Toby looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled again, turning to look properly at Paige. "Y'know, I interned at a Snidget sanctuary last summer. They were awesome." He set the journal back on the shelf and added. "And we... my family... have a pet goose. So yeah, I love birds. Including owls, for sure. I don't actually have an owl of my own, though, but my grandma does." They had tons of other pets, and Toby used his grandma's owl or a school one to send letters, usually.

Right as he crossed over to start looking at the quills, Paige asked about his own favourite animal, and Toby's features lit up. "Well," he began excitedly, almost childlike in his enthusiasm. "I try not to have favourites, y'know? So nothing feels left out. BUT! I really love cows, for sure. I know loads about them, and-" He paused. He thought. He had been about to launch into the story about the stolen borrowed cow, but it occurred to him now that that was a bad idea. Good influence, Toby. Be a good influence. "... and I also love dogs, too." Except thinking of that had automatically made Toby think of Finn, and he felt a painful jolt in his stomach. Right. No Finn. Right. That still hurt. But Toby pushed past those thoughts for now because he was with Paige and it was time to be happy. "But I love all animals." Unless you counted that debilitating fear of spiders, of course, but Toby still respected them even though he was terrified of them.

He stood by the quills now, toying with the idea of a multicoloured sort of rainbow quill. It was tempting, but Toby had to wonder how long it might take to lose it. Surely not that long; it didn't seem like the kind you could easily overlook. He picked it up to take a closer look.

"Sure I do. I mean... I like everything." Everything EVER. Although that was actually a total lie. There were things Toby DIDN'T like but THAT was not something he intended to admit out loud. "Ooh, y'know what I love? Colour changing ink." Yep. Rainbow quills. Colour changing in. ALL THE COLOURS. "Not that we should really use those for articles... or homework... but still. I think it's super pretty."

Paige watched Toby intently with unblinking bright eyes to make sure that she did not miss a single gesture. Like the way his eyes momentarily glazed over with a deep thought that was all too soon washed away with that charming smile of his. Her little affectionate heart felt as though it was going to pound its way right out of her chest, not just from the look, but from his words.

He....she...THEY...they BOTH liked feathered friends! AND they both had TWO passions they saw themselves working with in the future. AND they were not sure which one to go with. AND THEY BOTH HAD EYES.

Okay, so her little schoolgirl fantasies were going a bit overboard in her imagination, but it was all so fascinating.

"Wow...Snidgets..." she whispered, her eyes widening even further than they already were. "Those are so delicate and beautiful! You are so lucky!" And also a true indication of just how gentle Toby was for being able to work with those fragile creatures. "Also quite beautiful that you interned at that particular sanctuary because of their connection with quidditch's history and all. It's like...like a metaphor." Blushing. Lots of blushing. "I'd like to maybe intern at Eeylops Owl Emporium, when I am old enough. Or the Daily Prophet if daddy will allow it."

A GOOSE? Wow. Paige sometimes found them to be a bit intimidating because of their overbearing personalities, but they were lovely creatures. "I have an Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Lionel, and he is the best owl I could ever ask for. He prefers to sleep with me in my dorm as opposed to the owlery...although I am not sure my dormmates quite fancy the way he screeches sometimes during the night when he is pouncing on something in our room. Mostly been spiders recently...but at least I haven't suffered any of the bites others have." She was a bit relieved that he stayed with her during the night because it gave her a sense of relief that he was alright and hadn't gone...missing like others. Although the other day he did kind of sort of fly away from a rather large spider...

Cows...dogs...geese... she could remember all that easily.

"Do you think you might work at the Ministry after graduating?" she asked, twirling some of her curls around her finger as her eyes went down to the floor. "In the Magical Creatures department, I mean." Because wouldn't that be lovely if their paths crossed again in the future? And even on the SAME level?!

COLOR CHANGING INK?! Paige knew what she was going to start saving up for now. Or maybe practice charming herself to give him a unique and personalized gift from her. Her and Penelope were doing some ink experimentation and charming in the girl's loo, after all. "I like the sparkle inks," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "They help make even the harshest of words look inviting and friendly."

Sparkles brought up a few vivid images to the Hufflepuff's mind. Specifically some from Halloween.

There went her pale complexion. Again.

Louisa continued to smirk, even if he was being a bum saying she started it. "I'll take that as a compliment," the pretty face and the flirting startness.

The yarn was not expected to elicit such a reaction from him. The cats, sure, but not him. If Louisa was a normal girl, she'd feel sorry for him and would run up to him to give him a hug and tell him everything was okay. But being the case that she was not, she just murmured, "Interesting," when he curled up by the display glass. This was some exciting psychology juice she'd like to dig into.

But anyway. Despite his obvious need for help he opted to protect the hat hair and the brains than be rescued from them cats. "Well, that's boring," Louisa huffed at him. "Anyway. It was nice meeting you, I hope you fare well with the cats when the yarn gets loose and they try to tie you up with it. Good bye!" She squeaked exaggerating happiness and waved at him enthusiastically.

If he wasn't so busy eyeing the cats, looking for the smallest space out, he would have been eyeing her. "Take it how you please." It was a fact, so arguably any way it was taken would be truth. Fun thing about facts.

And considering facts, the next important one was that she was leaving. Him and his apparently boring mind. This time he did look over at her, indignation on his expression. "My mind is beautiful, thank you. As is my hair." So, hardly boring. Because beauty was never boring.

As for the matter of the cats, he sniffed. "They don't have opposable thumbs, so they can't tie knots!" Or at least, that was what he would tell himself as she left him there, to deal with such matters on his own. But the hat was on the line, and he would not give it up.

No. Sooner or later, he would disengage himself from the windowsill and flee this ridiculous shop.