The Flat in London, Saturday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Watts had Steven had barely unpacked from their trip to Quebec when there had been a call regarding a minor but urgent issue regarding some legal paperwork back in London. So- back into suitcases clothing went, only this time-

This time in addition to Marc also packing some things as he'd be needed for aforementioned legal paperwork business, they were bringing Raphael with them. Both because they felt a little badly about leaving the cat again so soon and they'd talked about possibly giving him an opportunity to explore the flat in London. See how he liked it, that sort of thing.

Now it was Saturday afternoon, the legal business had all been taken care of, and they were lingering before catching a portal back to Fandom tomorrow. Lingering in the kitchen specifically, with the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies laid out before them.

[ooc: for that guy, and NFB for distance.]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps we can have some framed and put around the house," Steven suggested. He turned to Raphael."Would you like that? Hmm? Your handsome face in more places?"

Raphael seemed more interested in the skritches that accompanied this comment.

[pocketpretzels]

"I think he's happy so long as he's the center of attention," Watts said, amused.

Except of course for those times when Raphael wished to nap in peace. Then it was perfectly all right to ignore him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Sorry to say you can't help us make biscuits though," Steven told Raphael. "Not only because they're not the kind you make when you're happy."

[pocketpretzels]

"Indeed," Watts said. "The chocolate's not good for you, I'm afraid."

Did they have cat treats on hand to offer Raphael as a consolation, though? Absolutely. Have you met these two?

[hasaknightjob]

To say nothing of a brand new catnip toy shaped like a double decker bus.

"Would you like to nap on the bed while your dads work?" Steven asked, heading in that direction so he could put Raphael down. "You could have it all to yourself."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's been years and I still don't quite get how such a tiny little thing takes up so much space," Watts said fondly. "It's not even like he sprawls."

[hasaknightjob]

"It's like magic," Steven agreed.

He gently put Raphael down onto the bed, whereupon the cat curled up into a kitty croissant. Steven looked at him for a moment, then pulled a light blanket over him. Did Raphael necessarily need that? No. Was Steven doing it anyway? Yes.

"There. Tucked in."

[pocketpretzels]

"He'll be sure to have only the sweetest of dreams, now," Watts observed.

[hasaknightjob]

Don't mind Steven, he was just taking a picture of a snuggly Raphael under a blanket.

"I'm glad he's warmed up to the place. I know it's not as big as Midnight but he seems to be enjoying it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Once he got over his initial bout of apprehension," Watts agreed. They'd set him loose and he'd immediately bolted for the safety of the space under the bed, only to cautiously emerge some time later and begin a methodical exploration of the new space.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven put his mobile away. He rejoined Llewellyn in the kitchen. "It's a shame we can't explain things to him. Like why cabinets aren't opening for him just because he'd like them to."

[pocketpretzels]

"I swear, you could see the indignant confusion," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"He's very expressive," Steven said, with fondness. "Helpful for us, really, since neither of us speaks Cat."

[pocketpretzels]

"Did you know the school offered classes in that, years ago?" Watts asked him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven blinked. Then blinked again. "In how to speak Cat?"

[pocketpretzels]

"According to records I found describing some of the former classes, yes," Watts nodded.

[hasaknightjob]

"Did it involve meowing or learning how to translate?" Steven wondered.

[pocketpretzels]

"From what I can gather, the first, for the most part," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd take it if it was offered," Steven said with a smile. "Raphael could help with my accent."

[pocketpretzels]

"He'd be so pleased that someone could finally understand all his little speeches he makes," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"Imagine being more certain I know what I'm saying to him," Steven said. "I meow back at him sometimes and he's never seemed cross but I worry I'll accidentally say something rude one day."

[pocketpretzels]

"I wonder if it sounds just like gibberish to him, when we do that," Watts mused. "Or a collection of random words in nonsensical order."

[hasaknightjob]

"That's why I'll often stick to English," Steven said. He washed his hands in the kitchen sink so he could help Llewellyn with the baking if he wanted assistance. "Then at least I know what I'm saying. I've often gotten the impression he understands the general idea?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm certain he at least knows his name," Watts agreed. "Often I will say it to gain his attention and he will look right at me."

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh yes," Steven said. He smiled fondly. "Or if I say it from another room he'll come over. Make that little trilling sound."