Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

The Troopers were all clustered around Ralph's desk today, and it looked as if they were reading something, trading muttered comments back and forth. Watts couldn't be sure, though, as every time he tried approaching them they all suddenly stood up straight.

"A most auspicious question," said Ralph when Watts finally got curious enough to ask what they were doing.

"Auspicious..." echoed the other Troopers.

"I don't think that word means what you believe it does," Watts said, shaking his head and going back to his office.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Well at a certain hour of the day it was lunchtime, auspicious or not. Steven arrived with a bag of takeaway and, upon coming into Llewellyn's office, a smile. "Hello, you."

[pocketpretzels]

“Hello, you,” Watts replied as he looked up from the paperwork he’d been signing off on.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven closed the door behind him as usual and then started setting out the food. Banh Mi, Char Sui Bao, and Pho. "I thought Vietnamese today? The pho in particular will do a treat since it's cold out."

[pocketpretzels]

“A most auspicious lunch choice,” Watts agreed, before giving Steven a wide-eyed sad puppy look. “Only you seem to have forgotten my kiss hello,” he pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"I didn't want to assume it was all right," Steven told him. But since it clearly was, and now there was the bonus that his hands were free, he fixed that by holding on to Llewellyn and kissing him properly.

[pocketpretzels]

“If the door is closed, it’s all right,” Watts told him. “That’s the only prerequisite.”

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll remember that for next time," Steven said. He caressed Llewellyn's cheek. "Always happy to be able to kiss you."

[pocketpretzels]

“Always happy to facilitate that as often as possible,” Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

"In that case - " Steven gave Llewellyn another kiss before taking his seat. "How's the day gone so far? How's our new friend?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Here? Quiet, as per usual.” Minus the suspicious auspiciousness, of course. “As for our friend- he’s still spending the majority of his time under the couch.” Watts couldn’t blame him there, particularly given the fact that he also has been known to retreat to enclosed spaces now and again (underneath one’s desk was a perfectly reasonable nap spot!). “But,” he smiled, “I did manage to capture his attention following mealtime with some of the toys I purchased for him.”

[hasaknightjob]

"That's good," Steven said. "I imagine it will take a while to get used to his new home. Loads to explore when you're that small. Any new ideas for his name?"

[pocketpretzels]

“No new ones,” Watts replied. “But I’m leaning heavily towards Raphael. It just seems to suit him somehow.”

[hasaknightjob]

"So he's an artist after all, is he?" Steven asked with a smile.

[pocketpretzels]

“It appears so,” Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

"Have you tried calling him by it?" Steven asked. "See how he likes it?"

[pocketpretzels]

“When I put out his breakfast this morning,” Watts confirmed. “Of course, that may have just been the food that he approved of, it’s hard to say.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Think it's a good sign he didn't dislike it though," Steven pointed out. "Wasn't so horrible to him even food couldn't persuade him."

[pocketpretzels]

"I've some photographs, if you'd care to see," Watts offered. "Of him discovering the toys."

[hasaknightjob]

"Ooh, yes please," Steven said. "Has he been playing and all?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts grinned, taking out his mobile telephone and scrolling to the several dozen photographs he'd taken last night.

Some of them were more than a little blurry, because, well, cat in motion, but the cat in question did seem to be properly enjoying himself.

[hasaknightjob]

"He's getting along well indeed," Steven said. Not that he was any kind of expert on cats but the one in question seemed to be enjoying himself. "He's learning you'll take good care of him. You're very good at that. And being patient with those who need a little time to believe it."

Possibly not just talking about the cat there. Possibly.

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes, well. I've found it can be worth it," he said, giving Steven a knowing look. "In the long run."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave him a quick kiss. "You certainly are. People - and cats - are very lucky when you find them."

Technically they'd met because Steven had found Llewellyn in the corridor when he was moving in but pffft, details.

[pocketpretzels]

"I believe it was you who found me first," Watts pointed out, because he could not read narrative.

[hasaknightjob]

"Yes, all right, but we kept finding each other," Steven said. "So I'm counting it."