...alright. [ simple enough. at least until he remembers one of their cats is part octopus. he digs his nails into alhaitham's back, growing rigid. ] He's going to try to cling to me, isn't he, ... [ the octocat, that is, and the thought has him buzzing out of his skin. ] I'm sure he missed me, but I... Alhaitham, [ he feels terrible for having to ask this, but ] keep him away from me, please. I need time to... forget that thing.