[She carries them over to their box so that way she can set them down in it. Which means lots of mewling because the nice pillows are no longer giving them attention anymore. She bats a ball of yarn to distract them before looking up at the young king.]
Me? Oh, I'm not sure if I should. My life is such a mess that I worry I would just be a terrible kitty mother for them.
[She sighs and rests her chin on her hands even as she stays crouched like that.]
They should have a better home than with a mess like me.
How fitting. It suits your gentle nature, Professor Manuela.
[ He knows that she can be as sharp as a blade, but he's always seen her as incredibly nurturing, regardless. She puts a lot of herself out, seeking the same affection, but never hesitates in giving it at any time. ]
I cannot speak for your state, but I've always known you to be very brave. That hasn't changed even now.
[ She's taking this place a lot better than most, as well. He follows her to kneel beside her, as they watch the kittens play. ]
I imagine they'd want someone gentle like that, rather than someone who could hurt them as I could.
[She heaves a sigh and reaches into the box to push the yarn around a bit. Such sweet little things.]
I think that you have the potential to be more gentle than you think though, Dimitri. I was told who carried me after I was stabbed, after all.
[Manuela smiles at him. He's come such a long way and she can't help but to feel rather proud as she looks at him now.]
If you could be gentle enough to handle me then I think you've got potential. But if you're very uncomfortable I can keep them at my place until I find a home for them.
[ It's calming to watch her, though when she brings up what he had done for her all those years ago, he can't help but feel a bit of a bit flustered— a strange feeling, even now. Even after everything, even after he's begun to welcome these affections again.
He does listen to her talk, finding her voice soothing— almost like a memory of times when they only did rely on instruction to get by. When the worst of their problems were studying for their next certification.
He almost misses it. ]
... when you put it like that– I could try. But you weren't difficult to be gentle with, Professor. Then again— I don't recall thinking too hard. I just knew I had to get you to safety. As for these...
[ He reaches into the box to let his fingertips brush over the kittens' heads. ]
They're so much smaller and helpless. Perhaps, you could advise me on how to be gentle at all.
Try not to think about it so hard with these little ones.
[Manuela gently takes his hand to help guide him into scratching the ears of one of the kittens.]
They're very small but they can handle a little more than you think. As long as you are not squeezing them or crushing them then they will let you know what they like.
[Reaching into the box, she pulls out one of the kittens.]
[ He does scritch gently behind the kitten's ears, though he only allows himself enough to brush his fingertips there. Any more and he's sure he might squeeze or hold too hard.
However, when Manuela asks for him to hold his hands out, he nervously looks over at her- and the kitten, and very hesitantly holds his hands out in an open-handed "receiving" pose. ]
Professor, it's best I don't...
[ Oh, Goddess. Here he is, King of an entire land, terrified of holding a kitten. ]
[She lifts one of the kittens up and sets it right in his hands before he can protest further.]
There. You're holding a life just like you held mine. Just like I was in the best of care, this little one is safe with you.
[Manuela lightly rests her hand on his arm.]
You see that strength you have as destructive. When really it means that you are capable when others are not to hold others up. To support them and carry them so they will not fall.
[Her other hand gestures to the kitten he's holding.]
You are scared but that just means that you'll know how to restrain. To take care of them and show them that the trust they have in you isn't misplaced.
[A smile.]
That the trust we all have in you isn't misplaced. You will be a wonderful caretaker.
[ When she's this close, he can pick up on her warmth. Perhaps her perfume, too, which is a bit harder due to his inability to detect taste— but he can make it out, enough that it feels pleasant when she moves close to him.
Her words are just as gentle, and he can't help but feel comforted by them as he looks at the little kitten sniffing around his hands. He's quiet and tense, yet somehow calmer around her comforting presence. After a while, he finally relaxes his shoulders, and very carefully draws the kitten close so it can climb against his chest.
With a mewl, it purrs, and tries to climb up over his own chest to get some more cuddles. He keeps a hand carefully under it as though worried it will fall, but he does look over at Manuela curiously. ]
Alone? Well I've had the new friends I've made here. Sylvain comes over now and then...
[She rests a hand on her cheek, tilting her head to the side. Alone? Are any of them alone here? It's so easy for them to see other people in this place.]
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no subject
[She carries them over to their box so that way she can set them down in it. Which means lots of mewling because the nice pillows are no longer giving them attention anymore. She bats a ball of yarn to distract them before looking up at the young king.]
Me? Oh, I'm not sure if I should. My life is such a mess that I worry I would just be a terrible kitty mother for them.
[She sighs and rests her chin on her hands even as she stays crouched like that.]
They should have a better home than with a mess like me.
no subject
[ He knows that she can be as sharp as a blade, but he's always seen her as incredibly nurturing, regardless. She puts a lot of herself out, seeking the same affection, but never hesitates in giving it at any time. ]
I cannot speak for your state, but I've always known you to be very brave. That hasn't changed even now.
[ She's taking this place a lot better than most, as well. He follows her to kneel beside her, as they watch the kittens play. ]
I imagine they'd want someone gentle like that, rather than someone who could hurt them as I could.
no subject
[She heaves a sigh and reaches into the box to push the yarn around a bit. Such sweet little things.]
I think that you have the potential to be more gentle than you think though, Dimitri. I was told who carried me after I was stabbed, after all.
[Manuela smiles at him. He's come such a long way and she can't help but to feel rather proud as she looks at him now.]
If you could be gentle enough to handle me then I think you've got potential. But if you're very uncomfortable I can keep them at my place until I find a home for them.
no subject
He does listen to her talk, finding her voice soothing— almost like a memory of times when they only did rely on instruction to get by. When the worst of their problems were studying for their next certification.
He almost misses it. ]
... when you put it like that– I could try. But you weren't difficult to be gentle with, Professor. Then again— I don't recall thinking too hard. I just knew I had to get you to safety. As for these...
[ He reaches into the box to let his fingertips brush over the kittens' heads. ]
They're so much smaller and helpless. Perhaps, you could advise me on how to be gentle at all.
no subject
[Manuela gently takes his hand to help guide him into scratching the ears of one of the kittens.]
They're very small but they can handle a little more than you think. As long as you are not squeezing them or crushing them then they will let you know what they like.
[Reaching into the box, she pulls out one of the kittens.]
Hold out your hands, Dimitri.
no subject
[ He does scritch gently behind the kitten's ears, though he only allows himself enough to brush his fingertips there. Any more and he's sure he might squeeze or hold too hard.
However, when Manuela asks for him to hold his hands out, he nervously looks over at her- and the kitten, and very hesitantly holds his hands out in an open-handed "receiving" pose. ]
Professor, it's best I don't...
[ Oh, Goddess. Here he is, King of an entire land, terrified of holding a kitten. ]
no subject
There. You're holding a life just like you held mine. Just like I was in the best of care, this little one is safe with you.
[Manuela lightly rests her hand on his arm.]
You see that strength you have as destructive. When really it means that you are capable when others are not to hold others up. To support them and carry them so they will not fall.
[Her other hand gestures to the kitten he's holding.]
You are scared but that just means that you'll know how to restrain. To take care of them and show them that the trust they have in you isn't misplaced.
[A smile.]
That the trust we all have in you isn't misplaced. You will be a wonderful caretaker.
no subject
[ When she's this close, he can pick up on her warmth. Perhaps her perfume, too, which is a bit harder due to his inability to detect taste— but he can make it out, enough that it feels pleasant when she moves close to him.
Her words are just as gentle, and he can't help but feel comforted by them as he looks at the little kitten sniffing around his hands. He's quiet and tense, yet somehow calmer around her comforting presence. After a while, he finally relaxes his shoulders, and very carefully draws the kitten close so it can climb against his chest.
With a mewl, it purrs, and tries to climb up over his own chest to get some more cuddles. He keeps a hand carefully under it as though worried it will fall, but he does look over at Manuela curiously. ]
Thank you. I shall hope to live up to your faith.
[ And a pause— ]
You haven't been alone all this time, I hope.
no subject
[She rests a hand on her cheek, tilting her head to the side. Alone? Are any of them alone here? It's so easy for them to see other people in this place.]
What do you mean, dear?