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[An ear twitches at Yue Qingyuan's approach, though the cat doesn't bother to properly raise its head until he's right up close and looming over it. When he offers his hand there's a bit of a delay before it remembers the correct kitty protocol for these situations and...hesitantly gives it a sniff or two.

Yue Qingyuan's scent is kinda comforting, actually.

...What are you supposed to do after sniffing? Lick it? No. Ask for pets? Also no.

The cat lowers its head again with a mrr, like it doesn't have the energy to bother with that nonsense.]

[ He smiles without thinking about it, brow furrowing a touch as the cat's head sinks back to the ground, so exhausted it can do nothing but choose to exist in the manner of least resistance. He considers his options, including simply leaving the poor animal where it lies, but that also doesn't feel right. If there's even an off chance it isn't a regular cat... or the possibility that it is, things aren't such where he's in a hurry enough to leave the animal here. ]

Kind of you not to wrinkle your nose at the scent of me.

[ He sounds amused, and the pull of his lips up at the corners into one of his many smiles, this one more genuine than most, indicates such is likely true. ]

I don't want to leave you here where you might be stepped on, little cat. I have two deliveries to make, but after, I could see you fed and recommend a sunny spot to continue your morning ritual on, if you wish.

[ Cat's can't precisely respond with words, or this one can't, so instead he allows his hand to touch the fur on the crown of the cat's forehead. ]

Up with you, then. We'll get you fed and resting in a better part of the Academy in no time.

[ In which case, he attempts to slide his hand down the cat's back and curl under its side, scooping the cat up and tucking it against his chest, nestled against his shoulder and the hook of his arm. He fully expects claws to protest at some point, but it's not a hardship, and his other hand and arm balance the congee still steaming in the morning air, cold but less so than even the month prior. ]

[His ritual? As if lying out here to be stepped can actually be called a ritual...

But even in his exhausted state, he knows better than to threaten the balance of a man carrying two hot bowls of congee with one hand - aside from a quiet growl of protest, he doesn't struggle.

....There might be a tiny hint of claws in Yue Qingyuan's shoulder, however. Just...just keeping his balance, y'know.]

[ Sun bathing, mister kitty. Sun bathing ritual.

His heart goes out more for this creature so tired it barely manages its grumpy complaints, and he makes a hum in the back of his throat as he heads back along the path he'd been walking. The hint of claws is barely enough to notice, and no real pain in the end, so aside from a slow flick of his eyes to those paws and their attached weapons, his attention is largely focussed forward. ]

Both the men I'm delivering congee to live nearby, it won't be long. What do you make of the fish from the local river? I'll debone one for you in the kitchen... if you'd like the cheek meat or the eyes or the whole of the head, they're yours for the having, at that point.

[ He continues to idly talk to the cat as he delivers first one, than another bowl, his voice a steady and coaxing stream of sound, rising and falling to recognisable cadences. Having delivered the younger Shen Qingqiu's congee second, he glances around, pauses... and sighs, a soft sound, before heading back toward the main Academy, and thus also, its kitchens. ]

Decided on a fish for yourself, little fur?

[Did he know that Yue Qingyuan was delivering congee to his doppelganger? Does it matter? It should probably be irritating, but being held like this is also surprisingly comfortable, with the faint rumble of Yue Qingyuan's voice...the cat finds itself nodding off, unconsciously burying its face near the crook of his neck, quiet and peaceful for the duration of his delivery run.

There's a protesting mrr at getting called "little fur" though, that single annoyance apparently enough to wake Shen Qingqiu back up again. Who says he wants fish, anyway! Even if he did, you can't understand him, you weirdo!!

None of these complaints are actually made aloud, though he does start to fuss in Yue Qingyuan's grip.]

[ Soft, warm puffs of breath at his neck leave his lips quirking up at the corners as he continues about his self-elected chores, talking amiably enough to an animal he doesn't assume is listening. Not until it rouses, and at that he blinks, loosening his grip once the cat starts fussing. ]

What is it? Do you want to be set down? If you're patience, we can feed you in the kitchen... I don't believe anyone here will mind. There's fresh water to be had too, so you won't be thirsty. Or milk, or... well. I don't know, whatever it is you'd like.

[ Should his feline friend indicate it wants down, then down Yue Qingyuan will let it. ]

[He does want to be set down, yes!!

...Then again, getting held like this honestly is surprisingly comfortable, and the idea of Yue Qingyuan continuing to pamper him is.....if he tries hard enough maybe he can get the man to give him something good? How good a cook is his shixiong? It'd be nice to get something a little more substantial than congee, during this time stuck as a cat....

The struggling still happens, but this time his goal is Yue Qingyuan's shoulder rather than the ground. You'd better not disappoint him, human.]

[ When his relaxed hold on the cat ends up with him having a feline shoulder rider, Yue Qingyuan simply smiles and chuckles to himself, reaching up to move his hair and collect it over his opposite shoulder, making it easier for the tabby cat. ]

Am I to be your steed? Fine, fine, Miao'er, as long as you're pleased with yourself. Now, what might we make...

[ The kitchen's largely clean, more a space for people to place food from their cloth of plenty or anything purchased in city, and well stocked in implements for cooking, and the plateware necessary for serving. ]

Would you like fish? Poultry? There's lamb, as well, or goat...

[Yes that's right, make way for your feline master. Shen Qingqiu emits a low noise that could possibly be construed for a growl at the new nickname, but otherwise focuses on keeping his balance, tail lashing as he settles on his new perch.

Oh, but he's actually offering food! Good good, exactly as planned. It's hard to voice which option he actually wants to choose, but regardless, the cat lets out a meow after Yue Qingyuan has finished listing all the different meats available, and stretches his neck forwards in an attempt to get a better view of his surroundings.]

[ Yue Qingyuan slightly tilts his head away from the cat to let the cat move unimpeded, chuckling and reaching up to tap a finger over a paw. ]

Handsome Tiger, we can do one meal at a time, there's no rush. What do you think of steamed fish?

[Did Yue Qingyuan always have such an idiotic propensity for nicknames...please just pick one and settle on it........

He lets out another meow before pulling back to settle himself more securely in his precariously chosen roost. As interesting as the view may be from this height, the form is still a new one, and the consequent sense of caution overpowers his curiosity.

This also means he's perched with his fur brushing up against Yue Qingyuan's cheek, but it's not like he's really thinking about that.]

[ The tickle of fur would be easy to ignore, but it's sweet in its own soft way. Yue Qingyuan smiles, reaching up to pat at the cat's paw. ]

Miao'er, the fish it is.

[ He sets into steady motion through the kitchen, clearly familiar with this expansive space, pulling out cooking ware appropriate for the steaming, a wok and a steamer basket. The oven is operated with the ease of familiarity from the last few months, and so the flame from the enchanted appliance burns steady under the wok, which he fills with a thin layer of water. As it boils, he pulls a fish from his cloth of plenty, already descaled, if not deboned. He learned the trick of asking for that much the week before.

Setting it within the basket, the whole then goes into the wok, steaming while he goes about the kitchen to find the plateware needed for serving his feline friend and perhaps himself as well. He's smiling absently the whole time, in a pleasant mood for all he hasn't seen either Shen Qingqiu yet today. ]

[That hand patting his paw gets batted away--or batted at, really, though either way it amounts to something resembling return pats from a soft paw with its claws sheathed.

Yue Qingyuan's moving around means that Shen Qingqiu has his attention focused between keeping his balance and watching that delicious fish go on the stove to cook. If the cat happens to lick its lips during all this, well...that's to be expected, right?

Though he can't help but wonder if his shixiong was always this weak to cats. Maybe he misses caring for ~~people~~ other creatures? Or maybe he's just that lonely? Turning his head to stare at that humongous close-up face, Shen Qingqiu silently observes him for a while before...booping his cheek with a tiny pink nose.]

[ Maybe it's all of the above, and someone a little at loose ends not strictly being needed for... anything, really. Duty has been all he's had for so long that able only the calls to mission make sense to him here, and even with that... he's still at loose ends.

This world needs him in such a different way than Cangqiong ever did.

The touch of nose to his cheek is unexpected, and sweet in a way that feels like honey on the tongue. Grateful feline, his furry little friend, and he reaches up with a chuckle to offer a quick scratch of the cat's cheeks in turn. ]

You're welcome, Miao'er.

[ Settling on a name at last? Or for the moment. The fish in its basket is done, lifted out by hands that don't mind heat or scalding by steam, and set to plate while deftly, swiftly, deboned.

If love were tiny services, would things like this count, he wonders, but there's no need to voice that aloud. Love is no one single thing, nor is it enough.

He smiles, and sets out the plate, fetching a small dish of water to settle to its side. Every motion as smooth as he can make it, and as steady as he ever is. ]

For you.

[He hadn't meant for that action to be seen as a thanks, shixiong, but sure. Welcome him, why not.

But any other thoughts in that direction get brushed away by the sight of the fish; a combination of hunger and feline instincts have him leaving his perch for the plate without any real thoughts at all, nose twitching as he sniffs daintily at the offering.

Food...food? Food!

This excitement is toned down by the fact he took his first nibble a little too soon and jerked back at the heat on his kitty tongue, but he quickly gets back to eating regardless.]

[ He chuckles at the enthusiasm of the cat, who clearly tried to eat too soon for his sensitive mouth. Like a cat's tongue, there's some saying like that, is there not?

He reaches out for a gentle attempt at a back stroke while the cat is tucking into the fish. There's something soothing in seeing anyone enjoy his offerings, feline or otherwise. It's nice to feel like he can manage at least this much for someone else and have it be simple, not weighed down by a history he's as much at fault for as any other party in the mix. ]

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