Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (cont'd)

Alexander kept his pace even, picking the other kitten up by its sweater. "Would you like to hold this?" he asked. "Her name is Hermine."

Pratik smiled, despite himself. Here he was, a hardened assassin, being charmed by a small kitten. "An excellent name." He reached out to hold her.

Spoiler

gonna give @Seirre a quick tag 'cause I had Pratik in an AU RP with them that involved kittens and I find it very funny that we've made a full circle back to the kittens lol

Alexander placed Hermine in Pratik's hands. The kitten blinked up at him, disconcerted by the change but not protesting.
"Have you ever had a cat before?"

Pratik stared at the kitten for a long moment, not quite sure what his emotions were doing just then. Was he really in such a sorry state that a fucking kitten was turning him soft? It was embarrassing.

... But... he pulled Hermine close to his chest, cradling her in his arms as he petted her head.

"No sir." Living on the streets hadn't left many opportunities for owning pets. But, then, he was accustomed to living in about the same condition as the street animals. He reconsidered his answer. "Well, I used to feed the strays. But never had one myself."

"They're excellent beasts." Alexander opened the door to the infirmary and stepped inside. "I can't keep all of them, unfortunately. I gave one away some weeks ago."

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Pratik murmured, following the man inside. “Do you at least have the assurance they’re treating it well?”

"Certainly. The Loquiturs are good people, as is the girl I gave the kitten to." He tilted his head. "At least she seemed good. I believe she is."

So, the Loquiturs had been here. And… brought a girl? He wondered what that meant. Surely she wasn’t just a slave, or she’d never have the boldness to ask for a kitten. Unless Loquitur was wildly different from Tarr. Which didn’t seem likely, given the fact that he’d basically sold his own daughter to the brute. Still, if he could get any information out of this man, he’d take it. “Oh?”

"Do sit down." Alexander pointed to a bed and wandered toward the cabinet to get supplies. The other kitten leaped from his arms and perched herself on the counter. "She hadn't had a cat before, and I have too many as it is. I figured Lord Tarr wouldn't want too many running about so I gave one to her."

"That's very kind of you." Pratik sat down, as instructed, still stroking the kitten. "Was it one of Lord Loquitur's daughters?"

"No," Alexander replied. "She came here with someone else, someone cruel. Loquitur took her under his wing, as he often does with battered people." He pulled out a washcloth and some dried herbs along with a couple bottles.

"He does sound kind indeed," Pratik answered. Maybe -- maybe -- Loquitur was a decent fellow after all. But it didn't particularly matter to Pratik either way. He didn't concern himself with who was "right" or who was "wrong" in conflicts he was hired to neutralize. He was hired by Ash, which meant he was opposed to Loquitur... unless Loquitur offered a higher price, in which case his loyalties could easily be swayed. "Does he come here often?"

"No, not often. There was business to be done." He began measuring out portions of liquid from the bottles and mashing up the herbs. "You have many questions."

"Apologies. I don't mean to be a pest," Pratik answered, dipping his head. Maybe he was pushing his luck a bit too far. "I'm still new to the Keep and am trying to learn as much as I can."

"This is a dangerous place to be curious," Alexander mused. "You haven't been a slave very long. He approached Pratik with the salve and the washcloth.