Ragnoth stepped into the private quarters for the guests and sat down in a chair. It had an amazing open view, as most elven cities prided themselves in their architectural design. "I'm sorry about everything, Nel." He still wasn't sure what was happening, but by now he figured it out.

Lynx was practically in heaven, so much attention all at once. It wasn't long before he had deemed Adinar is favorite out of Brenodie's friends. Licking him and purring like a madman was one sign. He also did a fair deal of forehead rubbing and bumping.

"It's alright. Not your fault," Nellethiel said, sitting down in another chair. It was sort of a suite, with a living area and a bedroom off to one side. "Ragnoth, would you mind if I stayed here with you...when I'm not helping out, that is?"

------

"I think he likes the fact I have four hands to pet him," Adinar said with a smile.

Ragnoth nodded. "Of coarse, Nellethiel. I wouldn't mind at all. That's why I'm here after all." He reached into his pocket. "And..." he stood up. "There was something I wanted to give you, but you seemed so distraught earlier, I wanted to wait. But now," he pulled out the silver necklace. "I think you should have this. Just something I saw in the markets that I thought you'd like."
It was very expensive...he hoped she would like it.

Brenodie laughed and stopped petting him. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's your selling point for him. Glad he likes you."

Nellethiel seemed astonished. "It's lovely," she said. "This is beautiful...you found this in the markets?"

-------

"So am I. I'd hate to have him angry at me," Adinar said with a smile.

Ragnoth nodded. "Yes...and now I'm broke." he chuckled. It was a bit of an overexaggeration. "Nah, I went into the markets to find gifts for your elven families and I...decided I'd just get one big gift for you. I know you better. You like it? I know it's not like its anything entirely romantic. Or, it's not like I forged it myself with weeks of labor putting ounced of my heart in there...but...I thought it matched your beauty quite nicely if that is even possible."

Brenodie shook her head. "NO. You do not want that. You haven't seen this kitten in action, have you? He's well trained and fierce when he wants to be."

"It's beautiful," Nellethiel said with a smile. "You're romantic enough--it doesn't have to be." The wizard gave him a hug and kissed the cheek of the metal plate over his face.

------

"And the rest of the time he's a good companion. Impressive," Adinar said, scratching behind Lynx's ears. "Not many animals can manage that."

Ragnoth's breathing was a bit ragged for the next minute or so, excited every time she gave him that kiss on the metal plate mask. It was closest things could get. "Thank you, I'm glad you like it."

Brenodie laughed. "Impressive? Hardly. He thinks its play not a job. I say, 'Lynx, tackle-kill' and he immedietly thinks, 'oh boy, some dead thing I can play with afterward.'"

Nellethiel smiled at him. "I really do. Thank you so much," she said, pleasantly.

------

Adinar gave her a hug with one arm, not really for a reason...more because he wanted to than anything else. "Well, nothing wrong with that."

Ragnoth nodded. "I'm glad I could cheer you up if only for a moment." he sat down on the bed and slowed his breathing with a quick exhale.

Brenodie kissed him on the cheek. "Alright, Lynx. Up and out."
Lynx flipped over and looked to Adinar before glancing to Brenodie as if to say, "well what does the master-petter think?'

"You going to be alright?" Nellethiel said, standing up from her chair, the necklace in her hands.

-------

"I'm sorry, Lynx. I can't argue with Bren. You heard her," Adinar said, giving him a last pat.

Ragnoth nodded. "Yes, yes I'm fine. In time you'll learn when to worry and when not to, I think." He wanted to give her a smile to reassure her. But instead he puffed out his chest, like always. As their relationship progressed, it was getting harder and harder to deal with an expressionless mindset.

Brenodie nodded and Lynx lowered his head before turning around and hoping off the bed and waltzing out of the room. "I really need to get him a play mate." she said with a laugh. "Or a girlfriend."

Nellethiel smiled back. "I hope so," she said. The elf leaned in and gave him another small kiss before heading back into the main common space of Ragnoth's quarters with the necklace in her hands.

-----------

"Then you'd have many small lynx, though," he said with a smile before giving her another kiss.

Ragnoth nodded and exhaled through his nose to prevent his excited breathing again. She was kissing him a lot lately. He wondered when it would be the time for more...she never really responded to the real kiss he had given her. He knew it was an odd one. It was only motivation to keep the mask on.

Brenodie melted. "Awww, little baby Lynx kittens tumbling around. Carmine could have an army of Lynx!" she grinned, still a bit tipsy.

Nellethiel sat down in the other room, resting her face in her hands. The necklace sat in her lap. What am I going to do?

------------

"And we'd never know what to do with them all," Adinar said with a slight smile. "Still, I suppose it'd work. Need a lot of sticks for them to play fetch with, though."

Ragnoth laid down on the smaller bed looking up at the ceiling, his hands resting on his stomach. He sighed. He knew that he had to give Nel space. He knew that that was the first priorty.

Brenodie laughed. "Maybe I'll turn into that old maid with a bunch of cats, but they're just a bunch of Lynx kittens."