Gene nodded and put a kettle on the stove. "Oh and that's Invictus," she said. "He's the only one that's stuck around." She felt like an idiot, going on and on about her cats, but... she really hadn't had much else since leaving her parents' house.

Matthew nodded and smiled. "I can't believe I'm looking at the Pumpkin." He laughed softly and knelt down. "I'm your biggest fan, kitty."
Pumpkin ran over and nudged into his knee, licking his fingers. "And this is that little grey one too?"

Gene nodded, smiling a little. "They are good friends," she said quietly. Once the water was heated, she poured two cups of tea and took a seat at the table with him.

"To be honestly, miss, your book is the most amazing story I've ever read. Especially since it was about my ancestor, and...everything. Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you chose the other Issac?"
Pumpkin waddled in, his stomach swaying as she did so. She meowed, wanting to get up on the table, but there really was no way.

Gene glanced to Pumpkin. "Not until we're done," she told her. "You know the rules." She took a deep breath before looking back to Matthew. "If I had chosen differently... That fort would still be there. And more likely than not, I would have taken over Invictus's job, killing people to survive." She looked down, both hands on her tea cup.
It made her very sad, to think about him, even now. She knew she had finally set him free, given him what he needed, but she still missed him.

Matthew frowned and nodded. "It was odd though, the other Issac seemed so much nicer. The other threatened to kill you and he yelled at you." He said softly. "But still you saw the truth."

Gene nodded. "It was... very hard to do," she said quietly. "But... the Issac in the orb... I knew the moment he told me to give up." She shrugged slightly, taking a sip of her tea.

Matthew looked down to Pumpkin was was pouting, sitting there, looking away with narrowed eyes. He took a sip of his tea. "And...after all that Invictus just gave up? Or...he just died?"

Gene nodded. "I don't think he gave up," she said quietly. "He... could finally be at peace. Could finally have his wife back." She shook her head again, taking another sip of tea. She still remembered waking up in his arms so clearly.

Matthew nodded and frowned. "Man, I...my eyes watered at that part. Really you're a fantastic writer." He complemented. "I could only imagine going through all that and then just...waking up. I'm sorry, I don't mean to bring this to the surface."
He looked to Pumpkin. "She's still here and, looking like a barrel though."

Gene smiled and nodded. "She hasn't changed at all," she said, trying to keep her tone light. She pushed her tea away, giving up and giving in to the pouting cat. She leaned over and pulled her up, setting her on the other side of the table.

Pumpkin sprawled out and stretched, yawning. Matthe laughed. "Well...I should get going, actually. Uhm. Maybe we can do this again some time?" he asked with a smile, standing up. "Thank you very much for the tea."

Gene smiled, getting up with a nod. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For the journal, and for... at least pretending I'm not crazy." She walked him to the door, glad for putting Pumpkin on the table. At least now she didn't have to worry about her getting out.

Matthew smiled. "There's nothing to pretend." He said softly. "I really do believe in this book, and you. And even if it was all fake...the impact is still the same. But I don't think it is...take care miss Donovan. I'll stop by again sometime."

Gene nodded and waved as he walked away. After he was gone, she closed the door, thinking fast as she stood there for a moment. But then she quickly grabbed the journal, and sat down at her writing desk. She tapped the feather against the page for a long moment, trying to keep her hopes from getting up much too high. She stared at Issac's name for a long moment before turning to a blank page and dipping her quill in ink.

Hello.

She wrote just the one word, pleading for something to come back to her. "Please please please," she whispered, staring at the page.