That first thing was quite the accusation to level at someone who insisted he was honourable, but Faolan didn’t comment. “I live for a lot of things,” he said. He stooped, holding out his opened hand. “But cats are hunters.” After a wary moment, Splodge pressed its nose to her fingers. A grin stretched the Wolf’s face like it wasn’t sure if it was meant to be there. “She’s safe with me.”

Splodge, the traitor cat, rubbed her face against his hand insistently. And Splodge was devoutly a her now; animals of course had no gender but Orfeus couldn’t attempt to deny her attachment by calling her it any more. Faol scratched her chin ferociously, scratched her behind the ears, stroked down her back as Splodge purred, and he was grinning the whole while. He looked odd with a grin.

Orfeus wouldn’t for a moment trust Faol with her life, so it was strange she felt utterly certain she could trust him with her cat.

“There’s things in my room, meat, a litterbox. You can – I’ll bring them by. Can I ask one more favour?” she added, as a thought occurred to her.

Faol ceased the petting and looked up, his eyes sharp. Orfeus’s stomach lurched. Tai would have been a better bet, if that had been possible. She had no idea what in the hell Faolan might want in exchange.

Orfeus touched her earring, then shook her head at herself and just pulled the damn thing out. She slipped it into her pocket. Maybe she could trade, though she just wanted to throw the foolish bit of metal away. “I don’t want to talk to Luga again, as he’s terrifying,” she said. And she didn’t want him asking questions about why exactly she was taking a leave. “Could you pass along that I’m happy to wear one of your little cult earrings now?”

Faolan slowly stood up. “When will you return?” he said slowly.

Was it a when, or was it an if? Or was it a not if I can help it? She honestly didn’t know. Planning for the future was for when the present task was done. She’d always been good enough at playing by ear.

Orfeus shrugged tellingly.

Faol sniffed, and took the hooked fang out of his ear. “Then you’ll need to be able to stay in contact,” he said, and held it out on the palm of his hand. “For now you can have mine.”

Orfeus paused. This felt too big a favour, or a gift, which was even worse. And she didn’t particularly want to wear something of Faolan’s, however nice her back was.