indulgence;
That he seems quite content in the company of the other shouldn’t come as any grand surprise, fundamentally. To say he’s accustomed to complete isolation would be a bit of a stretch (for the troupe was always present in one or another; if not them, he certainly had Elise by his side the vast majority of the time), although to say he’s accustomed to the polar opposite would be a greater error. All the same, despite his apparent - and ofttimes sincere, actually - standoffishness during social situations, conversation isn’t seen to be intrinsically dislikeable: he likes good conversation and dislikes bad conversation, simply enough, good conversation specifically entailing an interesting line of discussion.
There’s margin for error here, just as there is during any other situation, Märchen acknowledges, but - still - he hasn’t any reason to think against a mild-mannered talking cat being worthy of note.
Taking heed of the recently specified request, he extends to the Judge a hum of agreement, a murmur of ‘very well’ before tending to that which presently irks the other. As suggested, he reaches around to scratch behind his ears: first, solely the index finger is used, uncertain as he is as to whether this relieves the itch, but within due time - and after having grown confident that he’s doing the correct thing, of course - he begins using all digits of his right hand, and quite rhythmically at that as though to pet the animal at the same time. Inevitably, conversation resumes soon enough, at which point the scratching/(perhaps-)petting becomes absent-minded.
“…Ah, I fear to say that I haven’t previously had the chance to socialise as I do here ─ that is, never before has an opportunity to talk with a cat” (he nods slightly, absentmindedly here, as though seeking confirmation for whether he is - indeed - a feline, rather than some more ethereal entity in the guise of a feline) “presented itself to me. You’ll thus have to forgive my ignorance as regards to…what cats do and do not enjoy, mm.”
He continues scratching behind the creature’s ear for a few moments more before withdrawing his hand, albeit with a slight hesitation. “—That’s enough to satisfy your itch, I hope?”
Having his needs being fulfilled, the scratching of that area that only bothered him moments ago was becoming quite bleak. His purring being heard as he happily indulged into this action without a second thought. With this silence, The Judge used just that to show how satisfactory the other's efforts were. From time to time he would lean into the other's hand to allow the actions to deepen and was not offended once the other had began to pat him in a sense. Everyone just couldn't not pet a very pristine cat of his caliber, though he couldn't say he was that great but then again, in various games he was of much use.
Giving those who needed knowledge just that and showing them how to deal with puzzles, though in his former home he was mostly doing just that. Judging by the other's character, he knew he was possibly someone to hold in value since some were different from other's and this was what made people take them into consideration. If it wasn't for so much as greeting or a question, this interaction would have never happened so he took much into account that he could.
"You have yet to enunciate with another feline a part from yours truly? I would have apprehended that it was something of the norm. A talking of any corporeal entity should be present if not one of the casual ones. Well, may I take into consideration of being the first." It was all too common in games such as these to have at least one thing that was different from other's. He didn't mind being just that for the other since it didn't seem that difficult to do.
"I've no need to forgive you for there has been nothing done wrong." He thought about this, the other held manners that surpassed some other's that he had known so well. Not many were lucky to understand what cats found to have fun in and not, which after the male removed his hand did he give a reply.
"Yes. Your actions have done quite well. Surely, is there a way that I may assist you for such bravery as to tackle that itch?"













