[The giant, smug cat only becomes more powerful. Anabel's question strikes Nanu in surprise, but he can feel Persian slowly turn to look at him in his peripheral. He moves his hand to her overly fluffy face and turns it away.]
[He sits up as she sits down, acquiring his full attention. Though he doesn't answer right away. The silence that would normally uncomfortable and awkward is undercut by their proximity to each other, and the fact that Nanu's not trying to avoid her gaze. He's not going to pretend the question wasn't unexpected for him, and the surprise is probably evident on his face. Part of it is Anabel's own uncertainty in even asking the question. She's usually the one with the most collected demeanor in this department.]
[But, he knows she wouldn't ask at all unless she was sure about the idea herself.]
Uh, [is the smooth start to his reply, followed by a clearing of his throat.] Is that...what you want...?
[Even though he knows the answer to that. Nanu's normally old-fashioned, and the length of time between stages of a relationship differ among them. But Anabel's different, and the exception to many rules. Their relationship has been an exception since they met.]
[Still...it's like he needs to hear the confirmation up-front; much like how sometimes she needs to hear things from him point blank. He's not opposed to the idea. It's just...it's a big step. And from Anabel's tripping over words, she understands that, too.]
double the old man double the fun
[He sits up as she sits down, acquiring his full attention. Though he doesn't answer right away. The silence that would normally uncomfortable and awkward is undercut by their proximity to each other, and the fact that Nanu's not trying to avoid her gaze. He's not going to pretend the question wasn't unexpected for him, and the surprise is probably evident on his face. Part of it is Anabel's own uncertainty in even asking the question. She's usually the one with the most collected demeanor in this department.]
[But, he knows she wouldn't ask at all unless she was sure about the idea herself.]
Uh, [is the smooth start to his reply, followed by a clearing of his throat.] Is that...what you want...?
[Even though he knows the answer to that. Nanu's normally old-fashioned, and the length of time between stages of a relationship differ among them. But Anabel's different, and the exception to many rules. Their relationship has been an exception since they met.]
[Still...it's like he needs to hear the confirmation up-front; much like how sometimes she needs to hear things from him point blank. He's not opposed to the idea. It's just...it's a big step. And from Anabel's tripping over words, she understands that, too.]