[Felix nods in agreement with Claude.] And I don't pretend. Besides, it sounds like you've been practicing that maneuver with her. I would think you'd be glad to get it right. At the beginning, my first cat was constantly stealing my things, so this is already an improvement over that.

[His smile doesn't go anywhere after that, either. She's laughing, and it isn't strained or done for anyone else's benefit, the way it usually is at home. She's just laughing because she's happy, and even that sounds like music to him. Goddess, he never realized just how badly war had beaten them all down until they got here and he was reminded of the difference.

Then he elbows Claude.]

What I do with my hair is my business. I don't want it getting in my way.