[ Oh— that's quite a bit more dog than K had expected (and he has to wonder whether Royce just rides him like a steed), but he's also happy to make a new friend. Once he's set down the wine and cake, Bear gets all the petting he wants, and K doesn't startle when the cat joins in. She'll get some petting too if she seems amenable to it. He sounds amused. ] I'm getting used to it.

I spend all day surrounded by wolf puppies, a fox, a chicken, rabbit tribbles, an owl, and a cat that's sometimes a panther. It's the people that're hard to deal with.

[ The latter not really being a joke even if he makes it sound like one. Even as he gives the pets his attention he's subtly observing Alfie and Royce, and does easily note the change, wondering at it. He also notes how this seems to be routine for them, cooking together. It seems... nice. ]