"Don't mind if I do," Buck says cheerfully, and maybe he beelines for the cats first thing. "So which kitties want pettings the most?" He figures V will be the one to know, if anyone will.

"Have a good show?" he asks, crouching down and holding out his right hand for the cats to investigate should they wish. The demon hand sometimes puts them off, if they aren't familiar with the smell, so he keeps it in reserve. He can't remember how many of this troop of cats are new.