Maybe one day Vincent will find what Nanaki's boundary about pets is. Then all the feline needs to do is conquer the barrier that is Vincent's reluctance for physical expressions.

But this is certainly progress. Vincent rises to his feet.

"You'd better not. Hate to have to repeat myself."

...But there's a bit of a smile. Maybe the collar of the cloak's folded down just enough at that moment to glimpse it. Or maybe it was already happening when he'd started to rise.

...Perhaps it's just in his voice.