Lorne can hear Detlef trying to soothe the poor cat when he's walking back the short distance. Perhaps Detlef can calm the creature enough that food will mollify it somewhat, just enough to handle safely. He's extracted a bit of jerky already, hand extending to offer it to the stablemaster as he draws close--
Compared to the yowling, spitting little beast of a moment ago, Lord Frigatebottom is now remarkably quiet. And apparently calmed sufficiently that Detlef has begun the process of untangling him. Lorne immediately goes still. It's possible that since Detlef knows the cat, he's simply been lucky that his familiarity made a dent. Or perhaps the cat is so cold that it's given up trying to claw them to ribbons.
Or, Lorne allows, Detlef has skill that goes beyond the reach of the mundane. Stablemaster and vet, he had said. If Detlef does have the Vice, and this is what he uses it for...
Raised among Watchmen and with his father as Magistrate, Lorne has formed the opinion that punishments ought to match crimes, and that what is law is not always just. Detlef isn't hurting anyone. He does not deserve execution for his devotion to his animals, or because he was born with a trait he did not choose.
Slowly so as not to startle either of them, Lorne kneels near Detlef, barely at arm's reach. "You've a... gift. With animals," he says, carefully neutral, and glances around for anyone who might be coming up the street. "Go on; I'll keep an eye out for you."
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Compared to the yowling, spitting little beast of a moment ago, Lord Frigatebottom is now remarkably quiet. And apparently calmed sufficiently that Detlef has begun the process of untangling him. Lorne immediately goes still. It's possible that since Detlef knows the cat, he's simply been lucky that his familiarity made a dent. Or perhaps the cat is so cold that it's given up trying to claw them to ribbons.
Or, Lorne allows, Detlef has skill that goes beyond the reach of the mundane. Stablemaster and vet, he had said. If Detlef does have the Vice, and this is what he uses it for...
Raised among Watchmen and with his father as Magistrate, Lorne has formed the opinion that punishments ought to match crimes, and that what is law is not always just. Detlef isn't hurting anyone. He does not deserve execution for his devotion to his animals, or because he was born with a trait he did not choose.
Slowly so as not to startle either of them, Lorne kneels near Detlef, barely at arm's reach. "You've a... gift. With animals," he says, carefully neutral, and glances around for anyone who might be coming up the street. "Go on; I'll keep an eye out for you."