Of course it's the stranger again. And the careful tone says that Detlef's been caught twice in less than a week and really how is he still alive? It's entirely thanks to the gods, and he makes a mental note to go pray a little more often. At the very least he can thank them more.

He exhales, trying not to fidget too much or show just exactly how tense he is. If everyone pretends he doesn't use the vice then... he's safe, right? But one of these days he won't be and he wishes he had someone he could ask for advice on how to be less obvious. Since stopping isn't an option.

"Right," he says, voice about an octave higher. He finishes untangling Lord Frigatebottom and scoops him up, dusting snow off and cuddling the cat to his warmth. "I, right. He..."

There's no point to lying. Detlef opens up his coat and lets the cat wiggle in to be safe. Much safer than Detlef is.