I miss you. I wish it was mutual.

“I’m itching for another romp around London. It’s been far too long.”

"...yes...." he admitted, with a cheeky grin. "But you must admit spiked cider is at least a big step up from the regular ale here! It's made from apples, it's basically a fruit basket, right?"

He offered his arm and off they went to the market, making a b line to the cider stand.

"I really want some mulled wine! Or boozy cider. Sure, we could go back and get the kids, but I think you and me should scope it out first alone. You know, make sure it's 'safe'."

And then they could get drunk and not have to worry about kids climbing up walls or attacking pies unsupervised.

"It is too early to head to the Christmas markets? I was dropping off more fish at the shelter, and the market already has wreaths up and the hot cocoa stands! What do you say?" @newwolverine.bsky.social

He ended up making more than one egg, mainly because eggs were such a good treat for all the cats and the ermine. Protein all around.

The fire was stocked and the house was already cozy when the broth was bumbling over. Poe curled up at Laura's ankles and quickly learned meowing meant treats!

“There’s a Christmas market being set up by the gardens. I’m exited to check it out soon.”

Smiling proudly. It was true. He loved showing off for her.

“It can serve two purposes. And it’s absolutely a ramen-on-the-floor kind of evening. With extra noddles. Then you can finish mine because my eyes are always bigger than my stomach.”

“Darling! No! Not your perfect nose!”

First, he kisses it, then he loads wood up in the fireplace to get the house cozy.

“All that time I spent shirtless splitting wood wasn’t just in vain, who knew.”

“It’s snowing! It’s not even my birthday yet. How exciting!”

"I met Karl Marx. Evie and I both did. He actually advocated for us to help the working class more. Can't argue with that."

“Capitalism was always terrible, but seeing everyone starve and suffer really makes me glad at least the Rooks are around to give a little pushback to the hammers.”

“I knew capitalism was bad, but this is an absolute shitshow.”

"I want a pickle tree!"

“Oooo. Not only get into the spirit but get my attention off all the sleight of hands. You’re good at this.”

Oh he had plenty of experience following the shams around with Dickens, who seemed utterly bemused by the spectacle. But it was entertaining.

And even here in Lo don, with less mutants, there was plenty that remained hard to explain.
>

“As for the seance, that’s the fun part! I have no idea if it’s a parlor game, an excuse for dates to get touchy feely, or the real thing. But that’s the fun on it. We can go in blind and find a way to have fun no matter what happens!”

as much as you can piece together from memory.”

Now they the kitten was occupied, Jacob shut him in the room to give him privacy and allow the other pets a chance to get used to his scent.
>

Good thing he had a little dried mint in his pocket to toss over the cravat, make it really enticing for the newest member of the family.

“Ah, I think you should try to tell me to story of the homoerotic vampires later, >

“Poe!”

He smiled. The kitten looked up, which was confirmation enough he approved of the moniker.

“I think that’s perfect!”
>

but of course it was HIS cravat now! Jacob would have to get a new favorite.

"Speaking of which! What do you think about going to a seance later? Just to watch. Could be fun!"

"I did not, I was hoping you'd help me pick a name for him. Fitting for the season. I was thinking Hex, Wiccan, Sage, Jack, as in Spring-Heeled, I don't know! Something festive!"

The kitten was now rolling around and chewing on the cravat,>

"Don't worry, darling. The kids haven't seen him yet."

Once the kids say a new pet, there was no going back. Jacob grabbed her hand and led her to the bedroom. On the bench at the foot of the bed was a little black kitten rolling around in his Rook Green cravat. He purred when he saw Laura.

Their house, while impressive for Whitechapel, was still fairly small. She wasn't wrong. But...a new kitten! And this was on top of the little calico so took him to adopt after losing Loco.

>

Looks away.

“Ugh, alright, technically, no? But maybe there is a kitten currently chewing up my favourite cravat. And he’s a kitten, which is very much different from a cat!”

“Good news! The embroidery is a hit. Bad news? Maybe? The animal shelter wants one with little cats on their lapels.”

@newwolverine.bsky.social

“I have beigels and beer for lunch. I’m living like a king today! Rest in peace, Albert.”

"I hadn't considered that. What do you think, then? I can commission you to design it, then hire some of the mothers to do them all? I'd so it myself, but, you know I have a hard time sitting still on one place for too long. Plus, knives and blades are more my thing than needles."

"I had an idea! Now, imagine if we had our little Rook jackets embroidered with little rooks! On the nose? Maybe, but getting a bird on there can't be too hard. What, is that like three thread colours? I could help. The kids could help. Maybe we can make it a project at your school."