"...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.

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

“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, >

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!"

"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.

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!”