"I'm lazy, I'd make a terrible ghost. But perhaps I'd have more anguish, deprived of tea and books." He's not trying to make light of her past, but he's not anticipating such a fate for himself. He has little enough to linger for as it is.

"Is he... somewhat experienced in magic, too?" Actually the idea of Wade wielding magic is a slightly terrifying one, but he's not sure how else the man would know how to anchor her that way. Maybe it was just dumb luck?

Smoke's fluffy tail lashes, and she makes a strafing run at the toe of her shoe. Each move is bolder than the last, so she's obviously warming up to Anna.

Quiet and as wide-eyed as Smoke first was, the second cat slinks under Horvath's chair and crouches there, staring up at Anna. Whisper is white with grey splotches, and not nearly as fluffy as her sister. She's less adventurous, too.