Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Hey. What are you doing?

Another day, another shot. Even though Izumi fears that things would be just around the same yet again. There had been no progress for some time and he was not hoping for it if he was ever completely honest. Then again, what he had discussed with Ann the other day, it got to him, to say the least.

"So... If scared... Just... Try new! Sounds easier, right?"

'Try new'... Funny wording aside, he knew now what they meant by that. Treat Nyeli like a stranger, a new person, and get to know him once again. It was worth a shot but he would need the stars to align for any chance like that to occur. After all, he couldn't just say 'Nice to meet you!' It would be the worst thing to do from both perspectives, make everything go downhill. Izumi had to calculate this better. He had to approach this from a stranger's perspective, sure, but he also couldn't just pretend to have never known Nyeli. Things were difficult though, given that the cat would refuse to talk to him. So he needed a topic the kitty could not say no to. Maybe take a chance once he sees it? That was his best bet if he were completely honest but that could not happen just like that. He was not counting on it at the very least.

With that thought in mind the young man opened the door, the sight... Surprising yet also not really. The not so unusual thing was Ann at the desk, typing like some mad person once more, engrossed in their own work. They better do a good job while at it, their translations were usually somewhat of a mess. But again, that was not even a surprise.

The actual surprise was Nyeli. He had already been there yet instead of being seated on the desk with a pout he was laying on his belly, several papers right in front of him and crayons lying all over the place. It was like taking in the sight of a little kid, scribbling whatever came into their mind. Kids love to doodle and this cat seemed to be no exception to this rule. He was just moving the crayon onto the paper without a care in the world, not even noticing any of his surroundings. He looked like an adorable little kid at that point, as innocent as any other. And he drew a lot, or so Ann had told him. Well, not directly yet he had seen one of those drawings first hand, so it might be one of his pastime activities.

Talk about a surprise. it was something Izumi had not thought of nor could he really recall. Then again, both were usually busy playing together so there was no need for the kitty to pick out a hobby on his own, or so he imagined. That, or Nyeli had been napping to recharge his energy. Though it may as well also have been because he was way younger back then and needing the energy. Nowadays he seemed to be in more cheerful spirits, ready to explore things on his own or just follow wherever he wanted. He was no longer the scared, timid kitten he had known before. He was more energetic, more adventurous, more fun loving. Patch and Nyeli may as well be two different people. Then again, he has aged. People change with age and experiences. This shouldn't be all too surprising. That he would even pick up a hobby like this however...

Regardless, it was a chance, a chance he couldn't let this pass up. So he decided to approach, first without a word and getting closer to the cat, to see what he was up to. He was staring right down, observing and trying to make it out yet any closer and Nyeli might notice, perhaps getting the wrong idea. So he couldn't position himself in a way that he would literally tower over him and glare right down. So instead maybe, just maybe... He should... Well... It is worth a shot.

"Hey. What are you drawing there?" Izumi got it out of his lips, trying to hold back and not sound as harsh as he usually would be. He tried to be as soft sounding as he could be, not wanting to startle Nyeli and make him jump beneath the table and hide in utter shock. Izumi tried to keep calm, composed, not wanting to suddenly raise his voice. Regardless, it may as well be Izumi's voice alone which startles Nyeli. After all, he shot his head right up and stared right at the young male above them. His brown eyes were staring up at him, surprised. It was not the usual lifeless stare, as if too shocked to even go into this mode. The cat was staring and staring, right at the gaze Izumi tried not to turn into a harsh one. He was trying to keep calm, keep his composure and rather calm. A new start... It was tough but it might become his only option at that point. He only had one shot, one chance, one option. It was the first and last shot. He made his move and now it was Nyeli's turn.

Though he did not look certain, far from it. He didn't know what to do, about to fall into a panic. He was not used to this, things had changed yet again. Yeah, of course he would not trust Izumi. Nothing less was expected. This would raise red flags, especially these days, The kitty had even been caught by his 'Sisnya' to ask them for help, if he should comply. Ann had taken note of this, glazing right back with a light smile and nodding from what the young man had seen.
Nyeli then finally turned back, fumbling for a moment as his nubs grabbed onto one of the sheets of paper, first trembling before slowly lifting it up, right above his head, finally allowing Izumi to take a look.

He stayed silent of course, observing the drawing at a close glance. One could say that it had some nostalgic feel, at least when it came to its theme. One knight with black hair standing in front of a massive dragon (or rather, a massive black–white cat with dragon wings), a massive plate of what looked like a massive pile of fish in his hands, right above his head, as if making an offering. The dragon–cat was sniffing the fish carefully in this picture.

Of course it would look like something a child would create, though a bit more advanced than this as well. It was impressive for someone with Nyeli's attitude, one could make out without a problem what he was trying to convey. And that was a massive step up from most kids.

Though from the pic alone Izumi could tell that Nyeli was shaking, as if afraid of something and a glance down proved this assumption, given his ears dropped and his eyes were closed. However, instead of talking down on it Izumi couldn't help but chuckle instead. Not in a mocking tone, but in an amused tone, adding: "Pretty good for someone your age. Are you taking classes perhaps?"

The kitty slowly opened his eyes as a result, then looked back at Izumi. He blinked a few times, his ears wagging in confusion. He even let out a corresponding 'nye?', not hiding his surprise. Yet that didn't stop Izumi, not even slightly.

"What? Can't I ask?" He chuckled however, trying to keep this going. And with each word passing his mouth it became easier and easier if he were completely honest. It even surprised him, how smoothly this was going. "Are you illustrating a story there? If so, tell me more. I've got some time to spare."
Needless to say, Nyeli was baffled, staying silent for a while and lifting the paper down. It was as if he could not believe what he was hearing. And frankly, Izumi couldn't believe his own mouth. But here the both of them were, about to hold somewhat of a conversation. No jabs, no mean comments, no snapping, no name calling. Just a conversation between the two... Getting to know one another once more.