"So that's where it's been going?" Trahearne lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck, looking quite awkward now. "I'm very sorry about that, Valdis. I thought for sure the jerky was being eaten by something, if not your cat." Perhaps old jerky wasn't the worst in the way of cat presents, but it still didn't sound very nice.

"I could try fish, but I imagine that would be all the more unpleasant if he decides to leave it on your bed. Perhaps I should simply let him get used to my presence around the Bridge before making another attempt."