If anything, Valdis could accept that he was trying, and though her bluntness affected him, he didn't react as he could have. She sensed the effort behind it and broke eye contact so he wouldn't have to. Anani purred, shoving his head under hand so she would stroke him.

The problem with his apology was that she believed, though perhaps he didn't, that in the moment, he had meant to hurt her, even if it wasn't his intent in the long run. Again, she was back to either rewarding the try, or rejecting it. Getting to the heart of the matter, however, might be more important.

"I believe you," Valdis said finally, stroking her cat. "And I accept your apology, but I want you to remember that you don't have to hide."

Anani hopped onto her lap, demanding attention.

"Not from me at least."