Boo blinked, as if the question surprised him.
He thought for a moment, his tail still, his cap quiet.
"...Warm," he said simply. "I felt warm."
Alina's heart softened completely.
She leaned back slightly, the last of her suspicion easing away.
"...Then maybe," she said softly, "he does care about you. Maybe he cares about you very much."
Boo's eyes lit up instantly, his whole form brightening.
"I knew it!"
He floated higher again, his cap spinning, his grin returning.
"I am very lovable. Very easy to love. Very easy to care about."
Alina smiled.
"Yes," she said. "You are."
Boo nodded proudly, his chest puffed out, his tail swishing.
Then he leaned closer again, his voice dropping to a whisper, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Also," he said, "I have more gossip."
Alina sighed softly, but she was smiling.
"Of course you do."
"Very juicy gossip," Boo added. "About the elders. About the tower. About everything."
Alina shook her head, laughing.
