[ Fortunately, all of Norton's little grimaces and obvious displeasure only fuel the fire, the perceived pout turning into the upturning of the eyes as he makes the mistake of coming closer. He can snatch and grumble all he likes, but Ash, regrettably, finds it horribly endearing.

In the feral cat sort of way. ]

Not by my lonesome now, am I? After all, you've come to visit me. [ Sucker. ] All the better, as all that isolation and solitude will make you even more gloomy than usual, and we certainly can't have that can we?

[ Not enough revelry in this boy. Maybe he should start dragging him to parties, bodily. Still, he takes one of the many books, lazily thumbing through the page with far less enthusiasm. ]

Perhaps I'm vetting who's actually doing their research. It is a good exercise for all the young ones.