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Manfred might just be a tavern stableboy, but he knows he's not stupid. He taught himself to read by being curious about books. He learned how to be good with horses by being curious about their temperaments. He gained the skill to pick any lock… by being curious about how they work.
Curiosity has served him well in his short life. It's gotten him a roof over his head, food to eat, clothes on his back, so even though he knows not where he comes from, he knows that curiosity will always have his back.
So when one night, after his chores, he's relaxing with a book he's bought, and an unfamiliar old man comes in, he can't help but be curious. He tries to pretend not to be interested as the man sets his skull topped staff against the mantle place as he hangs up his cloak, tries not to care as he inquires with the tavern keeper whether a room is available, tries to focus on the text in front of him as the man simply orders a tea to warm himself up, and a handful of nuts for the black bird that sits on his shoulder.
He's never seen a man dressed like he is in town. He looks like those fancy mages in the Cumberland Circle, with their staves and their long flowing robes, but his is… different. There's gold thread embroidered in intricate details over every inch of it, and nearly every finger is bedecked in jewels. Usually, a man carrying that much wealth on him would be a prime target for bandits while travelling the countryside, but aside from the bird, he seems to have travelled by himself. He must be a formidable mage indeed, if he can keep thieves at bay.
That being said, he's quite courteous with the tavern keeper, calling her 'M'aam', using his manners, never talking down to her, unlike many mages that stop here, thinking they are so much better than the common folk outside the Cumberland Tower walls. And he treats his pet bird with the utmost care and gentleness, stroking their beak as they peck a nut out of his palm.
The bird is fascinating. He's seen so many different corvids before. Crows with their guttural 'caws', ravens with their glossy black wings, choughs with their brilliant red beaks. This one is different, and it takes him a while to figure out what it is.
Their eyes. In his short life he's never seen a crow, a raven, or a chough with such pale, almost silver eyes.
He continues attempting to read his book, but the new arrival keeps distracting him. Where did he come from? Where is he going? How did he get that bird to become so docile?
It takes him a while to realize he's read the same page a half dozen times, and yet cannot remember a single sentence. He sighs, sets the book down, and notices the old man watching him intently, yet kindly.
"Always good to see a young mind expanding their horizons via the wonderful world of text." He sighs sadly, "I've seen too many bright minds that never get a chance to grow because they must focus on farming or mercantile matters. May I ask who taught you?"
"Oh I taught myself!" He exclaims with a bit of pride. "Took a while, but eventually I realized certain letters made certain sounds, and those sounds made words… and those words made sentences…" he shrugs sheepishly, "Can't write well though."
The man doesn't seem to be disappointed that he can only read, and in fact seems even more impressed.
"Fascinating! You're a clever boy!" And if in agreement, the bird caws in response. "Your parents ought to be very proud of you!"
"I… don't have parents" he admits, and the old man looks on in sorrow, but strangely not in pity, like most people around town do. "I guess they found me on the steps of the Chantry, and Ms Ollvendar looked after me until I was old enough to start working for her. She's very nice, gives me a room of my own and a little bit of spending money," he neglects to tell the man how he could sneak into the richer houses in town to raid their larders, to read their books, and how he even occasionally sneaks into the library of the Cumberland Mage Circle during the night to read their tomes. Maybe it's because he wonders if he was born there, to a mage who could not keep him, but he keeps those thoughts to himself.
"Ah, but despite your setbacks, you rise to the occasion, and that is nothing to scoff at, is it, darling?" The crow makes a chirp as he nuzzles their beak.
"But I forgot to introduce myself!" He suddenly remembers, as if he's committed a serious faux pas, "My name is Emmrich Volkarin, and this lovely bird is… Rook." The bird leaps down and lands on the table in front of him, its head cocked, as if observing him.
"Now, don't be shy. She won't bite! Well, most of the time." Manfred reaches and carefully strokes their beak with a single finger, ready to yank it back the moment it attempts to nip him. "Oh, she seems to like you!"
"Hello," he introduces himself to her, and by extension, to the older gentleman "My name is Manfred!" Rook caws in what seems like approval.
"Well, I shan't disturb you anymore tonight, Manfred. Come, Rook! Let us leave our gracious host to his studies." And with that, he and his feathered companion go up the stairs, leaving the boy perplexed and intrigued about them.
And with that, a seed of curiosity grows in his mind.
He doesn't see Emmrich, or his pet bird the next day. The old man stays in his room the entire day, doing Maker knows what. Well, perhaps he had travelled a long way, and needed a day to recover. Or maybe he was ill? Manfred goes up to his door to check on him around dawn, but just before he knocks, he thinks better of it. No, let the man have his privacy. But as he leaves, he swears he hears a caw that turns into a whine.
He needn't have worried, as Emmrich comes down for a late supper after the sun has set, along with Rook, preening herself on his shoulder.
"Ah, Manfred! What's your literature of choice today?"
He turns a shade of scarlet as he attempts to hide the book. Honestly, he hadn't expected the man to take an interest. But he's too late as Rook lands on the spine, bending over, as if she can read the contents. She caws loudly, and if he didn't know better, he'd think she was laughing, in a birdlike manner. "Oh… I uh… found this… it's a … romance novel. I was kinda bored and this was the only book on the shelf I hadn't read."
"I see…" Emmrich says, and it's obvious he doesn't believe a word he just said. "There's nothing wrong with broadening your tastes, expanding your literature horizons, especially when young!. Romance novels play a very important role, to give us hope that even when times are dark and lonely, there is always someone out there for us." It's kinda embarrassing to have him go on and on about this particular subject, but the old man doesn't seem to mind as Rook flutters up to his shoulder, and nuzzles his cheek.
"What books do you like to read?" He asks, trying to change the subject. That seems to do the trick, as Emmrich's eyes brighten up.
"Oh, I appreciate books across the spectrum! Right now, for quite practical reasons, I'm interested in tomes in regards to curses, and more specifically, how to break them."
"Oh! The Cumberland Circle has lots of books on that!"
The bird makes an indignant squawk, causing Emmrich to shush her gently. "Sadly, the Cumberland Circle has been… less than accommodating to my request to look through their library. They seem rather reluctant to allow a member of the Mourn Watch to enter, even though I've assured them I have nothing but the best of intentions."
"You're…Mourn Watch?!"
"Ah, you've heard of us?"
"I thought you were all wiped out when Johanna Hezzenkoss took over Nevarra City and cursed undeath on everyone!"
There's a sad look on his face, and he sits down slowly, the raven hopping down to land on the table between them, "The rumours are mostly true. Johanna Hezzenkoss, formerly one of our order, somehow by some sort of nefarious means managed to create a horrific item that torments souls and spirits, and used it to create a construct that she now uses to rule over the ruins." He sighs, "So many of our Order lost trying to stop her. Only myself and my partner," he scratches the bird's head absent mindedly, "Managed to escape, and even then, it was not because of our skills. Johanna-" he looks down, almost in shame, "was once my friend, and I mistakenly thought that perhaps, I could bring her to reason. She called me a cowardly dog, willing to show my belly the moment the Mourn Watch made any decree." There's a cackle-like sound that Rook makes, and he gives her a disapproving side glance.
"I'm not sure if she 'spared' us out of a lingering nostalgia of our once robust friendship, or to torment us more, making us witness as she devastated the city, but she seemed to allow us to escape, even after my partner called her a 'wretched old crow'."
Oh, Manfred thinks, I thought he was referring to his bird companion as his 'partner'.
"So, we are attempting to find a way to break the curse, but the Cumberland Circle seems to think my association with both the Mourn Watch, and more likely, Johanna… is detrimental to their security." He sighs sadly. "And because of circumstances out of my control, I am unable to directly ask for permission to even glance at their archives."
The bird lets out a singular despondent caw, and Manfred can't help but feel sorry for the old man.
Then… an idea pops into his head. If the old man can't get into the archives… maybe HE can. After all, there's a reason the kids in town call him 'skeleton key'.
He's tired, having only slept a few hours the previous night, but as he makes his way up the stairs, he finds that it was well worth it. He's got a stack of books under his arms, all about curses and how to dispel them. Of course, there were weightier tomes that were probably more informative, but they'd be too hard to smuggle them out of the Circle. Still, there's probably something in this collection that might help Emmrich.
As he didn't see the old man when he had breakfast, he assumed he'd still be in his room. After all, Mr. Vokarin tends to stay up very late at night, so it would make sense that he'd sleep in. So, he knocks on the door, with an apology ready on his lips for interrupting his sleep, and a stack of books to make it stick.
No Response.
Hmmm, maybe he's a deep sleeper. Well, in this case, he wouldn't mind if Manfred slips inside, and places the books on the table. He'll wake up to a wonderful surprise, and if none of those books work out, well… Manfred can always sneak into the Circle again.
He turns the doorknob, and finds it locked. He frowns to himself, kicking himself for not foreseeing this obstacle. Still, he has no place to safely put the books where they won't be seen by eyes who might recognize 'temporarily borrowed' items, and report him to the authorities. So, after hesitating for a brief moment, he sets the books down, pulls his little lock picking kit out of his pocket, spends a few seconds to rejigger the mechanism, and with a satisfied click, the lock is disabled. Picking up the books, he quietly slips in.
To his surprise, the old man's bed is empty. Even more strange, it doesn't seem to have been slept in. The sheets are so smooth, one could bounce a gulder off of it, which is odd. Last time he saw the man, Emmrich wished him a good night as he retired to his room, talking to his bird before he shut the door. Perhaps he had left after Manfred went out on his… requisition run, but his staff is leaning against the desk that is the only thing that shows that anyone had been residing there. There's papers scattered around, books open, notes being taken and diagrams with archaic sigils that he can't make out.
He really ought to drop the books there and quietly make his way out, but curiosity gets the better of him. He creeps forward and takes a peek at a stack of notes, realizing that these are not academic notes, but a series of letters.
'My Darling,
There is nothing more I would want but to hold you in my arms right now, and yet we are cursed to be so close, and yet so far apart. Yet I would say this, no matter what has happened, your beauty has and will never diminish. We will meet again, eye to eye again, I swear it.
Your faithful Hound,
Emmrich
And then another, written in a different hand.
Emm,
You're sleeping right now, and you look so comfortable, that I almost feel guilty when I had to remove your head from my lap to write this letter. I'm doing my best to look for ways to get into the Cumberland Circle, but I'm not a mage, so they're giving me an even bigger stink-eye when I try to make yet another request. Keep up your spirits, we'll find a way out of this, and I look forward to kicking Johanna's ass.
Your Wing of Shadow,
Zea
That's weird. This seems like a series of love letters. But it seems both writers are in quite close proximity, so why do they need to write to each other? And why are both written on the same paper, with the same ink?
He can't help but succumb to the urge to take another peek, and notices that there's an entire stack of love letters, all between Emmrich and this mysterious-
There's a creak of wood to his right, and he rips his eyes away to find the sound's source.
His reaction is too slow, all he can do is yelp as something grabs his collar, drop the books as he is slammed into the wall, and gasp as a knife is put to his throat.
"Who are you?! Did Johanna send you? Or maybe those at College of Magi think we've become too much of a thorn in their side, and decided we needed to be cut down?"
He stares into the hard silver eyes of a woman, whose gaze is sharp as the knife she has at his throat.
"No playing games. Time is of the essence for you."
He can't talk, his mouth going dry as his life hangs in the balance.
"Not willing to talk, eh? Well, you're in luck, I have intimate knowledge about anatomy. I know which bones will bend, how much force is needed until they break, whatever it takes for you to start talking."
"Emmr…" is all he can gasp.
"Come on, speak up, don't be shy. I'm all ears!"
"Emmrich!" is all he can squeak out.
Her eyes widen, then grow even harder. "Emmrich is too soft-hearted for his own good. Trusts too easily. Besides, he couldn't help you out right now."
"Igotsomethingforhim!" he gasps out, trying to gesture to the books scattered on the floor. "I w-wanted to help him!"
"And then you decided to break in here and spy on our notes. Awfully convenient excuse." The knife bites into the thin skin of his throat, just a little pressure, and his lifeblood would just spill out. "Don't think I see through your little story. I-"
There's a whine at her elbow, and he risks a glance down to see a watery pair of hazel eyes, flecked with gold. They belong to a huge shaggy dog, who has gripped the sleeve of this mysterious attacker with his teeth, gently pulling her arm away.
"Not now…" She refuses to look down at the dog, but he can feel the blade tremble, as his plaintive whines increase, his tugs get more insistent. She sighs, and the pressure lessens just a little.
"What do you have?"
"He said he wanted- he wanted information on how to get rid-get rid of curses!" he stammers, "Said the Cumberland Circle w-wouldn't let him in… So I uh…snuck in. Got a few books he might be interested in!"
Her eyes harden to the sharpness of diamonds. "You don't just SNEAK into the Cumberland Circle. They got that place locked up tighter than King Caspar's crypt hoard."
"I swear!" He holds up his little pack of lockpicking tools. "I know how to sneak in, what locks to pick, what their patrols are! I ain't got any magic, but I like to read things! Read stuff that you can't find in town!"
The dog's whines now turn into growls, but for some reason, it doesn't seem directed at him. There's a pause that lasts a couple of heartbeats, but feels like a lifetime…
And then, she rolls her eyes, and withdraws the knife from his throat, and takes a step back, collapsing on the bed. The dog follows her, no longer whining or growling, now happily panting.
"Fiiiine.." She idly pets the dog as her head hits the pillow. "You can't always give me those eyes and expect me to roll over. Someone's gotta keep you on a leash sometimes."
The dog responds with an amused huff, as they both watch Manfred hastily picking up the books, ready to bolt the moment he places them on the desk. He can't possibly get out of here fast enough. He's stumbled into something far bigger than him, far more dangerous than he expected, and he should have never gotten invol-
He goes to grab the last book, but finds it in the mouth of the dog, who, despite his enormous size, carries it gently, and stands there before him expectantly.
"Go on, take it. He won't hurt you." She murmurs with resignation, "His bark is worse than his bite, and now that I think about it…. I don't think he's ever barked in his life."
Manfred gives the book the smallest of tugs, and the dog relinquishes it freely, not even leaving a mark on the cover, before sitting there, panting cheerfully.
"You're a good boy…" he risks his hand to pet the dog, who eagerly enjoys the scratches "What's your name?" He's humongous, probably a Nevarran Dragonhound, how did he manage to sneak into the inn without drawing attention? Maybe Emmrich's pet bird caught everyone's attention…
"You can call him…Professor." She hesitantly introduces the dog, who sniffs at the stack of books, before bringing her one. "My name is Zea Ingellvar, I'm Emmrich's…partner."
"Ah, he talked about you! I was wondering where you were!"
"Only good things, I hope."
"Yeah, he said you and him were trying to undo the undead curse in Nevarra City, and I wanted to help. I-" he looks to the ground sheepishly, "I don't really know much about magic, and I don't talk smart like those mages in the tower, but I know how to sneak into things."
He's not sure if she hears him, as she's perusing through one of the books Professor gave her, but he continues. "There's a lot more books in their library, but I think some of them are magically warded against being taken out of the Circle. They made my nose tingle when I touched them."
"Probably, the damn College of Enchanters likes to hoard knowledge up and never share it with everyone. Hmm…yes…" she scratches the dog's head as his tail wags, "yeah… this is what we need. I mean, Emmrich's better at figuring these things out than me." She looks up at him, a soft grin on her face, "Thanks. I know we didn't get off on the best footing, but I won't apologize for what I had to do to keep us safe. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can understand."
A voice comes from downstairs, "Manfred! Where are you? The horses need fodder before our guests leave!"
"Coming Ms. Ollvendar!" He yells out, beginning to turn, before pausing, "I hope these books help!"
He doesn't see Emmrich that night, but he does see Rook, who flies downstairs that night, a small piece of parchment attached to her leg with a lilac satin ribbon. He gently unties it and scans the page, written in simple, direct text.
Manfred,
I give up. Emmrich can make a stone feel guilty when he gives it 'the look.' So I'd like to say sorry for our previous meeting. I'm also sorry I can't give the apology in person, but Emmrich and I are deep into these books you got for us. So, thank you.
Tomorrow, I'd like to ask a big favour of you. Meet me in our room at noon, if you can.
Thank you again,
Zea Ingellvar.
Manfred is puzzled, as he scratches Rook's beak. Why send Emmrich's bird? He's not far from their room, surely she could have just asked him in person. Still, he's curious at what she would ask of him, on whether they need a specific book, or maybe the layout of the Circle…
"Well, Rook…" he pets the bird who seems rather affectionate tonight, "I can't deny I'm a bit intrigued."
Rook caws happily, roosting on his shoulder, and only leaves when he sets off to go to bed.
The sun is high in the sky, when he knocks on the door this time, instead of picking the lock.
"Come in"
She's sitting on her bed, reading a book, with Professor's head resting on her lap, looking like he has not a care in the world.
"Good, you got my message."
"You asked about a favour?"
She closes the book she's been reading, and sets it to the side. "Those books you've gotten for us, they've been pretty helpful. But they're not quite what we need. The main curse we're trying to break… well, it's rather complex, cast with particular malice, even more than cursing an entire city with undeath. So a run of the mill curse breaking book, even one from the Circle, isn't going to be enough. We need the extra restricted books."
"I don't think I can bring them to you…they're probably warded."
"No, we want you to get us INTO the Circle."
Manfred freezes. There's one thing about sneaking into the Cumberland archives on his own, it's completely another to get others into it.
"I-I dunno…" he stammers, as Professor's eyes open and his head lifts up. "It's kinda dangerous, and I don't want anyone to get into trouble..."
"Manfred…" she says with an earnest voice that he feels that she hasn't used in a very long time. "This is really important to us, more than you could ever know." Her hand threads through the fur of the dog, who looks at him with those watery gold flecked eyes, "We're willing to risk anything and EVERYthing to break the curse. I know it will be dangerous, but we need all the information we can get our hands on. If we are successful, if we get the information we need, you'll have our eternal gratitude, and whatever it is you want, if we have the ability to grant it, it'll be yours.”
Manfred thinks it over. Both Emmrich and Zea are a bit odd… but they really are driven to do something good, to make the world a better place. And he's always wanted to be something more than a stableboy with a penchant for sneaking into areas he's not supposed to be in. And deep down, he's a bit curious of what exactly they are looking for.
"Alright," he agrees, and he sees the tension in her frame seep out, "meet me after dusk at the stables. Make sure you don't get followed."
She nods solemnly, "Trust me, I know how to keep a low profile, no one will know I'm even there."
It's dusk, and he's kicking his heels in the stables. The horses are nervous, no doubt sensing his increased anxiety, both of whether they'll show up, and if he can even get them in. The Circle's security is much different to an average manor's, and the risk will be immense, but the reward will be worth it.
There's the familiar tapping of a staff as Emmrich comes around the corner, unsurprisingly attended by Rook. What is surprising is who ISN'T with him.
"Where's Zea?"
"Ah, she is currently indisposed." Emmrich admits. "She asked me to convey her deepest apologies. I'd also apologize for being late, I needed to get myself presentable before we set out." He smells freshly washed, a faint scent of soap wafting off of him, and underneath that… the scent of… wet dog.
"Alright, we're heading to the North Side. There's an old rusty gate that was once used for lyrium…deliveries."
"Ah, smuggling." Emmrich nods as he follows him. "Many circles used to have secret passages, just so the mages could bribe individual Templars."
"It'll be a bit cramped, but thankfully it leads to a small room off the library, which should be deserted. It's usually where they keep books for repairs."
They travel in silence, even Rook knows better than to caw or squawk as they go into the deep and dank tunnel, and patiently waits as he unlocks the floor grate that leads into the library proper. After taking a quick look, he motions both the mage and his pet up.
"Okay, this room almost never gets patrols, so what I usually do is slip into the library for short periods of time, find what books interest me, and take them into this room to read them in safety. Very rarely, a couple of mages like to slip into this room for… privacy, but it's easy to slip into one of the cupboards, and they almost never notice that the books are out."
"Thank you, Manfred." Emmrich ruffles his hair, causing his face to redden. "Well, let's make the most of the night!"
After checking that the coast is clear, the three of them slip into the library, Manfred leading him towards the section where he remembers the big books about curses. Whatever apprehension he had about this operation tonight vanishes completely when Emmrich's gold flecked eyes light up as he pulls out a heavy tome.
"Marvellous… simply marvellous." He murmurs, taking the book back to the side room. "This may take a while to take notes, and the night is still young. If you want to make yourself comfortable, I'll let you know if anything comes up, or I need assistance."
Manfred smiles as he sits on the floor, his head resting against a cupboard. He watches as Emmrich practically devours the contents, hurriedly scrawling his notes as he flips to another page.
Sleep slowly claims him, with the last words he hears is Emmrich conversing with Rook.
"He's such a clever boy, isn't he? Such a kind, clever boy…"
There's an agreeable 'caw' and he remembers no more.
He wakes up, his back stiff and his limbs aching. Emmrich is still reading and taking notes, his papers now stacked up high.
"Ah!" He notices him as he stirs. "I hope you had a peaceful rest, my dear boy. This book has been most eye opening! Once I review my notes, I might finally have a way to break the curse!" He slams the book close with a triumphant thud. "Will you please return it to its rightful place?"
"Yes sir!" He can't help but sleepily beam as he carries it out, Rook fluttering behind him. It feels good to be helpful with something so important. Maybe one day, when Emmrich and Zea (and their rather eccentric but charming pets) break the curse, and save Nevarra city, they'll tell everyone about the boy that helped him. 'Manfred the Skeleton Key!' It has a nice ring doesn't it?
The first rays of dawn are peeking through the window as he puts the book back, carefully making sure it's not out of place.
"I must have slept a long time," he murmurs to himself and to Rook, "We better be getting out soon, before the mages show up."
There's a startled 'SQUAWK', and before he can shush her, Rook starts flying around, clearly agitated about something.
"What's wrong?"
She gives another squawk, and flies back toward the chamber door, desperate to get back inside, desperate to get back to Emmrich. Her behaviour is worrying, he's never seen her act out like this, as he races back. Can she hear something, sense some impending danger he can't?
"What's going on?" Emmrich calls out with concern as he ushers them both inside.
"I don't know! I didn't see anyone out there! I put the book back just like we found it! No one will even notice it was borrowed, but Rook just started squawking like crazy!" He looks at the grate. "Maybe we better go. The sun's about to come up, and it won't be long before the scribes come in to do their work.
"The sun…" Emmrich's face blanches, "Oh dear… I got so absorbed in that book…" He looks mournfully at Manfred. "I'd like to apologise in advance, what's about to happen…it might be frightening, but you need not worry."
"What's about to happen!?" He asks worriedly. Emmrich sounds scared, even with Rook nuzzling his cheek with her beak, and Manfred can't help but feel scared.
"The worst part of the curse that Johanna inflicted upon us…"
If Emmrich was about to explain, he is cut off by a sharp painful grunt as he collapses to the floor, Rook echoing his pain.
Manfred backs up in terror, watching as the old man writhes in agony, watching as the bird's wings flutter uselessly, almost as if they were broken…
Then something terrifying happens. Emmrich's form changes, the kindly old man's face stretches and morphs, fur growing upon an outstretched muzzle, his hands turning into paws.
And Rook? With a final caw, her wingtips become fingers, her claws become human feet, her iridescent black feathers turn to silver hair.
There's a moment of silence as he stands there, his mouth agape. Where once was a kindly old man and his pet crow, now lays an exhausted woman, and an equally tired shaggy dog, who despite what has just transpired, musters up the energy to paw over to her and lick her face.
It takes a few moments, but eventually, her eyelids twitch and her face scrunches up. "I'm okay Emmrich… I'm okay…." She murmurs as he whimpers, her hand scratching his head to return the comforting gesture. "It never gets easier, does it?" They both sadly look each into each other's eyes, and Manfred realizes that despite their transformation, their eyes have not changed. Not his gold flecked eyes, nor her silver-ice orbs.
"Z-zea?" Manfred stammers out, still not quite understanding what just happened. Her head turns to look at him, a resigned grin on her face.
"Now you get why we're so determined to undo Johanna's curse, eh?"
He blinks as he finally comprehends what's happened.
"Welp… looks like our little secret's out, eh Emmrich?" She slowly gets up, the dog helping to steady her. "Shame, I was beginning to think we might have a chance to settle down here…maybe stop running… I guess I got too optimistic." The hound gives a mournful huff as she turns to face Manfred.
"Thanks for the help, kid. But it looks like it's the end of our little partnership. Let's get out of here, and we'll have to move on to the next town."
"Wait!" Manfred protests, his voice nearly begging. "I won't tell anybody! I can help you! You don't need to leave!" He looks at the two of them as they stare at him in shock. "Please… don't leave." He's stumbled into something far bigger than him, far more dangerous than he expected, and he should have never gotten involved…
But deep down, he really wants to help.
"Hmmm," she muses, "whatcha think, Emmrich? Do you think he has what it takes?"
Emmrich huffs, his gold flecked watery eyes peering through fur at Manfred, full of understanding and…hope.
"Alright, Manfred. Welcome to our odd little crew."
Manfred beams. He can't deny that he's curious to see how he can help. It's just in his nature.