[ Okay it might sound stupid but it's very important to some people. And it's hard to catch yourself when you never notice yourself doing it. It's like trying to catch yourself blinking. Besides, he didn't even mention the cat! (But he was thinking it pretty hard.) ]

[ With the return question snarking up, Sigma's own tone rears its ugly head again. ]

Yeah, I heard Crowbar Lovers Anonymous meets up down here on Thursdays, so I thought I'd check it out.

[ But enough clowning around, this is serious. A critter's life is at stake here. He can't help but chance another look over his shoulder; he could've sworn he'd heard something before Jason showed up. He goes on distractedly, voice still enough of a quiet hiss to listen over. ]

I'm looking fur something that got swiped from the mayor's place. They said the guy came down this way, but I've been down here for ameowt an hour at least...

[ And he's still very much empty-pawed. ]