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Sumerki looked at the younger guardian askance, suspicious of his intentions. But she did so adore pretty things, especially flowers, even if this one looked a bit the worse for wear. She sniffed at it, then delicately took it from him.

Anna eyed Macaire speculatively, weighing him, measuring the worth of his words. He had spoken true, of that she was certain. Yes. He was a good and honest man, despite his menacing physical appearance. They could do worse than help such a man, especially one gifted with a guardian. Aranka, of course, thought the man ridiculous and generally beneath her notice, but that did not say much. The rook found most humans to be beneath her. However, she did not object to the idea that Anna associate with him, so Anna took that as agreement enough.

"We can, of course, keep your books safe for you," she informed him. "However, I am certain that my brother could help you with your ambition of making more copies."

She frowned at Alexei, disapproving of the way he had absented himself from the conversation - a conversation with his guest, no less.

"Brother," she called, perhaps a bit louder than would usually be considered polite for speaking to one who was sitting but a chair away. When he showed no response, the final member of the room, overlooked in the shadows beneath a table, decided to make himself known. Languidly, the feline stretched before springing quite unexpectedly onto the young lord's lap, startling him badly enough that he had to fumble to keep the books from falling.

"Lior." The name was spoken like a curse. In response, the smug grimalkin merely batted his head against Alexei's hand, demanding attention. He sighed and obliged, giving the beast a thorough petting. Truly, the room was beginning to look like a menagerie.

"Thank you, darling," Anna said to her companion before turning her attention back to her brother.

"Now that we have your attention, we have something to discuss," she informed him, then proceeded to fill him in on what he had missed. Although her account was matter-of-fact, some subtle clue discernible only to her twin must have given him her thoughts on the situation.

"Why yes, certainly," he agreed. "I am sure we can find someone to publish your books, if you like."

The doe had no idea where his sudden manners had come from, but she was not going to complain. If Cadence wanted to be sweet and cuddly, who was she to protest? Instead, she dipped her head down and gently nipped at his cheek, where a leaf had gotten stuck on his fur. What had caused her sudden change in temperament? It was simple, really. If one was acting poorly, she would have nothing to do with them. If they were being good, well, she had no quarrel with them.

Anna giggled at the man's incomprehension. She supposed it was an unusual offer, for someone such as Macaire. The money did not really mean much to the twins, all things considered, but the offer in and of itself was what mattered.

"Yes," Alexei said, wondering just what was wrong with the man, that he was so flustered. It was a simple enough thing, was it not? Surely his Common was good enough now that he had spoken his intentions clearly.

Even if he was being needy, when he was being sweet, Sumerki could not seem to resist a twinge of maternal affection towards Cadence. She did not often come across other guardians, and even when she did, she rarely showed much interest in them. However, even creatures as solitary as guardians must surely feel the need to be near their own kind from time to time.

Anna snapped open her fan again, hiding another smile at Macaire's expense. The poor thing. Great, big soldier-man looked as lost and confused as a little boy being told for the first time that his world-view was wrong. Perhaps he and his guardian were more suited for each other than they at first seemed.

"You will have to speak of the details with my brother, of course," she said, confirming Alexei's words without directly addressing Macaire's unspoken question. "He is much more familiar with such things than I."

Anna smiled quietly to herself, smoothing the feathers on Aranka's chest. It was a good thing, to help one in need; and if they happened to earn a debt of gratitude from him, well, she was not going to protest. For all he had a good heart, she felt that Macaire could be a most useful ally to them. He may have come to Alexei on a borrowed favor, but she knew they had promised him far more than he had expected. Her brother may not expect anything in return, but Anna knew it was there for the asking, if she found need of it.

"Hmm? Oh. Yes, yes," Alexei agreed absently, already feeling the lure of the book beckoning him to return. "Come back the day after tomorrow." That should give him ample time to finish the books and perhaps speak to a printer or two.

As for Sumerki, though she would never admit it, she did take a certain pleasure in Cadence's company. Likely, this little incident is all it will take for her to count the younger guardian amongst those in her care, whether she will often see him or not.

Sumerki snorted slightly at Cadence's impertinence, but did nothing to retaliate as she watched him depart.

Inside, Alexei barely managed a nod of acknowledgment before he was lost to the world once more and Anna, well, she stared at the closed doors long after the man had disappeared behind them, smoothing Aranka's feathers and indulging in silent contemplation. Quite suddenly, a brilliant smile graced her lips and her eyes seemed to glow with the light of her good humor as she turned away from the door. Oh, yes. This was going to be a most interesting acquaintance.