[ Alhaitham's flat tone gives him hope that his concealment has gone unnoticed; a beat or two follows and he's just starting to think he's gotten away with it when the scribe's eyes drop from his face to the length of his body, patient and searching in a way that makes the blonde wince in anticipation— although it's an expression interrupted by a scowl practically matched by the fox he's holding, an indignant sound on his lips. ]

I'll thank you not to assume I'm some weakling who can't even handle a scorpion by myself— [ It's a strong start, but he cuts himself off as Alhaitham's hand reaches out to pull the fabric of his shirt aside, revealing the extent of the damage the creature did before he managed to take it apart. Something between embarrassment and shame crosses his face, and Kaveh's eyes drop, not wanting to see disappointment on his lover's face.

What that means of course is that he gets a perfect view of sharp vulpine teeth sinking briefly into the other man's palm. His eyes widen; before he can say anything, though, the creature is swept from his arms and into Alhaitham's—

(and Archons if he doesn't look like he has no idea how to hold the poor thing)

—and his boyfriend offers a light scolding that sounds meant, somehow, for all he new arrivals, including the returnee. And even though he's apparently in trouble, a slight smile finds his lips, and Kaveh bends to pick up the fox worrying anxiously at his ankles, pressing against him and whining. ]

It's okay, [ he soothes it, pressing a kiss to the tip of one ear. ] He's not really mad. [ He glances back up at Alhaitham. ] You're not really mad, are you?

[ Of course, he still has to tell him the rest of the story, but... that can wait for a few moments.

Meanwhile, the third fox begins a thorough investigation of one of Alhaitham's stacks of books, sniffing and nosing at the pile with a gentle thoroughness that almost looks like it wants to choose one and start reading for itself. ]