"Oh, is that what you were doing."

"I don't have a good enough read on their combined disposition to say for certain whether it worked, but yes."

"Well, they'll have their nap and then be more legible, I suppose."

". . . Was that her?" asks Princess.

"Yeah."

"Oh.  I have to go to them."  She trots over and starts scratching at the door.

There's a mumble projected from within which barely, kind of, just a little bit sounds like, "C'min, Princess."

"Help," she declares back from the foot of the door.

Cam opens the door for her and then shuts it most of the way.

She hops up on the bed, producing a startled "Oof," from the body she lands on, but is well absorbed into the cuddlepile even before Cam turns away from the door.

"So, uh," Ivy's voice comes out a bit rough; she clears her throat.  "Hi.  I'm still totally gonna help you spring all the shelter cats tonight, but like . . . do you need me before then?  Is there anything for me to do?  Should I like, go pack, or something, for maybe moving to your cylinder exploration city?"

"I don't think I need you before then, you are welcome to go pack, do you need a ride?"

"Yes please."

"Motorcycle sidecar all right?"

"Sure."

He presents her with a helmet and mounts up.

In she goes!  "My car's just at that parking lot where we were before."

He can find his way back there no problem.

"Thanks.  And good luck with - you sure have an awful lot to deal with."

"Thanks. I think it'll all shake out but it'll take a few days."

"I hope so.  If you need me for anything else I think you have my number and I'll hang at home till evening."

"Thank you. See you later."

And off he motors.

Ian's car and the new family motorcycle are back in the driveway.

Oh good. He'll pop in and see if they need anything and if they don't he might go hang out in the camper.

"I think we're about as okay as can be expected.  Thank you."