He grins and hugs back. "You do give some pretty great hugs."

"I have to use the extra-long arms for something."

"He is the best big spoon."

He purses his lips and says nothing.

"Should I mention other things where he is proportionally... better?"

"I'm sure it's none of my business."

The panther, who remained silent all this time, snickers again.

"Well, at least you are not the kind of 400-year-old that hooks up with your alt's boyfriends."

"I'm not entirely sure it would be appropriate."

"Maybe someday you will meet adequately old version of ourselves."

"The age is not in fact the problem here. I'm fairly certain—though I do not know this for a fact—I will eventually become involved with my version of your brothers."

"But sadly not one of me. And maybe not even one of Katur. Dude, you are at a serious disadvantage."

"Perhaps so."

"How much time do you think you have here? Even if you can't bring back anything physical it might be useful to trade information."

"Hard to tell, especially with all the time shenanigans we've gone through."

"I still should give you some of the most important stuff. I am going to get them from my room."

He leaves to do so.

"So, the panther..."

"His name is Spinel Sun. He is my guardian."

Spinel inclines his head in acknowledgement.

"Guardian as in... a bodyguard or something else?"

"Something like that," he agrees, and shakes his fur a bit... making a large pair of dark blue butterfly wings sprout from his back. "My relationship with Eriol is more complicated than mere physical protection. It might be more accurate to think of me as a familiar."

"Not translating."

"Ah, it's an Earth folklore thing. They believed that witches had like, small animals that did their bidding or something like that."

"They also believed these witches' animals were a focus for and a well of power. These things are true." He huffs. "The small part is not."

"Yeah, I must say that even with the fairy wings you look cool. At some point Eriol needs to ride you to battle."