"Only if you ask nicely," Gabe shot back, and the grin this time was perhaps a little more of the genuine flavour. He gave the cat a few soothing pats, as thought perhaps convincing it when he said, "Dude, it's cool. Seriously. It's your..." He waved his other hand. "Furry, impeded life."
With that, he stood up and added, "Guess I'll head off, then, before the menagerie gets totally out of control in the dungeons. G'night, Fido."