[ Todd is fairly absorbed in his aggressive and constant editing - that's definitely an acceptable term for the scratching and scrawling and scratching - so it's a few moments before he becomes aware of the small presence at his feet.
When he does, he lowers the book and peers down at the kitten. Being wise to what's happening today, and recognizing the pearl as one of those that have been the object of much interest lately, he makes a rather bold assumption that this cat is a person. ]
Hi.
[ Hmmm. He eyes the kitten carefully, but he knows there isn't always a resemblance with these things. At least, not the ones he's dealt with. ]