Mission Imp-possible

"So you'd like to adopt an imp?"

Why am I doing this? I'm not good with creatures. That's Sibyl's thing. I've Never been good with imps so I don't know why this was expected to change. I should just get out of here.

Thoughts that bombarded Flauros' head as he sat there, lips pursed as he awkwardly thumbed his hands with one another. He had never been in The Imporium previously, nor had spoken to Hutch at length really, nor did he understand the anxiety that overtook him in this moment. Sure, he was really confident when he was Good at something, and working with people who tended to be That something, but he was out of his depth here. The pervasive fear of being Bad at something he was untrained in, the inevitable failure, a weight heavy on his chest as he attempted to wave it away with his typical laissez faire mentality. Like sure, it doesn't matter if I suck at this, it's not my thing, so why should I Care.

Shifting from his position of curled into himself, one he didn't realize he was holding, he leaned back against the seat with a creak; Loosely drooping one arm over the headboard to idly fumble with the handle of his cane. Didn't particularly like carrying that around either, no doubt adding to the vulnerable state he was currently in, though if he had managed to trample a particularly silent critter on the way in that'd make for probably the worst first impression one could imagine.

"I guess? Sibyl's had a bimble that gravitates around him around pruning- thing's taken a liking to Me however, so he's kinda.. nudged me into giving imp rearing a shot. Thing's probably just attached to the roses, but I'm hearing them out. Least I can do, I guess... Sorry, I'm sure you expected a sale."

Chuckling softly, Hutch shook their head. "Oh, no. This isn't a business for me. Quite the opposite. You're talking about bringing up a companion, that's never a Sale that's a lifelong friendship. If you don't connect to the idea, I'd never want you to take on that kind of responsibility." Lolling their head to the side to scratch the head of the precocious sceil that had found itself curled around their upper arm. "I don't even Let buns adopt if they can't prove to me they can care for their new forever friends. So it's okay if you're not that kind of person! But..."

Clearing their throat they pause, gently untangling Miss Hiss who only managed to coil itself around Hutch's hand, a motion they don't object to.

"Sibyl Insisted I hear you out. They see more in you than you do in yourself. And you've seemed to have caught Someone's eye if you'd like to try hearing Them out."

The final comment led to some pause, Flauros tilting his head to the side in confusion, to which Hutch simply beamed and murmured oh so gently and softly "Put your hand down."

Confused, but nevertheless he complied, drifting his free hand down to coast near the floor. There he waited, a moment, and two, eventually to be met by a little wisp of shadowy fur running against it. Instinctively, he cupped his fingers, but made no attempt to grasp the tiny imp. And it's rubbed against again, a pause, again, until the little furdin's face nestles against his inner palm.

"I've had issues with rehoming that one, I'm afraid. Furdin are usually incredibly friendly, and take easily to new owners, but they've been the runt of the litter and much shier than their siblings. Considered just taking them in myself but they don't stray too far from the corners even here, so I'd hate to impose a home with so many imps already to the timid little thing."

As if in response to Hutch's words, said timid little thing proceeded to press dainty paws against Flauros' outer leg, looking up at him as if offering a silent request, one that Flauros instinctively responded to; Giving a gentle pat against his knee that the furdin took as invitation to graciously hop onto his lap.

"There's a way to train people to become better imp owners, with knowledge to their behaviors and forging that level of understanding with them, it increases your bond. Some buns just get that on their own though, their presence, for whatever reason, imps attract to. The little one in your lap needs that kind of understanding, a gentle touch, a patient touch. I'm not going to make you make any decisions, if you Really aren't looking to adopt I understand and am not going to force that bond. But if you'd like to give this one a chance to figure out why they've chosen you, I have a few toys set aside if you'd like to spend some time alone with them."

Mindlessly skritching the chin of the furdin, Flauros is lost in thought, only managing to catch the tail end and the gist of Hutch's words.

"Yeah. Um. Sure. I think, I'd like that..."

Murmuring in a soft tone delicately to the little Furdin once the two find themselves alone, he ends up lulling it to sleep, with gentle soothing strokes down its back. Lost in the moment, he doesn't realize just how much time had passed, the gently knock of Hutch returning seeming almost too soon. Peeking their head back in, they can't help but beam at the site.

"Do the two of you need anything?" They coo in a soft tone, as not to wake the young imp.

"Your collar selection. I'll need to get them a bell."

Heart swelling, Hutch graciously nods. "Of course."