"You most certainly aren’t stupid, Eteri.” Nevin gave his girlfriend a small frown. He reached down and flicked her forehead, before pulling her to her feet and setting her on the chair. A moment of thought was given to the fact that Ezra likely wasn’t used to seeing him casually touching someone - but maybe that would reinforce the fact that he actually was with Eteri? He gave her hand a squeeze, and shook his head. “I know I can’t speak another language, so the fact that you have this grasp is impressive to me.” No, he would not talk about the confusion between ‘feels’ and ‘love’, not with Ezra present. Keeping one hand on hers, he focused back on Ezra.

The redhead thought about the questions for a moment. Then he cleared his throat, loudly. “I’ve known Mari for roughly…” He frowned in thought. It felt like it had been a lot longer, but also a lot shorter. Had it really only been just over what, two or three months? “A few months now. No, she isn’t Rainee, that’s the one with a daughter. She’s the one old Mrs. Herdgerson claimed up and down was my wife, and that is patently untrue as you well know.” He shook his head. Hopefully now, having Eteri here and quite happily claim to be his girlfriend, some of those accursed rumors would start to die down. He turned his gaze to Eteri and explained.

“A few , well, many months ago now, a cat-woman named Rainee came in. I didn’t know some things about the nekojin at the time, and accidentally gave her some of a catnip potion we have. She went a little… wild, and ended up in a bad position that made people think we were together, like you and I are. They were wrong, but they still think that sometimes.” He shot a glance at Ezra, wondering if his apprentice had tried to get a jab in at him by mentioning those damned rumors. At least they hadn’t said anything of the other one.

He coughed into his hand, then leaned onto the counter. “So, Ezra. I came to town to introduce her to you. Consider this me, well, introducing her to my family. You’re one of the closest things I have to it.” He gave the imitation homunculus a warm smile. “Now, how about we all go out and get some food? I am rather hungry.” He looked between the two women. Oh, Crimson, he hoped they would get along.