He hadn't noticed the ferret and takes a step back when she trills, wiping his forearm across his mouth and cheek. "Oh, I've picked up a stalker, hmm? Or there are a lot more furballs around than yesterday... sorry, I'm better at telling mammals apart when they're hairless."

Barely pausing - he's talking to himself, really, even if he's addressing the little animal - Julien goes on. "I thought, okay, it's a good thing, I never stick to trying to stay in shape for long, but it doesn't stop. It's work and I hate work, but if I don't I start... hating myself. What if something happens and I can't keep up? And I've never really thought like that before."

Another sigh, and he made himself smile. "If this is growing up, it's scarier than I thought. You're not supposed to notice, when you change..."