Matthew cursed, instinctively jerking backwards and reaching out to gather the power from the glowing lamps nearby into their fingers. Their mind hadn't yet registered what what had happened, only that something had come out of the fountain that he knew wasn't right, and they were almost about to lash out to defend themselves at the unknown threat when he realised what it was.

He stared, mouth gaping open. He didn't know what he'd been expecting, but a bloody cat wasn't it!

Even if they hadn't already known that something was up...well. He knew for sure now. Cats didn't just emerge from fountains. Especially since he was dead certain that just a moment before, there hadn't been a cat at all. But cats were urban creatures, as much a part of the city as rats and pidgins and foxes. He wasn't particularly partial to cats - he preferred the foxes, really - but he'd make do with what he had. They shook their head, dislodging the water that had been splashed on their face, and took a deep breath as they regarded the cat.

This would be easier if he had something to offer - some kind of meat, most likely, or anything that a cat might like to eat - but he hadn't exactly expected to need to bring any meat with him today. Instead, he just reached out, in that indescribable way that all sorcerers were connected to the city. His magic reached out to the cat, projecting a sense that he didn't want to hurt it and just wanted to talk. At the same time though, he didn't reach too strongly. For all he knew, the cat might be more than it appeared. They wanted to be careful.

"Hey there, kitty cat," he whispered softly.