"You're a wizard?" They said, surprised. Wizards were...well. Human, usually. Animals had their own kind of magic, yes, but it was different to that of wizards. Or it was supposed to be. They couldn't help it; they giggled. He was talking to a cat that could speak, and said it was a wizard! He had the feeling that they Alderman were going to think him completely insane if he tried to tell them about this.

"Sorry. It's just...well, you're a talking wizard cat! " he said, once the fit of giggles died away. "I'm Matthew, I have no idea what Gate you're talking about, but yes, there's a problem." He looked at the cat, weighing him up. The cat looked harmless enough, but that was no guarantee of anything. For all he knew, Arhu might actually be the cause of the disappearances. "...What exactly were you trying to do?" he added slowly.