"No, don't do that," Lucas protests. Pained by the thought of all that lovely soft fur being just out of reach he shifts, pulling himself up into his needs so that his hands can both rest comfortably on the back of the couch.

Aha! There's the mouse. He hasn't missed his chance yet.

"Hello," he says again, softly, hoping not to startle it. One hand starts edge oh-so-slowly towards it. "That's a good mouse. Just...stay there and let me touch you..."