I think cats (and some dogs) are secretly attracted to people who show disdain for them (pretended or not).
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Corralling Thoos and Picknar off to the side, Rodrigo said, “Make room. Knox is coming through to save the day.” Knox went to the window and stared at Purrloin. Purrloin looked back at him. Knox said, “I don’t care if you do it or not, you little wretched rat.” Purrloin snubbed him by turning away, but in doing so her paws ended up pressing through two buttons. Rodrigo said, “Whoever said ‘love makes the world go ’round,’ never met Knox.” Purrloin purred as Knox pet her. Knox said, “I’m petting it to reward it for accidentally freeing us, not because it’s soft and purring.”
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