"I see..." The cat struts around on Rita's lap, pointedly pushing its face and back into her hand until she catches on and starts petting it in the desired areas. It purrs in response.

"I guess you wouldn't know about that, then," Rita adds vaguely, still staring down at the cat. It's not clear if she expects him to know what she's referring to or not. Even if the owner is a mage of some kind, it's probably not something that can be discussed openly, anyway... Human social conventions are weird like that.