[Idioms do have a way of outlasting their origins! Either way, Grey gets the message, and hastily smooths down the fur.]

That bad is it?

[Another thing to keep in mind, perhaps. For his next test, Grey shifts his hand so that his palm is underneath Manabu's tail and curls his fingers- not actually touching it unless Manabu's tail happens to twitch against his hand, but definitely in position to encircle it.]

Alright, next I'm going to try grabbing it. That seems to be where you have the most trouble. I'll gradually tighten my grip, and you let me know when it's too tight.

[And he starts on that, wrapping his hand around Manabu's tail properly.]