There's nothing quite like the patient trial-and-error of communicating with one's cat.
He wants something.
He's refusing to hop up and cuddle, so he wants me to go with him.
He wants something that is not chasing a toy or string.
He took a polite lap of his topped up water, and resumed staring expectantly.
He batted at his kibble, but only ate one.
... the blinds. He was refusing to go up on the window seat until the blinds were open so he could watch the street below.