Kriley cocked his head to the side, obviously confused by her question. "Why would I do that?" he asked. "I was just singing you a song. I know it was ridiculous, but I was just making it up as I went."

He was quiet for a moment (which was a feat in itself!) and then sat back a bit, unwittingly taking a less threatening stance. "I'm confused enough all the time that I wouldn't want to do it to anyone else," he said with sincerity. Actually, sincerity was something he rarely lacked. Kirley was completely incapable of lying. He was nothing if not honest.

One of the owls swooped down and flapped its wings just above Kirley's head before returning to his perch, feathers flying. Kirley, as promised, sneezed. "Oh, excuse me," he said, laughing a bit. "I think I'm rather allergic to owls. My own owl is quite a wench, really. Her name is Duchess Bridget Gwendolyn Maria Ariel the Terrible. I call her Duchess for short, though, because half the time I can't remember her name."