"No bird talks like that... it's like he understands us," the guy they'd called Matt said angrily, almost as if the idea of a talking raven personally offended him. Riley shrugged innocently, hefting the raven higher on his arm and stroking those feathers to try and keep from getting fapped in the face with a wing. Shit could break his nose if he didn't block it right.
"Who's to say he doesn't?" Riley countered. "Not everything at this carnival is as it appears."
He didn't budge, and the men grumbled, hesitated, grouped together. After a few moments they moved away, heading toward the tent flap. Riley watched them go, then stroked Soren's head again with the side of his thumb. "Easy, Big Bird. Everything's good, see? No need to eat anyone."