"Everyone likes Shudder," Ravel replies with a soft laugh, smiling at the little nibbles from the bird. Affection without reservation. Maybe he ought to think about finding a pet--excuse, companion--himself. It'd certainly be a nice change of pace.

...not that it'll ever come to pass. Ravel's never had a stable enough life to even consider having a pet. Never lived in one place long enough. Never even had a flat of his own, not once in four hundred years. So maybe he'll just continue to live vicariously through Akito and his bird.

"Which is a bit baffling, I have to confess," he continues. "Most everyone in our world finds him bloody terrifying. I suppose that's what a reputation will do for you. And no, he still hasn't said anything about the chain." He shrugs. "I'd like to say that he can't hold out on us forever, but this is Anton we're talking about."