"I'm not sure they could collect the songbirds." For all that he layers playfulness and gentle cynicism over it most of the time, Julien has a soft heart. "If ways are left open they'll leave on their own, I hope. Maybe that's what happened to the owl."

He shuddered theatrically, long feathers quivering with the motion. "Hah, escalators are worse! I'd hate to get a claw snagged in one of those. I can take a look, though. Think it's safe?"