[Yeah that gives him goosebumps again. The pigeon looks at Gabriel out of one round eye in a way that seems almost evaluatory, tugs one more time, and settles down.]

[If it's touched at all - Julien's hair doesn't feel right for human hair. Too light, too soft. Even if it isn't that might be close enough to catch that he smells something like fresh bread. Heat, a touch of sweetness, something like yeast, something like egg yolk.]

Thanks - well, that one was a racer, see the number on the band on her leg? Lots of sixes. I haven't named all of them.

Anyway I've still got a sack of grain stowed away somewhere, and they're not sick now but it's winter. Why not feed them?