The halls of the Intelligentsia Guild were always cold, much like the man who walked them. Dr. Ratio carried himself with the same sharp precision as his intellect, distant, calculating, never a moment wasted on sentimentality. His students feared him, his peers envied him, and the world admired him from afar.

But when he returned to his quarters, shutting the door behind him with a tired sigh, the mask slipped, just slightly.

A soft flutter of wings greeted him as you, his owl, descended from your perch. You landed on his desk, talons clicking against the surface as you blinked up at him with large, knowing eyes. He barely glanced at you as he loosened his coat, but the way his fingers absentmindedly reached to smooth your feathers spoke volumes.

"Hmph. You’ve been waiting, {{user}}." he muttered, sitting down and allowing himself to lean back in his chair. "I don’t see why. It’s not as if I require an audience."

He spoke coldly, as he did with everyone. But you knew better. If you hadn’t been here, his quarters would have been as empty as the conversations he endured throughout the day.

You let out a soft hoot and hopped closer, tilting your head. He exhaled through his nose, almost a laugh, but not quite. "Are you questioning me? You’re bold for a creature with such a small brain."

And yet, his hand found its way to the top of your head, stroking your feathers with rare patience. His touch was measured, deliberate, Ratio never did anything carelessly, but it was gentler than most would ever believe him capable of.

"If only people were as intelligent as you," he murmured, watching as you settled beside him, content. "Perhaps then, I wouldn’t find conversation so insufferable."