Hmm. [An understanding nod, as he draws Julien from the recess he'd been in, before letting go of the talon-like hands. His eyes close for a moment, a claw draing to his chin and trailing down the long fur that makes up his beard.]

The simple explanation is that it is responsible for our altered forms. Am I correct in guessing you did not always bear that shape?

[His sons had told him of a half-pigeon, half-man they had encountered... but their description was very much different than the being before him. The beard-stroking ends, and his eyes open again, ears lifting to show his full attention on Julien-- but rather than inspecting or assessing, there's a gentleness to his tone.]

I'm sure you see that we are similar.