        When it had finished with the book, the creature put it down and sat for a moment, before taking a tube into its mouth.  It appeared to be swallowing something—was this their feeding behavior?  Then it reached into its backpack, appeared as if it were going to withdraw something, but it remained empty-hoofed.  Taloned, she reminded herself.  Lyra was sure Twilight had been right about this creature being a hybrid.  It was the only logical explanation for the differing shapes of its talons and hind limbs.