"No, I am not thirsty now. I thought it best to ask, so that I need not wake you later." The gryphon remained unmoving in its curled sleep-ready posture, but its voice held none of the weariness of sleep. Behind Al, the creature's eyes reflected the fading light; they seemed for a time to burn with curiosity.<br/><br/>"...I will confess to you that since this change, I have little had interaction with humans; I fear I am losing my ability to tell what one is thinking by their face and body. Yet I am not so far from myself that I cannot see that this assignment is disturbing you. You do not need to stay out here, like an ani-" An abrupt stop. "Like me. I am sure you have somewhere warm to sleep inside, and while truthfully I've not had opportunity to use my voice for years, I know what I must seem to you; I will not force you to suffer my company, nor discomfort for my sake."