"I don't need the specifics of what happened, but if I may offer a bit of advice? If you're trying to obscure what you are, asking someone where the library calls into question if you were always a bird based on the amount of things that would have to go right for such a thing to be true."

He started ticking things off on his fingers.

"You can read, can speak telepathically, and somehow managed to obtain access to technology allowing for metamorphizing into other creatures. The first is theoretically possible -- I've reported on quite a few tales of hyperintelligent birds during my time so perhaps you were originally someone's pet that they taught to read -- but telepathy? Quite an odd development but very fortunate for a hyperintelligent hawk. And to top that off, you just so happen to come upon something that granted you transmogriphication abilities?"

He raised a brow.

"One item is chance. Two is coincidence. Three is...well, traditionally the phrase is 'enemy action', but I don't think that applies in this case. Regardless, it's highly suspect. Again, I'm not asking for your tragic tale, but I'd be satisfied in having confirmation that I'm right. Or at the very least confirmation that should any more people like you show up, they're not likely to have any ill will towards Reverein if this secret war you've been plucked out of has made you too paranoid to do so."

He narrowed his eyes over his pleasant smile.

"I quite like this town, you understand. After ninety years of eternal torment, this idyllic little place is as close to Heaven as I'll ever get. If nothing else about me, you can trust that I've no ill will towards the people here and do what I can to protect them."

Tobias had seen him hunting the redcaps after all.