FACT: Owl colleges are some of the most prestigious in the animal kingdom.

He drifted in and out of conversation, dwelling instead upon his own thoughts of Adrianna and her interest in him of all gnomes. Ozimander’s heated words drew Aubrey back in.

“If you had shown half as much interest in your studies as you do your insignificant fancies you might have made something of yourself. Now you’ve gone and revealed yourself to one of the other races; to a commoner at that. Good grief, I do not envy your father. His disappointment must be palpable.”

Adrianna stood mutely taking in the elder owl’s rebuke. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes seemed fixed on some indeterminate object off in the distance.

At last Aubrey’s anger flared and broke free from its constraints. He stepped forward.

“Be quiet. Now listen, I don’t know why Adrianna revealed herself to me and to be honest, I don’t care. She’s become my friend. She is considerate and friendly, which is more than I can say for you, sir. I know a bit about you owls now. A bit more than the average gnome at least, and I know that you’re not omniscient. You only think you’re wiser than everyone else, but really you’re just like the rest of us mere mortals.”

“I don’t have time for your ramblings boy. You don’t know the first thing about which you speak.” He turned to leave. “As for you, child, I suggest that you abandon your immature fancies and start living up to the standard of your race. Leave these little ‘things’ alone to go about their business. Anything else will really just confuse them and make them unhappy. See, you’ve already ruined this one. Now, I am needed at the Grove. Goodbye. I pray that you will heed my advice.”

With a rush of feathers he disappeared into the night leaving Aubrey and Adrianna standing alone in a diffused circle of moonlight. Neither spoke. Adrianna was looking down at her feet.

“Thank you for standing up for me,” she said after a moment. Her voice was a hushed whisper and was barely audible against the constant fluttering of wind through the leaves. “You didn’t have to do that. It’s my own fault.”