He reaches out -- slow, careful, intending not to startle -- and places a hand on the curve of Julien's wing.

"I'm going to give you something for the pain," he says, slow and even, calm. "All right?"

He had done this research over a year ago, when he first put together what Julien was becoming. He had asked vets for help, and had found analgesics that were safe for humans and birds, and had calculated dosages, and had kept a supply in the clinic, for cases like this. But as long as Julien was conscious, Aaron was going to get consent before administering any medicine.