Good. Keep it in mind plenty.

[ Then, because he can see how much Onni is relaxing, he keeps scritching away at him and speaks, steady and even, to make sure he gets his point across as clearly and thoroughly as he can. ]

You're not used to asking for help, and I'm not used to being asked. But I think we could both stand a little practice.

[ His fingers are warm and attentive, finding a few places where those downy feathers are mussed and smoothing them out. Seeing the big, angry-faced owl looking so blissed out and sleepy is, to say the least, a treat. ]

People have been underestimating me my whole life. Sheltering me and treating me like a baby, just because I'm not immune. I mean - my parents lied most of my life and told me it was still illegal for me to go anywhere. But I can take care of myself. I'm reliable. I've found a way out of plenty of tough situations - okay, a few tough situations. I can be helpful. I just... need people to actually believe that and give me a chance to be.

[ This isn't just about Onni and how he is used to handling things on his own and Reynir wants him aware of that. He has a stake in this, too. ]