"Ah, not exactly." He sets the rat down on the table where it sniffs curiously at Bruno's tea. "They're normal rats. I mean, they're pretty smart, but nothing beyond that--I train them to follow little cues and then just sort of weave the stories around them. Right?" he says to the rat who, predictably, doesn't reply. "Mainly involving food, the universal motivator," he continues, half to his guest, half to the rat, his voice gently amused as he scritches lightly behind its ears.

The tapping sound might be lulling Bruno, but the rat sits on its hind legs and regards Kronid for a moment almost cannily, head slightly tilted, nose twitching. Then it drops back down onto all fours and calmly wanders away. Who can tell with animals, really.

There's a beat or so, then Pepa fidgets. "I should check on Dolores," she says, finishing her tea. She stands. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Señor. Make yourself comfortable--there are guest rooms on the main floor if you need to rest. Good night."

Bruno murmurs a goodnight and smiles a vague kind of smile as she leaves. Then he tries to stifle a cavernous yawn.

"Sorry, I just came over really sleepy...."