[ Automatically, Dion moves to soothe the birds. He knows well enough these particular varieties of chocobo are quick to retaliate if they feel threatened, and they are no match for Shadow. Better that they never learn that for themselves.

He gently coaxes the birds nearer to him, smoothing a hand over ruffled feathers and one sore beak. ]

One of my men prefers the company of chocobos to people. "They don't pass judgement", he told me. I think back on that, occasionally.

[ He keeps his eyes on the birds, but he notes the difference between creating distance and leaving. It appears to him that Shadow isn't accustomed to animals, or maybe it's that he's unused to simple affection. He could certainly understand the latter. His father was never warm, and much of the world saw him foremost as Bahamut or some distant, heroic figure. Few were affectionate with him, and only one of them openly so. ]

They have limited means to communicate, and they take time to learn commands, but it isn't necessary to be forceful to make them understand.

[ He explains this calmly, absent any judgement, as he keeps his focus on the chocobos. If Shadow was overwhelmed, Dion had created that situation. ]