A brown-haired human of indeterminate gender arrives, selecting a name label and writing "Six," and affixing "they/them" pronoun stickers. They're wearing a heavy, comfortable sweatshirt over loose trousers and thick socks, and carrying a dish of hot, steaming casserole.

On their shoulder is a large, red-and-gold bird of roughly pheasant conformation, whose long tail feathers and bold colors advertise him to be male.

Six sets the casserole down (being a virtual treat, it is nonallergenic and contains savory, creamy favorites) and gathers a bowl of popcorn to share with the bird, then heads for the main cuddle room.