"I'm going to have to run multiple experiments with different animals, which might be difficult. Most students here are really overprotective of their pets." He paused for a few moments as he jotted down a few sentences, then went on, "I suppose I could use some of the owls, but that's nowhere near enough variety. And I'll need readings from people, too, so I'll have to get multiple volunteers in varying states of health."

There was another silence as he looked down at his paper and added an inch or two to his essay, then mused, "Maybe some of the professors would let me take readings on them ... quite a few of them are really old."

He really did have a quite animated face as he talked - the icy blankness disappeared entirely, to be replaced with brow furrowed thoughtfulness, bright and smiling excitement, or wide-eyed empathetic enthusiasm.