The Academic would never do anything as garishly sentimental as pat a student on the head, especially when said head was already occupied by a parrot. But this wasn't the first time The Academic had given a lecture with The Pupil in attendance, and The Academic was chuffed to see such a fine student diligently at work. If The Pupil were to stand up and steal ink straight from the cabinet, followed by paper, chalk, or an expensive textbook or six, they would suffer absolutely no repercussions whatsoever.

Ladies and gentlemen: Nepotism was alive and thriving.