[Alvin is wondering about the sudden topic, but for now he's not going to question it. At least...not directly. If the kid wants to tell him, he'll tell him.]

About eight if I remember right. [He now shifts his weight a little in thought.] Come to think of it, you might not have been around when Elios first showed up, huh? Was a while ago—feels longer than it really has, too. The bird was in a pretty big mess, so I wouldn't be surprised if Piphron is the same if not worse.