[ V i d e o ]

[greatestgood]

[Private to Albus -]

It's time. Invite who you wish, but we've held off long enough. [He blames himself for the wait. Overcoming what he now knows about himself hasn't been easy and he has spent a lot of time going off by himself to think.]

[/]

Wizards and Witches in my world can transfigure themselves into animals. I know I am bright enough to accomplish it, but, as I understand it, I won't be able to choose my form. [He sighs and rests a hand on the back of the beautiful bird in his lap. Yes, that is a Phoenix.] If I could choose, I would want to be like this little one. What does a Phoenix have to fear?

Comments

[li_amaranth]

A bucket of water.

[It's a joke, honest.]

I see your phoenix hatched. He's cute for a little firecracker.

video;

[namemeansbeauty]

As much as they can be reborn, I always wonder if they still fear the leadup to that.

[Because it must still be terrifying knowing it was slowly going to happen.]

[greatestgood]

Behave, Li.

[He covers the chick's ears, tutting.]

I have two; a boy and a girl. They make a pretty pair.

video;

[greatestgood]

Burning days are inevitable and while you and I would fear them, I don't think they feel any pain.

[It's over in a flash anyway and then they are precious chicks again.]

[phoenixstrut]

[Just... silent staring for a few seconds. Dove might be in pure shock.]

How?

[greatestgood]

How what, pray tell? [He blinks, smirking faintly.]

[phoenixstrut]

There's a phoenix sitting in your lap. How?

[If he looks carefully enough, he can probably see her mind spinning behind those golden eyes. There's something increasingly sad in them... maybe even desperate.]

[greatestgood]

There is one sitting in my lap and another...over there. [He motions vaguely off screen.] Albus and I helped them hatch.

Are you alright?

[phoenixstrut]

[She shakes her head to clear it.] I- yes- sorry.... I just haven't seen one since I left home. [Well over a year ago. She's missed him that long.]

You found eggs here? In Genessia?

[That might be hope in her voice, and...Nope, no, no way. She will not cry on video, even if the beautiful bird looks just like Era had after his hatching.]

[greatestgood]

I didn't think I would find one - much less two! It took me a long time to search the forests of Fayren. [But it had been worthwhile and the birds are loved.]

Would you like to meet them?

[phoenixstrut]

Yes!

[It's hushed, but her answer is immediate and that glow around her is unmistakable.]

I-If that's alright with you, I mean.

[How odd for a well-composed celebrity to be so flustered by a little bird.]

[greatestgood]

I'm fine with it as long as you mean them no harm. [He is rather protective of his feathered children. Dove, you have no idea how much he has spoiled them.]

Are you far from Fayren?

[phoenixstrut]

[She blinks, offended at the very idea, but shakes her head.] Of course not. I'm fairly certain my own blood would boil me if I tried.

[She smiles brightly and shifts to stand.] I can be there in half an hour, unless that's too soon. Just tell me when and where.

video;

[namemeansbeauty]

But how are we to know they don't. I mean unless they could tell us, but I don't think they can.

[She was actually thinking over this whole thing.]

Then again, you have other animals who shed or lose their tails if a predator gets it and they don't bat an eyelid either. But it makes one wonder how they don't feel anything if they don't.

[private]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

You're right. I have made you wait long enough.

The only ones I would invite are the children; tell me when and where to meet and I will be there.

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

That's a phoenix? It doesn't look anything like Marco... [Ace is fascinated by how different one phoenix can look from another.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

Yes and... [He shifts the communicator to show the female Phoenix sunning by the window.] There is another.

Marco is the man who can change his form? Or is he a bird that can become a man?

[private]

[greatestgood]

Sunset - where I first showed you the eggs. [Magic makes marriage ceremonies rather special and theirs will be one of a kind.]

[greatestgood]

Well that's comforting. [He gives a faint smirk and shakes his head.] That's fine by me.

[He gives the address to Albus's home, stroking over the head of the Phoenix resting against him.]

video;

[greatestgood]

There are ways to tell, I'm sure. Their attitude before and after and so forth.

[He will watch them on those days out of sheer curiosity.]

It's instinct; it's natural for them. The nerves may not be as receptive.

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

Oh, damn. They're amazing! [Ace is so glad for the view of the female, what amazing creatures.] In our world, you can get pretty amazing powers from devil fruits. His lets him turn into a phoenix. [There's a pause, just for a moment. But he continues quickly.] I'm kinda in the same boat you are. If I could choose to turn into an animal, I'd want to be a phoenix too. But I got the flames, minus the bird.

[phoenixstrut]

I'll be there shortly... Do they have a particular treat they like?

[Regardless of his answer, she arrives just as she said she would, dropping from the sky not terribly far away and settling her wings against her back before taking a deep breath and approaching the door. She's a celebrity, a model, an actress- flawless with putting on an act for people, and yet two little birds...

She might hesitate a moment before knocking.]

[private]->[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

Very well, then, love. I will see you there.

[And when sunset arrives, he is there -- dressed in the finest suit he has, his hair and beard impeccable combed. He looks impossibly excited and happy, with only a tiny bit of nerves showing through in his smile.]

[li_amaranth]

I'm perfectly well behaved.

[She smirks slightly and leans in to look at the chick a little better.]

It's not my fault if you can't take a joke about water. Whatever, they little firecrackers are adorable.

[When it comes to babies, she's surprisingly gentle for her so...]

Have you named them yet?

video;

[namemeansbeauty]

[She nodded slightly. In all honesty, she was calling this a learning experience.]

Maybe. Adapting to a situation one is used to. [She paused for a moment.]

Oh, I am sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Belle.