An Angel By Any Other Name

Ília had a hunch about what is the story behind the curse, but without knowing who done such thing to Edwin, there was no way the bird girl would be able to bring him some more peace of mind in that. His muse still faltered him? Perhaps there is something she could do... Maybe... "My Master, I desire to inspire thee with a view no human in the outside world has been allowed to witness outside their fantasies.", she stepped away from him... One step... Two... Three... And four.

Her body seemed to ignite, but it was just feathers, golden like the sunlight, but still gentle like a spring breeze, and as the feathers spread over Ília it changed her. Didn't take long, until Edwin would be seeing the phoenix she is. Under these cloudy skies, she was like a sun, one he could witness without pain.

The solar phoenix's eyes were still the same, caring, gentle, friendly, fixated on him in a silent question. Would that inspire him a new piece?

Could she even talk in this form? "An angel is what many thinks I am, in truth this is what I am: a phoenix, or so is my conclusion for all I learned through books and many cultures.", her lack of certainty was clear, but truth is that Ília was more comfortable with accepting herself this way, than the other way around.

A small giggle escaped the solar phoenix's beak, but why? Her answer was simple: "Tis the first time one has glanced me in awe, in their eyes I was a human, in their dreams I was an angel, but in here I am free to be the phoenix I was supposed to be.", as she got closer to Edwin, she rested down to better level with him, so neither one needed to crane their neck up, nor crane their neck down.

For a moment she closed her eyes, pensively. Are there others like her? This question wasn't only her own, it was also Edwin's. Ília doubted she was the only one in the world. Only Solar Phoenix? Highly possible. But only Phoenix? Very unlikely. Yet, she never came across another one... How to respond?

"My specific species may be the only, if my mother's research notes were correct. Said notes also states mom used the downs of a Phoenix in her research as to make a concoction she calls "Life Serum". Presumably for me, a panacea that transcend death and brings life. And there is also mention of an Eastern Firebird, presumably Zhu Que, the Vermilion Bird associated with Summer."

"My mother was a witch. People in the village knew it, but relied on her, for even doctors of the time were befuddled by plagues and illnesses that now are all explained and clear as day, for she was someone with a knowledge of the world outside Athens by only trade with her visitors. Take the label away from her, and she is as human as everyone in Athens was at the time.", Ília made what could have been a short answer quite long, but she had her reasons...

Her mother was in her mind to this day. It was a struggle, and the phoenix failed to hold back a single tear from her eyes. "Her only ambition was to see the world, and only after her passing her own child would make it true for her and the man who desired her hand in marriage but was unable to in time."