Open Finished Without a World

Judging the age of a phoenix wasnt an exact science. Their magical nature combined with the ability to be reborn for at least some of them to make it impossible to tell by appearances alone. But Irene was getting the sense that she hadn't experienced quite so many years as he had.

On a whim he decided to switch to speaking in ancient greek just long enough to say, "I doubt you speak this dead language but it has been a while since I used it so it's worth a shot."

One of the perks of life experience was Irene didnt suffer from the jealousy over seeing people who were bigger or faster or stronger. But he did note she had to have been holding back to stay at his pace. "Feel free to zoom around if you need to. I'll be here. Rather noticeable, as usual for our kind," he joked. Phoenixes did tend to be rather bright and attention-grabbing when not trying to hide.

"Tell me though, do you like it here or are you still too new to decide?"

[Latin] "I suppose neither is truly dead if some of us still speak them." He would have nodded but that wasnt really something he liked to do while flying so instead he just gave a wordless chirrup of affirmation as she decided to continue keeping pace.

They found a nice current of warm air rising so Irene began leading the two of them in a slow comfortable ascent higher and higher.

"I've not been truly alone for quite some time but I do recall the feeling. You are welcome to fly with me when you wish. I've lived here for more than 50 years, almost 60 actually... I know it can be difficult to adjust. There arent many of us but you are definitely not alone."

After a while Irene leveled off and just glided for a little bit, buffeted here and there as the currents of air eddied and flowed unseen but definitely felt.

She definitely was a curious one. Ready with many questions, though Irene reminded himself that such was common for newer arrivals. "Its a long story, one probably better suited for another time perhaps," he began as he turned slightly to bring them more over the water surrounding the island in their travels.

"The simplest way to put it is I befriended a tribe while I was in North America and I bonded myself with their guardian- a thunderbird, before the tribe was killed. Askuwheteau has been a friend and companion ever since, even though he is not sapient like you or I."

Speaking of which, he gave an emotional signal to Asku to come join them in the sky for a bit. Shara would be ok where she was for the time being. It would take a little bit for the other bird to join them.

It really did seem like the poor thing hadn't had anyone else to talk to in quite some time. The way she seemed to flit between tangents and perhaps share a lot more than they typical person might in similar circumstances.

"She sounds like she was a wonderful person. Do you plan to take after her? Seek to heal and cure those you can?" He asked, trying to keep her thinking in a positive direction. What she was describing sounded a lot like his ideology. Except the boat about being anti-death. Death has it's time and place too. But that was not an argument he would entertain there and then.

At that point though there was a shrill, excited calling from another large bird as it rapidly approached from below. Asku had, unbidden, shifted to his largest form. At 8' long and a 20' wingspan he was a sight to behold. The three sets of wings only making the cream-colored bird that much more exotic. Irene had to dive to the side a little to give his friend space as Asku seemed intent on aligning himself between the two phoenixes.

"Sorry, he's fairly protective of me. But he wont try to hurt you unless you move to attack me," Irene called out even as he sent emotions towards the bird to placate him. Fortunately the calming aura also contributed to relaxing Asku once he'd come within range.

"Well, me and an array of collected golden trinkets. The little kleptomaniac," Irene joked about his longtime friend. Asku didn't understand the words but the emotions that went along with it were familiar and he let out a slightly annoyed trilling sound. He remained more or less positioned between the two though.

"Sadly there wasn't much left for him back in the time and place of his home, but I'm pretty sure he enjoys living with me. He certainly gets a nice swanky perch and free food when he's not feeling like hunting."

Irene began to turn their gliding into more of a circling dive as they exited the warm updraft they had been coasting on. "If healing, beyond the magical ways I mean, is something you are interested in I could point you towards the EMT, nursing or medical school programs here on the island. After you catch up on your education of course."