Open Finished Without a World

"Indeed. He will have someone to care for him until the day I stop being reborn," Irene agreed contentedly. It had been a big decision he made back then, but also one he hadn't needed to think too long on. They were kindred spirits in a way, and he thought of Asku as something akin to both a brother and a child. It was hard to think about it in human familial terms so he didnt usually try.

Asku continued eying the situation but mostly just flee there with them. Content, himself, to be flying with Irene.

Irene was something of a minor expert in medicine on the island so he was a good bird to consult about this topic. "Not everything necessitates magical healing either. I suspect your own magical healing would be overkill for minor cuts and abrasions. And there are certainly those whom cannot be healed through magical means. Or would be extremely uncomfortable accepting such." As they spoke they continued down and down, gradually picking up speed as they headed towards the destination Irene had in mind.

"Personally I use both magical and mundane treatment options as appropriate. Though my current area of work tends to be in mostly immediate emergency response rather than in depth and long term care."

Ah. Irene was pretty sure he caught the meaning hidden in her words. To be perfectly honest he didn't know her well enough to entrust Asku to her care- and the bird wouldn't accept it anyway unless he'd had the time to bond with someone new. But Irene didn't wish to ruin the mood so he just chirped non-committally

As they descended their destination became more apparent. Irene had been leading her back to the school. A perhaps not-so-subtle suggestion that she not hide out in makeshift nests. "I've encountered all kinds of cases. But remember that magic use isn't the first choice except in extreme situations. Magic, and it's learned practitioners are in a limited supply, and mundane healing is quite effective too. A slow but steady recovery sometimes is preferable to a sudden cure. That is why education and training is so important. And mentorships of course."

Irene landed and dipped his head in a nod towards Ília. Asku, meanwhile,called out like a giant songbird and winged off back whence he had come from. He had checked on his friend and then was urged to return to keeping an eye on Irene's adopted daughter.

"Words are surprisingly powerful things. Even non-magical ones. As is the effect of the simple presence of another, as you say. I greatly enjoyed our flight and out conversation today. Your world is not empty, it is simply a canvas you are still painting. Still learning how to paint, perhaps," he let out a chirrup that sounded almost more like a laugh. "Good thing i'm not in the business of metaphors."

He poked at a couple feathers that had bent the wrong way instead of lying flush and then looked back at her. "Really, if you need someone to talk to I do not mind leaving you my card." With that he shifted to his human form and smiled at her. "I can't be your whole world though. Never focus on only one thing alone."

Even in human form Irene still seemed to stand almost like he was perching on something and his head tended to cock to the side much like a bird. He was a beautiful man though, with a very easygoing kind of cheerful look to him.

A few moments fishing around in the pocket of his slacks managed to produce a business card to present to her.

He returned the bow just as deeply and smiled at her. "Feel free to contact me or join me in the skies if I don't look too busy. But you're a very nice woman. Remember to stop and smell the roses. Or something like that. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the thorny bastards. Either way, you're definitely not alone here."

He was pretty sure she was going to be ok, or at least she wasnt as bad off as she had been. Baby... flaps. Unless she had more things to discuss he was ready to leave her to her own pondering.

"Be safe and keep your feathers bright. I will see you again another time," he smiled and then shifted back into his bird form, flying off in the direction Asku has flown when they separated.

A long, wordless trill escaping his beak as he rose into the sky. She was not the only other phoenix he'd met, but she seemed nice.