Beasts

4: A Morning With Phoenix

  I cried myself to sleep that night. When I woke up, I took a warm shower then got dressed. I put on the same clothes as I did yesterday but with a different shirt. It's black with '4 REAL?' written on it in bold white letters. I also pulled on a wool beanie and grabbed my violin. The sun had still yet to rise and there was no one outside which was good. I was hoping I could get some time to see this place for myself. A light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and shook the pine cones. This place is so peaceful. How could there be any dangers here?

  I walked to the stream and held out my violin. I started playing a song that's been stuck in my head. Don't you hate when you hear a song and the name of it is just on the tip of your tongue? It sucks so much. Our brains are for remembering so why don't they just remember?

"Achoo!" I sneezed.

"Bless you, Kitten." I turned around and Phoenix was leaned against the bridge railing. He had on this midnight blue jacket with leather sleeves. On his heart was a brass pin. It's one of those stars you draw with the lines through it but it was missing the the bottom right point.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked and held my violin and bow in one hand.

"Remember, I'm a counselor. Protecting people is one of my jobs. Why are you here?" He said and tapped his pin when he said 'counselor'.

"I just wanted some time to gather my thoughts." I turned to the river and watched as the water flowed. "Why did you call me 'kitten'?"

"Because you sound like one when you sneeze."

"No I don't." I said defensively.

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes." We were only a few inches apart. His eyes glowed so beautifully. They matched perfectly to the rising sun to the side of us. We snapped out of it then both turned away. Awkward... "You're really good." He gestured to my violin trying to ignore what had just happened.

"Thanks." I looked down at it so I had an excuse to hide my blushing face.

"Can you play me something?" He said with a smirk.

"Sure. Let me play at your funeral." I offered.

"Sorry, but you'll most likely be dead before me."

"Why's that?" I raised my eyebrow.

"You're human and I'm a phoenix. Think about it."

"Phoenixes don't really die. Are you saying your immortal?"

"I wish. Really, I'm not to sure. I never asked my parents before they died. I guess if they died in a normal human way then I should too. I do know that there's a special thing I can do that will kill myself."

"Let me guess, you burst into flames and combustion then turn to ashes to rise again?"

"Yup. Though I don't 'rise again'. That's for real phoenixes. I'm only Beast." He winked.

"So, you going to play to me now or what?" He asked and crossed his arms.

"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged and held my violin up. I did come here to play after all.

  I started playing Counting Stars since I want to impress him. I glanced at him and saw a small smile on his face which made me smile. I danced around him and as I do, this gold trail follows behind my bow. I could see people starting to come out of their homes. Soon there was a little crowd in front of the bridge. Phoenix threw some fireball into the air which burst into little ashes that slowly rained down. One landed on my face and left a warm sensitization before it disappeared. He literally just made it snow fire, I thought to myself. For a big finish, I spun around in a circle then shot my hand up in the air. Just like that, the trail from my bow shattered into little gold sparkles and rained done on the bridge.

  People clapped and I took a small bow. "Now they love you even more." Phoenix said into my ear. More? Did they already love me because my dad was their chief?

"Whatever," I said instead of thanking him. "I'll see you at breakfast. Where ever that is..." I mumbled that last part and turn to go back to my cabin.

"Just go to your dad's hut!" He called out. I gave him a thumbs up as I walked through the crowd. How did he know? Did everyone eat there or something?

  I quickly dropped off my violin then went over to Dad's hut. The door was open so I just stepped in. Dad wasn't here which wasn't very shocking. Instead, it was just Bear tying the laces of his boots. "Hey, Bear." I said and he looked over his shoulder at me.

"Hey, June! If your're looking for your dad, he just left to get a counselor to be your guide."

"Can I have Iridescent?" I blurted out and he looked shocked at my instant response.

"Um, sure. I guess." He laughed. 

"So, I was wondering, where do we eat breakfast?" I asked and locked my hands behind me.

"Simple, in your cabin or here. Only dinner is at the bonfire. I guess you could still go there but it would be pretty lonely." Bear answered and finished tying his laces. "How about some toast with jam?" He asked, standing up from his bed. I nodded yes just as I saw a figure out of the corner of my eye. Phoenix.

"Hey, uncle. I'm back." He said to Bear with a wave. "Oh, hey June."

"Wait, you're his nephew?" I said and looked back at Bear.

"Yah," Phoenix nodded. "You never knew?"

"No!" I yelled.

"Oh, well I am." He said casually and walked off to the bathroom. I turned to Bear and put my hands on my hips.

"I see you met Phoenix already." He nervously laughed. "Great guy, no?" I rolled my eyes and turned to leave. Then I realized he was making breakfast so I just slump down against the wall beside the door. Why in the name of God did he not tell me his damn nephew was God damn Phoenix!? There's nothing wrong with that, but that is something you tell a person if he's living with your dad. I swept my bangs out of my face. Right. I forgot they were blonde now. Or should I say gold?

  "Peach jam toast with milk." Bear said and set the plate and cup beside me. "You shouldn't be sitting down there." He said but I ignored him and took a bite out of my toast. He took one last look at me before going to make his own breakfast. I took out my phone and started playing Crossy Road until I heard the bathroom door open. I glanced up from my game to see Phoenix grabbing his toast from the table. He rested one of his hands on the table and studied at me. I felt like some exhibit at a museum.

"What?" I finally snap.

"What are you doing there?" He asked.

"Playing a game." I quickly flashed him my phone's screen then continued playing.

"Can I try?" I glanced up at him and raised an eyebrow. This dude has seriously never had a smartphone before, had me? I waved my hand for him to come and he sat down beside me.

"Here, you tap to go forward and swipe to go left or right." I explained.

"Got it." He started and got to 26 on his first try. "That's cool." He said with a nod.

"Says the guy who can heal cuts and blow fire. Have you even held a smartphone before?" I asked and he shook his head. "Wow. What kind of first world teenager are you?"

"I'm nineteen," He shot back. "Also, what do you expect? I've been here since I was seven. There's no phone stores in the middle of no where."

"Poor you." I said and gave his head a pat. No phone. Can you believe that?