“I bet I know what you are,” he murmured tentatively offering his other hand to the phoenix for her appraisal. She shuffled her wings as he did, prodding the human’s free hand with her beak. The human took the gesture as permission and almost brushed the phoenix when he pulled his finger back, apparently thinking better of it. “Don’t you set me on fire, now,” he warned. “You promise not to burn me?” 