Mathis watched the traveler leave with his usual fake smile, but hidden behind it was a sense of worry. Even with the dramatic personality changes that Kenneth went through, it wasn't normal for him to just let someone go when they were so vulnerable. The phoenix, unlike its host, never differed from one rebirth to the next; it always compelled him to burn and destroy, and to look down upon others as a predator. Occasionally, Kenneth would return with a strong enough sense of empathy that he'd try to resist its suggestions, but that only shortened his cycles more than usual and brought him that much closer to the impulsive pyromaniac that they all inevitably ended with. He couldn't live contrary to his nature any more than Mathis himself could, which was very convenient for their shared relationship; understanding the legion of conflicting ideals that called itself Kenneth Hughes was an exercise in futility, but Mathis liked to think that after so many years, he and the phoenix had become good friends.<br/><br/>Stepping out of the carriage, the lord made a proper assessment of his surroundings. He was standing at the edge of Colen's royal garden, next to a road which came from one part of the city's market district and curved back around into another. Commoners lounged about in an enclosed space outside of the garden itself, but nobody traveled the well-tended path that led through it and into the palace. He couldn't help but respect the man who had designed the entire area to focus attention towards the castle grounds, if not only because he wished his own architects were so inspired.<br/><br/>As he walked onto the garden path, he picked a rose from one of the nearby bushes and stuffed it into his mouth.<br/><br/>"These are quite healthy. Do you think they'll serve us food, or should I simply take what's already been offered?"<br/><br/>"Well, a salad never hurt anyone before a meal besides a lady, Mathis. You might be fine with a snack. In any event, if we happen to take a trek around town tonight and I hear unkind things, you might also eat that blind fellow. Jacob would probably track him pretty well; he used to hunt werewolves every fall, remember?" Kenneth answered as they both started along the garden path. "Did you happen to notice anything... odd about that traveler, dear friend?"<br/><br/>"You mean aside from the fact that he was young, traveling both blind and alone, and carrying a staff more valuable than a small house? Yes. He said he was a healer... that's no profession for a man without eyes."<br/><br/>"I suspect he meant faith healing, but I certainly agree." Kenneth responded. "He seemed to be reacting to something we were not perceiving. I am certain that, as apparently unnerving as my continued gaze is, he wasn't shifting under my scrutiny."<br/><br/>"You think he's<span style="font-style: italic">ascended</span>, like us."<br/><br/>"I think he's a hatchling fresh from the nest, but yes, that's possible. I know we've only met a couple over the years, so why not?"<br/><br/>Mathis chuckled in spite of himself. "Kenneth, you haven't even outlived your old butler yet. You're far too young to truly understand what it means to say that anything is possible. If the boy was honest and your intuition is correct, however, we still needn't concern ourselves with him. He has no attachment to this city."<br/><br/>"He did say that he converses with the locals. He perhaps frequents the place, yes? It makes me wonder if we're that easy to spot. Well, beyond when you're eating a carriage and I'm turning a city into the surface of the gods-damned sun, of course." Kenneth responded. "Oh dear, I fear this regeneration may be a tad too introspective."<br/><br/>That was new. He had never known a Kenneth who regretted anything about his power except the consequences of its irresponsible use.<br/><br/>"Are you feeling...<span style="font-style: italic">ashamed</span>of your gift, Kenneth? You're in poor company indeed if you wish to remain inconspicuous. Most common people don't possess skin the color of these marvelous stone walls." he chided, gesturing at the scenery in front of them.<br/><br/>"Yes, well, most people don't up and wake with their hair made of flame." Kenneth responded. He was perhaps a little off-put by Mathis' question, but it only showed in his tendency to straighten his jacket. "I am quite pleased with what I am, Mathis. As much as the bird would quite enjoy having to immolate an entire city's worth of people, I'd rather not be so noticeable that we receive undue attention outside our home territories." he continued, checking his pocket watch. "Of course that doesn't preclude me from filling the inside of that palace with a firestorm."<br/><br/>"Now that's more like it. You would do well to heed the phoenix more often, friend. It remembers that the world is beneath it, dancing and burning at its command. The world's inhabitants are no exception."<br/><br/>As they walked, Mathis ripped a chunk out of a nearby bush and condensed it into a fist sized sphere before swallowing it whole.<br/><br/>"They should be honored that we've given them the choice this time."