[There's a pause. Then, the handle jiggles before the door opens just enough for a pair of large chocolate brown eyes to peek through the crack--from about waist height.]
"Let me see the Firebird."
[Obediently, the Phoenix cranes its neck to peek out from behind Naoya's head with another, louder trill. The child's gaze darts up and there's an audible gasp.]
[The door slams shut.]
[Then, the knob jiggles again, accompanied by the distinct clunks of a series of opening locks. Soon after, the door slowly opens, revealing a humble cottage and a little girl with short dark hair, donned in brown and green leathers.]
[She also has a short sword at the ready, but that's a minor detail.]
no subject
"Let me see the Firebird."
[Obediently, the Phoenix cranes its neck to peek out from behind Naoya's head with another, louder trill. The child's gaze darts up and there's an audible gasp.]
[The door slams shut.]
[Then, the knob jiggles again, accompanied by the distinct clunks of a series of opening locks. Soon after, the door slowly opens, revealing a humble cottage and a little girl with short dark hair, donned in brown and green leathers.]
[She also has a short sword at the ready, but that's a minor detail.]
"I am watching your every move, Stranger."