Keisuke dropped to his knees, the great bird that had been there only a moment before had been reduced to nothing but ash. He felt a lump well up in his throat at the sight, but bit down hard on his lip to keep it down. What did he know about the phoenix? Their tears healed any wound, they were wise and held great knowledge, they were said to be immortal. Right, but why was that? Clearly the bird died when it touched him, the immortal did not die under his touch, that was why he wanted to stay in favor of the gods, he could not hurt them. It, it was reborn from its ashes. The moment of clarity brightened him, but before he could ask the other man was already in his face.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? What did you do to it? How could it have just died in your arms!? Where the hell did you even come from? I didn't see you!" The man shoved at him and Keisuke fell backwards onto his rear and then scooted away from him wide eyed and panicked, the immediate thought going to if he had touched Kei’s skin at all. He grabbed at the hems of his coat and ripped it over the remaining bare skin.
“Do not touch me!” He yelled back, his eyes wide, scanning the man up and down. Upon inspection it appeared he hadn’t come into contact with any of Keisuke’s skin and the man felt the slightest bit of relief. He examined the man further. His clothing was dirty and worn and his hair was this brilliant shade of silver usually reserved for the elderly, but he was definitely younger, maybe even a teenager. When Keisuke met the boy’s gaze he raised an eyebrow, the boy was blind in one eye. Perhaps that was why he sought the phoenix, so it could heal his eye. Keisuke instantly felt a pang of regret, his eyes crinkled and he looked away. The boy thought he had ruined his chances at fixing his eye.
"Just who the hell are you?" Kei looked back up in surprise, people didn’t usually inquire about his human persona, though he supposed his was unusual circumstances. He cleared his throat uncomfortably shifting his weight to stand and look the boy in the eyes.
“My name is Keisuke Horato, I am no one, just passing through.” Which was true, that was how he wanted it. People didn’t need to know Keisuke, they just needed to recognize Thantos for what he was. Soon he would be back in the underworld, this boy and this whole ordeal forgotten.
“I apologize about this phoenix, I did not intend to harm it, but do not worry, all will be well.” He walked past the silver haired boy, making sure to be careful not to touch him, and knelt by the pile of ash. He pushed at the sleeves of his coat so that his hands were completely covered and leaned down to blow at the top of the ash, as he did so a small creature emerged, the new phoenix staring up at him. “It has simply been reborn. It may need time before it can cry, but if you care for it, it may cry willingly for you.”