Under Kael's persuasion, and with a handful of fresh herbs as a peace offering, Fawkes gradually calmed down.
While it was channeling its grief into appetite and focusing on eating the herbs, Kael couldn't resist reaching out his hand to stroke the feathers on its neck.
This was the first time Kael was properly petting a phoenix... How should he put it? The feathers were somewhat hard, not as fluffy and soft as an owl's, but they felt nice to the touch.
Delicate and smooth, with a hint of warmth, touching them felt like holding a Galleon fresh from the vault.
After finishing the herbs, Fawkes spread its wings and flew towards the window.
Kael thought it was planning to go back home.
But unexpectedly, Fawkes only flew to the windowsill and stopped, then settled beside Ladon, folding its wings as it began to doze off, looking quite satisfied and drowsy after a full meal.
Ladon, who had been sleeping soundly, was suddenly awakened. It tilted its head, looking at this unexpected guest, and the feathers on its neck stood up in an instant.
It lifted its paw, moved a bit to the side without a word, giving Fawkes more space.
Kael glanced at Ladon expressionlessly, then sneered.
This silly bird, when it's in a bad mood, even if another owl just glances at it, it has to chase them down and beat them up.
Why so timid now!
It seemed to understand Kael's gaze... Ladon silently turned its head, choosing to ignore it.
It wanted to act tough too, but this one's all covered in red feathers, seemed like it wasn't to be messed with... Better to avoid unnecessary trouble, endure.
The two birds stood on the windowsill, one on the left and one on the right, surprisingly harmonious.
Kael sat by the table, glancing discreetly at the box not far away.
Judging by Fawkes, it probably wasn't planning to leave soon... With it by his side, he definitely couldn't find Riddle for extra lessons.
Although a phoenix might not necessarily recognize a Soul Artifact, what if it did.
And if it knew, it would be equivalent to Dumbledore knowing too.
Even though Kael said he'd give the diary to Dumbledore, that had to be when it was no longer useful, certainly not now.
But if he didn't study, there seemed to be nothing else to do.
A phoenix didn't like places with many people, it definitely wouldn't join him for a game of Quidditch, but leaving it alone at home, Kael was worried too.
Certainly can't spend a whole day reading Magic Text formulas in the room either.
Now that his research on magic text had surpassed the initial stage, without Riddle's help, just reading by himself was quite inefficient and a bit of a time-waster.
As he was pondering, Kael unintentionally glanced at the chest beside him.
After thinking for a moment, he walked to the windowsill.
"Fawkes, how about I take you out for some fresh air?"
Fawkes opened its eyes.
"Newt Scamander... I suppose you know where he lives?" Kael asked.
Fawkes nodded.
Basically, where Dumbledore was aware of, it knew too, otherwise, it wouldn't have been sent to deliver a message to Nicolas Flamel before.
Newt's place was no exception.
"That's good then." Kael said, "How about you take me there?"
Fawkes looked Kael up and down, hesitating a little.
Kael thought it didn't want to go, quickly sticking out two fingers.
"Two Cloak Grass, plus one Puffapod."
This time Fawkes didn't hesitate at all, flew straight onto Kael's shoulder, and then let out a chirp with a hint of anticipation.
"Hold on a second."
Kael hurriedly grabbed the chest, then stuffed his pre-prepared luggage along with the box all at once, "Alright, now no problem..."
Before he'd finished speaking, in a flash of flame-like light, Kael instantly vanished from the room.
On the windowsill, Ladon, who had just fallen asleep, was awakened again, and more excessively this time, a mysterious gust blew it straight out of the window.
And the force was quite strong, it felt like being kicked by someone.
Ladon flapped around several times in the air before finally flying up again before hitting the ground.
I mean... is it never-ending or what!
Irritated, Ladon flapped its wings back to the windowsill, preparing to confront its owner, only to find... no one was in the room.
Moreover, not just Kael, even that "redhead" from earlier was gone.
Only the chairs, bookshelves blown askew, and parchment all over the floor remained.
Ladon flew around the room once, confirming no one was there before returning to the windowsill, using its wing to sweep where the "redhead" had been, shrank its neck, and continued sleeping.
...
On the other side, the moment Fawkes took Kael away, he was subjected to intense pressure from all directions, leaving him breathless.
He felt like he was forcibly rolled into a ball... and still a Bludger, then bashed all day by some rough Beaters with bats.
After who knows how long, his consciousness finally returned to his body.
Kael opened his bloodshot eyes, he wanted to vomit, but his stomach felt like it was being squeezed, making him unable to throw up, he could only gulp in big breaths of forest air tinged with dirt scent.
"Relax."
At this point, a gentle voice came from the side.
It was Newt, he handed Kael an unnameable fruit, gesturing him to eat it.
Kael instinctively took it, stuffing it in his mouth.
The fruit was both sour and astringent, like biting into an unripe tomato.
But oddly enough, Kael felt much better.
"What is this..."
"Sour Green Peas fruit." Newt said with a smile, "Also the favorite food of a Diricawl, how do you feel?"
"Much better."
Kael rubbed his ears and said, "I feel like I just experienced Disillusionment a hundred times in a row."
"That's how a phoenix travels, simple and brutal, it's already impressive you're still standing."
Newt handed Kael another fruit, but Kael didn't eat it, he just placed it under his nose for a sniff.
Only now did he finally understand, that Fawkes hadn't hesitated to come here, but was worried if he could handle such an intense travel method.
Unfortunately, he realized this too late, and foolishly spent two pieces of Cloak Grass and one Puffapod…
"I guess only Professor Dumbledore can adapt to this sort of travel," Kael muttered quietly.
"Actually..." Newt chuckled, looking at Kael, "Although Dumbledore has to attend various meetings in different places frequently, he usually prefers Disillusionment or a Portkey.
Only in extremely urgent situations would he resort to the power of the phoenix."
Kael rubbed his ears again, at a loss for words, turns out even Dumbledore couldn't get used to it…
"But you sure impressed me."
Newt led Kael into the house with a smile, "Besides Dumbledore, Fawkes almost never takes anyone else on a journey."
...