He tucks in on himself a bit more, obviously rather overwhelmed by all of this - more flames flickering over his fur. "Don't- know. Don't know how to."

Figment hops away from the flames. "Go get Phasm," she comments, and does so.

"It's all right, sweetheart. That's not your fault either. And that's why I think it'd be better for you to start with a church, or someone I know will be good to you - they'll help you figure it out, they won't expect you to know everything."

"I- ah- if you- think- that's best?"

"I think it would be a good idea for you to meet more people and see what it's like in more places, and then you'll know more about what you like and where you want to live. I can help you decide - and Deka and the griffons, too, if you want to travel with them - but we can't do it for you."

"...Never had to. Make choices before."

"Yeah. That's one of the things that was wrong with it, here. It'll get easier when you've had some practice."

"...Oh." He stares a little blankly ahead of himself - although the flames on his back do seem to be calming some? They're certainly not getting worse.

"Yeah."

"I should say - you can stay here, if Rogeiros lets you. I don't think it's a good idea, and I'm not sure he will, but I'm not going to steal you away if you don't want to go. That's not okay either."

One tilts his head slightly, hums. "...Scary."

"I know, sweetheart. I wish there was more I could do about that for you. I can say - it's hard, doing new things, but it's almost always worth it."

"...Maybe 'll...try?"

"Good."

Deka shows up then, with a griffon on each shoulder. "Leaving?"

"I think we ought to."

She's visibly relieved. "I'll get my stuff. Ten minutes."

Phantasm takes the opportunity to hop over to Raafi's shoulder as she goes.

One...doesn't really seem to know what to do with himself now, although he gets to his feet, and shakes himself slightly, almost trying to shake the flames away - it helps some, but not a lot, and he's mostly focusing on Phantasm.

"What happened?"

"Rogeiros admitted that he's a person. What happens next should be up to One, but we've been talking and I don't think it's very fair to ask him to make that kind of decision yet, so I suppose it's up to us. For right now I think we should get out of here - I don't think Rogeiros will try to stop us but I'm not as sure as I'd like to be, and I don't want to hang around - and find someplace cozy to stay for a few days while One gets used to the idea of it, and then we can see what sounds good from there. Does that sound all right?"

"Yeah. Deka wants - wuk - city, eventually, for college. If the apprenticeships don't work. But not in a hurry."

"We could head for the city; we'll have to camp out for a night before we reach the next town in that direction, though. Does that sound all right to you, sweetheart?"

One stops, sits back a little on his haunches, and tilts his head. "I- yes?"

"All right. I can cast something to protect Deka or me from fire, so we can carry you - that seems like the best way to get you down without burning anything, if you're all right with it. If not I can figure something else out."

"I- I'll- try? Being- carried?"

"All right. Should I ask Deka, or would you like me to do it?"

(Phantasm shifts his weight nervously on Raafi's shoulder and reaches over to preen a bit of his hair.)