Bucky peered into the bedroom. Phoenix, currently napping, hadn't been herself since she came home and he was starting to worry. Closing the door quietly, the White Wolf went to the living room and sat on the couch. Alpine jumped onto his lap and walked her front paws up his chest to head-boop his chin. She was growing well and they found ways to accommodate her deafness. Bucky chuckled and rubbed her head. He then turned his thoughts to the problem. For a while, things seemed to be going well but lately, he had been woken up at night when he felt her crying. He never let on that he knew but he knew her. Like any wild animal or closed-off person, Phoenix hid her actual state of being as a matter of self-preservation. As she said, weakness was a death sentence in the Wilds.
This was above Bucky's paygrade. He needed to contact Seiryu somehow. He might have ideas. "Seiryu…if you're able to hear me somehow, I need help," he said aloud. Something flickered in the corner of the room. Alpine noticed and she jumped off Bucky's lap to trot to the bedroom. Bucky watched as a blue flame came to life and formed a foot-long dragon. "You called?" Seiryu asked. Bucky just balked a bit. "Didn't think that would still work," he said when he was done gaping. "Like it or not, James, we now have a connection. You called for my help and I answered. So, what's happening? Is Phoenix alright?" the spirit asked. Bucky looked down at his hands. "I don't think so. Ever since she came home…it just seems like the light I love so much about her has dimmed a bit. I think this place is draining her," he explained.
Seiryu hummed before floating over to rest on the couch. "Seems like it. Did you tell her that she could split her time between the two worlds?" he asked. "Of course. I didn't want her throwing her homeworld away for me. But she never brought up wanting to go home for a bit to recharge. Should I have pushed for it?" Bucky asked. "You could have but at the same time, I can see why neither of you ever brought it up. This wasn't a mistake on either side. It's only natural that you want to be together as much as possible. That said, I'm glad you're reaching out. It shows you feel out of your depth here and that you need help. I'm willing to give it," the dragon responded.
They were interrupted by a sleepy Phoenix entering the living room. "Seiryu, what's going on?" she asked when she noticed the dragon spirit. "James asked for my help but we never got around to discussing it," Seiryu replied. Phoenix's eyes met Bucky's, a spark of concern in them. Bucky gave her an encouraging smile and motioned for her to sit with him. "You both want me to go home, don't you?" she sighed as Bucky took her hands. The White Wolf looked at the spirit dragon who just smiled before floating up towards her. "You're not yourself right now. Even from my position, I can tell you're not where you should be mentally or emotionally. Personally, I think both of you could benefit from coming to All World for a time," Seiryu said. That last comment took Bucky off guard. "Me, too?" he asked dumbly.
The High King gave him a look. "Why not? It would benefit you to get out of this chaotic world of yours. All World has chaos of its own but where you're going will be more or less removed from the troubles of the Empire. And who am I to leave you behind knowing it wouldn't help her?" he responded rhetorically. The two looked at each other. "Don't you think this is becoming a codependence issue?" Phoenix asked, surprising Bucky who had wondered that himself. Seiryu looked thoughtful. "Maybe if both parties were human. The thing is, Phoenix, you're an animal. Animals who bond with humans come with a sense of codependency because they rely on humans for their needs. We're sapient but this still applies. You're less wild now and just brushing the threshold of domestication. Besides, the two of you will have time apart even if he comes along. I would prefer if he did," he explained.
Looking at Bucky, Seiryu's avatar floated up to his eye level. "James, this world of yours is messy and there aren't many places for you to escape the chaos. And since you're involved with Phoenix, would it really be bad for you to learn more about our world? Surely you're curious about it? This is an opportunity you should take," he said with a glint of humor in his eye. Bucky was pretty blown away by the High King's insistence. "Are you sure? I mean…I would be an outsider," he said, lamely. "You'll be just another human. No one is going to know or care except for your hosts," the dragon waved him off. "And where are you planning to take us? I can tell it won't be at your Castle," Phoenix said. "You need the ambient magic of the Glade, love. You and your mother don't see each other enough as it is. Besides," Seiryu responded before looking at Bucky. "I wouldn't be the best host because of my duties and I don't want to complicate things. Her Majesty also has more of a rapport with you than I do. My Castle is naught but carven stone. The Glade will put you in touch with nature better than my halls," he explained.
The spirit then floated back to let them talk about it. "What do you think, Nix? I think you need this and I'm willing to go. I can ask Sam to watch the apartment and Alpine," Bucky ventured. Phoenix took his left hand to play with the fingers. "Maybe I need to go home and recharge. And Seiryu's right. I'm not going to find that here. Earth's ambient energy isn't strong enough. Your Industrial Revolution has taken its toll on this world…," she trailed off. She then looked at Seiryu. "Are you sure about this?" she asked. "I'm sure. Bucky's presence in All World won't impact it at all. Yours hasn't affected his world either. This is also a discretionary decision on my part. This is too small a thing to involve Byakko, never mind Suzaku and Genbu. After all, it's not like we know all our subjects by name. I need time to speak to the Queen about this but knowing her, Her Majesty will be thrilled to host you," Seiryu assured her.
He looked at the two in turn before smiling. "In the meantime, you two continue to talk it over. I'll send this avatar back in a few days to either get a negative answer or to finalize plans. We'll go from there at that time," he said before winking out. Bucky turned his gaze to see Phoenix was deep in thought. He waited quietly. She eventually took a breath before looking at him warily. "Are you sure you want to go? All World won't have the level of comfort you're used to. You'll be out in the elements even with the boughs of the Glade providing shelter among a herd of animals you don't know much about," she said. Bucky just smiled before taking her hands.
"I know a thing or two about roughing it, Nix. My missions as the Winter Soldier were rarely one-day missions. The longest I had been out on the field was about a week and a half…and this was before Washington DC. After I went on the run, I tried to avoid leaving a trail and often roughed it out in the wild while making my way to Bucharest. As for the herd…well, I can adapt. And your mom did say her kind is known for hospitality. That said, I'm aware they're wild animals so I will be careful. I want what's best for you and you need All World right now. Seiryu extended the invite to me of his own volition and I'm not about to pass up this opportunity. I really want to see the world you came from," he explained.
Bucky stood up and pulled Phoenix to her own. "We have time to discuss this further, but I'm committed to getting you home and coming along. Take your time thinking about what you want and need. I'll follow your lead," he assured her. Phoenix nodded silently. The White Wolf smiled a little before pulling her into a dance. She sighed contently, leaning her head to his chest. Alpine meowed loudly and she paused for a moment to scoop her up. Bucky then continued to dance with both his girls. Alpine rested her head on Phoenix's shoulder, purring contently.