"Would you like to help me with something?"
Pip smiled as he spoke to the hoo-hoo beside him on the kitchen counter. It didn't look back up at him; the young firebird was far more interested in the flames sprouting from Pip's wand as he heated the kettle over the oven to make a pot of tea. Sera's kettle, of course, for a pinch of Sera's tea. She had kindly opened her home to him for a place to stay while he conducted Joash Dragomirov's investigation--- which was generous, helpful when he would rather not disrupt his father or sister with coming home at strange hours and leaving before breakfast, especially when it had been a while since they saw him.
But what was not good was how it seemed that since searching Dragomirov's flat in East Berlin, Sera seemed... different. If he had to, Pip would even go as far to say that it felt like she had lost a bit of her fire. Why was that? He did not remember Serafina Proudfoot to be one that enjoyed staying put, staying inside as if nothing interested her.
After two very interesting and informative weeks of interviewing, researching, and putting together the tangled web Joash had created, Pip thought he had an idea about what was going on. Maybe. Their little fire friend would confirm or do away with the lingering uncertainties within him, he was sure. When the kettle went off, Pip poured two cups, dropped a teabag in each, and collected the bird by placing him in the crook of his elbow. He walked out to join Sera on the porch, not announcing his arrival and speaking suddenly as if he had stepped away from conversation for only a brief moment.
"I am waking up Joash Dragomirov tomorrow," Pip said, as easy as if he were announcing his weekend plans. He handed Sera her cup of tea and gently placed the hoo-hoo in her lap. When settled and sleepy, hoo-hoos made for excellent lap heaters, better than any warming charm. He sat in the seat beside Sera, blowing over his mug to cool the tea within.
"Would you like to be there when I talk to him?" he asked.