No one but the phoenix truly honours the dragon nowadays. Once upon a time, the humans did. They didn't go to see him just because there was something they wanted from him. Sometimes his generosity saw him gift them something in return anyway, but that wasn't their purpose. Perhaps he was too generous and did this to himself. Perhaps he's the reason why the humans came to him only when they wanted something. His willingness to give paired terribly with the humans' willingness to take. And take and take. There are the occasional humans who remember what it is to truly honour Nam, but they are the exception, not the rule. And they are usually humans not yet old enough to become greedy like their elders.

Nam tips his head the other way, watching in relative silence as the bird watches him. Then he looks down at himself as though he isn't fully aware of exactly how he looks, as though every part of his appearance isn't meticulously planned and executed. "I thought there could be no better way to start the Year of the Dragon than to look my absolute best." Nam will gladly take the reason (excuse?) that Gaja so kindly gave him. Though they both know that there's far more to it than that. Far more than either of them will easily admit.

Reaching out, Nam brushes a stray strand of fiery orange hair from Gaja's face. "If it's the gift of your time and company, then I have to decline. I'm afraid I've already had more than enough," he says as the hint of a grin tugs at the corners of his mouth.