Gaja knew he was indoors. Bathroom, specifically. A very safe place for a phoenix to burn as long as the shower curtain and towels were tucked away. So someone brought him inside. Probably this pretty fellow sitting beside him, helping him preen the ash from his feathers. That gesture felt like trust. If this being wanted to do him harm, he could've done so already.

He chittered quietly, occasionally clacking his bill to express his gratitude. For some reason, Gaja knew he needed to be quiet. That memory remained. As well as the vague sense that he could, in fact, trust Cian. That animal instinct was always strong when he was first reborn. Normally, he wouldn't let anyone this close to him in this shape, let alone allow them to touch him.

After a few minutes of trying to get the ash off his plumage without shaking it out indoors, he let out an audible huff and stretched forward to nuzzle his bill against Cian's cheek.