Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a magical bird with plumage of fire. This firebird was both a blessing and harbinger of doom to its captor…

"I'm burning up, burning up for your love," Galvin Keegan sang along with Madonna as he vacuumed his apartment. He was giddier than he'd been in years, grinding his hips as he pushed the Hoover over the carpet, and Simon was to blame for that.
Galvin met Simon at a party the weekend before, and since then they'd already had two successful dates. The first went so well, Galvin brought Simon flowers on the second. And for date number three, Galvin offered to cook dinner.
Galvin had had many false hopes when it came to relationships, but he felt differently about Simon. This could be the one.
Gavin lit the candles and waited for his love to arrive.

The firebird loved flying though the night sky, illuminating the darkest places in the land. She had so much fire within her, she wanted to share it with as many as she could…

Galvin turned off the light and pulled his blankets over him. He told himself he would not cry himself to sleep tonight. He'd been sobbing into his pillows ever since that Sunday morning Simon told him he no feelings for him.
It came out of the blue. For the past six months, Simon called him everyday, spent every weekend with him and even told him he loved him.
"I mistook lust for love," Simon tried to explain. "But you did all the right things: the gifts, the dinners, the poetry. But I'm just not ready for a boyfriend."

The Tsar had seen the firebird perched on a branch of his favorite apple tree, eating his treasured fruit. Her eyes sparkled like crystals, her wings alight with golden flame. The Tsar had to have her to light his castle…

Galvin sat alone in his apartment most Saturday nights and watched old movies on the Turner Classic Movie station. The melodramatic stories of lovers who surpass multiple obstacles to live happily ever after made Galvin's heart soar. Oh, how he wished he had somebody there to snuggle with him.
It was time to get back out there and start searching for Mr. Right.

The Tsar sent his son, Prince Ivan, to far off lands to capture the firebird. After overcoming great difficulties, Prince Ivan returned to the castle and offered the Tsar the firebird, ensnared in a golden cage…

It was a year of bad dates, flakey men and awkward sexual relations. None of these men were worthy of flowers or a home cooked meal. He didn't even want to spend the night with them.
Galvin decided to focus on his friends and his work. He got a great promotion and was able to buy a beautiful house in the suburbs. He entertained his friends most weekends, but still found himself waking up alone every morning.
He knew he was blessed with so many good things, but he still wanted somebody special to share it all with. Somebody to spoil with his romantic nature.

The firebird longed to be free, to once again fill the darkest places in the lands with light, but she could not. All she could do was sit in her cage and light the four walls of that castle around her. Hoping someday, that some kind soul would unlock her door and allow her to soar.