Ohh-kay. Zack blinks a bit. There are a lot of person-shaped people that he would still snarl at. Maybe he should start treating them the way he treats Alec? That's probably a good refinement to the rule. At least until he gets the hang of society and can make judgement calls on his own. Zack doesn't speak animal languages as such. He can read their behaviour probably better than many people. As for communing with them... that may become possible, but isn't now.

“Animals,” he shrugs, “even spirits, gonna do what they do.” He can't help a grin as the fire spirit hops into the nest with an air of delight.

In regard to manners, Alec has actually made more headway with Zack in two meetings, than Abe has in seven billion years. He'll continue to try his best. Most of the time. Nobody is perfect.

It could also be to do with the fact that the phoenix isn't something Zack is used to eating. He probably couldn't eat it if he tried. In fact, while Zack could do with more animal interaction, innocent tactility and all that, it might be hard for him to stop seeing them as a meal. So... the more decent food he gets, the less he will probably want to eat anything that crawls, slithers, flies or hops.

Heroically managing not to laugh, Zack puts his hand to his mouth, just in case he can't help himself. He knows Alec well enough to be able to spot embarrassment and doesn't want to appear as if he's mocking his friend. “How many tables did you set fire to?”