[center][h3][i]XV[/i][/h3]
[@Joshua Tamashii][@Burthstone][/center]

Still quiet and unassuming, the stranger cocked his head.  The sandtrap had been a smart move from the sharpshooter on high.  Right about now, the hooded girl looked to be in dire straits.  If his twinkling eyes could be trusted, she was not only ensnared and exhausted, but bleeding.  Moreover, she was barely putting forward any effort to make this one-sided engagement into a fight.  [i]I must have missed something far more interesting a little while ago to have Luna Cathris in such a state.[/i]  As he watched, two more magic bullets rained down on the Iron Enigma mage's position, creating a veritable maelstrom of burning sand.  He wondered how hot the fire was.  Any being knowledgeable of natural phenomena knew that heat upwards of 1,800 degrees Celsius would be able to create a crude sort of glass.  That sight, he thought, would make coming here slightly worth it.

Unsurprised that neither had seen him, as he did not want to be found, he raised his hand as if he were holding a wineglass.  Between his pitch-black, clawlike fingers a rose formed, one with orange petals.  Keeping a vigilant eye on the proceeding, he popped the flower into his mouth and chowed down.

[center][h3][color=d8bfd8]Nero the Genie – Dragon Fang Hotel[/color][/h3]
[@Caits][@Invisible Man][/center]

Nero found his reverie interrupted by a newcomer, a guy he'd never seen before.  Just the sight of him intruding into what the genie had deemed a private respite irritated him, but hearing Gabriel comment about his cursing the bird -conveniently ignoring the fact that he'd also restored it- and calling him crazy struck a nerve.  The dark mage smiled dangerously and threw his hands onto the ground.  Instantly, the ground around him began to change, rippling outward like a wave: grass turned to stone.  This edifying tide stopped just short of the interloper, and Nero's eyes glinted beneath his glasses with reflected sunlight.  [color=d8bfd8]”Get lost, nosy dude.  I'm in a scapegoat-making sort of mood.”[/color]

That mood changed completely a moment later, however, when Eve appeared.  A whole new mixture of emotions surged through Nero's being.  Just as he'd hoped, the connection between him and Eve, not of arguments or charges or whatever the Time Lord professed, but of hearts and understanding, had won out.  Eve was on his side, and suddenly, Nero was on top of the world.  He pushed himself to his feet, a vital energy returning to his limbs and face while the remaining hostility there drained.  If Gabriel hadn't already decided he'd be better off minding his own business, the dark mage would be pretending as if he never existed.  Instead, he approached Eve, feeling vindicated.  Naturally, she must have come out her for concern for him.  [color=d8bfd8]”Hey there, E.  Thanks for checkin' on me.  I shouldn't have rushed out like that.  I'm not really mad, y'know, just tryin' to figure that time guy out.  He's really got it in for me.”[/color]  He took her hand in his and squeezed once, to let her know he was okay.  A new thought came into his head, and an adequate topic changer.  [color=d8bfd8]”Hey, I haven't heard you talk at all today.  Is everything normal?”[/color]