[center][h3][color=CD5700]Heisty Beardo – Frenzy Camp[/color][/h3]
[@Raijinslayer][/center]

Beardo watched Argus passively and quietly, a smile playing about his lips.  After the demon had said his piece, Beardo grunted in agreement, and held out his right hand, palm down.  From it fell a six-inch dagger, gleaming Smith Magic steel, that dissolved into silvery dust upon hitting the ground.  Evidently he'd been holding a secret weapon of his own, on the off-chance that Argus had been a foe as well.  It was clear that while Beardo didn't speak the language, he didn't need a voice to exhibit his talent for sly cunning and stealthy, underhanded gambits.  He winked at Argus and pointed toward the area that Zander had indicated earlier, which was now clear.  This meant, obviously, that he wanted to go there.  Beardo's next move was to reach out his own hand to shake that of Argus and seal the deal of the two as opponents.

[center][h3][color=c2b280]Fleo Plector – Phoenix Wing Stands[/color][/h3]
[@hatakekuro][@lmpkio[@zarkun]center]

Though Fleo offered a courteous chirp of a laugh to Enma's remark, she did not feel much more at ease.  No matter how well she got to know the oni, she grudgingly expected, she'd never get over the sense of weakness that rose from his presence.  To be this close to a being of destruction brought tinges of a primal fear inside her, and probably everyone else.  It did not do the vast majority of minds good to be constantly exposed to a brimming presence that could crush them in an instant.  As such, as Fleo looked at Enma, she was sorry to think that they would never be friends.

A familiar but unexpected voice from behind the group caused Fleo to jump.  When she turned around and spotted Nolan, she reactively began to smile, grasping into the depths of her mind for a loveable new joke or  tease.  The expression on his face, however, combined with the weight of his words, stopped her cold.  Suddenly confused and intimidated yet again, she stammered, [color=c2b280]”Uh um, I just meant that...you'd probably have friends as fierce and serious as you...?  You, uh, I mean, yikes dude, you look awful and terrifying at the same time.  Eh...Nolan?  You're scaring your friend.”[/color]  Her eyes darted to James momentarily.  As much as Fleo liked introductions, now seemed like a singularly bad time to suggest them.  Did this man have poor social skills?  Fleo smiled nervously.  Marlene might have had the right idea, just walking away.  But these people were her friends and she couldn't just leave them without checking up, right?

[center][h3][color=d8bfd8]Nero the Genie – Crocus Street[/color][/h3][/center]

It had taken a few moments for the sound to reach him: the sound of a distraught soul.  When Nero became aware of the sound of Ayame's tears running down her face, a grieving outpouring of her compassion, and of those quiet but heart-wrenching cries, he deviated from his planned path and rushed to Ayame's side.  In a whisper, [color=d8bfd8]”No no no, don't cry, especially not for me.”[/color]  He couldn't stand crying.  When it was from a normal person, it was a sign of inner weakness.  When it was someone he could be lucky enough to call a friend, it was a sign that he'd failed them.  Moving quickly, he tried to wipe away the rest of the blood, even going as far to take off his stained gloves as stuff them into his pockets, as if looking alright could make everything alright.  [color=d8bfd8]”I'm fine.  I like pain, seriously, feels good.  Don't get worked up over this, bad stuff happens.”[/color]

Then Nero watched, spellbound, as the very soil began to respond to her despair.  Even as she attacked Michael with the full force of the earthen hand in an unfortunate and badly judged move that would likely only escalate the situation, he couldn't help but smile.  A trace of darkness now wreathed the image of the sweet little girl in his mind.  [i]She's a magician after all.  Her power comes alive without her bidding when she is touched by strong feelings.  Good person, bad powers, and interesting psyche.  Why, she's a dark mage, just like Eve and I.[/i]  He reached down, and with a pale finger no longer covered by glove, gently attempted to wipe away a tear.  It was a risky move, he knew; most people wouldn't take kindly to such a personal invasion of space.  But now Nero knew why his spirit was tied to Ayame's.

Michael, however, was not done.  After miraculously and literally inexplicably escaping Ayame's attack, the form of an angel appeared next to him, and Nero got a bad feeling.  Though not demons, genies were not on the same scale of morality as those celestial emissaries.  Michael's assertions allowed him to focus elsewhere, however.  What was this about having no doubt?  Only a moment ago he'd declared that Gabriel deserved nothing.  [color=d8bfd8]”You're the nimrod here, buddy.  I never even talked about the difference.  I can't...you know what, I am so incredibly done with you.  Being jerkwads I could deal with, but you went and made Aya cry.  You're the real villains, you know.”[/color]

The next instant, a heavenly visage shimmered in front of Nero.  Panicking, he attempted to reactivate the touch-activated curse he'd used to defend himself earlier, but his concept of speed paled in comparison to a being of light's.  [color=d8bfd8]”What!?  No![/color]  His hand shot to his face as he stumbled backward.  The deep gouged had healed; only light scars remained.  [i]How can I prove that they're the bad guys now?  I can't get enraged and take drastic measures unless I'm the victim![/i]  [color=d8bfd8]”I didn't wish for that!  I don't need anyone's pity!  Come on, we're outta here!”[/color]  It was now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, past time to leave.  This time, though, he waited for Eve and Ayame to start moving with him before taking off himself.