[h3][u][color=D8BFD8]Nero -=- Outside Phoenix Wing[/color][/u][/h3]


As rebutted him, Nero rolled his eyes and began to hold up fingers.  By the time that Jamie was done, her menacing advanced unacknowledged, Nero had raised six.  He held them up as proof to Jamie, saying, [color=D8BFD8]“Six insults in that speech.  Little, childish, et cetera.  I was bein' pretty gosh-darn courteous before, but if you're not pullin' punches, I don't see much of a cause to.  Except...for dearie's sake.”[/color]  When Ayame moved over to his side, all but begging Jamie to let her stay with him for a little while, Nero smirked at the guild master.  [color=D8BFD8]“Game, set, match,”[/color] he decided, ruffling Ayame's hair with a silky glove.  [color=D8BFD8]“Points for convincing her to respect your authority, though.  Look at that adorable pout!  What puzzles me is where you get off tellin' me I don't know how to do magic.  The Ell Oh Em's still in testing, sure, but it's not my only Curse Law.  Take the Ell Oh Ay, for instance, though I don't know if it would work too well on you—you're already a shrew, heheh!  At least I don't try and hide who I am, shapeshifter.”[/color]  Nero held a hand in front of his face and wiggling the figures, miming an ever-changing mask.  He then brought his cloak around, holding it in front of his face in a dramatic dracula pose.  [color=D8BFD8]“Case in point: I've got a spoiler alert for you.  Here it is: I am a dark mage!  I wield magic capable of terrible things.  But don't we all?  If all the stories are true, Phoenix Wing has such incredible magic that it leaves a trail of property damage wherever it goes!”[/color]

[color=D8BFD8]“So what's the difference between a dark mage and a normal wizard?”[/color]  Nero cupped his chin in his hands, attempting to look scholarly despite his broken glasses.  Under normal circumstances he wouldn't be getting so engaged; the steady pain in his head from performing the Law of Manifestation was affecting him.  He looked down at Ayame and winked.  [color=D8BFD8]“Don't worry, dearie.  Just sit tight while I wrap this up.”[/color]  His attention returned to Jamie, that indelible smile still present.  Ever since Ayame had come to his side, victory had been present in his tone.  [color=D8BFD8]“The difference...well, it's gotta be what people do with their gifts.  You guys work and earn money.  I grant wishes and make people happy.  That is my purpose, to think of others!”[/color]  Nero didn't feel the need to defend himself against Jamie's accusation of tricking the girl.  Though he felt that this debate needn't be continued, he clasped his hands behind his back.  [color=D8BFD8]“Now then!  I forgive you for being so mean to me.  Even if I weren't a dark mage, judging comes easy.  I'm still looking for a tanning salon, heheh, and you wouldn't believe how hard it is for me to gain weight.  I'll bet I look like a nasty old sandy-haired skeleton!  So don't feel bad about it.  You're a person too, so I want to part ways as friends, if we can.” [/color]  Nero, still a few feet away, neglected to put a hand out to shake.