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

For a few seconds Nero silently fumed, anger coursing through his body, very much at odds with the wild smile plastered on his face.  Finally, he exclaimed, [color=D8BFD8]“For the last time, Free is going to change back in less than an hour!  None of my Curse Laws are permanent unless the target wills it."[/color]  For the first time, his tone carried with it the tone of wrath, but he made a visible effort to bite back his tongue.  He glared at Jamie, then at Free, but when he turned to see Ariel he thought he saw a brief light in her eyes: a tinge of something very undefined but very valuable.  When Nero spoke next, his tone had changed ever-so-slightly, taking on a trace of an actor not quite playing the part.  [color=D8BFD8]"I'm starting to figure out that only one thing is going to convince you that my intentions are pure!”[/color] he intoned in a strange, clipped growl.

[color=D8BFD8]“INTERNSHIP!”[/color]  He roared, his voice reverberating with energy.

In the wake of his outburst a second of stunned silence trickled forth, even the murmur of talk and drone of insects in the background.  Nero stood in a theatrical pose, locked in place, but his eyes flickered back and forth.  Finally, he could hold it no longer.  [color=D8BFD8]“Bahahahahahaha!”[/color] he guffawed, falling helplessly to his knees.  [color=D8BFD8]“Did you think I was—heeheehee--gonna fight you?  Ha!  I'm not even a C-rank combat mage.  You pulling my thumbs off and feeding me them woulda been really funny, though.  Never had thumb before, heh.  So here's the deal!  I'll take your offer of welcoming and friend-treating, back in the guild!  Not gonna try new spell anymore, sure sure.  If you like, I'll help out with jobs.  You know I don't care about money, and I can be pretty useful!  I can give magic power boosts, turn buddies into hard stuff to shrug off powerful spells -for only a second or so mind you- and on guy nicknamed me his 'living requip' back when I traveled with him cuz I'm really good at dressing people.”[/color]  Nero rose to his full height, but the hostility was gone, replaced by a surprising mellow.  [color=D8BFD8]“That sounded kinda weird, but you get the idea.  I don't wanna join your guild, but I wanna try it out.  Maybe you can too, dearie, so you don't have to choose between Jamie and me.  We can be the Goon Squad!  If you're gonna protect the world from me, 'master', you might as well have me at arm's reach.”

“So let's start over!”[/color]  Now the bespectacled boy stepped forward again, holding out his left hand.  Even for someone who didn't quite understand normal behavior, the gesture for cooperation and friendship was well-known.  [color=D8BFD8]“I, Nero LeMure, the Genie, shall prove that even someone with darkness in his heart can be a star!  I'll join my purpose with yours, like mixing chocolate and peanut butter to get something even tastier!  If you'll take a humble dark mage under your wing...your Phoenix wing, that is!  Ah, that's a good one!”[/color]