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


Nero clapped his hands excitedly, lofting them beside his head with the flair of a tango dancer or stage director. [color=D8BFD8] “A solid yes!  This is going to be so cool.  I've always wanted to see what real guilds are like, more or less.  The Southern Wolves couldn't have been less interesting.  All body, those mercenaries—no magic.”[/color]  He swished backward a respectful distance from Ayame, whose continued use of the dark mage as impromptu shelter heartily endeared her to him, and descended into a squat so that he might see the girl at eye level.  [color=D8BFD8]“Don't get too worked up about the wish.  I promise we'll fulfill our deal eventually, after I take enough color from melons and stability from tables to make sure that the Law of Manifestation is completely safe.  What Jamie said about wishes is kinda true.  Having someone around who can instantly fulfill a desire of yours is great and all, but real miracles are beyond me.  That stuff is up to you.  In the mean time, if you want new clothes or something, I can craft some for you with my Law of Raiment.  Something darling and unassuming to match your demeanor!  In exchange, I'd be willing to let you try out my Law of Atavism.  It's the one I'm best at, and if I'm trying, there's no way whatsoever it can go wrong.  Unless you're a really horrible kid—perish the thought!”[/color]

Not waiting for Jamie to jump down his throat again, Nero swooced right into the guild proper.  For the second time that hour, he threw apart his arms and cheered, [color=D8BFD8]“Hello Phoenix Wing!  Say hello to your new intern!  I'm completely reformed, no longer looking for volunteers for new magic!”[/color]  He winked, and in the process of doing so barely avoided stumbled into Amaya from behind.  This act went quickly forgotten, however, when he beheld Nolan cowering on the ground.  What an absolutely uproarious act!  He affixed Ayame with his gaze and smiled widely, hoping to get her to join in.

-=-

Fleo, meanwhile, found her companion's antics more irksome than entertaining.  Though he hadn't said it aloud, Nolan made obvious his contemptuous disbelief that nobody in the high-profile Phoenix Wing would think such a big-time job as theirs worthy of attention, and this sentiment the dusty woman shared.  In boredom she let her gaze wander over the interior of the guild hall, seeking out anyone that might be free enough to ask, leaving the Ash God Slayer to conquer his fears and deal with the terrifying ice-cream lover now menacing him.  As she looked, Fleo recalled a certain face, or rather, the lack thereof; for what seemed like several days now, except at the stunt with Karn's cake in the morning's dewy, early hours, the frenetic boy nicknamed Candy had been queerly absent.  Could he have gone off somewhere, leaving his new guildmates alone?  

Of course, the notion hurt the guild more in principle than actual strategic value, but Damian hadn't been kidding when he compared Phoenix Wing to a family two days prior.  Even if Fleo didn't connect with a vast majority of the guild members, with the sole exception of young Felix -who, by the way, she had yet to observe since his sojourn to Jeremy's Pancake House-, partaking in guild life created a sort of familial expectation.  If a person let it down, it hurt in a fashion startlingly similar to a parent's disapproval.

Fleo snapped her attention back to Nero.  Given his previous antics, she hadn't expected to see him again.  Perhaps, in a guild full of occupied members, the stranger of the group would be the one to bail her out?  Still, she held out some hope for Amaya, providing Nolan could overcome his paralysis enough to ask her for assistance.