[u][h3][color=C2B280]Fleo Plector – Guild Hall[/color][/h3][/u]

It didn't seem possible, after three days and given the prodigious rate at which information spread among guild members, that the Ice Dragon Slayer could remain in the dark about Nolan's condition.  Of course, it mattered little.  What truly concerned Fleo was ensuring Amaya's cooperation in her quest to take down the murderous Rogue Wizard.  [color=C2B280]“Hi there, 'Maya!”[/color]  she replied, convinced that Nolan's terrified paralysis prevented him from speaking up.  [color=C2B280]“Don't worry too much about him.  He took the whole 'cooties' business a bit seriously back in kindergarten, and us womenfolks scare the piss out of him.”[/color]  If the Ash God Slayer was still lucid, Fleo hoped that he would focus more on her prevarication rather than her jesting.  Despite the vast improvement of their relations over the morning, she instinctively knew that her partner wasn't someone she wanted to unduly upset.  [color=C2B280]“Which would make it all the funnier if you helped us out.” [/color] 

After an amused look at newly-returned Nero, Fleo crossed her dusty-bandaged arms, assuming the stance of the expositionist.  [color=C2B280]“We were thinking of taking a pretty high-level job: defeating an evil Sand Wizard who killed his guild, then fled into the desert.  Sure, two A-class mages are formidable, but it'd be even better having you by our side.  Heck, we might even make an official Phoenix Wing squad if things work out well.  'Team Powder Keg' sounds pretty cool, right?  'Cause Nolan has ash, me dust, and you snow.  What do you say?”[/color]  Noticing Lucas for the first time, and after a few seconds recognizing him as the wizard who stirred up trouble an hour or two prior, Fleo couldn't help a strain of dubiousness passing over her face.  [color=C2B280]“Uh, unless you're busy...?”[/color]

-=-=-

Bent on accosting all of Phoenix Wing with his eyes, even though they appeared to be shut tight, Nero almost straightaway noticed Trinity's carefully inquisitive stare.  More impressive to him than the girl, however, were her clothes; never before had the dark mage seen their make.  He spent all of eight seconds poring over every stitch, trying to memorize it, so that he might be able to craft garments in its likeness with his Law of Raiment.  When he was done, he gave Trinity a short wave and thanked her, seemingly for no reason, in a manner pleasant enough but without any real affectation.  Nero then suddenly remembered something important, and cast a glance back at the door several meters behind him.  It stood open, and in its doorway was framed the silhouettes of Jamie and Ariel, though Nero had eyes for only one of them.  He felt an odd urge to go speak with her, despite having absolutely nothing in mind to say.  The dark mage contented himself with smiling, an expression that made even his pallid, sharp face seem more amicable.  [i]First things first.[/i]

[color=D8BFD8]“To answer your earlier question,”[/color] he addressed Ayame softly.  While he suspected that shyness represented an inherent quality in the girl, he hated to see her scurrying around and hiding behind things.  If he could, he would have to teach her the courage to claim a most fundamental birthright: the space around her.  Right now it pressed in on her, driving her behind lampposts or legs, but in time she would be able to stand alone.  [color=D8BFD8]“Your clothes kinda suck,”[/color] Nero stated bluntly, sticking his own tongue out in retribution.  He never dropped his characteristic grin, however, giving his observation the aspect of a friend making fun rather than a foe being derogatory.  [color=D8BFD8]“My Law of Raiment can make neat clothes for any occasion.  Girls like clothes, right?”[/color]  Noticing how scared Ayame seemed to be out in the middle of the floor, Nero tried to lead her into a corner of the guild hall, where fewer people were around.  [color=D8BFD8]“If you want to earn some new duds, you'll need to satisfy my curiosity.  I've been wondering what kind of animal you are.  Right now I'm thinking rabbit, but if I use the Law of Atavism without focusing, you become the animal most like you.  It'll only last a minute, and then you'll turn back.  And trust me, this is toooootally safe.  This was the first spell I mastered—you shoulda been there to see the first time I used it!”[/color]  A second passed while Nero considered what he just said, after which he muttered, [color=D8BFD8]“In retrospect that woulda actually been really awful.”[/color]  The next instant, he brightened up again.  [color=D8BFD8]“Whaddya say?”[/color]