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

Feeling sheepish, Fleo tried her best to shoot Nero an apologetic smile.  While it hadn't stopped her this time, she felt bad making fun of Nolan's condition.  On top of his moodiness, it just seemed wrong to pull his leg over something that couldn't be helped.  She resolved to stop doing so in the future; after all, what if Nolan decided to pay her back by mentioning her secret or -heaven forbid- make fun of [i]her[/i] about it.

The dusty woman rubbed and adjusted her headrag uncomfortably.  Amaya was taking a few seconds too long to answer, and it made her seem very reluctant.  As a bit of good news, however, the boy in blue Lucas announced his own interest in helping on the job as well.  [color=C2B280]“Hey,”[/color] she said, cutting in and answering Lucas even though she hadn't been asked, [color=C2B280]“As far as I'm concerned you're welcome to come with us!  Plus, since you're not an official member yet, you don't get a share of the reward, haha!  Just kidding.  I think.”[/color]

-=-=-

When Trinity arrived, Nero blinked in confusion.  Either his focus had been so entirely on Ayame that he had expected nobody else to disturb them, or he had totally forgotten the archer girl in the few short moments they had been separated.  Her words, fortunately, gave him a course to pursue.  Out of all the things he had ever been called upon to explain, his actions were among the easiest.  Honestly, he couldn't for the life of him understand why nobody else saw things his way all the time.

He inclined his head toward Trinity as if sharing a secret.  With Ayame behind him, he knew it would be difficult for her to hear.  [color=D8BFD8]“It's actually pretty easy to predict.  If a person is sweet, unassuming, and flighty, a good guess is a rabbit.  If a person is full of rage, prickly, and stuffed with resentment, a good guess is a manticore.  Bad people become monsters.  D'you think you would, if I tried it on you?”[/color]  He sat back, his arms resting casually on the back of the couch.  His upbeat tone regained its standard volume. [color=D8BFD8] “Nah, you're okay, just a little feisty.  I bet you'd be a badger.”[/color]  He now glanced at Ayame, still practically cowering behind him despite being sheltered in the corner of the room.  [color=D8BFD8]“At any rate, you're badgering us,”[/color] he punned, chuckling through closed teeth, [color=D8BFD8]“Li'l dearie here's a lot like me: we both work better with only one person at a time.  Anyway, we're just about to get the show started.”[/color]

Nero scooted away from Ayame slightly, edging closer to Trinity. [color=D8BFD8]“Don't be afraid, dearie,” he told the girl in what he hoped was a soothing tone.  It had been some time since he had practiced his soothing tone.  [color=D8BFD8]“You're not going to be a rabbit for anything more than a minute.  Actually, you won't be anything for more than a minute, I just thought rabbit was fitting.  Who knows?  You might be a vinegaroon, like me.  Tehee!  That was my guess for me, anyway.  None of my cur...Laws work on me.  Vinegaroons are these awesome little bugs, by the way.  If you ever meet one, tell it I said 'hi'.  Alright, here goes!”[/color]  Nero scrunched his face in mock concentration and lifted a dramatic finger skyward, as if struck by a eureka moment.  [color=D8BFD8]“Let's see the shape of your soul!”[/color]  He giggled in a strange version of his voice that hummed with power, and gently poked Ayame between the eyes with his outstretched finger.  For a second nothing happened, but the little girl's form became indistinct, as if clothed in a veil of mist, and she she changed.