[center][h3][color=d8bfd8]Nero – Train Platform[/color][/h3][/center]

A moment passed before Nero fully comprehended the complete and utter lack of retching emanating from the lofty figure behind him.  He turned to see Prince bearing an infuriatingly mocking smile, a purple rose in his hand.  Unmoving, unblinking, and unbreathing for a moment, perhaps even with a stopped heart, Nero raced to understand what had happened.  Prince's words broke the spell, barbed patronization almost sharp enough to persuade Nero to let loose.  As badly as he wanted to reduce the catman to a slightly-less irritating statue of dirt, the genie managed to reign in his emotions.  Crucial in this action was his observation of that strangely-colored flower.  Logic, as muddled as his was, dictated that Prince's miraculous immunity to the Law of Affliction, even one so half-assed, was linked to that flower.  [i]Oh.  This dude must have a magic charm for sickness.  Or maybe it's part of a spell.  He shouldn't have flaunted it like that if he didn't want me knowing.[/i]

Confident in his new knowledge, Nero blinked twice and returned Prince's smile.  [color=d8bfd8]“Tehee!  That's me, number-one genie.  Is everyone little to someone who looks down on everyone, I wonder.”[/color]  Shutting Prince out, he brought to mind what Sasha had said.  Some vital bits seemed left out; he hadn't exactly caught her whole conversation, after all.  Was the group going to appear in a magazine?  How thoughtful!  Enthusiasm spread over Nero's face like gleeful jelly over white bread.  [color=d8bfd8]“Great idea!  A magazine cover is exactly what I need to get my image out there!  Oh man, just think of all the wishes they'll want me to grant!  I knew I'd be famous before I die, woohoo!”[/color]

The comment about being 'taken care' of truly fell short of perturbing him, however.  In fact, he found it funny that all of the Phoenix Wing goons he met decided that he needed a chaperone.  Self-sufficiency for roughly seven years made him more capable without adult supervision, did it not?  He'd have to let these people know sometime.