[Damian]

Part way through the trip, Damian had jumped out and rode along the side on a Striker Blade, keeping an eye out for trouble the further from Magnolia they got. Bandits weren't that uncommon in Fiore, even with all the magic Guilds that had returned. Rumor had it that Blue Pegasus was trying to make a come back to their fame from one hundred years ago. Other guilds had come back, almost all of them but Fairy Tail. Made him wonder if there were any of the Fairies left in the world or if they'd all died out over the period of hiding that all mages had to go through. When Karn stopped to ask if people wanted to rest, he took the chance to get a higher view of the area they were in, waiting for Karn to get moving again.

"Nice Sasha!" He spun around in the air to get another look. He couldn't see any weak point. He suddenly had an idea. He sucked up his breath. "Below..... of the light god!" He blasted everything in his lungs towards the titan. "Anything? Sasha?" He he was looking for was where his shout had done any sort of damage, as that would be the best place to attack.

i hit enter...

Her arms wrapped around Nero his body as she closed her eyes. Her hands lightly clamped onto his body in reaction and her head softly placed against his back. The others people were to close for her taste, it made herself only feel even more insecure then normal. If they would have been out on the streets she could easily flee away in any direction but in the guild hall it would be hard to run away. Only hiding would be possible in the guild hall. Once she heard Nero talk again she removed her face, away from Neros back and stared at him almost if she was about to cry. When she heard her clothes sucked the look on her face slowly turned angry and soon she was pouting at the man "They don't suck, I made them myself stupid!" Nero was way to childish, sticking out his toungh like some little kid at her, so she did the same to him poking out her toungh while pulling one of her eyelids down with one finger. She let go of Nero with her other arm and turned her body away again, closing her eyes and folding her arms over each other feeling insulted by what he said. She however couldn't hold the act long enough before feeling nervous around the people in the guild again.

She slowly felt herself being driven towards the part of the guild were fewer people apeared to be and with Nero near her she felt relieved having someone to blok of the others. She calmed down in the corner and replied to Nero "Hehe, yea sure..." she said while giving an akward laugh averting her eyes in the progress trying to sound like she was saying the truth. Ayame didn't mind some new clothes though. It has been a while since she made these and maybe he was right that her clothes sucked. She angled her head at what he was saying at first but soon her eyes averted to her fingers that were lightly tapping against each other in front of her face. It did seem like a reasonable offer for her to fulfill. However it did sound really scary to become a penguin just like the boy. It made her quite for some time, thinking about it some more. Could it really go wrong? Or maybe she wouldn't even feel anything. The other spell seemed more reasonable then this one but she had felt like she had to earn his trust to become closer friends. It was not like Nero could keep Ayame in animal form anyway since a whole guild of goodies were sitting right near them. She kept tapping her fingers quietly listening to what else he was saying.

Her head shot up as she heard his last sentence. Ayame squaled at Nero as she heard him tell her about his succes before this "You shouldn't tell me that when you are trying to convince me helping you!" She heavily sighed dropping her upper body down a little "Fine but don't let me stay that way, I still wanna continue my life after this and not be a pet bunny for the rest of my life." She hadn't even noticed the new person having joined their conversation yet, but soon realised and could only yelp and jump behind Nero as fast as she could. Only after a few seconds she poked out her head from behind Nero looking at the suspicious new person while only displaying half her face. Ayame was quietly listening before the suspicious person was talking to her. The only thing she could stammer out was "H-hi, n-nice to meet you." Her voice was soft and gentle towards the person but she only tried to hide more after talking. She did like how the sucpisious person was looking. Her clothes were nice and the color of her hair was nothing normal. She kept staring at the person, her mouth agape without any furter saying.

Jamie allowed Ariel the time to think this through. Jamie herself was trying to think just how this was possible, a child born in Edolas, with, it seemed, an Earthland father. Just how did that happen? [color=f26522}"No, it isn't just annother town. It's a whole other world. "[/color] He spoke softly, kindly as she tried to explain it all.

"Edolas is...a world rich with its own history. If you go there, you will see parallel people of us. well. curiously, not yourself since you appear to be of both worlds. I find that really interesting" Jamie said. [color=f26522]"its a world without magic. Well, without much magic. Every world needs some magic to survive. Come inside, and I'll show you what we have on Edolas"

Jamie started inside, looking about, seeing Nero with the girl. She frowned. Jamie didn't like the fact the girl seemed attached to Nero, but couldn't see any way to stop that. He sighed, and said to Ariel "one moment. I should get her some food"

Going over to the bar, Jamie quickly put together a plate of food, and a soft drink, going over to the girl, and said softly to her, "Here you go. You know, if you stay here...we can teach you how to use your magic. How to control it" Jamie stepped back, and smiled, before looking back to Ariel.

He had already seen that Damian had gone off with those undertaking the dragon job, and sighed. Well, that was one thing sorted at least. He went to the library, and returned with a book. "This is everything we know on Edolas. It isn't much-a lot of information on magic and the likes was lost years ago"

Jamie's reaction was curious. Having some details explained a bit she still looked rather skeptical about the whole other world thing. She had mentioned something about alternate versions of themselves but seemed to doubt one existed of Ariel. Whilst thinking things over Jamie said she was going to go help the girl from earlier and get something to help explain Edolas. "Thanks, I'll wait right here I guess." Taking a seat she calmed down a bit and switched back to her water magic, changing her appearance once again.


Sitting she mulled over the prospect of being from another world. What exactly did that mean for her? How did her parents meet? For that matter how does one even get there? There were a lot of questions for Jamie, not all of them she could answer. One thing was for sure she was going to have to write home about this.

When Jamie returned she smiled lightly and took the book. "Thank you." Opening it up she read over the details. She always loved reading so it was no big deal to her. Or at least this personality loved reading. It took too much time for her other self. It looked like those from Edolas didn't have their own magic like those from Earthland. She herself could use magic, but it wasn't always that way. Perhaps it was a belated ability due to her mother? There was no was to verify that that she could think of. "This is really weird. I don't know what to think now. The anima thing is what transports people there right? Can that be done from here?" From what little details outlined in the book it looks like it was all instigated from Edolas.

As Karn came to a stop, Melina and Mithera both climbed out. Through the ride up to this point she had just been staring into space, thinking, and not saying much. Mithera was still incapable of saying anything, but had started getting antsy for a while before Karn stopped. As Melina stepped out, she spoke up so everyone who wasn't flying up into the sky could hear. "We're going to be off in the woods over there." She pointed in a general direction. "Don't bother us unless you really need to, we'll be back soon enough." Mithera went over to Karn and nuzzled his side in thanks, before turning and walking with Melina into the woods a ways, disappearing from sight quickly.

Coming to a halt as he heard movement inside the carriage, he watched as Melina and Mithera exit before the blood wizard explained where the two females of the group were going. Karn bobbed his head in a nod with a smile. "Alright be safe!" he chirped, looking to Mithera as she lightly nuzzled his side thankfully. In which he cheerfully lightly nudged his snout against the top of her head before watching the two of them go.

Deciding to use the time to rest up, he transformed back into his human form. The bit still in his mouth and the harness more loosely wrapped around his slender frame. His smooth skin had beads of sweat and the sight of him in this predicament probably could be taken the wrong way but he didn't notice or care. Stretching out his body, he grumbled a bit at the more uncomfortable clothing now clinging to his body.

Untangling himself from the harness, he spit the bit out, sticking his tongue out briefly at the leftover metal taste. The fake cat ears twitching a little before he started to just remove everything. Removing the frilly dress, the accessories and rubbing the rest of the make up off, the blonde was soon only wearing a pair of dark green shorts that reached just above his knees. Revealing his slender form, and despite it was well toned showing signs he worked out quite often, it was still quite small and skinny compared to most boys his age.

"Awe that's better!" Karn chirped happily before folding up he frilly clothes and going over to the back of the carriage and setting them inside a simple wooden chest. Didn't want good clothes to go dirty after all, they were a gift and gifts should be taken care of. Sadly he ruined those gloves but there was little to be done.

Noticing Zero and Zenoram haven't come out, he moved to the door of the carriage and gingerly knocked with his knuckles, palm facing him. "Zero-kuuuun, Zenny! You okay in there?" he called.

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 her 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. “Hey,” she said, cutting in and answering Lucas even though she hadn't been asked, “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.”

-=-=-

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. “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?” He sat back, his arms resting casually on the back of the couch. His upbeat tone regained its standard volume. “Nah, you're okay, just a little feisty. I bet you'd be a badger.” He now glanced at Ayame, still practically cowering behind him despite being sheltered in the corner of the room. “At any rate, you're badgering us,” he punned, chuckling through closed teeth, “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.”

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. “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!” Nero scrunched his face in mock concentration and lifted a dramatic finger skyward, as if struck by a eureka moment. “Let's see the shape of your soul!” 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.

As Ariel read the book, Master Jamie looked about. It looked like Trinity was looking to do something. Jamie supposed he would have to ask what the mysterious stranger had wanted, given the fact that he wasn't here, Jamie assumed he had been dealt with, for now.

Another issue that could wait.

At Ariel's question, and wasn't it curious that something seemed to be different about her?, Jamie looked back to her, sighing as he saw that Nero was working some magic on the girl.

Jamie studied Ariel for a moment, her expression blank. "Even if I had access to an Anima, or indeed knew how to work it, I wouldn't let you go to Edolas. I do not even know how the members that are there got there, although I have theories. Ariel, I know you wish to know your history. But Edolas...once our members there are back, I'm going to make sure our worlds do not touch again. Its too dangerous"

Before long Jamie gave her an ultimatum about Edolas. To be honest she wasn't that keen on traveling to another world when she didn't even understand the Anima. Closing the book slowly she looked up. "I don't really want to go there. My parents are here, Earthland is my home no matter where I came from."

Scratching her head a bit she noticed her clothes changed again. "Speaking of my parents I have several questions for them. Maybe this whole Edolas things can explain why my magic is so weird." Finally she got to the last point Jamie made which was actually kind of troubling. "What happens if the two touch? An I in danger? Am I dangerous?" She stood up and looked scared.

Amaya VanIsis

It just dawned on Amaya of Nolan's ailment. She covered her mouth holding back a laugh before managing to say "why are you scared of us girls?" She asked before turn in to floe " I don't mix well with heat and my magic is more ice then snow...but I wanna try this mission out as it will be my first"she replied with a smile before turning towards Lucus "your crush magic might be of use to be honest. I don't have a problem with it but it is Floe and Nolan's mission so they decided who goes on it" she told him while she took some of her hair running her hands through her hair.

Roseletta Yashia

"Alrighty time to get back home" rose spoke to her small daughter she held in one arm. Her free hand signed some paper work for the needed supplies of food and drinks the guild needed along with other needed supplies."ready my little sweetheart"she asked the child as. A hole opened on a wall near the supplies" alright boys put the supplies in that hole."she said letting her hired men do the work as when they were done. She entered the hole allowing it to close behind her.

A large black hole form on a wall behind the bar as boxes were pushed through. Landing a few feet from the hole as rose moved through letting her daughter down. "Hello Phoenix Wing! I'm back with supplies and goodies!" she announced expecting the normal crowd before she noticed that there was almost no one she knew" did I get my location wrong..no these must be New members that joined while I was gone" she said to herself thinking about it.

It had actually started pretty well. Karn had gotten a carriage. Damian, Melina, Mithera. They were all ready to go.

"How did... I mean... Karn...
"Don't know. Looks like he's a bit more amazing than I gave him credit for."
"Hah~ Couldn't say that outloud though could ya?"
"Oh shut it."

Still, after piling into the carriage Zero suddenly got this feeling. He got the feeling like something bad was about to happen. Like he was gravely unprepared for what was to come. But it wasn't in reference to their job. It wasn't even regarding Hemlock. "What the..." And then it hit him. The carriage started moving. His eyes widened. What the fucked was this feeling? He was suddenly so sick. He couldn't even sit up right.

"Holy shit..." Was all he could really muster out. Then about partway through, Damian hopped out. He was riding something, Zero thought, but he couldn't for the life of him see or hear what. Mostly because he was so out of it. "You... This... Fuck..." He growled and groaned as her gripped his stomach and feel to his side. He wanted to roll around. To break something. TO just make it all stop.

"Here let me..." Zenorem tried to take over. But immediately he had to stop. "Oh no..." Almost immediately he felt like throwing up. The physical condition was more than he could take.

"W-what is this?!"
"I don't know! Seriously what the fuck?!?!"

Even with Melina and Mithera there he couldn't keep himself composed. He had wanted to keep up a certain appearance in front of anyone at the guild. To Zero, weakness was not an option. But this was too much. He'd never experienced this before. Then the carriage stopped. Melina and Mithera hopped out, saying something about going to the forest... Forest? Probably... "Uuuugggggghhhh..." He groaned.

Then there was Karn's voice. "Sh-shut up..." He choked out as he felt his strength slowly beginning to return as he pushed the carriage door open, slowly. "I... What the fuck..." How many times had those three words come across his mind, or past his lips. "A-are all carriage rides like this?" This was still the tougher, more violent of the personalities. Stuttering and speaking in more of a quiet tone of voice. "No wait... Nobody seemed to feel like that..."

"WHY ONLY US?!?!
"I... I DON'T KNOW?! HEMLOCK NEVER MENTIONED IT!"

If only they could figure this all out. They needed something. Any information possible. Did Amaya know about this? Was it only them? No way. It couldn't be. Could it? Hopefully there was a way to get around this, or something. Though based on this weakened state, it was highly unlikely.

((Sorry I took so long @Burthstone, @Silver Fox, @Zarkun. But here we go. I'll try not to hold us up too much anymore.))

Location: Titan's interior head
The flames barely made a crack through the hardened earth wall that Gentsai created. Seeing as the Earth Lander already said no to his offer and decided to try and take the earth wall down, Gentsai grew the walls further up and curving together to form a harden earth dome. With a single hop, the ground beneath them quickly shifted down with the dome following from above. It only took a few seconds for the room to jerk as it stops. It was just the two, sealed away from anything outside. “Since you don’t want to leave you can stay here. This entire dome and everything around is made of harden earth, so you should be safe in here from harm’s way since nothing can get in or out except for me. But I do recommend you not use your fire to try breaking out since there is only so much oxygen in he-“

A giant tremor could be felt and Gentsai felt where it came from the moment it struck. “Sorry, but if you excuse me, I need to check on something.” Stepping back against a wall, Gentsai’s body was absorbed through the thickened earth and left to investigate where the noise came from.


Location: Titan's interior leg
The tremor could also be slightly felt at the interior leg, but it was enough for Bryght to feel where it came from. As Sayrui swung her sword, he blocked the strikes and drained some of the magic from the sword when his blade was used to block for some blows. “Sorry to leave you both again, but it would appear I’m needed elsewhere.” Bryght said, with a familiar voice. His light incased arm quickly stretched out to reach his armor for his arm that was near him. Before the armor arm portion was connected, his shining light arm slowly faded away and his actually arm could be seen, dark skin tone and a blue mark on his shoulder. Right when his armor fully locked in, he released a blinding light in front of the Sayrui and was gone.

As Bryght left the area, he noticed that the Shutler from before was nowhere to be seen.


Location: Titan's interior leg
After being punched by the amplified heat rammed into Edo by Mayt, he barely budge from his spot. But Mayt did eventually fall through his shadowy body and noticed that he was readying for another attack. “You should already be aware of this. My body isn’t sensitive to pain, mostly because I don’t feel pain, unlike yours.” From behind, Mayt’s shadow became alive and held him down where he stood while the remaining Edo Shutler’s shadow clones rushed in and tried slashing Mayt with their glaives.


Location: The Titan
The beasts that were trying to chase Sasha and Lazarus gave up once the two were out of their reach. As they intently watched Lazarus move around the titan, the beast eventually returned into the titan.
After Lazarus blasted the titan somewhere on its torso a small hall could be seen. But it was only small enough to fit a person through and was getting smaller as the titan was quickly rebuilding what was lost.

Karn blinked a little as a sickly 'shut up' was uttered before the dragonslayer opened the door and looked quite ill. Tilting his head, the blonde curiously watched his first dragonslayer friend, humming a little as Zero seemed quite ill and was confused for a moment. Confused why this was happening and attempting to figure it out. It took a few moments of thinking, before Karn chuckled a little and snapped his slender fingers.

"Oh! You must be motion sick! Ru did tell me Dragonslayers had this huge weakness of being motion sick when I wanted to know more about dragons. But I thought that was him just joking with me. He says it only happens with those with quite a lot of power. You must be a really strong Dragonslayer then!" he chirped cheerfully but gently rubbed Zero's back in a attempt to comfort him.



It was quite a nice day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, beautiful women and handsome men were wandering the streets of Magnolia. It was great. A soft humming sound could be heard as someone was walking along the roofs, jumping across gaps as they went. A very tall lean figure, crimson feline ears twitching under a red hat and a red feline tail flicking from side to side. Upper body bare with only a large red coat covering his arms and shoulders and reaching down to his knees.

The feline man hummed as his blue eyes spotted the famous Guildhall that belonged to Phoenix Wing. "Ah! Goodie! Finally made it! I suppose I should go say hello. I wonder how many glorious people are there right now? One way to find out!" he cheered before leaping down from the roof before simply bursting through the doors, having to duck under the door to avoid smacking his head against the frame.

"Helllooooooo Phoenix Wing! Prince is hear for a glorious encounter~!" he said in a sing song voice, his fangs sticking out from his upper lip as he gave a cheerful smile.

Jamie watched Ariel, studying her. "Your magics weird as you put it, because its meant to be. You will figure your magic out, over time. We will all help". As Ariel looked scared, Jamie took her hands, "No, child, you are not dangerous, nor are you in danger. You're safe here, in the guild" Jamie said kindly, "do not fear" He smiled, looking over as first Rose appeared, and then some stranger calling himself Prince

And here Jamie thought the chaos was over for the day. But She smiled, a large grin, as Rose returned, or rather, as Elyse was returned to the guild. "Do you want some candy, sweetie?" She asked brightly, and from somewhere, pulled out a handful of candy, looking over to the new stranger. "Well, you're a strange looking fella. Are you here for any reasons, besides a glorious encounter?"

(Will post as those in edolas in the collab)

"But you said if the two worlds touch would be dangerous. If my parents are really from both worlds then I'm like, a mix of both worlds. Exactly what's you're talking about." Looking rather distraught for a moment it died down quickly. This personality was not one to fear much. That was another quark of hers. While she could exhibit other emotions they were fleeting and never really lasted long from their default base.

The stranger coming in drew her attention. He was freakishly tall and had red cat ears and a tail. Really she was not sure how to react to his entrance and just kind of sat there. This place seemed to draw some funny characters.

Trinity tilted her head side to side in mock resignation. "Yeaaah, I guess... But you didn't really have a plan for the young lady's metamorphosis, did you?" From the way Nero had run out of the Inn he trashed, it was pretty easy to tell. At least, that's what he wanted it to look like, but she'd just play to it. She was pretty sure he didn't have much of a plan, "besides waiting it out, at least. Which is a terrible plan and you should be ashamed. There's no Love in it."

The young musician turned her attention, then, to the little girl hiding behind Nero. She crouched down to be closer to her eye level, and smiled warmly. "Hello, there, little one. You should come away from the creepy," she paused and looked up at Nero, grinning, "what'd you call it? A.. a Cu-raw? Like a Craw? You're weird." She looked back to Ayame, "My name's Trinity. This guy's too weird for a cute little girl like you."

Just then, another weirdo entered the guild hall, distracting the musician. "Another weirdo. Did you bring that?" She looked over to the curse magician, just in time to see him cast his spell on the girl. "Guh!"

Ayame was suprised by Jamie suddenly next to her and only jumped back a little bit out of reaction before looking at what he was holding in his hands. A plate of food was handed out to her with two pieces of bread. They were put onto each other with some cheese and ham in between. She took the plate from his hands cheerfully thanking him for his offer "Thank you!" She gave a nod at his last few words and turned around again towards Nero his back while placing the drink somewhere down on the table near them. The speed of her eating was a little faster then normal but when she was about three quarters of the bread she placed down the plate on the table and started gulping down the drink. She felt a little bad for not having eaten it all but her stomach wasn't that big either way. Meanwhile when she was distracted by the food the two of them seemed to discus something, however Ayame wasn't aware of it.

It hadn't even noticed her till now the sucpisious woman was about right in her face, while she didn't look. It scared her a little and made her take a step back almost tripping over her own feet. She blushed and hid behind Nero again, she poked the side of her head out a little only muttering and not trying to make to much eye contact "He isn't that creepy." It was more his personality that had driven her towards Nero mostly. The woman wasn't that bad but she despised everyone calling her small or little up to now. She couldn't stand it when someone would call her that, but the only thing she could do was try to kick them and that wasn't so nice to new people either. She was however a little confused for a moment when the woman started talking to Nero again. Were they talking about her or was it something else. Ayame heard the womans name, Trinity. It wasn't a name you would hear everyday but it fitted her hair color, abnormal. She stook out her small hand to the woman wanting to give a handshake to her, as she introduced herself "My name is Ayame but you can call me Aya if you want too" her voice was stamering and quite while talking to the woman. Maybe if it wasn't so busy around them it wouldn't have been as bad as this. She only just tought about it but she hasn't even said her name to Nero, Jamie or Ariel either. Well apart from Nero they would figure it out somehow.

In tought she felt Nero moving away from her a little leaving her partly unprotected. It didn't have much effect on her behaviour but she didn't get why he did that. Ayame listened to his 'soothing voice' but didn't get creeped out that much about it. She was already getting used to the behaviour of the weird man. She did feel nervous however, her hands grabbed ahold onto her skirt as she was almost shaking from all the nerves. She carefully listened at Nero and soon closed her eyes as his finger touched her face. Her body was tingling like crazy as she felt somewhat nauseous all of the sudden. She moved her arms over her stomach as she dropped with her knees to the ground. She fell sidewards and soon blacked out for only a few seconds. She opened up her eyes and looked around her. It wasn't the same like before she was low to the ground. She looked up and saw both Nero and Trinity above her as she couldn't believe that it actually worked. She didn't know what animal she was tough, it was very hard to see. The small hedgehog only tried to study her surroundings.

Fresh adrenaline rushed through Fleo, invigorating her enough to make her jump in excitement. “Great! Having you both along would be just great! A group of four, then: Lucas plus Team Powder Keg.” She was already halfway out the door before a halting revelation passed through her mind. Sporting a look of inquisition, Fleo turned back to the rest of her group, and asked, “Uh...do we tell Jamie? And how do we get to this desert? My maximum scooting distance is about twenty miles in a single sitting. I, um, tested.”

Though stymied for the moment, Fleo was filled with pride by the thought of going on her first job. Out of her three allies, one she knew precious little about, one had obliterated a perfectly normal civilian establishment only hours prior, and one -though the one she knew most about- constantly fluctuated in her sporadic opinion as most-liked and least-liked. Still, she was happy to call them teammates. While never quite in sync with others, as her time in previous guilds attested, her track record was smoothest by far when there were others around to pick up her slack.

-=-=-

“I was going to fix it before two marauding ice wizards inserted themselves,” Nero replied irritably, his full focus on the beginning of his young friend's transformation. Ayame is her name, and Aya for short he mused, wondering how he had so carelessly forgotten to ask it. Unfortunately, the dark mage was unable to keep his full attention on his handiwork for long, for the dynamic entry of two more guild members forced him to look away. One of them, a black-haired lady with a toddler in tail, looked enough like a normal mom to stand out like a sore thumb against the eccentric personas currently stationed in Phoenix Wing—a count from which good-natured Nero did not exclude himself. The other new arrival, however, Nero found himself instantly disliking. It must have been the strange man's inhuman height, his animal aspect, his -was that rubbish to be provocative?- clothes, or the grating voice in which he announced himself, or perhaps a combination of them all. Determined to not give 'Prince' any of the attention he so obviously craved, Nero returned his gaze to Ayame, and found the transformation complete.

At the sight of Ayame's new form, Nero suddenly froze, his eyes shocked into full-openness, all people instantly forgotten. Gasping sharply, he clutched at his heart with a fingers curled like claws, trying to restore his breath. “What have I created!?” he whispered in horror, “I have made something so incredibly precious that no human can behold it and live!” At this point, it was obvious that no true afflicted assaulted his heart, unless cuteness could, in fact, be fatal. He pushed himself from the couch and brought himself down to eye level with the minute hedgehog, taking in her developing spines, her snuffling nose, and stubby legs. From memory, he recited, “Prickly! Nervous! Nocturnal! Solitary! Self-anointing! And capable of lasting bonds!” He reached out a gloved hang and gingerly scooped the tiny hedgehog up, depositing her on a burgundy couch cushion. Nero's countenance held the vestige of joy, although the light in his eyes was once more hidden behind upturned lids. “This gives me a great idea for what to give you! Maybe a stiff-fibered beret, or a fluffy-fluff scarf like your underbelly!” He straightened up, reclining on the couch once more. Head tilted back, he seemed to regard the ceiling, or something beyond, if he was indeed looking at all. When he spoke next, his warm tone buzzed with contentment, and his words waxed poetic. “Atavism – to return to a former state. No matter the intricacies that men may invent to classify themselves and the world, masking the primal laws of need and desire, the essence of the wild survives in all hearts. I bear witness to the shape of your soul, wanderer Aya, and it is good.”

This final, smooth intonation marked the end of Ayame's brief stint as a hedgehog. That same obscuring fuzziness rose again, bidden by the Genie's words, and when the fragment of reality sitting beside Nero regained its sharp edges, it had regained the form of a little girl, exactly as she had been before. Nero jumped slightly, as if momentarily in a daze. “Haha, sorry,” he said, removing his broken glasses and rubbing his eyes. “I'll bet I said something silly just now, but I've gone and forgotten it. Maybe karma's catching up at last. Senility at nineteen? Come on! My hair's already almost white, isn't that enough?” He smiled, looking neither at Trinity nor Ayame, and therefore gifting it to both. “Archer girl, I do not begrudge you your suspicion. You're hardly the first to look upon these stunning features and wince, heeheehee! I'm always super-enthused to make people into animals, though! They're sooo much easier to understand. You oughta try it. Normally you'd already be some critter, but I get the feelin' Jamie won't be too happy with indiscriminate cursing. Anyway...Aya! What is your wish?”