After the story's end, Nero could properly turn his eyes outward once more. He hadn't realized, despite the alteration of the events to conceal the narrative's personal aspect, he still revived those memories with respect to their significance. Trying to prevent a powerful resurgence, he took a look around at his surroundings, to let the present fill him up and shatter any chance of the past taking root. The episode between Sasha and Shujin had reached a climax, threatening to erupt into what might very well have been a vicious brawl between metal-wielding interloper and the ominously-glowing Lazarus. Nero made note that the light that smoothly emanated from Lazarus carried little of the gratifying, soothing radiance that the dark mage might expect from an angel; it simmered more with anger, and perhaps jealousy. For the first time, Nero looked at Sasha and Lazarus as a couple. Naturally. The idyllic partners, beautiful and tenacious opponents, but with a personable soft side each. Sadly, those flames of passion dulled down and the chance for bloodshed vanished. Shujin made as if he were going to leave, and as Sasha protested, Nero turned his attention elsewhere.

For a few moments now Prince had been journeying around the train carriage, and as Nero scrutinized the passengers he could conclude why. No semblance of subtlety had been practiced by either Lazarus of Shujin as they had prepared for their perilous duel, and the normal folk, wary of the wizards of Phoenix Wing or the oft-exaggerated rumors about them -whichever was worse-, had grown distressed. Contempt from Nero answered the catman's activities, for to him, they were not comforting reassurances. Either the catman was falsely trying to create the appearance of caring for others about himself, or he genuinely wanted to play the hero. Surprisingly, the second option stirred more discord with Nero, for it was the job of the parent, or simply the adult, to understand or make children understand that everything was okay, even if it wasn't. Nero, while fostering various tones of sympathy, did not approve of trying to make the world seem brighter than it was. Magic, its misuse, and its consequences were part of life, just as conflict, insecurity, and war were. To shelter fear was to stifle a remedy for it.

In his venture, however, it seemed that Prince encountered an obstacle. While admittedly Nero felt some satisfaction in seeing the catman getting whacked, he would not stoop to bestow any favor on the old cooter. Happenstance framed the movements of existence, but it did not excuse unprovoked attack when said attack meant nothing. Nero looked upon the cane-happy elder as a fool, too concerned with the outward appearance of issues and too stupid to engineer a proper solution. The problem with Prince, Nero already knew, was not who he was or what he looked like. It was all in the mind.

With that in mind, Nero returned his gaze to Trinity, though undoubtedly identifying this action would be difficult. Due to force of habit, Nero squinted a vast majority of the time, making it appear as if his eyes were always closed. “Heheh,” he tittered, and rubbed his head guiltily. “Figured it out pretty quick, huh? I keep casting it, every couple of days or so, to make sure she never gets free. She's been a doll for so long now that I bet even if she turned back, her thinker would be jelly. Sounds pretty funny, actually, a special needs abomination! Um...as for the village. I didn't stick around.” As Nero explained, careful not to divulge anything sensitive, his own reasons for leavings seemed faultier by the second. He had been so afraid of being set upon by the people he'd saved, because he expected that he'd be blamed for the girl's injuries. After all, such grievances were often his fault in truth. Why would anyone forgive, let alone celebrate, someone as creepy as he, who used such dangerous methods? “They...um, were too upset about...their losses.” A mental switch turned. Like clockwork, the genies's smile refreshed itself. The face momentarily haunted by doubt now contained only that familiar Nero joviality. “But hey, no biggie! Another day, another play, that's what matters. If I'd stuck around for fun and games, I might not ever have been able to leave. And then who'd grant wishes?”

sasha

Sasha sighed softly "I wasn't scared. I was just sad. I didn't talk to anyone, because I didn't see the point. Everyoje I cared about just kept on dying. The guild was just a place where I could work, and have a roof over my head." she said to Lazarus.

She swallowed, and looked away, disturbed at the comment about the her parents. "I don't know much myself. I'm beginning to think I disn't know anything about them at all"

That wasn't strictly true. She had a feeling that the stories at night, before she went to bed were probably the truest things her parents had ever said, wrapped in kid stuff. "there isn't much to find, because that's the way the survivers wanted it, and magic was shuned for so long"

jamie

Jamie laid a hand against Ayame's back, when the girl pressed close against him, holding her close, and shifting slightly, so both Ayame and Elyse weren't facing the battle, the wind still protecting them. She shifted, looking to Jarvis and nodding.

"come on" jamie said softly to Ayame, "up you come" he shifted, and kneeling slightly, managed to pick Ayame up as well, shifting Elyse, as Jarvis moved to the front, holding the children close, "it's going to be okay"

Penny

Penny stared at the woman, wondering, briefly, what she was flying for her. Pity. So sad, not to care. "having things, caring about them, wanting to protect does not make me weak, but rather, stronger" Penny sighed in annoyance, and narrowed her eyes "I'm tired of you."

She shifted "Phoenix Fire" this time when the fire formed, it formed in a sphere around the woman, dancing, spinning and staying close to the woman, not touching her, but hot nevertheless

The young songstress turned as she heard the sound of... some kind of conflict. It took her a moment to sort out exactly what she was seeing, but in the end she chuckled and casually turned back to the other half of her conversation. In a certain way, the old man seemed like a suitable opponent, though she was sure Prince wasn't so feeble. No one was giving speeches in the family corner, either. Alright, things were simmering down nicely. People were talking, and that's fine.

Anyway. "Well, the woman, the penguin, Ayame. All changed back with time." She gazed at the plushie as Nero reveled in how long the creature has been this way. She almost felt bad for it, considering it might not have its mental faculties anymore, but she didn't have the time to ponder it before Nero's mannerisms changed.

"I see..." Nero had fled before he could collect his proper reward? Something must have happened. He had been asking around town just before, or so he said. All things considered, any losses associated with him on his return would be... the girl? But... well, it was too late to press further, not that she felt it was her place to. But... he had saved her life in the first place, hadn't he?

"Things don't always go as planned, I suppose. Reminds me of that incident I had in Bosco. I was passing through a minor trade city when I encountered an unarmed woman, pursued by two armed men. Didn't look like guards, so I stepped in. Hehe, I stepped right into a local rebellion. Started a fight and got thrown in jail by the city guard. After the military sorted things out, they let me go, on account of the fact I was fighting the rebels anyway. Didn't pay me nothin', cheapskates." The lady huffs and crosses her arms, feigning indigence. Honestly, she had just been happy to leave the place.

Jack walked through the streets of Magnolia humming a tune to himself, his guild mark on his cheek, the fire red Dragon on his cheek standing out from the usual Phoenix Wing marks. A few of the people recognized the mark and waved at him. Jack returned the waves and even said "Good day" on occasion, his mood impossible to ruin. He stopped at a shop, reading the sign and smiling. "Hmmmm...perhaps Jamie will appreciate some good hot chocolate on this fine day. Certainly tastes better than coffee." Walking in, he browses the choices and selects the best kind, caramel chocolate, buying enough to give to Jarvis as well.

Thanking the shop owner, he continues down the street, still humming a happy tune to himself. He and Jamie had known each other for a number of years and were close friends. Every now and then they'd even pop into each other's guild hall for a surprise visit. Even as he got closer to the guild hall, the amount of magic inside didn't worry him. Phoenix Wing and Dragon Fang were both sorta rowdy and he'd walked in on his share of magical brawls before. In fact, he chuckled as he got closer. Today seemed to be especially rowdy. Stopping outside the doors to the hall, he picked up his hot chocolate from the cup holders and takes a sip before opening the doors. And what he saw both troubled him and made him angry.

Two of Phoenix Wing's guild members were fighting someone who was obviously not of the guild, with Master Jamie and Jarvis protecting a child and another guild member. Setting the hot chocolate down out of the way, his arms are enveloped in a black flame as he approaches the girl trapped in the sphere of fire. "And it was starting to be such a wonderful day too." Spreading his arms, he claps them together and sends a wave of dark flame at the girl. "Flame God's Explosive Impact!" The wave impacted the sphere, passed through it, and hit the girl inside, exploding into a brilliant, if contained, black lotus. "I see you're as busy as ever, Jamie."

@Demous@Burthstone

Things seemed to take a different, but not necessarily better turn between her two companions. Stepping over she tried to get them both to stop for a moment. "Hey hey, I'm sure she had a good reason to stay quiet. Not need to think the worst." Really, what was with this negativity? And for some reason she felt the need to dispel it, odd. This personality was much more... caring seemed to be the best word that came to mind but it could be something else. Cheerie? Whatever, she smiled and looked at Cathris to see if she was doing any better.

Lazarus

He was glad that Sasha was kind. Even though he wasn't sure if she believed Shujin or not, she couldn't let him walk away. She was too kind and fair. The important thing he had remembered still rang in the back of his head, but now probably wasn't the best of times to bring it up. It would only cause upset to a seemingly calm situation.

Shujin

"That's not true Sasha!" He sat down in their booth and looked her straight in the eye. "Some of the fairy tail members from before the fall of magic are still alive, in hiding. I managed to get that from an old clerk in the council library a few years ago. Surely... surely..." He started to get excited, and stutter, before coming back down to earth. "If we can find one of them... i'm sure they'd know more, if not everything about our parents!" He had thought this through.

Sayuri Takashi

"That's not the only possibility. Like Ariel said I'm sure she had her reasons," she looks off in the distance before frowning. She frowns slightly as if weighing a couple options before sighing, "Look just standing here we'll never find out why she left now will we? The only way to know that is to ask her. I'll help find her but there is one thing I should say," she looks Carthis in the the eye, "No matter what her reason for never returning is, regardless of how much you may not like the answer, you'll have to respect it. She is living her life. No one can make choices for her. If you try to force her to return if she doesn't want to I will fight you."

@Burthstone@t2wave

Cathris looked up from her hands as Ariel spoke, and made a little nod. "Right. Thanks." She blinked away a few tears before turning her attention to Sayuri, and looking a tad confused. "Wh-what? Do you mean that she may not... want to come back? Why not-" She shook her head, interrupting herself and stopping the circular path she was about to take. Rubbing her arms, she looked down the road both directions, noting a little magic pawn shop, but she couldn't make out the name at the angle she was at. "R-right, anyway, I really aught to be going to Phoenix Wing now, but thanks for talking with me! It was fun!" She gave them a big smile, offering her hand to both of them. "I have to go back to my guild master after I deliver my message though, but if you see her, then uh... Just wait for us to come to your guild hall alright?" She continued to smile, and hoped that she'd come across these two again in the near future.

@t2wave @Demous

sasha
Sasha just shook her head. She couldn't believe that. It had been 100 years! No one could live that long! Maybe a child, or grandchild were still alive, but not the original members. She shook her head and said softly "I not sure I even want to know. It wouldn't change anything. They'd still be dead" she said, glancing out the window as they train seemed to slow, and seeing the sign for the village.

"this is our stop" she said, glancing around for Tirnity, Nero and Prince, rising, wishing she had had more chance for a rest. She was more weary then ever, and her head had started to pound softly.

She sighed once more, gathering her resolve once more.

*~*Rose Yashia*~*

~Black Rose of the Phoenix~

Rose restrained herself from fightning as the less she uses her magic the less she will be tempted to be who she once was before elyse came into her life. She heard jacks laughter and taunts before she spoke of hurting her daughter. That was the straw that broke the camels back. " Oh, little jacqulne wants to play that game..."Rose told herself as she held out her hand "Dark Scythe" she said in a soft voice as a black scythe with a violet blade formed in her hand standing about two feet taller then she was. She twirled the scythe between her hands to get a feel of it"Its been a awhile friend..."She whispered to the Scythe before saying to everyone else. "Everyone, back off, this little parasite is mine..."
Rose bent her knees before rushing forward at jack. She used one of the chair and tables to gain some height to a jump. Towards jack "Dark Slash!"She yelled raising the scythe over her head before bringing it down with all the force she could muster as she added another spell to amplify her damage and swing range.

@Caits@YipeeXD@CirusArvennicus@Lugubrious

Prince pretty much chatted with the passengers, most seeming to warm up to him, while others were quite nervous around him due to his outward appearance. His ears did twitch if the others reacted to the old man but none really other than Mr. Voodoo watching him. That was good, they didn't seem to either care or were too wrapped up in their own conversations to pay much attention to the elder. After all, not everday one actually finds someone who knows exactly what he is. Sure, tales could be stretched a little from the truth, but stories did tend to freak people out.

Plus if everyone knew about, life would be more difficult.

It was a bit careless of these folk but the tall cat man wasn't about complain. He just wished Karn was around. Things would be so much easier. As the train stopped, he smiled to the group of passengers he had been chatting with and tipped his hat, bidding them farewell before exiting the train. Fully stretching out his tall body as he finally was released from the tight confines.

"Awe that feels better! Open space with no ear ringing!" he cheered, happy the loud shouting in the confined space was now at a end. Humans, so mean to the creature folk. Well, guess they were generally mean now that he thought of it. Then again, he probably wasn't any better.

Glancing his eye toward Sasha, he moved closer and patted her shoulder. "Perhaps you and your hubby should take nap at a inn for a little bit Mhm? It's good to get at least a little shut eye, and with that fun little ride, your probably just more tuckered out." he suggested with a cheerful smile, moving and wrapping a arm around Nero and Trinity's neck with glee.

"I'm sure we can do the investigating part." he mused before pulling away to avoid some sort of swat if any, most likely Nero.

"Awe if not, I'd be more than happy to carry you and you rest on the way my dear~" Prince said with a playful purr as he once again mildly flirted with her.

Whether he was serious or not on the flirting, he was genuinely concerned over Sasha healthy state, even though she seemed to have total disregard to other people. But, again, tired makes females cranky. At least they werent so bad though. Could be way worse.

Plus these ones were so much nicer.

For a while, as everyone attacked the ball of flame surrounding Jack, the attacks seemed to go through. Then the flames where put out by a blast of magical energy, causing the whole building to shake, and Jack stood there, relatively unharmed as she glowed with a dark grey magical energy. In the flames, she had managed to make a thin, but durable wall of mist that had blocked the other Jack's attack. Jack now had a decent cut on her left arm from Rose's attack as her expression was one of vicious glee.
"The Black Rose is back." She said, assuming a fighting stance as she drew back her magical energy, causing the glow around her to vanish" We suppose we should eliminate you first. The others are small fry. You will be most entertaining."

With that, Jack ran at Rose, closing the gap between them quickly and quickly attacking Rose with a series of deft swipes with her daggers, aiming for Rose's vitals or area's that would seriously hinder Rose if hit.

Upstairs, the shaking of the building caused Amelia to stir in her sleep and sit up. Yawning, she got out of the bed and headed out of the room, ready to tell the others to stop it since she was trying to sleep.



Joshua shrugged and followed Angelo. Even if the guy claimed to have a bad sense of direction, he at least knew the country better then he did. Not only that, but Joshua had never been to a train station before so he had no idea how they worked. Along with the fact that he was flat broke and had been planning to walk, having Angelo along would make getting to the job easier overall, assuming they didn't get lost.

once they had their tickets and where waiting for the train, Joshua laid down on a bench and relax, his katana never far from reach.

Nero listened with rapt attention as Trinity related his own anecdote. Admittedly, he loved to tell about his exploits, and a small part of him reasoned that it'd be very unprofessional, from one storyteller to another, to not pay the minstrel full heed. Unfortunately, Trinity's tale lasted almost no time at all, and held no element of the whimsical, fantastical, or exciting that got Nero's blood moving. Stories at Strychnine, rare as they were, never merely informed the listeners. Didactic was the name of the game at that academy, so all of the tales Nero heard had a twist to them, often violent and horrible, but exciting nonetheless. For better or worse, he had grown an attachment to invigorating tales. “Ah,” he responded, not exactly sure how to take Trinity's remembrance. Was he supposed to sympathize with her? “Well, I hadn't you to just open up and tell me about the time you went to jail! Any more dark secrets rummaging around in there? Who knows, you might be a dark mage, just like me!”

The train's deceleration captured his attention. “Wow!” He exclaimed, seemingly unable to keep his thoughts to himself. “That was a fast trip! Time flies when you're having fun, though, eh?” When the vehicle's journey had ended with a final jolt and cacophonous release of steam, Nero hopped to his feet, only to spin around woozily for a moment, his head spinning. “Gagh...rose too fast! Where's headache magic when you need it?” Laughing at his own display, Nero straightened himself up as much as he could muster and pursued Sasha from the train. He happened to run into Prince, who hooked an arm about Nero's shoulder. The genie's first instinct, rather stunned by this turn of events, was to freeze with eyes dangerously wide open. The second was to mutter a curse beneath his breath, giving the clingy catman a sudden but brief case of nausea, more than enough to make him vomit for a minute or so. Nero smirked, wondering if Prince would learn from this ordeal, and stepped away to avoid the smell.

A quick look around didn't reveal much about his surroundings. A nagging question resurged in his mind, and now seemed as good a time as ever to voice it. “So, what the hell are we doing? I kinda just agreed to come 'cuz I'm super useful.”



The sun—the life giver. Its incandescence made existence in earthland possible, be it warming the soil, fueling the planets, or simply revealing all to those with eyes in its splendid radiance. To Bert Cunningham, however, the sun couldn't seem more mockingly antagonistic.

“Can't...catch...me,” he gasped, heaving himself down into a sitting position upon the smoldering sand. He shielded his eyes from the sun's glare at first, but too tired were his arms to protect them for long. Those hands had done much, and even now, it hurt for Bert to look at them almost as acutely as it hurt to bask in the sun's oppressively hot glare. Sure, he hated the desert, and the heat, anything that made him sweaty and uncomfortable really, even though he was fated to be a sand wizard. But they had no alternatives. No matter how scratchy the infinite beige grains, or sweltering the heat, or slick with perspiration his brow, the desert was a paradise compared to what he knew lay elsewhere. That hateful sun was his greatest ally.

A haggard, triumphant smile appeared on his face. “Now...I'm in the middle a-nowhere. No dark. No cold. No people. No...water.” Even as he said it, Bert could not keep his face from growing pale. The memories struck at his mind like hammers on an stone block, threatening to reduce it to fragments. Ironic, he knew, to be so afraid of water that he fled into a desert, where he'd die from lack of water. But that was the best way. “Can't...get me...now,” he muttered, and bowed his head, blocking the intolerable, companion sun with the brim of his hat. Did he want to waste his water on tears? He wasn't a crying man. But after what he'd been through...?

Shujin

"I don't mean the original members Sasha... I mean fairy tail generations afterwards." He train lurched to a halt and everyone began to get off. It didn't seem like Sasha believed him still. He had other things on his mind too. "I guess this is where we say goodbye sister." He smiled as she stood up to leave. "I have erands to run elsewhere. I'm sure our paths will cross again very soon." He smiled.

Lazarus

He stretched his legs getting off of the train. Listening to Prince's suggestion, he laughed, as it was probably intended as a joke. However, it was a good idea. "You know Sasha, resting up wouldn't be a bad idea. We do need to recuperate our magic. Surely it would be sensible if we aren't under a time pressure.

"im Phoenix wing, and always will be" Sasha muttered to herself, but nodded, and said goodbye to Shujin. Only to be completely mortified at Prince's words. She blushed deeply, and looked away, down at her hands, as se squirmed slightly. She was trying to not let things like this embarrass her, but Prince just seemed to imply more then he should know. And the Lazarus backed him up, saying that rest would be good, and how could she deny that, when she was the reason he had come along, so soon after returning.

She squirmed slightly, "oh, well, um." she bit her lip, "I suppose we can go to the inn" she said, shifting slightly. After all, she didn't actually expect that there was anything dangerous here.

Still. She could worry about the others,'couldn't she? What if something happened? She didn't know what to do. Trinity couldn't be expected to watch Prince and Neeo by herself...or face anything potentially dangerous with just herself from Phoenix Wing. Sasha sighed softly, and shook her head "no. We can't. We have to the FOREVER magazine people first." she said to both Lazarus, and Nero answering his question



"why would I not be, Jackie? So many things need attention, so many things to do. And constant interruptions from people like this weirdo" they nodded to death/Jack. Jamie sighed softly, and deciding she was over this interruption, put Elyse and Ayane down, shifting in front of them, "what do you say Jackie? Shall we show this 'Rider' just what you, Jarvis and myself can do?"

Jamie smiled, and look to the children, "stay here. Ayame, would you kindly make sure that Elyse doesn't run off?" they looked over as Amelia started down the stairs, "Amelia!"



Jarvis flinched, glancing to the stairs, and cursing to himself, darted over to them. "Amelia! Go back up stairs, please!" he said, concern and worry heavy in his voice, looking back to make sure that the woman wasn't about To attack



Penny was growing more annoyed by the minute. No one could be immune or at least not that effected by every attack, and yet this woman seemed to be. It was making her frustrated, and she growled, shifting, she stalked towards the woman, and didn't even bother with a magical attack, instead, she pulled her fisted hand back, and slammed it into the woman's fsce

*~*Rose Yashia*~*

~Black Rose of the Phoenix~

"Black Rose..Is not back...She has been dead ever since what was allowed to happened...She died along with that life and she will stay dead as long as I still breath on my free will." She commented before she jumped back to a safe distance. She listened to Jack more or less insult her fellow guild members. "They are anything but small fries.. The strength of this guild crushes everything the riders could ever hope to achieve. They have something the riders will never have true loyalty. We don't take members down to rise to power like you do. We earn our spot through hard work and loyalty through this family."

Rose took a defensive stance as she focused on Jack's attacks."Dark Shield." she said calmly as her scythe changed shape to a small shield. It wasnt to cover her fully she just had to use her ears instead of her eyes avoiding most all Jack's atrack she did get a decent cut a little above her stoumach but she only got that by jumping back but not far enough it seemed. " You little, My daughter picked this shirt out for me!" She complained getting a safe distance between Jack and herself."Dark Bandage"she whispered as some of her darkness covered the bleeding cut, hiding the pain for now as last thing she needed was Elyse to see her hurt and distract her.

Rose kept an eye on jack before looking over at Jamie as she sighed, people never want to listen. She wadnt about to waste more breath to tell them for the god.knows how many time to stay out of this fight.

@Caits@YipeeXD@CirusArvennicus@Lugubrious

Prince simply chuckled at Nero's reaction, continuing to smile brightly. He did feel mildly nauseous, however it quickly disappated as he pulled out a purple rose casually with a gleeful smile. Like absolutely nothing happened. Sometimes, evil annoying spells had their perks. In a way, he would have to thank the little witch. Well, maybe silently, he rather not meet her.

"Awwwwe you're such a cute wittle Genie!" Prince purred winking before turning to Sasha.

"Awe come on, we'll behave! And there's a inn just across the the way from the FOREVER magazine. And if there is trouble, you want some rest in. I smell your magic could use some recovery. Plus I'm super speedy, I can come over and warn you if something explodes. I'm sure the beautiful Trin can handle us boys." Prince chirped as he looked at Sasha but he did start striding off toward the FOREVER magazine place, humming a soft tune as he walked backwards.

"But if your sure, there is always the carrying option." he chuckled.

@Joshua Tamashii

Angelo looked at josh as he was laying on the bench and he soon noticed the sword he was carrying which was interesting considered Angelo had never seen one like it so he decided to strike up a conversation since it would take a while for their specific train to get here so Angelo asked "so whats the story with the sword? seems important to you?" Angelo asked wondering if their was a reason or if he just liked that particular kind of sword...

"Huh? What going..." Amelia said, surprised at everyone's alarmed reactions though she didn't finish her sentence as she felt something hit her. Glancing down, she saw a lance made out of mist go into her stomach. She didn't get out another word before she coughed up some blood and started to collapse.

"One down." Jack said, smiling at her little victory as she easily dodged Penny's fist like Penny was moving in slow motion. Quick as ever, her dagger shot up, aiming for the section of flesh on the arm between the bones, that way she took no risk in breaking her daggers. At worse, Penny would dodge or try to use the injury to her advantage, not that it would work. Pulling away, she calmly sat on a nearby table with her legs crossed, a smirk on her face as mist began surrounding her again." Honestly, do you all are pathetic. How do you plan on beating us at this rate? Best wake up black rose, otherwise you daughter will be next."

Glancing over at Amelia, her smirk only widened.
"Sides, not like any of you are going to miss that freak. Just a piece of useless trash, to the point that her parents saw that and dumped her while she was young. And even the lab that took her in didn't view her as a human, which they shouldn't have. She's nothing more then a worthless object with some nice gems on her back. Maybe after we're done here, we'll take those gems from her and sell them."



"Just a last gift from my sensei. Only had it for a couple of months now, so not much a story behind it yet. Just helped me stop a couple of bandits from attacking the caravan I was traveling with to get to this country." He said with a shrug before looking at the back of his hands, studying the murder's brand on his left hand and the black Phoenix Wing stamp on his right." Doesn't mean I have none though."

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. 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.

Confident in his new knowledge, Nero blinked twice and returned Prince's smile. “Tehee! That's me, number-one genie. Is everyone little to someone who looks down on everyone, I wonder.” 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. “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!”

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.