Fleo Plector -=- Jeremy's Pancakes House
Fleo was relieved to find that the moment Nolan took to place his order allowed her to settle herself and pick something from the menu. She followed up her companion's order with, “And I'll have a could of pancakes, with the tropical juice blend, please!”
“Two pancakes then. We'll have that out for you as soon as we can.” The apish garcon inclined his head hospitably in a gesture far too refined for the evident quality of Jeremy's Pancake House. Perhaps, in years prior, the gray-haired fellow had warped around a restaurant of high esteem, serving the classiest of patrons with a bowtie accentuating his tuxedo and a towel hung across his arm. A sigh escaped from Fleo's throat as she considered this. Having been at the very top of the culinary industry must make an establishment like this, as comfortable as it was, seem positively barbaric. The garcon scribbled down the orders on his notepad and abruptly vanished once more.
Not for the first time this morning, Nolan's behavior surprised her—only this time, he appeared to be striking up a conversation rather than belittling her life choices or spilling a closely-held secret. Fleo raised her eyesbrows and replied, ever-so-slightly convinced that maybe the Ash God Slayer could be a normal guy after all.
“There's been a bunch of talk about you around the guild. I'm always trying to be sociable, so a lot of chat comes me way, you see. Apparently God Slayers make quite the impression. More often discussed, however, is your...unique aversion. But hey, I'm not one to pry into what makes a person tick. My mom used to say that a lot of people, no matter how tough, were like these flowers we found out in the yard: if you poked them, trying to see what was inside, they curled up to hide themselves. You had to stand patiently by and let them open up on their own. What were they called, I wonder...Touch-me-not, or something. That's oddly appropriate for you when I think about it. Ah!”True to his word, the pancakes arrived quickly. A small pouring cup with maple syrup came with the two plates, so that every customer could add exactly as much as he or she wanted. There was also a pat of butter, a spreading knife, and of course the two drinks. Fleo sipped her juice, found it tantalizingly sweet, and gulped down half the glass before she felt satiated. After a few words to Nolan, the pair set to eating. Conversation came surprisingly easy to the two, though it didn't quite compare to conversation typically considered normal. Whatever barriers lay between the two, be it sensitivity, fear, disillusionment, or willfulness, the dusty woman and the Ash God Slayer understood one another on at least one fundamental level. After the meal had been cleared away, the subject of jobs came up courtesy of Nolan.
“Rogue magician, huh? Well, I was hoping to go on a mission dealing with the animals in the eastern forest, but a team mission sounds way more fun. And I'll be a powerhouse in the desert with all those particles at my fingertips. If this dude brought down an entire guild, though, even the master, we ought to enlist a third person to help us along.”On this they were agreed, and before long paid for their meal before departing Jeremy's Pancake House for Phoenix Wing. Though Fleo thought she caught a shining, icy glimmer a street over, she ignored it and instead focused on getting back to the guild hall in good time. A Sirocco would have been faster, of course, but obvious wisdom lay in saving her magic for the coming confrontation.
-=-=-
Nero -=- Midtown Magnolia
Now, Nero tried to maintain an optimistic outlook and treat strangers with the same hospitality and thoughtful reservation he hoped to be treated to, but this particular magician tried his patience, a teasing needle stabbing closer and closer to an over-inflated balloon. Images of raging flatulence and robed wizard constituted completely of easily-shattered porcelain danced in the dark mage's head. Wiping blood off his cheek and wincing at the pain, Nero replied as best he knew how,
“Hey buddy, penguins adore me. And I'm not great; I'm fantastic. There is no better calling than to bring unbridled joy to the masses, except maybe bringing it myself. By the way, 'subtle' is turning your liver into glass and waiting for the rest of you to die from toxin buildup.”By now, the nebulous figure was striding away, leaving an unhappy Nero in his wake. After a few moments of baleful glaring, Nero slip yet again into a better mood. He closed his eyes and smiled toothily at a very disgruntled Free
“Maybe not a textbook definition,” he admitted as if conceding a major point in a debate,
“But if dictionaries had fun stuff like that in them, people might actually read them. Oh, well!”He cast a glance back at the spot where the manticore stood frozen, and felt vindicated to see not a beast but a confused-looking woman trapped in the rapidly-melting ice.
“Time to be off,” he told Free, who squawked. Nero began to walk toward a towering structure in the near distance, which seemed all the more impressive for being under construction.
“I've heard stories of this place,” Nero began. Free consigned himself to listening grumpily, with no chance for escape in sight.
“They're even more famous than I am. I've been dying to find someone stu...brave enough to let me try out my new Curse Law on them. It's going to be so awesome! Those worrywarts over in the Onibus guild had no idea what they're missing out on. If I can get the kinks in the Ell oh Emm sorted out, I'll be able to ...well, just look!”After some frantic searching, Nero produced a rolled-up paper from a coat pocket. When unrolled, it proved to be a home-made flyer, which he held up for Free to read.
Attention, members of the renowned Phoenix Wing! it read,
I am seeking a guinea pig candidate to let me cu help me test a new hex spell I'm developing, the super cool grand Law of Manifestation! While as with any spell their there is somewhat of a risk, I know that the bravery of Phoenix Wing will assist me with this incredible magical discovery! Reward: One wish, no string attached, no jackass too-literal interpretations, no malevolence! Gold, appearance changes, and magical supplements are my jam specialty!“What do you think?” By now, the guild hall could be plainly seen. Either the lost magic user from earlier had taken a longer route, or Nero was being particularly oblivious, for he caught no glimpse of him. Free, meanwhile, tried to contain his enthusiasm.
He arrived just behind a woman in an orange coat and a tousel-headed guy with a sword. After avoiding stepping on what looked like an arrow with a tennis ball on the end, he surveyed all the people currently within the guild hall and took a deep breath.
“Hello Phoenix Wing!” he shouted, bathing the room with his smile and showing off his penguin, who made a noise reminiscent of a crushed frog.
“Have I got a job request for you lot!”Fleo Plector and Nero -=- Guild Hall
