No Color Magic (open)

[cielo]

Zal had never liked Figaro much. Sure, he'd been born here. He thought it was beautiful. But being a human in a viera country wasn't much fun; people usually wouldn't let him play with their children, because they were stuck up and always at least a little bit racist. Or speciesist. Whatever. The point is, they figured that humans were inferior to viera, and half-viera half-humans were thus better than humans but only slightly so. Better to have a fullblooded viera child than a hybrid, right?

So, here he was, kicked out of his home, wandering the trails in the underbrush that might eventually lead to the shore. If he didn't get lost. Or eaten. Or set the forest on fire.

Well, if the latter happened, he probably wouldn't have to worry about the first. Fire had this nasty habit of burning things down. And if things burned down, they were easier to see over.

Still. He wasn't gonna burn down the forest, or if he did, it wouldn't be his fault.

"Your money or your life and then I get your money," said a stranger's voice over Zal's thoughts. He had been so immersed in thinking that he hadn't noticed a large bangaa pointing a gun at him.

"Wait," he responded, "What?"

[Zaxton Books]

Another bangaa, dressed in a human suit, wearing gladiator's armour over it, stepped behind Zal, smirking at the first, but saying nothing.

[cielo]

A judge appeared, and the first bangaa swore.

"The Laws for today are No Color Magic and No Items. Commence!"

Zal swore. Really, really loud.

[Zaxton Books]

As soon as the judge said to begin, the black-clothed bangaa rushed forward, curling his fingers around thin air. By the time he was within striking range, a sword of ice had formed, and he swung it viciously at the mugger.

Curiously, he uttered no battle cry. Unusual for most bangaa, it seemed.

Juan Adez - 100%
Ice Sword>Other Bangaa

[cielo]

Zal blinked and let the bangaa rush past him, while the other one swore again and jumped backwards, then shot at Juan.

---

Zallaurot - 100%
No Action

Joe Ugly - 100%
Fight-->Juan Adez

[Zaxton Books]

Adez was skidding across the cobblestones as the bullet bounced off of his icy blade, which incensed him, causing him to lash out against the other with deadly force. Even as his hand angled around behind him after the first strike, he caught sight of someone on the sidewalk. A moogle, dressed not unlike himself, leaning on a cane. The bangaa smirked again slightly.

See what you paid for, Sebek Vril.

The ice shattered, becoming a blade of light, which was swung back with great might.

Juan Adez - 95%
Strikeback (Counter)>Ugly
Ultima Blade>Ugly

[cielo]

Joe Ugly stumbled under the attacks, and found himself feeling very light of head. Still, in response, he shot at Juan twice.

Zal watched, and took a step back. Whoever this other bangaa was, he was dangerous.

---

Zal - 100%
No Action

Joe Ugly - 15%/Critical
Counter-->Juan Adez
Fight-->Juan Adez

[Zaxton Books]

The bangaa stumbled, the bullets finding his skin this time, both deep in the left leg. He took the "hilt" of the Ultima Blade with his other hand, the the light turned to lightning.

Meanwhile, the moogle had walked over to Zal, looking up at the human, Ah, interesting. "Mr. Adez, I've seen enough. Please dispose of this trash, kupo."
"Yesssir, Mr. Presssident!"

A lunging slash, taking the weight off of his injured leg, "Die!"

Juan Adez - 75%
Bolt Blade>Ugly

[cielo]

And, he did, in a spurt of blood and a near-silent groan. The gun clattered to the ground.

The judge blew his whistle and raised a hand. Joe Ugly came back to life, wounds mended, but now wearing handcuffs. He vanished in a flash with the judge, to Zallaurot's blinking amazement.

"What?"

[Zaxton Books]

There was a shower of sparks as the Bolt Blade died out, and the Bangaa turned slowly to face Zallurot, before moving to stand behind the moogle.

"Kupo work, Mr. Adez."
"Thank you, ssssir."
The moogle grinned, "Good Evening, kupo. My name is Sebek Vril, President of Dollet Manufacturing Concern and leader of Balamb."

[cielo]

Zal replied with "Uh. Hi. I'm Zallaurot P. Q. M. J. J. Messersch-Envera. Thanks for the help?"

He smiled sheepishly. Either the people in front of him were crazy. In which case he didn't want to get them angry. Or they were actually important. Which... y'know, you didn't want to get them angry anyways. The bangaa was armed.

[Zaxton Books]

A third voice spoke out of the air, "Mr. President?"
"What is it, Director?"
"We've found dinner reservations, if we can find one extra person."
"Kupo. Thank you, Director Kindheart."
"Yes sir."
The moogle smirked, "Hungry, Mr. Enerva?"

[cielo]

Zal, being Zal, was instantly suspicious.

"Erm, that's 'Envera', sir... but, sure?"

[Zaxton Books]

"Excellent, I've been looking for someone like you for some time."

*TIME WARP*

A rather exacerbated-seeming viera glared at Aldez as the group entered the restaurant. He was a man in chef's whites, whose white hair was pulled back into a ponytail. From the angle he was working (the restaurant had a large, open kitchen in the centre of the dining area), a scar could be faintly seen on the side of his neck.

By now, the three had been joined by two others. One was a human, the other a nu mou, both dressed entirely in white. It was the human's voice that had been speaking earlier.

"Mr. Adez, I'm afraid you'll have to leave your armour at the coat check."
"That's unacceptable."
The Nu Mou kept working away at the clipboard he was carrying, while the human rubbed the side of his head, "Mr. Adez, Chef LeCruset INSISTS that none of his guests are armed, and I already paid a large deposit on these seats."
"Don't worry about it, kupo." Sebek gave Zal a knowing glance, "I'll be fine."
"Very well, Master Vril."

Beat.

"Good evening, my name is Heinrich, welcome to Outer Haven. Do you have reservations?"
"Yes. Vril, party of five."


As the others were seated, they were served water, and hot bread, and the human finally introduced himself, "... Pleased to meet you. Dominic Kindheart."
Sebek reached his hand out, lighting the candle in the middle of the table with a flick of his wrist. The Nu Mou glanced up, stared at Zal for a moment, and turned to a blank page before continuing.

[cielo]

"Hi. I'm Zal Envera."

He took a sip of water, and found it funny inside how dirty he looked compared to the other people here. He was still wearing the same clothes since he'd gotten kicked out.