He arrived before it opened, and got to work fixing the lights first... and he could see why the owner was so desperate for him to come and fix the lights. They were so filthy, so disgusting, that it was a miracle they hadn’t fallen to pieces already. So long neglected... this was going to take a while, even with Nero’s Garlean strength on his side. 

By the time it had opened, Nero had restored the lights in the main lobby area, and part of the section of magics of sorts. As someone incapable of magic innately, Nero, quite frankly, couldn’t give a damn what laid within-what use was it to him anyways? He nonetheless resumed his work, and was fighting to clean out a particularly stubborn bit of rust-

“Ah, there you are! At long last! None can best Nero tol Scaeva at anything!” He said to himself, delighted that he’d finally chipped the bit off... wait... he’d sent it flying... albeit unintentionally, but he’d still sent it flying...

He turned his head, still laying down on his back on some scaffolding he had been given to use, grimacing slightly when he saw that, indeed, someone had been in the trajectory path of the decently-sized, decent-velocity chunk of rust he’d just chipped off....

Only for it to be stopped midway by some sort of unseen force... well, a force that couldn’t be seen with normal eyes. However, being a pureblooded Garlean, Nero had that wonderful Third Eye, and as such, could perceive that the force was something akin to the magicks of his homeworld, but not exactly the same. He was intrigued, to say the least. 

“Please do forgive me, my good sir! There really was no other way to get this wretched rust loose, so I could actually repair the fixture... and at this point, repair means replace... but still, that was quite the little magic trick you pulled off there! I assume you are unharmed?” He sort-of apologized-he wasn’t entirely repentant, but he was curious, and that was enough to make him give some semblance of an apology. 

As he strode out into what he understood was called the Fibonacci Ward, he began surveying the area for anything to do. There was a lot of interesting and beautiful-looking stuff to mess with in this area-

Nero blinked a few times as he caught sight of an all-too-familiar... nuisance. Well, former nuisance... he supposed now their relationship was that of reluctant allies. Only getting along because they were useful to one another. He knew the brat was one of the Leveilleur twins-the grandchildren of that oh-so-annoying but long-dead Archon that had thwarted the White Raven’s attempt at conquest... although, to be fair, the plan was a bit... much. And when the truth about Dalamud was revealed, it made Nero question just how much of the scheme was truly Nael’s own will. Eikons were dangerous creatures, with their ability to enthrall being one of the many reasons as to why. 

Hm... if Nero remembered correctly, the boy’s name was Alphinaud, and, between the two of them, he was far more civil and diplomatic. And, in all likelihood, he had probably been weakened as well. Unlike his bomb-waiting-to-detonate of a sister, Alphinaud would likely be able to recognize that they were in a similar situation, and be more willing to work with the Garlean to make it out alive and well.

Nero shrugged, and sighed. No use in delaying any further, he supposed. With confidence, he strode over in the direction of the young man. 

“Good evening! I do so hope that it finds you well!” He greeted, hoping that he would be received well.

Though this place was borderline perfectly peaceful, Nero had seen a few crimes take place (and dealt with them in his own way-namely, clever traps that he set to knock them unconscious and trap them until someone else could deal with them-Nero had higher priorities, thank you very much), and though he’d never, ever confess to it, Nero did slightly worry for the boy. He knew exactly how it felt to be left to fend for one’s self, after all.

He cleared his throat loudly, in hopes of getting the boy’s attention.

“Excuse me, young man,” He began, casually striding over- “but isn’t it a bit late for you to be out here, all by yourself? Forgive me if I sound like some sort of mother hen, but the city is rather dangerous at night!” He finished.

“Really, someone has it out for this poor man... all of these lights had wires cut and casings bent... among other savage deeds... oh well, it gives me something to do, I suppose.” He mused quietly (a rarity for Nero-to be quiet, that is) as he worked. He, of course, succeeded in eventually managing to repair the broken light, and beamed when it came to life. Satisfied, he rolled off his back, and swiftly scaled down the ladder he’d been given to assist in the task.

However, upon stepping foot on the floor, he noticed that he wasn’t alone. He looked up, and blinked.

Wait, was that....

Yes, he knew that Au Ra man. One of the many Warriors of Light he’d dealt with over time. Dogen, if Nero’s memory served? It always did, so yes, that must be his name. Nero sighed in annoyance. For once in his life, he decided he did not want to be the center of attention-he had very good, paying work to do. He tried to ignore the imposing man, and resumed his work.

...What was that, on the ground?

He knelt down. It was small, and definitely something electronic. Primitive, by his standards, but he reminded himself that this wasn’t Garlemald or any of its annexed territories. In other words, magitek was not prominent here. But one thing was plain-it was damaged.

Nothing he couldn’t fix, with his genius and a few... borrowed resources! 

He picked up the small device, and went into a back alley, until he found what he wanted. A small piece of metal to use as an improvised multi-tool, and some perfectly-good circuitry to repair the damaged device from a smartphone whose screen was thoroughly broken. Really, why not at least salvage what you could? Nero’s upbringing had taught him that you always salvaged whatever you could-you never knew when it could be useful.

Oh well, it worked in his favor. He leaned back against a wall, and got to work. It was all too easy for him to repair it, and with a press of the button, he verified that the device was functioning again. He turned it back off (he still had no idea what it was, but it didn’t seem to be anything dangerous), and went to put it in his pocket. However, a series of loud barks stopped him in his tracks, and he looked over.

A half-blind dog was looking right at him, and just continuing to bark. He didn’t recognize the exact breed, but it certainly wasn’t any war hound he knew. It was more than likely someone’s pet... but why was it barking at him? 

“What do you want, you filthy creature?! Shut up already!” He demanded. It did thankfully stop, but it strode up to the hand that held the mystery device, and nudged it. Nero blanched slightly.

“No, I am not giving this to you! It is not some toy for you to chew on!” He hissed. Then, the dog began to walk away, before coming back, and nudging Nero’s hand again. That’s when it clicked for the Garlean.

“Oh! This belongs to your master! I see now! You’re just being a faithful little hound, aren’t you?” He realized. His only answer was a single bark. Nero sighed, and shrugged. He doubted the dog entirely understood him, if at all. He pushed himself off the wall, and, turned to face the dog properly. It then barked once again (why was it so loud, Nero wondered), and began to walk away.

“Not as if I have any use for this... thing... might as well return it, I suppose.” He mused softly, following behind the dog until it led him to what looked like a Midlander Hyur. A quiver on his back, and bow in hand-Nero recognized such primitive weaponry. An archer, hm? Was it some sort of device to improve his aim? It didn’t have any sort of lense, and it seemed a bit small for that purpose...

Nero watched as the dog returned to the not-Hyur, and began to attempt to get its master’s attention. Nero chuckled. How adorable.

“Excuse me, my good sir, but I found this, broken, on the ground-” He showed the device in his hand, “-and your dear little hound seems to believe it’s yours. I did fix it, whatever it is, but if you desired and if I could get my hands on the appropriate materials, I could make you a better one.” He offered. 

He set out from his little apartment (which he oh-so-hated that he had to share with others, but at the end of the day, he supposed worse things could happen-at least he wasn’t dead, and the other residents did seem to respect his personal space), clad in his self-designed armor (he was not taking any chances in a strange new environment he knew nothing about-Omega had taught him well), and set out to survey his newfound home.

It was calm. Too calm. There was no way that any place in existence that was truly this calm. Nero was on edge-

“Well, there’s something you didn’t see every day!” 

A strange figure that looked like it had escaped an Allagan laboratory of some sort, especially with... serpents for legs?! Ohhh, now Nero was intrigued to say the least! 

He picked up his pace until he got close enough to get a good look.

“What even are you, hm? An escaped experiment of Allag? I’m not entirely sure what else you could be...” He mused, surveying the interesting figure with intense concentration.