Ojero and Anastasia made some small talk while they waited for the others to return.
The taunting noble made numerous barbed comments at Ojero, both about his family and his unkempt appearance.
In all fairness, he did look pretty roughed up after a day in the carriage.
His clothes were wrinkled and his hair was a mess. He would've looked unremarkable if not for his striking green eyes.
If he was standing up, his height might have helped, but the carriage did not have enough room for that.
Anastasia seemed incredibly perceptive, especially for someone so young. Like the rest of them, she was only sixteen, but was unusual in the fact that she was able to bond to a gem at fifteen, a fact she had bragged about.
Despite all this, Ojero couldn't find himself disliking the girl. At first, he tried to, but she was too personable for that.
Even as she insulted him, he felt compelled to help her in any way she asked.
It was an unsettling feeling, and he assumed it had to do with one of her aspects.
Eventually, Orpham and Jason returned to the bus, both of them equally shocked at Anastasia having joined them.
Orpham quickly introduced himself with a polite smile and a compliment about her hair, while Jason seemed to grow even more reclusive.
His face took on the complexion of a ripe tomato while he seemed to shrink away into the corner opposite Anastasia, leading to him sitting beside Ojero.
Orpham happily took the seat beside Anastasia, leaving enough room for Roger to sit beside him once he returned.
"So, you're joining us on our trip to the Academy?"
Orpham spoke good-naturedly, but the smile on his face and the healthy glow on his cheeks gave away his nervousness.
Ojero also noted that his eyes seemed to be glowing even brighter.
'Come to think of it, he never used the tablet Dad gave him. I wonder why he is saving it?'
The obvious answer was he didn't want to make Ojero feel even worse about not having a gem yet.
The thought warmed his heart a little and reminded him his brother did care about him.
He would have to repay him for this one day in the future, he earned that much, even though he would probably deny it if asked.
Knowing Orpham, he would wave it away as him "doing his brotherly duties." That was just the kind of sibling he was. Everything he did had everyone else in mind.
His brother was a born hero. It just radiated off him, a tangible aura of inspiration and protection. It wasn't hard to envision him leading a wave of armored knights into an incoming horde of Beasts, ready to strike them down with a glowing sword.
'I wonder what I will look like when I fight the Beasts? Will humanity view me like that, a stalwart hero? A light in the darkness?'
As much as it disappointed Ojero, he just didn't see it.
He wasn't a direct fighter, he preferred everything going to plan. A trap waiting to be sprung, jaws closing around prey.
Not quite a knife in the dark, like Roger, but almost there.
Something that would be fearful to his enemies and inspiring to his allies.
Not a hero, but a victor.
But what would it take to be a victor in every situation?
Despite his obvious attempts at flirting, Anastasia seemed to ignore Orpham for the most part, politely acknowledging his compliments while leaving the conversation one-sided.
In a weird twist of fate, a similar one-sided conversation was taking place between her and Ojero, who was too focused on thinking about the future to notice.
Making an entertaining sight, both Anastasia and Orpham were growing upset at being ignored.
'Huh, so she is still cute, even when annoying.'
Jason was as silent as the grave as all this was happening, the presence of a pretty woman seeming to have lobotomized the poor man.
A smirk appeared on his face, followed by the smell of freshly baked bread.
'This is bound to be interesting.'
Not a minute later, the carriage door opened again, and a very smug-looking Roger leaped into the carriage, a sandwich in his hands.
"You guys wouldn't believe the kinds of bread they have-"
His eyes locked onto Anastasia, who was staring at him in turn. Her mouth was slightly ajar, and Ojero saw…
'Wait, what?'
No, it was definitely true.
He saw recognition in both of them, clear as day.
"-Here…"
Roger finished, his sandwich hanging limply in his grip.
Slowly, a coy smile began to spread across his face.
"Well call me a Ravagers uncle, I haven't seen you in years, Annie! How are the parents? Still collecting pearls?"
She seemed to go through multiple stages of shock, before settling on what clearly was a forced smile.
"Roger, wasn't it? It is… interesting to see you here. I hope you have found new habits to express your unusual talents."
He flopped down next to Orpham like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Oh, you know the saying, old habits die hard. I have moved on to brighter pastures in Guestinore! I will say, I do sometimes miss my old stomping grounds."
Anastasia's smile wavered a little.
"You wouldn't happen to know where my mother's ruby gems are now, would you? I remember you promised to say if you happened to come across them."
Roger shook his head in what came across as clear disappointment.
"Sadly I have not. It was such a shame that I moved shortly after they went missing. I would have loved to help you search for them. I did appreciate everything your mother did for me, after all."
The look he gave her seemed to be genuine, but Ojero knew Roger long enough to sense the teasing hidden far beneath it.
'He is hiding things from her, but how do they even know each other?'
"I take it you two know each other already?"
That drew both of their gazes, as they responded at the same time.
"Yes, I knew him at one point."
"I guess, her family fed me a lot."
So he used to live in Riverlane, and she would give him food? Was that the full extent of things?
Giving Roger a side glance, Anastasia continued.
"My parents saw Roger in the city when we were younger, and took him in as a charity case. He lived with the servants for a few months, helping around the house in exchange for food and housing. That is until items started to disappear from the house."
The carriage began moving again, angling towards the opposite gate of the city.
"When we went to ask the servants if they knew where my mother's gemstones were, they mentioned Roger leaving the city just hours before. He brought a bag with him that no one saw him pack."
Roger yawned at that.
"Sorry about that, if I had known things were missing I would have left a note saying I didn't take them. I just felt called towards the West, you know how things are. Besides, a vagabond like me has no real home but the road."
Orpham's elbow connected with Rogers's stomach, causing him to double over in his seat.
Ojero jumped in his seat, surprised by the rapid action.
To make matters even more confusing, Jason was reaching over to grab Roger at the same time.
Fast as lightning, the rogue managed to avoid the grip by rolling towards the window, hitting both Anastasias and Ojero's legs at the same time.
His body collided with the frame beneath the window with a thud, his breath escaping him in a gasp.
Half standing up due to the size constraint, Ojero put himself between Roger and the other two.
"What the hell is wrong with you two!?" Ojero roared.
Orpham rose to meet him, his fists bawled.
"You know as well as I do that he took the gems Ojero!"
Glancing at Jason, he saw agreement in the giant's eyes.
Anastasia, finally seeming to escape the initial shock, put her hand out and rested it on Orpham's arm, drawing all four boys' gaze.
"It's okay Orpham! You don't need to attack him on my behalf! Really, it's fine! Besides, we aren't even sure he took them! Most of the servants take things now and then!"
Her words seemed to cool their anger a bit, but it was still there.
Seconds passed in tense anticipation, meanwhile the carriages rolled out of the city.
Finally calming down enough, his fists unclenched, and he exhaled deeply.
He fell onto the wooden bench heavily, his gaze locked on Roger, who was nursing his side.
Recognizing he had lost his former seat, he stayed on the floor, leaning against the wooden frame.
Anastasia and Ojero moved their legs to give him enough room to let the adrenaline leave him.
'What is up with Orpham?'
He knew he had a sense of justice, but this was getting a little extreme. He had been fine with Roger just a few days ago, but now he was getting after him whenever he could.
It was unlike him, but Ojero couldn't figure out what.
Orphams eyes suddenly widened, and he reached over to grab Anastasia, yelling at Jason at the same time.
"Grab Ojero and hold on tight!"
Jason didn't ask why and wrapped Ojero in his large arms, pulling him into his muscled chest without a question.
Before he could ask why, they felt the carriage hit a large bump and begin to roll over.