After the graduation reception ended, Saive, Roenan, and the sparse others who completed their training in the first wave were escorted into the back of tented trucks. They were being driven out of the barracks and back toward the University to begin their scholarly phase.

As they were driving, Saive sat hunched over with his elbows on his knees, subconsciously picking at his fingernail and daydreaming. He saw Roenan's face pop into view. "What evil plan are you scheming now?" He asked.

Roenan enjoyed giving Saive shit about the fact that he couldn't control his temper and seemed to stir things up just because he could. He had been sent to the punishment chamber at the second wave of boot camp more than anyone, by far. It was well known, and the small group of Hevortian soldiers started calling him "ga yom langish" which meant "no good mischief", but they did it lightheartedly. He knew that most of his fellow prisoners of war saw anyone who wasn't a Vernajjian or their allies to be a brother-in-arms. There was a cousinly sense of comradery in them.

The one person that Saive worried about the most was Roenan. He sensed that Roenan almost swayed toward Vernajjians in a way that no prisoner of war normally would. And the Vernajjians seemed to treat him differently from any of the other prisoners in the camp. Saive had a sick feeling that they were working extra hard to brainwash him into their ideals and morals, like they were working to strip all the Jaedan that he had left out of him. Saive would try to keep him in check by reminding him of his position as a prisoner but he would get defensive when Saive tried to point it out.

———

"Just leave it, Saive." Roenan said to him one day when they were standing in front of their bunk, folding their uniforms. Saive had been in a particularly sour mood when he had chosen to bring it up.

"I'm not brainwashed and you're a dick." Roenan added. He was speaking in Jaedan, to Saive's great relief. It was a rarity.

Saive had only just been released from the punishment chamber a few hours prior after having been sent in there for attacking a drill sergeant. They chose to punish him with an electricity method which had been very unpleasant.

"Don't you realize they've been working at you since you got here?" He snapped. "Drakke was a fucking plant. Get it through your head already!" He gestured by tapping two fingers against his temple. "He was there to start the entire process on you. They took advantage of you at your weakest and you quickly gave in like the idiot you are." Saive snapped.

Saive watched Roenan's expression twist into a mix of annoyance and anger. "You know what, Saive? Fuck off. I don't even know why I bother wasting my time talking to you. You're actually the most unpleasant bastard I've ever met."

Saive felt anger burn through his body and he pressed lips into a straight line and he felt his nostrils flare. He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it.

"Go ahead, say it. Get it off your chest before you drive yourself insane again and I have to revive of your ascension." Saive had Roenan sprawled out on the floor before Roenan knew what hit him. He shook his hand out, knuckles stinging from the punch, as he watched Roenan sit up and work his jaw. Probably checking to see if it was still attached to his skull.

"I know Drakke more that you can even fathom!" Saive yelled down at him in Jaedan since everyone in the dorm was now staring at him. "He is a fucking war criminal! He is capable of some seriously sick shit! And just because he throws on a charming little smile and talks a charming little game, you'd eat shit out of the palm of his fucking hand if he asked you to!" Saive turned to pace away and ran his hands over his face and through his hair, before letting out a pent up yell and violently kicking at the nearest chair, sending it clattering away.

Saive glanced back and saw that Roenan was on his back, holding himself up on his elbows, and staring after him with wide-eyes. Saive straightened himself up and strode forward, flinging the door open forcefully enough that it hit the building with a slam before swinging back to shut. He heard a few muffled oohs, aahs, and whistles from the other guys in the bunks behind the closed door as he worked to slow his breaths. Then he walked down the steps to hopefully find something or someone else to hit.

———

But at this moment in the tented truck, somehow Roenan was still there, looking up at Saive with a small, friendly smile.

Saive sighed. "I'm not scheming."

"Mhmm." Reonan sat back against the bed of the truck. "I'm sure you're not."

"I was thinking about you." Saive said abruptly.

"Down boy!" Roenan smirked. "I already gave you the chance to snuggle the other night. That tide has passed!"

Saive stared at him, un-humored.

"Seriously. Once we're at the university I won't be able to keep tabs on you. Remember where you come from, despite what anyone else tries to make you think."

Reonan stared at him in silence.

"Remember your own promise to get back to Jaeda."

Roenan looked down and Saive assumed it was to look away from his eyes. "I do remember."

"I hope that's true." Saive said quietly.

They didn't speak for the rest of the ride. The trucks finally pulled up in front of the University. They had each been given an identification card that would allow them to get into their classrooms and dorm rooms. They were also given a card that had their dorm building and dorm room number on them as well as which bed they were assigned to.

They gathered their bags and hopped out of the truck. Saive looked down at his card and it read:

Tower 3

Room 515

Bed 5

He showed it to Roenan. Roenan grabbed his own card from his pocket. He had't even looked at it yet and let his eyes scan the information before showing it to Saive.

Tower 3

Room 415

Bed 4

"Better be light on your feet. I'll want to sleep in sometimes." Roenan said.

Saive smirked at that.

"You going to miss being roomies with me?" Roenan asked.

Saive smirked wider and shook his head, "I've never felt more relief in my life than I just did after I read your card." He said before he broke out in a quiet laughter.

"How dare you!" Roenan shot back in mock anger before laughing too.

"Well...," Saive said as he bent down and grabbed his bag's strap before shouldering it. "Let's head to the tower."

Roenan hesitated. "Go ahead without me. There's something I need to do before I turn in."

Saive narrowed his eyes in an accusatory stare for a moment before letting his face fall neutrally again. He knew there was nothing he could do or say to dissuade Roenan from anything he chose to do. He was actually a pretty stubborn guy and Saive would just be wasting his precious energy. "Until next time, then." Saive said, tinged with annoyance.

"I'll see you soon." Roenan said, earnestly.

Saive nodded and turned around to walk toward his tower. He didn't want to spare a last glance at Roenan. He'd only feel disappointment again.