Francis had made a tactical retreat due to what just happened, so the two were left to ride the car in peace. Or so they thought. The air was tense when they entered, and no one spoke. They simply put on their seat belts, and Nico started the vehicle. No one even turned on the radio, so

After Francis, Ben got to talk to some of his other classmates who eventually sat on the chairs near him. He might have been shy at first, but as he got into the conversation, he soon felt at home. Nico, on the other hand… He simply stayed in one of the seats in the back. After a

The rich smell of coffee wafted in the air and mingled with the scent of books and paper as the ever-capable John brought the warm beverage into the study. He had included sugar as well as milk on the tray, in case any of them felt up to it. “Thanks man, you’re a lifesaver,” said Nico as he gestured to the butler to lay the tray down on one of the tables that didn’t have their computers. 

“There you are, Joseph. I am surprised that I haven’t tried this method before.” Back when Ben was suffering from the coffee, John had anticipated that the young master and his friend would need water, but he thought that this other event was more important. It turned out that while Joseph could travel through shadows, it didn’t quite mean that he was undetectable.

Ben knew it was too late to talk to his parents about what just happened right now, so he tried to go to sleep instead. He managed to eventually, but it took him a while as his mind couldn’t help but go back to everything. He had surprisingly taken things in stride earlier, but that was more of him not being able process everything yet than actually being emotionally ‘strong’. Not that he thought of himself as the latter.