Jairo turned, inwardly rubbing his hands together. 'How are these prospects looking?'
Most of the boys were same old same old, but a few were not as afraid. There were a few stalwart looking boys among them that Were either already making their own groups, or being recruited.
It was best to make himself known as someone of value before getting left with a disposable ally.
"I guess a better make myself know among them. Starting a group is a second option. '
He walked through a few of the boys, trying to make himself seem bigger and more noticeable in the crowd. A few heads turned his way, and just as he was about to make a request himself, he felt a hand placed on his shoulder from behind.
He turned around to see a werewolf who looked more like a giant fox. His fur had the patterns of a mix of orange and dark red.
He had a confident grin, and the hair on his neck seemed to be extra weird, more spiky looking.
His eyes held a look of confidence that could not be faked, and he had a grin to match it.
"You're the only one here with a sword. You well known in our villiage?"
Jairo turned around at the uncommon looking man and shook his head. "I simply met a kind ally. He was a bit generous."
'Gods Nero what are you doing now?'
The boy pressed on. "You're lying. Only rich boys have swords. or good soldiers. Which are you?"
Jairo honestly thought about claiming the soldier part. Maybe it would make him seem more intimidating. But on second thought the move was quickly discarded.
'It would only put a bigger target on my back. Besides. They guy is nobody for me to explain anything to.'
Jairo shrugged his shoulders. "Believe what you will. It does not affect me. That is if it was all you wished to see me for?" Jairo said raising his eyebrows.
The boy shrugged his shoulders. "You've got a sword, you can probably fight, even a little. Would You wish to join me before I get picked by someone else?"
Jairo turned and saw that time had not stopped while he was conversing. All of the obvious picks to have on your team we're being spoken to, or had already found duos. They proudly stood beside whoever was going to be on their team.
Everyone else besides the boy he was talking to all looked a bit hopeless. Maybe he wasn't seeing the potential now, but people died before reaching their potential all the time. He needed results now if he wanted to succeed.
So their wasn't much of a choice in this pick.
Jairo looked at the boy and nodded. "My name is Jairo. Yours?"
"Theon."
Jairo nodded. "It's nice to meet you Theon. I hope we do well together." He said raising his hand.
Theon grabbed it. "Likewise."
For a few more minutes the selection process continued until there were no available options.
All but one at least. While others had grouped up, there was a boy on the outskirts of the group. He was frail with matted hair in parts of his torso and shoulder areas, and he had a gaze that made it seem like he was in another place entirely.
Like he wasn't focused on the present.
"What happened to him?" Jairo turned to ask Theon who shrugged his shoulders, yet kept being obvious when looking at the boy.
'Should I say something?'
This was a bit unfair. Maybe the boy needed some more time to absorb things and realize where he was. maybe it hadn't his him yet.
It felt so evil seeing someone who needs help and being a bystander. But like hell if he was going to start off bad while being in a fight for his life. It was sink or swim, but this just seemed brutal.
'Im not be the one who gets embarrassed for speaking up and having to do extra work.'
Pick the next guy.
Being a hero didn't go too well last time. Now was not the time to jump the gun. He may be to frail to keep up and end up dragging the whole team down.
Emory came back from his tent, seeing that only one boy was left. Got a good look at him. "This is the only boy left, so I'll make an exception: who ever takes him will be the only group allowed to have three members."
Yet everyone remained silent. So did he.
'I have people to get back to. Can't have anyone slowing us down. I still wish you the best.'
"Were available for the boy. Let him Join our team."
Jairo nearly snapped his neck the way he looked to the side in shock? Did he just team up with the biggest dumbass known to man?
Was it truly too late to request a team change?
Theon had spoken loudly enough so that even Emory could hear them. Looking at the boy, as worse off as he was, he didn't give it much thought.
"Of course, take him."
With that, the young boy Marched over to their group. Jairo waved his hand. "Hello there. What's your name?"
"Gabriel." He replied, giving a detached look.
'What the hell is up with him?'
"I'm jairo, and that is Theon." He said pointing to the boy with a grin on his face. "We're gonna do our best to make it back home with you."
'I feel like such a shithead right now.'
A quick clap had brought everyone's attention back to Emory. "All of you will begin by searching the nearby bushes for food, as I know you are likely hungry by now. Be sure to grab plenty of wood on your way back to us."
With that he turned around. "You're testing begins now."