"Hey! Let's go walk through some thick crowds! I hear there is a whole sea of people marching for rights or something like that."

"Grayson, your motives are impure. Also, go away."

The Bus moved on in its jolting journey. The school was now in view, we would be there soon. Or not, the bus pulled over early into a parking lot. What is going on now? Erin and the others stopped talking and we all looked at the bus driver as she stood up and faced the busload of kids. Erin and I went into combat mode while Grayson lazily smiled and slouched in his seat.

“Really now you must not cause trouble like this!” Lectured the bus driver, she didn’t specify who she was talking to but I felt like her eyes behind those big aviator glasses were fixed steadfastly on us. Then she reached her hand up and removed the sunglasses.

Hard blue green crystal eyes were revealed, literally. It was like massive gems occupied her eye sockets, gleaming and refracting light, it was quite beautiful. Silence fell. Before the gasps and shouts could start, the bus driver narrowed her eyes. A camera-like bright flash of light erupted from within those crystalline depths.

All the students froze, zero movement. Except for the four of us. Grayson had closed his eyes on his own and as soon as the glasses came off I covered Erin and Bill/Ted’s eyes with my hands. I didn’t need to close mine.

The bus driver grimaced and held her head, “Argh! I hate doing that! Such a nasty headache!” she complained. “Hey! You immortals should know better than to talk about that kind of stuff in public! Everybody on this school bus was riveted to your conversation. Since I’m here I can take care of it but please be more careful okay?” Hmmm? I feel sort of let down. I was excited to have a little fight but she ended up just scolding us.

“Sorry about that Sonra, we got a little carried away.” Apologized Grayson with an air of familiarity. So he knows her, I think I need to know her too.

“Yes, my apologies as well, Sonra was it? So tell me, what is a psychic with the precious gem eyes doing driving a high school bus?” That was really weird. Gem eyes are one of the most coveted items among Psychics. They boosted all abilities tremendously and gave access to deeper, more mysterious, abilities in each individual. A person with something like that had no business with a daily grind job like driving angsty teenagers around.

“I’m in hiding, like you. Now be quiet! I need to concentrate, we are going to be late as it is.” Sonra went from student to student looking each deeply in the eyes, occasionally she stopped and held her head groaning for a second before moving on. Finally she reached the back of the bus and finished, then she turned and faced us, eyes glimmering.

“I’ve manipulated their memories a little and now they will remember nothing but another normal forgettable bus ride. You're welcome. So, we have roughly another five minutes now. Let’s negotiate.” Negotiate huh? That implies the use of reason and logic. . . I’ve missed having those things around me.

“What do we have to negotiate? Do you want something from me?”

“Not really, just your silence on my presence. I also beg that you don’t do anything too crazy around here. It would be a real bother to relocate.”

“Really that's it?” Even her requests are a little lackluster…

“I can add the whole please spare my life bit if you want. But I don’t think that is really necessary? Contrary to most immortals you seem to be a decent sort.” Said Sonra.

“GYAHAHAH-“ Erin started laughing uproariously. Come on, is the idea I’m a decent person really that laughable? “-AHAHAHAHAH-“ Erin continued to laugh with little sign of stopping. She choked and chortled, it was like the happy version of ugly crying.

“”“. . . .””” The rest of us found the situation a little uncomfortable.

“Okay let’s just ignore her.” Let’s move on with negotiations. “I accept your requests Sonra on conditions of you revealing your purposes for hiding, a description of your abilities, and doing little favors for me like you did today from time to time.” You’ve always got to take care and make use of every precious resource you know.

“Fine,” said Sonra. “The hiding thing is a long story we don’t have time for. The short and simple answer is that I was born with these eyes. That should be enough to understand, right?” She said bitterly.

My eyes widened slightly. Even I’ve never met someone who naturally had gem eyes. They come along maybe once every hundred years here, and they tend to die very quickly. Anyone can use gem eyes, and as long as they aren’t broken they will keep working forever. Thus, gem eyes are usually surrounded by blood and intrigue, the first victim being traditionally their progenitor. That Sonra made it this far is nothing short of a miracle.

“... Yes, that explanation will suffice. I offer you my admiration for showing me something I’ve never seen before.” It does an old soul like me good to see something new every now and then.

“I had no idea I was that rare of a beast!” Laughed Sonra. “Anyways, I specialize in mental manipulation as you have just seen. Reading minds, changing memory, that sort of thing is all I’ve got going for me.”

“She is a pretty scary lady huh? Exceptionally rare and dangerous magic boosted by gem eyes no less. I sure wish she would join in my Link.” Grayson spoke exactly what I was thinking, minus the Link thing. He is so single minded…

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.” I love it when he gets rejected flat out like that! “We really need to leave now, the kids are going to be coming to soon. Glad to do business with you.” Sonra held out her hand for a handshake. I clasped it while Grayson looked on enviously.

“My pleasure.” It really was. Sonra walked back to the front of the bus and brought us back into traffic. All the students on the bus began chattering again, like it was any other bus ride. Sonra did a good job, she will be very useful.

I turn my attention again to Bill/Ted and Erin. Erin is still quietly chuckling to herself…. Hey if this keeps up I’ll get mad you know? Erin would probably throw a fit if I actually said that so I'll just seal the complaint in my heart. It is probably better to just leave her be for now.

Bill/Ted on the other hand looks really tired, I wonder why? “Hey you doing all right?”

“Ah, I’ll be fine. It’s not like things can get any crazier. So what if I’m in some kind of a parasitic relationship with a random guy I met once in a hotdog line? My bus driver has eyes made of glittery rock, so what? I just need to accept it and it will all be okay right? The world was always like this right? I just didn’t know it. So this is still normal. Normal.”

“That twisted logic was worthy of even me, couldn't have said it better. Well done. The hollow eyes were marvelous as well, they really contributed to the resignation feel.” I'm glad, if Bill/Ted can make it through this first shock he should be fine psychologically. I've seen many lose their sanity after having the world turned upside down on them like this.

“Ha….. I’m gonna die…..Best abs workout I’ve had in a long time.” Erin was doubled over, still taking deep breaths to help her recover from her laughing fit. Bill/Ted almost automatically took a water bottle out of his backpack and handed it to her.

“Here you go.” Erin’s eyes widened a little a bit as she accepted the water bottle, then she smiled.

“Thanks.”

This was the first time I have seen Erin smile since I first met her at the elevator. It suits her well. I looked to check on Bill/Ted’s expression, a smile like THAT would leave any adolescent boy blushing and short of breath! …. Nope, his eyes are still hollow, he must have not noticed it. That’s a shame considering how rare a sight it is. Then again, considering my thousands of years of experience, I think Bill/Ted will have plenty of opportunities to see Erin’s smile.

Stupid random little thoughts like that occupied my mind as the school bus screeched to a stop in front of the school. Wouldn’t it be nice if stupid little thoughts were all I had to worry about..

Yeah, that would be nice….. Make my job easier too.