Her words weren't something new to Ocieros. But Carmine's harsh words never ceased to piss him off. She blamed Neris for everything that had happened. For Joed, the family's being ostracized. Joed's failure as a man were due to his own weak will, the fact that he'd rather bury his worries in the bottom of a bottle. There was a time before, he remembered who Joed used to be. Just a normal man by all account, but a decent one. And for Carmine to attempt to blame Neris, a mere child, it was disgraceful. The entire family seemed to blame Neris. Joed used her as an excuse to drink, to waste away chasing harlots and cheap whiskeys. Even before it all, Carmine hadn't needed a reason to gripe about anything that was even the tiniest inconvenience to her. Now a days though, Ocieros wondered if she'd even be trading for some livestock.<br/><br/>"Nothing you need to worry yourself with Issi. Just Carmine trying to think, as usual." A small smile arose one his lips as he could hear Carmine huffing and fuming as she listened through the sheets. "We both know the only reason she's still here is because everyone thinks she's too crude to make a wife." The slamming of the door as she continued to throw her fit was enough to get him to laugh as they sat listening. The roast was juicy, a nice change from the dribble they usually had to eat. He'd have to make sure to thank old grey beard when he got the chance. The old man knew about their reputation, yet was the first one to take Ocieros in after the war. To be honest, even with the small amounts of concern and attention he would give to Ocieros' family, just for being of his own blood, made him a better father than Joed had been.<br/><br/>His smile faded a little as he thought back to Neris, and how her life had gone. No one ever looked out for her, or went out of their way to even notice her. What little praise and fortune they'd received had been due to his status at war, and now as a blacksmith working for the Church. Although he tried his best to keep her fed, it was hard not to notice how tiny she was compared to other girls her age, even Carmine at this age had started blossoming into a woman. Well, physically at least. Neris' skin was pale, her frame more petite. Although he wasn't entirely sure he'd be one to know, but she hadn't told him that she'd started bleeding, so there wasn't any way for him to know if she was growing right. The holy men costed more money and faith than he was able to offer, and the bird masked doctors weren't well known for being safe to affiliate with.<br/><br/>"At this rate, you'll probably find someone who'd take you in before she does," he jested, knowing well she didn't intend to marry. "I personally think she's just jealous that your features are much more fine, and your mind so much sharper." Another thing about Neris was her disconnect with everyone. It seemed so natural to him, and to her he imagined. No one made progress to accept them, and so she hadn't any need to try either. Being at war for as long as he had, Ocieros remembered how it felt to be disconnected. To put life itself at stake, to see someone as nothing more than a threat to be eliminated and subdued. But for her... It wasn't that. She wasn't a danger, she was a little girl, yet every one excepted nothing but the worst of her.