Shady

Ky inclined her head. Well, they’d blown their chance for that. She clearly couldn’t trust them anymore than they could trust her. “… you said you wouldn’t tell them. Wouldn’t ...

“No sir!” Tadaaki shook his head quickly. “Not at all!”

(*sprays with water*) Ky glanced at her, then away again and dipped her head. The happy act was going to have to wait a bit. She couldn’t do it now.

Ky nodded sullenly. Fine. If they wanted to play this game, she would. And she’d win it, too. She’d been being closed, but honest. If they wanted her to lie ...

Gods, gods, gods. He was one hiccup away from a flogging. Or worse. He knew how fickle noblemen were; Ky told him some of the awful things she’d watched them ...

“I didn’t know you were going to scare him.” She stared at the wall. “I would have acted better.”

Ky relaxed, ever so slightly, once she was safe in her room again. It was nice to be able to breathe again. Tadaaki had gotten his tour then got locked ...

“I don’t know ,” she said bitterly, staring at her knees. “Tomhas just said he ‘heard I’m having trouble adjusting’ and Gaius said it’d be a lie not to tell ...

“Gaius.” She pressed both palms against her eyes. “Scared Tomhas. For no reason.”

“Yessir.” She nodded. “I… don’t have a fantastic memory. But I think I could give a gist.”

“He stays mobile, sir. Travels all through the East and South — no real home to speak of.”

“I don’t know what he told him,” she sulked, wiping her face. “But he told him something or he wouldn’t be coming.”

“Yessir.” She smiled a little and nodded to him.

“It’s fine.” Ky shook her head and wiped her face, leaning away, but not actually scooting away so they were still awkwardly close. “He shouldn’t have told him.”

“Um… I’m happy to do as you wish, sir.” Gods, don’t make her decide.