Shady

(You are Tomhas, confirmed) “Um… not sure. I think it’s from all over?”

(That sounds incredible!!) “Yeah.” She resisted the urge to feel for the bone. Probably best not to mention it to most people.

“… a bunch of… magical sort of items,” she said. “It… is complicated. But… she had an interest in me because of the weird things… like… seeing the troll… and ...

“Yeah.” She let out a little breath of relief. “It was.”

“…no.” Ky shook her head. “She’s… very kind, actually.”

Ky shrugged, not wanting to accept it and yet knowing fully well he wasn’t going to let her reject it.

“Me too,” Ky agreed with a nod. “You all deserve it. And more.”

Ky smiled at that. “I’m glad. That’s what counts.”

“But… you like it, yeah?”

Ky nodded. “Makes sense.”

Ky glanced back at him with a little grin. “…I haven’t told anyone… and I won’t. Just so you know. But… I’m happy for you… both.”

“Yes… and… it seems like you’re finding happiness?” She glanced ahead at Sera. Was that too cheeky?

“… That’s true,” Ky acknowledged with a nod. “I’m sorry.”

Ky shrugged. It was inappropriate to accept sympathy from someone who had been through so much worse than herself. “You had it worse than me… but… well… now they’re helping ...

“…Aleth broke me. In ways that can never be fixed.” She glanced up the path. “I… love my family here. More than I could ever begin to express. And I ...