Shady

“I- I mean I’m not sure, that’s kind of why I wanted to run it past you before I mention it to— I just, he’s already been through so much ...

“I- I don’t know, just, like, you know. The timing of it all? If we’re leaving right after the long night then it will be…tiny. All out in the cold.” ...

“Interesting. I didn’t know they ate those.”

“So, I, um… I might have been a little careless…” she was blushing. “And, um… It’d been so long, you know? And, um, I wasn’t even thinking about — I ...

“Ah.” Ky nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. I just assumed you’d have to feed a lot of hay over the winter.”

“Oh, um, it’s, um.” She sat down but almost immediately popped back up, too anxious to actually sit and talk it out. “It’s not troubling me so much as I… ...

“Oh, um, sure, yeah. That works! Wherever.” She flashed a nervous smile and stepped that way.

“Oh, Tomhas is here?” Aashi stepped inside, nodding to her. And then in classic Aashi fashion started thinking aloud. “That must be why Ky was out of her room, then. ...

“Yes ma’am.” Ky smiled and dipped her head, then hesitated. “… what do your animals eat, then?”

“Oh, um, I mean, um, is now, a, uh— a good time? Or, um…” she glanced around again. “I-I could come back later if you’re, um, busy? Or, um…?” Gods. ...

Ky thought for a moment. “…I don’t actually know, ma’am. My Papa was hurt before I was old enough for us to be able to work together. No idea if ...

“Oh, hi! I, um…” Aashi anxiously looked around the hall but there was no one there so she looked back at Sera. “So— uh… how are you today?”

“It really is.” Ky nodded, then offered a sheepish smile. “Especially when you’re a farmer.”

Aashi strode to the infirmary and knocked on the door hesitantly.

“Just the chaff, ma’am,” Ky reiterated. “I can eat it fine. It just makes me dreadfully itchy to work in it.”