Shady

“I… thank you?” She nodded hesitantly. “I… don’t understand why you would. But… it’s very kind of you. Very, very kind.”

“Yes ma’am.” She nodded, wiping the rest of the tears away as she glanced towards the door. “I’m not sure where he is. He’s probably looking for me by now…”

Ky stared at her, too perplexed to think up an argument. What kind of crazy talk was this? Her… her funding a vacation for Ky . Why? Ky would gladly ...

“Sorry.” She cringed. “I didn’t mean to be offensive.”

“But… why ?” she asked, perplexed. “I wouldn’t bring any value; I can’t translate off continent. I don’t know any languages.” She hesitated. “I guess I could study up on ...

“How so?”

“That… that’d be so much bother,” Ky said, shaking her head again. “A… a burden. For no reason. I haven’t done anything to help you.” Well, she supposed ratting out ...

“So?” She shrugged. “Is… there a mandatory waiting period? Or can you just go right on?”

A long, long, long fucking life to deal with. Gods. Hopefully not. “But… didn’t you say you could pass whenever you wanted to?” This was getting progressively more complicated.

“You… would?” She blinked at her. “Why?”

She shrugged. Then hesitated. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to be insensitive. I… sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Slaves.” She shrugged. “…or, peasants now, I guess. But still.”

Ky let out a heavy sigh. “…I guess I can just go. Then I won’t miss him anymore… and it’d be better anyway.” Then neither of them would have to ...

“Oh, I mean…” she shook her head. “I’ve no reason nor resources to travel like that. That sort of thing isn’t meant for people like me.”

“But-but if my bones are up here…” she argued. “It’d hurt Tomhas and Anneke’s feelings if I asked to be buried in the South… unless… can you just… split your ...