Shady

She swallowed past the lump in her throat, frowning as she shrugged. "It's whatever."

Ky felt a little warmth rise to her cheeks but still smiled and dipped her head. "Yes, ma'ams. I've- we- have very much been enjoying and appreciating the Ashes' hospitality. ...

Ky's throat constricted and she looked away. Way to rub salt in the wound. Remind Ky of what a wonderful mother she was being denied. He wasn't trying to do ...

Ky nodded in agreement. "It's quite nice. I like the feeling a lot." She rested an arm across her abdomen, subconsciously brushing her fingertips across her ribs, very, very gently. ...

"It's good!" Ky said with a smile. "It's very..." She furrowed her brow, searching for the right word. "Filling? It makes me feel warm and heavy from the inside all ...

Ky smiled a little and dipped her head, not about to have an opinion on that. She cut into her fish and took a bite.

Ky hesitated then nodded. She hoped so. Did that make her terrible? Probably. She shouldn’t be wishing something like that upon her own mother. That was painful. She didn’t want ...

Why in the world did he have that memorized? She didn’t know. But she tried to commit it to memory. Sierth. Petals to Leaves. Jordheim. She dipped her head. “I’ll ...

“Do you suppose there are any books here with pictures of those?” she asked. “I’d like to see a drawing.”

Ky thought for a moment. “…hug Anneke.”

“Either!”

“That sounds lovely.” Ky smiled. “Do you have a favorite?”

That’s not what she meant and they both knew it. But she was willing to leave it at this intentional misunderstanding and nodded.

(@grandwild new thread!)

Ky nodded. “Mhm… but later. We’ll both be happier once I go home. I’m sure of it.”