Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree

Alexander began to run his hands over Tadaaki's abdomen and chest, applying very gentle pressure. His hands were warm and dry. "Anything shifting?" he asked.

Tadaaki inhaled sharply as pain as sharp as a dagger shot through his abdomen. He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes as he nodded, not trusting his own voice.

"Right. Sit up, please." Alex took a roll of gauze. "You don't have any lacerations so we're just going to wrap this tight like a splint and keep you still for the next week or so. You're not planning on going anywhere, I hope?"

Tadaaki sat up, gaze flicking over Alex's shoulder and locking on Ky. Ky hesitated, too. Were they going to go anywhere? Ky certainly didn't want to stay with Tarr, if Loquitur was leaving today as well. But... Tarr had to be better than Aleth... didn't he? Oh, gods...

"We don't know," Ky answered at last. "Maybe not?"

"Maybe not, maybe so. You'll have to delay if you are." He unrolled the gauze. His besweatered Ironkitten batted at it and Alexander jerked it away. "I apologize for Harold," he said with a dreamy smile, and began to wrap Tadaaki's chest. "He's restless today."

Ky smiled down at the little kitten, wondering if she could pet him. Harold. What a cute little name for a cute little kitten. Tadaaki looked between Ky and Harold, smiling a bit at Ky's expression. Tadaaki personally hadn't ever seen much of a use for cats, but he liked how they made Ky melt, especially when they were young like this. He held his arms away from his torso, smirking a bit. "No need for apologies... I think a friendship was just born."

Alex looked up, glancing between Ky and the cat on his shoulder. Gripping the bandages tightly between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, he picked Harold up by the scruff of his neck and placed the kitten on Ky's bed. The kitten looked around and mewled, an odd echoing sound like a voice through a pipe. Then it stretched its claws and bounced over to sniff Ky's hand.

(The kitten is named after the King of the Northern Realm btw)

(ahh good to know)

"Awwwww." Ky scooted back a bit so that there would be space for the kitten on the bed in front of her. She wiggled her fingers to entice him to come close, then gently pet the soft fur on his head and neck.

She softened even more.

Usually, she was so on edge. Constantly waiting for the next person who was going to hurt her. Tense and ready to flee or stand and take what was coming to her or fight if she needed to. But Harold made her forget a bit of her tension. The only thing that existed right now was this tiny little creature. She curled a bit so that Harold was inside of an arch made from her abdomen to head, still petting him gently. "You're absolutely stunning, aren't you, baby?"

(Also even the fur is metal. Like this whole thing is intricate metal. The fur would probably still be soft but in a smooth way, if that makes sense)

The kitten looked up at her with its large eyes, then lapped at her hand with its rough tongue.
"His mother is around here somewhere with the rest," Alexander said as he resumed bandaging Tadaaki. "They'll be good mousers, if you'd like to take one. Gods know the poor things aren't going to get much love around this Keep. Haven't knitted them sweaters yet but what can you do?"

(ahhh okay yeah I wasn't sure, that makes sense tho ^^)

Ky smiled, excitement bubbling up in her, before she remembered that that wasn't possible. She might -- might -- be getting off as Aleth's slave, but that still didn't mean that she was going to have a home anywhere. She was as helpless as this kitten. She sobered a bit, but then smiled as Harold gently swatted one of her fingers with his paw. "He's so perfect."

"Smallest one in the litter," Alexander mused. "But very well formed, yes. I quite like him." He finished wrapping Tadaaki's torso and tied off the bandage. "Alright, you can lie down again. Not much else I can do for you." He turned to Ky. "I'm going to secure that poultice on your shoulder, now. Then I'm going to give you snow for the bruises, same as your friend there. After that I want you both to down and get under the covers, and I'll see to it there's some soup brought up for you."

"Yes, sir." Ky sat up obediently so that Alexander could work on her, but scooped Harold up to rest him in her lap, entirely transfixed by him. It'd been so long since she'd gotten to simply snuggle with any animal. When she was a kid, she lived on a farm and was constantly harassing horses and stray dogs and tom cats that passed through. Didn't get much of that these days. And she intended to take advantage of every moment of it.

Alexander worked quietly, batting gently at the kitten every time it tried to swipe at the gauze. Harold responded by trying the whack Alexander's fingers, which eventually resulted in a tumble off Ky's lap and an exaggerated squeak of indignation.

Ky instinctively leaned forward to scoop him back up, but then realized Alexander was still directly in front of her, so she forced herself to sit upright. "Sorry," she murmured, but her gaze was still on the kitten as he shook himself and then started grooming.

Alexander shrugged.
Tomhas reentered. "I ordered the soup myself, Alex. You're off the hook there." He looked over Ky and Tadaaki. "Well, you two are looking a little better. I've ordered that Aleth be barred from the rookery, so he won't be able to send any letters. I've also sent word to home asking that three of my best soldiers be deployed to retrieve your family." He directed this at Tadaaki. "How are you two feeling?"