Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

(no, no! Don't be sorry! I love learning new words ^-^ it was genuine amusement)

Ky smiled and walked over to them, flattered at the compliment, and warmed by Lady Ash's enthusiasm. That was good... that was good, right? It meant she liked Ky? Right? Ky shook off the thoughts, trying to contain her anxiety as she approached. "It's an honor to meet you, ma'am."

(I just really enjoy big words I guess. They carry weight to them and I don't get to use them in roleplaying very often)

"Oh, please. I get enough of that from the servants." She waved a hand. "Just Sara, or Aunt Sara if you like. How are you, dear?" Mattathias and Marcella clung to her skirts, staring up at Ky with wide eyes. Regulus regarded her with solid curiosity bordering on suspicion, still chewing on his own hand. Gaius patiently lifted the toddler from his wife's arms so she could focus and rested him on his left hip, bracing his weight against the cane so he could better hold his son.

(They do!)

Her enthusiasm was disarming. Ky's smile got a bit more genuine. Imagine having an aunt. It was still so novel. "I'm well. And you?"

"A bit sore from the bumps on the road and exhausted by the endless energy of children but otherwise doing very well, thank you." She ushered her the twins forward. "These are Mattathias and Marcella. Say hello to your new cousin, dears."
"You're not littler than Peter," was the first thing Marcella said. "How come you're new if you're not littler than him?"

Ky grinned, squatting down to be on their level. She was cute. "I guess I grow fast."

"How old are you?" Marcella asked, squinting at her.
"That's rude, Marcella!" Mattathias gasped, pulling at her arm. "Don't be rude!" Gaius chuckled despite himself, a quick, half cut-off "hm."

Ky laughed too. "Fifteen." She lifted her chin playfully. "And a half." Then she looked back at the little girl. "And you?"

"We're four!" She pointed to herself and then to Mattathias. "We came out of Mama at the same time. Regulus is only two so he's not as much fun as we are." Regulus popped his fist out of his mouth at the sound of his name and said simply, "Bah" with a solemnity completely unbefitting for a toddler.
"Wise words, Master Regulus," Tomhas said gravely. "Let's get out of the cold, shall we?"

Ky grinned and popped back to her feet, endeared by the children. Somehow there was something about children that always made it easier for her to be authentic. Less anxious. She supposed it was because she knew how to establish herself in the hierarchy of children -- that was something she'd been good at, before her life got ruined. It was figuring out where she stood with adults that was far more difficult.

Ky stepped back, out of the way, and glanced back at the adults. Speaking of adults who made her anxious... she nodded to him, trying to smile but it came across shyer than she'd meant. "Sir."

Gaius came to life as the family started to move inside and as Ky addressed him, shifting Regulus to his other arm for just a moment and juggling his cane in the same hand so he could offer Ky his left awkwardly. He also offered a suggestion of a smile.
"Ky. I'm glad we're meeting under more pleasant circumstances this time."

"Me as well," Ky agreed, shaking his hand with a bit more genuine of a smile. "How are you?"

"I'm well." He evened his weight out as he passed the cane back to his left hand, hefting his son into the crook of his right elbow. Carrying children was not something he was good at, but Sara had her hands full with the twins and Tomhas was well ahead of him now. "And you?" Regulus dragged at his cloak and put a hunk of it into his mouth, gnawing at the cloth quietly.

Ky glanced at the baby. Should she offer to carry him? She liked babies -- she certainly wouldn't mind. Especially if it meant she could be helpful. But she didn't want to seem like she was patronizing Lord Ash.

"I'm also well, thank you," Ky said, looking back to his face. This was going better than expected. That was good. "Excited to get to know all of you."

Gaius met her eyes, holding her gaze for a moment before they shifted back ahead of him. "My children have talked of nothing but this place and of meeting you the entire trip. They have a great love for family. Expanding it is something they're always delighted about." He limped after the group, moving slowly enough that Ky could easily catch up or outpace him. His bad leg was cramping up, and Regulus's added weight made it worse. Gaius didn't fret, though; he was used to pain.

Ky walked next to him, being careful not to rush him or crowd him, but attempting to not look anxious, either. The 'my children' went back to feeling distant and impersonal. As if he himself was not, in fact, pleased by the addition. She tried to shake it off.

"I hope I'm a worthy addition," she murmured. "It's been delightful getting to be here. I still feel very privileged."

Was she kissing ass? She didn't mean to be -- Tomhas didn't like flattery and, she figured, Ash wouldn't like it either. But it was so hard to disentangle genuine appreciation from sounding like slimey flattery.