Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

"I appreciate it!" Ky smiled and inclined her head, setting the tack aside, but she hesitated, not quite sure whether to get the book now or if it still wasn't time for that.

Tomhas had his eyes on the book, and he looked up at her hesitation. "Go ahead," he encouraged, gesturing toward it. "That's from me."

Ky smiled and nodded, then retrieved the book and sat back down with it and carefully began unwrapping it.

Zander's gaze traveled to the packaging she'd stacked by her feet on the other side of the chair from her gifts. Yet another fascinating change in the new-Ky. Old-Ky was impulsive to the border of recklessness, and never once hesitated to rip open a present to eagerly see what was inside.

And yet she had carefully opened each and re-folded the paper and set it gently by her chair, very neatly. He supposed it didn't really matter. But it was an interesting thing he'd noticed.

This was another gorgeously bound book, this time in dark leather bordered by elegant silver filigree. At the center, also in filigree and attached to the metal frame of the book, were the words in Upper Tongue: Beasts of Myth and Truth; An Illuminated Study of Worldwide Fauna by Skald Aureli, 134 C.P. Volume One."

(It's basically a massive encyclopedia illustrated in many colors, covering as many animals as could fit. One full page of information front and back for each animal plus the images, alphabetical.)

"Whoa!" Ky said admiringly, flipping open the book to quickly flick her eyes over one of the accounts without actually reading it. The handwriting was wildly satisfying and the sketches were high quality. She looked up with a grin. "This is really cool! Thank you!"

Tomhas had a wide smile on his face. Good, she'd liked it! "You kept talking about that book of creatures you used to read, so I figured, you know, why not find you a super detailed one? There are other volumes, but I have to go looking for them elsewhere."

"I'm sure I'll learn lots from this one!" Ky grinned at him, then down at her book, then at the massive stack of presents. It was all so overwhelming. And felt like a dream that couldn't quite be reality. But she didn't want to wake up. She hadn't had a day this nice since before she was taken. Maybe not even then. She really was so wildly fortunate.

"You've all given me plenty to occupy me for many years to come." She blushed a bit, glancing around the room with an appreciative smile. "You're all very, very generous and I appreciate each of you very much. Thank you."

"This is your special day, Ky," Ana said to her. "You're so welcome, and we're all so glad to have you in our family!"
"Here, here," Tomhas said fervently. "I'd toast to that if I had a drink!"

Ky's grin broadened and her face got even warmer; so thoroughly, utterly pleased with the wonderfulness of this whole day and of her new family. Zander smiled as well, attention focused on Ky, even though she wasn't looking at him. Tomhas was entirely to thank for this -- for righting the wrong that Zander hadn't managed to stop himself -- but Zander was still going to bask in the glow of Ky's utter euphoria. He was so glad to see the sparkle in her eyes.

Tadaaki's pulled his arm a bit tighter around Aashi, and she patted her lap, both of them also thoroughly pleased at how happy Ky looked. It'd struck Tadaaki how much happier Ky had seemed when they appeared a few days ago than he'd ever seen her -- and now she clearly had no idea what to do with herself or her giddiness. He was glad to see it.

(OH shit do Tadaaki and Aashi and Tasia have gifts for her? Tomhas probably would have written ahead about that)

(ohh we can take them out of the scene! I have literally nothing planned for them haha I was sort of operating on the assumption that they hadn't known they were supposed to bring gifts. If they would have had a head's up then Tadaaki probably would have just brought her some sort of woodworking and we can cheat and say Tasia already spilled the beans about it and they gave it to her early haha I don't wanna take away from the grand finale here!)

(Aww but they can stay in the room! Zander gave his gift and is there, right?)

There was a knock on the door, and Skald Taro poked her head in. "It's almost time," she said, glancing to Tomhas and Ky. "Are you two ready?" Tomhas blinked. Was it already past sunset, really? Huh. He supposed he was ready; now was as good a time as any and he'd be less nervous once it was over.

(Yep! Let's do it that way, then ^-^ )
(Is it going to be night or just dusk?)

That sent a flutter through her stomach. Couldn't they just not and say they did? She'd managed to make it through the entire gift-giving without fucking up. She felt like they should just leave well enough alone and call it a win.

But she stood up and nodded, glancing at Tomhas.

(Yeah it's just past dusk so the sun is about to dip below the horizon)

Tomhas dipped his head and stood as well.
"Best get into something warm," the Skald suggested. "Can you be down by the tree in ten?"
"Absolutely." Tomhas nodded.
"Good. I've got the contract and I'll have you both repeat the words of the rites after me once we're down there. Everybody else, follow me, please."

(I was about to have Ky put on the new cloak and then remembered I'm gonna have her get stabbed and make her cloak bloody lmao we're not gonna go that route)

Zander stood up as well -- did that mean Ky and Tomhas weren't coming? He supposed that wasn't any of his business. He was Ky's father, after all. They could do what they wanted.

Tadaaki and Aashi also stood, getting a disgruntled murmur from Tasia who had been dozing off on Aashi's lap. Tadaaki scooped her up and she immediately snuggled into his shoulder.

Ky also wasn't sure whether that meant she was supposed to stay or go. So she just waited to see if someone told her what to do.