Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

(Either way you're chugging along!)

Lyra was the first to excuse herself, having eaten fairly quickly and finished her food. She departed with a polite curtsey to Tadaaki's family.
"I'll be around in the evening," she promised her parents. "To play games or whatever we decide to do." Tomhas dipped his head, watching her go with concern.

Ky also watched her go. There was something deep within her that wanted to excuse herself as well and go see if Lyra was more willing to talk to her without an audience. But she also didn't want to pry if Lyra wasn't in the mood.

She also didn't want to abandon Tadaaki and his family in a room full of nobles. Even though it seemed that Aashi was fairing the best of the whole lot of them. Ky admired her extroversion. And the fact that she'd kept it into adulthood, rather than having it carved out of her in adolescence.

Lyra glanced at Ky as she left, but that was all.
"One day til the ceremony now," Wick mused. "Isn't that something."

Ky caught her eye, having an even stronger impulse to follow her out -- but, then, Wick brought up the ceremony and she couldn't very well leave now. Ky straightened her shoulders and smiled, even though her stomach fluttered a little from nervousness.

(you know, I've been thinking about how/when to bring Zander in and it could be interesting to have him randomly show up later today/tomorrow to throw a plot twist in lol her dynamics are gonna be more like Aashi when she's around Zander than how she usually acts haha all reservations gone)
(but also don't gotta if that'd be too much)

(That's a great idea! Maybe we have him come in shortly after King Harold's arrival tomorrow?)

"I still can't believe it myself," Tomhas said with a smile. "It's gone by so fast! I'm excited, though. Didn't think I'd be getting two new children this year!"

(Love that idea!)
(Lowkey think it would be funny if Harold and Zander knew each other or were at least familiar with each other aha -- Zander tends to have his nose poked into everything, but not in a sinister way like Aleth. Zander actually does good things with the knowledge lol)

Ky grinned, sitting up a bit straighter. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to being called someone's child again. She hoped she never did. She hoped she had this same rush of dopamine every single time he used familial language with her for the rest of her life. "Anneliese and I think it'd be rather funny if the baby and I became twins -- in terms of joining the family."

(That would be excellent and not at all surprising; I'm sure Harold would know of Zander's good deeds and want a couple things done on his behalf or something like that)

"Heh, there's a thought! Anneke, dear, think you can hold it in until Ky's sworn in?" Anneke gave her husband a patient smile.
"Darling," she said, "if this child doesn't get on its way within the next twenty four hours I swear to all the gods..."
Sara chuckled at that. "I know that feeling."

Ky laughed.

"They are more fun once they're out," Aashi agreed, patting Tasia's head.

Tasia wrinkled her nose at her mother and shook her head away, but stayed focus on eating.

"Can we play with the baby when it comes out?" Marcella asked. "Or will it be boring like Regulus?"
"Well, it'll probably be very tired when it comes out," Sara told him. "But I bet if you ask very nicely you can hold it for a short time. And don't call your brother boring, please."

Ky smirked slightly. She was also eager for her turn with her new baby sibling -- though she'd already decided she was going to actively resist the urge to butt in. She could be patient.

"I bet it'll be a boy," Marcella went on, unfazed. "Cuz Aunt Anneke and Tomhas have three girls, so it makes sense to have three boys."

That was enough to draw a genuine grin out of Ky. She’d been referring to— and thinking of— the baby as the tie breaker. Two Loquitur girls and two Loquitur boys. But the fact that a literal child — someone who wouldn’t have the decorum to try to flatter her — both accepted and so easily referred to her as one of the Loquitur daughters. That she had already welcomed Ky to the family. That felt nicer than Ky could have ever expected.

Tadaaki happened to be looking at Ky when it happened — and seeing the smile on her face was enough to put one on his. He’d never seen such an authentic smile on her face before; so proud and content and excited all at once. He was so glad for her.

"No matter what it is, though, we'll all love it just the same," Sara reminded her. Marcella nodded quickly.
"Yeah! I bet it'll be a boy but I hope it's a girl."

Ky realized she was grinning stupidly and sobered before anyone could notice. She glanced down the table and realized Tadaaki already had; but he was smiling back at her. She gave a little smile and a nod of acknowledgement.

Aashi has been looking at Marcella, but looked up and noted the nonverbals between Tadaaki and Ky. She didn’t know what it was about, but it was clear that they’d just had a moment. She was glad to see it. She didn’t know what the two of them had been through — Tadaaki would tell her no details whatsoever — but the state of his chest, carved with a gruesome dragon-shaped scar, revealed a truth he couldn’t hide. And he claimed Ky had had it even worse than he did.

“How many cousins will you have?” Aashi asked Marcella, deciding not to linger on it. That moment was for Tadaaki and Ky; not her.

"There's Lyra and Anneliese and Oscar and Peter," she listed. "And Adrian. And Ky. And Tristan."