Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 5)

(Well honey Lyra is working through different things than you and she really does want to go)

Tomhas had taken this time to say his goodbyes to the Ashes, starting with his nephews and niece and then going to Sara, whom he hugged. "Safe travels," he said to her. "It was so, so good to see you."
"You too." Sara smiled sadly. "We'll take care of her, Tomhas. I promise you that." Tomhas dipped his head, then knelt beside his brother and looked him in the eye. Gaius gazed back, waiting.
"You're my brother," Tomhas said quietly, gravely. "I'm trusting you with two of my daughters' lives like I never have before. Don't....please. Please, keep my girls safe for me. Help them. Okay?"
"Okay." Gaius dipped his head, reaching out to pull Tomhas into a one-armed hug. "I'll see to everything, Tomhas. I always do, don't I?"

(haha valid)
(also d'aww Gaius initiating half-hearted physical contact :') growth!)

Zander tried to catch Ky's gaze, but she adamantly refused to allow it to happen, regardless of being aware that that's what he was trying to do. She was turning into a ball of emotions and she hated it. She knew that this was going to happen. She thought she'd be able to keep it together, but she clearly wasn't. And it made her feel gross. Stupid. Weak.

(My boy tries)

Tomhas stood and looked to Ky. It was early morning; they'd be wanting to get going soon if they wanted to get a good bit of the journey behind them. But he didn't want to be the one to say it. Gaius would eventually, he hoped, but he'd rather Ky say it.

Ky felt Tomhas's eyes on her now, too. She felt trapped between them. And she was running out of directions to turn in her attempts to not meet anyone's gaze or let them see what a disaster she was turning into. This was humiliating. And she couldn't think of a single thing to do about it.

She felt Tadaaki's gaze on her, too, and it was the one person whose eyes she'd meet. He gave her half a nod. It was the only encouragement they'd ever been allowed to share in public before all this. And it oddly grounded her. Gave her the courage to get through this.

They needed to get going soon. Her resolve was faltering and she was on the verge of begging to have her luggage unpacked and her be allowed to stay here with them. But she couldn't do that. She couldn't. But Tomhas would let her; and Anneke would be thrilled. But she couldn't do that. So they needed to just get on the road and take away that option.

Ky took a step nearer the procession. Zander strode forward to meet her. "Hey, kiddo. How--?"

"I'm fine," she muttered, still refusing to meet his gaze. She couldn't do this right now. She was going to completely fall apart if she had to assure anyone else that she wanted this, when she didn't. Not even a little.

"It's okay to be conflicted," he murmured, trying to soothe her.

Only his words pissed her off, for no apparent reason. He was being kind. Gentle. Looking out for her. And she had absolutely no patience for it whatsoever. Not in front of an audience this big.

"I said I'm fine," she snapped, shouldering past him and still refusing to meet anyone's gaze. She didn't want to be the one to suggest they leave. She didn't want that at all. But she also didn't want another moment of this hellish goodbye. "Are we going?"

"Indeed we are." Gaius took his cane and planted it in the snow, then rose from his stretcher with gritted teeth. He'd walk himself to the carriage. "Loquiturs, it has been a pleasure as always to join you at your home, and I thank you for being so quick to forgive past offenses. I'm honored to be charged with your daughters' safety, and I will do my very best to preserve it. I'll write to you upon our return." He gave a very short bow, then turned and hobbled toward the carriage, stepping onto the runners of the sleigh bottom and allowing a soldier to help him in.

(How are the rest of them going to be going? Like, same carriage? Different carriage? Horseback?)

Zander stared after Ky, perplexed. She must be truly upset, to be lashing out like that. He wasn’t offended of course, but he was concerned. He took a step after her, then stopped, deciding to give her space. He turned back to Tomhas and Anneke. “Thank you for your hospitality. Words cannot express how grateful I am for you facilitating our reunion.”

Ky grit her teeth at that, a prick of guilt running through her at being such a bitch. But not enough to make her turn back around.

(Tomhas has given them another carriage to use and there are also some horses to ride)

Tomhas nodded to Zander. "I'm so glad you could be here for this, Zander. Our doors are always open to you, should you wish to return!" He forced another smile.

(Thanks!)

Ky hesitated, looking between the carriage and one of the free horses. She’d been planning to ride in the carriage with Tadaaki and his family for the first leg of the journey, then switching to horseback once she needed a change of scenery and/or when she wanted to talk to Zander.

And now both seemed like bad options.

She was going to cry, and she didn’t want Aashi or Tasia witnessing it. She’d just be embarrassed which would make things worse. Not to mention it wasn’t their job to try to comfort her.

But, going by horseback almost guaranteed Zander would be up her ass trying to comfort her. And that seemed worse.

But she decided to bank on her chances of keeping a carriage between him and herself and hope to god he respected her wishes to stay away from her.

“I appreciate it,” Zander said, nodding to him.

He turned partially back around as Ky hauled herself into the saddle of one of the horses, cringing. Tadaaki cringed, too. They’d all known what the plan was. And they all knew this meant she was planning on avoiding them.

Sara gave the whole family a final hug, then ushered the children into the carriage after their father. "See you!" she said with a wave, then climbed in with them.

"It was wonderful to see you all again," Tadaaki murmured, stopping awkwardly like he wasn't sure if he was supposed to bow or shake their hands to give them a hug. So he decided on none of the above and just nodded to Anneke first, then Tomhas.

Tomhas strode forward and shook Tadaaki's hand firmly. "I'm so glad you could come, Tadaaki," he said with a dip of his head. "It meant so much to Ky and to all of us. Our doors are open to you and your family as well; you're all a delight to have!"

Tadaaki smiled at that, shaking his hand and giving him a nod as well. "I appreciate that and I'm so glad our families were able to meet!" He hesitated, then smirked and added playfully, "If you're ever interested in catching frogs, I know just the creek and just the guide for you."

Tomhas chuckled, surprised by the joke. "I'll be sure to look Tasia up next time I need a tour of Southern frog homes! I'm sure she'll be able to read to me about them next time I see her, too!"

"Frogs!" Tasia jumped up and down. "Frogs! Frogs! Frogs!"

"Look what you've done," Aashi laughed. She looked at Tomhas. "You have a beautiful home." Then at Anneke, but kept addressing them both. "And it was so delightful to meet each of you."

"It's bye time?" Tasia asked, looking up at Tadaaki.

He nodded.

"BYEEEEE!" she launched herself at Tomhas, jumping as high as she could but still only coming to his mid-waist.

Tomhas lifted her up so he could give her a proper hug. "It was so great to meet you, little bouncer! Be good to your parents, alright? I bet you'll make lots of friends at Serpent Keep."