Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 5)

She'd resisted as long as she could, but had most definitely lost the fight against sleep. Thankfully, though, it was a light sleep and she roused as he came back in the room. She realized she'd basically melted into the sofa at this point. She was flat on her back, head on the arm of the sofa, with her legs stretched out in front of her -- left arm resting over her abdomen.

She cleared her throat and sat up, swinging her legs around to sit upright as he set the cookies down. She blinked, trying to clear the sleep from her eyes. "They look fantastic!"

Tomhas smiled slightly. "Eat up, then get some rest. I'll let you rest here if you want; you look like you could use it." He could too, if he was being honest with himself. He'd been up all night.

Ky rubbed her face, smiling slightly. He looked just as tired as she felt -- but it felt rude to point that out to him. Not that she minded him pointing it out about her; it just felt disrespectful to tell him to go to bed, too.

"Mm, yeah, the poppy is definitely helping," Ky agreed, leaning forward to grab a cookie.

"Glad to hear it." Tomhas took a cookie as well, deciding it would be his only one. "What will you be up to today?"

"I, uh..." Ky sobered a bit, thinking about what the day held for her. Talking to Tomhas had distracted her, but it hadn't fixed anything at all. She was still stabbed; the assassins were still dead; and gods only knew what she was going to have to say to who. But she felt like she had a lot to answer for. She looked down at her cookie, not eating it. "I don't know. I kind of assumed I'd be told what I need to do today."

"Why? You're a Loquitur now; you live here. You lived here before, even. Do what you like! Go wild, run through the Keep screaming, eat some cheese, play games, walk through the ice garden. Whatever you want, Ky."

How did that statement make her both happy and upset all at once?

You're a Loquitur now. She simultaneously felt a surge of pride and also a huge, huge spike of guilt. Even though all of the activities he suggested seemed lovely.

She tried a smile, but it was forced as she looked back up at him. Suddenly she was back to not being hungry. She took a deep breath, trying to verbalize how she knew she was on the hotseat today. But she couldn't find the words.

(haha I just got dumped fml)

(Oh no! I'm sorry!)

Tomhas watched the conflict in her face, and he glanced back down at the plate in discomfort. Damn, he'd ruined the good time again.

(thanks ;-; we weren't super serious but I was getting attached and thought things were going really well :c )

"I, uh..." She was making him uncomfortable. She didn't mean to be. "I'm sure it'll all work out. I just assume people have questions and... I don't have all the answers. But I probably have more than anyone else at this point."

(That really sucks And on Valentine's Day too. I hope you feel better and have someone or something to help out! Chocolates or a good shoulder to lean on.)

"I'll make sure nobody bothers you," Tomhas promised. "Gaius and I can wait to talk to you, if you like. We'll need that information but it doesn't have to be today."

(Thanks! <3)

Ky nodded numbly. She tried for a smile, but was aware her face didn't even twitch from its gloomy state. "I appreciate that... I think a nap might be nice, now, but I should be fine after."

She set the cookie on her knee. She didn't want it anymore.

Tomhas dipped his head and rose, feeling even lower than when he'd found her. "Sleep well, Ky. Let me know if you need anything; I'll probably be in the library or my room." He went to the door, glancing back at her with a lump in his throat.

Great, now he thought she was throwing him out.

But, well, she supposed she wasn't really in a state to be pleasant company. Just look at him. She'd upset him and she didn't know what to do to fix it. She felt like she say something. But she couldn't think of anything. So she just nodded instead.

Tomhas paused a moment longer, then stepped out the door and shut it behind him. He leaned against the wall outside for a moment, running a hand through his hair wearily. Maybe he'd go check on Lyra now.

Ky sat still for a few moments to see if he was going to come back in, then leaned forward and put the cookie back on the plate. She brushed the crumbs off her pants and leaned back in the sofa, feeling very, very bad about herself. Her throat started to burn.