Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 5)

(self destruct in 3...2...1...)

She had a prick of conscience as she looked around. This room was entirely too fine for her blood to ruin it all -- a final, quite literal, stain on the family that she'd tarnished so badly. She looked down at the bandage that had fallen to the ground now. It wouldn't be enough to absorb it all.

It'd be selfish to do it here.

She sat for several long, long moments. Just staring at the stitches. Thinking. Brooding. She wasn't even crying anymore -- she just felt empty. Hollow. Worthless.

It wouldn't be hard to clean up if she was outside. It was the least she could do.

She took a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet. They'd see if she talked herself out of it before she got to the garden.

She hoped she didn't.

It was the best solution and she knew it. She just needed the courage to follow through. To actually do one thing right for once in her life.

(*deep inhale)

Lyra gazed at him, eyes narrowed but face otherwise expressionless. Then she turned away.
"You're right," she said simply, then, "I think I'd like to be alone now."
Tomhas's heart ached for her, wished he could make her the way she'd been before. But instead he dipped his head and stood. "Of course." He went to the door, pulling it open. Lyra still didn't look at him, and so he left miserably, wishing not for the first time in his life that he'd never been born.

(trauma babies uniteeee)

Ky walked slowly but deliberately. She contemplated stopping to get her furs -- but why should she? She wouldn't need them where she was going. At least, she hoped her afterlife would be in the South. It was too cold to spend eternity up here. She hoped Papa had a farm there. With Mama. Hoped they were both waiting to welcome her home.

She kept her hand on the wall to keep herself steady but was mostly walking on her own power now. The tea and medicine had revived her enough for what she needed to do.

(Ohhh I have to stop this)

Wick had woken perhaps earliest of all. He had been an early riser even as a child, a farmer in spirit but a tailor at heart. The events of last night had made it difficult to get to bed but he rose nonetheless with the sun, donned his warmest furs, and wandered out into the ice garden to contemplate what was left of the night sky.

(Yeahhh I don't think she's actually gonna do it but interference would be good hahah)

It was exhausting for her to make this walk.

Because, why shouldn't it? It was hardly surprising that she was too weak to do a good job of this, either. Thankfully, this would be passive. She just needed to get out of sight.

She hoped one of the soldiers found her.

She had a prick of conscience at the thought of one of the kids finding her.

But even then, it was better for one of them to find her than for an assassin to find them.

She didn't love the idea, still. Maybe she'd do it near the perimeter where a guard would find her on their patrol.

Yes.

That was the best plan.

She slipped into the frigid air and slowly, carefully, shuffled to the ice garden. She took a deep breath, looking around, then decided she was heading for the back right corner. It'd be remote enough to be away from the Loquiturs -- and far enough it'd take Laura too long to get to her, on the off chance someone found her before it was over. It was the best choice.

(Gotta love dragging characters right to the brink)

Wick had seated himself under one of the ice-encrusted trees, head upturned and legs splayed out in front of him. He was without a binder; he'd woken up sore that morning, so his chest hung heavy and wrong, distractingly present in its sensations. He tried to focus on the fading stars, though, telling himself he'd stay here a few more minutes and then go put on a binder. He had several hours before breakfast was ready, according to Sebastian. Why not spend them appreciating nature?

(poor trauma babies ;-; )

The air was sharp against Ky's lungs, making her breathing even shakier. Her throat felt tight, but she refused to shed any additional tears for herself. They were as selfish as the rest of her. She didn't have the right to be this self-absorbed. She just needed to stop wallowing in self-pity and get it over with.

She walked with her eyes on the ground, shoulders slumped and jaw clenched.

Just a few minutes longer. Then it'd all be over.

Boots crunched a ways down the path, and Wick lowered his gaze from the sky. Normally in Caeacal Keep, he wouldn't be concerned. But assassins had just attacked the family last night and he'd seen three men killed. It only made sense that he'd be on edge, and so he got to his feet but kept silent.

Ky didn't notice him as she neared -- keeping her gaze on the snow in front of her. She was starting to get lightheaded again. And was freezing to death. And somehow felt even worse than she had before.

It didn't matter.

Nothing mattered. Except keeping the Loquiturs safe. That mattered.

He waited and watched, fumbling quietly for anything he might be able to use as a weapon. He came up with the simple wooden brooch holding his cloak together and took it off, unhooking the long, thin bit.

Perhaps she should have gotten a coat before coming out here. It was far too cold to tolerating cold like this. She kept trekking forward though. Not much longer now. Then she’d be warm again.

Wick positioned it between his knuckles so he could strike hard and fast, if it came to it. He was probably being a fool; it was probably just one of the family. But just to be safe...

Ky came shuffling into view a few moments later — but kept her eyes on the ground. She was trembling now — though from the cold or the exertion was anyone’s guess. Just a little way further. She could do it.

"Ky?" Wick took a step forward, pocketing the brooch immediately. "Hey." She looked half frozen! What was she doing without a coat?

Ky flinched, entire body tensing at once, as she whirled around on him. Her stomach lurched but she dug her heels into the ground, resisting the urge to run away.

Then she realized it was Wick, not an assassin.

And somehow that was worse.

“Oh, hi,” Ky murmured back, willing her teeth to stop chattering. This interference was annoying but not unmanageable. She’d just need to be silent. She could do that. She nodded to him and kept walking — but her steps were barely getting her anywhere at all by now.