Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 5)

(Hope you like traumatized protagonists and complex commentary on gender roles!)

"I disagree with the idea that everybody tries to justify their actions." Gaius tilted his head. "Some don't bother. Some don't need justification. But on the subject of inner humanity, I will say that while I don't care to take the time to wake up the slavers I do recognize their potential to change. There are a couple out there I know of who gave up everything to turn their lives around and work against slavery now. Interesting people."

(*gestures at this entire RP* xD)

Ky nodded thoughtfully. She'd never heard of someone doing something like that before; but she could respect that. She would never, never trust a former slaver, no matter if they were a saint now. A past like that stuck with you for life, just like the scars on her abdomen were going to be with her. "But there was remorse on their part to lead to that redemption."

(Thought so!)

"Precisely. But there was no remorse before. They had to be shown what they were doing. They had to be taught to view slaves as people."

Ky sighed, perplexed at the thought. Her brow was furrowed as she contemplated it. "This is a very complicated thing to have an opinion about."

That was the one thing she was sure of.

"Most things are complicated," Gaius pointed out. "And subjective topics are twice as difficult to make simple. It's not always necessary to form an opinion about a given thing."

Ky nodded in agreement. "It's generally safer not to have opinions, too."

"Certainly, unless you're a noble. Then you're seen as weak or fickle. People will jump at the chance to claim your territory or win your side in a war."

Ky considered that for a moment, then nodded in agreement. That made sense. But simply being a Lord's daughter did not, in fact, force her to have opinions. So they could all be happy.

"Well, this has been interesting." Gaius wished desperately that he could leave, or that she would leave. She was fine enough company, but he was a man who liked to be alone with his thoughts every now and again--most of the day, even. Being stuck in the infirmary was going to set him into a foul mood by the end of the week.

"It has." Ky nodded, eyeing him. That sounded like a 'go fuck off' statement, and she was happy to comply, but she wasn't sure if she was allowed to leave at this point. Would it distress Tomhas if she did? Aleth expected to know where she was literally every moment of every day. Even on the few occasions that he'd let her go into town by herself, she had to say which streets she'd be on and in which order she'd go to them.

And even when they were home, in the few rooms that were possibilities where she might be, she had to be where he'd left her or in the restroom. There were no other options, until he told her she was allowed to go elsewhere.

Tomhas wasn't like that, of course. He'd never be like that.

But he would probably -- very understandably -- want to know where to find her at the drop of a hat, now. It'd give him anxiety if he wasn't able to track her down immediately, given what she'd done earlier.

It seemed that she couldn't really go anywhere. Might as well get what he needed. "Are you feeling up to talking about Aleth and where we might find information about his...plans for you?" he asked.

Ky took a deep breath. Right, this conversation was still waiting for her. She let it out slowly and nodded. May as well get it over with. "Sure... I think Tomhas wanted to be part of this, though."

She'd rather not have to repeat it twice, but she supposed she would if that's what Gaius asked of her.

"I can relay it to him if you like. Or we can wait til he returns with Tadaaki, I suppose." Damn, he'd nearly forgotten about that.

Ky bit her lip. Somehow, both of those seemed like bad options. "Whatever you think is best."

"It's not my decision to make," he pointed out.

Tomhas had gone in search of Tadaaki after bidding Aashi a good morning. He hadn't found him in the library or on the first floor.