Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

(this is, in fact, the second one we've finished this month xD @GrandWild)
(Ky: I am clearly a god, hear me roar)

"I told him to go back to sleep," she murmured. "But I'm sure he heard it all. We both sleep light."

She assumed she didn't need to explain to Gaius why; he probably did, also. For a similar reason.

(Oh my gosh it's a book series at this point)

"Does he understand what he was hearing? Who you were talking to?" Gaius hoped not; that would take a lot of explaining on Ky's part.

(xD ideal)

"I don't think so," she murmured. "But I'm going to have to tell him something... I won't gaslight him into thinking it didn't happen."

Aleth had already fucked with them enough. Convinced them that their own perceptions were unreliable. Tadaaki trusted Ky to tell him the truth, and she wasn't going to betray that trust.

"Best come up with something before everyone else wakes up, then." He leaned against the carriage, glad to take the weight off his foot.

Well, that was entirely unhelpful. Obviously she knew that much. She just didn't have any ideas for what other story she could pitch. Should she just tell Tadaaki the truth? He'd believe her if she did. Especially since she had the fur to prove it. She nodded.

Gaius sighed; he was looking forward to getting home with each passing day. This had been quite an adventure, but he was ready to return to business as usual and meet with Pratik and the Seer.

He remained unhelpful.

Oh well. That was fine. She’d figure out. She always figured it out.

They were pretty well to the end of their challenge. Had they already passed it? It was hard to tell. She hoped he’d forgotten about it. Forgot what a sulky child she’d been.

Besides — this fur was the only thing she’d ever need again in her life. She was still so wildly uncomfortable about having possessions of her own again. She didn’t deserve them. And they all knew it.

(Honestly I'd forgotten too. Time to mind read!)

"So," Gaius said after a moment. "I believe tomorrow makes two weeks." She didn't seem to need the challenge anymore, and he couldn't help but think she'd feel cheated when he revealed the reward. It wasn't much of a reward for someone who was no longer suicidal.

(Haha!)

Ky shrugged. She should have known better than to think about it. Not a mind reader her ass. “It’s whatever.”

(Gaius doesn't need Seers, it turns out)

"I confess my reward for you isn't much now that you're doing better." He looked into the trees, wondering if the Marrow Man was still hanging around, watching. Probably not.

She shrugged again. “I don’t need presents.”

"Good thing it's not a present, then. It's more of a lesson, really. I think you might have been furious with me about it if you were still feeling the way you felt five days ago. Maybe you'll still be furious."

She furrowed her brow at him. What a Gaius move — to gift her with something with the intents of pissing her off. “What is it?”

"Well." Gaius straightened, a self-mocking smile playing across his face. "Tell me everything good that happened to you these two weeks, big or small. Leave nothing out."

She furrowed her brow even more at him as she came just short of a glare. “You’re toying with me.”