Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 7)

(Fr I have no idea how you can have literally the entire world against you and still think what you’re doing is okay lol)

“Our lives are predominately sad, currently,” Ky said dryly.

(I don't think he thinks it's okay; he just thinks he's entitled. He's a weak person with a lot of power right now)

"My life is just fine," Ada said tetchily. "There was just a little rough patch, is all."

(That’s fair… man child with a nuke)

“Okay.” Ky nodded. It wasn’t her place to inform Ada that her life sucked. But would she have gotten taken by a slaver if it didn’t? Would she have met Tarr if it didn’t? Would she be here instead of back home? That didn’t happen to people whose lives were ‘just fine’ — but Ky was happy that Ada had made it through with her ego intact. That was a gift she hadn’t been granted.

(He used to be a joke; I miss those days)

Ada walked in silence for awhile, breath huffing out into the air and disappearing just as quickly as it appeared. She supposed Ky was right; things did suck right now, but not as much as they had last month. She counted herself very lucky to be here in Serpent Keep, and she'd be on her way home as soon as she could manage. Wasn't Ky's life better, too? She had a new family--a very rich, influential family--and could basically do whatever she wanted.

(Yeahhhh I miss the days before a lot of recent men in world power lol)

“So, uh…” she hesitated, not sure what to say, and yet also not capable of handling this silence. “Have you found anything besides the grove that you like about here?”

(Yupp)

"The presence of my friends, I guess," Ada mused. "And the snow, like I said. I love the snow." There wasn't much else she could think of; this place was so dismal. There was hardly any sunlight, even in the daytime, and part of the year there was none at all. What kind of a land was this?

Ky nodded. “That’s good.”

"Is there anything you like, aside from the library?"

“I only got here yesterday,” Ky murmured. But no, no there wasn’t. “But I’m sure I’ll… find things… and my family’s here, which is nice.” Not the family she wanted. But good enough.

"You've got an odd family, if I may be so bold," Ada said. "I guess the kids and Lady Ash are fine, but your uncle is kind of creepy."

That was bold. But Ky smirked slightly. “He’s an acquired taste.”

"Seems so. What's he up to today? War stuff?"

Ky tensed, but kept her expression neutral. “I don’t know.” Shit, would that excuse work with Ada? She was very good at playing dumb. But she didn’t know if they counted as a lie. So she added. “He took me to meet the trainers. I don’t know what he’ll be doing the rest of the day.”

Probably not much.

Ada's brow furrowed; Ky had just blurred up a bit at the first 'I don't know.' "Ky..."

She knew she'd look guilty if she looked at her, so she didn't. "I assume the war is taking most of his time and attention, yes."