Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 8)

"I'm good for whenever! Tristan, Lily, I hope I wouldn't offend you if we stepped out for a few seconds?"
"Not at all!" Tristan waved a hand. "Mum and Emery are great talkers; they'll keep us entertained."

Ky smiled and popped to her feet.

Zander wasn’t actually sure if he was allowed to leave or not. He assumed it’d be fine since he’d be with Sara, who was no doubt an even more trusted babysitter. But if Emery had to come along too it’d be a whole big thing and make it awkward. Besides, it’d be good for Ky to have time alone with her new aunt. She’d never got to meet her birth aunt, yet. It’d be good for Ky to get used to some girl time after a lifetime surrounded by men.

"I'll be back in a jiff." She rose as well. "My burner is in my room; we can grab that or nab Gaius's off his desk since that's closer."

Imagine walking into Gaius’s office uninvited. Sara was courageous indeed. Ky dipped her head. “Whatever you think is best.”

"To the study, then." She opened the door and waved to the others. "Do you have the letter you need to seal with you?"

“Yeah! I…” she blushed and sheepishly pulled the letters out of her pocket. “Wrote one to all of them… is that okay? I’m sorry.”

"Certainly! We've got great ravens; they won't mind flocking." She exited the library and headed toward the stairs.

(It is on the third floor, right? I think. Or is it the second? I'm all muddled up at 12 in the morning)

(I feel like it’s on the second and library and infirmary are on the third but I’m not gonna make any promises)(and it also doesn’t super matter tbh)

Ky smiled, squaring up all the corners of the carefully folded letters. “I thought the kids might be excited to get their own letters. I drew a picture for Oscar.”

(I think you're right. I'll edit it in just a sec)

"That's so thoughtful!" Sara grinned. "I'm sure theyll all love to read and look at your letters. It's good you're getting along with them all."

Ky smiled, pleased with the compliment. “It’s really just so nice to have siblings and parents and aunts and uncles and well, it’s all so new. And nice.”

"That's wonderful, Ky! I'm glad you're settling in." She reached the stairs. "I know it's hard being away from them so soon. We'll do our best to be there for you of you need us."

“I appreciate that.” Ky smiled, even though she had no intentions on taking her up on it. She still wasn’t particularly comfortable being vulnerable around the Loquiturs, even though Tomhas had seen her at her worst multiple times now. Asking the Ashes for emotional support was out of the question entirely. “I’ll try to be an easy guest as much as I can.”

"You're family now," Sara pointed out. "Family isn't easy. I know this is a useless thing to say, but try not to stress out too much. We've had more difficult relatives stay here, believe me."

Ky knew she didn’t mean to, but that caused a surge of anxiety. Had she made their lives harder by accepting the adoption? Gods, she had, hadn’t she? That’s what that meant. Code. For her being a burden. She shouldn’t have come here. Shouldn’t have gone through with the adoption.

She shrank a bit and nodded.

Sara glanced at her. "Oh dear, you're not difficult! That's not what I was trying to say. You've been a great help even in the short time you've been here, actually."