Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 10)

(So confusing lol)
(I wonder if it just gives me a ghost notif every time you visit my profile? Lol)

Aashi felt very much like she should offer to go look. But then she glanced at Tasia. It wasn’t fair to leave her without a parent if she needed comforted by a potential second shake. So instead she nodded. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

(Maybe
Lemme go visit and we'll see)

"Mm." He half rose before Sara pulled him back down.
"Ky, Tadaaki, and Imali are looking for people. They'll fetch Sera if she's unwell."

“Pratik too,” Aashi offered. “He seemed on a mission to find Ada in particular. Dunno why.”

"They've grown close," Sara said. "They came here from Lord Tarr's Keep with Rickard."

“Ah.” Aashi grimaced. Tadaaki had told her what Tarr was like. “Apparently multiple terrible men have formed multiple bonds.”

Aleth created Ky and Tadaaki.
Michael created Gaius and Tomhas.
And, apparently, Tarr created Pratik and Ada.

(Just visited your profile for 1 second. Any notifs?)

"It would seem so." Gaius studied her. That was an apt observation from her.

(No, alas… maybe try it tomorrow xD we gonna punk the game)

Aashi glanced at him. What was that look for? She hadn’t done anything wrong. Gods. He really was sensitive, to be offended by something as benign as that. She hadn’t even alluded to him. And, unlike Ky, Aashi didn’t believe that this man-Keep-god could read her mind.

She nodded.

(Okie dokie)

"I think you'll be good for Ky," he said finally, looking away. "She needs someone who's not going to jump away of she gets too close."

Aashi blinked. This man was so perplexing. Perhaps she’d figure him out while she was working on Ky. And Tadaaki. That’d be her goal for the next seven months.

“Uh… thank you?” Aashi flashed an uncertain grin. “I hope, to, uh… I mean, uh…” Maybe this was a game to him. Just say things that were impossible to answer. Bonus points for leaving you with no option but to insult him so he’d get mad at you for his own leading statements. “I hope we’ll be able to make friends. She seems like a very cool person.”

Gaius nodded. "Mm, an interesting one to be sure. I think you'll get along." Better than he got along with her, for sure. And maybe she wouldn't be so uncomfortable with Aashi.

“I do, too,” Aashi agreed with a nod. They both had a certain charm that made people like them. Gaius was immune to them both. But. Well. In general. Hopefully it’d be enough to endear them to each other more than superficially.

Gaius settled back in his chair, looking up toward the wall frescoes.

“What about you?” Aashi asked him. “You have any big plans now, regarding Ky or otherwise?”

"We think she should spend more time with Rickard and the other people that came from Gol Nasa," Sara said. "It might help a little."
"I believe Captain Bay will be giving her training I'm swordsmanship," Gaius added.

Aashi had meant him personally, but this was good info as well. She nodded. “That all sounds fantastic! I’m sure Ky will enjoy being here once she lets herself. You’re giving her everything she could possibly want, aside from proximity to her nuclear family. I think she’ll warm up soon enough. We just gotta be patient.”