Of Crows and Songbirds

“No sir.” Tadaaki shook his head, gaze on the floor.

Breathe deeply.

Don’t crack.

Anything Ash did to him for lying wouldn’t be anywhere close to what Aleth would do to him if he told the truth… hopefully. At least, if it was as bad, he’d need to get creative. His chest was already claimed; back already crisscrossed from his flogging. No space left for any more dragons.

"Usually, if I think I'm being deceived--I know it, actually--I pass interviewees off to Captain Bay. He's the gentleman who helped you all to the infirmary yesterday. He's quite kind to friends, but enemies...." He shook his head. "He breaks through them as fast as he goes through white shirts. He has a special cell that he works in and everything, designed to fit his every need."

(Damn you wanting him to crack already xD)

A shudder ran through him. Gods.

…Gods.

At least they didn’t know about Aashi and Tasia. They didn’t even know to ask about them. That was enough. He’d die as slow as he had to to keep them safe. It didn’t matter what they did to him. If he cracked, Aleth would kill Aashi.

If he didn’t crack, then, well… he’d die, eventually. Once they got bored of him. Or screwed up and let too much blood too fast. Either way, he wouldn’t crack. He wouldn’t.

…gods.

"I want you to keep that in mind from now on. Now, what creatures did you encounter on your journey?"

Did he really think they could just move on from that? That Tadaaki would be in the right headspace for questions after a threat like that?

Fucking psychopath.

He hated him already.

“…we saw some elk, sir. And…and…”

Knives. And blood. And the consequence room. And Yeona standing over him with her suturing kit. And the way Ky always sprawled after a discipline session. And… so much blood. And…

"Go on."

“A, uh, fox? And, and some deer. And… and rabbits?” He was sweating now, even though that was the truth. Where was Ky? He wanted out of this conversation. And he wanted it now.

"What else?"

“I don’t know sir,” he said miserably, finally looking up at him. He was too afraid to remember anything at this point. “That may have been it?”

"Were you attacked by anything?"

“No sir.” He shook his head, heart thudding in his skull. Not after Tarr.

"How did you manage that?"

“…sir?”

"How were you never attacked? I assume you spent the night outside in the cold, which is a feat in of itself, but making it two weeks to Serpent Keep without so much as a scratch from a lynx of wolverine is nigh impossible."

“… we built fires at night?” Tadaaki said hopelessly. “And got really, really lucky. I didn’t expect it either. Sir.”