Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 11)

(Good, yes, I approve of you not doing that haha)
(The summer before I started grad school I was trying to save up money for security deposits and a new laptop and then my bearded dragon got a hefty vet bill and I was averaging like 55-60 ish hours per week lol could barely stand up on my days off… am glad those days are behind me)

Ky giggled mischievously as she thought about that. That’d be an intense game, between the three of them. Between Gaius’s intellect and Tomhas’s charm and her ability to be manipulative anytime anywhere. Her smile slowly faded though as she thought more about it. No. It wasn’t the time for games. Gaius and Tomhas were going to spend this whole time pissy with each other and probably her as well. “… maybe.”

(Oh man
My parents keep telling me not to get a pet and I see why now)

"They'll make up like they always do," he assured her, seeing his expression. "They can't help but be best friends; they always have been."

(Heh… they do complicate life quite a bit — especially now because I am working a temp job in Maryland when I live full time in Oklahoma otherwise and couldn’t get a lease that allows pets for the short term and had to get pet sitters which was stressful and expensive. But honestly can’t say I regret having them overall despite all that. They give me dopamine and force me to function even when my depression gets bad. Like, well I have to feed my dragon, I’m not a monster, so screw it ig I’ll get food since I’m already at the fridge — etc etc forcing self care through animal care lol)(but also yes they are a pain in the ass and it’s a trade off haha)

“…they waged literal war on each other,” she said flatly.

(Ahh that is smart though.
I might just mooch off my roommates if they decide they want a pet. Not sure it's so smart for us as undergrads to take on that responsibility along with college and rent, though)

"And now they're back to being best brothers!"

(Very valid, on all counts lol I like having roommates with dogs. Because I quite enjoy having them in my home and yet do not foresee myself ever owning one — so it’s a nice perk haha)

“… you clearly didn’t see them an hour ago,” Ky said quietly, flushing a bit. Back to her sullen mood.

(I've always wanted cats, but babysitting the family friends' cats and dog and seeing all the litter they scatter meaninglessly outside the box has kind of put me off. My cats never did that sort of thing I don't think. Though it's been something like four years since I've had cats)

"They're not going to go to war over this," he said. "And they'll make up from what they argued about before as well. I'm telling you, they've had worse rows."

(Haha yeah cats are assholes… I honestly desperately want one, but not until my life gets more stable. Dunno if I’ve mentioned it but like I have 0 idea what I’m doing with my life lol my advisor might or might not be moving to California… I don’t think I’ll follow her if she does, but then do I go back to phd life at my school and find a different advisor? Or do I just plan not to go back at all? Or wait and play it by ear? And I’m applying to jobs literally all across the country. And—
Just a lot haha and mammals are even harder to make moves with than my reptiles, so gonna hold off til I have some stability ya feel?)

“Okay.” Ky nodded. He was probably right, eventually. But that didn’t erase how wildly uncomfortable and stressful this visit was going to be. Gaius seemed the sort to stay pissy for quite a while when he got that way; he wouldn’t bounce back from it as fast as Tomhas. And Tomhas wouldn’t bounce back if Gaius kept needling him. It was going to be a disaster, whether Emery would admit it or not.

(Totally. Yowzers, sounds like you've got a helluva a lot on your plate. I wish you luck; adulting sounds like no fun at all.)

"But in the meantime maybe you and I can try the puzzles and play some games. Maybe we can get Rickard or someone else in on it, too!"

(Thank you ;-; it truly is not)
(Tho honestly you could not pay me enough to go back to my teens. Life is so much better on the whole. Just… overwhelming)

“…maybe,” she allowed. “We’ll see.”

She was making no promises whatsoever. She wasn’t yet giving up on her plan to go straight back to bed the instant they finished this stupid speed walk. They were already to the third floor now. Half way to freedom.

"Awesome." He nodded approvingly. "Wanna race the rest of the way or just jog?"

“No.” She wanted neither. This speed walk was the best he was going to get. She was tired. And grouchy. And also didn’t have anywhere near the guts it would take to sprint in the Ash mansion. They already thought her a child; no use adding to it.

"Okay. Want to grab a bite to eat when we get downstairs? I think there's some honeycomb somewhere in the kitchen."

“…no.” Ky shook her head. “I already ate today.”

Which was enough. Not to mention all this exercise was already making her stomach feel bad. Well. It felt bad before. And got worse the more Emery made her think about the gods and Tomhas and Gaius. No, she needed to just wait until the next meal. She shouldn’t skip them, now that Tomhas was here. It’d just upset him. Which she was trying her best not to do. So no point in loading up on sweets now. That’d only make eating that much harder later.

"Gotcha." He walked on in silence for a moment. "You met Sera's son Tristan, right?"

“Yeah.” Ky nodded. “… why?”