Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 11)

(More like BOOGO)

It did, and a pair of hinges creaked as the hidden door swung aside into the room. It was well-cared for but obviously hadn't been slept in for years. There was a painting over the fireplace done in Eastern style, of two women in Northern noble regalia sitting side by side rather grimly. Both were in their mid-twenties, one with red hair and fair skin, the other with a darker complexion and black hair. The redheaded woman had a small smile in her eyes despite her grave countenance, and the other woman looked very tenderly out of the painting.

( -_- )

Ky peered out at this, and then cautious climbed through the door to get a better look at the room. "Whose room was this?"

(I think I've mentioned my punny family before; I can't help it!)

(Goes to Ash family tree and finds the actual perfect couple from forever ago)

Emery followed, studying the two women. "Evelyn Ash. That's Brida's sister. So this other lady must be her wife, Belle."

(hahah I've got a coworker you'd get along with swimmingly xD It's absolutely painful lol)

Ky assessed the painting for a long moment, then nodded, satisfied. The rest of the room was eerily still. She didn't think she liked it.

(Because yall work with fish right?? *winka winka*)

"Lady Brida is actually Gaius's great-grandmother, so this makes Evelyn and Belle his great-grandaunts." He gazed up at the picture. "They both passed away pretty recently. But they weren't living here."

(... set myself up for that one)(*sigh*)

"Where were they living?"

(Indeed you did)

"Hmm, I'd have to check on that. Somewhere in Pawholm, maybe? Gaius attended both funerals; they died within three years of each other."

(well, since you're going to remind me of that coworker, I subject you to my favorite stupid joke of his and will hope it translates well over text, dunno how important delivery is. Why did Sally fall off the swing?)

Ky cringed sympathetically and nodded. "... at least they didn't have long apart... it's painful to live on past a loved one."

(Why?)

"It is." He nodded as well. "I don't have a whole lot of experience with it, but I remember Gaius said Belle was very different after the funeral. She was still very sweet but it took more energy. She was tired all the time."

(she didn't have any arms)
(knock knock)

"I understand," Ky said very quietly. No one believed her when she said how tired she was. Told her to think happy thoughts and pretend to be a dog and pretend that small pleasures made the hell of her own brain worth it. But she was exhausted. And getting progressively more tired, ever since the assassins.

(I--what
Who's there??)

"I can't imagine bring all alone like that," he murmured. "Having no one. It's no wonder she faded away."

(Not Sally)

Ky's throat was tight and she set her jaw as she looked around the room; anywhere but Emery. She didn't like to think about what Papa must have gone through. How alone he must have felt. How afraid he must have been. How she could have kept him alive if she'd not been such a chicken-shit and actually gave escape an honest effort.

But, no. She was a coward. And now he was dead because of it.

(Look here
Now see here Shady's coworker)

He glanced at her. "Wanna get out of here? It's kinda gloomy."

(xD see the first part of the joke isn't funny
but when you deliver the 'not Sally' just... flatly xD it's so much funnier than it actually is lol)

She dipped her head, not willing to risk trusting her voice, and climbed back through the door first.

(That's freaking magnificent and it infuriates me
I'm telling it to my sister tomorrow)

He followed her. "Sorry. I hadn't actually been all the way in there before."