Of Crows and Songbirds (Part 3)

(That could work ^^ I'll just have her misjudge the passage of time woefully bad, which is very in character for anxious Ky lol)

"Oh... right." She'd never been in charge before. "Um... do you know where Ky might be?"


Ky paced for close to half an hour -- though it was really more like ten minutes -- and then decided to go talk to Lord Ash to see if he'd told Talia and Kaelan that she was here. Perhaps they could just pretend she wasn't? That would avoid the social awkwardness entirely. They'd be safe and not actively hating her. At least, not remember she existed. That would be good.

She walked quickly, not noticing Captain Bay until she was fairly close. She blinked. "...Oh... are they still--?"

"The library maybe? Or her room?" He shrugged.

Bay glanced at the door and held a finger to his lips.

"Could we... check?" Talia asked timidly.


"Oh," she said under her breath, glancing at the door.

Borrond heard her voice, though, and furrowed his brow as he pulled the door open. That couldn't be who it sounded like--

And then it was.

Rage flooded through him as his gaze locked on the little cunt, drowning out his better sense. He saw red, instantly having a flashback to the moment the bitch had swung a dagger at him all those years ago. The spurt of blood; the pain radiating through his shoulder and then through the rest of his body. Who would have known he'd track her down all the way up here of all places? He was ready for her this time. Makata never needed to know...

She stared at him with wide eyes, gaping. She was yanked back to the room in an instant as well. She was so small; so weak. He was standing over Papa with his bloody dagger after he stabbed him. He was coming after her next. She'd missed last time -- seemed she had a second shot at him now. She wished she had a dagger on her.

A strange hatred she hadn't felt stir in years was suddenly churning deep within her, knocking up the sediments of old bad blood between them and drowning out her rage.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Borrond took a threatening step towards her.

She didn't know what came over her, but she didn't shy away this time. Instead, she drew herself up to her full height. He still towered over her, but she was a solid six inches taller now than she'd been the last time. "What are you?" she snarled. "Bastard."

His eyebrows raised and he scoffed, looking at her mockingly, taking another threatening step toward her. "Boutta send a cunt back to daddy."

Even more rage surged through her, red-hot, and she swung at him as hard as she could. It made solid contact and he staggered to the side, not expecting the speed or intensity.

He roared in anger and pain and dove towards her, tackling her into the wall and wrapping both hands around her throat tightly. She kicked him in the crotch as hard as she could, but it was badly placed he didn't let go, and she couldn't get him off her. He scoffed. "Still can't aim for shit." He squeezed, hard, hoping to snap her neck.

Gaius was on his feet in an instant and Bay grabbed Borrond, yanking him backward. He punched him in the face.

"Sure." Emery nodded.

The instant Ky was free of Borrond's grasp, she dove at him again, swinging as hard as she could for his throat even as she coughed from his savage grasp. He made a clumsy swing towards her.

The messenger stepped backward, well out of arm's reach.



Talia walked down the stairs, furrowing her brow as she heard the sound of a scuffle on the next floor down. Her curiosity got the better of her and she continued down towards the second floor.

Gaius was behind Ky now, and he managed to catch her arm and pull her away. "Enough!" He said sharply. "Both of you, stop it this instant."

Bay grappled Borrond now, getting his arms behind him.

Emery paused; he heard it too. "Maybe we shouldn't," he said warily.

Ky's better sense still wasn't working and she tried to squirm free of Gaius's grasp to get back at Borrond. He looked like an easy target before her now. Bitch.


Talia hesitated half-way down the flight, obedient. "...What is it?"

It didn't take much to get free of Gaius but he managed to grab her again, grimacing. "Ky, whatever this is it isn't worth it. Stop."

"I have no clue but it probably doesn't concern us."

"Fair enough." Talia nodded and turned back up the stairs.

She was panting, tears springing to her eyes as she looked at Borrond in utter hatred. "Why is he here?" She was having a hard time controlling herself, but was, ever so slowly, coming back to her better senses. Ash was an authority. She needed to listen to him. Needed to stop elbowing him.

Talia gasped softly. "Ky!" She looked at Emery in alarm, recognizing her voice. She sounded really, really upset.

Emery blinked at her. "You know Ky?"

"Ky, I will explain everything," Gaius promised. "But they both need to go upstairs now. Then we can talk. Alright?"

Talia nodded and, despite her better senses, turned and hurried down the stairs. It sounded like Ky needed her. Not to fight, obviously. Talia had never been a fighter. But to cuddle Ky after she fought.


Ky was trembling with the effort it took to stand still, staring at Borrond with utter hatred.

Borrond tried to lunge for her. He couldn't get free from Bay, but Ky still flinched, and he laughed at her mockingly. Ky went after him again, intent on knocking the scorn off his stupid, stupid fucking face. She got her right fist free of Gaius and nailed Borrond right in the mouth.

He snarled in rage, trying once again to get away from Bay.

The messenger continued to stay well out of range of any of the violence, not at all interested in eating a knuckle sandwich. He didn't know who this crazy lady was. But it didn't seem to concern him in the least; Mikaelson could stand to be knocked down a peg or two, quite honestly. He wouldn't sleep over it.

Emery followed reluctantly.

Bay held on even tighter. Gaius grabbed for Ky again. "Stop. Gods, listen to me!"

Talia stared in horror as she saw what was going on. Ky disobeying a Lord. She'd be absolutely mortified if she knew what she was doing -- she couldn't be in her right state of mind. But, then, Borrond had that effect on her. He'd broken several of her ribs back when he took them and Ky still fought him daily, until he beat her to the point of not being able to stand up. He... had a weird, weird effect on Ky.

She rushed forward.

"Ky!"

Ky's gaze snapped towards her angrily, and then her entire expression dropped, feeling like she'd been hit in the gut when she saw her childhood best friend.

"Ky, please stop fighting him," Talia pleaded. "You're gonna get in trouble."

"Yeah, run along, little girls," Borrond taunted, trying once again to get away and failing.

"Shut the fuck up!" Ky shouted at him, lunging for him again.

"You're gonna get in trouble!" Talia pleaded, getting closer and in between them. She didn't try to grab Ky -- they both knew she was far, far weaker. But she got in the way. Ky wouldn't punch her. She was certain of that much.

"I don't give a fuck." Ky stepped to the side, trying to get around her. "We'll go to hell together."

"You're gonna get me in trouble," Talia lied, knowing fully well she had nothing in this. And yet knowing it would make Ky pause. And it did. She faltered. Talia stepped forward and wrapped Ky in a tight hug. "Please stop fighting him."

(Oh my god these kids)

Gaius, chest heaving, leaned against the wall to catch his breath. He had to kill the Lietenant and messenger now. Great.

(at least now they won't call him gay amirite)

Angry tears began streaming down Ky's face as Talia clung to her for dear life, hoping she didn't get in trouble for this and yet that seemed inevitable. She was disobeying the Lord. She elbowed the Lord. Ky was on her way to the chopping block, and Talia had only just gotten her back. She teared up as well. What a cruel turn of fate -- bringing her here just in time for an execution.