Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 13)

(Okay fair… but also no xD there are social expectations to get ahead in careers lol now is completely optional will not reflect badly on me socialization so I feel more in control than when it seems required)

Why did he look so sick to see her? She dropped her gaze and hesitantly shuffled towards the table, trying to decide where to sit. She cast an anxious glance around the room despite herself to see if there were any ghosts.

(Oh okay that makes sense.)

"You can sit in my spot," Sara said. "It's got a good view of the door."

Ky nodded silently, deciding it wasn’t worth re-hashing this argument, and sat down. Tadaaki watched her, expression just short of suspicion. Something was going on with her; he’d need to press her about it later. Why was she taking Sara’s seat? Why did she need to see the door? Why did she look like death warmed over?

Sara sat down beside her. The children were already on her right with Sera on the other side. Most everyone had seated themselves at this point.

Ky reluctantly began serving herself, glancing at Gaius’s plate as a point of comparison to see how much she had to eat.

Her anxiety was mounting with each moment she was in here, next to him in awkward silence. She needed to make a request. And she needed to do it before she got in her own head about it and lost the nerve. She glanced at Gaius. “May I start my sparring lessons with Captain Bay?”

Gaius had been working up the nerve to pick up his fork and eat, but he leaped at the chance to distract himself. "Certainly," he said. "I'm glad you asked; I wondered when you would."

Ky nodded. “…I think it’s time.”

She wouldn’t have, had things stayed stabled. But she needed something to give her at least a fighting chance. If she was going to be on her own in this place, she needed to be self-sufficient.

He dipped his head, studying her for a second. "Any idea what weapon you'll start with?"

“…I was working with a short sword before… probably makes sense to start back there… unless you think I should start elsewhere?” Would something else be faster? She wished Ka’Nor was here.

"That seems as good a place to start as any." He shrugged. "It's been a very long time since I've sparred; short swords seem like a logical beginning weapon."

“Good.” Ky nodded. “Then I’ll start back there… if he’s still willing. I know it’s been a while. But if he’s not too busy now.”

"I'm sure he's perfectly willing. Captain Bay is a patient man."
"He is indeed!" Tomhas strode in through the door. "What's up?" He caught sight of Ky and smiled quickly.

Ky forced a little smile for his benefit. “I’m going to take up sparring lessons.”

"That's great!" His face lit up. "That's a great pastime. Good for you, Ky." He sat down across from her at Gaius's left.

“Yeah.” She maintained the forced smile. She’d rather him be naive than concerned; this was good. “How are you?”