Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 13)

Ky watched Tomhas closely for a reaction, everything within her screaming to add qualifiers to that. If you don’t mind. If that’s okay. It’s okay if not. I don’t mind. I understand if not.

But she, somehow, managed to keep them to herself. For now. If he so much as hesitated she’d give all the disclaimers, not just one.

"Oh, sure!" Tomhas nodded. "Should have thought of that--we can pop down to the village today or tomorrow for sure. What do you say, Ky?"

“Sure.” Ky nodded, still actively trying to hide her anxiety. “If-if that’s okay? I mean, if you’re sure? If not it’s okay! I understand completely. It’s okay.”

"Let's do it!" He grinned. "It'll be fun. And we'll have a guard."

Ky blinked. Oh. He thought she was worried about the assassins not the money. That…

Was probably best to let him continue thinking that, yes.

“I’ll look forward to it, then,” she smiled, ducking her head. “Thank you.”

Tomhas dipped his head. "It'll be fun! Want me to give you some privacy or stick around and watch?"

“Um…” she hesitated, glancing at Captain Bay and then back at Tomhas, then shrugging. “Up to you.”

"On the contrary," Tomhas replied. "It's up to you." Bay nodded in agreement.

“Um…” she blushed a little, not sure what to say. Her social anxiety didn’t want to send him away. But her performance anxiety very much didn’t want an audience. But then she also didn’t want to be alone with Bay and the soldiers. But… “I mean… um… we’ve got to get the armor sorted and then it’s just an introductory lesson so, um, it probably won’t be much fun to watch? So, um… yeah.” Probably best if he left her and Bay to figure things out on their own.

"Okay!" Tomhas dipped his head. "Good luck! Let me know when you're done; I'll be in my room, probably."

"Okay." Ky nodded, offering a little smile, though she glanced at him a little suspiciously. Why would he be in his room? He was a social butterfly. Hiding in a bedroom was a move she would make -- but him? Why? "Will do."

"Awesome." He nodded to her and headed for the doors. "Alrighty; have fun you two!"

“Thank you.” She returned the nod, watching him go, then turned back towards Captain Bay with a hesitant smile.

Bay looked her up and down, then tilted his head in the direction of the barracks. "Let's find you some armor, shall we?"

“Yessir.” She nodded, sobering, and stepped that direction.