Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 15)

(Oop happens to the best of us) (I also don’t know if this is in character I’m just remembering the exxtra litter lol)

“Mm… she usually stayed in nicer places.” Jerica shrugged. “But Derik said he’d split the difference with us on how much more he’d have to pay on a fancy room, and gave us an extra allowance. I prefer rum to fluffy pillows.”


Ky looked at his hand uneasily. He literally can’t touch you. “I know enough about you I don’t want to.”

(She does like nice things but she is a nomad so she's used to sleeping on the ground and on cots)

He wrinkled his nose. "I've never had rum; it sounds unpleasant."

"You know what Gaius and Tomhas told you. That's not all of who I am." His face was angry but pained as well.

(Ah oop. Oh well she deflected lol)

“It’s sweeter than other liquors.” She shrugged. “And gets you shittier faster than wine or something. Efficient.”


“And yet that’s how you’re remembered.” She saw the pain on his face and was starting to feel like an asshole. But this man was a monster. And she has the safety to say what they never could. “I love my Papa more than you could ever begin to imagine and I tell everyone who will listen how great he was. I want him to live on in my memory and everyone else’s so they’d know what a wonderful man once walked among us. Your kids try to forget you.”

"I don't know why anyone would want to feel that way." He frowned.

Septimus's fist was clenched now, tightly. "But they won't. They can't, can they? I do have a legacy, if nothing else."

“You don’t feel any way.” She chuckled, but it was forced. “That’s the point. Drown the feelings.”


Ky wondered if he was going to hit her. If he’d be able to if he tried. But she glanced back at his face. “And is that of great consolation to you now?”

"Hm." Rickard looked down. "I suppose that's appealing," he said reluctantly.

"No," he said flatly.

Jerica looked at him thoughtfully. “…Derik says it’s not healthy… but I’ve got some rum in my saddle bags and I can bring it up if you wanna try. I’d get shitfaced with you. If you want.”


Good. “Mm.” She glanced away. Were they done here, then?

"No, thank you." He looked up, shaking his head quickly. "I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you."

Septimus glared at her for a moment, then turned toward the door. "You'll understand when you have children," he muttered.

“That’s fine.” Jerica shrugged. “I guess it’s a little early to be drinking anyway. Especially if I have to go to a fancy dinner or whatever.”


“I’d rather die than treat any child like you treated yours.” She turned away as well and started down a nearby aisle that would also lead towards the door but so she wouldn’t have to walk next to him. Anxiety was already starting to fill the void as her anger began to slip away before she was ready.

"Perhaps so," he agreed, looking tense.

Septimus got to the door first and stalked out.

Jerica blinked at him. “…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You never have to drink with me if you don’t wanna, up to you, no worries either way. Derik won’t, either. And Rek only does sometimes. I’m not offended.” She smiled a little. “It’s okay.”


Ky gave him a few moments hoping he cleared the hall then stepped out.

He glanced at her. "I appreciate that. I've just...seen what drinking can do. Time and time again. And I don't really want any part of it."

Septimus was gone; a few ghosts were around but none recognizable.

“Reasonable.” Jerica nodded. She was grateful Rickard hadn’t watched that part of her decline, then. She didn’t have a problem… but… it was somewhat possible that it wasn’t the greatest thing she’d ever done. But goddamn sometimes a girl needed something to numb the pain.


Ky leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

(Would Sera still be in the hall?)

(Yeah for sure. She brought a book though)

He sat there quietly, glancing at her a couple times.

One or two glanced at her but made no move to interact.

Jerica took a deep breath and rubbed her face tiredly. It’d been a long day. And now the emotions of all this were starting to wear off, leaving her even tireder than before. Plus she technically wasn’t supposed to be here. “…Are you gonna be around for a while?”


Ky felt sick. Michael. Ainsleys. Septimus and Severus. Septimus all but wishing death upon her. She felt for her rune. Too bad Myna couldn’t protect her from the Ainsleys. What was she even supposed to do about that? Run to find Tomhas and beg him not to send her back? Confront Gaius about it? Hide in her room and barricade the door so no one could come in to drag her back to the South?

She started wandering, but stopped short when she noticed Sera was sitting outside the infirmary. Why? She furrowed her brow. The hallway wasn’t a usual place to read… was it? That seemed weird.