Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 16)

"At any rate," he said, shaking himself, "you've nothing to fear. I know that doesn't mean he can't talk to you, but I suspect if he finds out you know who he is he'll duck down for awhile to scheme."

“Oh gods.” She rubbed her face. “Scheme about what?”

"Gods know." He shrugged. "Septimus said Michael's trying to make havoc for Gaius and Tomhas, mostly. Traumatizing them from beyond the grave, using you to set them on edge. I expect it will relate to that."

“Gods.” Ky rubbed her face weakly. And she was playing right into his trap. “…well… I lied to them both and said he was too unstable and passed.”’

"I'd continue to tell that lie," Severus said hesitantly. "If I were you. It counters his desires nicely. But they'll notice your nerves are frayed, even so."

She sighed and nodded. She felt like hell; she suspected she looked the part, too. “I… made a mistake last night. Told Sera someone came into my room but said I didn’t know who even though I did. But… she’s going to tell them. And I can’t figure out how to make her stop. It’s a mistake.”

"They believe Michael has passed, right?" he asked. "Just say it's Modestus. There are plenty of crazy Ashes. Modestus is gone, anyway."

“I already told them Modestus is gone, too.” She shook her head. “When I was… trying to walk around Septimus still being here…”

He wrinkled his nose. "Oh, dear." Turning, he began to pace. "Hmm. Argus, perhaps? He was an odd one--not to speak ill of one of my brothers, of course. Or perhaps an anonymous dead servant buried here?"

Ky nodded slowly. “Sure… I mean… I could keep just claiming I don’t know who it was. I told Sera he had a high voice to throw her off the trail; anyone fit that bill?”

(Accidentally found a better image for Tomhas than the AI one I made and I'm so mad
I wish so hard it wasn't this actor but it is, it has to be
He's old now so it's never gonna happen but godddd

Spoiler

)

Severus thought for a moment. "None that come to mind, none that I've met."

(Omg that’s perfect!)

“Okay.” She sighed. “Guess I messed that one up then.” What was new?

(It's very perfect but it had to be Matthew Modine?
He's a great guy but I associate him with Stranger Things and he was a total ass in that show
I don't think he has the energy I'm looking for in Tomhas either. Definitely the face, but not the energy or the voice.)

"I'm sure it'll be alright," he assured her. "I expect you didn't see his face, so you could just invent someone, right?"

(That’s fair haha)

Ky nodded. “Yeah. But Gaius is gonna get all paranoid and start asking me for body type and stuff. I need someone who actually exists.”

"Give him a description of someone Michael-adjacent," he suggested. "Maybe blonde instead with green eyes instead of blue. Tall and muscular, round face instead of thin. No facial scars."