Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 20)

Sera and Ricard had been thriving in contrast to Sara and Gaius, who seemed to be drifting apart as Gaius deteriorated mentally and physically. Ricard was coming out of his shell more and more these days, smiling more frequently and even speaking up at dinner. Even so, he was anxious around these new nobles. He hid it better than he used to, but he'd look askance at Shea and Gowan every now and again and exchange looks with Emery, with whom he had grown close.

Sera, while she was happy with Ricard, was struggling to find time to relax as she pored over various books and medical records. She was trying desperately to figure out what was going on with Gaius, since he kept mum every time she asked.

(omg how did I forget about Ricard, my man)
(want him and Lia to run into each other in the hall or something?)

(Whichever works for you and moves the plot forward!)

Lia wandered down the hall, brushing her fingertips along the wall as she hummed quietly to herself. She looked at the floor as she walked, counting the cracks between the stones, not paying attention to where she was going in her boredom.

Ricard was on his way to the library to pick up another book for Sera, a cup of tea in his hand. He sipped at it occasionally, looking nowhere in particular.

Lia rounded the corner, stopping as she saw him walking towards her. Her social anxiety kicked in immediately. Should she leave? Or... speak? Gods, not that. Had he seen her yet? Perhaps she could just slip away unnoticed...

Ricard hadn't noticed her yet; he whistled a tune to himself.

Lia hesitated, body tense and eyes flicking around. Then she forced herself to square her shoulders and take a deep breath. She was a noble. She needed to act like it. And nobles didn't tuck their tail and run... no matter how anxious she may or may not be right now. She kept walking.

Ricard eventually took notice of her--it was hard not to when she was wearing the garish Eastern garb. His eyes flicked to her face, then quickly away, and he gave her a little nod of acknowledgement.

"Um... hello." She gave a quick curtsy. "How do you do, sir?"

"I'm well, miss. And yourself?" Ricard dipped into a shallow bow, slowing but not stopping.

"I'm doing well, thank you." She flashed a quick smile, hesitating again. Was he not intending to stop? Did that mean she should keep walking? She wished Father or Rana were here so she could just copy them.

Ricard returned it, though his brow crinkled in confusion and he stopped walking. Did she want something from him? She looked lost.

Oh... oh no. He stopped. Did she do something wrong? Or... uh... was she supposed to make conversation? "Um... lovely day, huh?" that was stupid. "May I ask what you're up to today?"

Oh, god.
"Very little," Ricard replied, curling his other hand around his tea. "I was just running a quick errand for Sera, actually, but otherwise things have been very quiet. Was there something you needed, miss?"