sapphic_spidy

Kiva, whose teacher is long gone, leaving them stuck stagnant, considers this. They have no reason to not believe what is said. Civil, peaceful, they like those terms. This isn't a demon masquerading as an orc trying to show them something. These are.... well, they're good people right? There's nothing to fear, right?

Once Sydney finds out about this, he'll prepare to steal 700+ pieces of bread from the Ferrymen. Again.

"Hey, Gnarla, have y'ever killed a demon?" ----- Sydney doesn't know yet. But if he did, he would celebrate. Finally, his family is a step closer to being free. He has no idea how he evaded Sermi. Sermi who, over a decade ago, before it all went wrong, suggested they get to know each other, make a game of it. She guessed wrongly, about his motivations, about him. Syd, if he knew, would regret that he hadn't been a bigger threat. That he had done more than spread whispers about her location. Sermi hurt his family, in more than just one face. Sermi tried to break her, time and time again. Sermi tried to take him, when he was hurt and desperate to do something. And all Sydney could do was whisper. ----- "I want to ask her about her pretty white cat." He heard the kid whispering to the other woman, he followed him, he knew where Sermi was. And yet, he only whispered to a few people. Could it have been ended sooner, had he brought them to her? ----- "She lives here. But you didn't hear that from me." "'Course not." He wanted her gone. Out. Of his place, of his town, where he felt safe after decades of endless fighting. And now, she was. If Sydney knew, he would celebrate.

A man from Skjoldier sits in Cormath, not a clue what is going on. A man who escaped a village that turned him away when he was young and full of mistakes. He never saw a witch. He never had to. No one saw the witches. No one knew much about them for certain. The whispers stretched them to have far more power than they did. They all told the stories differently, none of them entirely accurate. Not one didn't exaggerate at least one thing grossly. The man's village was not important enough to be named. It did not matter to anyone outside of it. It may not even exist anymore. Maybe he is the only one who is still alive. It's sad, really, how little he truly knows of Skjoldier. How little he knows of the witches. How little he knows of anything. He doesn't know what it's like in the citadel, what it's like in the woods, where the witches hid. He doesn't know anything beyond his little village. The only time he left it was when he stowed away to come to Aevos. All the man from Skjoldier knows is the fear that was hammered into his heart. He has no clue what is going on... And maybe he never will. It's not as if he knows much of his homeland anyways.

Katherine's hands shake. She's angry. Why is she angry? Why is she furious? John would hate her now. But should she really try to care? Everyone would hate her now. Everyone. But not a word? Not a letter? Not an attempt? He flaked on her- flaked- and favors a son who called him crazy- called her crazy. Maybe she is crazy. Crazy to hold these grudges from childhood. But damn it, she's mad. And lonely. And, probably, soon to be homeless. Why. Why? Did she ever think she could have family. It was set in stone the night before her 18th birthday. They were not her family. She was a burden, someone who could not even be considered a Galbraith. Who had no room on any family tree. Katherine remembers when John was kidnapped like it was yesterday. The fear and panic each and every night he didn't return- the anger that no one could bring him home. She loved him then. She doesn't love anyone now. She hopes the whole house burns.

Irene? Like... like that Irene? Sydney's eyes widen, then he grins. She couldn't hide forever, could she. What is it she said to him? What's wrong? Or was it, Is something the matter? He can't publicly say what she is... But he can anonymously write to John. He's sure John would appreciate the knowledge.

Sydney didn't know her. He only knew her as someone associated with the ferrymen- that immediately put them at odds. Still... He worries. Who will they say killed her? Will spreading his suspicions be enough? He doesn't want the blame to fall on Celia'nor- he's certain it wasn't their fault that she passed. He has friends in Celia'nor, even if Arthur doesn't get that, and Veluc thinks he should keep his neck out of trouble. Syd thought he was over this. Over worrying about Iolas every time something happens. He's not. Someone is dead, and all he can think about are Iolas and Ariane.

The "anonymous malin" who did nothing more than skim the missive chuckles. "Malin. Not quite, m'friend. Not quite." Sydney is suddenly VERY glad he didn't sign with his full name. Juniper knows his contribution, and that's all that matters.

Sydney, quite frankly, is not surprised. He simply blinks. He doesn't trust Sermi for her word, but this seems... relatively accurate. As selfish as it is, though, he likes his position, even though he only ever accredited it to Athri, never Yera. He can't exactly speak out against her either, or it'd undo the years of trying to seem harmless. Sydney is not a traitor. He does not plan on being a traitor. But he decides to ignore this altogether until the situation with you-know-who, mister "shadows and destruction of all who you love," the thing that may end up having to be the get-along-shirt for Caelia and Balian, is overwith.

Little Caeso is so confused. He is six.