[with Thomas, in Seval]

[no_thief]

Still in the town of Seval, still in the abandoned building they've made their hideout. Kaya hasn't yet begun to get nervous about staying too long in one place, but it won't be long now.

It's been raining all day. Luckily, the only leak in the roof is all the way at one end of the room; they've set up a barrel to catch the dripping water and retired to the other end. If it isn't too cold, later, maybe she'll use some of the water to wash with.

Right now she's curled in her nest of blankets and straw, half-dozing, with her back to the wall.

Comments

[vagrant_malkin]

Thomas has been out getting more supplies for them, what with them down to their last few rolls of bread.

With notable more grace than then last time he was roof climbing, Thomas eases himself through the window, landing lightly inside.

[no_thief]

She's awake instantly, pushing herself up, and relaxing only when she sees it's him.

[vagrant_malkin]

He smiles at her, approving of her instincts.

"Hey," he says softly. "Been alright?"

[no_thief]

"Yeah," she says, getting to her feet. "You?"

He's a little damp from the rain, but not soaked through. Kaya picks up one of the empty sacks to offer him by way of a towel.

[vagrant_malkin]

He murmurs his thanks, putting down his bag to dry off roughly, shucking off his damp coat to hang and dry.

"I've been alright. Things went smoothly."

[no_thief]

"Maybe I should go out with you next time," she says cautiously.

[vagrant_malkin]

He smiles as he finishes drying, a few tufts of hair sticking up.

"Think you'd be up for that?"

[no_thief]

"You could show me the town," she says, "so I know where things are?"

In case something happens to you.

[vagrant_malkin]

Thomas punks down next to her, nudging her shoulder gently with his.

"Sounds like a good idea, kiddo. Sure, next time you can come along."

Opening his bag, he begins pulling out his spoils, including a few tatty paperbacks.

[no_thief]

Her eyes light up at the books, and she seizes the nearest one and carefully runs one hand over it to make sure it hasn't gotten wet.

[vagrant_malkin]

"It's fine," he says, amusement clear in his voice. "I promise."

[no_thief]

She looks up at him, beaming.

(He's never seen her smile like that.)

[vagrant_malkin]

He wraps an arm around her shoulders, hugging her gently.

"You certainly like to read, don't you?"

[no_thief]

The smile fades a little, and she glances down and away.



"My parents were scholars," she says after a long moment, very low.

[vagrant_malkin]

He squeezes her a little tighter.

"Yeah?"

[no_thief]

Kaya nods. "There weren't any academies where we lived, but they taught us to read and write. They had, we had ..."

She's biting her lip now, all her joy in the book extinguished.

[vagrant_malkin]

He smooths a hand over her hair.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

[no_thief]

She leans her head against him, and stays silent.

[vagrant_malkin]

It's obviously a sore subject for Kaya and Thomas doesn't prod at the subject any more, letting her fall silent.

Instead, he makes sure both arms are wrapped securely around her, tucking the girl close.

[no_thief]

"We had so many books."

Muffled, and unsteady with both loss and anger.

"They burned them. They burned everything."

[vagrant_malkin]

He rubs slow, soothing circles into her back.



"What happened?"

[no_thief]

"The soldiers came."




That seems to be all.

[vagrant_malkin]

"Assholes," seems to be his opinion on said guards. Especially since he's seen the way they've treated Kaya when they've gotten their hands on her.

[no_thief]

A tiny choked laugh, startling her even as she makes it.

[vagrant_malkin]

He smiles ever so faintly.

"Well they are," he defends.