bite your tongue and swallow 

count to ten, divisible by 2 on a good day and 5 on a bad day

9 chews too loud

8 rubs on each finger, 8 thumb to thumb and then every other finger. always an even number

I don't want to 

I shouldn't need to 

I don't have to

I really shouldn't.

Numbers upon numbers upon numbers that insist

upon eachother. Adding up quickly and carrying mental 

the crow queen isn't a crow

she is born of crow

and shows the crows mercy

but isn't crow

she is somewhere between the lines of magic and human

a power bestowed upon her unrightfully.