“Thank you,” Ky repeated. She felt like there was so much tension in the air between them. She wanted to break free of it. To ask Lyra if she actually wanted to be her friend. To warn her not to give her any info that she would have to share with Aleth but to please actually speak to her. “I... hope that your reading is more interesting, ma’am.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"I suppose it will," Lyra murmured, shoulders slumping. No chance now. She'd have to try again another time.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky watched her for a moment. There was clearly something else. But she didn’t know how to ask what it was. This was a game of cat and mouse, but now she was the mouse, and the entire house was filled with cats. Still. Lyra seemed like she was a cat that didn’t quite realize it yet. Maybe kittens only played with mice. “Is there...?”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Oh I FORGOT TO SAY, I am SUPER interested in that poem!!! If you’re willing to share I really want to see it!!)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
(Sure! I'll post it when I have it revised to my satisfaction.)
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky froze, staring at Lyra with wide eyes. Yet another Loquitur catching her off guard and in a single afternoon. And this one far, far more direct. She didn’t have many options here. And the silence was getting far too long. She could lie. Agree. Or... “uh, I— yeah, of course. He’s... very... generous.” She nodded once, like she was trying to sell the story to herself too.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Lyra didn't respond to that, merely staring at her. Ky must know they were alone here, right? It was safe to talk. She wouldn't tell...she knew better than that. Her father had coached her on when to tell and when not to tell.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky’s heart was racing so loud she could hear it in her ears. Her chest felt so tight. The silence felt like it lasted an eternity. She swallowed hard. Lyra clearly wasn’t going to let it go. She took a deep breath. “... no.” Ky shrugged, averting her gaze. “But there’s no need to be. I’m just a servant. You can do what you wish with your property.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"Father says servants aren't property," Lyra said stiffly. Ky had opened up, at least, but this felt tougher than she thought it would be. "You're people, just the same as us. There's no reason to hurt you for doing something wrong."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“Yes, ma’am. Your father said the same to me. About the property thing.” Ky took a deep breath. This was such dangerous territory, and her heart and her brain were at odds about what to say. She couldn’t seem to find the courage to look up at Lyra. “... but some people disagree with that... and... he doesn’t like it when I embarrass him.” She subconsciously rolled her shoulder, thinking back to her conversation with Loquitur on the stairs. She cringed again. “It’s my own fault. It’s fine.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"If...if you ever need to talk..." Lyra trailed off. What could she offer? Her father wasn't going to help and she herself was in no position to offer anything other than comfort. At least her father had said something. That was good. Perhaps he'd change his kind about Ky if Lyra pushed him.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky felt like... she didn’t know what she felt. It was like every emotion at once. Guilt for kindness she didn’t deserve. Panic at being discovered. Relief at the prospects of a friend. But mostly just overwhelmed by all the kindness thrown at her in a single day.
“Talking gets me in trouble but—“ her voice caught and she felt tears spring to her eyes in an instant. She turned her head away, scrubbing at her rye furiously as her face flushed from embarrassment. “Apologies ma’am I didn’t mean— I didn’t—“ she took a shaky breath.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Lyra felt herself flinch. She hadn't meant to make her cry, and she herself had been wanting to do so since that morning. Blushing in embarrassment, Lyra ducked her head down. "Don't apologize," she said quietly. "Just....you're not the only one. You're not the only one." Her throat tightened and she gripped her book tightly. "You should go."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Ky nodded but didn’t trust herself to speak, so she dipped her head and made her head and rushed into the hall. Usually she would try to look around. Ensure there were no nobles or servants or anyone else in the hall. But she was too flustered. So she kept her head bowed and started down the hall.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Lyra buried her face in her arms as soon as Ky was gone, taking deep breaths to steady herself. She had to tell her father what she'd just said and done. How Ky had reacted. What was she supposed to do now? Had she endangered Ky like her father had warned might happen? Was she going to be the reason Ky got hurt next? And what would her husband do if he found out she had asked about the meeting?
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Your hesitation suggests you are trying to protect my feelings. However, since I have none, I would prefer you to be honest. An artist's growth depends upon accurate feedback. — LCDR Data
