"Anyone." She frowned. "I'll say no more on the matter."
"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
“Of course,” Pratik answered. “I’d never want you to say something you’re not comfortable with. I’m just happy for pleasant conversation.” He smiled a bit, forcing himself not to cringe as he had a sudden, intense memory of one of the officer's splurting into his own face as he sliced the officer's throat.
"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 expect you won't have much of that here, unless you get Lady Ash alone." She shrugged. "You're a mercenary, then?"
"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
“Facilitator,” Pratik corrected. “Basically, a mercenary work standards. There are things I won’t do, no matter the price, and that’s a quality that’s rather lacking in mercenaries. And, I’m better at what I do than they are.”
"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]
"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
“An apt description,” Pratik agreed, inclining his head. “The closest thing to a mercenary with morals that you’ll find, I believe.”
"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 expect so. I wouldn't know much; I haven't met very many. Most of my life has been spent in this castle."
"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
“You’re not missing much.” He smirked a bit. “I /am/ one and I don’t like most mercenaries. Deplorables.”
He was starting to wonder how many times it was possible to call him that in a single evening.
"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]
"As Madam Sera calls them." She headed up some stairs.
"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
“So, I take it Lord Ash doesn’t frequently employ such deplorables?” Pratik asked, following her up the stairs.
"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 wouldn't know," the woman said simply. "I don't manage his payroll."
"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
“Fair enough,” Pratik answered. He was taking in everything he could see as they walked, making a mental map of the part of the keep that he was being allowed to see.
"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]
The Keep was fairly unadorned by decoration, but it was a strong building with well-placed stones and few cracks. It was obvious the thing was ancient, though. The stones of the floor were worn smooth in some places, and the torch holders were of a design that was well out of date.
"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
“So... who else resides in the wing you’re taking me to?”
"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]
"Nobody," she replied. "This is a very large Keep with many wings. Lord Ash saw fit to set you up in his father's old room, which is in the eastern nobles' rooms."
"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
