“Age does make for remarkable differences in temperament,” Aleth agreed. “At least, hopefully will change the propensity for anger. Is Matthias in line to become the next Lord Ash?”
"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]
"Yeah. Uncle Gaius is nervous about it, I think. He wouldn't tell me about it." They reached the ground floor. "The kitchen's this way." Adrian pointed.
"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
“Oh?” Aleth asked, walking the way Adrian had indicated.
"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]
Adrian shrugged. "I'd be nervous too because it would mean I'd have to die for my son to be a Lord." They passed a soldier in the hall, who dipped his head to Adrian and gave Aleth a wary look before turning back the way he'd come slightly faster.
"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
Aleth eyed the soldier. He was running straight to Ash, no doubt.
Aleth contemplated parting ways with Adrian — to ensure whoever returned to them wouldn’t find his interactions with the child improper. But, then, there wasn’t anything else he could do just then, since he knew fully well that someone would be coming to look for him.
“Right. But he’s only a child. I doubt he even understands what nobility means, for now.”
"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]
"Probably not. I hope he doesn't have to be Lord soon, though." They turned into the kitchen, where the cook was already working on dinner. She looked up with a smile. "Hello, Adrian! What can I do for you?" "Can I have minty tea and honey?" Adrian asked.
"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
Aleth sent a quick glance around the kitchen. He hadn’t been down here, yet, but it didn’t seem particularly interesting. Just a standard kitchen. Although the chef seemed friendlier than usual… that could just be because of Adrian’s status, though.
He smiled politely and clasped his hands in front of himself. A cup of tea wasn’t worth risking speaking out of turn.
"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]
"Some for you too, sir?" the cook asked, directing a kitchen aid to put the kettle on.
"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, please,” Aleth answered with a smile. “If you don’t mind, 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]
"Certainly." The woman smiled. "You're the fellow that came to the gates a couple weeks ago, right?"
"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,” Aleth answered, offering a hand. “The name’s Al.”
"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]
"Good to meet you." She dipped her head. Adrian hopped up on a stool.
"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 as well.” Aleth buried his hands in his pockets, trying not to look as awkward as he felt. “And your name is…?”
"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]
"Mara." She was in the middle of preparing a large bird to bake in the oven--turkey or goose, it seemed. "Adrian, dear, do you want some biscuits or cakes with your tea?" "Yes, please!"
"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
“Have you worked here long?” Aleth asked casually, leaning lightly on the table in front of him.
"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]
