"Ten years, now. Lord Gaius took me from the East himself." Emery turned his head to show a small spiral tattoo just below his ear. "Pleasure tents. I was lucky to get out. What about you? Where did you come from?"
"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
(Not me, having to reread everything to remember his story haha)
“I was also being kept in the East,” Aleth answered. “Working as a butler to a merchant there, until he up and decided to sell me. Still not sure what I did to piss him off.”
"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 gotta start bookmarking things so if we need to go back we can just thumb through)
"Oh?" Emery nodded in interest. "And the slavers brought you up here, eh? Lucky break you were close to Ash territory."
"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
(Aha that’s a smart idea! My memory is so trash haha brain empty; no thoughts)
“No doubt,” Aleth answered, sobering slightly in an attempt to look more reverent. “I’m sure my story would have been a much sadder tale had I escaped nearer the Tarr estate. I’m most grateful I made my way here instead.”
"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'll get working on that once I've moved back into my dorm tomorrow.)
"Tarr's a brute," Emery said with distaste. "I met him once and I have no intention of doing so again. Have you met any of the other Lords?"
"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
“No, sir,” Aleth answered, desperately hoping that Tarr would be smart enough to keep his mouth shut if he was asked the same question. He doubted Loquitur or the Barrasters would let anything slip, though. “I’ve had the good fortune of mostly staying out of the gaze of powerful people.” Another lie. He placed himself squarely in the center of attention of the richest and most powerful people he could. “How did you come to make Lord Tarr’s acquaintance?”
"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 accompanied Lord Ash on one of his diplomatic visits," Emery responded. "I've been working as a sort of intelligence officer for him since my rescue. Well, not ever since but a couple hears after, when I was old enough to train."
"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 inquisitively. He was sure Loquitur must know about Emery, if that was the case, but he wasn’t sure if the man held anything of value that Tomhas wouldn’t know yet.
"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]
Emery nodded. "Lord Ash wasn't Lord when I was saved, either, which slowed things down."
"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
“Ah, right, I didn’t think of that,” Aleth said. “The former Lord Ash also took pity upon you?”
"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]
"He allowed my presence," Emery said with a scoff. "Thought it would be good publicity or something. I don't know. I was just thankful to be there."
"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
“Understandable,” Aleth answered. “I’m glad it worked out to your good. You seem a decent fellow.”
"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]
Emery nodded slightly. "I certainly hope I am. I worked hard to become the man I am today. And you? Where will you go from here?"
"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
“I don’t know,” Aleth admitted. “I’m hoping to get my feet under myself and learn more about myself and the world before I do anything rash. Hopefully his lordship allows me to linger as I do so.”
"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 he will. He's generous, as I said, and quite interested in you besides. But he's interested in all newcomers. I wouldn't worry unless you've got something to hide." He said this last bit playfully, nudging Aleth.
"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
