Ky started after him, realizing it seemed like something he didn’t want to talk about. So she went back to where she had originally been planning to go with her questions. “What did you want to do before that, then?”
"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]
"Survive, mostly." Tomhas slowed down so she could keep up. "Breed horses or become advisor to the Taral in the Southern Realm. Perhaps have a humble cottage somewhere warm where I could settle down. During my banishment, though, all I wanted was to be with Anneke. It didn't matter where; I just wanted to stay by her side."
"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
That was adorable. Ky barely stopped herself before she said as much. Instead, she smiled and said, “That’s really sweet. I’m glad you found each other.”
"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]
"So am I." Tomhas grinned. "She's the light of my life, and she's given me four more lights--soon to be five. Can you believe that?" I'm going to be a father again in a few months!"
"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
“That’s exciting!” Ky said, mirroring his energy. “Tie-breaker, eh? Are you hoping for another son or a daughter?”
"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]
"Who cares? It's a baby, and it's my baby. I'm happy so long as it and Anneke come out of it all safe and healthy." Peter had been a dangerous birth for Anneke; the apothecary had been sure neither would make it, but here they were alive and well a year or so later. Tomhas only hoped the same could be said for whem the new little one came.
"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, sir,” Ky agreed with a smile. “Do you have names picked out?”
"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]
"Not yet." Tomhas shook his head. "That comes after. You've got to look at the child to know, in my experience. There's a feeling, and hopefully your spouse has the same feeling and there's a name attached. Simple as that."
"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
“Makes sense,” Ky answered. She wondered what it was about her that made her parents look at her and think Kylia. It was a pretty name. Maybe they thought she was pretty already, despite being smooshed and mottled and angry, fresh out of the womb. “Seems like a special moment.”
"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 can't compare it to anything else in the world," Tomhas sighed. "Being a parent is a blessing, Ky. It isn't for everyone, but it's a blessing to those who want it."
"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 smiled. It was so nice to see how utterly infatuated with his children he was. To imagine how her Papa must have felt about her. “I can’t wait to see for myself.”
"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]
"Just a few more months to wait!" They reached the bottom of the stairs. "Let's just hope this war is over by 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
“Do you think…?” Ky glanced up at him, suddenly remembering that she wasn’t being careful and guarded like she usually was. This was a delicate matter. It wouldn’t do to offend him. And she didn’t even know what she wanted to ask. If this matter with Cecily would expedite whatever was going to happen? If Gaius would get his head out of his ass and apologize. “… do you think that’s likely, sir?”
"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]
Tomhas was silent for a few long moments. He wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe this would resolve if he just had a chance to talk to his brother face to face. But Gaius was stubborn, and he was stubborn. Two stubborn men who believed in what they were fighting for. "I don't know," he said finally. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."
"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
“Hopefully so,” Ky said encouragingly. “Are you excited to see him again? Despite everything?”
"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]
