"Twenty-two," Pratik answered. He decided to risk it. At best, this was Roland. If it wasn't, the man would likely think the code was nonsense. Unless Pratik got particularly unlucky, in which case... he'd figure it out. Pratik pulled his furs closer to his chest and murmured, "It's warmer under the mountains."
"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 man's gray eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed slightly. "And the gods have stoked the fire," he recited, then lowered his voice. "Welcome aboard. Are you well?"
"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," Pratik answered quietly, thanking the gods that it was the right man. Maybe he shouldn't have cursed them quite so much during his bath. Then he lifted a shoulder. "As well as can be expected."
"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 apologize for the circumstances; I can't promise they'll improve." Roland began writing more things down. "I'm the head of the house slaves here, meaning I'm also in charge of assigning work to the newcomers. You'll be inserted in the house as a valet of sorts. Do you have any questions for me?"
"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
"How often will I see you?" Pratik asked, wondering how easy it would be to slip him information when he got any.
"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 house slaves sleep below the kitchen, all in one dormitory," Roland replied. "We will see each other when we go to sleep and when we wake up, then once again near lunch time, nearly guaranteed."
"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
"Excellent," Pratik answered. That made things far easier than expected. "Anything I should know?"
"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]
"Plenty. First and foremost, make sure you're not observed. Draw no attention to yourself and you'll succeed both in your mission and your survival. Whatever horrors you endured on the trip here, Lord Tarr and his overseers will deliver that tenfold. I'm told you're posing as illiterate; that should help you get close to important documents." Roland paused. "Be wary of our colleagues; everyone here is vying for security more than anything. If they think turning you in will get them an improved standard of living, they'll do it in a heartbeat."
"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
Pratik hesitated, biting his lip. "We might have a problem, then. The others saw me leaving..." He was wary of so much as whispering Ash's name. "... when my chains were fresh."
"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]
"And four others are with you?" Roland's brow furrowed. "What did you tell them about 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
"Yes," Pratik answered. "I made up a story about my daughter getting kidnapped and how... he would use the money he got from my sale to ransom her back. I... don't know how well it stuck."
"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]
"We shall see," he sighed. "I'll do what I can to help with that." He finished what he was writing and straightened ever so slightly. "I've got you processed; you'll report for duty early tomorrow morning and in the meantime a fellow valet will show you the ropes. Wait in that side room over there until the others have been processed, then I'll take you to 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
"Alright." Pratik stood up. "Consider me at your disposal if there's a way I can be of help. Otherwise, I plan to keep my head down and mouth shut."
"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 let you know." Roland dipped his head. "Good luck, Master Presha. And remember that Alexander the apothecary is a friend, but he cannot know who you really are."
"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
Pratik smirked crookedly. "You don't know who I really am." He bowed slightly then started for the door.
"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]
