Roland tilted his head to the side, a half smile on his face. He quickly corrected it and called for the next person to be brought in. Rickard stepped inside, catching Pratik's eye for a moment before he approached Roland.
"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 eyed him warily, but kept his expression neutral. He had no doubt of his ability to play his role here well. That he'd be able to fool Tarr with very little difficulty whatsoever. But he had substantial doubts that Rickard was going to make that easy for him. With any luck, he'd keep his mouth shut. But he didn't seem good at that. Still, Pratik decided to make an effort, and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"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
A good sign. Pratik didn't risk a smile. Instead, he bowed his head and walked to the room Roland told him to go 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]
About five minutes later, Rickard shuffled into the side room and sat down against the wall with a weary sigh.
"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 decided to try his luck in making a friend, now that they were one on one. "... Did he tell you what your job is going to be?"
"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 said I'm to be a stablehand," Rickard replied dully. "Too many scars to make a presentable house slave." He ran a hand through his damp hair; he was still trembling with cold even after the bath.
"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'm sorry," Pratik murmured. He couldn't help but wonder if that was partially his own fault -- Roland putting the other slaves far away from where Pratik would be so there would be less interaction. Less thoughts of turning on him. "That's shitty."
"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]
"Better than being around Lord Tarr as often as the house slaves will be." Rickard glanced at the door. "I hear he's got an appetite, and those young women in there aren't likely to get away from 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
Pratik cringed sympathetically even as his blood ran cold. That was going to be hard to watch without interceeding. He hadn't tolerated it when he was eleven and he didn't tolerate it now. Let the guards kill him -- it'd be worth it to wring the life out of Tarr's neck, if Pratik caught him assaulting the girls. Again. "Godsdamn."
"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've seen it time and time again," Rickard went on. "Young or old, it doesn't matter to some masters. But what are we to do?"
"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
"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]
"But you won't, because that would mean death or worse." Rickard let his legs stretch out in front of him with a small groan. "Learn to be blind, that'll help."
(Off to bed now. Goodnight!)
"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 won't," Pratik agreed. He was silent for a moment. "Tips on learning that skill? I don't seem to have it."
And he wouldn't ever have it. His job depended on him noticing details. His life depended on it. But it'd be nice to get an insight into the mind of a slave, to help him learn how to put up a convincing persona.
"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]
Rickard smiled ruefully. "It's trial and error, really. You're beaten senseless enough times and then you just stop worrying about other people's problems and start focusing on surviving the day. In short, abandon hope."
"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 must never give into despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road, and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength. — Uncle Iroh
