The woman nodded slightly and gestured for the boy to go on without her. The boy nodded in return and continued up the stairs. The woman turned back.
"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's chest felt oddly tight as he now had to walk alongside the woman. Perhaps it was guilt at the fact that he'd even considered sending the woman into Tarr, although it was a fleeting thought. He didn't know. Either way, he hadn't met the woman before, so, "I'm Aren."
"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
"I am," Pratik agreed. "How long have you been here?"
"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]
"Four years." Mia pressed two fingers to the scar tissue around her neck. "Long enough to know where to get salves for the chafing."
"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 barely resisted the urge to reach up to touch his own raw neck. Was this an offer of friendship? It was hard to tell. "Something I would very much like to 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]
"The apothecary is on the second floor--Alexander. If you go there before or after breakfast he'll supply you with anything you need." She nodded at his injuries. "That'll get infected before long if you're not careful."
"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
"Yeah," Pratik agreed. He briefly thought about commenting on the fact that it hurt, but decided that was a stupid comment since the woman was more than aware of how it felt. "Am I allowed to speak to Alexander?"
"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. He won't care one way or another." She raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know not to talk to Lord Tarr?"
"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 thought he’d want to be acknowledged.” Pratik shrugged. “I’m new here.”
"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]
"Evidently." Mia reached the bottom of the stairs and paused. "We're to be silent all hours of the day unless we communicate orders; Lord Tarr prefers to make us as close to beasts as possible."
"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 understand.” Pratik still didn’t comprehend a sentiment like that. But he was beginning to think he never would. “I appreciate the tips.”
(Heads up I’m going to bed soonish)
"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]
Mia dipped her head. "It's best we go to our tasks now, though."
"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
“Be well.” Pratik turned down the hall to get more mead.
"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]
Mia departed in the opposite direction, toward the barracks.
"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
