“Oh.” Aleth folded his hands in front of himself. “May I be so bold as to presume you are the Lady Ash, 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]
"You may." Sara dipped into a neat curtsy. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you; Lord Ash has mentioned you." He'd actually spoken of Al at length with both her and Sera; Gaius suspected this man might be a spy from Tomhas. Sara herself didn't harbor the same suspicions; why would Tomhas send a spy? It was a war, certainly, but it was barely two months in and they were brothers, for crying out loud.
"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
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Aleth bowed low. “I appreciate your and your husband's hospitality. It’s very kind.”
"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]
"It's our honor to help." Sara smiled slightly, glancing toward the door. Gaius had locked all the important places, right? He was careful about these things; he probably had. Even so, she would have to double check. "How are you today?"
"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 doing well, thank you.” Aleth offered a smile. “Thanks to the wonderful care Sera has given me. How are 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]
"Well enough." Sara nodded. "Worried for Cecily, naturally. The stablehand said she must have taken a horse last night."
"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]
"I hope she hasn't gone far." It would be dark in another couple hours, too. If Cecily was still out there she would be in for another freezing night. And so would Gaius, if he didn't come home soon.
"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
Aleth bobbed his head. There was so much he wanted to ask. Did she make a habit of this? Was she not allowed to leave? How had no one noticed until today? But instead, “I as well.”
"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]
"Have you been out long?" Sara had heard he'd had a couple toes amputated; it must be hard to walk of that was the case. Best to sit him down before he hurt himself--or stumbled upon something he wasn't supposed to. "Please, take a chair for a few minutes."
"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
He kicked himself again for being so stupid as to go into a room this ornate. Of course he should have expected it to be occupied. Oh well. He'd had a good run and knew where to go back if he ever got the chance again.
"Thank you, ma'am," Aleth murmured, bobbing his head as he stepped towards one of the nearby chairs. "I'm not quite sure how long it's been, but I would certainly welcome a rest."
"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]
"You've been searching for Cecily, then." Sara settled herself into a chair across from his, smoothing down her long skirt.
"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
Aleth took a moment to settle, leaning his cane up against his chair. "Yes, ma'am. I offered to help his lordship look for her."
"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]
"That was very kind of you." Her eyes never strayed from him. "I confess Lord Ash hasn't told me very much about you; where are you 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
"There's not much to tell, I'm afraid," Aleth answered. He wasn't sure whether to believe her or not. On the one hand, Ash seemed like he might be the kind to lean towards stoicism and not involve his wife in matters. On the other, this might be a ploy to try to make him lower his guard and get his story twisted up. He didn't plan on letting that happen. "But I'm originally from Arrell, but I've been kept in the East the past few years."
"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]
