"No, sir," Pratik agreed. "Are there things I should know about living 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]
"Speak at your own risk when in the presence of Lord Tarr, for one." Alexander sat down beside him and reached toward his collar. "May I?"
"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
"Mm, yes, I did gather that much." Pratik lifted his chin. "Please."
"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]
Alexander dabbed some salve on his fingers and gently slid them under the collar, rubbing it over the chafed skin. "I would also recommend befriending your fellow slaves and coming to see me for any medical needs you might have. And stash some blankets somewhere; your huts aren't very warm, are they?"
"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 clenched his teeth as a sharp pain shot through his neck. He knew it was good for him. But it still hurt like the dickens. He took a deep breath, controlling the pain, then slowly let it out.
"No, they're not," Pratik agreed after a moment. "I don't think I caught your name, by the way."
"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]
"Alexander Dalia," Alexander replied. "I'm the apothecary here, as you might have guessed."
"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 pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Pratik said. “How long have you been in his lordship’s employ?”
"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 worked for Lord Tarr for three years now." He took a roll of gauze next and unrolled a thick strip. "Tie this under the collar to leave the wounds unirritated."
"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
“Thank you.” The thought of a buffer between his flesh and the collar was welcomed. Why couldn’t he have met this blessed man a week ago? “Is there any other wisdom you have to share?”
"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]
"Become a shadow on the wall, if you can. And if you're expecting to be punished, keep your body loose to lessen the pain."
"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 bit back a sigh. It was solid advice. He’d learned through the school of hard knocks how to get a beating and how to fall without seriously getting injured. And it was good that Alexander was giving it to him — made him believe that the apothecary was genuinely looking out for him. But he couldn’t help but feel a pang of annoyance knowing that a beating was likely in his future, if Alexander was warning him about it.
“Good to know,” Pratik said. “Thank 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]
Alexander nodded. The mother cat and two more of her kittens trotted in, and the mother leaped up onto Alexander's lap. He stroked her gently. "You came in last week, correct?"
"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,” Pratik answered, almost by habit at this point. “And I’ve felt in the way every moment since 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]
"Do what you can not to get in the way, then." Alexander gazed down at the cat. "You've learned some of the ropes though, yes?"
"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
“Some…” Pratik answered slowly. “Mostly just to be out of sight and out of mind when it comes to his lordship… but I’m having a bit of trouble understanding the general routines of the keep.”
"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]
