Ky ushered Mattathias and Marcella ahead of her, not above using literal children as her human shield. But she forced herself to smile and stride forward, pretending that she wasn't being eaten alive by anxiety.
"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]
Oscar threw himself at the man, who chuckled and hoisted him up. He waved to Mattathias and Marcella, then caught Ky's eye. "Ah, is this the young lady you were telling us about, Annie?" he asked. His voice was higher but he was deliberately pitching it lower and doing a fantastic job of it. "How do you do?" He offered her his free hand to shake. "The name's Wick Bartok, Annie's brother. That's our auntie Ana."
"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
"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Ky remembered not to add the 'sir' as she smiled at him and shook his hand firmly. "Kylia Ruiarc."
"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]
"Absolutely charmed, Kylia." He pumped her hand. "Welcome to the family! Or rather an early welcome." "We're delighted to have you, dear," Ana added, wheeling herself to the side so she could face Ky. "How are you today? Nervous?"
"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, ma'am," she answered with a smile. Was it okay to still call really old people sir and ma'am? She'd been in that habit, even before she was snatched. She offered Ana her hand. "But very excited!"
"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]
"Tomhas tells me I'm to bake you some pies while I'm here," she chuckled. "Do you like pies, dear?" "Who doesn't?" Wick asked, and Anneke nudged him. "Don't manipulate her!" she chided. "Let her answer."
"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
Ky grinned. This was going much better than she feared. "I love pies -- and I hear yours are legendary!"
"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]
Ana smiled, pleased. "Not nearly as good as they used to be, I'm afraid, but I'm sure that with an assistant I can whip up something worthy of a familial rites ceremony. What sort of filling do you like?"
"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
"Oh, um, I like everything!" Ky said brightly, startled by the question. What even were her options? She wasn't sure. She also didn't like making choices. Still. "I'm grateful for whatever you'd like to make!"
"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]
"Gaius and I will work something out, then." Ana nodded to her. "You haven't lived until you've tasted my aunt's pies," Wick bragged, sitting down beside Gaius. "She's simply marvelous." "Oh, hush yourself." Ana reached over and tapped his knee. "You know how I feel about boasting." "Apologies." Wick dipped his head, chastised.
"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
Ky smiled between them, taking one of the empty seats.
"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]
"So." Wick crossed one leg over the other. "Kylia, how'd you meet Tomhas? What prompted this adoption?" Gaius's lips thinned, and he glanced first at Tomhas, then at Ky to see how they'd react. Wick was a charming fellow, and very kind, but he was a bit outspoken. That had gotten him into trouble before. Tomhas's face tensed slightly and he, too, looked to Ky to see what she'd say.
"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
Ky froze, eyes locking on him for a moment, before she glanced at Ash and then Tomhas -- both of whom were being entirely unhelpful. She looked back at Wick.
"Oh, um, it was a little complicated." She gave an anxious smile. Should she trauma-dump? Probably not. But, then, what was she supposed to say? "I wasn't in a fantastic situation and Tomhas pulled me out of it. I'm very appreciative."
"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]
Wick nodded, seeming to sense he shouldn't push. "You found the right group to get dragged into, I think. I'm glad Tomhas found you, Kylia." "It's very fortunate," Ana agreed.
"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 too," Ky agreed, her smile more genuine this time. "And I appreciate that you've come all this way to meet me. It's very kind of 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]
