"Nor should you." Anneke gazed ahead of her, eyes distant. "It's fine to be angry, but it shouldn't be a consuming anger. That's a dangerous way to feel."
"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 nodded. “I got lucky, though, I think,” she said after a moment. “My Papa was so patient and wonderful. You’d have liked him. And he said that Mama was even better than he was — though I’m not sure that’s possible. So… well, I guess the Ruiarc genes make you turn out alright.” She bit her lip, adding quietly, “Hopefully.”
"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 certainly seems to be so in your case." Anneke smiled at her. "Your father did a wonderful job with you."
"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 brightened at that. But then remembered she had no capacity to accept compliments graciously.
“I’m an excellent honey bandit, anyway,” Ky said playfully, shifting the jar in her arms.
"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]
"Indeed you are! That's not something everyone can 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 laughed. “You should have seen Lord… Tomhas… in the act, too. Divide and conquer… and now we all glory in the spoils of… of… our mischief,” she said sheepishly, giving a shy grin.
"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]
"Classic hunter-gatherer tactic! You two will revive the rituals of old in no time." Anneke shook her head. "Tomhas is a master infiltrator. He would have made a wonderful spy if he wasn't made Lord."
"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
“Ah, you win some, you lose some,” Ky said playfully. “I guess he’s resigned himself to petty theft… from himself.” She laughed a bit.
"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 not the worst thing he could be doing with his time. I can think of plenty other pastimes that might be more concerning."
"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]
Anneke wasn't smiling, but as she saw Ky's she quickly did. "Certainly. Climbing a tree too high, going hunting for days on end. I'm glad he's only stealing wheat cakes."
"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
“Fair enough,” Ky said with a nod. “And racing. We raced on the way there.”
"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
“Him.” Ky wrinkled her nose, but was still clearly amused. “But only barely. And he had a head start.”
"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's also got longer legs, as the other children soon found out through countless races. Doesn't stop them from trying, 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
