"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 stepped into the hall, walking quickly, until he got a chance to glance around and ensure he was alone. Then he went in search of Ada.
"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]
Ada was working on reshelving books in the librarz as per Tarr's instructions. He had not wanted her hands growing calloused in the kitchen and had made up a menial task to keep her clean. His attentions had been constant since that night, but she kept telling herself she would slit his throat one day and watch him bleed out on that same bed.
"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 had to check a few places, but found her relatively quickly. He did a quick pass around the library to ensure they were alone before he approached her. “Hey.”
"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]
(We'll kill him one day, I promise. Thoroughly. Just not yet. Not for a long while)
Ada looked up in the middle of pulling a book off a shelf, squinting at him. "What do you want?" He looked clear enough, though he hadn't said anything to make him suspicious just yet. His presence was low-energy.
"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
“Do you know how to ride a horse?” Was he really leading with that? He narrowly resisted the urge to facepalm.
"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]
Ada set the book back on its shelf and turned to face him fully. "Of course. Why?" Had he found a way out?
"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 intend to keep my promise. Tonight,” Pratik said. “Meet me in the stables just after the moon rises.”
"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]
She peered at him. Nothing blurred there, no ill intent evident just yet. "Why should 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
“Would you rather stay here?” Pratik countered, raising an eyebrow. He had no doubt she was probably tapping into whatever it was that made her a Seer. This time, that was fine. He wanted her to see he was authentic.
"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 certainly would not, but I want to confirm exactly why I'm wandering out into the dead of night in the cold weather to meet a strange man. It's not something I would ever do normally."
"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
“We’re leaving,” Pratik said, glancing around. He was so edgy, though he forced himself to be calm. For her sake. Besides, it’s not like anyone else spoke Akarataran. “Well, I am, anyway. I found a way out. I promised I’d take you with me. I found us both a way out.”
(Feel like I still got it wrong lol)
"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]
Ada studied him again. He remained clear, though his wording wavered him a little bit. There were elements of truth, then. Majority, even. Just very small slivers of lying. "Tell me," she said finally, against her better judgement. Even with her Sight she wasn't a trusting person; her mother had raised her better than that.
"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’ve been making connections,” Pratik said quietly. “I found one who can get us out. There’s an innkeeper in the next town over who will help us along. It’ll be a long, perilous journey. But I can protect us. And we’ll be free.”
"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]
Truth. Ada gave a small nod. "Fine. But what if he has me when it's time? I can't kill him, not yet."
"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
