(He's just a cinnamon roll trying to survive in this mean world I've dropped him into)
"Fair enough, fair enough." Rickard smiled slightly. "I'll take your word for it."
"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
"You won't have to, soon," Pratik said, returning the gesture. "If -- if -- we survive the next two weeks, we're home free. No more masters for any of us."
And Ash was sure as hell going to be paying a lot better than he did for this job, if he wanted Pratik to go through this kind of bullshit again. He wasn't amused by what the job had cost him, compared to what he was making in return. Ash had certainly gotten the better end of this deal.
"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]
Rickard's smile faltered as he considered this. "I don't remember not having a master," he mused. "How am I going to make a living? What will I do?"
"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." Pratik contemplated the question thoughtfully. "The world is full of opportunities. What do you like to do?"
He tried not to revel in the hypocrisy. There wasn't anything out there for men like him -- why was he trying to convince Rickard things would be different for him? All Pratik knew how to do was spy and kill. And he wouldn't wish this skillset on his worst enemy.
"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 don't know." Rickard sounded deeply discouraged and disturbed. "I do what I'm told; I never thought much about what I like to do. I suppose I liked to tell the little ones stories. It calmed them down so the mothers that were there could get some rest."
"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 sure there's a job needing that," Pratik said encouragingly. "Maybe you could be a nanny for a merchant's wife or something?"
"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]
Rickard snorted. "Perhaps. I don't know if any rich citizens are going to be looking for a middle-aged man to take care of their children. There are some things people just want women for. I understand 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
Pratik lifted a shoulder. "Well... maybe you could have some of your own kids, 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]
"I'm too old for that." Rickard shook his head. "Don't want to impose this mess on some poor girl. Perhaps I could make my way as a peddler or tinker? They're made welcome in many places, right?"
"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'd think so!" Pratik said with a grin, forcing himself to be as upbeat as possible. Gods knew the man needed something to look forward to, to get him through these next two weeks of hell. "Don't know of any place that couldn't use one."
"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]
"Perhaps I'll think about that, then," Rickard mused. "We'll see. And you? Lord Ash is supposed to have given your wife money from your sale. Will you return to her and your daughter now that you're free?"
"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 hesitated, glancing at Ada, wondering if she'd sell him out. "Ah, things are complicated. I'll figure out what I'm doing, as I'm doing it. Always do."
"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're a quick thinker, then. I admire that." Rickard reached up and blew on his hands to warm them. "That's an important skill in any field, I should think."
"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
"You gotta be, when the world is as cruel as it is," Pratik murmured. "Think faster than the thread and stay ahead of it."
"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]
"A wise sentiment," Rickard said with a nod. 'So long as one can do that," Ada called over her shoulder. "Some can't."
"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
