Ada remained in the lead, though as they neared the town she fell into step with the other horse and then a little behind.
"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
(Are you planning for anything to happen or will they get to the town safely?)
Pratik took note of it, but didn’t try to stop her and didn’t say anything about it, either. He was still singularly focused on getting to the town in one piece. They were so close.
(I am a trash panda who has neglected to go to sleep even tho it’s 8 am so imma poof now and try to sleep. Be back in 6 ish hours 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]
(They'll get to the town just fine! And good lord you haven't slept all night??? How?)
Rickard shifted again, trying to wake his legs up.
"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
(Haha! It just sort of… happened lol my body likes staying up all night and I usually catch myself and force myself to go to sleep and last night I didn’t pay close enough attention aha)
Pratik barely breathed until they pulled up in front of the Hunter’s Solace Inn — and even then, he stayed tense. He got off the horse with a grimace, stiff and sore. Then turned and offered Rickard a hand to dismount.
"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 hope you're all better now! That's a long time to stay up.)
Rickard nearly fell off even with Pratik's help, then steadied himself with a hand on the horse's flank. "Good God, I don't think I'll ever walk the same," he said with an astounded chuckle. Ada leaped down from her horse and looked around, pulling her blanket up over her collar. "What now?" she asked Pratik.
"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
“Now…” Pratik had forgotten about the horses. He didn’t want to make them deal with putting them up— but he also didn’t want to have to come back out and do it himself. “Do you think you two could manage untacking the horses and putting them up for the night?”
"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'll do it." Ada took the reins. "You two go in and figure out where we're sleeping."
"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
“Thanks,” Pratik said. He took a step towards the door then hesitated and turned back around. “We should probably refrain from speaking Akarataran, until we’re in private again, so we don’t draw unwanted attention.”
"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 nodded. "I'll just be mute, then. Shouldn't be too hard."
"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.” He glanced at Rickard. In the interest of fairness… “Probably best for you, too.”
"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 dipped his head. "You won't even know I'm there. Lead the way." He squared his shoulders.
"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,” Pratik murmured again. He also squared his shoulders and straightened his back, then stride towards the door with strong, confident steps as he went in search of Gregor. Back to being his own self. Back to being able to command respect.
"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 inn was very small and very warm, with a large heart built at the center. A bar was off to the side, lit by a couple lanterns. The patrons were all gone for the night or up in their rooms; only one person was in this area. He was of staggering height and had a flaming red beard, and he looked up from where he'd been dozing as Pratik and Rickard came in. "Room for the night?" he asked in a surprisingly soft voice.
"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
“Gregor?” Pratik asked softly, striding toward the man.
"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]
"Who's asking?" Gregor leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees.
"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
