Tomhas had dropped to the back now, but he continued onward, spurred by the enticing scent of meat pie.
"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
Tasia was the only one who seemed entirely uninterested in slowing down. She was getting too far ahead of the group now.
"Tasia!" Tadaaki called after her. "Come back!"
She didn't.
He huffed a sigh and sprinted forward to go catch her.
"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 kitchen was coming up fast now; Tomhas could see Tasia nearing it. Did she know to stop at that door?
"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
"Tasia!" Tadaaki called again, quickly gaining on her. "I'm not joking! Stop!"
She was almost to the door now and showed no indication of slowing.
"Stop!" Tadaaki pulled out his dad-voice.
She locked her legs in an instant, the momentum making her trip over the threshold of the door. But she stopped just inside and turned around with wide eyes, panting.
"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]
"What the devil is going on?" Sebastian demanded, having just stepped into the doorway as Tasia was entering to see what the ruckus was. "We're very bloody busy in here, I'm not tolerating interruptions today of all days! Tomhas Loquitur!" "Here." Tomhas waved as he finally reached the kitchen door. "Sorry, Sebastian. We were looking to see if we could have a few berries to tide us over til dinner?"
"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
(Sebastian has big balls xD yelling at a literal Lord that employs him)
Tadaaki scooped Tasia up before she could decide to make any poor choices, and stepped back out of the way, winded. Ky and Zander were starting to catch their breaths as they neared; Aashi was still huffing and puffing.
"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've got a choice." Sebastian crossed his arms, jerking his grizzled chin up. "Have berries now or have no dessert pies. Up to you." Tomhas turned and looked at Ky.
"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 flushed, glancing at Zander. He shrugged. This wasn't his choice.
"Um... the pies sound better?" Ky said hesitantly, shifting the box in her arms. "Maybe? I don't know. I don't mind either way. Whatever's easier."
"I! Want! Berries!" Tasia shouted.
"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]
"What is going on out here?" Gaius demanded, wiping his hands on his pants as he limped into view. He was using a plain wooden cane, forgoing the more ornate walking stick he usually had, and it was obvious why: he and Ana, who was working behind him, both had hands absolutely covered in pie filling. "The berries are going into the pie, they're in the pie cooking right now." He gave Tomhas a look. "What, did you promise everyone some of our supply? Good gods, man. If you want berries that badly then go foraging."
"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
Right, then, the snowball was either going for Gaius or Sebastian. That much was clear.
Ky tensed, flushing as she dropped her gaze -- chest tight in the face of Sebastian and Gaius' anger. Zander calmly watched the grumpy men in front of them, then glanced at Ky. He started to look away again, but his gaze snapped back to her.
She looked so small. So timid. So servile.
What the fuck was that supposed to be?
Zander had yet another stab of wishing he could have been the one to kill Aleth. What a fucking bastard. Turning his niece into someone clearly terrified of conflict. She'd never been like that before. Sure, she was always desperate for approval and she got sad when she upset someone -- but it wasn't like this.
"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]
"Right, right." Tomhas grimaced. "Sorry. But--could you possibly have a few left over for Ky and Tasia? They had their heart set on it, big brother." Gaius's eyes flicked first to the tiny girl in Tadaaki's arms, then to Ky. "Auntie," he said with a sigh, turning back into the kitchen, "would we possibly have anything left?" "A couple handfuls in the bowl," Ana replied. "Leave me some to decorate the pies with, but the rest can go to the little ones." Gaius looked back at them, shrugging one shoulder. "There you have it." He limped back into the kitchen and scooped one handful out onto the counter, then brought the bowl to Ky and Tasia. "That's all I'm permitted to give you," he said grimly. "Savor those."
"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," Ky murmured quietly, dipping her head and not quite making eye contact.
She really, really didn't want them anymore. She kept the box clutched tightly against her chest with her left arm but took the bowl with her right. She turned slightly and held the bowl up for Tasia -- still in Tadaaki's arms -- to take a few.
Zander watched in silence, narrowing his eyes slightly. Should he address 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]
Gaius glanced at the box; that was an impressive little piece. Where had it come from? "That's a fine container you have there," he said, gesturing with his good hand. "I've never seen anything like it." He could see his manner had made her uncomfortable again; hopefully this would make up 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
That made Ky perk up. Tadaaki reached for the bowl so that Ky could have both hands as she held it up for Gaius to see better. She grinned, unable to stay somber at the reminder that she held one of her papa's creations. "It's one of my papa's! Zander brought it with him."
"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]
"Really?" He studied it. "He must have been a proper master; that's impressive work." He'd have liked to purchase some of her father's work when he was alive, in fact.
"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
