"Well, the future depends on the choices of people," Gaius reasoned. "If I were to ask a Seer with more control over their visions--a bonecarver, let's say--what might happen if I were to suddenly break my peace with the Bledroes, they could show me various paths that would take me down, with varying clarity. They could inform me on which path might be safest for my own intentions, and they could tell me what might happen if I maintained peace."
"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 makes sense.” Ky nodded. She could see how something like that would be helpful, if it was real. “So… bonecarvers can control their visions? Are they a special kind of Seer?”
"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]
"Not exactly; I misspoke. They're simply able to remember more details because they carve it into animal bones they carry with them. They're more conscious than those who dream."
"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
"Oh." Ky nodded, satisfied with the answer. "... probably a stupid question, but why don't they just use paper?"
"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]
"That, I couldn't tell you." "It's because the spirits of the animals are infused in the bones and make them magic or something, I think," Harold said uncertainly. "I'd be more inclined to guess tradition as the culprit," Gaius mused.
"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. She’d often found bizarre behavior often had a perfectly reasonable start that eventually got taken into absurdity. Maybe the bones were less prone to weather damage before humans had invented proper winter gear? Hard to say. “I’m sure they’ve got a good reason, whatever it is.”
"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's none of my business to tell them to carve it on other things, anyway," Harold mused. "Seers are to be respected." "The one I'm to meet was a slave," Gaius said flatly. "You may want to arrest her former master, if that's the case."
"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 was intrigued who this Seer was and why she was meeting Ash and just, well, everything. But she wasn’t about to stick her nose into business that didn’t concern her. It was always so uncomfortable to listen to people talking about slavery. Would it get easier with time?
"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 was her master?" Harold asked, brow furrowed. Gaius gazed at him for a long moment, then straightened his shoulders. "Well, your Majesty, I'm not at liberty to say." Harold gave him a pained look and turned to Sara. "Is he always like this?" he asked her. Sara gave a shrug. "You've known him a long time, my liege. I expect you ought to know 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
Ash was toying with the king. She didn’t know if that made her admire or fear him even more than she already did.
"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]
"Yes, I suppose I ought to." Harold shook his head wearily. "It wouldn't kill you to lighten up every now and then, Lord Ash. Maybe crack a smile or two?" "The last time I tried, my lips bled," Gaius said with a long-suffering stare. "It's terribly dangerous for me to express emotion, your Majesty."
"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
It was clear her had the capacity for joy, based on his reaction to the news of the birth. He’d smiled then. But she was starting to think his cold, withdrawn persona was preferable to his agitation with the king now or Ana yesterday. His emotions dangerous indeed.
"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]
"Evidently." Harold huffed and leaned back, obviously worn out by trying to be friendly to this brick wall. Tomhas returned at that moment, eyes wide and a bit red. "Hey," he said, voice at a whisper. "Who wants to come see my daughter? One at a time."
"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 grinned, excited, but made no move to get up. She was at the very bottom of the order of who in this room should be meeting the baby first. Perhaps Ash should be the first person to go? Since he was Tomhas’s brother. Or the king? She wasn’t sure which title would take point here.
"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 around. He did want to go see; he knew Sara did as well. And he figured Harold probably wasn't comfortable in a birthing room. Ana would insist everybody else go first, being who she was. "Ky?" he suggested. "Yes!" Tomhas clapped his hands. "Ky, come meet your baby sister."
"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
