"I expect she looked quite disgruntled by all the coldness and noise. But now she's probably learning her parents' faces and getting to know everybody who'll love her."
"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
“No doubt,” Ky agreed. She settled back in her seat with a contented sigh. “No doubt. Today is a good day.”
Utter terror from the king aside.
"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]
"And so is tomorrow." Ana pointed at her. "You're coming fully into this family for the first time. Though if you ask me all this formality isn't necessary--you're already with us!"
"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 appreciate that,” Ky said with a genuine smile, dipping her head. “You’re all so lovely. And I’m so glad I got to meet you and Wick. You’re both so kind.”
"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]
Ana leaned forward and patted Ky's knee. "You're a great girl, Ky. Anyone would be hard pressed not to adore you."
"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
Aleth came to mind immediately. He certainly hated her more than possibly anyone else in the world. And Ash was a quick second. She wasn’t stupid. She could see he looked straight through her and saw nothing at all to like about any of it.
Ky forced herself to let out her held breath and maintain her smile, dipping her head. There was no point in bringing any of that up. The others liked her. That was enough. “Sounds like a solid start to a family — us liking each other,” she laughed a bit. “Now I just need to learn all the rest 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]
"It comes naturally, I find. Just be yourself and try not to worry too much. You're doing wonderfully as you are, dear."
"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
She clearly didn’t see how very much Ky was already trying. It was almost amusing. But Ky certainly wasn’t going to show her hand. If her act was working, she’d just make sure she maintained it. She smiled and dipped her head. “Any tips for things I should know about being a Loquitur?”
"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]
Ana shook her head. "You're thinking about this all wrong, Ky. It's not something you can really learn. You're already a Loquitur by association and soon by law. That's all it really takes!"
"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. Sorry.” Ky nodded. She needed to get her shit together. She was running out of time to figure out the right things to say. “I am anxious but I promise I’m working on 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]
"You're doing great," Ana promised just as the door swung open and the children, minus Lyra and Wick, swarmed in. "Where's the baby?" Oscar demanded as Anneliese helped him up onto the couch. "Uncle Gaius and Aunt Sara are visiting her right now," Ana informed him. "Don't worry, you'll get your turn." "Who're you?" Marcella asked of Harold, who chuckled. "Don't you remember me? I saw you once when you were just a little baby. I'm King Harold." "The King?" Marcella's eyebrows shot up. "Ohhh, Father talks about you all the time! He hates you."
"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’s eyes went wide in horror, then locked on Harold to see his reaction. This was bad.
"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]
Harold gazed at her for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I know that. But hopefully you and I can get along, eh?" "Maybe." Marcella eyed him critically and climbed up beside Oscar, followed by Mattathias. "Have you got chocolates?" "Be polite to the King, Marcella," Ana said nervously. "It's nothing, madam." Harold waved his hand. "My feelings aren't hurt. I'm afraid I don't have any chocolate for you, but perhaps next time you visit Rein we can find you some." "Perhaps," Marcella echoed, still watching him with narrowed eyes. "Just tell your father from me that I place trust in him because I trust that his good judgement is greater than his hate."
"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
Marcella was really waking up and choosing violence. Ky could barely breathe, eyes flicking around everyone but mostly watching Harold. He seemed genuinely un-upset by it. But she was definitely telling Ash this had happened. And maybe he’d hate her worse and think she was a busy body trying to snitch on his daughter. But he deserved to know that this interaction had happened.
And Ky hoped that the king really wouldn’t retaliate on him for it. Marcella had really gone and done it this 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]
"He knows that too," Marcella said boldly, and then busied herself with playing with a loose thread on her dress. "I'm ignoring you now," she clarified, and Mattathias shifted beside her to glance uncomfortably at Harold. Harold watched Marcella a moment longer, then shrugged and looked toward Ky with a lopsided smile. "I'm not very popular with any of the Ashes, it seems," he said.
"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
