"The next meal won't be til lunch; I can absolutely have some snacks brought to you if you wish it! And do you like wine, or tea, or anything like that? I'll have that brought too." Tomhas wondered where they ought to go; he was too restless for a sitting room right now, but no doubt Zander would want to sit down somewhere.
"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 could go for some coffee, if you don't mind," Zander said with a smile and a nod.
"He wants snacks, too, he's just being polite," Ky cut in.
He squinted down at her. But then he nodded. "Yeah, you're right." He looked back at Tomhas. "If it's not too much trouble, of course!"
"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]
"Certainly, certainly!" Tomhas was at a loss for what coffee was. Should he say that? Was it some sort of tea? He glanced at Ky, hoping she knew that he didn't know. "Ky, would you find us someplace to sit while I go to the kitchens and see that the snacks and the, er, coffee, are prepared?"
"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, right," she looked back at Zander. "They don't have coffee up here. I forgot."
"Oh." Zander shrugged. "Then tea would be lovely, thank you! Anything warm." He smiled.
"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]
"Tea, got it. Any particular flavor? We have quite a few herbs." He needed to relax, but the more he stood the still the more agitated he grew. He had to go see Anneke, to let her know who had just arrived. He wanted to see Raina, too, and check on how she was doing. He'd taken the graveyard shift last night so he was tired, too, which added an odd delirium to his high energy.
"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
"Anything's fine! I'm easy to please," Zander said with a smile. He watched Tomhas, noting his body language. He seemed on edge. Flighty. Was he always like this, or was Zander upsetting him somehow? He didn't know. Perhaps he'd ask Ky if they got a moment alone.
"We'll go up to the sitting room on the second floor," Ky said, but her expression was in a question as she looked at Tomhas.
"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]
Tomhas nodded. "Righto. I'll be back in a jiff!" He dashed off in the direction Gaius had gone. Gods, what was wrong with him? He had to relax. Ky wasn't going anywhere, and even if she was it would be because she wanted to, which was good. He wanted what Ky wanted. But he didn't want her to leave. But she wasn't going to leave! She wanted to stay; she'd said so herself. Everything was fine. He kept telling himself that as he entered the kitchen ahead of Gaius. Ana was already working on the filling; the dough had been made yesterday and shaped, so all that was left was the filling and then the baking. She looked up as he entered. "Good morning, Tomhas! How are things?" "Couldn't be better, Auntie!" Tomhas smiled at her swiftly. "Have you seen Sebastian?" "In the back." She gestured to the dry storage.
"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's this way." Ky gestured with her head. She took a step that way, then couldn't control it anymore. She turned towards Zander and hugged him tightly for a long, long moment. "I love you."
"I love you too," he murmured, holding her close to him. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
Now things were uncomfortable. She pulled away -- completely away from him this time -- and shook her head. "It wasn't your fault."
She started towards the stairs. Zander watched her, squinting slightly. Her demeanor seemed different. Almost stiff? Distant? It wasn't like Ky at all.
"Right..." Zander started after her. "I'm still sorry it happened."
Ky swallowed hard and nodded, forcing herself to take a deep breath. She needed to be casual. She'd only worry him if she showed him the depths of her anxiety. The depths of Aleth's damage. "Me 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]
Tomhas entered, discussed very quickly the details of what he wanted from Sebastian, which was met with a grunt of exasperation. Then he hurried off to find Anneke and Tadaaki and Tadaaki's family.
"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
"So, you've been having a good time here?" Zander asked, deciding to steer the conversation to safer topics. He'd poke at the sores later. For now, he wanted to keep the mood positive. No point rubbing salt in her wounds before her adoption ceremony.
"I really have." That was easier. She relaxed slightly, giving him a genuine grin as they walked towards the sitting room. "They're wonderful, Zander. You're going to love them so much... I certainly 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]
Anneke was still recovering from the birth in their bedroom; Raina was napping beside her. "Ky's uncle is here," Tomhas whispered as he sat down beside his wife, kissing her forehead. Anneke raised her eyebrows, taking his hand. "Give him my warm greetings," she whispered back, then looked up at him to assess his feelings. "Are you alright?" "I don't know." He lay down on the bed, legs hanging off and his head in her lap. "Maybe? I will be, I think. It's just weird." "I understand." She stroked his hair, playing with it absently. "But she does want to stay with us?" Tomhas nodded. "Then you don't need to worry." "I know," he sighed. "I know." Raina stirred beside him, and they both froze. After a moment her breathing returned to the deep, sleepy huffs of a slumbering infant, and they relaxed. "You should go," Anneke said, very softly. "Entertain your new guest, tell him I said hi. I'll be fine right here." Tomhas nodded reluctantly and got up carefully, kissing her. "I've got to find Tadaaki and his family first, but I'll do that." He smiled slightly. "You make the world light up, Annie." "Go," she chuckled, though even in the dim light Tomhas could see her blush. He slipped out the door after a glance over his shoulder.
"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 so glad for you," Zander said. They'd gotten to the sitting room, and Ky held the door open for both of them. "They seem like a wonderful family to be a part of... and they treat you well? Fairly?"
"It's not possible to be treated any better than they treat me," Ky said fervently.
Zander nodded. "It's what you deserve."
Ky hesitated. It wasn't, really. This was far, far more than she deserved. She wouldn't quite say that she deserved Aleth -- she wasn't that bad. But she deserved to be a servant. Not a Lord's daughter. But she forced a smile and nodded.
Zander noted the hesitation but didn't call her on it. Not yet. It broke his heart to see her even question whether she deserved a good family or not. What had Aleth done to 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]
Tomhas went in search of Tadaaki, Aashi, and Tasia next. He figured he'd stagger these meetings rather than throw everyone at Zander all at once. It would be overwhelming otherwise, what with the horde of children and the King. And Sara had her hands full with the kids. Wick was off doing gods knew what.
"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
They were in one of the other sitting rooms, sitting in a circle on the floor playing a game that involved stacking blocks. Well, it was supposed to. Instead, it consisted mostly of Aashi and Tadaaki racing to see who could build the taller tower before Tasia knocked it over.
"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]
Tomhas knocked on the door when he heard their voices, taking a deep breath. Anneke had anchored him somewhat, but he still wasn't at ease.
"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
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. — Henry David Thoreau, "Walden"
