Tomhas glanced between the group. "Depending on how long you all stay I could certainly arrange for tutoring for Tasia, if you like. And depending on how often you visit we could continue those lessons. Best to start her off early if she wants to read--it gets harder as you get older; my wife can attest to 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
“Really?” Tasia gasped, launching herself off Ky’s lap to go and prance in front of Tomhas’s legs. “You really really mean it? I could learn how?”
"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]
"Absolutely." Tomhas made to ruffle her hair, then thought better of it--this wasn't his daughter. "But only if your parents are alright with it." He looked to Tadaaki and Aashi for confirmation.
"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
“Of course,” Tadaaki said with a nod. “If you’re sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble. We don’t want to be a burden.”
Tasia took Tomhas’s gesture as her invitation and tried to scramble into his lap.
“Tasia!” Aashi chided. She’d decided the Loquiturs were some of the best people on the planet, but she couldn’t quite shake the anxiety of them being nobles. Especially given neither she nor Tasia had any filter at all. “You can’t just climb in people’s laps uninvited.”
“He likes me,” she said petulantly, her hand on Tomhas’s knee. She looked up at him. “Right? I’m inviteded?”
Aashi sighed and shook her head, but smiled apologetically. “You don’t have to say yes. She’ll be fine either way.”
"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]
"Sure, you're invited." Tomhas hoisted her up and bounced her on his knee. "And Aashi, I'd be delighted to have you all here. Gods know Oscar and Peter enjoy Tasia's company. But again, this is only if you want to! I'm sure you have much to do in the South, rebuilding your life and whatnot." He paused. "You could always leave Tasia here for a few months, if you need to get back. It wouldn't be too much trouble, I'm sure."
"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
Aashi hesitated, then nodded and offered a small smile. “I appreciate that. We’ll certainly think about it.”
It would rip her heart out to leave Tasia here without her. Neither she nor Tasia had been away from each other since she was born. Same room. Same bed, even. But she also needed to think about what was best for her daughter — not her own and Tadaaki’s feelings. They were adults and could figure out how to manage their own emotions. They had to do what was best for their daughter. Imagine all the opportunities that would be open to her if she knew how to read!
Besides, it might be nice to have some time for just her and Tadaaki to be together. To figure out how to be a couple again, rather than him having to learn how to be a father on top of it all. He really was working through so much already.
“I bet you’re gonna be a good reader,” Tadaaki said to Tasia. He could feel Aashi’s uncertainty without having to look at her. And this was a conversation best held later. When they were alone and could be frank about their feelings.
“I will!” Tasia said confidently, grinning up at Tomhas. “I’m super smart.”
(You know this is actually perfect since the whole assassin thing is gonna happen later hahah)
"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 do actually have thoughts about how the aftermath of that will play out but I'll save them for now)
"I have no doubt of that," Tomhas said with a smile. "Your parents are smart, so you must be, too. I expect reading won't be much trouble for you at all!"
"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
( :eyes: ) (Also I've been meaning to ask -- is the tree outside the gates of the Keep or in the courtyard?)
Tasia smiled and snuggled back into his arms more fully. Tadaaki watched her with a small smile. What he wouldn't give for her confidence -- to just operate on the assumption that she deserved the world and that everyone liked her because she deserved it.
"It'll be nice to have you around, Miss Tasia," Ky said with a smile.
"Yeah." Tasia nodded, grinning at her. "I like it here!"
"Me too," Ky agreed.
"It seems like a special place," Zander agreed, wrapping his arm around Ky's shoulders. She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"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]
"A very cold place, though," Tomhas chuckled. "I'm shocked you all find it so nice! My brother was itching to get out the moment he became Lord, traveled the world as soon as he had the chance."
"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
(Cool that's perfect! I'm lowkey contemplating having all three assassins Pratik mentioned show up. I think Zander could take out two of them fairly swiftly, but it'd be cool if someone got to the third one first -- or he could just take one of them out... or I could send just one... whatever you're feeling. It could be interesting for the nobles to be like 'oh shit' when they see Zander in action haha he is not a Soft Man)
"Yeah! He was saying that!" Ky said eagerly, perking up. "He said he's been all over and went to other continents and think we should all take a family trip sometime."
"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's an excellent idea. I could get General Wai to take someone out, or maybe Tomhas but if there's blood Tomhas is 100% gonna lose it. Gaius will have his own thing going on. But I say for sure Zander takes out the majority!)
"Does he, now?" Tomhas raised his eyebrows. "Well he can take all of you if he likes, but count me out." Any time he went anywhere he got sick to his stomach, and the ships made it even worse. But he expected the children would absolutely love visiting other places. "Just make sure you all go somewhere that isn't a war zone, please."
"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
"For sure!" Ky said with a grin and a nod. She thought about trying to wheedle him into coming with them, but that could come later. Once she was actually his daughter. And once she had Anneliese and the boys backing her up. "I'm sure he'll pick somewhere safe."
"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]
"Nowhere near the big hairy things," Tomhas said firmly. "They gave him the tooth of one of their slain enemies and it was this long!" He held up his thumb and forefinger about two inches apart. "That's too big for my kiddos, Ky. Too big."
"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
(We really are xD Zander's the only one who's going to be like 'yeah sure assassins whatever BUT ARE YOU OKAY?' while everyone else has a meltdown lol)
Ky's eyes went wide. "He didn't mention that part."
"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 turns around covered in blood and everyone is a puddle of flashbacks)
"No? Well, that's what's in Orthos. Crazy stuff." Tomhas shuddered. "They do look like cool people, though. Very crafty, and the sketches of them are fascinating. But there's way more than that on the other continents. Wonderful stuff. Gaius and I have brought up intercontinental trades before but the King is cautious about that sort of thing. And the fang didn't help things."
"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
