"I'm sure," Ky said with a smile. "Certainly seems like reason to give you pause. Negotiations could be tricky with people like that."
"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." He nodded. "But anyway." He looked to Zander. "Have you ever been overseas?"
"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
"Yes sir!" Zander said with a grin. "I travel around quite a bit. Have had the pleasure of visiting other continents. It's always so exhilarating to see a new place."
"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]
"Fascinating! What would you say was your favorite place to visit?"
(I've done like no development on these new continents yet aside from Southern Orthos but the continents are Bia, the Yellow Islands, and Caprus (a series of islands up in the northwest. Caprus is populated by groups of people similar to the Inuit culture, but that's about all I really know at the moment)
"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
(Fair enough! We don't have to go super deep into this since I have no clue either haha)
"Hmm, that's a tough one," Zander said thoughtfully. "I feel like everywhere has their own special little something that's enjoyable if you look for it... but I guess I would have to say Caprus. It's fascinating to me the sub-culture of the people there spread across all the different islands. I once made a voyage stopping at each island. It was fun."
Fun was one word for it. He'd been making it because he was running for his life while being pursued and desperately trying to shake a tail. But it hadn't stopped him from enjoying a bit of culture as he made his way through.
"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]
"Ahh." Tomhas nodded; Gaius had enjoyed that particular area as well. "I bet you and my brother would have a lot to talk about. I do sort of wish I could go out across the sea, but I content myself with the journal entries from explorers instead."
"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'd encourage you to give it a try!" Zander said warmly. "I'm sure your brother would be a wonderful guide -- and I could give a suggestion or two myself. It's not so bad once you're in the thick of it... and there's tea they have down in the South that helps with motion sickness and such. I had to use it until I got my sea legs about me."
"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 don't say." Tomhas hadn't known that; perhaps he would give it a try. "Thank you for letting me know!" His leg was falling asleep, so he started bouncing Tasia again.
"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
"Certainly!" Zander said with a grin. He glanced at Ky. "You probably should get some too, kiddo. You're too much like me for your own good."
Ky laughed, grinning at him.
"If I'm down that way before I visit next, I'll be sure to bring some with me," Zander promised, looking back at Tomhas. "It's handy stuff no doubt."
"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 very kind of you." Tomhas dipped his head. "Excellent. Oh, Zander, did you have any luggage you needed brought to a room?"
"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, uh... heh." Zander smiled sheepishly. "I forgot about that -- got too caught up in the moment. I've just got some saddle bags. Pack pretty light though."
"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'll have a servant bring them up to a bedroom for you." He stood. "I'll be right back!"
"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 kindly!" Zander said with a grin, nodding to him.
Tasia decided this was her moment to go start touching things on the shelf at her eye-level.
"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 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
There was a silence after he left. Not exactly uncomfortable, but definitely uncertain. Like no one was quite sure who should talk or what should be said.
Zander was hesitant to ask Tadaaki about his life before he had a chance to get a full rundown about what the sick bastard had done to the two of them. No point poking a raw spot.
Aashi felt like of all people, she shouldn't be the one to be getting in the center of the conversation. This seemed like another moment that was meant for Ky and Tadaaki and she needed to keep her mouth shut and stay out of the way.
Tadaaki and Ky didn't have the first idea what to say to each other about it. This was a situation neither of them had ever expected to be in. And she was still so surprised by the fact that Zander was here with them.
"So, uh, Tasia learning how to read will be fun," Ky said, standing up to go gently remove a breakable figurine from Tasia's hand. "I can teach you both as well, if you'd like."
"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]
