Ky laughed, straightening as she stood back up. She looked at Anneke and took a deep breath. What was she even supposed to say to her? Should she initiate a hug? She felt like she should have something to say, but she didn't. So instead she just nodded.
"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 looked back at her, conflict in her gaze. "You'll be alright," she told her. "We're just a letter and half a month away, right? Let us know how things go." She opened her arms.
"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 agreed, walking into arms and, once again, trying and failing to just give a neutral hug. At least she wasn't on the verge of tears anymore. But the thought of 'half a month' made her heart ache. Of course, she knew that that was true. Yet somehow half a month made it seem much, much further away than two weeks. And it struck her that even if she got to Serpent Keep and then turned right around and headed home, she'd be gone for a minimum of a month. "Tomhas gave me the seal he mentioned -- I'll be sure to write when I get there."
"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]
"Good." Anneke wrapped her up in her strong arms, holding her close. "I'll miss you, Ky. Everyone here will. I wish so much that you could stay..."
"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
Goddamn it. Tears sprang to her eyes and she clenched her jaw, swallowing hard and taking a deep breath before she spoke, afraid of having a complete meltdown. "I'll miss you all as well."
Her throat was burning and felt so small.
"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 held her as long as she could, eyes closed tightly. "You'll be okay wherever you are," she murmured, trying to convince herself more than she was Ky. "Gaius and Sara will keep you safe."
"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 didn't trust her voice not to betray her. And even as she thought that, eyes beat it to the punch, and let tears dampen her face before she could stop it. She reached up with her left hand and tried to wipe them away before anyone could see.
"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 felt her shift and guessed what was happening, but she said nothing about it, finally letting Ky go and giving her a sad smile. Ana and Wick were nearby, dressed as warmly as the rest and looking just as solemn. King Harold stood off to the side, watching.
"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 forced a smile too, wiping her face again before she turned towards Wick and Ana and tried to force a smile for them as well as she stepped towards them. "... It's been nice."
"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]
"We'll see you again," Wick said with forced cheer. "I owe you an outfit, remember?" "And I want to hear you play me a tune on that lute," Ana added. "I'm sure you've got great skill!"
"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," she said, also forcing a smile. "I'll be sure to get back in practice!"
"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 see if you can convince Gaius and Sara to come visit us once in awhile!" Wick winked. "Get everybody out of the house maybe once every few months. I want to see my in-laws."
"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
This was far easier than Anneke or Tomhas. Which was good. Because she was on the verge of a complete meltdown. She forced a small smile. "I'd love to see your shop 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]
"And you shall! It's a bit of a journey from Serpent Keep but perhaps sometime soon!"
"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, forcing her smile to be a bit bigger. And look, she hoped, more genuine. She tried to force her invasive thoughts out of her head. The sense of dread settling over her that she wasn't going to be coming back here or going to see Wick and Ana or anyone else. If she made it to Serpent Keep, she wasn't going to leave. They were going to keep her under lock and key until an assassin got to her or until she couldn't handle it anymore and got herself. But she wasn't going to see any of these wonderful people ever again and--
Ky turned away, blinking to keep the tears welling in her eyes from falling. She was being such a crybaby. Lyra was actually part of this family, and it wasn't bothering her at all. None of the Ashes seemed distraught by it, either. It was just her. Acting like the stupid little girl that she was.
"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]
