"Heh." Tadaaki rubbed his face. "That's a nightmare in and of itself."
"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]
"Couldn't agree more." Tomhas thought back to Anneke and wondered if she was still asleep on the floor. "It helps to have someone there when you can't sleep, though. Feels safer."
"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
"Mm..." Tadaaki hesitated, thinking of Aashi. Thinking about how he'd pushed her away again and again and again when she tried to be there for him last night. Maybe he'd been a bit of a dick. Okay, he'd definitely been a dick. He'd apologize for it. Later. "You might be right."
"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]
"Thanks for saying so." Tomhas smiled slightly. "I think I might be."
"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
"Sorry!" Tadaaki flushed. That'd been a rude thing to say. "I didn't mean... I just..." He took a deep breath, and let it out. "I didn't want to risk accidentally falling asleep and then lashing out and hurting one of them. I accidentally punched Ky once when she tried to wake me up from a nightmare." He cringed admitting that. The memory of that bruise was still etched into his conscience. "Didn't want to do that again. So... I made Aashi take Tasia to bed. Wouldn't let her stay up with me... maybe I should have. I don't know."
"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 smile disappeared, and his brow furrowed. "Your nightmares are that bad? Have you tried taking anything for them? Medicine, teas, meditation?" He was fortunate enough that he mostly stayed still during his nightmares. He and Gaius both did, from what he remembered of their conversations. It was safer to stay still, even when asleep. Less chance of getting someone angry.
"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, uh... don't really know..." He still wasn't used to having options. As if Aleth would have given him medicine or tea. He counted himself lucky that Aleth didn't hold him personally responsible for the nightmares so he didn't get in trouble for them.
"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 might want to talk to Laura about that next chance you get. There is stuff out there that can help the nightmares go away or at least be milder, you know."
"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 didn't know," Tadaaki admitted. "But now I do. I appreciate that. I'd certainly welcome 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]
"I'm sure." They reached the infirmary floor. "And since we're headed to see Ky I guess I'll give you two something to discuss. I've talked to Gaius and he would be open to having you, your family, Ky, and my other children stay at Serpent Keep for a few months while we get things under control. It's safer than here--much safer. You don't have to decide now but I thought I'd let you know it's an option."
"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
Tadaaki blinked at him, surprised, but inclined his head. "I'll think about it, thank you."
He'd been agonizing about that all night. Wondering if Tomhas would keep Aashi and Tasia after he and Ky made their escape. Went off to their imminent deaths. He needed someone to look after his family once he was gone. But this option threw a kink in things -- but, perhaps, made things easier to slip away.
"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 dipped his head, and they came to the door. Tomhas opened it, holding the door open for Tadaaki.
"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
Tadaaki nodded to him and stepped inside. Ky had fallen into an uncomfortable silence with Gaius after their agreement to not talk yet, so she visibly relaxed as Tadaaki came in the room, smiling tiredly at him. "Hey."
"Hey," he said with a little smile as he walked over to her and sat down at her bedside. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got stabbed," she murmured with a morbid smirk.
"Ah, so it tracks, then," Tadaaki said, mirroring her sense of humor.
"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 to Gaius, pulling up a chair nearby. "How's it going?" he asked in an undertone. Gaius shrugged. "I'd like to be able to walk and I wouldn't mind a little quiet." His voice was also in undertone. "Nothing against your new daughter." "Of course not."
"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
"Like you did," Tadaaki said with a mirthless smirk.
Ky took a deep breath, then sighed and nodded. Predictable.
"How are you feeling?" Tadaaki murmured, voice quiet. He was asking about her, not her body.
Ky gazed at him for a moment, hearing the question. She narrowed her eyes at Tomhas from across the room. He'd told Tadaaki? The whole Keep didn't need to know about this.
Tadaaki shifted his weight to block her view and grab her gaze once again. "He didn't have to tell me. I know you."
"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]
Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. — Neil Gaiman
