"I had one sent over before dinner," Gaius replied. "But I can send another when you go to meet him, as a precaution."
"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!" Ky grinned, pleased that Ruh had already gotten to eat, too. "Then that's perfect... could I take medicine, too? I bet his hooves still hurt."
Pratik smiled a little. Classic Ky -- half-grown herself, and yet, already, very much the mom-friend. Always having to make sure everyone else was happy and healthy and fed. It was endearing.
"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]
"When are you thinking of talking to him?" Gaius asked.
"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 mean..." She glanced at Zander. "If you're leaving soon, it has to be soon." She looked back at Gaius. "... could we try it tonight? In case he doesn't hear me, so we get a second shot. And, well, I feel like he's probably closer tonight than he'll be other nights, since we just got here, right? 'Cause we know he followed us, but I don't really know how close he's planning to stay once he knows I'm safe here."
Zander took a deep breath, but forced himself not to let it out in a sigh. This was sheer insanity. They'd both known they were getting tracked by a cryptid, and seemed to be fully okay with that thought.
"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]
Gaius hesitated. "We can try," he said. "I'll move some of the guard off the southern wall, and Emery and I will take their place."
"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 grinned at that, excited. She was trying to resist the urge to bounce happily and half-succeeded, but was still very clearly thrilled with the idea of seeing Ruh again so soon. Tonight!
Zander looked at Pratik, who hesitated a long moment, then inclined his head. This wasn't a fantastic idea. But neither of them had a better one. And, Ky had shown pretty fair judgment up to this point, in regards to knowing who was coming to hurt her. She was skittish as all get-out, so Ruh must have done something right to get Ky to trust him, when she didn't trust almost anyone else.
"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]
"Which one of you will be meeting the Marrow Man?" Gaius asked.
"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
Zander and Pratik exchanged a glance. Obviously, they both wanted it to be them. Especially since not having the introduction would put them personally in danger. And while their altruism wanted to defer to the other, it wasn't nearly strong enough to drown out the sense of self-preservation.
"... I suppose you're her uncle," Pratik grudgingly conceded. It was only right. "And I don't know how long you're planning on me staying here before I head out again--" He looked at Gaius. "But conceivably we could make a second attempt at this another night, if M-Ruh, agrees?"
(Ky: I will personally bully three powerful men into calling Ruh by his name)
"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]
(Gaius: Marrow Man is Marrow Man until I hear a real name, not a consonant)
"That's up to the Marrow Man," Gaius said with a shrug, and glanced at Emery. "How are you with this? You've been unusually quiet." Emery was sitting still, staring off into space. He shook it off as Gaius addressed him and smiled awkwardly. "It's....uh, it's quite a lot to take in. Sorry. I'll help out, certainly. Just going to take me a second to wrap my head around it." "Good." Gaius rose. "Let's get going, then."
"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: ... I will personally bully two powerful men into calling Ruh by his name xD)
Ky sprang to her feet, grinning broadly.
Zander couldn't help but smile and shake his head. This was one of the very few genuine smiles he'd seen from her since the attack. He was glad it was back. It was good for her. Good for all of them. He pushed himself to his feet. Pratik also stood up, a smaller smile playing at his lips, but he was also endeared by Ky's enthusiasm about this plan.
"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]
Gaius limped toward the door. He couldn't believe this was happening. Part of him was elated, ecstatic that he would finally see the Marrow Man, even if only from a distance. But another part of him was disappointed that the secret was out. He'd liked it better when it was only him and Ky who knew, and it was probably safer that way too. Now he had to make sure these two shut up about it, not to mention Emery. So many loose ends to tie up now...
"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
"Do you know if there are supplies in the stable for hoof rot?" Ky asked, striding forward faster to hold the door for all of 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]
"I certainly expect so." Gaius dipped his head in thanks amd limped out. "Any other night I'd say it would be a good time to meet the stable boy Arril; he's about your age."
"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 certainly wanted to meet him -- and thought it was ironic that Gaius counted Arril old enough to have a job when he kept insisting that Ky was far, far too young to even be considering having one -- but she was far more interested in Ruh just then.
Zander followed Gaius out. Pratik stepped to the side and gestured after them, offering Emery the chance to go out next, if he desired.
"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!" Emery stepped out, following Zander. He caught up to him quickly. "Ky, does he really eat people though?"
"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
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. — H. Jackson Brown
