Pratik nodded, wondering if he was referring to refugees from the early days of the war in the East. “It’s nice of you to help them out.”
"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 shrugged. "I part of raiding parties, not rescue. Gođis order rescues and raids. I raid." He tensed as the door opened again and Gaius, wide-eyed, stepped through. "This Ash?" he demanded of Ky. "Why he here?"
"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 turned back towards the door, surprised. She smiled and looked back at Ruh. “Yeah! This is Gaius. He’s also protecting me. Wanted to meet you himself.”
"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]
"Bold coming out here," the Marrow Man mused, approaching. "My children are big fans," Gaius said, raising his head high but shaking a little. "I told them abridged stories when they were younger." The Marrow Man's ears twitched in surprise.
"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 felt ever so uneasy by Ruh saying it was a bold choice. Was he planning to hurt Gaius? She hoped not. But she did tense, slightly, ready to spring between them if anything happened. With any luck she’d be enough of a buffer to keep everyone safe and content.
"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 hear things about you," the Marrow Man said after a pause. "You a wise lord but not always kind. You looking after Ky?" "I am," Gaius replied. "On behalf of my brother." "He too kind and not always wise. Why you here?" "I have questions." He glanced at Pratik and Zander. "But I can wait."
"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… going well, yes? Ky took a deep breath, letting herself hope.
Zander and Pratik exchanged a glance. It felt like there were so many questions and yet none of them were coming to words just then. Complete insanity. This whole night.
"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]
"Well I see them," The Marrow Man said to Ky. "What now? I not kill them."
"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," Ky said quickly, nodding. "That's all, I, uh, I... appreciate it."
She looked between the four of them, feeling very much like she should be in center stage, and yet having absolutely nothing to say.
She looked at Zander. He hesitated, then looked back at Ruh. "So you're planning on camping out around here, to make sure no one comes for Ky?"
"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 staying in forest, but near," the Marrow Man confirmed. "No one come yet, but is only first day. What you doing for her?" It was a genuine question, out of curiosity.
"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'll be heading out to track down who's coming after her and why," Zander answered. "Starting in the South, figure it'll take me to the East. Got some names to check out."
He nodded to Pratik at this point, who nodded sheepishly and buried his hands in his pockets. Somehow, once again, feeling like a school boy being talked about by adults.
"And I'm going to keep my ears open and pass anything I hear back to Zander and Gaius," Pratik added. He felt like he was going to be the least helpful of all of them. He'd given Zander invaluable information, so he supposed that was a worthy contribution if nothing else. But he'd agreed to stay on as Gaius's weapon, so he couldn't go riding off into the sunset to fight crime with Zander like old times.
"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." He nodded grimly. "No one hurting her. Glad you helping." "And we want to extend our thanks to you as well," Gaius piped up. "Your assistance is invaluable; even with these walls we want Ky to be as safe as possible. You've eased my mind somewhat."
"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
High praise indeed. Ky slipped her hands in her pockets, being careful not to jostle the medicine too much, but very much feeling the need to bury deeper into her coat. She was, once again, surrounded by dangerous men... beast... things? And, somehow, was watching them form a club with the sole intent of keeping her 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]
"She good to me," the Marrow Man repeated. "I do good for her in return." "So you've said." Gaius paused. "Do you speak and of the contemporary Nortung?" "I listen up there sometime." He looked wistful. "But here is where food is, so I not go to Far North often. No, I speak only my Nortung."
"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
"Are the names the same now as they used to be?" Ky asked, not, in fact, willing to drop it.
"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]
