Ky nodded. “I’m glad things seem less stressful for you under Gaius… I imagine it’s easier to focus now.”
"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]
Ingrid nodded with a quick smile. "He certainly values our expertise and input. It feels nice to be appreciated."
"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’m sure.” Ky returned the smile. She was tempted to push for gossip, but decided not to push her luck just then. It’d make Ingrid shut down if she did. It was better to establish rapport and a working relationship first, and get information casually over time.
Was that manipulative? Probably. Gods. What a fucking bastard Aleth had turned her into.
“What’s your favorite fact you know about this collection?”
"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 took a deep breath, chuckling warmly. "Oh, I'd have to think about that one for a few weeks, miss. I have so many; there's so much to 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
Ky’s smile grew. “I’m really looking forward to learning some of it while I’m here.”
Maybe she was interested in the diaries after all. Had one of the previous bastards kept a diary? Could she get a glimpse into the twisted psyche that harmed her father and uncle so much?
"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 I look forward to being of any assistance." Ingrid returned the smile. "It's always wonderful to have a new face in the Keep; there've been quote a few over the past few months."
"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 asked curiously. She knew of Pratik and some other slaves and… Aleth. Had Ingrid had to deal with him?
"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]
"There was the spy Lord Gaius hired, but he only came here under guard. Then the spy from Lord Tomhas." Ingrid shivered. "I still can't believe he was. Lady Sara always looked wary of him but I had no idea. And most recently there are the former slaves. I'm afraid I don't speak all of their languages, but they all seem like darlings."
"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
So Gaius had told the Keep about Aleth. Interesting. She was fairly sure he wouldn’t have told them about what Aleth had done or his grisly demise… but, then, he kept a literal severed head as decoration, so who knew at this point.
“I’m sure.” Ky smiled a bit. “What languages do you speak?”
"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]
"Nortung--my father was a tribesman--Moon Speech, and I speak a passable Totallisa. So that leaves three I can't speak to without a translator. What languages do you speak?"
"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
“That’s neat!” Ky smiled at her, then immediately felt like a dick when she turned the same question back on her. She didn’t ask so that she’d have an opportunity to brag. But that is what it was going to sound like. “Those three, Upper, obviously, and Austrakan — that’s where I’m from — and a few others, but Upper and Austrakan are most comfortable for me.”
At least she tried to be vague enough hopefully it wouldn’t be obvious that Ky spoke twice as many.
"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]
Ingrid's eyebrows shot up, and she gave a little clap with her hands. "Well, you'd certainly be a credit to any profession you choose, with that many languages under your belt!"
"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 smiled at the praise, blushing a bit. Maybe Aleth had done something good for her after all. Well… to? her. She was the one who had put all the work in. But he’d provided the study material. And the motivation to learn. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”
"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]
Ingrid dipped her head. "I certainly think you'll find a lot to exercise your mind here in the library; there are all manner of languages 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
“Huh… that hadn’t really occurred to me,” Ky admitted. “Perhaps I can learn another language while I’m here.”
"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]
