"That's the understatement of the century," Elise snorted. "Don't ever head East, child; it's a mess of blood, hate, and corruption. Used to be beautiful; you could see the stars reflected in the lakes as if in a mirror, but it's been torn hill from hill 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
“I know,” Ky murmured with a nod. “I’ve been. It’s… unpleasant.”
"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]
"Have you, then?" Elise raised an eyebrow as she came to a stop at a shelf. "How'd that happen?"
"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 used to be a translator.” Ky shrugged. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned that, either. Oh well. “Drafted a few contracts out that way.”
"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]
"Did you ever meet either of the leading parties?" she asked. "Grand Reputations or the Orator?"
"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
"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]
(Mayyyybe Aleth would have met briefly with one or two of the Reputations, but they're very high-and-mighty. Most of their business is conducted through representatives.)
"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
“Very, very briefly with one of the Reputations,” Ky said. “Long enough for him to go —“ she scoffed and rolled her eyes, mimicking him. “‘This is who was sent to me? I hope you’re as good as they say. For your sake.’ And then he left and sent in one of his representatives. So… not really. But I technically saw 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]
"Did you know they mutiltate themselves in the name of equality?" Elise asked with a grimace. "Which one did you meet with?"
(The Reputations who identify as male are Ohn Kai, Kel Roh, and Loran Fa. All of the Reputations make an effort to look exactly the same in an attempt to present a united front--one mind, as it were)
"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 cringed sympathetically. “Kel Roh. He needed a document decoded and translated.”
"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 never liked him." Elise ran her fingers along the books and picked out a thin volume. "Never liked any of them. Here; this is A History of Orreries and Their Usage. Don't be fooled by the page count; it's a difficult read for a beginner."
"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 hadn’t liked him, either. But, then, there were precious few people that Aleth interacted with that she did like. Pratik was one. Chieftain Wai was another. Tomhas had been another, back when he was just a contractor rather than her savior. “I appreciate it… do you think I’ll need to reference another book, too? For definitions and such?”
"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]
"Most likely. All the astronomy books we have are on these two shelves here." She gestured. "Not a very extensive collection yet, but I aim to change that."
"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, looking at the shelves she pointed at, then looking around to orient herself as to where the heck they were in this maze to begin with. “I’m sure it’ll be lovely once you’re done. You seem very knowledgeable.”
"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]
Elise chuckled good-humoredly. "I should hope Lord Ash wouldn't appoint a fool as Head Astronomy Librarian or whatever fool title I've been given. Still, there's always more to learn."
Spoiler
I base Elise's appearance off of this lady, btw
"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
