"Pride." Ada rolled her eyes. "Well, did he cook well at all at least?"
"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 frowned at her, caving into her gut reflex before her mind had a chance to filter. “Of course he did. He did everything well.”
"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]
That probably wasn't true, but Ada dipped her head in acknowledgement. "Right, sorry." They reached the kitchen door, and she stepped forward to hold it for everybody.
"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 was aware that she was over reacting. That it’d been an innocent comment from Ada rather than an attack on Papa. But that’s sure what it sounded like, what with the eyeroll and such. Ky could handle Ada being rude to her — she wouldn’t tolerate even a hint of disrespect directed at Papa.
“Thank you,” Zander murmured, ushering Ky in first. Surely Ada knew better than to poke at a wound this raw?
"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 kitchen was winding down from breakfast time but readying lunch all the same, so the moment they walked in they were in the way of a couple assistants. The head cook, a stocky, thick-armed woman in her mid-thirties, looked over to them immediately. "What can I do for you?" she asked briskly.
(I think I have a cook for Serpent Keep already but I've forgotten their name completely)
"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 plastered herself to the wall instantaneously the moment there was even the hint that she was in the way. Zander glanced at her, contemplating chiding her for it, but instead looked back at the cook. “We’d like some tea, please, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
"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 four of you all had to come in to ask?" She shook her head. "What kind of tea, and how soon do you need it?"
"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,” Ky murmured quickly, and bolted for the door, making it to the hallway before Zander could tell her to stop. It was horrible enough they were asking for a favor in the first place. And now they were in the way and annoying the cook on top of it all.
Zander sighed softly, watching her go, but he was the only one who could translate now. He looked at Ada. “What sort of tea would you like?”
"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 darkest, strongest kind they have," Ada replied. "But coffee would be ideal."
"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 nodded. He didn’t figure they had any, but may as well check. He looked back at the cook. “You don’t happen to have coffee, do you?”
Ky paced anxiously in the hall. She stepped away from the door three or four times, everything within her screaming to run. And yet her feet kept bringing her back again. It’d be mean to leave Ada with who men, when she knew fully well how she felt about them in general. Even though Ada seemed dangerously close to disliking Papa — an unforgivable offense.
"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 shook her head. "We don't import coffee here; Lord Ash says it's not healthy. And that's not tea, anyway."
"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
Ah, Ada would not be happy to hear that. Should he translate or just keep that to himself? “Right, sorry. Then whatever the darkest, strongest kind of tea you have would be good for the two of us. And do you have any fruit tea for Ky?” He glanced at Emery. “And whatever you’d like?”
Okay, but, consider: if she ran away now, then she wouldn’t have to go back to the barracks. Hopefully ever. Ada seemed good at grouching at people and Zander probably would leave her alone when he saw he wasn’t welcomed company. So she should — she stopped herself again, spinning around for another lap of pacing rather than running away completely.
"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]
"Peppermint, please," Emery piped up. The cook turned and issued instructions to a passing assistant, who pivoted and headed off in another direction. "Where shall we send the tea to?" The cook asked Zander.
"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 looked at Emery. He didn’t have any idea where was the best place for tea in this Keep. He also didn’t know if Ky was in the hall or if she bolted. She was so much like a kicked dog these days — always scurrying off with her tail tucked between her legs.
It would be fine. It’s not like anything bad had happened the last time she was in the barracks. It was awkward and terrifying, but fine. And this time she’d have Zander with her. But. She would also have Ada. What if someone directly asked Ky if she liked Kazhra? Would Ada humiliate her by spilling the truth that no, she did not, in fact, like her? Probably. This was going to be a disaster. Why did she always agree to things this stupid?
"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]
"We'll be in the Spruce Parlor," Emery suggested. The cook nodded. "We should be done with your tea in about ten minutes," she said.
"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
