She sighed softly in relief and nodded. That was good. She shouldn't have admitted she didn't want to be here. That was something she should have kept to herself. Forever. She'd agreed and that was that. "That dining room's right here." She pushed the door open.
"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]
It was substantially more empty than before, but Captain Bay was off in a very far corner sipping a drink in silence. A few other soldiers were scattered among the other tables, including Kazhra, who was talking animatedly with a heavyset blonde woman wearing chainmail. "Is that her?" Ada asked softly as the soldiers looked up. Captain Bay looked up as well, and he started to stand. Kazhra noticed Ky and stood too.
"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 tensed she realized they were standing for her. She flashed a tight, nervous smile, nodding to each of them before she glanced back at Ada. “Yes.”
"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 really did look like she could wreck any opponent. There was something in her eyes that didn't leave it up for debate, and despite her size she looked strong and wiry. Ada liked her the moment she set eyes on her. Much to her chagrin, though, Bay was making his way over to 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
Ky was trying to decide who she was more scared of. She was fairly sure that it was Kazhra. And yet. She’s the one that both Ada and Zander wanted to meet, whereas only Zander wanted to meet Captain Bay. So she should probably go for—
She hesitated as she saw Captain Bay coming towards them. He was a closed book. Was he mad? Curious? Obligated to come over and talk to her if she showed up? She didn’t know. She’d very much like to be ignored when she came to the barracks. Was it because she was a noble? Did they all have to pay attention when she was around? She hoped not.
She squared her shoulders as Captain Bay approached. “This is Captain Bay,” she said in Upper, nodding towards him. Then she looked at him, and gestured at Zander. “This is my uncle Zander.”
Zander offered a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
"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]
Captain Bay gave him a nod, shaking the hand firmly. "Good to meet you, sir," he said. "What can I do for you?" His eyes flicked toward Ky only once, nothing in 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
Zander glanced at Ky, considering making her be the one to take the lead here. But she’d already had to muster the courage did the introduction and he could tell she was doing her very best to stay brave. But was clearly intimidated.
“Ky mentioned you were a potential trainer. Figured I’d come by and meet you.”
"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]
"A potential trainer only," Bay said with a nod. "General Xander and Kazhra Sar are both candidates." He gestured to Kazhra, who approached. "This is Kazhra." Kazhra gave them a short nod, eyeing first Zander, then Ada, then Ky.
"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 Ruiarc,” Zander said, offering her his hand.
"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 his hand. "Ky's other uncle? Good to meet you. "Come to see if we're all a good fit?"
"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 I am. Nice to meet you as well.” He nodded. “Her uncle, that is. It’s her choice, of course. But I did want to meet each of you all the same.”
She had a good point — Zander could tell her who to pick if he met all of them. Maybe this had been a good idea after all.
"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'm not sure how likely General Xander will be to let you into his office; he's pretty busy," she mused. "But the Captain and I were just eating lunch. We're free now." Bay nodded in agreement.
"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
“Understandable.” Zander inclined his head. He glanced between them. It’d be harder to interview each when they were together. But this was what he had to work with. He looked at Kazhra first. “What would you say your training style is 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]
"Well, I'm not going to hurt someone once they're down, but I believe in simulated battle with wooden blades. Advice given before, during, and after a match, and I will teach versatility with multiple weapons. I've been told I'm impatient, but I don't get frustrated. I just make sure the student knows they won't be babied in a real battlefield."
"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
“Sounds like a solid training model,” Zander said with a nod.
Did it? Ky didn’t like that. Was he going to recommend her? Ky would probably cave and choose whoever he said was best. But she didn’t want to get beaten black and blue, unable to get back up because she wouldn’t stop hitting her long enough to get her balance back.
“Have you trained many people?” Zander asked.
"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]
“Sorry about the blood in your mouth. I wish it was mine.
I couldn't get the boy to kill me, but I wore his jacket for the longest time.” — Richard Siken
