Gaius rose slowly and took his cane from where it leaned against the desk. "I believe it's convenient for me now, if you wish to go." He certainly didn't want to think about the war anymore.
"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
“Sure.” Ky nodded quickly, feeling a pang of guilt at disturbing him. But trying to remind herself that he said he was bored. So perhaps it wasn’t a terrible time to catch him. “Sounds good to me. Thank 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]
He dipped his head. He noticed she had been dropping her "sirs" all over the place now. He was very glad to hear that, since it meant she was getting bolder. "I have three candidates, as I said, but you can choose anyone. Mine are currently General Xander, Captain Bay, and a soldier names Kazhra Sar."
"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. This was going be difficult. Was she going have to meet all three at once? Would Gaius be cruel enough to make her not only pick between them; but do so while they watched? She’d die. Which he’d probably enjoy. “Who are they? The last one.” She wasn’t sure what pronouns were appropriate.
"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's a skilled dual wielder from Akaratara," Gaius replied. "I've seen her in action; it's astounding how quickly she moves. She'd be a good trainer, I think, but not exactly a patient one."
"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
“Makes sense.” Ky nodded. She’d liked the thought of Kazhra as soon as she heard ‘she’ and then all but decided on her once she heads she was from Austraka. But then quickly dismissed her as Gaius kept talking. The last thing Ky needed was someone fast and grumpy to thoroughly thrash her. She knew anyone could move faster than she could, yet. That’s how she ended up getting smacked about every third or fourth strike from Ka’Nor. But he was infinitely patient and pulled his blows so they didn’t hurt as badly as they would if he was impatient with her.
So, one of the others instead, unless they both seemed impatient, too.
Maybe she didn’t want lessons, if she couldn’t have Ka’Nor.
"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 see if General Xander or Captian Bay are available to talk as well," Gaius told her. "Xander might be a bit busy, but I'm sure he can make time."
"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. Okay, so not Xander either. Captain Bay, then? She’d test the waters. “I’m sure Captain Bay probably is as 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]
"He generally has a little more time on his hands." Gaius limped around the desk. "Let's see if he's available."
"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 good!” Ky smiled and pulled the door open, stepping to the side to hold it for 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]
Gaius dipped his head in thanks and left the study. "He's in the barracks, I expect. All of them will be. If not, they'll be up on the wall or on patrol."
"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, following out into the hall and shutting the door behind her.
She got uneasy at the mention of the barracks. Barracks were filled with men. And men were threatening. She’d been scared at the prospects of the men in the first barracks finding out she was a girl, because she heard the way they were talking about women when she was there. Would they be politer if they knew she was a girl? Would they be politer in front of Gaius? She hoped so.
She also hoped Captain Bay seemed both kind and willing. She didn’t much like the thought of the others just then.
"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]
Gaius locked the door behind him. "What do you look for in a teacher, Ky? There are other options if you find these three lacking."
"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 startled by the question. Had she seemed ungrateful? She hadn’t meant to.
“Oh, um, no, not at all! I’m sure these three are absolutely lovely.” And there was no chance in hell she’d be picking someone else, even if Captain Bay seemed mean. But that didn’t answer the question, so she hesitantly added, “I, um… would prefer someone that’s patient. I’m not very good.”
"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]
Gaius dipped his head. "Sounds like Kazhra's out, then. What else?"
"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
