Zander scratched his chin, considering. “I mean… I want to help her. But I don’t want to be overbearing. I think it upsets her when she realizes I’m not fooled by the show she’s trying to play for me.”
"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]
"Even so, you might ask if she needs help or something. Or get a third party to talk to her. Lyra or Gaius, like I said.'l"
"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
“Yeah…” he couldn’t very well say that he didn’t trust Gaius nor Lyra with Ky’s emotional state. Gaius made no attempt to hide how dead he was inside — and Lyra was just a child herself. Although, perhaps, that may be just what Ky needed: someone her age, willing to talk and, more importantly, willing to listen. “You think Gaius would go for you locking me and Ky in a room somewhere for a few hours? I’ve nothing against you and am happy to have your company until I leave, but Ky finally started to open up to me last night, after all the excitement. And then (Hilda?) came to join us — and she was perfectly polite and kept her distance and did nothing wrong whatsoever, but Ky got embarrassed and bolted. I don’t think she’s going to open up unless it’s a one-on-one, honestly.”
"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]
Emery hesitated. "He's....maybe. You should talk to him yourself, I think. He might let you do 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
Zander nodded, sighing softly. “I… understand his wariness of me. I wouldn't do anything to threaten him or his family, but he has no guarantee of that. So I get it… I just… am afraid it’s hurting Ky, inadvertently.”
"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 wants what's best for her," Emery assured him. "Without a doubt." He paused. "I do think sometimes that Gaius is more afraid than he ought to be. But I understand why he is the way he is."
"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 do as well,” Zander inclined his head. “He’s hunkered down; I’ve run. But it’s all the same.” He paused for a long moment. “But… I do think we both need to be careful not to let our hurt, hurt her.”
"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]
"Very wise." Emery nodded. "You should tell him that. I think he forgets, sometimes."
"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 considered it for a moment. “Do you think he’d be receptive? Or would he do the opposite?”
"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]
"Hard to say. He doesn't usually take constructive criticism from new people. Maybe...ugh. nevermind, I'm sure Sara will bring it up. She's smart."
"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]
"He's very proud." Emery started up the next flight of stairs.
"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
“Does seem that type,” Zander scoffed. “… but, then, I suppose I am, too. So I guess I don’t have much room to talk.”
"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]
"Everybody has pride," Emery pointed out. "It's part of being human."
"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
“Hmm… an interesting thought,” Zander said thoughtfully. “I suppose there’s some sort of parallel for philosophers to make about what slavery does to one’s pride. Ky’s got very little pride — basically just regarding her family — and Rickard seems to have none at 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]
