“Oh, of course. I wasn’t suggesting Gaius is unreasonable, most of the time.” Most of the time. “But we all have moments of bullheadedness, and it’s tough to do much about it when said bullheads have nearly no authority above them.”
"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 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,” Zander said. “My mouth got away from me. I know you can’t really agree or disagree with me. At least can’t say if you do. I didn’t mean to put you in an uncomfortable position — I meant it in a general sense, not as an insult to Gaius. I’m sure I’d be no better than anyone else. Thank the gods my birth didn’t put me in line for any throne.”
And thank the gods Mikhail had children so that if something, gods forbid, happened to him, the monarchy still wouldn’t be Zander’s problem. Being a Ranger was more than enough responsibility to last him a lifetime, even though he never shied from it. But he had no desire to command huge amounts of people like Mikhail and Derik had to. And he had Guild Master and Aerik to knock some sense into him when he got too big for his own britches.
"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]
"Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have all the power," Emery said quietly. "To be adored or feared."
"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 nodded. "I've never had any real status, but when I was a boy I was around people with authority all day and night. I wanted to have what they had and never be stepped on. I still want that, even though I'm treated well here."
"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’s fair,” Zander agreed. “But with power comes responsibility. Not sure I'd be interested in that. I like being mobile. Able to run towards or away from danger, however the case calls.”
"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]
"Responsibility is far better than being under someone's boot," Emery said firmly. "You can make changes and help people."
"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 you can,” Zander agreed. “And I get the impression you’d do very well in power. You’re compassionate. That’s important.”
"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 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.” Zander returned the smile. “You’re a good mixture of strength and humility. You’re well suited to it.”
"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 dipped his head, flushing. "That's very, very kind to say. I don't feel very strong."
"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
“And yet you’re still kicking, despite it all,” Zander said encouragingly. “It takes a strong man… person… indeed to survive all that with their humanity intact. And you’re one of the most human people I’ve met. In a good 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]
(I dunno if Emery ever explicitly said anything to Zander about his past. He may have, though. He doesn't hide it and if Zander saw his tattoo he might know what it means, depending on his knowledge of the East)
"I really appreciate that." Emery smiled again. "A lot, Zander. Thank you."
"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
(Ahhh fair point guess this is the talking heads haha I feel like Zander has probably caught on by now Emery was a former slave, but probably knows no details? Does that sound reasonable?)
“Sure thing.” Zander smiled and nodded to 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]
