"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]
Sara sighed. "We'll give you some time alone if you need. I know this is hard for 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
“I’m sorry — I don’t mean to be upsetting you,” Ky murmured, dropping her gaze. She’d caused so many sighs.
"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]
"You're not upsetting us," Sara assured her. "You're just...concerning me. And don't blame yourself for that. I'm concerned for you. We both are. If there's anything we can do to help..."
"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 glanced at her. “I’m fine.” She forced a smile, trying to sell it, even though it didn’t.
"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]
Sara shook her head. "Just....if you need us, we're here. Alright? Always."
"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. She didn’t need them, she needed Zander. Her throat constricted. Her voice was tight when she managed, “I appreciate 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]
Sara nodded, and Gaius gave her a light tap. She glanced at him hopelessly, and he tilted his head in the direction of one of the parlors. "Take some time to yourself," Sara advised after a pause, then allowed Gaius to lead her toward the parlor.
"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
“Yes… okay,” Ky said awkwardly, nodding. Spending time with herself was about the worst thing that she could do right now. She was going to self-destruct. But she also wasn’t in the headspace to make conversation. So she supposed there wasn’t many other options.
"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 kept his gaze ahead of him. "She's going to fall apart," Sara whispered to him. "What do we do?" "What we can," Gaius replied quietly. "She'll be more comfortable around non-nobles, I expect. We'll encourage Roland and the others to connect with her."
Emery rubbed the back of his neck. "Er...need me to escort you anywhere, Ky? I'm sort of loose now."
"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 don’t need a babysitter,” she murmured quietly. Then realized that was harsh. She wasn’t trying to chase him off. “…but if you want to stay, that’s… cool.”
"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 shrugged. "I've got nothing to do. I might go read or something."
"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 has no capacity to judge if he wanted to stay and was offering to go, or if he wanted to go and was offering to stay. “I mean… do what you want.”
"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. "I guess I'll go, then. And same goes for me. What Gaius and Sara said, I mean. If you need anything, I'm here for 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
“I appreciate it.” She forced another little smile. She did appreciate it. But she wasn’t about to take a single one of them up on it. “I’m okay, though. It’s not a big deal.”
"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]
Surround yourself with people who are serious about being writers, and who will tell you, ‘Hey—you can do better than this.’ Who will be critical of your work, but also supportive. And who will not be competitive in a negative way. — Isabel Quintero
