Pratik's smile instantly faded. But he forced a nonchalant shrug. "Eh, it doesn't really affect me. I'm getting Ada out of here, and soon... you're welcome to come along too, if you 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]
He shook his head. "I have nowhere to go, Pratik."
"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
"Means you could go anywhere," he pointed out. "You don't have to be tied down somewhere now."
"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 don't feel tied down. I'm happy here, mostly." He glanced away. "I'd rather stay in Serpent Keep."
"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
heh...heh... heh... I just got this dm from someone ik irl
"That's valid," Pratik said, inclining his head. "I don't know what I'd do if... well... I mean... obviously she can't stay here, and, well... you know."
"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. "She wants to go home quite badly. I just hope putting some distance between her and the gods will 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
(I think she's going to be chill about it... she's been helping me take on homophobes/forced-birthers/religious-extremists for a while... so she's got a track record of being on the right side... but... heh. I uh. Was not... expecting... heh)
"As do I," Pratik agreed. "She was... it was terrifying, finding her like that."
"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 looked horrible when I came in," he sighed. "Poor girl. It isn't fair on her at all."
"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... to her credit she did follow up with "I hope that's not too weird or personal to ask" but uh... yeah. I'm gonna be honest. I think she'll be chill about it but fuck it, I've been toying with coming out as enby for a while anyway so if she outs me then 1) I'll know I can't trust her and 2) it'll save me the trouble of deciding haha)
"It really isn't," Pratik said, nodding vehemently. "It's... terrible. They're terrible. All of this is... terrible."
"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]
"This is why I try to stay out of the gods' way as much as I stay out of people's ways. They do nothing but harm."
"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
(Thanks! I just answered. We shall see how it goes *sweats*) (Ironically 'Daughter' by Ryan Cassata just came on my Spotify. It knows)
"Couldn't agree more. It'd suit me just fine if they stayed asleep for the rest of eternity."
"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 suppose that's one reason to leave the North. But I can't."
"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
"Oh?" Pratik looked at him curiously. "Why's that?"
"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 just..." He wrung his hands. "I don't want to. And...well..." He took a shaky breath and glanced at Pratik. "...I fancy someone. For the first time in a very long time. And I'm allowed to, I think? Maybe."
"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
(omg I'm so relieved ;-; )(coming out to a WVian who didn't try to save my soul, revolutionary)(she just said to keep being true to myself and said she's always here if I ever want to talk)
"Oh?" Pratik asked with a grin, delighted to hear that. "Can I ask who the lucky lady or gentleman is?"
"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]
