"You've invented other names before," he pointed out. "Other identities. Why can't you try that?"
"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 can’t change my face,” he pointed out. “All it’d take is a single person recognizing me, and I’d have to start from scratch all over again. Word travels fast in my circle.”
"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]
"Are you in trouble off-continent as well?" he asked.
"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]
"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. I... I have a lot more people after me here -- slavers, officials, other mercenaries, whatever. I only have one group after me over seas but I... I am fuuuucked if they catch up. Sometimes my work takes me that way but I'm always very quiet and very fast... if I was going to risk it, I'd probably settle up this way. My face isn't known in the North. But..." He shook his head. "But I'm leaving. Taking Ada wherever she wants to go."
"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 going South, I'm sure of that." They headed up the fifth floor stairs. "You won't be safe down there. And there are many continents besides this one--how big is this other group?"
"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
"They've got a lot of resources." Pratik cracked his back and let out a little sigh, thinking about it. "I don't know the extent of their network, though. Questions have a way of getting back to the concerned party -- and I certainly don't want to remind them I exist. I'm more of a, uh... an accessory, I suppose? I threw my lot in with someone who's in more trouble than he can shake a stick at. So they want to take us all down together -- even though it was most definitely his doing."
"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]
"Have you talked to Lord Ash about helping you? I hear he's been overseas."
"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
"Nah, this..." Pratik shook his head. Ash didn't have the resources to take down the entire Council, even if he was so inclined. Which he wasn't, and they both knew it. Pratik was just a shiny new toy -- not worth any actual inconvenience. "This is much bigger than anything he's equipped to handle."
Although he probably should have at least the hint of a head's up. Zander was careful. But he was taking risks for Ky. Sending addresses ahead so she could answer his letters. He never did that. Never. It let people stay on par with his movements, if they so chose, rather than a step or two behind. Made it more likely for the Council to catch up with him. To follow him up this way, possibly.
But, then. It's not like Ash would be able to do jack shit if the Council did show up on his doorstep. And he'd be even less likely to let Zander around if he knew the sort of mess he was in. And, well, it wasn't his place to get in the middle of all this. If Zander wanted him to know, then he'd tell him himself.
"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]
"Have you considered...." He rubbed his face wearily. "Have you considered praying? I mean, times are changing."
"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
"Mm." Pratik took a moment to consider how to answer. The gods were always such a sticky subject. "Honestly, I've accepted my lot. Live fast; die young."
"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]
"That's not set in stone," he insisted. "You're very young still, you have a chance to turn this around."
"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
Pratik looked at him with a little smile. It was so, so much more complicated than Rickard could even begin to imagine. But it was heartwarming that he was trying to help. "I appreciate the concern... can't say I'm used to it. You're very kind."
"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'm trying to help," Rickard said with a shrug. "I hope you find your way, Pratik. Truly. If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask."
"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
something I have been thinking about ever since I saw the Super Mario Bros movie is how once I took a "what Nintendo character are you" quiz and I got Waluigi. — Elinor
