"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
“… why you are waiting with us, sir, even though we’re healed… enough… to begin,” she said uneasily, but forced her expression to be drawn. No use in begging for mercy. Well. At least for herself. “I know I’ve no grounds to beg for mercy, sir, but I still ask for it — ask that you make it quick. At least for Tadaaki; he didn’t even know why we were here. Sir. I ask you allow him to pass quickly, sir… and… I suppose… that’s the bounds of what my audacity will allow me to ask. I understand what Aleth and I deserve. But… I ask you to reconsider it for Tadaaki. Given his ignorance in participating in the crime.”
Tadaaki shivered.
"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]
His brow furrowed, and he frowned. "I'm not going to harm either of you. I gave Tadaaki my word I wouldn't hurt you, and you two had no real say in whether you wanted to come here or not. This place is still a sanctuary for slaves; as far as I'm concerned you're not guilty of anything."
"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 blinked at him. Not… guilty? But… but how? She was the epitome of guilt.
"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'll still be watched, as I said, but your master--former master--is the only one who will be facing consequences. Now, is there anything you wish to tell me that you could not before?"
"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 Tadaaki. And they had exactly the same thought at the exact same moment. Lead blocks dropped in their guts in an instant.
Ky felt queasy as she turned her guilty gaze back on Ash. “… if you’re to kill him, and you’re certain in your decision about Tadaaki and I, then it’s probably best to turn us out sooner rather than later, sir. There will be assassins coming for us once word gets out he’s dead. No point in that showing up on your doorstep, sir. We’d appreciate a head start, though. If you don’t mind. Sir.”
"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 place has withstood assassins before," Gaius said dismissively. "If they do show up then they won't make it to the doors before they're skewered; that's a guarantee."
"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
(How would the allies fall in this war? Like, who is backing House Ash in this war?)
Ky looked at him for a moment longer, then dropped her gaze, brow furrowed slightly. This didn’t make sense. Was she dreaming? Was that what this bullshit fluff supposed to be — an unrealistic pardon to fill the plot hole in her mind.
"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]
(Tomhas, Barraster, and Ash. Bledroe and Tarr. The Adrees are staying out of it again)
"What else? The places you said you were from; are those real?"
"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
“…loosely,” Ky admitted. “I’m from Austraka, but in a township not remote… which is now in considerable danger.” She sent a sideward glance at Tadaaki.
He cringed and mouthed, ‘sorry.’
“But it’s true that my father was killed during my capt… actually, I suppose that detail is untrue. But. Well. He was the only family I had to speak of and he is dead now. That was true.”
"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
"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… am really from Totallisa, sir,” he said quietly, gaze on the floor. “… but I have a family… but I can’t go back to them. I’ll be hunted until I die; I won’t lure anyone to my family. I… I won’t. I love them too much. Sir. That’s why I have to stay away.”
"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]
"How many assassins are coming? What is his system like?"
"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
