“I mean… Austraka,” she said sheepishly. “…though I suppose that one did become a bit confusing after… well… you know. It’s different.”
"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
Ky shrugged. “It’s okay… I suppose I should be grateful I’ve gotten to see so much of the world. It wouldn’t have happened if I’d stayed home…”
Not worth it. Not worth it by a long shot. But. Well. She had to put a positive spin on it somehow. Make herself pleasant so they let her stay.
"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]
"Still. You shouldn't have been forced to leave." He tilted his head. "I'd have liked to see the world when I was younger."
"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
“Could you now?” she asked. “Are you free to travel?”
"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]
"Oh, absolutely! I've been on some trips with Gaiu--Lord Ash--a few times but I'd have liked to explore when I was just a kid. That didn't really happen." He grew more solemn as he spoke. "I did meet a lot of foreigners, though, I guess."
"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
He was on a first name basis with Lord Ash? Interesting.
She looked at him curiously. Was he a slave, too? Is that what Ash helped him get free of? She wondered if he’s who started Ash’s passion for helping slaves. Maybe he helped Emery and he’s who endeared him.
Or maybe this was a baseless theory. He hadn’t actually said so. “…oh?”
"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. "Mostly dignitaries and ambassadors. I worked near the Reputations' palaces."
"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, interesting,” Ky said with a nod. She wanted to ask if he liked it, but he said he was in a bad situation. Probably best not poke it. But, then. Maybe he was an employee. Maybe he just owed someone money or something. Not every bad spot to be in involved slavery. “Did you enjoy 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 glanced away. He shouldn't be burdening this girl with old stories. "No," he said simply, then forced himself to brighten. "But you know Ess is one of the cultural hubs for all the Realms, right? There's all sorts of markets everywhere for everything under the sun."
"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
“It’s true,” Ky said, grateful he’d moved past her blunder gracefully. “It was a very exciting place to be… overwhelming. But I’m sure it’s different if you’re used 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]
He shrugged. "When I was a very small boy I used to gawk at the vendors and the travelers--I loved watching all the exotic fabrics and how they moved, touching them and how they felt--that was my favorite part. I'm pretty much over it now but I look back on that time fondly."
"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 sounds nice.” She nodded. “It’s funny how things from childhood stick with you like that. Leave you with memories to look back on, even if things are… less than pleasant later on in life.”
"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. "Absolutely. I'd like to go back to Ess someday. Maybe. Just to see if it'll be different."
"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. “Hopefully for the best, if you do go back… I think Austraka is probably behind me for good these days. But. Perhaps I’ll visit sometime in the future. Get to enjoy the food briefly, perhaps. That’s still good.”
"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]
