"Why they were sure? They were invested in their story, Tadaaki; they weren't going to tell me why they cut you out of a lie. But you agree they did cut you out?"
"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
“…no sir…?” he looked at him hesitantly, feeling like a kicked puppy. Ky wouldn’t have cut him out. He was sure of it. Unless she’d thought she would be able to get to him to tell him the updated plan and just couldn’t manage it. Or…
Gods. His cover was blown. He wasn’t a good liar. Why was here? He was meant for tending horses; not lying to Lords. He… he needed to shut up. Take his torture. Don’t throw Ky under the bus. Don’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]
"Why are you three really here?" Gaius asked, approaching Tadaaki now. "What are you looking for?"
"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 took a step backward, looking at him in alarm. Godsgodsgods-
“Nothing, sir!” He shook his head quickly. “We-we are looking for respite, nothing more. I-I- it’s- there’s not- we’re not-“
"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]
"Do not lie to me," Gaius said, very softly. "I keep my promises, and I promised Bay he could get to work if you didn't talk right here in the next few minutes. Getting to work might mean on you, might mean on your young friend. We'll have to see how he's feeling."
"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
“No!” Tadaaki was panicking now. He knew better. Panic never ended well. And yet. Ky was going to be punished for his inability to keep his fucking mouth shut. “It’s-it’s me. I lied. Not Ky. Ky doesn’t lie. His name was V… Vos…Roy?” Gods, he couldn’t even remember what the name was. “That. Not Neff. I’m sorry. I-I’m sorry.”
"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]
"Why did you lie to me?" Gaius asked coldly. "What sort of purpose could that serve?"
"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-I…” that was a very good fucking question. He didn’t think fast enough to think up a good excuse so he settled for the first thing that came to mind. “I’m a pathological liar, sir. I’m sorry. It’s something I’ve been trying to work on but-but sometimes I tell myself a story so many times I start believing it as fact. I-I don’t know why my brain settled on Neff. I’m sorry, sir. I…”
"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 studied him, then snorted out half a laugh. "A pathogical liar? Do you know how many times I've had people under duress tell me the exact same thing after a slip hoping that it would save them?"
"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
Tadaaki stared at him like a deer in the headlights. That… how did that not work? Was he accusing him of lying about lying?
"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]
"So I'll ask you...." He paused, thinking. "I'll ask you one more time and then we're taking Ky downstairs. What are you three doing here?"
"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 know!” Tadaaki pleaded, looking him in the eye. “I swear it. I-I-I don’t. I…” He looked at Bay and shuddered, then looked back at Ash. “You can have him tell you that.” He gestured at Bay, revealing how bad his arm was shaking in the process. “I-I don’t know. I swear to god. Do-do whatever you need to me to prove that to yourself. Please. Please.”
(Poor guy lol who knew this is how this was gonna go) (Gaius: we have nothing to fear from Tadaaki Also Gaius: I shall maul this man and kick at his little pressure point)
"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 thing is, I don't think you're much of a threat," Gaius replied. "You're too poor a liar to do any damage. It's your companions I'm concerned about, so I figured I would start with the weaker for the two of them and hope she breaks quickly so I don't have to waste my time with you. I'm sure she knows more anyway, since you've obviously been left in the dark. Goodbye." He straightened and made for the door. Bay turned to follow him, wondering if Gaius felt any guilt at all for what he was doing to this poor man. He knew they weren't going to harm anyone--at least not yet--but it was sad to see Tadaaki so obviously distressed.
"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
“Nononono please! Please sir! Please.” He followed after them but it was pleading not threatening. “I-I talk easier than she does,” he offered. “I promise. She’s — she — she doesn’t know anything, either, and even if she did which she doesn’t but if she did then, then you can’t get it out of her. She’s-shes the hardest to get anything out of, not easiest. She’s just a little girl. Please! She’s already been through so much. Please! Please choose me or Aleth—“ he cut himself off but it was too late. His eyes got even wider. “Me or Al. Please.”
"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]
"Aleth?" Gaius turned. "That's interesting. His full name is Aleth?"
"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
