Is this what the torture was to be? Just beating after beating after beating with the same two questions that he somehow expected a different answer to. What was he even supposed to say? If he changed his story now they wouldn’t believe anything subsequent he had to say. No. He had to stay strong.
"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 entered the dining hall and sat down. Dinner had started a bit late, so Gauus and his family were still there.
(Presumably Ky and Tadaaki as well)
"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 and Tadaaki both felt uneasy and eyed him warily until he sat down. Not there for them. Good. They were getting progressively more convinced that his very presence was going to make them anxious every single time, whether he actually did anything to them or not. Particularly Tadaaki.
Should they greet him?
They felt like they should greet him. But they very, very much didn’t want his attention on them. So they stayed quiet instead.
"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 nodded to him. "Any progress?" "None. I expect it will be a few days before he stops being stubborn." He glanced toward Ky and Tadaaki. "How are you two?" 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
They both flushed a little. He? As in Aleth? As in his torture had begun? As in his torturer was sitting in front of them now? Gods.
Although. They’d taken many meals with Aleth. And he’d tortured them many, many times.
“Good, sir.” Ky dipped her head. Tadaaki did as well, staying quiet. “And you, 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]
"A bit weary, but I'll get some sleep after I eat and be right as rain." He glanced between them. "You're looking fitter, certainly. Much better than when we brought you in."
"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
“Yes sir.” Ky dipped her head again. “We’re feeling much, much better. Thank you 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]
He nodded and helped himself to some food. "Good."
"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
She nodded again, going back to her meal. Her morbid curiosity wondered what had happened but she wasn’t about to poke that. There was no amount of money in the world that could pay her to do 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]
One of my ravens returned with information on Isya," Gaius said to Ky. "It turns out he is indeed my cousin, and closer than we thought. He's working for my half brother at the moment."
"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?” her voice was weaker than she meant for it to be. Wonderful. He was close. That… gods. Did he know she was here? Probably. How long before he arrived? Would Ash allow her a head start?
"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 said in his letter that he asked Arthur about it--they're closer than I am to him. Arthur has not signed any such contract with Aleth. And before you ask, we both trust him to tell us the truth."
"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 hesitated. Really? Pratik then. Very well. Pratik would make it quick anyhow — he liked her. She knew that much. Isya was anyone’s guess. He was always polite and that was about it. No clue where she stood in his eyes. But. Well. She supposed she didn’t have much choice but to believe it. Especially given Ash said he did. He may be blinded by familial bond, but he didn’t strike her as the type. Especially not when it came to extended family. So, if the suspicious man believed Isya, she supposed he may be telling the truth. Hopefully. “…I’m very glad to hear that, sir. Thank you.”
"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 dipped his head. "We're still looking into the others. But Pratik is far from here right now. And he won't be coming back for quite awhile."
"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 made her feel at least a little better. She didn’t imagine she was ever going to relax again in her life; and certainly not while there were here, watched like a hawk. Or. Well. She’d probably rest even worse once they stopped being watched since then there would be no witness to provide testimony of her good behavior. There was entirely too much risk associated with being near noblemen. But. Well. It was nice not to have to worry about the assassins for a bit. The only threats to her at the moment sat at this table. Unless Aleth got out. Then she was toast. She’d be begging for an assassin at that 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]
