"He was a farm-- well, it's complicated," she backtracked. "He was a merchant in the Port, but then he settled down in my township and became a farmer like Mama. But then he got hurt when I was very little and took up weaving. So. I guess it depends on how you want to look at it. I always claimed the farm girl title though."
"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 sounds like a jack of all trades," she said with a smile. "A very skillful gentleman, I'm sure."
"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 ma'am," Ky agreed with a smile, nodding once. "He was good at everything."
"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
"Lots of things... whatever people needed, really. Mostly baskets and bins and hot pads and such. But he sometimes thatched chairs for people. I think he thatched the sides of a cradle for one of the families in town, too. He liked trying new things and would volunteer for anything anyone mentioned, if he could manage it. Or at least though he could manage 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]
"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 puffed up, pleased at the praise on behalf of her father. She was proud of him. And it was wildly gratifying to hear a noble complimenting him. She wished she could tell him all about it. She sobered ever so slightly at the realization that she couldn't. But still smiled, a little sadly. "He was wonderful."
"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 sorry you lost him," Constance said, sobering as well. "I didn't mean to bring up a sore spot; I apologize."
"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
"Not at all." Ky shook her head, forcing a slightly bigger smile, though this one didn't reach her eyes. "I think about him a lot anyway -- it's nice to be able to honor his life by talking about him. I... haven't been allowed to do that. It's... raw. But... good, I think. In the long run."
"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 gave a nod of understanding. "Then I'd love to hear more about him, when you feel like it. He seems like a fascinating man."
"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 ma'am." Ky smiled a little and dipped her head. "...I mean. Not really. We're very simple people. But... he was a very good father anyhow."
"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]
"Most certainly, if he raised a daughter like you. Smart, polite, kind. I'm sure he'd be very proud of you."
"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 blushed profusely at that, but smiled, genuinely flattered. "That's very, very kind of you to say, ma'am."
"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]
Constance smiled back. "It's the truth. Gaius spoke highly of you in his letter to us and Tomhas--and I see why."
"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, thoroughly stunned. "He... he did? Ma'am?"
She'd inferred that he'd told them about her and Tadaaki, seeing as Loquitur called them the spies right away. But she assumed that was the extent of it. Coerced spies. Now lost puppies on very, very thin ice. He'd... complimented her? Lady Constance... was complimenting her? That...
She didn't understand.
"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]
