"It's something that disappointed and angered me greatly. It was a foolhardy and impulsive thing to do--twice--and I have a great amount of respect for the person he hurt most for forgiving him. That's all I'll say on the matter, Ky." He thought for a second. "You met my father, didn't 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
She was trying to think what he could have done or who he hurt or how she could get more hints out of Gaius — when suddenly she was hit with that curveball.
“W-what?” She looked at him in alarm, eyes wide. “Why…why would you say that? I didn’t say 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]
"It's the logical conclusion," he said, trying to keep himself from tensing up. "He seems invested in complaining about Tomhas if he brought that up for no reason. And you were extremely, extremely resistant to offering me his physical features. Sometimes lying or skirting questions makes the answer more apparent; that's something you ought to keep in mind."
"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 grimaced. There was no point in lying outright now. She’d already fucked that up. He’d see straight through her — he had already seen straight through her. No point in making it worse. “…I didn’t lie. He didn’t offer a name… but… I guessed…” She nodded reluctantly. “I… sorry. I…” she sighed. “I wish I hadn’t run into him of all people.”
"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 let out a breath, clenching his fists up. He'd hoped he was wrong. "You promise he didn't hurt 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
Fuck. He didn't actually know, did he? This reaction seemed like he didn't. Fuck.
"I swear it," she agreed with a nod. "We... argued. But he didn't get anywhere near me."
"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]
"Good. Good." He sank his head into his hands, closing his eyes for a moment. "Oh my gods."
"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]
He sat there like that for a bit longer, mind racing. Septimus couldn't touch anyone, right? And they couldn't get through locked doors. He might as well not be there. But he was. "What else did he tell 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
"... he told me to give you 'his regrets'," she said quietly. "He says death has changed his perspective and he wishes he'd sent Michael 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]
Gaius huffed out a bitter laugh at that. "A bit fucking late for that, now. Is he here now?"
"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
Had she ever heard him cuss? It felt odd, coming from him. And yet he was absolutely right.
"No." She shook her head, but glanced around despite herself to verify even though she knew he wasn't. "It's just us here... they can't get through locked doors."
"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
"Yes. I asked." She nodded, then hesitated. "...I think he was telling the truth about it, though. It came paired with him calling me a coward. So."
"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's not a liar. That's one of the few good things about him." He took hold of his tea again and took a long sip, hands trembling. "What else?"
"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
