“That’s cool!” Talia said with a smile. “What sorts of dances do you have up here?”
"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 of them are ceremonial or traditional from the time we were nomads," she replied. "A lot of the commoners dance, but nobles tend not to as much."
"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’s fair.” Talia nodded. “I’m sure they have more important things to do with their time.”
"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]
"Well, I would argue they sit idle enough of the time to warrant dancing."
"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
Talia’s eyes went wide and she glanced away quickly, blushing. What was this lady doing? Slandering nobles? This was how you ended up on the chopping block. And Talia wanted of part of it. Should she go? Or…? What was the safest course of action here? She didn’t know the lady well enough to know whether she could deflect. She certainly wasn’t going to contradict her. What should she do? This was so uncomfortable.
"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]
Sera noticed, frowning. "It's perfectly alright, dear. A little prodding won't harm the nobles and it won't harm us. Gaius is a dear friend of mine."
"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.” She dipped her head, not looking up as she bundled more of the herbs together, face still warm.
"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 the sort to take offense to something like that, I promise."
"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.” Talia forced herself to take a deep breath and risked a quick glance up then looked away again. “I’m sure you know him well.” Still seemed risky. Didn’t she know nobles were finicky? Prone to change their minds on a whim. Couldn’t risk getting caught up in their disfavor even for a moment.
"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]
"And you can just call me Sera; I'm not a ma'am unless I'm tending a wound."
"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
Talia resisted the urge to ‘yes ma’am’ again and instead dipped her head. “I’ll… try to keep that in mind.”
"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]
Sera tied off a bundle. "So what will you be doing this week? Emery said you might be going to the market."
"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 think that’s about it.” Talia glanced up. “That I’m aware of so far, anyway. I’m happy to help however else I can, 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]
"You should explore," Sera suggested. "See if you can travel around this area a bit, or take up a hobby."
"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… I wouldn’t want to waste anyone’s time, ma’am.” She shook her head but smiled a little. “I’m easily contented.”
"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]
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. — Henry David Thoreau, "Walden"
