Emery opened the door hesitantly. "Hi. Um." He gave a very uncomfortable smile, not entering. "I'm Emery. Your escort? I'm gay."
"Certainly."
"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 blinked at him, furrowing her brow slightly. "Oh, um, hello. I'm Talia." She dipped her head. She supposed that's why he didn't seem to like her flirting with him in the hall earlier. That made things simpler; she wouldn't need to offer to change back on his behalf. "It's nice to meet you."
Ky made no effort to move. She had too much to think about.
"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 too." He glanced down. "So, uh, you're free to explore now, if you want. I'll just sort of shadow you. If you have any questions I can answer them."
Bay glanced toward the door. "There are also the men who brought her here, but they're locked in on the fourth floor. I believe I'm to bring them to Lord Ash after I've seen Kaelan back down to the barracks."
"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, okay..." She glanced regretfully at her bowl of oatmeal. She'd scarfed down most of it, but there was still some and she was still hungry. Still, she took a step towards the door reluctantly. "Thank you."
"Kaelan's here?!" She gaped.
"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 noticed her look. "But if you wanna eat some more I can wait out here."
Bay nodded again. "You know him 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
"Um... I mean... you can wait in here if you want?" she offered. "I...I don't want to be rude. I just... also don't want to waste the food..." Gods knew it was a bad idea not to take advantage of food when it was offered. "It's very, very good."
"He's Tal's brother." Ky nodded.
"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]
"Oatmeal's great," he agreed. "Especially here. But I don't want to intrude too much. I know how valuable privacy is."
"Ah." That made sense. Bay dipped his head.
"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 shrugged, taking a step back towards her bowl. "I don't need privacy... but you don't have to stay if you don't want to. That's fine."
Ky nodded again, blushing a bit. Gods. They both probably hated her by now -- how could they not? Her stomach felt bad.
"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'll wait out here," he decided, staying where he was in the doorway.
"Is there anything you need from me?"
"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
"Okay." She nodded, sitting back down. "It will only take me a moment, sorry."
"No sir." She shook her head. "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]
"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 didn't. Talia scarfed her oatmeal as fast as humanly possible before he could change his mind and take it from her.
Ky bit her lip and began pacing. Should she go look for her friends? Or... just... not? She didn't know. She didn't think she could bear the shame of looking them in the face. Of listening to them tell her how much she'd betrayed them. She knew. Knew what a horrible person and even worse friend she was.
"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]
Emery stood off to the side, out of sight from the doorway, fidgeting with the hem of his coat.
Bay reached the office door and knocked. When he was invited to enter, he opened the door. "Ready to go?"
"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 finished off her bowl and took a drink of water, then cautiously approached the door.
"Yes sir." Kaelan dipped his head.
"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]
Emery backed up as she did so. "All set?" he asked.
"Remember what I said," Gaius said to him. "Good luck; we'll come get you if things go smoothly. Which they should."
"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
