Rifkin eyed him suspiciously. This felt like a trap through and through. Thankfully it wasn’t phrased as a question, so he didn’t have to answer. Instead he glanced away, chest tight. What was this bastards game?
"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'd like you to tell me honestly, if you're willing--do you like your job with the Governor?"
"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
Rifkin’s gaze snapped back to him, on high alert immediately. This was definitely a trap. But how could he get out of it? He was quiet for a moment, then realized that wasn’t a good look. His answer should have been yes. Immediately. A lie, of course. But the one Makata would want him to tell. “No one’s ever questioned my loyalty before. Sir.” Hopefully that was enough of a non-answer he could get away with 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]
"With all due respect, that isn't the question I 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
Shit. “…A job’s a job, sir… I like the idea of the pension I’m due for soon.”
"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
(I don’t have a solid grasp on your economics yet lol it’s basically social security equivalent so like you can survive but not comfortably. Like he won’t be in a soup kitchen but he also won’t be in a single family dwelling, probably. Definitely nowhere close to fair for a lifetime of service)
He hesitated then answered.
"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]
"What if I tripled that and asked that you retire now, here in Venholm or in the East?"
"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
Rifkin gaped at him for a moment, stunned by the offer. “…Could I ask why you would 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]
"Why would you look a gift horse in the mouth?" he countered. "I'm offering you a good deal, I think."
"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
Rifkin glanced over his shoulder; was Mikaelson watching this? “…Is this some sort of test?”
"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]
"No." He shook his head. "This is an honest offer, which I will be making only once."
"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
Rifkin was very tense now and glanced around again. “…may I ask what the alternative is?” His gut felt like he may know. At least have a hint. This reeked.
"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 alternative is that you join your fellow soldiers on the way home, and you never speak of this again."
"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 didn’t seem true. He may not be the smartest man, but he’d been around the sun a time or two. “… with all due respect, sir, I can’t imagine you’ve cleared this offer with my commander?”
"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 like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story. — Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
