"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 quiet for a moment, considering. Something was definitely off. And he definitely wasn’t getting all the details.
No chance in hell Mikaelson was in favor of letting him end his term early. And he didn’t have the authority to okay it even if he was.
From listening up to this point, both to Ash himself and his soldiers, he’d gathered the man wasn’t a fool. It’d be political suicide to randomly buy off an old soldier. And for what? This wasn’t gaining Ash anything at all.
Was there an ‘accident’ being planned?
Had Mikaelson run his mouth?
What was the right move here?
“…I don’t have a death wish,” Rifkin said at last, glancing at Ash, then away again. “If this is an invitation to Governor Makata’s gallows, I want no part of it… if it’s an out… I’m good at shutting up. Sir.”
"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 gave a small nod. "I'd appreciate a clear answer, for the record."
"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 quiet for a moment, rubbing his throat as he imagined a noose tightening around it if he was guessing wrong. Then he sighed softly. Fuck it. He was old; he was getting progressively less to lose. “…If it’s a genuine offer… then…” he nodded. “I accept.”
"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 dipped his head. "Very well. Thank you. Do you have a preference as to East or North?"
"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
“No sir.” Rifkin shook his head. “I’d just like to live somewhere quiet.”
"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]
"Wouldn't we all." He glanced toward Bay. "I'm going to have you moved to a private room in the main Keep," he added. "An escort will be provided to see to it you don't wander anywhere you're not supposed to, and you'll be paid in full once the clappers are withdrawn from my treasury. Then we'll help you get set up."
"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]
Gaius nodded. "The children have rooms on the fifth floor; the Lieutenant and the messenger are on the fourth. I would recommend avoiding the fourth but otherwise you're free to wander once an escort has been assigned."
"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 grimaced; gods even Ash referred to them as children. How could he live with himself? He dipped his head, trying to think if there was any way he could help them. But nothing was coming to mind. “Yes, sir.”
"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]
"Captain, please see Mr. Rifkin to the fifth floor; he can have my father's room." He nodded to Rifkin. "Have a pleasant day, hopefully I'll see you all at dinner."
"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 blinked, surprised he was being invited to dinner. He’d never seen a noble meal before. But he dipped his head and stood up. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
"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]
"Certainly." Gaius rose as well to shake his hand 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
"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
