Emery wrinkled his nose at that. "Aleth's gone," he said to Rifkin.
"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, looking down at Ky. His voice was quiet and gentle when he asked, “truly?”
She nodded.
He wrapped her in an even tighter hug. “Thank gods.” He hesitated, glancing around. “But now you’re…” Ash’s girl, it seemed. Was that better? Ky was dressed modestly, which was confusing if she’d not managed to avoid a harem. “…is it… better?” Did he even want to know?
She furrowed her brow in confusion.
“…here?” He prompted.
She realized what he meant and shook her head. “Oh gods, yes, Mr. Rifkin! He’s not keeping me as a slave. I’m free now.”
"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 man seemed alright, Emery decided. Clueless, but concerned about the kids at least. His heart was in the right place and that was what mattered.
"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 shoulders relaxed ever so slightly and he nodded. “I’m very glad to hear that, kiddo.” His gaze fluttered over to where Talia had also approached. He furrowed his brow as he looked over. He’d never seen her so bundled up. That also didn’t fit with what he was expecting. “…he didn’t…?”
Talia shook her head. “We look too young.”
“You are too young,” he growled.
"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 isn't the kind of person your Governor is," Emery said firmly.
"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, remembering the lad. “…My apologies. I didn’t mean to… cause offense.” He dipped his head. “I’m glad to hear 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]
"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
“Well… I’m glad you’re both okay for now.” He patted Talia’s back, his other arm still wrapped around Ky. “Gods know you kids deserve to catch a break after all you’ve been through.”
"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]
(Just started dogsitting and all is quiet for now)
"Are you staying here with them?" Emery asked after a moment. "Lord Ash cleared 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
“Oh, uh… no?” Rifkin shook his head but wasn’t sure. “I’m… being retired. Not sure where I’m off to next, 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]
"Ah." He nodded. "Where are you thinking of going?"
"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'll see to it that's done," Emery said with a nod. "If you were good to Ky and Talia."
"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. He’d tried to be good to the girls; all of them. But there was only so much an old soldier could do. “I—“
“Of course he was good to us,” Ky scoffed. “He carried me almost the whole way cause Borrond hurt me too much to walk. And he gave me food when he wasn’t supposed to. And… helped.” She couldn’t risk getting him in trouble by admitting what he’d done, though she doubted Ash would tell Makata. She’d sworn not to tell anyone. Ever.
"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
