"Gaius would help with that," she said, noting her weariness. "He speaks Nortung; he could piece together the language, I'm sure."
"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 true… but I’d have to learn it first, and we don’t have time for that… unless he had to come with me. But even then I’d have to be able to repeat what they said, which…” she cringed. “Seems logistically difficult… and exhausting.”
"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]
"Then you might have to settle for the oldest of the not-so-old."
"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
“Yeah…” Ky considered it for a moment. “And that’s assuming they’re still around and that I can even find them in the first place.”
"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]
"True, true. Hopefully some of them stuck around."
"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
“…yeah.” She glanced down the rest of the flight of stairs to be sure no one was on the landing. “… I don’t want this, you know. I know I have to talk to them to figure it out cause no one else is able. But… I just… I wish it wasn’t me. It doesn’t need to be me. And I want the gods to get away from me. This…” was absolutely terrifying. “I don’t like it.”
And yet, like it or not, it was up to her. To figure this out; to protect herself. She couldn’t rely on anything or anyone else. No amount of Ash or Loquitur money combined could hire a guard to protect her if Michael came after her. No. Her safety was now her responsibility. And she needed a better plan than just running away. The only reason that had worked at her ceremony was because it gave Zander and Gaius time to rescue her. That’s all. There would be no rescue this 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]
"You don't have to like it." She rested a hand on Ky's shoulder. "Nobody should have to go through as much as you have, especially concerning ghosts. You're brave for handling this as well as you are, frankly. But it's alright to be afraid, too."
"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
Ky tensed despite herself, but saw it coming so she didn’t flinch when Sara touched her. A moment later she forced her body to relax. It was a comforting touch; not threatening. No need to tense up against it. In fact…
She hesitantly wrapped her arm around Sara’s back, blushing a little and glancing away, embarrassed that she was accepting the comfort. She should be stronger than this. But… it… was nice.
"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]
Sara gave her a small smile, drawing her a bit closer. "I wonder if others are experiencing this sort of thing."
"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 know,” Ky said after a moment, lingering in the partial embrace for a moment before stepping away again. Enough of that. There were appearances to maintain. “…I kind of wish I wasn’t the only one, but also I really hope no one else is having to deal with this. It’s… not good.” She shook her head slightly, stepping out of the stairwell on the first floor. “This sort of misery doesn’t want company.” She just wanted relief. “…I wonder if it’ll ever end.”
"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]
"Perhaps the gods will go back to sleep," she suggested. "Hopefully. And then the power might go away." Her brow furrowed. "I should talk to Gaius about searching for more. They might be put there scared and confused."
"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
Ky huffed a little sigh and rubbed her face tiredly. “More…?” She glanced over at her, mind working slow from her exhaustion.
"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]
"More people with new powers. It'd be good to know if there are different ones."
"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…” Ky hesitated. “Well, how would you even go about trying to find them? ‘Hey, come to the Keep if you can see ghosts’.”
"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]
"We'd issue a decree, I expect. A summons if some sort. Something like 'If anything strange has happened to you then please come to Serpent Keep.' Something better worded, of course."
"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
