Derik looked between them with a nod and strode inside. The younger one was squirrelly. He supposed that wasn't particularly surprising, given what he'd heard about him. He offered a hand. "Lord Loquitur, I presume?"
"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]
"That's me!" Tomhas shook his hand heartily. "Good to meet you. Call me Tomhas, please."
"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
"Derik," Derik offered with a smile and head nod, glad to be past the labels already. "Nice to meet you as well. How are you doing?"
"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'm great! Just returned from the market with my daughter."
"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
"Glad to hear it." Derik gave a polite smile, but it was slightly forced. "Kylia?"
"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 nodded. "She goes by Ky." Tomhas turned to Gaius. "So. What did you gents want to talk about?"
"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
Derik took a deep breath, then gestured at the chairs, silently suggesting he sit down. He was going to need it. "Ky, as it were."
"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]
His brow furrowed. "...What about her?" He glanced at Gaius. "Is this about..." "No." He shook his head. "Something different."
"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
Derik glanced between them, then decided it wasn't any of his business if it wasn't about this. "Well..." Derik let out a sigh. This was so awkward. "You may have noticed -- or maybe you didn't -- but I... happen to be Zander's brother."
"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]
His eyes widened, and he snapped his fingers. "That's why you looked so familiar, yes! I wasn't sure I should ask. So--" He grinned. "Gods, you must be one ofbKy's uncles then. How cool!"
"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
Derik forced a polite smile, but it was very clearly forced and almost looked like a grimace. "...I am... yes."
"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 blinked. "That's good news, right? You don't look very...what's wrong?"
"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... is not aware I exist," Derik said carefully. "I wasn't aware she was here. It... is a very complicated, delicate... uncomfortable... situation."
"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
“Ky… has been adopted twice now,” Derik answered carefully. “She’s not aware of the first. It was immensely dangerous for her to remain with her r-birth parents. And… it remains dangerous. So… I suppose we’re all going to have to work together if we want to keep her safe and happy.”
"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]
