The big man beside the older woman laughed out loud as he saw her reaction. "That's just Silky," he chuckled. "Pay her no mind; she's just a goat lookin' for a bit of warmth."
"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
Jerica glanced at him, gaze sharp and just short of a glare, then back at the rattling. A... goat?
Gods, she looked stupid.
She grunted and shoved her dagger back in her belt, blushing slightly. She softened her grouchy expression and glanced back at the man, taking a drink of her beer.
"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 grinned merrily at her; his cheeks were a bit rosy. "You'd not be the first she's startled." The rattling came again, and one of the patrons near the window smacked the shutters.
"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
Jerica glanced at the rattling and then took a step closer to the table, deciding this was her in to chat with someone. "Good to hear."
"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 look awful young to be in a place like this," the woman beside him said. She appeared to be sober and was looking at Jerica with open scrutiny.
"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'm nineteen," Jerica said coolly, glancing over at her.
"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]
"Hmm." "Have you got someone to escort you, at least?" the man asked in concern. "Ain't safe this late at night."
"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 can take care of myself." She cast an annoyed glance at him. Maybe she didn't want to talk to them, after all. If they were going to treat her like a child.
"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 not saying you're not." He held up his hands placatingly. "But even the most capable ladies don't go out on their own, is all I'm saying. I meant no offense."
"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
"Mm." She took another step towards their table, deciding to give him a second chance. "I'll be alright."
"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]
"Glad to hear it." He dipped his head. "You're new in town, I take it from the accent?"
"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
"Passing through," she agreed, sitting down on one of the empty stools without an invitation. "You been up this way a while?"
"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]
"Long as I've been alive," he replied. "I was born here, and I expect I'll die here."
"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
Jerica nodded. "Recs on what I should do while I'm here?"
"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]
"Depends." He thought for a moment. "Drinking's always good. So's gambling. And I suppose you're too young to go whoring. Hunting is good, 'cept the big fellas have started walking about so a lot of the animals have been in hiding."
"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
