"It's more a term of endearment," D'Ara told her. "For some reason they have a lot of attachment to me."
"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]
"An excellent question," she chuckled. "But as for en-dear-ment, it means affection."
"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
“Affection,” Aashi corrected. “It means to like someone a lot.”
“Oh… hey Ky do you have infection for—“ Tasia gestured at D’Ara, realizing that she didn’t know her name and yet undeterred.
Ky’s stomach lurched then tied itself in a knot. She sent a panicked glance towards D’Ara then back at Tasia and decided to simply correct her. “Affection.”
“Yeah that! Do ya?”
Ky was blushing.
“Cause she’s your auntie, right?” Tasia kept up.
“She’s not my auntie,” Ky murmured quietly, unable to take her eyes off the table.
“Yeah huh! If she’s your sisters aunt she’s gotta be yours too, right?”
Ky was blushing profusely.
“Right?” She turned towards D’Ara for confirmation.
"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]
"Well." D'Ara sat back, lacing her fingers over her stomach. "We haven't known each other as long as I and the little ones have known each other. So no, I'm not her auntie but perhaps one day."
"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 glanced up then back down, not responding. She… wanted? To get to know Ky? How terrifying.
“Can you be my auntie too?” Tasia asked.
"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]
"Are you well-behaved and respectful of your parents?"
"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!” Tasia said eagerly, then hesitated. “Most of the time.”
“Most of the time,” Aashi confirmed. “You’re a good kid.”
Tasia grinned at D’Ara. “I’m a good kid!”
"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 we can work something out, I'm sure." She reached out the shake her hand.
"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
Tasia stood up and reached as far as she could and barely made it. She gave her an awkward her high five instead, not understanding what she was going for.
"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
Tasia wasn’t sure what was new about it but she picked up that she must have been funny and grinned as she sat back down.
"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]
Pretty much everyone had seated themselves now. The servants came out with the food and drinks.
"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
They’ll send you away if you don’t keep your promise.
Eat.
Ky piled on an acceptable amount of food for a small meal.
"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 took a small portion as well, and D'Ara raised an eyebrow at him.
"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
