"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
Zander nodded slowly. "So... how can we be sure there's not one listening to us this very moment, that'll go tell Ky what we're talking about? Can't imagine she'll take that well..."
"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 can't." He glanced around with a sigh. "We just have to hope. I try to close my doors quickly and lock them afterward--I just had all the locks changed."
"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]
"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
Zander nodded. "... So do the doors have to be open for them to get through? Or just unlocked?" He glanced around. "All three of us fanned the door getting in here -- and it's unlocked this very moment as well."
"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 if they wanted to get in they're already here," he sighed, getting up. "But better safe than sorry." He limped to the door and locked it.
"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... just concerned about damage control," Zander said after a moment. "I couldn't care less who's eavesdropping on us right now -- they can't hurt any of us in this room. But if they give Ky a twisted half-truth... I'd rather her feel like she can trust us and come to us for answers than them."
"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 agree." Gaius dipped his head. "I believe one of them informed her Derik was here before."
"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]
"I'm afraid so. Ky confirmed that my father remains."
(I forget, does Tomhas know that?)
"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 shit. Nope, Ky lied to Tomhas's face and told him that Septimus passed)
Zander grimaced. Derik was entirely unsure how to process all this information and was being very silent and still, trying to comprehend it all.
"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]
Tomhas turned to look at Gaius. "...What?" "You didn't know?" Gaius frowned. "She didn't tell you?" "She talked to him?" Tomhas had gone pale. "When?? Why?"
"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
Zander grimaced again, deciding to stay out of this one.
"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]
"On and off," Gaius said. "I think. She hasn't said much about him. Perhaps she wanted to protect you?" "But who's going to protect her?" Tomhas asked in dismay. "The rune bone."
"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
