Gaius sighed heavily. "We've been discussing this for two weeks now. And I want to preface by saying we're not sending you back south, because I know that's what your first thought probably is."
"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
She was quiet for a long moment, on guard immediately. “So… that is what the Ainsleys want?”
"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 sighed softly and nodded, remembering Gaius wasn’t the person to try to get information out of. He was rarely forthright in simple matters, much less whatever mess this was supposed to be. Hopefully Zander would be truthful.
"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 reached the office and opened the door. "Is there anyone inside?"
"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!” Zander stood up with a little smile and stepped towards her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.
She half-heartedly returned it, glancing around to see if any spirits were inside 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]
Septimus was beside the desk. He made eye contact with her but said nothing. Tomhas's leg was bouncing rapidly; he glanced at Ky nervously.
"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
She sighed and glanced back at Gaius. “Yes.” Then she glanced up at Zander. “…how are you?”
He looked tired.
But he smiled. “Doing well, kiddo. And you?”
“Fine.” She glanced back at her father, furrowing her brow slightly. His anxiety was palatable at this point.
"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]
"Who?" Gaius asked, walking through Septimus to sit down. Tomhas gave Ky a little wave but didn't make eye contact.
"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 at Gaius, then Zander. Was he crazy? She couldn’t talk about ghosts in front of other people. And she certainly couldn’t tell Tomhas his father was in the room. Couldn’t he see how anxious he already was?
She didn’t know what to say.
So she didn’t say anything. Instead she gave Tomhas a pat on the shoulder and then sat down next to him, between him and the desk. Furthest away from Zander or the other empty seats — didn’t want to be nearer to War Lord Ainsley when he came in or to where Septimus stood now.
"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]
"Ky, who's with us?" Gaius glanced at her. "He knows, it's alright."
"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 at Zander, and he nodded in confirmation.
“…oh.” She glanced at Septimus, then at Gaius with a small grimace. “Your father.” She gestured at him.
"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 looked to his right and rose, stepping away from the chair. Tomhas tensed, glancing at Ky.
"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 grimaced and stared at her knees, chest tight with anxiety. Should she have lied? What else could she have done? She blinked rapidly, wishing with everything within her that she didn’t have to be caught in the middle.
"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]
Septimus glanced at Gaius, frowning. "Well," Gaius said after a beat, gripping his cane tightly, "tell him to leave. This is a private matter. For the living." "Tell him he's never minded my presence here before," Septimus said curtly.
"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
All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
