“And the new children,” Rana pointed out. “Loquitur has two new ones, according to Father.”
"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]
"Ah, yes." They nodded. "The newborn and the enslaved girl. I hear she's been taken in officially."
"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
“Yes. I think it was a formal adoption.” Rana nodded, watching Shea to see how they seemed to feel about it.
"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]
They took a long draw on their pipe. "Mmm. Do you suppose she'll be next in line for the lordship? Or will it go to Lyra now that she's free of Tarr?"
"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’t imagine he’d give it to an adopted child,” Rana said thoughtfully. “She’s not been groomed for it.”
"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 expect not, if she's lived as a slave." They blew out a ring of smoke. "I'll be interested to see how she's faring. Word has it she's a Southerner."
"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?” Rana considered it for a moment, an uneasy feeling in her gut. “…was she… a valuable slave? Do you know?”
"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]
"Valuable?" They frowned. "Heh, I'm not sure. Probably just a standard one, but I can't say."
"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
Rana nodded. “…so you don’t think he adopted her just to use her? Since slavery isn’t legal in his fiefdom?” Gods, she hoped not.
"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]
"Oh, no. Loquitur's not that sort of man. He's got a good heart, bless him. Too good, I think. Lots of love to go around. He wouldn't harm a hair on her head."
"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
“That’s good.” Rana relaxed a little… unlike her own father. She got somber at the thought. Loquitur would treat a slave girl better than father treated his own flesh and blood. Shameful.
"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]
They glanced at her. "Lord Loquitur and his brother are fine people, despite the war and whatnot. I think you'll like them well enough."
"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
Rana nodded, glad to hear that, though her demeanor didn’t brighten any. “That’s good… I’m more worried about Tarr. He sounds awful.”
"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]
"Ugh!" Shea puffed out a massive plume of smoke. "May the Jackrabbit do a jig on his eyes, curse that boy. He's a brute through and through, I always knew 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
Rana nodded. “I don’t see why we need to visit him to know that? That seems like common knowledge. Couldn’t we just visit Ash and Loquitur and offer allyship and be done with it?”
"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]
