"Right, then. Let's duck into a store instead." He gestured toward the street.
"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 nodded and obediently strode forward in the direction he'd indicated, though she made no move to pick which store. Jerica followed close behind, glancing back over at Myna and the Drummers.
"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]
Speaker was watching them go with a look of disappointment on his face. Myna was turned toward them as well.
"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 weren't smooth. Jerica gave them a weird look and a little wave. Did they... know she could see them? This was so awkward.
"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]
Speaker's face broke into a smile and he waved back, then pointed to Ky with a raised eyebrow.
"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 pointed at Ky with raised eyebrows in a question, then nodded, glancing over at Ky. "I think they wanna talk to you."
"Noooooo." She sped up a little to be closer to Bay than Jerica. It seemed he was more on her side here than Jerica was. At least when it came to the Drummers.
"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]
Bay glanced over at Jerica. "What do they want with her?" He looked at Speaker now, who gave a little wave to him. Bay didn't return 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
"How should I know?" Jerica shrugged and stepped towards Speaker. "Let's go ask."
Ky didn't follow.
"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]
Speaker stepped forward as well, then strode to meet her. Myna followed more slowly. Bay turned and watched, crossing his arms.
"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 met him halfway, annoyed the others were being wet blankets. "Hello again!"
Ky looked up at Bay uncertainly.
"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]
"Hello!" He smiled. "Sorry to bother you again--have you met Myna Trollbeard?" Myna dipped her head to her.
"Do you want to go?" Bay asked 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
"Nope." Jerica offered a hand. "Pleasure to meet you. Jerica Ainsley."
Ky's gut was churning with anxiety. "No... I mean... I don't know... should I?" She really didn't want to.
"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]
"My advice would be no, but it's up to you," he replied.
"Pleasure to meet you." Myna shook her hand. "Myna was just telling me something interesting she'd noticed about you and the young lady you're with," Speaker said animatedly. "See, there's this--this aura, I suppose, that you apparently have."
"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 nodded. "Okay... I... would... rather stay here. If that's okay."
Jerica furrowed her brow. "...Oh?"
"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]
"And the girl there, she's apparently got it too." "Something's hanging about the both of you," Myna confirmed. "Haven't seen the likes of it in my lifetime."
"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
