He exited after a few minutes, followed closely by his father.
(11 pages added since challenged as of this post)
"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’s entire body ached. She was slowly realizing she’d been smacked harder than she’d ever admit during Humtur’s initial blow and was stiff and cranky. She trudged towards her room sullenly.
"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 passed her, glancing at her and giving a curt nod, then pausing and turning back to look at her. She looked as if she'd been crying, and she was in outdoor clothing. "What on earth happened to you?" Septimus asked.
"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 gave a curt nod as well to Gaius and then hesitated, glancing back at Septimus as she passed him. “Nothing.” She turned and started up the stairs again, not interested in speaking to either of them. Birds of a feather, flocking together.
"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]
"What?" Gaius blinked at her. "You look like the dead," Septimus said dryly.
"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
“Guess you would know,” she muttered, giving Septimus a dirty look.
"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 gave her a long look, then looked toward where Septimus was standing. "Ah."
"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 blushed a bit and turned away again.
"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]
He thought for a moment. "He's right." Septimus looked over at him, blinking in surprise.
"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]
"You look as if you've been through it." He gestured to her. "Were you outside?" "Sorry--can he hear me?" Septimus demanded.
"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,” she demanded, glaring at Gaius. “Can you hear him? Or are you spying on me? Again?”
"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 can't hear him," Gaius said curtly. "But when you address someone who isn't me I'd certainly like to know who it is. So yes, I dipped into your experience for a moment. Why is he following me?" "What is he talking about?"
"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
“Stop spying on me,” she snarled, glaring at him. “You could have 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]
"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
