Gods. Gods this hurt. Losing him a second time. She held him for a long moment, giving up trying to control her tears.
"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]
"This isn't the last time," he assured her again through his tears. "It isn't."
"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
“It is,” she argued quietly, voice cracking. “And I’m sorry.” She loosened her grasp.
"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
She shook her head slightly, wiping her eyes as she pulled away. “It’s… nevermind. Forget 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]
"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
Derik grimaced. “I think emotions are high right now. Just try to focus on the here and now.” It was weak. But he didn’t have comforting words. He doubted he or Jerica would be welcomed back here. They likely wouldn’t cross paths again. But no point in upsetting them both. “And then look forward to letters.”
"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
Derik planted a hand on Jerica’s shoulder and massaged her neck, nodding. “Thank you for the friendship you’ve offered my niece, Rickard. It means more than 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]
"Yessir." He rubbed his arm, then glanced up at Derik. "She's like a daughter to me, sir."
"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 furiously wiped at the fresh tears that revelation brought, humiliated. Thankfully Derik had intentionally positioned himself to block her from view of most of the traveling party to give her a modicum of privacy as she fell apart.
“… I think that means she feels the same,” Derik offered gently after a moment, glancing at Jerica then back at Rickard. “And I’m glad to hear it. For both of you. The world can always use more love.”
"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]
Rickard dipped his head, taking a shaky breath. "Yessir."
"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
Derik gave Jerica a little nudge, and she gave Rickard another hug, slowly calming herself. This was too embarrassing.
(Welp, three months later and the doc doesn’t think she can fix my toe)
"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
Jerica held him for a long moment, murmuring, "Be well." And then pulled away and turned away, deciding to go to Ranofer before her emotions had a chance to betray her 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]
