"If you're like me..." He paused. "I don't even know who you are or if I can trust you."
"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
“Likewise,” she pointed out. “Though as you said, I’m quite young. So the odds are in your favor that I’m telling the truth when I say I’ve not got any sinister motives. I just want to know what’s going on.”
"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]
"So do I." He sat up a little. "My name is Okina Jayid. I'm one of the diplomatic ambassadors employed by Governor Alud of Rhaebaki."
"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
“A pleasure to meet you. I’m…” She glanced around, not sure whether she should admit who she was. But this seemed to be a classy establishment. Hopefully no one would give her trouble. Still, she lowered her voice a little. “Darrana Gowan, daughter of Grand Reputation Gowan.” She offered a hand to shake.
"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 shook her hand. "Good to meet you, Miss Gowan. You're a long way from the capital, aren't you?"
"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. We’re… traveling. Diplomatic relations and all, I’m sure you understand.” She offered a little smile.
"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 do, I do." He returned the smile warily. "I won't press."
"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
“Thank you.” She dipped her head. “But regarding what’s happening…”
"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]
"Yes. That." He grimaced. "A couple weeks ago I started having....well, I kept waking up on the beach outside my home. Eventually it got to the point where I was standing in the water every night, waist deep. I consulted doctors, mystics, shamans...none of them could give a satisfying explanation. They said similar things to the diviner. But two nights ago--right after I went to the diviner, actually--I dreamed about the ocean. I was on a beach like usual, but this time there was a beached whale beside me. It was dying, and I couldn't bear looking at it. But it spoke to me."
"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]
"It told me to follow my path--I'm headed North--and I would find success there. It mentioned great rewards from the gods, but this...it doesn't feel anything like what the gods would do. It's aggressive, cold...and I can't stop thinking about the sea. It never leaves my mind." He massaged his temples. "I've been eating fish constantly."
"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 furrowed her brow, considering. “The Northern gods?”
"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 business have I with them?" he scoffed. "They're dead and gone, and they have no power in Rhaebaki."
"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 scratched the back of her neck, thinking. “But did it tell you to go North?”
"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]
"It told me to follow my current path," he said with a shrug. "I took it literally."
"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
