Rana wasn't thrilled when she was inevitably summoned, but had at least gotten herself put together. She put on more make-up than she was comfortable with, by a fair bit, but still less than most Eastern nobility considered appropriate. She glanced over at Lia who looked more the part, though anxious. She put her hand on her little sister's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze, then knocked on the door.
"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 and Sara were seated opposite Shea and Gowan on grand sofas that had clearly been imported from the East. Sara's face was pale and drawn, but she was maintaining an air of complete composure. Gaius could tell she'd been surprised by his appearance. Shea looked far more disturbed; she'd known him a long time. Even so, she was hiding it fairly well. Gowan simply looked bored and uncomfortable.
"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 pushed the door open and curtsied politely. Lia shuffled in behind her and mirrored the movement, keeping her eyes on the floor. Neither spoke, yet.
"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]
"Come, sit," Gowan said, pointing to two armchairs.
"Welcome," Sara added.
Spoiler
Stumbled across the perfect face for Shea today by accident. That right there is Boris Karloff.
"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," Rana murmured, nodding to Sara before taking the chair further from her father. Lia sat in the remaining one in the middle, as usual.
"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're just in time," Shea said to them; "we'd just finished discussing politics and moved on to more pleasant things."
"Which is the lowest of bars to clear," Gowan 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
"Oh?" Rana asked, glancing at Shea. "May I ask what sorts of things?"
"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," she waved a hand. "Family visits, new teasets, that sort of thing. I'm afraid your father and I have been exceedingly boring. But Lord and Lady Ash tell us that they've had a few new additions to their extended family! Two new nieces, both the daughters of Lord Loquitur."
"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 glanced at the Ashes, then back at Shea. "Twins?" She hadn't heard of that.
"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]
"One is adopted," Sara supplied. "Ky. She's about your age, actually..."
"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 blinked at her. "Ky... Ruiarc, by any chance?" She eyed Gaius.
"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 know her?" Sara asked in surprise, and Gowan's brow furrowed. Gaius didn't return Rana's look; his gaze was fixed on something above 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
Rana hesitated a moment, then shook her head. "No, ma'am... I just heard her name mentioned earlier is all." This was getting weird. Was she about to go meet a half sibling? Did this Ky person know that she existed? What timeline was she living in?
"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." Sara dipped her head, studying Rana closely for a moment. "Hm. Well, I'm curious to know how you and your sister are finding the Northern Realm. Tell, me, are you enjoying your time here?"
"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, ma'am," Rana said, the lie well-practiced and sliding off her tongue easily. "I had the chance to browse your library earlier and am enthralled by it!" At least that part is true.
"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]
