Ky grimaced and hesitated, then nodded. It took her a few moments longer to find her voice and when she did it was soft. “Yes… I’m very different now. But… still the same in the ways that matter? If that makes sense?”
"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]
Anneliese nodded slowly. "I think so? Can I ask what's changed, if you know? I think we all come back a bit different when we stay at Serpent Keep...it has that effect."
"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 fidgeted. Anneliese was too young for the full truth. And yet she didn’t want to lie to her. “I…” she didn’t know what to say. “… feel more solemn now.”
"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 frowned, considering it. "Yes. That makes sense. It's a solemn place, right? Like a crypt. Feels wrong to be anything but."
"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 uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. “I… hope I’ll regain some of my… vigor here.” She wasn’t hopeful.
"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 probably will," Anneliese assured her with an encouraging smile. "It goes fast, I promise. You just have to adjust, and then everything goes back to normal! I've seen it hundreds of times. Even Uncle Gaius gets a bit brighter when he's 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
"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]
"We can play some games once you've all rested and get everyone back in a good mood, alright?"
"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 smiled a little. “That sounds nice… though…” she cut herself off and shook her head. “You know what? That sounds like exactly what we need. Like a welcome home party.”
"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]
"Oooh!" Anneliese's eyes lit up. "That would be fun. We should plan one together!"
"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]
"Yes! It's a great idea. It can distract everyone from all the bad stuff and we can get closer as a family. You and me could plan it together, and maybe we could get Mother's help."
"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
“Um…” Ky hesitated, then nodded. She supposed that wasn’t an unreasonable ask. Even if she was still anxious about potentially spending money on superfluous treats. “Okay.” She smiled a little. “That sounds nice.”
"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]
Anneliese grinned broadly and hugged Ky, bouncing on her heels. "We should get started as soon as you're settled. Oh, I have so many ideas already!"
"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]
