“Um… I think I sort of like finding similarities?” That was a dumb answer. “Er, I mean… seeing how grammatical patterns have evolved across time and languages?” She felt dumb and decided to shut up before she dug the hole any deeper.
"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'm sewing a bag to hold my colored pencils. The light is fading and my neck feels horrible from bending over it)
(Rana would get along so well with revamped Rickard. That's his WHOLE deal)
Arianna leaned forward, studying Rana intently. That was absolutely fascinating.
Gowan glanced at Rana, giving her a warning look. She was talking too much...
"That's incredible," Ewan said sincerely. "Are you going to use that knowledge in a library? Or more from a diplomatic standpoint?"
"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
(Ope. That sounds uncomfy. If it’s any consolation I’ve spent all afternoon at the vet lol)
(And they really would! I forgot about my man Rickard. Perhaps if we get them up to Serpent Keep we could have some wholesomeness there)
Rana felt everyone’s eyes on her and got nervous, clamming up. “Um… I’m not sure yet, sorry.” She dropped her gaze. “I’m sure I’ll find something.”
"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]
(That would be so awesome! They should totally talk about languages, it'd be great for Rickard and Rana both.
I'm writing my novel out of order at this point, working on what strikes me, and I just introduced him to my main party. He's gonna join up with them but for the moment he's terrified because he thinks they're gonna rob him)
"Well, if you end up seeking employment outside the Eastern Realm--"
"What about you, Lia?" Constance interrupted, just as Arianna was about to interject as well. "What university do you think you'll go to?" Ewan was excellent with law, but not so much the social politics. The Reputations preferred insulation, not letting their members stray too far from the nest. Surely he understood that after two years in the East? Apparently not.
"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 looked up from her plate with wide eyes, expression stricken. She’d lost the conversation long ago. They were all talking so fast and she had no idea what was being said. Outside of her name.
She swallowed her mouthful of bread without chewing and sent a panicked glance towards Rana.
“What university do you want to go to?” Rana translated quietly, not looking up from her plate.
“I don’t know,” Lia huffed back.
Rana glanced at her warningly. Father was going to get cranky if she kept answering for Lia. Surely she knew that too.
“Oh, uh…” she glanced back at Lady Constance and managed with a strained accent to get out “I don’t understand, sorry.”
“Know,” Rana corrected under her breath.
“Know,” Lia corrected quickly. “I don’t understand know.”
Rana sighed. Lia grimaced.
"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]
Arianna managed to remain expressionless, focusing on slicing her potatoes.
Constance, taking pity on her, switched to Eastern. "There's time, don't worry. There are so many to choose from anyway; I don't know how anyone can decide."
"And the Rhaebaki universities are also quite good," Maxwell spoke up, also in Eastern. "I imagine it's more and more difficult to narrow choices down, these days."
"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
“Lia!” Rana chastised, looking at her disapprovingly. Hopefully the Barrasters wouldn’t think Lia thought them stupid.
"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]
"Of course," Constance said with a patient nod. Gowan was giving Lia a death stare. "We speak it well enough to get by."
"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
(I think I ADHDed and responded in my brain and not here lol but that’s cool on the novel! Poor Rickard haha they should def meet and talk languages! And yeah kitty will be fine she’s just a problem child currently. Her feeding tube is becoming infected, so antibiotics for her)
Lia was as red as a tomato and visibly flustered. “Of course. Sorry, ma’am. Sir. I-I didn’t mean — I wasn’t trying to— I…”
“She’s only eleven,” Rana offered, trying to smooth it over. “Still learning. Upper Tongue, and how to carry herself. She means no offense.”
Lia nodded vigorously.
"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 took none." Constance waved a hand. "We all start somewhere! You speak very well for your age, my dear."
She didn't, Arianna thought, but she nodded anyway.
"May I ask when you started learning?" Ewan asked her.
"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
Lia was still blushing profusely but forced herself to take a deep breath and glance up at Ewan. She was grateful for the grace she was receiving from the Barrasters. She suspected she wouldn't be getting any from Father later for the blunder. "About six months ago, sir."
"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]
"Gods, then nobody should expect you to be perfect yet! I've been learning Eastern since I was six years old and I still make mistakes!"
"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
Lia gave a small appreciative smile and dipped her head. "Eastern can be tricky for sure."
"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]
"Gods, isn't it though? So many words for things that you could just define with kennings...like "linguist." We don't have a word for that in Upper Tongue."
"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
Both sisters were a little hesitant to keep the conversation centered on themselves. Why weren't the Reputations talking more? Had they fallen asleep? Lia glanced at Father and the others.
"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]
