conjuredskies | (Reply)

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The Imperial's expression darkens even in the shadows, giving away just how deep those words cut. Because they're true, in all the important ways.

"It's not like that," he protests. "Not... not completely. Neither side was able to keep fighting, that's why we needed the treaty. We can't afford to start another war yet, but neither can they. They can't just push the Emperor around." They just... have the stronger position at the bargaining table, and everyone with half a brain knows it.

"Like the ban on Talos-worship. The Empire barely enforced it for years. Sure, the big chapels had to close, but nobody was arresting priests or knocking on doors to see who had a household shrine. Even less if you lived out in the provinces.. Not until the rebellion in Skyrim gave the Thalmor leverage to demand more powers." His mouth twists like the name leaves a bad taste of its own, and thinking of exactly what the Thalmore have done with their free hand sickens him, makes him deflate before he speaks again.

"Nobody's fine with it, Jim. We just... can't change it, yet."