noreasonneeded (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
noreasonneeded) wrote2024-03-25 08:40 am
noreasonneeded) wrote2024-03-25 08:40 am
IC/Overflow Post
Random messages and thread continuations welcome here!
At least they could be easily distracted by a well-made sharp object.
That was a dumb question. [ She says after a moment with a laugh, sitting back in her chair and rubbing at her temples. She sits up and reaches for the coffee, taking a sip. Obviously, this meant she needed more coffee! ] Of course there would be plenty of spies around here. Yours included.
They are fine. [ She agrees with a little nod, watching him as she takes another sip of the coffee. It wasn't bad - even rewarmed up. ] If she wanted other news, I'm sure she'd reach out to Jesper or Nina.
I have no doubt that you will. At least the correspondence sounds straightforward enough. The coffee is good. I could go make more since you gave me your last cup.
They are fine. [ She agrees with a little nod, watching him as she takes another sip of the coffee. It wasn't bad - even rewarmed up. ] If she wanted other news, I'm sure she'd reach out to Jesper or Nina.
I have no doubt that you will. At least the correspondence sounds straightforward enough. The coffee is good. I could go make more since you gave me your last cup.
It isn’t dumb to not immediately think on how the criminal underbelly works in a place like Ketterdam. Especially since it mirrors how the supposedly lawful side really operates, too. Yes, though. Ketterdam is where everyone comes to wheel and deal away from lawful prying eyes. It makes no such promises on other prying, though. [He says it with some pride. Ketterdam might be the cesspool of the world in terms of morals and scruples, but it’s also where so many come to make or break their fortunes. It’s independent and wealthy, even if that wealth isn’t evenly distributed yet. He could never count on the law but he learned to count on himself in these streets, and he embraces the promises his city brings, however broken they might be.]
I can just imagine how that news goes.
[His eyes fall on the empty pot sitting on his desk. He’s drunk all but the cup he shared with Piper, which means he’s been sitting now for quite awhile. Kaz often sits to rest his leg, but even he has his limits.] I’ll walk with you. I need the lav and to make sure nothing’s been set on fire in the past few hours. Although with you here where I can see you, that does lessen those odds slightly. [He’s teasing. He slowly gets to his feet, stretching his back before grabbing his cane to head downstairs with her.]
I can just imagine how that news goes.
[His eyes fall on the empty pot sitting on his desk. He’s drunk all but the cup he shared with Piper, which means he’s been sitting now for quite awhile. Kaz often sits to rest his leg, but even he has his limits.] I’ll walk with you. I need the lav and to make sure nothing’s been set on fire in the past few hours. Although with you here where I can see you, that does lessen those odds slightly. [He’s teasing. He slowly gets to his feet, stretching his back before grabbing his cane to head downstairs with her.]
Hearing about Max’s past, Kaz simply nods. It doesn’t bother him when he hears about Max’s past relationships, it never has. Life feels both too short yet too crammed for him to wish Max anything but the full spectrum of experience. For all of the many negative emotions that Kaz has thrived off of in his life, jealousy has never been one of them. He’s always been far too focused on himself and his goals to care about how someone else is faring in comparison unless it’s to see how to take them down out of revenge. It does mean that they’re starting off perhaps on different experience levels unlike Kaz potentially had with Inej, but Kaz figures that every relationship is unique enough to where nobody could really master them the way that other types of practice did. “Not following rules and making something on my own terms is how I prefer to go through life,” he assures Max. “Though yes, in this case, it would be our terms.” While Kaz is an extremely stubborn man when it comes to his work, he likes to think he’s more flexible in his social circles. He doesn’t make it just about himself. “And it’s okay if you were madly in love, you know. It’s also fine if you weren’t, but I like hearing about times in your life when you were happy.”
He stops twirling his cane for a moment, just resting his fingers on it. The cane is so much more than just his mobility aid. It’s an extension of his body and it’s a source of comfort and strength. Even when a gun might be a more suitable weapon, Kaz feels vulnerable without having the heft of the reinforced cane in his other hand. When one of his crew had been badly hurt and scared, he’d left his cane with her while he went to handle business as a silent way of showing support. Now he gently reaches out to let the crow’s head part gently tap Max’s knee. A touch without needing his fingers. “Of course I’ll text you.” It’s said with a slight smile. “I appreciate the understanding, though. I’ll let you know if things are moving too fast. Right now, I’d rather be here than away texting.” He then lets his cane rest against the side of the sofa as he slides down from sitting on the arm of the sofa to sit on the cushion proper. Still not touching, but closer.
Leaning forward, he picks up a piece of the flatbread he brought. Like the canal rat he is, he picks at the toppings rather than taking a proper bite. He needs something in his belly to go with the whiskey. “Tell me another memory that makes you happy?” he requests, as it seems like a time to focus on the positive. “It can but doesn’t have to be romance related.”
He stops twirling his cane for a moment, just resting his fingers on it. The cane is so much more than just his mobility aid. It’s an extension of his body and it’s a source of comfort and strength. Even when a gun might be a more suitable weapon, Kaz feels vulnerable without having the heft of the reinforced cane in his other hand. When one of his crew had been badly hurt and scared, he’d left his cane with her while he went to handle business as a silent way of showing support. Now he gently reaches out to let the crow’s head part gently tap Max’s knee. A touch without needing his fingers. “Of course I’ll text you.” It’s said with a slight smile. “I appreciate the understanding, though. I’ll let you know if things are moving too fast. Right now, I’d rather be here than away texting.” He then lets his cane rest against the side of the sofa as he slides down from sitting on the arm of the sofa to sit on the cushion proper. Still not touching, but closer.
Leaning forward, he picks up a piece of the flatbread he brought. Like the canal rat he is, he picks at the toppings rather than taking a proper bite. He needs something in his belly to go with the whiskey. “Tell me another memory that makes you happy?” he requests, as it seems like a time to focus on the positive. “It can but doesn’t have to be romance related.”
[OOC: Continued from here.]
I’m glad. Books are meant to be shared and read. I know you get that, and what they can mean.
Don’t forget, even if curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back.
I’m glad. Books are meant to be shared and read. I know you get that, and what they can mean.
Don’t forget, even if curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back.
With everything I've learned about Ketterdam, it really shouldn't be so surprising. [ She can hear the pride in his voice and it's not completely unfounded. Ketterdam was an interesting place and one that her younger self may not have appreciated as much as she did now. Having been through everything she had and having needed what this place had to offer, she rather liked it. Or maybe it was because she had good ties to Kaz and his crows. ]
I can equally imagine it as well. Especially anything from Jesper.
[ She nods and stands from the chair, grabbing the empty pot. ] It was the one time. Jesper dared me and I can't turn down a dare. [ Piper can't help but tease in return as they walk down. She gets to work on the new pot of coffee while listening to everything going on around her. ]
I can equally imagine it as well. Especially anything from Jesper.
[ She nods and stands from the chair, grabbing the empty pot. ] It was the one time. Jesper dared me and I can't turn down a dare. [ Piper can't help but tease in return as they walk down. She gets to work on the new pot of coffee while listening to everything going on around her. ]
While he can move deceptively fast in a fight, Kaz isn't as quick as some of the stealthier people he knows like Inej. On the trip down he's slower than Piper, his cane an added click against the floorboards as they make their way. She seems to keep pace with him. Most of his friends do, unless he annoys them. Along the way he mostly gives nods to people as they pass, unless a question is asked in which case he answers. He leaves the coffee making in Piper's capable hands. There's an energy to the house but not excessive or frantic as there isn't any immediate threat on hand.
In the kitchen Nina is sitting at the table making orange cardamom cookies. Kaz's gaze gives her a quirked eyebrow look. "I'd ask if you're stress baking but you'd only say yes now that I'm here."
"So glad we've reached the point where you can insult yourself for me." She offers Piper a piece of orange. "And no, I'm fine, Kaz. I'm think baking. Not stress baking." Her smile fades as she clucks her tongue seeing what Piper is doing. "You two can't be trusted, neither of you needs more coffee."
"Coffee goes with cookies."
"Who says you're getting cookies? Les is getting cookies, I didn't say anything about you." Her words lack any bite as she looks actually pleased when Kaz helps himself to an orange slice. Put food in front of him and he'll usually be compelled to steal it. She's unlocked the secret. It works at least half the time.
"I don't talk when I'm chewing," Kaz points out as though shutting him up is a valid reason to feed him.
"... fine, but one day you're both getting decaf."
In the kitchen Nina is sitting at the table making orange cardamom cookies. Kaz's gaze gives her a quirked eyebrow look. "I'd ask if you're stress baking but you'd only say yes now that I'm here."
"So glad we've reached the point where you can insult yourself for me." She offers Piper a piece of orange. "And no, I'm fine, Kaz. I'm think baking. Not stress baking." Her smile fades as she clucks her tongue seeing what Piper is doing. "You two can't be trusted, neither of you needs more coffee."
"Coffee goes with cookies."
"Who says you're getting cookies? Les is getting cookies, I didn't say anything about you." Her words lack any bite as she looks actually pleased when Kaz helps himself to an orange slice. Put food in front of him and he'll usually be compelled to steal it. She's unlocked the secret. It works at least half the time.
"I don't talk when I'm chewing," Kaz points out as though shutting him up is a valid reason to feed him.
"... fine, but one day you're both getting decaf."
I do love the way you encourage all my habits, good and terrible. That's how I know we make an excellent team.
Why would I die? I have plenty more plans in the works. [The flippant response comes as though even his death is something within Kaz Brekker’s control. It isn’t, but a part of Kaz ridiculously thinks it is. He once tried to willpower his way out of drowning.]
Just need to stitch myself up and I’ll be good to go.
Just need to stitch myself up and I’ll be good to go.
Some of the best qualities are only the worst if not used properly. I trust you to apply them to the fullest.
For once it's nice not to have to worry about someone and their preconceived notions of his relationships good or bad. They are his past and while he may reminisce and remind himself of the lessons he's learned, or allow himself to miss a few of the more intense feelings one of them inspired, they are very much in the past and Max will always allow them to stay there. He learned quite a good deal ago to let the past lie in the past. Life is what is made of it, and the future will always take care of itself.
They were very hard won lessons, but the cowboy learned them well. Turning to smile at Kaz as he falls further down on the couch, Max lays a hand near him and feels much the same way. There's nothing that bothers him about Kaz's experience or lack of. They will go as they will. He twists his lips to the side. "I think I feel more nostalgic about the relationship that hurt me the most, but it hurt the most because I cared more deeply, more passionately. He and I ..." Max thinks about it... "We burned bright and hot, but he wanted more than one person after we had said words of love, and that wasn't how I worked. I tried, but it - it twisted me up inside, and then he pushed me away because he thought I was smothering." Max shrugged. It was a strange time in his life.
How could a man be smothering when he craved time, and well, possibly more than the other could give in the way of wanting all of one person. In thinking further, Max sits and watches the way Kaz picks at his food. It's become an endearing trait, even if the ex-sheriff thinks that Kaz should probably take in more nourishment. He keeps a close eye on the man he cares for, and always tries to make sure that there's at least a little food that makes it beyond those beautiful lips.
He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about what it'd be like to kiss them on occasion, or to do much more. That's Max though. He's always been physical with people, but for this, he'd let it all go. Even the tap of the cane earlier was enough. It brought a small level of goosebumps along his arms that he didn't bother to acknowledge, beyond a widening grin.
"Another happy memory. So many of them include my siblings, and a lot have to do with the little things that we'd find out about our history here and there, but there was a lot of danger and unhappiness during that time too. I was hurting myself, and died, and then took drugs and almost died again." Max runs his fingers through his hair and drinks a sip from his glass. "I think when I came back from Oasis, and was working to find myself... I drove out to the shore, the Pacific. I'd always said that I would. I was in San Diego at the time, and there were so many people. I'd found this little hole in the wall to stay in on the beach. It was so beautiful though. The waves, the sound of it at night. The way the breeze would blow in and catch the curtains of my room first thing in the morning. It was such a different beauty from the desert, but I loved it all. The smell, the salt air that always seemed to land on everything. I wasn't into spending time with people, but I still loved to watch them, the way the women would dress up to go to the beach, their mimosas and gawdy baubles. It was hilarious and wonderful. A happy time during a rough patch in my life. How about you, do you have a memory to share?"
They were very hard won lessons, but the cowboy learned them well. Turning to smile at Kaz as he falls further down on the couch, Max lays a hand near him and feels much the same way. There's nothing that bothers him about Kaz's experience or lack of. They will go as they will. He twists his lips to the side. "I think I feel more nostalgic about the relationship that hurt me the most, but it hurt the most because I cared more deeply, more passionately. He and I ..." Max thinks about it... "We burned bright and hot, but he wanted more than one person after we had said words of love, and that wasn't how I worked. I tried, but it - it twisted me up inside, and then he pushed me away because he thought I was smothering." Max shrugged. It was a strange time in his life.
How could a man be smothering when he craved time, and well, possibly more than the other could give in the way of wanting all of one person. In thinking further, Max sits and watches the way Kaz picks at his food. It's become an endearing trait, even if the ex-sheriff thinks that Kaz should probably take in more nourishment. He keeps a close eye on the man he cares for, and always tries to make sure that there's at least a little food that makes it beyond those beautiful lips.
He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about what it'd be like to kiss them on occasion, or to do much more. That's Max though. He's always been physical with people, but for this, he'd let it all go. Even the tap of the cane earlier was enough. It brought a small level of goosebumps along his arms that he didn't bother to acknowledge, beyond a widening grin.
"Another happy memory. So many of them include my siblings, and a lot have to do with the little things that we'd find out about our history here and there, but there was a lot of danger and unhappiness during that time too. I was hurting myself, and died, and then took drugs and almost died again." Max runs his fingers through his hair and drinks a sip from his glass. "I think when I came back from Oasis, and was working to find myself... I drove out to the shore, the Pacific. I'd always said that I would. I was in San Diego at the time, and there were so many people. I'd found this little hole in the wall to stay in on the beach. It was so beautiful though. The waves, the sound of it at night. The way the breeze would blow in and catch the curtains of my room first thing in the morning. It was such a different beauty from the desert, but I loved it all. The smell, the salt air that always seemed to land on everything. I wasn't into spending time with people, but I still loved to watch them, the way the women would dress up to go to the beach, their mimosas and gawdy baubles. It was hilarious and wonderful. A happy time during a rough patch in my life. How about you, do you have a memory to share?"
[OOC: Continued from here.]
You have precedence on your side, I’ve yet to be bored when in the field together.
You have precedence on your side, I’ve yet to be bored when in the field together.
True, I think you'll like this. If not for the skill, at least for the beautiful simplicity of it and the incredible craftmanship it took.
Again, I'll show you when we get there.
Again, I'll show you when we get there.
I hope you will always have plans in the works then.
[ Because despite how far she's come, she still hated the thought of anyone dying, thank you. ]
Because you insist on stitching yourself often enough, I'm sending you some of this salve that I made.
Not only because of that but because I have far too much.
[ Because despite how far she's come, she still hated the thought of anyone dying, thank you. ]
Because you insist on stitching yourself often enough, I'm sending you some of this salve that I made.
Not only because of that but because I have far too much.
Don’t worry about me, Heks. Dying would give far too many people too much satisfaction for me to let it happen. I’m much too petty for that.
That sounds like something you'd do. I’ll make certain it gets put to good use. [Probably for his crew, but if he ever truly is in need he’d use it.]
Besides, this can just add to my mystique when they see me up and about as soon as I get it closed.
That sounds like something you'd do. I’ll make certain it gets put to good use. [Probably for his crew, but if he ever truly is in need he’d use it.]
Besides, this can just add to my mystique when they see me up and about as soon as I get it closed.
Given he’s spent most of his life in Ketterdam’s Barrel, Kaz knows full well the intermingling of horror and hope. The ever-present overcast skies rarely let shards of light shine through, and the same could be said for the life experiences of those who live in the narrow city streets. Kaz is learning though to soak them up when they happen, to silently bask as those small moments of joy slip through his shields. Rather than talk on the dark violence and desolation that accompanies them, he only speaks now on the positive that interweaves through those times. “Me? Let’s see. The first time I broke into the Boeksplein is pretty high on the list. There are four libraries built around a central courtyard in the university district. One of the libraries holds the rare books room. It has the most incredible manuscripts preserved there, and intricate maps on the walls. I went in there for a job, and I’ve been back a few times since for other work, but every time I hate to leave. I’m fine never having gone to school, I learned perfectly well teaching myself, but there’s something a little incredible at the thought of dedicating years of one’s life simply to study. That first time going in there, seeing the warm lighting, the reverence for the pages, the quiet intensity of the cushioned reading spaces, the sheer amount of knowledge available at one’s fingertips… I don’t know that I’ve ever felt anything quite like that since.”
He gives a little shrug, knowing full well how nerdy it sounds, but also that Max values such things, too. Jordie and his father had always wanted Kaz to go to school, to put his restless mind to good use, but Kaz has long since made peace with his life having gone down a different path. Still, he does love knowledge and learning, it’s one of the rare memories that makes him feel young again. If he ever gave himself a break he’d spend an entire day and night in a library reading for pleasure. He’d tour the world to see all the libraries the world had to offer. It’s a pipe dream, one he knows he won’t smoke, but every time a job requires him to break into a place full of books, Kaz feels oddly at home.
He gives a little shrug, knowing full well how nerdy it sounds, but also that Max values such things, too. Jordie and his father had always wanted Kaz to go to school, to put his restless mind to good use, but Kaz has long since made peace with his life having gone down a different path. Still, he does love knowledge and learning, it’s one of the rare memories that makes him feel young again. If he ever gave himself a break he’d spend an entire day and night in a library reading for pleasure. He’d tour the world to see all the libraries the world had to offer. It’s a pipe dream, one he knows he won’t smoke, but every time a job requires him to break into a place full of books, Kaz feels oddly at home.
I’m coming, I’m coming. I’m not known for my long distance running, you know.
Heks? That's a new one. Fitting though.
Good.
The menace will bring it with her. I made her a little weightless pouch that can hold certain items - let's hope she doesn't lose it or sell it on the way to you.
[ The cat wasn't a huge fan but they'd had a stare off and Piper being more stubborn than the cat, won the argument. That didn't mean she put anything past the demon hellion. ]
I look forward to the new rumors that circulate from it.
Good.
The menace will bring it with her. I made her a little weightless pouch that can hold certain items - let's hope she doesn't lose it or sell it on the way to you.
[ The cat wasn't a huge fan but they'd had a stare off and Piper being more stubborn than the cat, won the argument. That didn't mean she put anything past the demon hellion. ]
I look forward to the new rumors that circulate from it.
Piper laughs and takes the piece of orange from Nina with a thank you and pops it into her mouth. "Isn't it nice when it gets to that point," she asks Nina with an amused grin before turning to make the coffee.
"I used to bake when I was stressed. Mostly brownies and chocolate chip cookies though," Piper admits with a grin. "These look like they're going to be excellent." But Nina's baking always is.
"I am not held responsible if my blood and caffeine levels are screwed up, who knows what may happen," she says before turning to watch them. "Not that I will ever turn down cookies because who would, but what's on your mind?"
Not that Nina has to explain anything but she'll ask the questions regardless.
Piper gasps in shock. "How dare you bring in the blasphemy of decaf to these hollowed halls."
"I used to bake when I was stressed. Mostly brownies and chocolate chip cookies though," Piper admits with a grin. "These look like they're going to be excellent." But Nina's baking always is.
"I am not held responsible if my blood and caffeine levels are screwed up, who knows what may happen," she says before turning to watch them. "Not that I will ever turn down cookies because who would, but what's on your mind?"
Not that Nina has to explain anything but she'll ask the questions regardless.
Piper gasps in shock. "How dare you bring in the blasphemy of decaf to these hollowed halls."
Suppose I was in the mood to try something new.
That's fine.
Might as well make the most of it. For every suit ruined, a rumor can flourish.
That's fine.
Might as well make the most of it. For every suit ruined, a rumor can flourish.
Oh please, do take your time, we've got plenty.
"Food is therapeutic. Especially food that isn't good for you," Nina agrees with a nod. "I was thinking about the upcoming street festival Ketterdam has every year at the end of summer." She never got a chance to take Matthias but she's not going to let herself think on that part right now. "Maybe I'll enter the baking competition. If we're not working at the event."
She eyes Kaz, who says nothing while eating his orange, and sighs. "Are we working through the event, Kaz?"
"Not all of it." He rises with the rind in his hand, reaching out to Piper to take hers too to the trash. "You should have some time to enjoy it." He didn’t plan on taking time to participate in the festivities after, but once the job was done he didn’t care if the others did.
"And you were gonna let us know when?"
"When you needed to know." He gives her a lopsided smirk and steers clear of her reach when returning to the table.
She still flips him off. "Piper can have real coffee. Forget decaf. You're getting dirt grounds." She looks back at Piper, then. "You should come if you’re in town. It's fun even if Kaz tries to make it anything but. We can enter the baking contest together.”
She eyes Kaz, who says nothing while eating his orange, and sighs. "Are we working through the event, Kaz?"
"Not all of it." He rises with the rind in his hand, reaching out to Piper to take hers too to the trash. "You should have some time to enjoy it." He didn’t plan on taking time to participate in the festivities after, but once the job was done he didn’t care if the others did.
"And you were gonna let us know when?"
"When you needed to know." He gives her a lopsided smirk and steers clear of her reach when returning to the table.
She still flips him off. "Piper can have real coffee. Forget decaf. You're getting dirt grounds." She looks back at Piper, then. "You should come if you’re in town. It's fun even if Kaz tries to make it anything but. We can enter the baking contest together.”
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