noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

That makes logical sense and something I have no doubt he'd respect more than anything.

It was.

Besides, you're better off. They have crap benefits even if the coffee is decent.

Yeah, he seemed fine when we talked about it.

Benefits are important, but they do get tricky in our line of work, so I empathize with him. There has to be some sort of package for my businesses that run above the legal line, so all the Dregs “technically” have legal jobs within the clubs or other establishments. That doesn’t mean any of them can actually go to a hospital and have questions start being asked given all the illegal work we do. They need to see under the table healers that get paid off the books. Which, yes, I do arrange and cover, but that’s a perk not a written insurance contract.

Then he's fine with it but it doesn't mean he won't ask in several years because he's a stubborn bastard.

Of course you do. I wouldn't expect it any other way from you.

Honestly, I'm not sure survival isn't predicated on being a stubborn bastard.

I've found the trick often isn't to find ways to force people from leaving but rather to give them reasons to want to stay. It's not full proof but it cuts down on some of the betrayals.

I would have to agree with that.

It does cut down on the betrayals. I assume anyone who betrays you despite all of that would have done it regardless of how you are as a boss.

Likely so, yes. It’s why it’s better to mistrust people until proven beyond doubt it’s not needed.

It's sometimes hard to believe that there was a time when I wasn't like that - so mistrustful of others and their intentions.

Pretty sure I was born in Ketterdam's harbor like that.

I wonder if realizing/remembering I was a witch and what we'd face would have been easier if I had been more like that from the start.

So you didn't just pop out as an adult in a three-piece suit?

Probably easier in some ways and also less satisfying in others. Life is rarely an either/or in matters like that.

Of course I did. Suit, hair slicked back, cane at the ready. Spawned from the harbor is probably a better word choice than born.

Fair point.

[ There had been times during the decade revenge mission that she bounced back and forth between hating they had this "destiny" (because if they hadn't, Jordan would still be here) and also wishing they had been more prepared (again... because then maybe Jordan would be here). But as she's learned, it's never an either/or, or even an all/nothing in these situations. ]

Spawned insinuates something more than 'human' that I think much of Ketterdam already believes you to be.

Oh, sure. Monster, demon, devil, I’ve heard them all and they’re all true enough.

[He's absolutely nothing but human, but the rumors that swirl around him are handy, so he's done nothing but encourage them. Inej gets upset by them, but he finds them amusing and often to his benefit.]

You know, I've been asked a time or two while I've been around if the "rumors" are true and of course, I tell them yes.

[ Something that no doubt Inej would get exasperated with, she's sure. But she sees the point to them and it amuses her just as much, if she's honest. ]

I knew I kept you around for a reason. I imagine rumors are good for obfuscating witch abilities, too.

Absolutely. They come in handy sometimes for exactly that.

You know I keep an ear out for rumors about you, too. If any I come across are worth hearing, I’ll send them your way. Otherwise I’ll just obfuscate or endorse them on your behalf.

I knew I could count on you, Kaz and it's appreciated. I definitely want to know about the more ridiculous rumors that circulate. They amuse me the most.

How does Adonis feel about them?

They always upset Inej when she hears people talking about me like that. Being a monster, demon, or gutter trash canal rat. And when I talk about myself like that even in boastful teasing.

He is amused by most that circulate up top.

I have heard he's less than pleased by any that circulate in the Underworld and there have been plenty, I'm sure.

I can see Inej being upset by it - from others saying it and maybe especially when you say it about yourself.

I like to think any rumor is not worth regretting, some just require more hustle to then work to one’s advantage.

Those who revile me she can just stab. Apparently, even if she gutted me I’d remain stubborn still, so I see her dilemma.

It's good that she left. She's better than this life.

This is precisely why I laugh at the majority of rumors that come my way. Most tend to work in my favor or ones that I can skew to my advantage.

She is good at that. If she wasn't on some grand adventure, I'd put her in touch with Adonis if only because he enjoys knives and swords and could use some additional skills/training.

She'll be back.

[ At least her gut told her so. ]

I’m sure he’s busy skewing them, too. For you, I mean. Or just eating the creatures that say them, who am I to judge.

You should, anyway. The more eyes watching over them, the better. Can’t stay out of trouble, those two.

She would, if any of her friends were in trouble. As any of us would. I don’t doubt that.

... actually, perhaps we shouldn't encourage our best friends with sharp dispositions and better morals than us to converge.

I've no doubt that he does. And if anyone really pisses me off, probably does take a bite.

Hm, you raise an excellent point, perhaps we shouldn't.

I can only imagine the shit-talking that would happen between them. Mostly about us.

I always make excellent points. Sometimes it just takes some people longer to realize it.

Oh, of course.

I have to admit though, it would be amusing to watch that convergence.

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