noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

So less combat more a singular attack.

[She has made herself comfortable, laying on her side facing him to be able to hear what he says better.

It is odd, but easier than she expected. After spending a whole evening together, this really does just feel like a sleepover.]

You also know where I live. But then I'd retaliate. And there would be a full on war of small thoughtful gifts.

[Kaz remains lying on his back, but it’s mostly because that’s the most comfortable position with his leg. Lying on his side for too long makes it ache. Her voice carries well enough for him to hear her though, even if his own is as usual raspy in return.]

I do know where you live, and should I take that as an open invitation to return? Because I can pick a window lock, you know.

[He tilts his head to look at the wall of pillows where she lays on the other side.]

I can smell your shampoo on your pillows.

[He knows what it smells like now, thanks to having used it in her shower.]

You can probably pick the lock on the door as well. You are welcome to return. Especially if you're bringing food.

[She never turns down a dinner. She can see the tip of his head as it turns towards her.]

Is that good? I rather like the smell of it.

[It’s nice to hear that he’s welcome. She’s already told him, but sometimes, it’s nice to hear more than once. He’ll definitely bring food and wine. Kaz likes to take care of people, and providing them with basic needs being met is one of them. It’s much easier for him to show than to tell.]

You still have a lot of food in the Barrel to try. Some of it’s really well made. I’ll make sure your fridge has some when I visit. And yes, I could pick the door’s lock. When I’m not trying to be more covert.

[He rubs his cheek a little against the soft pillowcase. His voice is slowing down a little due to tiredness.] It is a nice smell. Though I can’t quite place it.

[She likes the dinners and wine as his way of caring, it is sweet.]

Thank you. I will trust your food choices.

[She also sounds a bit slow and sleepy.]

Has some hyacinth to it. Good night, Kaz.

I'm told I have a goat stomach because I eat anything, but... yeah, I do know meals that are hole in the wall but well received, and by chefs who deserve the business.

[He fights his way back from slumber to go over a few details, that annoying side of him wanting reassurance.]

I just fall asleep? That's it? There's no...

[What? Spell? He feels foolish for even asking, but he's not sure how this works.]

What you've gotten me so far has been delicious.

[She nods before realizing he can't really see her.]

I can try to summon something for show, but it really is just falling asleep. I just focus my energy a little.

[She does a little focus exercise to make sure that she is aware of him and that he is close enough. It seems to be helpful. She has lived with many insomniac artists and she's always been able to help them just by giving a little focus to it. Some have said it feels a bit like a blanket, warm and comforting.]

No. No show is necessary. I just... like to know how things work.

[He's glad she doesn't have to enter his mind for it. Even if she's dealt with trauma equal if not worse than his with others, it's still hard and personal for him. The fact that it's just a peaceful feeling that settles over him is surprising, yet indeed comforting. He tenses at first, then slowly eases into the warmth. He can't remember the last time he felt anything like this when preparing to sleep. Either he has horrible nightmares, or he pushes himself so hard he passes out and doesn't recall a thing. He feels his eyelids drooping, exhausting settling over him without the usual bone-griding fear alongside it. Drowsily he manages.]

G'night, Stella.

[She is glad that he seems to settle into the sensation. She hears his breathing change and then she is quick to follow into sleep.

The wall of pillows ends up with her hugging them, but she maintains a respectful distance.]

[Kaz remains on his back, not tossing and turning and drenched with sweat. It's the first genuinely decent night of sleep he's had since he's been nine years old. It's a deep sleep, and when he rouses, he's disoriented. His bladder feels full and there's light shining through the windows, both clues that he's been knocked out for quite a few hours now. Sleepily he rubs his eyes and shifts up on one elbow, glancing to his side to notice Stella hugging the pillows. He quirks his lips up in a private little smile that slips off his face as fast as it appears. Gingerly he reaches over and doesn't touch her, but tugs up the blankets a little to cover her better.]

[Stella is still out cold when he wakes, though she snuggles in a little more when he pulls up the blanket for her.

She will be thrilled to learn that her magic did work for him.]

[ooc- these two are just so cute I can't stand it.]

[Kaz debates getting up to start making breakfast - he rarely eats it but he feels he owes it to her to make some. He has a heavy step however and doesn't want to wake her in the process. He settles for watching her a few beats longer, enjoying the sight of her fanned out lashes and hair. Then he takes out his phone and checks in with those who know he's alive. He issues a few orders via texting, he can't be held accountable for doing work long distance, especially while she's still asleep. Protectively he glances at her from time to time and then goes back to working.]

[OOC: They really are! A delightful serotonin boost for the weekend.]

Edited (Clarified he's texting, not being That Person talking while someone's sleeping.) 2023-10-08 00:29 (UTC)

[It doesn't take too much longer for her to start to stir. She doesn't often bother to sleep through the whole night, it's a little treat sometimes.

But she yawns and stretches before looking over, a slow, almost lazy smile coming to her face.]

You look rested.

[Her yawn is contagious and he has to stifle one of his own, a gloved hand going to his mouth. His hair is tousled, but his eyes for once aren’t bloodshot.]

I slept really well.

[The admittance comes out a little sheepishly, with incredulity woven through it. He’s not meant to sleep well, or at least, that’s what he’s resigned himself to believing. It’s part of his punishment for surviving. He honestly didn’t truly think he’d have a restful night again. While he knows this won’t be an every night event, he’s still grateful for it. He pushes himself hard, never standing still for risk of sinking, and he hasn’t realized he’s been feeding his fire with fumes and outside strife for as long as he has.]

How about you? I didn’t want to get up and wake you. The cane can get a little loud.

[She shifts to sit up against the headboard.]

I am really happy I could help.

[Brains work best when they're rested, he probably needs sleep more than he realizes.]

I slept great. Thank you, it was actually really nice to just not be alone.

[She's not had a lover in a while and she does miss the little things like sharing a bed.]

You did. I didn’t know who or where I was when I woke up, it was so disorienting. Not in a bad way, I’m just not used to it.

[She’s not wrong, Kaz Brekker never gets enough sleep even when he should. It makes a moment like this all the more meaningful for that.]

I guess by nature you’re a pretty social person. [He can imagine loneliness hitting her hard when it happens.] I’m glad though that me being a log in the bed was nice for you, too. And that I didn’t get up before you woke up.

Since you are awake now though… how does coffee sound? Tell me you have coffee. And that it's not decaf. If it's decaf we need to have a talk.

It's always so strange to wake up somewhere different for the first time.

[Especially if you slept well.]

I am. Though it has been some time since I've had any sort of romantic partner, so my bed has been empty.

[She nods.]

I do have coffee and it is not decaf. Because I'm not a psychopath

It really is. This is one of the nicer experiences where that's happened.

[Studying her, he gives a little nod. Just because he's never had a romantic partner doesn't mean he can't imagine what it's like, and why she might miss it.]

Instead of just getting a cat, you got a Kaz.

[He's not above teasing himself sometimes, too.]

Good to know. I can make some coffee if you want to freshen up. [A beat.] Not that you need freshening up. [He's very bad at this.]

You're a bit like a cat. I worry about some of the things you're eating, and you'd hiss at me if I tried to pet you.

[She is willing to tease him too. Bit with the utmost fondness.]

I can guarantee my hair could use a bit of assistance right now.

[It is a rather fluffy mess.]

I'll meet you in the living room in a minute.

[That earns a look of amusement from him. He’s glad that she’s comfortable enough to tease him.]

I eat fine, you should only worry if I start coughing up hairballs.

[Her hair looks perfectly fine to him, but he gives a nod and slides to the edge of the bed. He rises with a stretch, limbs popping, before grabbing his cane.]

I’ll get well acquainted with your coffee pot in the meantime.

[He limps out to her kitchen, rummaging around and finding the coffee along with mugs. He also finds ingredients to make a quick breakfast scramble and sets himself to work at it.]

[OOC: If Stella wouldn’t have those items in her fridge, just lemme know and I can definitely edit out the last part. :) ]

I'd get you some hairball paste.

[He can be very funny and she is greatful to get to see that side of him.

The joint popping sounds so rough for someone as young as he is and it does make her wonder how much damage he's sustained in these short years.

She isn't long in the bathroom, just long enough to empty her bladder, comb her hair and brush her teeth. And while she's there she can start smelling both the coffee and food being made.

She makes her way back to the living area.]

Now you are going to spoil me, making me breakfast.

[A lot of damage to be sure, but there's a resilience to Kaz despite that - or perhaps in part because of it. And while she's kindhearted to care, the aches and pains don't bother him too much right now. He's rested, about to have coffee with her company, and then humiliate the people who tried to kill him - Kaz Brekker doesn't do cheerful, but he's in as good a mood as he can get.

He glances over at her when she enters, shifting so she can look in the pan to see what he's doing.]

It's pretty simple. Thought I'd ask you before adding any spice.

[It's just eggs, onions, cheese, and peppers right now, but if she's a fan of spice he's not above adding some hot sauce to it, too.]

I didn't go hairball crazy with it.

[She has admiration for his continued persistence despite everything. And he still has a level of kindness to him that is often absent in people who have suffered greatly.]

I don't mind a bit of spice. It smells really nice.

[It's simple, and that is usually what she prefers in the mornings anyway.]

You said you have a goat stomach, I'm sure there's a tin can around here somewhere if you need a snack.

[He goes a little less on the salt and adds in some dashes of hot sauce then, along with the black pepper.]

Don't put it past me. I'll eat anything as long as it's not poisonous. Nina gets very annoyed when I just say everything is 'fine' and shovel it in. I can handle the basics in cooking, though. I grew up in a very 'eat or be eaten' situation, so I learned to fend for myself.

How about you, how are you at cooking?

You learned to just eat what was edible. That makes sense.

I'm pretty good at it, I just tend to lack the motivation to cook for just myself. I eat a lot of salad on my own.

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They're so sweet, OMG. <3

I know! I love them

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