noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

Jesper keeps giving me third wheel invites when they go out.

[He knows it's Jesper trying to look out for him since Inej is gone. Kaz gets it. Chewing his own arm off is still more appealing, even if he can appreciate the motivation.]

If higher numbers indicate having brought in better scores, then sure.

[Plus, he's the first one to start making their little band, and he knows he'll be the last one, too. That thought is too depressing to ponder though so he shoves it aside.]

I hope you stocked up on rations so you're not left just eating fish these days. It would be awkward if you returned and started growing scales.

Edited (In a battle of word options, one choice must lose.) 2023-04-12 10:13 (UTC)

This is really awkward. I've already grown gills.

[ She has a feeling he'll still like her despite that fact. Inej doesn't let herself think about what it means for him to still like her even if she was to return to him changed. (Is it obnoxious? Arrogant? Presumptuous?) ]

Specht says the scales will follow shortly. I'm hoping to develop rainbow ones.

I actually caught my first fish the other day. I had no idea what to do with it, so I accidentally threw it back into the sea. They're so slippery, Kaz. Worse than roof tiles after heavy rain.

I suppose gills would at least be useful.

You must miss Jesper if you want every color scales.

[It's not even a question he thinks needs answering, on whether he'd care what she looks like or not.]

When in doubt 'release' is exactly the reaction I'd picture you having.

You think very kindly of me. "Release" implies some level of control over letting the fish go. If Jesper asks about my fishing exploits, I'm going to insist I released him and didn't let him slip from my hands.

Have you ever fished?

[ Did Jordie ever take him to the edge of the water? It's something she'd like to imagine, a young Kaz sitting beside his big brother, eager to learn how to reel a fish in. ]

You can always catch two fish the next time, though that’s not the same as swindling the same one twice.

For information? Rather incessantly. The other kind, not so much, no. Maybe once or twice.

[The farm in southern Kerch where he was born wasn’t on the water’s edge, so walking a number of miles had been too exhausting to make it a regular endeavor. By the time he’d made his way to Ketterdam, there was no place to cook a fish let alone easily buy or make a fishing pole.]

I rather suspect the patience and reeling in process between the two is remarkably similar.

[ Of course, he takes her question about "fishing" to be about information. It's almost like Kaz can never let his walls down. ]

Did you want to fish?

And before you purposefully misinterpret the question, for fish with scales, not information.

I covered all the bases with the question.

Isn’t the main purpose in fishing to drink?

Is that why the fish ‘slipped’ through your fingers, Inej?

[ Saints!!!

She's ignoring him going all Kaz on her. ]

Did you, the most exasperating man I've ever met, want to fish with me?

From the sound of it, you do need my help.

[Sensing he’s nearing the end of her patience, or perhaps having placed his toes a little over that line, he relents and reels it back because he doesn’t actually want to make her end the talk in a huff.]

Yes. I’d like to go fishing with you.

And yes. I’ve been fishing before. Not often, though.

Once I'm in Ketterdam, that's what we'll do. We'll fish.

And you can show me how good of a fisherman you are. I'm sure you'll have a lot to teach me about baiting.

I’m surprised Wylan has yet to create an explosion to draw all the fish to the surface for easy netting.

Then again I have had him busy working on other projects.

Inej. There wasn’t even a proper pole used the last time I fished.

Though I appreciate your faith in my abilities to bait in every context.

[Any fish caught were by sheer determination, not skill. Rather his fighting style in general, though he’s gotten somewhat more refined over the many years of figuring out how to pull dirty tricks.]

I'll get you a proper pole.

[ Problem solved. ]

And we can either invite Wylan along to throw a bomb into the water or you can ask him now to create one for the purpose of fishing.

[ While Inej suspects that Kaz could simply be humouring her, she's excited to return home and do this with him if he allows it. Even if she fails at capturing a fish, she knows she'll have fun. Perhaps he'll even crack a smile at her being unable to either snag a fish or take it off the hook. ]

[He starts to type, then stops. It isn't that he can't buy a pole for himself these days. He was going to rather frankly state that much. It's that Inej thinks that with a proper pole, Kaz Brekker could work miracles among fish. And at the end of the day, and gods this is a long day but he's stubborn enough to fight daylight yet, he wants to live up to that image. Even if it means he's going to practice before she gets home.]

I just need the cane, a good line, and tricky bait. All I can cover.

[Is he going to catch a fish using his cane now? Damned right.]

Wylan doesn’t get up as early as I do. Maybe he can join us at the end of our excursion, to make a proper show of it. Don’t worry about the scraps.

[What can be smoked he’ll see gets fed to those that need it. Kaz has slowly been broadening his protective borders as more turn up on his doorstep. Though he’s yet to claim it a habit, let alone accept credit. These people have uses. They’re informants when he needs them to be. He still finds a self serving purpose in it.]

I’m not asking him anything now. I’m hoping if I’m quiet they won’t knock and ask if I want to join for a nightcap.

You can't use your cane, Kaz. That's cheating.

[ Yes, she's assuming his cane is a miracle and unquestionably attracts fish.

Inej isn't surprised by his dismissal of Wylan. While it may be presumptuous of her to suggest that he wants to spend time with her and her alone, as much as she loves Wylan, she wants to spend this time with Kaz. Assuming he'll truly make time to fish.

She has a feeling he will. ]

Why don't you join them just once?

Cheating, or a wise investment?

If they come ask, maybe. Are you getting tired?

It's cheating.

[ And it is because she said so! ]

Are you?

[ Inej is certain she could talk to him for hours before she realises that she's tired. That's something she doesn't wish to share. Kaz isn't easily spooked by much, but give him an inch and sometimes he does flee in his own way. ]

Cheating's another word for creative winning.

I don't need much sleep.

[He'd just been giving her an out in case her nudge for him to join Wylan and Jesper had indicated she wanted one.]

Your new cat does all the sleeping for me.

Where does he sleep?

[ Please say his room. ]

It varies, he's got a handful of favorite sleep spots. Window ledges are popular, something you two have in common. There's a rug in the kitchen he likes to frequent when Nina's cooking. Right now he's on my desk. Probably I'm the only one still awake so I'm the best option to feed him if he wakes.

[ So, he does feed him. Inej smiles, liking that Kaz has either purposefully confessed while trying to make it sound like he's been cornered into doing so or hasn't realised what he's admitted at all. ]

He can sleep on my preferred window ledge if he wants. Maybe he can keep the crows company for me while I'm gone.

[ She considers telling him the cat can sleep in her room, but she's not quite sure if the room is still hers and if it's been given to someone else. It'd be in Kaz's best interests to repurpose it to someone who'll be there every day to use it. ]

It's nice that you feed him. I'm sure he appreciates it.

He’ll probably try to eat the crows if I opened the window. He can just stalk them from the inside looking out.

I just don’t want to deal with everyone crying over a cat carcass.

[He clearly had other reasons for having to feed it that have nothing to do with the goodness of his heart.]

Not everyone or everything that's perceived as mortal enemies are enemies, Kaz. Sometimes people and beings can surprise you.

[ The cat and crows could be friends!

But it makes her laugh that he thinks the crows would win. Of course, he would. He has to stick to his brand. ]

Keep Kazzle safe for me so that I can at least meet him.

I bet he has the softest ears. Does anyone rub his belly?

[ AKA Do you? ]

More likely one is lulling the other into a false sense of security before a proper strike.

He’ll be safe. And fed. Spoiled probably by the rest here, so fair warning.

[He shall neither confirm nor deny on the petting.]

[There’s a knock at his door.]

Come in. What is it?

Hi, yes, I’m having a lovely evening, thanks for asking. Quick question, I…

[Jesper’s voice trails off. Kaz is seated at his desk, bad leg propped up on a stool and books and papers arranged around him on the wood surface. It’s a common enough sight, minus their new furry friend of the past few weeks using a ledger book as a bed, and Kaz using the Durast communication device he and Wylan created together. For obvious reasons they’ve kept it tightly under wraps for use only among those they trusted, which means that there’s only a very small handful of people whom he might be speaking with at this ungodly hour.

He shouldn’t tease Kaz. Only he should. Companionably he sits on the edge of Kaz's desk and Kaz doesn't flinch, trusting him being so close. Reaching over he pets the cat's head while tilting his head to try and look at the phone.

Working hard, or hardly working? [He gives a nod at the phone.] Now I know why you never want to come drink. Frankly, I was getting a little hurt…

[Kaz rolls his eyes, placing the phone facing down on the desk and lightly covering it with his hand.] I’m working.

Mmm. [Liar. With a small smile, he uses his Durast abilities to bring Kaz’s phone over into his hand - because he’s not going to risk touching Kaz. He might want to annoy his friend but there are lines he won’t cross. He switches the phone to audio.]

Hello, WORK. Being productive, are you? You must be a BIG PROJECT to take up so much time.

[Jesper darts to the other side of Kaz’s bed as the other man rises with a look that could kill.]

Inej, I need you to take down my last will and testament because Kaz is about to murder me. Please let it be noted I died looking dashingly handsome. Also, hello, how are you?

[Kaz blew out an annoyed, exhausted sigh.]

That isn’t how a last will and testament works, you podge.

I prefer to think that wills and testaments work for me. Nej, he looks really miffed, what dastardly thing did you do to set him off?

[Yes he’s trying out another nickname.]

[ Inej can't help but laugh. It's so easy to imagine the scene back home: Jesper leaping about on his long legs and Kaz scowling as he watches him. She wonders if Kaz is trying to swipe the communicator back from him or if he's simply relying on looks being murderous. ]

'Nej'. Really, Jes?

[ As far as nicknames go, it's probably not the worst, but Jesper can never know that. There's a distant sound of the ocean roaring, but with her tucked inside of her quarters, it's dulled somewhat. It's almost as if the True Sea wishes to say hello, too. ]

I did tell him that he needed to be nicer to you about your hats. Is he frowning? Is it the deep frown or the very deep frown? You know there's a difference between the frowns, Jes.

It’s a good nickname. Like a mix between a nudge and a sound a horse makes.

And people complain about my compliments.

It’s all in the tone, Kaz.

[Jesper simply backs up when Kaz approaches, stepping onto and over his bed to just switch sides.]

Don’t walk on my bed!

I don’t have shoes on! Why do you still have your shoes on in your bedroom this late?

It’s my office.

[Jesper gives him a look that says ‘there is so much wrong about how you choose to be’ and raises his hands to protect himself as Kaz uses his cane to hook and send a book on his bedside table flying at the other man. It’s not sent quite as hard as Kaz could have.]

Ouch, okay truce. I just want to talk to my friends. And talk about my hats. I would say… it’s only the deep frown, yes. We’re probably safe for now from permanent damage. [He once again settles on Kaz’s desk, kicking over the stool near the bed for Kaz to sit and rest his leg. He makes a point of lying Kaz’s phone on the desk and removing his hands from it, hoping Kaz will just relax for a minute to talk.] Thank you for defending my hats, they do have feelings, too. You must tell me all about the ones you find on your travels, are the styles very different? Is it raining there too or is that the normal ocean sound? Ketterdam’s having one of those nights where it’s trying to make itself an ocean.

[He rambles and rattles away at anything and everything, content to be among two of his favorite people once more even if one’s remote. Kaz doesn’t sit yet, but when he limps closer he just picks up his fallen book and doesn’t end the call.]

Edited 2023-04-14 10:55 (UTC)

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