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.
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.]
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. ]
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."
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."
"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.”
"Especially food that isn't good for you," Piper agrees with a little grin. It was something she used to do with Jordan a lot when they were in the midst of finals or some other big project on the horizon. Afterward... well, much like everything else, it stopped. She had other things to focus on. When was the last time she baked anything? "That sounds really fun," she says, focusing back on the conversation at hand. "You absolutely should join the competition, you'd blow them all out of the water."
She hands over the rind to Kaz with a little thank you. "So basically after it was all said and done," she teases Nina with a laugh and picks up a second mug.
Piper takes a minute to consider her schedule at the end of the summer and nods. "I'd like that. It's been a while since I've baked anything but I would enter the baking contest with you hands down. I should be free then."
"The motto here is first work then play," Nina agrees with a little laugh and shake of her head. "Which is better than all work and no play, which I'm sure Kaz would prefer, but we nag him enough that it's more balanced." It's a far cry from her life as a child soldier in the Second Army where she ended up after her powers manifested at the orphanage. There she did form connections with some people, but there had been the constant push and stress to advance her powers and prowess for the good of her people. A part of her feels guilty for not going back, but she also relishes the freedom. As much of a taskmaster as Kaz can be, she could walk away at any time without him hunting her down. She's here by her choice. They all are, and that's what makes the little misfit family so powerful and important to her.
She smiles in delight as Les agrees, knowing the other woman needs fun in her life, too. They all do. "Great. We'll have to make some practice recipes while you're around, see what works best." She begins to scoop the cookie dough onto a sheet, warning Kaz and his nimble fingers, "There's raw egg in here. Don't. I don't care about your goat stomach, don't eat it until it's cooked." Her eyes narrow as he looks a little put out, but he backs down and folds his arms at the table. "What recipes do you usually like to make?" she asks Les to find out where the woman's expertise in baking lay. There were a lot of different types of baked goods, after all.
Piper laughs and nods her head. At one point, she'd had more play in her life but when everything happened, she became just as focused as Kaz was. She was glad that they'd had time in their life to play and to learn their abilities without their life being solely about their 'destiny'. Which was what so many of their ancestors had wanted. She's not sure she would want to know how she would have ended up had that been her background. But it didn't matter. She was here and she was forging her own path forward. And, truthfully she could use the fun.
"You know what they say about all work and no play," she says with a grin. "Really, you're lucky you have so many people looking out for you." She couldn't help but tease him and knew that a) she was one to talk and b) he still worked most of the time.
She snorts when he backs down but she had to admit, she did enjoy some raw cookie dough herself. "Basically sweets," she admits with a grin. "I always went for the cakes, brownies, and cookie recipes. Sometimes the rare pie or two. But the cakes and brownies were my favorites."
“What if my work is my play?” Kaz counters, thumb lightly tapping on the table beneath his folded arms. Even if he plans years in advance, there’s a restlessness to him that Nina’s noticed. A sense of persistent urgency as though he’s always racing against a clock, or against… something. Someone? She’s never figured it out, but she’s noticed that Kaz is the embodiment of perpetual motion. He is that shark that he’s always called, though perhaps for more reasons than just a predator hunting prey.
Nina shakes her head. “It doesn’t work like that, Kaz. You can enjoy your work, but it isn’t the same as play. It shouldn’t be.” She doesn’t think even he really buys what he’s saying, or else he wouldn’t let everyone but himself take days off.
The oven timer goes off and Kaz rises to his feet, taking the tray from her to put it in to bake. He gives her a smirk as he does so, one that’s shiny and sharp, smooth as a surface and no deeper than one, either. “Then I’ll just outsource it.”
Impossible man. She gives a huff, but at least he doesn’t eat raw egg. Sometimes it’s the bare minimum and all about small favors with Kaz Brekker. Looking back at Piper, she gives a smile. “Cakes and brownies are wonderful choices. And it’s so easy when baking with chocolate for things to end up dry, so it does take a deft hand. I usually like a little spice in my baked goods. Sometimes heat, but also just warm spices. Fall is definitely my favorite season because of that.”
"Although, I can see stealing art work being your idea of play though," Piper muses, her tone teasing though as she watches the two. She has also noticed the way he never sits still and from everything she knows, she's not surprised. She figures it's when he is sitting still that they should really worry. But she couldn't really say anything, she was constantly moving or doing something with her hands.
She turns back to the coffee pot and pours a mug. "Do you want a cup now or when we go back upstairs," she asks, glancing over at Kaz, fully intending to take the pot up with them.
"I don't think that's how outsourcing works, my friend," Piper laughs and brings the mug up to her mouth for a sip.
She looks at Nina with a smile. "That's for sure. it took me one too many times to realize what I was doing wrong," she admits. "Oh, spice is good. What is your favorite recipe to make?"
“Further proof of your psychosis?” Nina offers sweetly, utterly unperturbed at teasing him as he limps back to his seat after putting the cookies in the oven.
Kaz flips her off as he finishes answering. “It’s a perfectly reasonable and valid use of one’s time. It’s great practice at evading security systems. And showing the wealthy they aren’t entitled to everything money can buy.”
“Spiting your enemies is not a hobby, but you should get one, Kaz.” She says, knowing she’s talking to a brick wall. “Not inviting you to bake with me and Les, though. Stealing cookies doesn’t count, either. You can ask to have some.”
“Dear Nina, sweetest treat of the Slat, will you share your cookies with me?” Kaz places a hand over his heart when delivering that sarcastic plea in an innocent tone.
She laughs. “You’re as charming as a can of cold soup, Kaz.”
“Gazpacho isn’t bad. And that’s not a no,” he points out, in which case he adds as he turns to Piper, “I’ll have a cup here, and then the rest upstairs.” His leg makes him not inclined to walk back up the stairs then down again for the twelve or so minutes they take to bake.
“What he means is, can he please have one here and thanks for getting it for him,” Nina translates dryly before answering the question Les sent her way, “I think I make a great spice cake, and I’ve also made gingerbreads and apple cider breads. All the warm spices are great in cakes, breads, and cookies. Some people don’t find them sweet enough but I love them.”
“She also makes good lemon curds,” Kaz cuts in as he polishes his cane.
Nina faux whispered to Les, “He has a fruit fixation. It’s not as annoying as his revenge fixation, so we let him have it.”
Piper snorts. "You know, for most 'play' just means you're having fun with it, and considering you seem to really enjoy and dare I say it, have fun stealing artwork, I would argue that it is your idea of play. Even if most wouldn't." She watches with an amused look at the play-by-play between Nina and Kaz. She's sure this is how she and Adonis look and sound depending on the day.
She takes a sip from her mug before setting it down and pours one for Kaz and takes it over to him. "I figured that may be the case," she says with an amused smirk. "I'm glad for the refresh of Kaz-isms."
"It has been far too long since I've had a spice cake or gingerbread but I remember really liking both. Not sure I've had an apple cider bread before."
She pauses and gives a mock gasp. "Wait, did you say something was 'good', Kaz Brekker? That is decidedly better than fine. I think you need to mark this on a calendar or something," she says the last part in a mock whisper to Nina.
"A fruit fixation is also a little healthier than a revenge fixation so I'd give him that one too."
“Fun is a social construct made up by people who just aren’t productive enough to find satisfaction in getting ahead. Just like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are pointless social norms,” Kaz protests. “If someone wants to do something, they’ll do it. If they don’t, they don’t. Adding on a phrase shouldn’t matter if the price and motivation is good enough.”
Nina groans and gives Piper a side eye. “Thanks for giving him caffeine, he can keep going like this all night,” she teases. Really, Kaz doesn’t even need caffeine to do it. The man has two levels he operates at, utter silence or grandstanding. There’s never a middle ground.
Really though, as fun as it is to tease Kaz, Nina loves getting to spend time with her friend who isn’t here as often these days. It doesn’t feel like so long ago they were all under the same roof, with goals that aligned if weren’t identical. She gets Piper’s loyalty to New Orleans, one that’s taken her out of Ketterdam. Hell, Nina’s thought about moving back to Ravka or Fjerda herself. Still, she misses the woman and naturally wants to make the most of their time together. “Tomorrow morning I’ll make some apple cider bread for breakfast,” she promises.
“I didn’t mean good as in taste, I meant good as in being useful,” Kaz clarifies as he sips his coffee. “A lemon pie stings someone’s eyes far worse than a less acidic pie to the face.” Ever practical, of course. “The taste though of the lemons is fine.”
“Go figure his heart belongs to something sour and bitter,” Nina stage whispers to Piper. “And I hope you both are living for more than revenge these days. Tell me about everything important in New Orleans. Don’t leave out the fashion and hot spots to visit.”
"You know I had to," she teases back to Nina and watches Kaz with an amused look. "Ah yes, spoken like a true workaholic." Though let's be honest here, she knew she really didn't have any room to talk or tease. She was just as bad as Kaz was. Though to her credit, she was relearning what it meant to have some fun in her life that wasn't fighting evil or avenging her cousin and boyfriend.
She was glad she had the opportunity to come back and spend time with her friends. It'd been a little too long and she missed Nina, Jesper, and naturally, Kaz though they'd had time to reconnect when he'd been in New Orleans. Still, it wasn't the same as when she'd stayed in Ketterdam. "I look forward to it," she says with a grin at her. She enjoyed their language lessons and looked forward to baking with her. It would give her a good reason to get out of town more and come by for a visit.
Not that she needed a reason but all the same.
She arches an eyebrow at Kaz and hums unconvincingly. "Of course that's how you meant it. Not that I disagree but," she says with an amused smirk. "I still think you need to count this as a win," she says to Nina with a grin, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I think we're both living for a little more than revenge these days. At least, for the most part, I am. You will need to come and visit me sometime soon and I will show you all of the hot spots to check out. Magazine Street has fantastic finds, I think they'd be right up your alley, and of course the Riverwalk Outlets. The food you would love the most though... the whole city is a food lover's dream."
“Calling me a workaholic makes it sound like a problem. I prefer to consider my lifestyle a solution instead,” Kaz banters back. His tone is light and flippant, though not without some truth underscoring it that most might not notice. Diving into work does help keep other parts of his life at bay, an excuse to not deal with them. Though like Piper, he’s lowered his impenetrable walls a little for the people who are family to him now, to where he might complain but he will share a drink with Jesper or share late night waffles with Nina.
“I’ll take the win,” Nina agrees with a grin just as Kaz says simultaneously, “It’s thieves who take, so I must have won.”
Nina shakes her head and gives Piper a ‘you see what I have to put up with?’ look. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“It does if you think about it. But I know you avoid what makes you think…” Kaz ducks as Nina lobs an orange slice at him.
“You made it land on the floor! Stop wasting food!”
“I should let you hit me so the food’s not wasted?” Kaz asks dryly as he leans over to pick it up and shrugs. “It’s fine.”
“Don’t you dare eat that. Don’t you dare blow on it and then eat it.”
“Why, is the floor that dirty? I can wash it off.” He rises to his feet to rinse off the orange slice.
“That isn’t how germs work, you know. I saw it on an episode of Mythbusters. The five second rule is a myth and so is rinsing off germs.” Nina knows it’s a lost cause though and just shakes her head. “Gross, Kaz. But look who I'm talking to, your body’s nothing but one big infestation at this point. I bet you're immune to everything.”
Why did Kaz’s shoulders bunch up in tension for a moment at that? It only lasts a moment but Nina is puzzled, it’s no worse than their other joking. They'd just been having fun as usual. She casts a quizzical look at Piper but doesn’t say anything, letting the topic shift to one more pleasant. “Yes, PLEASE, I would love to visit. Can I come back with you after the festival? I’m sure I’ll need a few days off. You can show me around and I can show you how good caraway goes in coffee. It’ll be a gateway to showing you that tea is superior.”
Edited (Grammar is asking too much on a Saturday.) Date: 2023-09-23 03:16 pm (UTC)
Piper holds the mug of coffee between both of her hand and watches the two go back and forth with a laugh. There were nights when she wasn't handling her grief and when she was already up but her mind was full of questions like: did we annoy them too much with our constant arguing and fighting? Did we spend too much time working and not enough time enjoying the time we had together?
And while she was sure the answer was yes for both questions, she's not sure they would have done anything different if turning back time and changing things was even a possibility.
It had taken a while to start letting her guard down again and let people in. Some days it was still hard to do but she was glad that eventually, she'd taken a shot with this misfit group. Life had been beyond different for every single one of them and yet somehow they'd all come together around Kaz.
She mentally shakes her head to focus back on the conversation before her and snorts at the look Nina gives her. Piper takes a sip of her coffee and watches as Kaz walks over to wash the orange off so he could pop it into his mouth. "You know, I think I missed that episode," she muses, glancing over at Nina. "I should find it sometime. Never knew."
She noticed the way his shoulders tensed when Nina mentioned being immune to everything and shares a look with her. She couldn't begin to imagine what made him react that way - it wasn't any worse than Nina has teased him about in the past. Still, she lets the conversation change easily and grins.
"You can absolutely come back with me after the festival. I have a spare room and I can show you everything. I'm less sure about this caraway and coffee..." she drags out with a grin. "But willing to try it and see."
It was nice having company. She'd enjoyed it when Kaz came to visit her and she realized how she longed for company at times.
Nina clasps her hands, her eyes dancing. “Perfect. Yes, show me everything. I want to fit in.” A leftover of her spy days, Nina is extremely adept at fitting into just about anywhere, but she’ll also always take any excuse to shop and have a guided tour. “And I think you’ll like it. I promise, it’s good.”
At the start, drawing people to him had been strategic. As a child Kaz had spent several years perfectly fine surviving on his own until he found Pekka Rollins again. He saw the might and muscle the man had at his beck and call, and realized he needed an army of his own to fight back. The next day he found the Dregs, joining them with the intention of whipping them into a shape he could wield against Rollins. Into a weapon, into an army at his disposal. He told himself that fixing up the Slat, providing food and housing and decent wages, was all done with a selfishness in his heart.
It was that, too. It was very much rooted in selfishness.
Not entirely, however.
Dirtyhands, leader of the Dregs, knows his worth and what he offers to make recruiting someone into his crew profitable for them.
Kaz Brekker, the man behind the myth, the one who put a knife in a traumatized girl’s hand and promised her she was dangerous… he’d forgotten that side of himself existed until Jesper, Inej, Nina, Piper, Wylan, and Matthias came into his life. Until they didn’t let him accept the excuses he made for why he did kind things in between the atrocities he committed. He doesn’t feel he deserves his new family, he doesn’t think it will truly last, but he will protect them with everything he has.
Even when he can’t protect himself from memories of the past. His skin itches beneath his gloves, and his lungs feel like they’re filling. He shoves the orange in his mouth to hide drawing in a deep breath. Ripping off the flesh with his teeth, he tosses the peel into the trash. He starts to head out of the room without a word, cane clacking on the floor.
Nina leans back in her seat. “Where are you going?”
“What’s it to you?” It’s a touch more snappish than playful. He evens his tone out. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Cookies should be close to ready when you get back. They don’t take long to bake. Let Jesper and Wylan know, too.” Nina isn’t going to apologize when she doesn’t know what she even did wrong, but it’s still a peace offering of sorts. Kaz gives a nod and leaves the room. Once he’s gone she blows out a breath. “He really is like a drawer full of bees. There’s sometimes honey but always stingers.”
"I have no doubt that you'll fit in no matter where you go," Piper says with a grin. It was something she admired about her, honestly. She herself could only do so in certain areas but to anyone who was sensitive and could pick up on power, she stood out simply due to who she was.
The sudden movement of Kaz leaving the kitchen causes her to blink before turning to Nina.
While she was used to Kaz's quirks from their friendship over the years, sometimes moments like now, threw her for a loop. She was sure there was a reason though. There always was with Kaz. And while she was curious, something that she's always been since a child, she wouldn't bring it up now. Much like her curiosity regarding the gloves. It wasn't the time or place.
He never really pushed her to talk about anything she refused to talk about so she would give him the same consideration. She snorts at Nina's comment and turns toward the door, hearing footsteps heading in their direction. "He has his moments," she muses, shaking her head to herself.
Jesper and Wylan pass Kaz while he's on his way to the bathroom and steps into the kitchen. "Nina, beautiful, did you make cookies? They smell divine. Who stuck the bees in his bonnet?" he says, walking over and pressing a kiss to Nina's cheek then Piper's before grabbing some water.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, including first choice when they get out of the oven." Nina turns her cheek upwards from where she's sitting and smiles at the kiss. She's as physically affectionate as Jesper is, and it's nice to have someone else around who enjoys it. At his question she waves a hand and sighs. "Me, I'm the bees, but who knows what even caused the sting." She looks to Piper for confirmation that what she'd said was mystifying in why it irked Kaz.
Wylan enters in Jesper's shadow, content to be quiet and unobtrusive. He simply smiles and slinks down into a seat, letting Jesper command the stage. It's only when Jesper poses the question that Wylan speaks up, a habit from being raised in a dysfunctional home where he made excuses for everyone around him acting poorly. "He's got a lot going on, he might just be stressed out."
"Kaz thrives on stress. It's when there's not enough stress in his life that he gets more stressed." Nina gives a shrug. "Whatever, it's not like he'll tell us, anyway. The one person he might have told is now sailing the high seas. Who knows if they even still talk or..." her voice trails off as the distinctive sound of a cane thumps to a stop in the doorway. She gives Kaz a beatific smile. "Hi, we were absolutely talking about you." She notices that his sleeves are wet, like he'd harshly scrubbed his hands and arms, and the hair around his face is a little damp. She leaves it be.
"You must have better things to talk about," Kaz comments wryly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Always," Nina assures him, looking back around the small group. It's hard not to still picture Matthias with them in moments like this, but she tries to focus on what and who she does have. "It's been ages since we've all been together like this." Well, almost all together. They're still missing Inej. "Piper was catching us up on everything going on in New Orleans. Wylan and I are very interested in your work, and Jesper will look very fascinated while keeping guard on the cookies. Jes, just take them out when the timer goes off if you're going to hover like that, love."
Piper smiles and presses a quick kiss to his cheek before taking another sip from her mug. She had been more physically affectionate before her life had completely changed and it had taken her a while to feel comfortable with it again (without over worrying about this or that). She honestly appreciates that affection more than she can convey to them in words.
Jesper grins and leans against the counter near the oven. He loved Nina's baking. "That was my goal," he says pointing a finger in her direction. Looking between her and Piper, he gives a little shrug. "If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else perhaps." He'd been that little bee once or twice, he's sure. He glances at Wylan and nods. "Or he's right."
"I have no doubt they talk. Maybe not as often as when she lived here but they talk," Piper muses before hearing the sound of his cane thumping on the floor. She watches as he walks in with the wet sleeves and files it away in the back of her mind like she does so many other things.
Jesper barks out a laugh at Nina's comment because leave it to Nina to be the most straight forward of the lot. "I'm here for the cookies," he says waving a hand at the oven. "I will have you know, I am very interested in your work but... mostly the cookies. You can count on me, love. For this much."
Piper grins and shakes her head. "New Orleans is keeping me busy and there is always something going on. Still sorting out everything that is going on with the place and making it a little better for the witches and Grisha who call it home. It's not so busy that I haven't been able to get away though which is nice. I like getting the opportunity to come back." Though, it's not the same without Inej or Matthias here.
On first glance at her brash nature, the word spy doesn’t immediately come to mind for Nina Zenik. Spies are built like Inej, small and slim, hiding in shadows and scaling walls. Or at least, that’s one popular perception. Nina though is a social chameleon, her power of knowing intimately how a person feels makes her stellar at then knowing how to handle them. She’s right at home charming thugs in a dimly lit tavern as she is sharing tea with kings and queens. A child soldier trained spy who chooses not to play that game any longer by political rules hanging over her head. Perhaps a traditional spy wouldn’t say it like it is right off the cuff and straight from the heart, but Nina thrives in living that way.
Besides, someone like Kaz needs someone in his life to be blunt with him. It doesn’t seem like he has very many who actually do that, for all the love and friends that surround him. Nina can’t blame them for it, because everyone is dealing with their own issues in their own ways. Asking someone like Wylan to confront Kaz is asking for a lot; she only sees it when Kaz is about to cross a moral line that Wylan won’t.
“If I can do anything to help you, let me know,” Nina assures Les regarding her work in New Orleans. “I may not be the most popular Grisha since I left the Second Army, but if they’re hiding out in New Orleans anyway, they might not mind the deflection.” And at the end of the day, a lot of Grisha felt a kinship for their own.
The ding goes off and she waves a hand at Jesper to take the tray out, warning him, “I don’t know if you can touch hot metal or not, but if not, use a pot holder.” The smell in the air is admittedly delightful, though she sighs as Wylan gets up to get some coffee to go with it. “Such a Kerchman,” she teases him, as Kerch is known for being coffee drinkers. “Jesper, you’ll join me in tea against all these coffee beans, won’t you?”
Wylan just smiles and quietly sets out small plates for everyone. Not paper ones - Kaz hates spending money on paper plates when they have perfectly good ones they can just wash.
"Actually, having you in New Orleans for a few days may be perfect. It could help them. There aren't a ton of Grisha, but there's enough that it would be worthwhile meeting up with them. I don't think they're going to be too bothered by the deflection since they've been hiding out in New Orleans making the city their home," Piper admits after giving it a little thought. She wasn't Grisha and she knew that there would be people who would find it easier to connect with someone like Nina.
Jesper takes a minute to look around the room and smiles. They were missing a few people but he liked it when they were all together like this. When the timer dings, Jesper grins. The smell had only gotten better the more he stood there. He grabs a pot holder to take the cookies out. He didn't know if he could touch hot metal or not but he wasn't going to chance it here. Not when he had cookies to look forward to.
Piper laughs and steps away from the coffee pot so he'd have easy access while taking another sip from her mug.
"Of course, I will," he says while setting the cookies down on top of the oven. He enjoyed both equally - coffee and tea.
While Nina was the fanatic sort who only stuck with her kind, she does feel a responsibility towards helping them. She still has some guilt over leaving the army, even if she refuses to apologize for living on her terms. Perhaps helping other Grisha in new ways would bridge those two. Plus, she always wants to help Les out in whatever ways she can. Giving the other woman a warm smile, Nina nods. “You got yourself a deal. I’m looking forward to it.” The mention of a deal makes her think of Kaz, and she glances back towards the doorway where he’s standing.
Where he was standing. The space is now empty, he must have left either to go back upstairs or out the front door.
She gives a little sigh and shake of her head, then turns back to the remaining group. Hearing Jesper confirm he’ll have tea with her makes her grin and rise to her feet. She heads over to set the teapot on the stove to boil. “Lovely of you to not leave me alone,” she teases, giving him a little hip bump. “I think some chai will work just right.” Wylan sits next to Les and she trusts Jesper to dole out the cookies - even if he gives himself more than he hands out to others, she made plenty. There’s a warm feeling of satisfaction in feeding her people, her makeshift family, and she settles in for a pleasant night of it.
[OOC: Feel free to tag if there’s anything you want to add or if you wanna keep it going! Otherwise I think we can wrap this one, too. :) ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-08-22 12:22 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-08-23 09:58 am (UTC)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.]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-26 05:23 pm (UTC)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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-08-26 06:03 pm (UTC)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."
no subject
Date: 2023-08-27 07:31 pm (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2023-08-28 08:31 pm (UTC)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.”
no subject
Date: 2023-08-31 07:41 pm (UTC)She hands over the rind to Kaz with a little thank you. "So basically after it was all said and done," she teases Nina with a laugh and picks up a second mug.
Piper takes a minute to consider her schedule at the end of the summer and nods. "I'd like that. It's been a while since I've baked anything but I would enter the baking contest with you hands down. I should be free then."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-02 01:23 pm (UTC)She smiles in delight as Les agrees, knowing the other woman needs fun in her life, too. They all do. "Great. We'll have to make some practice recipes while you're around, see what works best." She begins to scoop the cookie dough onto a sheet, warning Kaz and his nimble fingers, "There's raw egg in here. Don't. I don't care about your goat stomach, don't eat it until it's cooked." Her eyes narrow as he looks a little put out, but he backs down and folds his arms at the table. "What recipes do you usually like to make?" she asks Les to find out where the woman's expertise in baking lay. There were a lot of different types of baked goods, after all.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-03 10:17 pm (UTC)"You know what they say about all work and no play," she says with a grin. "Really, you're lucky you have so many people looking out for you." She couldn't help but tease him and knew that a) she was one to talk and b) he still worked most of the time.
She snorts when he backs down but she had to admit, she did enjoy some raw cookie dough herself. "Basically sweets," she admits with a grin. "I always went for the cakes, brownies, and cookie recipes. Sometimes the rare pie or two. But the cakes and brownies were my favorites."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-04 03:56 pm (UTC)Nina shakes her head. “It doesn’t work like that, Kaz. You can enjoy your work, but it isn’t the same as play. It shouldn’t be.” She doesn’t think even he really buys what he’s saying, or else he wouldn’t let everyone but himself take days off.
The oven timer goes off and Kaz rises to his feet, taking the tray from her to put it in to bake. He gives her a smirk as he does so, one that’s shiny and sharp, smooth as a surface and no deeper than one, either. “Then I’ll just outsource it.”
Impossible man. She gives a huff, but at least he doesn’t eat raw egg. Sometimes it’s the bare minimum and all about small favors with Kaz Brekker. Looking back at Piper, she gives a smile. “Cakes and brownies are wonderful choices. And it’s so easy when baking with chocolate for things to end up dry, so it does take a deft hand. I usually like a little spice in my baked goods. Sometimes heat, but also just warm spices. Fall is definitely my favorite season because of that.”
no subject
Date: 2023-09-06 12:29 am (UTC)She turns back to the coffee pot and pours a mug. "Do you want a cup now or when we go back upstairs," she asks, glancing over at Kaz, fully intending to take the pot up with them.
"I don't think that's how outsourcing works, my friend," Piper laughs and brings the mug up to her mouth for a sip.
She looks at Nina with a smile. "That's for sure. it took me one too many times to realize what I was doing wrong," she admits. "Oh, spice is good. What is your favorite recipe to make?"
no subject
Date: 2023-09-06 08:34 pm (UTC)“Further proof of your psychosis?” Nina offers sweetly, utterly unperturbed at teasing him as he limps back to his seat after putting the cookies in the oven.
Kaz flips her off as he finishes answering. “It’s a perfectly reasonable and valid use of one’s time. It’s great practice at evading security systems. And showing the wealthy they aren’t entitled to everything money can buy.”
“Spiting your enemies is not a hobby, but you should get one, Kaz.” She says, knowing she’s talking to a brick wall. “Not inviting you to bake with me and Les, though. Stealing cookies doesn’t count, either. You can ask to have some.”
“Dear Nina, sweetest treat of the Slat, will you share your cookies with me?” Kaz places a hand over his heart when delivering that sarcastic plea in an innocent tone.
She laughs. “You’re as charming as a can of cold soup, Kaz.”
“Gazpacho isn’t bad. And that’s not a no,” he points out, in which case he adds as he turns to Piper, “I’ll have a cup here, and then the rest upstairs.” His leg makes him not inclined to walk back up the stairs then down again for the twelve or so minutes they take to bake.
“What he means is, can he please have one here and thanks for getting it for him,” Nina translates dryly before answering the question Les sent her way, “I think I make a great spice cake, and I’ve also made gingerbreads and apple cider breads. All the warm spices are great in cakes, breads, and cookies. Some people don’t find them sweet enough but I love them.”
“She also makes good lemon curds,” Kaz cuts in as he polishes his cane.
Nina faux whispered to Les, “He has a fruit fixation. It’s not as annoying as his revenge fixation, so we let him have it.”
no subject
Date: 2023-09-10 03:09 pm (UTC)She takes a sip from her mug before setting it down and pours one for Kaz and takes it over to him. "I figured that may be the case," she says with an amused smirk. "I'm glad for the refresh of Kaz-isms."
"It has been far too long since I've had a spice cake or gingerbread but I remember really liking both. Not sure I've had an apple cider bread before."
She pauses and gives a mock gasp. "Wait, did you say something was 'good', Kaz Brekker? That is decidedly better than fine. I think you need to mark this on a calendar or something," she says the last part in a mock whisper to Nina.
"A fruit fixation is also a little healthier than a revenge fixation so I'd give him that one too."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-17 03:31 pm (UTC)Nina groans and gives Piper a side eye. “Thanks for giving him caffeine, he can keep going like this all night,” she teases. Really, Kaz doesn’t even need caffeine to do it. The man has two levels he operates at, utter silence or grandstanding. There’s never a middle ground.
Really though, as fun as it is to tease Kaz, Nina loves getting to spend time with her friend who isn’t here as often these days. It doesn’t feel like so long ago they were all under the same roof, with goals that aligned if weren’t identical. She gets Piper’s loyalty to New Orleans, one that’s taken her out of Ketterdam. Hell, Nina’s thought about moving back to Ravka or Fjerda herself. Still, she misses the woman and naturally wants to make the most of their time together. “Tomorrow morning I’ll make some apple cider bread for breakfast,” she promises.
“I didn’t mean good as in taste, I meant good as in being useful,” Kaz clarifies as he sips his coffee. “A lemon pie stings someone’s eyes far worse than a less acidic pie to the face.” Ever practical, of course. “The taste though of the lemons is fine.”
“Go figure his heart belongs to something sour and bitter,” Nina stage whispers to Piper. “And I hope you both are living for more than revenge these days. Tell me about everything important in New Orleans. Don’t leave out the fashion and hot spots to visit.”
no subject
Date: 2023-09-18 06:54 pm (UTC)She was glad she had the opportunity to come back and spend time with her friends. It'd been a little too long and she missed Nina, Jesper, and naturally, Kaz though they'd had time to reconnect when he'd been in New Orleans. Still, it wasn't the same as when she'd stayed in Ketterdam. "I look forward to it," she says with a grin at her. She enjoyed their language lessons and looked forward to baking with her. It would give her a good reason to get out of town more and come by for a visit.
Not that she needed a reason but all the same.
She arches an eyebrow at Kaz and hums unconvincingly. "Of course that's how you meant it. Not that I disagree but," she says with an amused smirk. "I still think you need to count this as a win," she says to Nina with a grin, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I think we're both living for a little more than revenge these days. At least, for the most part, I am. You will need to come and visit me sometime soon and I will show you all of the hot spots to check out. Magazine Street has fantastic finds, I think they'd be right up your alley, and of course the Riverwalk Outlets. The food you would love the most though... the whole city is a food lover's dream."
no subject
Date: 2023-09-23 03:13 pm (UTC)“I’ll take the win,” Nina agrees with a grin just as Kaz says simultaneously, “It’s thieves who take, so I must have won.”
Nina shakes her head and gives Piper a ‘you see what I have to put up with?’ look. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“It does if you think about it. But I know you avoid what makes you think…” Kaz ducks as Nina lobs an orange slice at him.
“You made it land on the floor! Stop wasting food!”
“I should let you hit me so the food’s not wasted?” Kaz asks dryly as he leans over to pick it up and shrugs. “It’s fine.”
“Don’t you dare eat that. Don’t you dare blow on it and then eat it.”
“Why, is the floor that dirty? I can wash it off.” He rises to his feet to rinse off the orange slice.
“That isn’t how germs work, you know. I saw it on an episode of Mythbusters. The five second rule is a myth and so is rinsing off germs.” Nina knows it’s a lost cause though and just shakes her head. “Gross, Kaz. But look who I'm talking to, your body’s nothing but one big infestation at this point. I bet you're immune to everything.”
Why did Kaz’s shoulders bunch up in tension for a moment at that? It only lasts a moment but Nina is puzzled, it’s no worse than their other joking. They'd just been having fun as usual. She casts a quizzical look at Piper but doesn’t say anything, letting the topic shift to one more pleasant. “Yes, PLEASE, I would love to visit. Can I come back with you after the festival? I’m sure I’ll need a few days off. You can show me around and I can show you how good caraway goes in coffee. It’ll be a gateway to showing you that tea is superior.”
no subject
Date: 2023-09-28 01:30 am (UTC)And while she was sure the answer was yes for both questions, she's not sure they would have done anything different if turning back time and changing things was even a possibility.
It had taken a while to start letting her guard down again and let people in. Some days it was still hard to do but she was glad that eventually, she'd taken a shot with this misfit group. Life had been beyond different for every single one of them and yet somehow they'd all come together around Kaz.
She mentally shakes her head to focus back on the conversation before her and snorts at the look Nina gives her. Piper takes a sip of her coffee and watches as Kaz walks over to wash the orange off so he could pop it into his mouth. "You know, I think I missed that episode," she muses, glancing over at Nina. "I should find it sometime. Never knew."
She noticed the way his shoulders tensed when Nina mentioned being immune to everything and shares a look with her. She couldn't begin to imagine what made him react that way - it wasn't any worse than Nina has teased him about in the past. Still, she lets the conversation change easily and grins.
"You can absolutely come back with me after the festival. I have a spare room and I can show you everything. I'm less sure about this caraway and coffee..." she drags out with a grin. "But willing to try it and see."
It was nice having company. She'd enjoyed it when Kaz came to visit her and she realized how she longed for company at times.
no subject
Date: 2023-09-30 01:52 pm (UTC)At the start, drawing people to him had been strategic. As a child Kaz had spent several years perfectly fine surviving on his own until he found Pekka Rollins again. He saw the might and muscle the man had at his beck and call, and realized he needed an army of his own to fight back. The next day he found the Dregs, joining them with the intention of whipping them into a shape he could wield against Rollins. Into a weapon, into an army at his disposal. He told himself that fixing up the Slat, providing food and housing and decent wages, was all done with a selfishness in his heart.
It was that, too. It was very much rooted in selfishness.
Not entirely, however.
Dirtyhands, leader of the Dregs, knows his worth and what he offers to make recruiting someone into his crew profitable for them.
Kaz Brekker, the man behind the myth, the one who put a knife in a traumatized girl’s hand and promised her she was dangerous… he’d forgotten that side of himself existed until Jesper, Inej, Nina, Piper, Wylan, and Matthias came into his life. Until they didn’t let him accept the excuses he made for why he did kind things in between the atrocities he committed. He doesn’t feel he deserves his new family, he doesn’t think it will truly last, but he will protect them with everything he has.
Even when he can’t protect himself from memories of the past. His skin itches beneath his gloves, and his lungs feel like they’re filling. He shoves the orange in his mouth to hide drawing in a deep breath. Ripping off the flesh with his teeth, he tosses the peel into the trash. He starts to head out of the room without a word, cane clacking on the floor.
Nina leans back in her seat. “Where are you going?”
“What’s it to you?” It’s a touch more snappish than playful. He evens his tone out. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Cookies should be close to ready when you get back. They don’t take long to bake. Let Jesper and Wylan know, too.” Nina isn’t going to apologize when she doesn’t know what she even did wrong, but it’s still a peace offering of sorts. Kaz gives a nod and leaves the room. Once he’s gone she blows out a breath. “He really is like a drawer full of bees. There’s sometimes honey but always stingers.”
hope it's okay I tossed Wylan in with Jesper!
Date: 2023-10-02 03:13 pm (UTC)The sudden movement of Kaz leaving the kitchen causes her to blink before turning to Nina.
While she was used to Kaz's quirks from their friendship over the years, sometimes moments like now, threw her for a loop. She was sure there was a reason though. There always was with Kaz. And while she was curious, something that she's always been since a child, she wouldn't bring it up now. Much like her curiosity regarding the gloves. It wasn't the time or place.
He never really pushed her to talk about anything she refused to talk about so she would give him the same consideration. She snorts at Nina's comment and turns toward the door, hearing footsteps heading in their direction. "He has his moments," she muses, shaking her head to herself.
Jesper and Wylan pass Kaz while he's on his way to the bathroom and steps into the kitchen. "Nina, beautiful, did you make cookies? They smell divine. Who stuck the bees in his bonnet?" he says, walking over and pressing a kiss to Nina's cheek then Piper's before grabbing some water.
Always!
Date: 2023-10-03 11:23 am (UTC)Wylan enters in Jesper's shadow, content to be quiet and unobtrusive. He simply smiles and slinks down into a seat, letting Jesper command the stage. It's only when Jesper poses the question that Wylan speaks up, a habit from being raised in a dysfunctional home where he made excuses for everyone around him acting poorly. "He's got a lot going on, he might just be stressed out."
"Kaz thrives on stress. It's when there's not enough stress in his life that he gets more stressed." Nina gives a shrug. "Whatever, it's not like he'll tell us, anyway. The one person he might have told is now sailing the high seas. Who knows if they even still talk or..." her voice trails off as the distinctive sound of a cane thumps to a stop in the doorway. She gives Kaz a beatific smile. "Hi, we were absolutely talking about you." She notices that his sleeves are wet, like he'd harshly scrubbed his hands and arms, and the hair around his face is a little damp. She leaves it be.
"You must have better things to talk about," Kaz comments wryly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Always," Nina assures him, looking back around the small group. It's hard not to still picture Matthias with them in moments like this, but she tries to focus on what and who she does have. "It's been ages since we've all been together like this." Well, almost all together. They're still missing Inej. "Piper was catching us up on everything going on in New Orleans. Wylan and I are very interested in your work, and Jesper will look very fascinated while keeping guard on the cookies. Jes, just take them out when the timer goes off if you're going to hover like that, love."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 03:07 am (UTC)Jesper grins and leans against the counter near the oven. He loved Nina's baking. "That was my goal," he says pointing a finger in her direction. Looking between her and Piper, he gives a little shrug. "If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else perhaps." He'd been that little bee once or twice, he's sure. He glances at Wylan and nods. "Or he's right."
"I have no doubt they talk. Maybe not as often as when she lived here but they talk," Piper muses before hearing the sound of his cane thumping on the floor. She watches as he walks in with the wet sleeves and files it away in the back of her mind like she does so many other things.
Jesper barks out a laugh at Nina's comment because leave it to Nina to be the most straight forward of the lot. "I'm here for the cookies," he says waving a hand at the oven. "I will have you know, I am very interested in your work but... mostly the cookies. You can count on me, love. For this much."
Piper grins and shakes her head. "New Orleans is keeping me busy and there is always something going on. Still sorting out everything that is going on with the place and making it a little better for the witches and Grisha who call it home. It's not so busy that I haven't been able to get away though which is nice. I like getting the opportunity to come back." Though, it's not the same without Inej or Matthias here.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 03:32 pm (UTC)Besides, someone like Kaz needs someone in his life to be blunt with him. It doesn’t seem like he has very many who actually do that, for all the love and friends that surround him. Nina can’t blame them for it, because everyone is dealing with their own issues in their own ways. Asking someone like Wylan to confront Kaz is asking for a lot; she only sees it when Kaz is about to cross a moral line that Wylan won’t.
“If I can do anything to help you, let me know,” Nina assures Les regarding her work in New Orleans. “I may not be the most popular Grisha since I left the Second Army, but if they’re hiding out in New Orleans anyway, they might not mind the deflection.” And at the end of the day, a lot of Grisha felt a kinship for their own.
The ding goes off and she waves a hand at Jesper to take the tray out, warning him, “I don’t know if you can touch hot metal or not, but if not, use a pot holder.” The smell in the air is admittedly delightful, though she sighs as Wylan gets up to get some coffee to go with it. “Such a Kerchman,” she teases him, as Kerch is known for being coffee drinkers. “Jesper, you’ll join me in tea against all these coffee beans, won’t you?”
Wylan just smiles and quietly sets out small plates for everyone. Not paper ones - Kaz hates spending money on paper plates when they have perfectly good ones they can just wash.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-16 06:18 pm (UTC)Jesper takes a minute to look around the room and smiles. They were missing a few people but he liked it when they were all together like this. When the timer dings, Jesper grins. The smell had only gotten better the more he stood there. He grabs a pot holder to take the cookies out. He didn't know if he could touch hot metal or not but he wasn't going to chance it here. Not when he had cookies to look forward to.
Piper laughs and steps away from the coffee pot so he'd have easy access while taking another sip from her mug.
"Of course, I will," he says while setting the cookies down on top of the oven. He enjoyed both equally - coffee and tea.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-21 02:16 pm (UTC)Where he was standing. The space is now empty, he must have left either to go back upstairs or out the front door.
She gives a little sigh and shake of her head, then turns back to the remaining group. Hearing Jesper confirm he’ll have tea with her makes her grin and rise to her feet. She heads over to set the teapot on the stove to boil. “Lovely of you to not leave me alone,” she teases, giving him a little hip bump. “I think some chai will work just right.” Wylan sits next to Les and she trusts Jesper to dole out the cookies - even if he gives himself more than he hands out to others, she made plenty. There’s a warm feeling of satisfaction in feeding her people, her makeshift family, and she settles in for a pleasant night of it.
[OOC: Feel free to tag if there’s anything you want to add or if you wanna keep it going! Otherwise I think we can wrap this one, too. :) ]