IC/Overflow Post

[noreasonneeded]

Random messages and thread continuations welcome here!

Comments

[noreasonneeded]

The cane came after I joined the Dregs, yeah. Fell off the roof of a bank on a job. I had a makeshift walking stick for a while after that, until I could afford a cane.

[Kaz gives a little shrug at that as if to say it doesn’t matter. He’s stronger for what happened to him, and the cane’s an extension of him now. He wouldn’t have himself any other way.]

That sounds like quite a lot to carry.

[aspolyhymnia]

The cane is really nice looking, very detailed.

[He seems to do just find with a cane, he's surely not any slower for it.]

It is. Loss stays with you. But I find comfort in honoring them and remembering them.

Those your only tattoos? Or are you hiding a whole big chest tattoo?

[noreasonneeded]

It is. Fabrikator-reinforced, too. It can do a lot more damage than most canes.

[It might be ridiculous to some, but it’s his weapon of choice. He’s capable of using guns and knives, but there’s nothing that feels as solid as his cane does.

He’s not like her, with the memories. He tries to suppress as many of his own as he can, minus when funneled into revenge. He gets her perspective on it though, and he knows it takes more strength to embrace pain like that than it does to avoid it.]

Just don’t lose yourself along the way, right?

[He finishes packing up the trash into the takeout bag, turning to deposit it into her garbage can. He gives a snort on the way at her comment.]

A whole chest tattoo would take far too long for me to sit and take. Even now I have to keep myself busy. [He holds up the bag to prove the point.]

[aspolyhymnia]

So that you can hit with it when you need to, right?

[It's brilliant in it's simplicity. It's something he always has and uses like an extension of himself.]

I do my best to not lose myself. There have been a few losses that left me in a stupor for months at a time. But I have to keep going

I've noticed you don't sit still. I could help you sleep tonight if you want. My bed is much bigger than yours, we could make a little wall of pillows. It won't be as strong as with contact, but I should still be able to calm you.

[noreasonneeded]

Exactly that. It's a multi-purposeful mobility aid.

[Like much about himself that others might see as a weakness, he found a way to use it to his advantage. She's right that the crow's head at the top of it is one of the rare instances of his sentimentality showing through. It only felt right.]

No sense in stopping. Might as well be dead when that happens.

[He finds her impressively strong for it. Grief can indeed feel like a weight dragging a person under. Kaz doesn't presume to have a perfect balance in handling it yet, but he does know that instinct keeps him from letting himself sink, knowing there's no coming back once the bottom is reached.]

That's a kind offer. I'm not sleepy yet, maybe we can see how it goes later? Unless you're ready to sleep now.

[He's tired, but not yet in a state for slumber. He'll respect if she's wanting to sleep now though, he doesn't mind reading on the sofa instead.]

[aspolyhymnia]

It suits you. To look like you won't be able to stand your own in a fight to catch them off guard.

[Stella is impressed by his tenacity.

She has been ravaged by grief a few times, but she keeps going.]

I'm not tired yet. I tend to only sleep for a few hours. I'm perfect to message when you have insomnia, I am usually awake myself.

[noreasonneeded]

I don't have insomnia, I just tend to crash at odd hours. When I have the time to spare varies. Or maybe it does count as insomnia if you and your mind keep going until eventually crashing. I don't know. It probably doesn't matter.

[The technicalities of the term probably didn't matter, he means. Kaz never really lies down with the intention of sleeping. He'll either eventually nod off at his desk or lie down for a few minutes to rest his body while thinking and his body just shuts down of its own accord.]

To your point though, which does matter, it goes both ways. I'm awake more often than I'm not and you'll likely catch me alert when others are sleeping. Kind of goes with the job, too.

[He sets the leftovers in the fridge for her and washes off the silverware in her sink, setting them in either the dishwasher if she has one or on a towel to then dry.]

So, what do muses do at this hour if not sleep and have half a bottle of wine left to drink?

[aspolyhymnia]

Pretty sure that's still insomnia, Kaz.

[But she is chuckling as she says it.]

I'll remember that when I'm bored.

Well, I usually finish the wine. Then it depends on if I'm working with someone at the time. Artists keep insane hours, and night is often when they do the best work.

Mostly I read if I've not got anything else to do.

[noreasonneeded]

Is it still insomnia if I don't consider it a problem?

[He's mostly teasing her now because he likes to hear her laugh.]

And how do you usually work with someone, aside from touching them? They talk about color palates?

[He dries off his gloves with another towel and returns to the living area.]

I suppose between the two of us we could finish the bottle. That's one way to induce sleep.

[aspolyhymnia]

It will be eventually.

[And she does laugh, but it's softer now.]

I offer advice at times, read manuscripts. But mostly just being with me helps to get the creativity flowing.

You've known me a while now, have you had some out of the box ideas lately?

[She has to wonder if she is rubbing off on him a little bit.]

I could finish it on my own if you're at your limit. I like just sitting here and talking to you. And knowing you are going a tiny bit stir crazy at not working.

[noreasonneeded]

Possibly. It's a little hard to tell in regards to my jobs, because I'm always told my ideas are insane and impossible until I make them work. I find it's often a matter of paying attention to the details in order to piece a complicated heist together. Outside of my work though, you've made me tempted to try and write myself. I haven't yet indulged in it, but the impetus has been there after our talks of poetry and literature. For me, that's outside the box.

And I'll have one more glass and then call it.

[He sits on the sofa again, bad leg extended outward, and leaning forward to pour the wine.]


I didn't know you were also a scientist conducting an experiment to see how long I can go without plotting before the madness sets in.

[He's teasing her.]

So, do you ever go back to Olympus?

[aspolyhymnia]

Stay around me and you will have a book in no time.

[She isn't surprised that his plans are all in the details.]

I have several years of wine tolerance on you.

[Yes. Several.]

You seem like an interesting case study. Waiting for you to crawl out of your skin with boredom.

Rarely these days. My family is chaotic. I do talk to a few of my sisters regularly.

[noreasonneeded]

That feels like a luxury. I don't really afford myself luxuries.

[It would be different if writing was his career, but it isn't. Taking time away from work that needs doing feels indulgent, and for all his greed, Kaz isn't really one to indulge.

There's a little smile at her saying she has years on him.]

No doubt you do. Though my tolerance is fine for a human who's not above a glass of whiskey or two.

And I'm really not bored with you. I don't have enough manners to be lying about that.

Are there families that aren't chaotic?

[aspolyhymnia]

Why not? Do you not have enough success now to allow yourself a little luxury?

[Stella has never been the type to deny herself little pleasures. But she has known many that do.]

I'm not bored with you either.

My families chaos really goes above and beyond. I share a father with about 90 siblings. It's honestly absurd, and someone needs to put a leash on the man.

[noreasonneeded]

Success provides a measure of security, for as long as it lasts.

[Kaz has built himself up and been broken back down more than once, he doesn’t trust any success to be a guarantee but rather something to constantly strive to maintain or rebuild in turn.]

I don’t really equate it though with deserving luxury. It has better uses in my mind.

[He doesn’t need luxury. In Kaz’s mind, crawling back from the grave and swindling himself a second shot at life has meant he owed it to Jordie to do something with his time. Pleasantries don’t fit into his mental schema for it, even if his brother might have wanted a nice, quiet life for him.]

Good, I’m glad I’m not dull. Better to be hated than forgotten and all - not that I think you hate me, either.

I’m sure some have tried.

[aspolyhymnia]

I'm always here for security as well, obviously.

[Since she's currently harboring a dead man. She does firmly believe he deserves to rest sometimes, even if he doesn't believe it himself.

When she turns to look at him, her expression is fond, nearly amused.]

No, it seems I don't hate you at all. And you can rest assured that no matter what happens to you, I'll carry your memory forever.

[that could be argued to be an incredibly romantic sentiment, depending on the person.]

[noreasonneeded]

That makes it sound like you're auditioning to be my bodyguard.

[He's teasing her about that, even though he is genuinely grateful for providing him a place to crash. He could have used a safehouse, but her place is not only even more unlikely to find him, it's also nice to not actually be alone.

Kaz isn't put off by death, he's been surrounded by it for a long time now. For someone to remember him afterwards rather than consider him a demon best left in the past is indeed sweet to him rather than upsetting.]

I'm flattered you'd find me worth remembering. Even if I don't live as long, I can't imagine forgetting you.

Then again, Hell might not want to deal with me, so you might be stuck with me longer than anticipated, anyway.

[aspolyhymnia]

Maybe I am. I do look very tough and imposing.

[For most everyone, death is unavoidable. There's not a reason to dwell on it, but it also doesn't need to be swept away like it doesn't happen.]

I'll be stuck with you as long as you want me to be. I quite like you.

[ooc- mun finished season 2.]

[noreasonneeded]

Indeed. I shudder to one day be shown your fight face.

I might say you have strange taste, but it's your taste, so I know better than to question it.

[OOC: Oooh, what did you think?!]

[aspolyhymnia]

You should. It's incredibly threatening.

Good, otherwise I would have needed to demonstrate the previously mentioned fight face.

[ooc- no happy times for anyone, eh? I loved it though.]

[noreasonneeded]

I look forward to seeing it someday. You'll have to give me a demonstration. I've been told I have a scheming face. Not that it's particularly threatening, just that it exists and deserves to be mocked.

Well now I just feel like I missed an opportunity. That's what I get for being somewhat pleasant. Always a price.

[OOC: LOL, of course not! The stories aren't finished though, so that's in part why. Fingers crossed we get that season 3 and the hinted at Crows spin-off once all the strikes have been fairly resolved.]

[aspolyhymnia]

It can be very scheming. I don't see reason to mock though, perhaps to try and imitate.

[She does her best arched eyebrow scheming sort of look at him.]

I like your face. You have very nice eyebrows, as in, I'm a little jealous of them.


[ooc- hope so! I'm getting ideas about Stella learning some small science. She probably could.]

[noreasonneeded]

Do I really furrow my brow that much? I look very serious if I do.

[He finds it a little endearing and looks amused at her attempt.]

I don't do a single thing with my eyebrows as far as maintenance goes, so I'm not sure I can take any credit for them.

[Kaz cuts his own hair, and he keeps his nails trimmed and clean beneath his gloves, but that's about the extent of his personal grooming habits.]

I suppose we're our own worst critics though, as I'd have to say I find your face more enjoyable to look at than mine. It's enjoyable no matter what I'd say until I saw you trying my scheming face.

[OOC: Totally cool with that! I'm easy on meshing canons and just having fun with where a plot goes, so if you wanna develop Stella in that direction, I'm game. :) Kaz firmly represents the human spectrum despite all the demon proclamations, so it's a nice contrast.]

[aspolyhymnia]

Oh, there is so much brow furrowing, I promise!

[The way she grins at him can make it pretty obvious why people find it so easy to fall in love with her. She lights up rooms.]

Lucky man with perfect brows.

I'd argue my scheming impression was very good and worthy of admiration.


[Ooc- I was proud of Inej for leaving tbh. Though Stella and her filthy mind are like 'no definitely keep the gloves on'.]

[noreasonneeded]

I suppose you at least don’t have to worry about it resulting in wrinkles. Not that I really care about getting them, either.

[Kaz knows he’s not the most conventionally attractive, his features sharp like the canal rat he’s often called, but he also doesn’t care much. He leaves it to Jesper and Nina to flirt their way around Ketterdam as part of their talents.]

Perfect, or just large and imposing?

[It’s a self-tease really, because he doesn’t know what to do with compliments.]

What were you scheming about?

[OOC: Yeah, the context in the book frames it a little better I think but I still thought the show got it right. Inej isn’t talking about physical touch so much as him letting down his emotional barriers and start letting himself heal. She’s open to helping him, she’s open to letting them help each other because she’s got her own touch trauma. It’s a great moment and I fully support Inej wanting a healthy start to their relationship where both are willing to put in the work on themselves. And Kaz agrees! He wants the best for her, too. He wants to be better for her, and to also help her be better. It’s a very well-written canon dynamic IMO. I never feel beholden to canon ships in RP but it's a fun one to watch/read.

Also I tried to find an icon that shows off his brows, LOL.]