IC/Overflow Post

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She likes walking the plank.

That isn't what I asked.

What's the context, then? Have enemies boarded? Is the ship weather damaged? Did she drink my coffee?

Oh gods you're exhausting to hypothesize with. Also I can hear your belly growling and it's distracting. [He gracefully leaps up to bound for the door.] I'm going to get snacks and check on Wylan. Try to have some fun without me.

[As the door closes Kaz folds his arms on the desk and rests his head on them, his voice now a little muffled from it.] Do you hear that, Inej? No, because it's silent. It's glorious.

[agile]

[ Inej chuckles softly. Despite his clear exasperation at Jesper and his high levels of energy, Kaz enjoys his company. Inej enjoys it, too, even when keeping up with him exhausts her. He's one of the only few capable of such a feat.

She can imagine Kaz with his head bowed either in the cup of his gloved hands or on the table. She's not quite sure which one happens to be true in this instance; she misses being able to confirm for herself.

Gently, ] If you need to go, you should go, Kaz. I know you have plenty of things to do that isn't talking to me.

[ But that's not what she wants. Inej is selfish, not selfless, and it's grown worse over the time she's spent out at sea. ]

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[He does care for Jesper like a brother, and just like having a sibling, part of that love includes fond exasperation. It’s nice to hang out with him, but it can also get exhausting. Thankfully, Jesper has many people with whom he can pass his extroverted self around to get attention while Kaz refuels in quiet.]

I can do many things at the same time including talking to you. I’m a very capable man, Inej.

… unless you wanted to go? [It’s his third check in at least to see if she’s done, he doesn’t even realize how often he gives her outs from him.]

[agile]

No.

[ She shakes her head. Perhaps she answered too quickly, although Inej's tone had been light and not at all forced. Kaz will know, though. He picks up on so much, even on things that she hadn't even noticed herself.

But it's the truth. She doesn't wish to go. ]

This is actually one of the first nights I have to myself. It's been so busy here that it's just nice to sit and…

[ Talk to him and Jesper, but mostly him. Her crew are wonderful and warm, but none of them possesses his biting remarks or dry wit. None of them are him.

Inej's quiet for a brief moment before she damns her own uncertainties to hell and finishes: ] It's nice to think about home.

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[The quickness of her response eases some of the insecurities he has that flare up from time to time. Lifting his head he tucks in properly at the desk, his heart doing a little flip flop at hearing she still thought of Ketterdam as home. He hopes that she's at ease and happy doing what she does now, that she does find solace with her crew and a place to belong aboard her ship. Still. It's nice to hear that her old ties to the Barrel aren't severed.]

Your room's always here, for when you want it.

[Perhaps it's sentimental, but he never wants her to ever feel like she doesn't have a place to call home should she want it. Even if it's not a bed she'll make much use of again. It's there. She's not forgotten.]

[agile]

[ Inej had entertained the thought of Kaz reassigning her room to someone else. Perhaps Anika, who deserves a room even if she much prefers living a few streets away, or someone else that he's recruited since her departure. Kaz isn't the sentimental type, so for him to keep her room… Inej understands its meaning.

And she knows better than to tell him he can give it to someone else. He's given her the chance to hang up and go about sitting in her captain's quarters all by herself three times now. Give him an inch… She doesn't want him misinterpreting her. ]

I'm glad you won't be making me sleep in Jesper's room. He snores and talks in his sleep, Kaz. He has actual conversations with himself.

[ She chuckles. That's a mistake she won't make again after choosing to rest beside him many moons ago.

She's grateful that nothing has changed. She's not quite sure if she should voice it. ]

We're planning to come back to Ketterdam soon. I like sleeping on the ship, but… it'd be nice to be in my old bed.

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Oh, trust me. I've thought about smothering him in his sleep a few times, myself. There wouldn't be any room to bunk with him, though. He gave Wylan a key. They share the space now.

Oh?

[He tries not to sound too excited, though there's a slight perk to his voice if one is keen enough to catch it.]

Let me know when you're close enough to have an arrival date.

I'll make sure someone walks on it just before you use it.

[agile]

[ Inej can't help but laugh loudly. She hopes he does that. She wants her bed to have been immaculately made and then walked all over by him. Or rolled in, but the thought of Kaz in—or on, really—her bed makes her blush. ]

Does this mean I get to walk on your bed? Or will you be locking all the locks now that you know what I get up to when you're not looking?

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My bed's not terribly wide, but it's not a challenge for someone like you to manage getting across.

You should see some of the locks that Wylan and I have invented. I'd like to see anyone but me try and open them. Not to be used on you, I want you to keep your fingers. Just one of the things I've gotten up to of late.

[agile]

You want me to keep my fingers?

[ She can't help but repeat that back with amused incredulity. ]

Kaz… what did you and Wylan do?

[ It honestly sounds like they've turned piranhas into locks. ]

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I don't want you to grave rob someone else's fingers.

We created locks that do more than simply not open when poorly picked or shot at. You can see them when you arrive. I have a few uses in mind for them.

[agile]

Of course, you do.

[ It's said affectionately. Kaz never ever does anything half-assed and without a reason. ]

How is Wylan? Other than being put to work by you. He always seems so happy in the letters I receive from him.

[ But Inej has a feeling Wylan's keeping some things to himself so as to paint a perfect picture for her while she's at sea. No one seems to want her to worry, which makes her wonder if there's anything to worry about. ]

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I don't occupy all his time or else Jesper would never leave me alone.

[Kaz has penned the letters for Wylan, because his nimble fingers are gifted at covering any trace of his real scrawl. Neither man speaks on it outside of those times, and this is one secret Kaz doesn't share because it's not his to tell. Much like he never told anyone Jesper was a Durast well before others knew it.]

He's fine. It's been a big adjustment for him, but I think he likes to feel useful. If he'd ever stop fiddling with his songs I told him I could help him get them published under a pseudonym. [As though Kas Brekker isn't the epitome of a perfectionist, too.]

[agile]

You know Wylan's shy.

[ And humble and not one to brag. Out of all the Crows, he's perhaps the least likely to puff out his chest and declare his specialties with confidence. Wylan's so gentle and quiet and never seems to see himself the way everyone else does. It's one thing she wishes to make Jan Van Eck pay for. ]

He never thinks he's good enough. [ Inej sighs heavily, shaking her head. ] I've told him he should consider performing at one of the clubs, but he thinks that he'd never make it through the door.

[ Not without being shoved. The only person who could do the shoving is Jesper, and as much as he's told Inej he's tried, he doesn't wish to shove so hard that Wylan never lets him in again. ]

Maybe the Crow Club could have a performance night.

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[Wanting to make van Eck pay is a dream they share, though Kaz’s plans for dismantling the man extend beyond just the personal revenge.]


I think pushing him on stage might be a step too far just yet because of that. It's why I thought hearing one of his songs performed instead could be a good start. [And potentially useful in other ways, too.] He’s getting more comfortable sharing them with us at least.


I actually have made quite a few changes to the club, given the payout of some recent ventures. Entertainment might have been included. You'll just have to see when you get here. [He's trying to give her every incentive to return when she can.]


Though I'm thinking past just the Crow Club these days.


[His gaze glances down at the books and papers in front of him. The words swim a little, due to the sleepless nights and whiskey he’s had. Pushing himself to his feet, he heads over to the small vanity table in his room, pouring water into a bowl to wash his face.]

[agile]

[ She considers raising the fact that he's bought indentures—and not just any indenture, either—but she knows she can bring that up at any point in time. The beauty of Jesper Fahey is that the information he reveals is something she can always ask about again. When it comes to Kaz revealing things, if she doesn't pick them up immediately, they can be lost at sea forever. ]

What are you thinking about?

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[He takes off his gloves, setting them aside on the cabinet. He raises his voice to be heard across the room as he dunks his hands into the water and splashes his face.]

At this moment? That's a dangerous question. My mind usually covers a lot of ground at once.

[Water drips down his face, getting his shirt damp. He doesn't care. Glancing down at the gloves, he studies them rather than immediately putting them back on in the safety of his room.]

[agile]

[ It's easy to discern that sound. Inej has become familiar with what splashing water sounds like and it's not solely because of her being out at sea. She can almost imagine perching by his window and watching him as he washes. The water in Kaz's basin sounds different to the True Sea's basin.

She readjusts in her chair, not particularly wanting to hear a creak from The Wraith so she can listen intently to Kaz and picture him. She doesn't think he's undressed; it's too early in his routine for that. ]

Are you thinking of expanding the club into a murder?

[ Sometimes she likes her very lame jokes.

One Crow Club never seemed enough for someone as ambitious as Kaz. But perhaps his plans aren't that simple and straightforward. She never assumed he'd ever buy her a warship or be responsible for closing a wound that's been gaping since she was fourteen. He's always been one of the best surprises. ]

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[If he was turning in for the night, he’d leave his gloves off unless he wasn’t sleeping alone. He isn’t though, he’s more likely to work throughout the night, and Jesper might remember to return with food eventually. He’ll have to quickly pull them on then. Still. He cautiously leaves his gloves off for now. Not even bothering with a towel and using his arm he wipes his face dry, feeling a little more alert for his efforts as he strides back to sit again, raising his leg onto the stool. He takes the gloves with him, setting them down right beside Inej on the phone for insurance.]


Mm? [It takes a moment for her words to filter into his mind, given his momentary distraction.] Expanding it will likely result in some more murders.


[She’s welcome that he bantered back off that joke, Inej. He pauses then though, because saying more means she’ll know if he doesn’t succeed. And Kaz Brekker never worries about failure.]


No, though. Well not just that. I have… [He blows out a small sigh.] It feels strange talking about this over this device.

[agile]

I know.

[ She says it softly. It's weird talking to him like this. She knows what her quarters sound like with his voice echoing through it from a device she's grateful for, but she doesn't quite know how he fits inside of it or how his unfiltered voice would sound. It's strange to be close to him but still so far away. ]

But if it wasn't for it, then we wouldn't be talking at all. I love the letters, but this… [ It's better. The letters let her hold something tangible in her hands to reread over and over when she feels lonely amongst her crew, but this allows her to feel as though she's present. ]

I'm glad I get to talk to you. [ She smiles and it warms her voice. ] I'm pretty sure I know exactly what you're doing right now, too.

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It is better than letter writing. [It's in real time for one, no delays on what's happening. For another, he can hear her voice and what's going on around her. Whether she's happy or tired, excited or sad. Tone is helpful and too easily masked in written words.] And it leaves your hands free to fondle your knives as we talk.

[His belly gets a small knot of nerves that he dismisses as silly at her next words. He's hardly doing anything scandalous, sitting at his desk pouring over plans. It's what Inej has always done, she watches him.]

Oh? And what am I doing?

[agile]

[ She pauses for a short moment that she knows he'll notice. He clocks everything. ]

Well, you were washing.

[ Now she wishes Kaz was the type to either flush and laugh it away or bumble and ignore what she's said. She's left it wide open for him to ask that question, and now she's flushing furiously hot.

Neither of them has ever really brought attention to the moments when she sits in his room and he strips and washes. It's always been some unspoken thing she knows he doesn't do with anyone else. And now she's brought attention to it, a part of her worries she's ruined it all for the future. ]

Your face, probably. [ There's no point in telling him she heard water; he'd easily deduce that, given he's the one she's listening to. But Inej is nothing if not stubborn, and so she pursues answering with the truth. ] I don't think you've done anything else.

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[He notes the pause, but it's only when she speaks that he figures out why.

Oh. He thought she was going to say sitting at his desk working.

It's true that she became the only person he trusted to see his skin, knowing she would never cross his boundaries to touch him. It's also true that it took him years, until quite recently, to figure out what he felt for her was not mere friendship. He'd thought nothing of taking off his shirt and gloves because he hadn't thought it'd mean anything to either of them. What it did mean exactly now...

He isn't going to be able to figure it all out tonight.

His eyes go again to his gloves that he's purposely not put on again yet. As what, a symbol? A test? He recalls the last thing she said to him in person and his fingers curl inwards, tapping lightly against the wood.]

Good ear. [There's a thoughtful musing to his normal raspy tone.] No, it was just my face. Refreshing myself a little.

[agile]

[ So, that means that he hasn't taken his shirt off, but his gloves are most likely on the table if he's following his routine, no matter how botched it might be with the interruptions of her and Jesper. If Jesper's not there—and he isn't, he'd never be able to stay this quiet this long—there's a good chance he's without his gloves.

She chuckles. ]

Jesper rile you up that much?

[ She knows it has nothing to do with Jesper. It has nothing to do with her. It's Kaz and his lack of taking care of himself, including sleeping. He's always been so poor about it. ]

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[He normally would pull his gloves back on as he's not actually winding down for bed, and that Jesper might return if he remembers, but Kaz doesn't. Perhaps it doesn't mean much, but he purposefully doesn't put his gloves back on right now while talking to her. He doesn't say as much though, because even in his head he can't spin it to where it doesn't sound silly and stupid. He's not a man who cares about such symbolic statements. That's Inej's domain.

So perhaps he's trying to do it for her.

He still doesn't say anything.]

It's like having a constant puppy around, only one with opposable thumbs instead of teeth that wield weapons.

[Thankfully, Kaz likes dogs for the most part.]