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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?

[agile]

[ 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?

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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.

[agile]

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.

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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.]

[agile]

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. ]

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[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.

[agile]

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?

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Cheating, or a wise investment?


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

[agile]

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. ]

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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.

[agile]

Where does he sleep?

[ Please say his room. ]

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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.

[agile]

[ 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.

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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.]

[agile]

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? ]

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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.]

[agile]

[ 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.

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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.]

[agile]

[ While Inej is certain if she asked Kaz why he tolerates Jesper bumbling about in his space that his answer would be because she was on the other end of the communicator, she knows he likes it. Jesper's stuck around long enough to be a loveable thorn in his side. ]

The hats look like hats, Jes. I'll bring you a couple so you can decide if they're pretty enough for you.

[ On the other end of the line, she hears a warm chuckle and amused sound. ]

If you're picking them for me, then they must be pretty enough.

[ Always the flatterer, but she's thrown a few ugly hats in the mix to properly stir him. It's not fun if Jesper gets everything he wants, after all. ]

But that's the ocean. [ And if she sounds wistful, it's because she is. It's a sound that she's come to adore. Ketterdam had been just as loud as the ocean, but its melody is different. ]

What's he doing now? Hopefully you're still not walking on his bed, Jesper. Only I'm allowed to walk on his bed; he hardly ever notices.

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[Kaz does care for Jesper, very much, even if his way of showing it is often chiding Jesper on his gambling and drinking and trading quips and insults. He holds Jesper to a higher standard than the other man probably likes, but in that way they help balance one another out a little. Kaz tries to keep him in check, and Jesper tries to nudge Kaz out of his comfort zones on occasion.

The fact that Inej wants to track Kaz’s movements from afar, just like she always has from the shadows, makes Jesper wipe his mouth to hide a grin.]

Oh, you walk on it, too? Well, it’s not like he uses it for sleeping. I am sitting on his desk wondering when he has time to dust. This room is freakishly clean. He’s cuddling the cat. Oh my goodness, it’s adorable. Kaz, speak up, we want to hear those sweet nothings you’re telling our little mascot.

[Jesper is, of course, entirely lying. Kaz simply gives him a long side eye as he sets the book on the table with a thump and pointedly moves the stool back away from the bed to sit in his desk chair rather than get comfortable. He does allow his bad leg to rest on the stool, his one concession to the weather.

Inej wants to hear Kaz’s voice, Jesper knows that’s part of the teasing. Raising his eyebrows, he makes a ‘come on’ gesture with his hands. Curious. He’s never known Kaz to be at a loss for words or shy about speaking.]

I’m sitting down questioning many life choices at the moment.

That requires drinking. Inej, love, find something to drink with us. Last person with a drink in their hands is the first one who has to make a toast.

[agile]

Wait, wait!

[ She scrambles to the other side of the room to grab a glass. There's a sound of water sloshing around. It doesn't matter to her that exclaiming they wait is against Jesper's proposal. She's at the loss here, having to rely on her hearing and only her hearing. Once she's happy with her glass, Inej returns to her desk, quietly sitting and not at all opting for the desk chair instead of the edge of her bed to parallel Kaz. Doing the same thing as him doesn't mean anything, even if it makes her feel utterly silly and like she's a young girl again with a crush. ]

It's water. Don't say a thing, Jesper.

I wasn't going to. [ Although, she waits for it, the gentle insult that he always hurls toward her when she's tripping over her own feet in the ways he never has. He pauses dramatically and if it wasn't for the gentle crackling, she'd fear she's lost them both. ] Although, water? Really? You're Captain of the True Sea and you're drinking water? That's quite boring. Don't you think, Boss?

[ Inej imagines Kaz has no opinion whatsoever, as he often seems to when Jesper's trying to rile one of them up by using the other. But Inej listens intently, wanting to be able to imagine the scene of them in Kaz's room. Kaz's scowl, Jesper's smile, and Kazzle slumbering undisturbed by his new family's antics. ]

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[Kaz didn’t move from his seat, but Jesper knew how to navigate the space and nimbly found a bottle of whiskey that Kaz kept tucked away in his desk, along with a water glass beside the water carafe. He poured Kaz a not inconsiderable amount in the water glass before handing it over, opting to simply drink from the bottle himself. At Kaz’s eyebrow raise he gave a helpless shrug, it’s not his fault Kaz only has one drinking glass around.]


I think she wants to stay sober in case you end up asking to play a drinking game.


Mm. I suppose that is clever even if not as fun. We’re going to have to drink twice as much, Kaz.


One day we really need to remedy your lack of mathematical training. [A beat.] Though I do think we won and were faster. Pretty sure I heard that water sloshing after a drink was in my hand. [He can’t help but perfectly picture the indignant scowl that might bring out of her as he takes a sip from his glass to hide a smile. A proverbial pigtail pull.]

[agile]

I was not the last to get a drink!

[ Although… well… how can she prove it? Did Kaz already have a drink in his hand? Did Jesper? Had they gotten theirs while she was scurrying across the room to pour her own? A lesson she's learned from this is that the next time they're on audio, she'll request them to describe everything that they're doing to prevent such embarrassing losses as this. ]

My floor isn't as straight and grounded as yours! It's harder to move about!

[ The ship sways gently as if to protest. Not even the True Sea wishes to be on her side. ]

Excuses, excuses. [ Jesper sighs and shakes his head as though he's disappointed. He looks at Kaz and tips his glass toward him. ] Think we should make the captain give the toast? It was part of the rules, after all.

[ She gasps indignantly and does her best to try and hide her laughter. ]

No! I didn't lose!

[ Saints, she's missed them both. ]

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You know who’d protest that they weren’t the last to get a drink? Someone who was last to get their drink.


Jesper, can you make this device able to record conversations? I want to playback our acrobat saying she had trouble walking. Maybe she’s having water now because she started other beverages earlier.


Hm. Rather rude of her to drink without me around.


Maybe an apology to you should be part of that toast she owes us.


[It’s good Nina’s not around or she’d be giving him that knowing look whenever Inej laughs and what it does to him. Admittedly though, even getting to banter with Jesper after being embroiled in work details all day is relaxing him. As much as Kaz can ever relax.]

Right, go on, then Captain Nej. Give us a real inspirational tearjerker of a toast.