faerun.QUICK LINKS
When you wake up, you are in a room. It looks to be relatively well-decorated, rustic. The bed is comfortable, the linens clean, and the quilt is nice. You can hear the bustle of people outside. The city is beginning to wake. You do not have the opportunity to look into a mirror, or anything else: there's bang on the door. "Oi! Breakfast is bein' served! Get your asses up or you're not eatin'!" Coming outside the room reveals that you seem to be in an inn. There are dozens of rooms along the halls, and a massive eating space below. There are wall to wall tables stacked with food, drink, and people sitting down to eat. They may look strange and unique to some of you. There are people with elongated ears, talking dragon-folk, bird-people, and regular humans. It's a diverse crowd, boisterous and loud, laughing and joking. Before you can really catch your bearings, a friendly dwarvish woman bustles past, calling over her shoulder: "Never been to Mirabar, have you?" And, before you can really respond to her, your watch lights up. A NOTE FROM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH. "Oh, look at that! It worked! It actually worked! I can see . . . oh, look at you! You look fantastic! What a delightful world! I am positively green with envy!"
The noise from Astoria sounds delighted, and those who have experienced world jumps before will know that Astoria reaching out after the jump is a bit . . . unusual. Usually, she can't communicate -- and while the image is fuzzy, it is definitely there, and she's speaking rather quickly.
"I hope you enjoy your time in Faerun; the magic in that world is quite powerful, and it looks like a few of you are fitting in just fine . . . remember, find joy in the darkness, and please do your best to help these people! It seems like they just need a bit of fun. And don't forget, whatever you do, don't forget to-"
And then, the image cuts off.
Welcome to Mirabar -- a city full of magic, adventure, kayak racing, and quite a lot to do. The main central city itself, the capital, is a walled fortress, with a forest surrounding it, and a small cluster of villages outside of the walls itself. The Guard allows you to stray the perimeter of Mirabar, but anything further will get you a one-way ticket right back to the city gates. Don't worry, though! There is certainly plenty to do, both within the walled city and in the surrounding outskirts.
 LOCALITIES.Mirabar is a smaller city Faerun, but it has a rich history, a long-suffering head of state who employs adventurers on the regular, and the eager people here to meet you, employ you, and entertain you.
There are be taverns to frequent, inns to stay in, a guild to pick up adventuring jobs, farm work, mining work, welding work. The most desperate thing that Mirabar needs is for people to lend a hand. It may not be the most exciting job, but it will be appreciated. ➜ The Silver Blade is an adventuring guild is operated by a plethora of folks, but the elvish woman at the counter seems to be the one in charge. A series of tasks will be available for you to take up, ranging from deliveries through dangerous parts of the outskirts of town, to slaying monsters. The woman seems to be willing to pay in coin, so long as you bring back what she asks for. She doesn't tolerate nonsense.
➜ The Dusty Coffer is a tavern that looks to be rough-and-tumble, but full of good food, good drink, and good music. There’s a bard that lingers in the back who is willing to take on new students/performers, and can pay, too! You can get any range of fare here, and while it’s not a five-star establishment, the food and drink is delicious.
➜ The Blacksmith’s Burden doubles as a mine and a blacksmith’s forge. You can put in a day’s hard work here and buy weaponry. On one hand, you can learn how to make your own stuff! On the other hand, you can totally just buy stuff. They also sell basic tinkering tools and other materials to forge your own equipment. The entire establishment is run by an eager young half-elf named Dillon. He's missing two fingers. It was probably an accident.
➜ The Heroes' Hearth is the neighborhood inn, specifically designed to tailor to adventurer's! It is the main hub of where the Circle will be staying. You will need to pay for your rooms. They're cheap, but the keeper of the Heroes' Hearth (a delightful dwarvish woman named Hilda) is a strict mistress. She expects proper payment when payment is due! She is also a wonderful cook, and will feed you until you explode.
➜ There is a library, full of texts concerning the history of Mirabar and Faerun. There is also a fishing yard by the river. It is full of little boats and leather-strapped kayaks, which transport goods in and out of the city. There are also shops to purchase clothing, basic tools, and ingredients for spellcraft.
➜ It's a robust city with a focus on steel weaponry. You won't find a lot of magical weaponry, but you may get lucky at the Widow's Weep. It is a weird little thrift store run by an eccentric dragonborn who seems to have a lot of broken magical wares. They're cheap, but may not work correctly. There’s a ton to do, and the people of Mirabar are inclined to help you get settled in (and also help you spend your money).  TASK BOARD.There is a giant announcement board of sorts, in the center of town, where the patrons and workers in Mirabar can put up jobs for hire. Suspiciously, the task board seems to be centrally positioned outside of The Silver Blade, the adventurer's guild. Almost as if the guild wants to check out whoever is looking at the tasks . . .
All of the below tasks can be taken up by an unlimited number of people, so if you see a bunch of people signing up for a task you really want to play out - don't be discouraged! Also, remember to submit your work submissions to the appropriate thread on the OOC post.THE SILVER BLADE: Adventurer's Guild.↠ "The village neighboring our own has asked for our help. Predators taken up residence and have been attacking farmers and travelers. Beware, for they are wolf-like creatures, equipped with poisonous fangs and impeccable hearing. It’s your job to evacuate the village, take care of the threat and ensure that nobody gets caught in the crossfire. Need 2-4 Adventurers; the work is difficult. Will pay 100 GP per wolf head, 500 GP max reward."
↠ "The alleged “prison” in Darkwood hardly serves its purpose. A group of prisoners escaped, and you've got to put them back where they belong. Far from a surprise when thieves run this town. Just one prisoner will do, unless you’re desperate for coin. Be careful; they’re seasoned rogues and will do anything to escape your grasp. 100 GP dead, 500 GP alive. We would prefer the idiot alive."
↠ “A woman named Fionn lives across Blackwater Bridge — she needs you to deliver a satchel of love letters to a man who will remain unnamed. It’s a secret, you see. She would take them herself, but she her family is too prestigious for her to afford any...gossip. The journey will require you to go through the Nymph’s Forest, and they have a knack of casting mind altering spells. This will be a bit of a recurring thing, so try not to read them, will you? 50 GP for delivery, minus 5 GP for every love letter lost. No reimbursements for injuries."
↠ “There are a particular set of nasty creatures that are inhabiting the eaves in the nearby Temple. Ordinarily, I would tell the priest to deal with it, but he seems to be convinced that they’re of an evil nature. I personally think they are just bats, but check them out, will you? Apparently they spew some sort of acid. I would bring a coat. 5 GP per 5 sets of bat wings. Bonus 15 GP if you bring one back alive."
↠ “This is a bit of an unsavory task, but...if you’re willing to betray the law a bit, you’ll be rewarded appropriately. An aristocrat in Zledfield is in possession of a prized, ethereal jewel that once belonged to the Convocation of Witches and Wizards of our city. It’s incredibly powerful and enables one to harness any power they might desire with a single tough. But he’s stolen it, and we need to steal it back. Sneak into his manor and return to us safely. Try to avoid the guards. And the attack gryffons. And the mote. And the very man himself. 2500 GP available for the successful retrieval of the gem.” THE DUSTY COFFER: Tavern.↠ “Come hither, ladies, gentlemen and everything in between! Looking for the richest of riches? Put on a play that brings in the crowd. We were thinking, ah...what was it? Romulus and Judith? Or Hamlamb, Aladjinn, oh...whatever strikes your fancy. Just make sure it’s good! 8 SP per performance, plus tips!”
↠ “Hey. You hear about Rhug’s warning? The man who runs this joint? He’s been complainin’ about how the mead’s been going missing...well, I know you need the coin — not hard to tell from how you look. I’ve been selling it under the table for a steal, and let’s just say my pockets have been fuller than ever. You help me smuggle some out and you’ll get a good cut of my profits. 50 GP per load, cut in half if you lose some product.”
↠ “We’re always in need of bartenders and cooks, and our last cook enchanted our damn cutlery. It keeps singing and dancing in the kitchens, like it’s some kind of musical. Bards . . . anyway, we’d appreciate the help trying to tame them. Looks like singing along with them shuts them up for a time, but we’ve got to get food out sooner rather than later. 8 SP for a night's work, plus tips."
↠ “Some of patrons keep bringin’ their kids around here, but we can’t serve the little ones. But there’s no point in throwing a good customer to the wind, is there? We’ve got a big room upstairs. Babysit for the night and you’ll get something good out of it...we can negotiate. Reward is 8 CP per kid, plus a free round of drinks for you and your mates.” THE BLACKSMITH'S BURDEN: Mining/Forging.↠ "We’re in desperate need of ore, and the caves have got some sort of flying bat-things wanderin’ about… lady down at the Silver Blade says they’re just bats, but the priest has got ‘em too, and I’m tellin’ you, those fucking things aren’t bats. They melt your steel and everything . . . anyway, bring up some ore for us, and we’ll pay you in weaponry, if you like."
↠ “We’ve got a big order from the Council to make a bunch of decorations to throw up around the lamp fixtures, for the big festival . . .and we need a lot of painting done. Grab a brush and help us paint up these lamp posts in our colors, and careful not to mix them up! We don’t need bright yellow garish lookin’ stuff, alright? We'll give you some supplies and 5 CP an hour worked.”
↠ “Created a new sword fit for dragon slayin’. I want to see it in action — you mind using it in the local tournament comin’ up this week? Win and they’ll give you a handsome earning. Lose and well, you’ll still get somethin’ from me...a win win situation, ain’t it? 150 GP for winning the tournament, win-lose, you get the sword."
↠ "We've got rats. They're fuckin' everywhere. I'm thinking Rodrick had somethin' to do with it, pissed off that sorceress at the Silver Blade proper . . . anyway, I'll give you 5 CP per rat. I'll double it if you drop it off on her doorstep."
THE FISHING YARD: And surrounding areas.↠ “Help me…! I’m a failure of a sorceress...my love potion fell flat. But my presentation is in an hour...if you could just — if you and a friend of yours could just...take a sip in front of the audience and pretend like you’re MADLY in love, I’ll pay you well! I promise! Both of you! And I’ll create any kind of potion you desire...the other ones work just fine, I assure you!”
↠ “I need some fisherman ready to catch The Big One . . . or that’s what I call the little bastard evadin’ me. It’s a big beauty, with rainbow scales and big teeth . . . I just want the meat, but I’ll give you the scales and teeth, plus treat you to dinner with a friend if you help me catch it!”
↠ “Boat races, boat races! We need to practice for the big race at the festival! We’re testing out a new type of kayak, and sure, it might have a few . . . buoyancy problems, but that’s what we need you lot to test it for, yeah? We’ll pay you 9 SP per ride, 1 GP if you win the race without sinking, and you get to test drive a new enterprise!”
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acatalepsy_logs2019-04-12 01:31 pm
waking up.
it's frustrating, to be sure, and inej had done the same as kaz -- left the inn to step in the streets, to look around with squinted eyes, trying to figure out where to go, where her friends were . . . but in her looking about, she sees a fairly familiar figure. the black coat . . . but almost demonic in figure, and something inside her stirs.
she can feel the power pulsing through her, her connection to her saints tangible. she has magic, she can heal, and while inej isn't entirely certain how, but she knows she is a holy woman with a great amount of power. and she can protect herself, and others, if need be.
still. is that kaz? it couldn't actually be him, given whatever it is has a tail (a tiefling, some voice whispers in her ear), but as inej
clanksmoves closer, she calls out. her tone tentative, gripping the mace in her hand protectively. just in case. ]Kaz?
[ (unsure) ]
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that's the first reason he doesn't expect it to be her. a clanking that can be heard from a distance, and there's no way. it's why his attention stays on him, on his immediate surroundings. information comes to him slowly, the names of things, what is going on. there is a bustling town around him and he knows this is a world jump, but the changes? the differences? he needs a few more moments to let that sink in.
except he doesn't really have a few moments, because he hears his name - kaz? - and what he turns, he sees. inej.
inej, in what looks like full on olden armor. large, cumbersome. she is shining in the morning sun, and for a moment kaz is struck by that. by how, despite everything that is different and off and strange about it, the image seems fitting. ]
Wraith?
[ she's changed, too. dressed up in something odd and off and strange. and are her ears longer? ]
You're...bright.
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You have a tail.
[ she'll trade you a stupid comment for a stupid comment any day of the week, brekker. her eyes shift upward, toward his face, his hair, and her lips twitch slightly. not quite a smile, but close. ]
And horns.
[ who did kaz brekker piss off to earn a look like that. ]
so i have appropriate icons? not really.
she comments on his tail, and his horns, and a distant part of him realizes that is all new and should be a bit off-putting. but even then, as she's stepped close enough to him to look up at him, kaz can't find it in himself to be bothered by these facts.
instead, he's suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling. sharp and all consuming. it almost surprises him, with the suddenness of it, a bubble of a breath moving from his gut out through his throat.
kaz brekker just laughed, in case anyone was wondering. ]
Wraith, you- [ another. then a third. a smile is breaking across his face through it. there's no malice, truly, behind it. though that might be off-putting enough in itself. ] You're so loud.
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it causes an odd conflicting feeling in her chest. on one hand, she feels an odd sense of warmth, and relief, because it's truly the first time she has seen kaz actually be happy since being brought into this nightmare known as the circle. and if kaz is happy, that means he's truly getting better, and maybe he doesn't actually hate her for what happened on the horologium. maybe everything is actually okay, and inej can step past the event, and focus on the future. and they can be normal, again. thick as thieves.
on the other hand, how dare he. ]
Kaz Brekker.
[ in her best serious tone, which isn't really all that serious, and inej (at barely 4'11'', in plate armor, with faintly glowing eyes) isn't really the most intimidating of figures -- but she lifts her mace, and gently (very, very gently) rests it against his chest, exhibiting a ridiculous amount of strength and control in doing so. ]
I could scatter you across these cobblestones, regardless of whether or not you could hear me, and then put you back together again afterward.
[ she pauses, at that. she knows she can heal, but is her power really that strong? she probably shouldn't make threats she can't live up to. so she adds: ]
Probably.
[ STOP LAUGHING AT HER SHE'S VERY INTIMIDATING ]
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he can hear the seriousness in her tone, and for whatever reason (and for whatever lack of self preservation he has in this moment) he simply laughs again. ]
You could do that before, Wraith. And I wouldn't have heard you coming. But now you're- [ he very unattractively snorts his way through the last what was probably a word or two, before his hand goes to his side, a stitch there starting to feel painful. ]
Saints, the Witch really wanted to mess with you. Did you go out of your way to insult her?
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[ somewhat reproachfully, as she lowers the mace, her eyes shifting from his face down to his side briefly. and a thought strikes her, that she could fix it, and the thought causes inej to reach out and take his arm, gently tugging him briefly back toward the inn. toward somewhere private.
she can't give kaz brekker an opportunity for an out.
and, once inej is sure he's going to follow, she lets go of his arm as quickly as she touched it. though now she has to tolerate the shifting clank of the armor, as she walks, which will surely provoke more laughter. how annoying. ]
And I associate with you, so I imagine that would be enough of an insult. [ after a moment or two of consideration, in which inej actually does think about what she could have done to piss astoria off. ] Seeing as she turned you into a demon . . . has Matthias seen you, yet?
[ he may try to decapitate him. ]
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the armor continues to clank, and kaz finds himself snorting once more. ]
I have done nothing to irk Astoria's anger. Others, though...
[ he gives a short shrug, belatedly realizing just how much lighter it all feels. how much easier. there is still a pain to his side, a stretch of skin he feels when he laughs, but this is no more difficult and dealable than his leg, so he's paying much smaller mind to it. her comment about him turning into a demon catches him a bit off-guard, but he rolls with it anyway, giving very little away (except inej would know it anyway) that he's at all surprised. ]
Maybe she just matched my insides to my out. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be any more surprised by this than they are of me.
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she catches the tiniest hesitancy, when she mentions his appearance. it's enough for inej to know that kaz is as shocked as the rest of them, but he refuses to admit it. typical. ]
Anyone who knows you would know you look ridiculous.
[ kaz brekker is no demon, regardless of how much he says otherwise. but before they go into the inn properly, inej pauses, her brow furrowing as she glances him up and down, her eyes scanning his form in the barest of moments, before realizing that something else is missing, too. ]
Where is your cane?
[ boi if you fuckin lost that after she went through ALL THAT EFFORT TO GET IT FIXED ]
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and while inej makes a good point, kaz still shrugs lightly, because looking like a demon on a scale of things he's had to deal with in his life is nowhere near impossible.
her question causes him to stop, not quite realizing the fact he hadn't taken it with him. it's the first moment that kaz takes into account the fact he hadn't really needed it, that the balance he has on his legs is still...okay. (hey thanks higher dex score). ]
It's in the room. [ he doesn't even need to think about it too much to know. it's another limb, for him, and while he's as shocked as she seems to be that he doesn't have it with him, he knows it is safe. ]
1/2
he's healthy. himself. sound, and stable. and happy -- or, really, as happy as kaz ever is.
and even though inej is still a bit irritated with him for laughing, she gives him a genuinely warm, happy smile. ]
2/2
[ she says it quietly, and takes his arm to step into the inn properly, through the threshold of the door. the inn is busy, but not overly so. it almost reminds her of home, of the slat, and inej keeps him close as she moves toward the stairs.
if kaz is different, maybe the power she knows she now has is actually real. maybe she actually can heal him, and maybe she can figure out . . .
they reach the stairs, and she lets go of his arm to incline her head up the stairs. he can show her where his room is. ]
I want to test something, but it should be private. And they put us in different rooms.
[ which can be easily rectified, if kaz wants, but that's on him. ]
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that smile.
it's a swell of a feeling, seeing it again. seeing it directed towards him. it catches him momentarily off-guard, a bright flash through the haze, before her voice brings him back again. come on as her hand wraps around his arm. and kaz lets her, stepping through the threshold with her. he doesn't so much as tense at her hand, and they walk towards the stairs together. he doesn't miss the same feeling she has, a momentary brush of familiarity. like jesper should be around the corner, like anika will be sitting at one of the tables, gossiping. ]
Test what? [ he asks, but he's already moving up the stairs, heading towards his room with inej at his back. ] Something you found? Or something from the witch? [ and he will lead her directly there, up the stairs and down the hall, stepping back into the room he'd been so quick to vacate that much earlier in the day. ]
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she can feel the clothing underneath the armor, and she knows that she's clothed, but the act of undressing in front of someone else makes her skin crawl, an unpleasant tightness forms in her stomach, and she allows it to dwell for a moment, to wrestle with it, before she bites the inside of her cheek. the sharp pain brings her back to reality, and inej's fingers hesitate at the clasp before she decides to just be
well.
honest. ]
Can you turn around? Please.
[ she doesn't think she's said the word 'please' to kaz brekker once in their entire friendship (or whatever this is), but the gentle addition seems to add a particular weight to what she's asking. it's important. ]
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the fact of it settles in his stomach again, but after only a moment he moves to walk over, picking it up and feeling the weight of it in his hands. once more, he's impressed by the quality of the repairs. he hadn't really been fully functional enough to have been aware of the extent of damages inej had, apparently, done to his cane. he hadn't even known it had been damaged until inej was returning it, tension and fear and uncertainty lining the bags under her eyes. and now? now it felt no different than it had been before. balanced, weighted, comfortable.
he's turning back to face her when he notices how still she's become, and as he looks up to her face she's not quite looking back to him. can you turn around? please?
the please is not lost on him, and while there is a very brief moment where he stands, the request settling over him, before he nods - once, quickly - and turns to face the wall. ]
You could probably sell that armor, if you don't have use for it. [ he's talking more to fill the space than anything, aware in some parts why inej had asked him to turn. ] From what I've seen of this town, the market could have use for it. A smith, maybe. [ his eyes are on the cane in his hands, turning it over between his fingers. ]
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I think I may need it, if we get into a fight. I do not have my knives; all I have is that mace.
[ it's said after a moment, undoing leather straps and latches with less-than-nimble fingers, her attention focused on loosening the shin-guards so she could simply slip her legs out of them. leather pants, linen shirt . . . padded, with boots. and, with a quick look over herself, she deems herself appropriately dressed, albeit a little ridiculous. and, once she steps out of the metal guards properly, and stands on her feet: ]
Ready.
[ as she rolls her shoulders, free of the weight of the armor. and, when he turns back around, she offers him a small, grateful smile (a silent thank you), before she then realizes that now she has to ask him to be uncomfortable, when she just asked him to turn around to take off armor that really revealed nothing. but, inej squashes that thought, before she steps forward, crossing her arms loosely over her chest.
may as well just go for it. ]
I need you to lift your shirt, and I need to touch you, to test what I have been given from the witch.
[ to the point, but seeking permission, before she does it. ]
It should not take very long to see if it is possible, but it requires contact, and a live subject.
[ why inej wants to test this on possibly the worst live subject she knows, she won't say, but kaz can be a willing guinea pig when he wants to be. and inej is banking on the fact that curiosity is going to kill the cat. ]
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Scaling walls will be more difficult with...all of that. [ you know, in case she needed that reminder. but then she says ready and kaz turns - easily, naturally, catching eyes with her as she gives him the small smile and he gives her a small, quick nod. of course, said in only the silent way they can share.
except then the moment passes, and kaz can tell there is something more. something in the way she steps forward towards him. it prepares him enough to not be caught entirely unaware when inej's next words come - lift your shirt, i need to touch you, to test what i have been given. he understands, in a more clinical kind of way, the sort of context that would be needed for this. he knows, in that clinical sort of way, how jesper would react. how nina would. but inej steps towards him with her arms crossed over her chest and kaz has to fight to keep himself from stepping away.
instead, his eyes do grow a bit colder, his jaw tense. he knows she is asking, but the entire ask is. more than he was expecting. ]
What are you testing? [ his voice is a bit lower than it was just moments prior, a bit rougher. instinctively, his hand has tightened around where he is holding his cane, though there is absolutely no intent to use it. rather, he feels his body simply react to the idea, the smell of the harbor, the slick feeling of-
he swallows, his eyes still on inej, the voice in the back of his head reminding him. the boat, the deck, i will have you unarmored or not at all. kaz remains standing where he is, hands at his side. ]
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but inej does not move closer to him, after he asks. she stops where she is, and lets him put up his armor. to have his moment of defensiveness, the nerves and anxiety seizing him, in how he swallows. and once he has his moment, inej speaks, her tone gentle in comparison: ]
I think the Saints have granted me power, to heal. I feel connected to them here, in a way that I have never felt before.
[ inej pauses, there, before she takes another step forward, her arms still crossed over her chest. and her voice lowers, to create a semblance of privacy even in the closed room. ]
My people have no word for 'sorry.' We say 'mati en sheva yelu.' [ the suli words flow off her tongue easily, with a level of comfort that is not seen with ravkan, or kerch. ] It means 'this action shall have no echo.' It is a promise, to make amends.
[ she pauses again, before she takes half a step closer, shifting her eyes to meet his, her lips pursing into a slight frown. ]
I know that I did not do this to you on purpose, but I want to fix it. And I think I can, now.
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but kaz doesn't acknowledge it in this moment.
( maybe for a later time, maybe for a time where he can actually unpack that self hatred and unrecognized unhealthy coping he's been feeding himself for years. )
instead, he watches her speak to him, hearing the words but seeing her more. how she stands, with just enough space between them, unassuming and nonthreatening. he hates himself a bit in that moment, knowing she has to handle him, but he pushes through it. the suli pulls him out of his head, then - natural, easy. he doesn't know suli, doesn't think he ever will, but the language sounds right coming from inej. ]
You don't need to fix anything. [ but the words don't have any of the earlier mire behind them, none of the growing armor, or cold protection. he doesn't know what to do with the guilt inej is obviously still carrying, feeling something in him want to fix it but not needing to. not wanting her to. the image of her bleeding out on the docs, before they'd even gotten to the ship, swirls through his vision before he shakes his head - once - as if to clear it.
this is ridiculous. he was being ridiculous. and that feeling of knowing his reaction wasn't necessary crawled over his skin. with another breath, kaz caught inej's eyes - a single moment where he tried to find any proof that she would actually back down from this idea - before he gently set his cane down on the desk beside him, reaching down to slowly unwork the buttons on his leather armor he'd woken up in. ]
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but as he begins to fiddle with the buttons, and undo them, she feels a sudden rush of emotion -- relief, at his silent agreement, and inej is almost stunned, that he actually seems to have finally given in. finally, she can fix this, and kaz can be free to enjoy the city without having to deal with that pain...
but the victorious moment soon fades away, because inej knows what happens, when kaz is touched. with permission or not, he tenses, and loses himself in his head. what he sees when someone touches him, inej has never asked, but she has a feeling she knows. the harbor. the bodymen. jordie. and pekka rollins, who (without knowing it, at the time) creating kaz brekker, the character. the boy made out of lies.
that thought causes her to pause, and inej watches him undo the buttons before she seems to realize that staring at him is probably just going to make his anxiety worse, and so she turns evenly on her heel, to give him the same privacy he granted her, her arms still crossed loosely over her chest. and her eyes wander around the room, scanning it curiously, before she comments: ]
She gave you a bigger room.
[ ruefully, shifting her weight from one leg to another. ]
I must have done something to aggravate her... you could fit another bed in here and still have room for a desk.
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and truth be told, inej's presence during this internal war isn't really on his mind. he has no real issue in the same way she does with undressing - he's grown up in the common rooms of the slat for long enough that the eyes of others isn't one of the things that gets under his skin, but at the same time there is an unexpected relief when she does turn on her heel.
curious. kaz eyes her back for a moment, the hair still in a braid pulled over her shoulder. he wonders if this moment should feel weirder than it does, if there should still be tension in the places there are tension, if it were between anyone else. but half a moment after the thought crosses him, he turns his attention back to the armor, sliding it off his shoulders and tossing it on top of the desk, before he reaches over his shoulders to pull the tunic over his head. ]
I doubt you aggravated her any more than I have. [ said simply, but betraying a bit of the underlying tension he still feels. especially as his skin tightens around the wound, the healing still in process though he feels better. it's hardly a burden, at this point, but there is still healing to go. still pains that shoot through him, though it's nothing compared to his leg on most days.
he considers her again, then, still in his pants and boots, but undressed from the waist up save for the bandages. ]
You could always stay here, if you'd rather. [ he doesn't need a bed, and if this does work, he'll need one even less. and whether or not in those following moments the offer strikes him as odd, that he would make it, that he would give her the option, it is overshadowed by the reality of this moment and what he's. agreeing to do. ]
Ready.
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( she doesn't agree, yet, but she will call downstairs for a room with two beds later. )
when he says that he's ready, inej turns around, and offers a small smile before she steps forward, her arms still crossed over her chest. quiet, wondering how to best proceed, before she moves into his space, and gently undoes the bandage -- loosening it just enough to tug it to reveal the wound, careful not to touch actual skin.
undoing all of it is unnecessary, and will only make him more anxious. so she leaves the bandanges mostly how they are, just loosened, hanging a bit. and she looks at the wound, critically - not infected, which is good.
all things considered, she did a fairly good job, for having literally no medical training. ]
I will be quick.
[ it is murmured, her attention laser-focused, and inej hesitates for a moment before she gently brushes her fingers over the wound, murmuring words (suli? maybe?), the necessary incantation. a brilliant white light appears at her fingers, and seeps into the wound, quickly knitting the flesh together into a smooth, un-bothered surface. the pain is gone, as is the damage. there isn't even a scar. ]
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the thought from before pops up again. this is ridiculous. you are weak.
he tenses his jaw, his eyes moving from her fingers to her eyes. the wound is fine, it has been healing well and has no problems. inej did a great job, all things considered, and kaz has dealt with worse when it comes to healing processes. but then she speaks - she will be quick - and kaz simply nods. once. quickly.
there is a moment where he thinks about turning away, where maybe if he wasn't watching her hands brush his skin it would be better, but that raspy, familiar voice of his own reminds him once again how cowardly it all is and he refuses to let himself, taking a long breath in and out of his nose as he keeps his eyes on the wound, on her fingers, on the moment.
all things considered, it passes quickly. barely a brush of fingertips. he feels his body tense, the wave of nausea wash over him, and then something else. the blinding light does cause him to blink, turning away from the process, and then it is over. he blinks again, and then is reaching down to run his gloved fingers over his side. the pain is gone, that is something he notices instantly, but the rest is...too. ]
She made you a heartrender, then? [ it's said softly, something to cut the silence of the room, and kaz lets himself exhale that breathe from before. he has to admit - it's impressive - but he won't say as much as he gives his body the few seconds to process. ]
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No, I think it is something different. But the end result is the same.
[ and she pauses before she steps to his side, to pick up the tunic he had taken off, and inej turns back to him in one smooth motion, handing it to him with a smile. ]
Hopefully we will not need it again while we are here.
[ but, knowing them, they will. ]
Feeling alright?
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kaz starts to pull the bandages completely off, unwrapping the cloth from around his middle. she steps away, then, picks something off of the desk (probably his tunic, probably his clothes) but his eyes are still on his side. on the perfect, flawless stretch of skin where there had, just moments before, been a steal healing gash. it's a bit... well. unbelievable. but he has to restructure how he's thinking about it. a heartrender on parem could do this without even thinking.
that is when he looks up to her, suddenly wondering if she was feeling any repercussions, and takes the tunic she hands to him. ]
Fine. [ kaz brekker, master of words. ] And you? Do you feel alright? [ he steals a quick glance to her hands, then back to her before he moves to quickly pull the tunic back over his shoulders. ]
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