(no subject)

[everymonstrousthing]

There is shit going on in the city, but the Crow Club stays open. Kaz is of the opinion that there is nothing more valuable in a storm than the perception of a safe harbour. It's quiet, but that doesn't mean it's not worth being open. With his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his gloves still firmly in place, Kaz cleans. He empties the back bar and he cleans. Yes, he could pay someone to do this but, honestly, there's never a job done as well as he would do it himself.

Unless Inej does it. And he won't ask her to clean for him.

Comments

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

Out of habit, the Bull ducked and turned his head as he came through the door. The rain brought with it a chill, so, much to Dorian's delight, he had layered a sweater over his t-shirt, both of which had deep Vs in the neck. Helped to get them over his horns. Bull didn't like fussing with buttons if he could help it.

Today his eye patch was simple, stiffened leather. His leg brace was obvious over the dark pants and boots he wore, shining metal as he moved. He leaned on the bar when he got to it, studying the young man behind it. Despite the nearly identical features, this was not Kavinsky, and that was interesting.

At least Bull never had to worry about someone sharing his face.

"What's good?"

[everymonstrousthing]

Kaz glances over his shoulder, catalogs the scars, the obvious sources of injury. He doesn't look afraid, though; nothing about his face actually chances. Kaz Brekker, more than anyone, knows the value of wearing your monstrosity open to the air.

"Everything's good," he says. "Depending on your tastes."

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

The fact that the young man stood unflinching was refreshing. Bull supposed he was not an unusual fixture around Darrow now that he'd been here almost a year, but for most people seeing him around and seeing him up close were different things. He took note of the gloves, the tailored clothes.

"Got anything strong enough to put a grown man on the floor?"

[everymonstrousthing]

"A selection in fact," says Kaz, pausing in what he's doing to select a bottle, pouring a large measure. "Do you want to open a tab, or will it just be the one?"

He arches one eyebrow, sharp as a razor cut.

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

"Might as well open a tab, might take me a while to get to the floor," he said, voice smooth and warm.

"What's your name?" As he asked, he shifted his weight to the right, taking it off the braced leg.

[everymonstrousthing]

"Brekker," he says, nudging the glass across the bar. He doesn't make a note; like everything else, he keeps the tabs in his head when he's the one behind the bar. "And I do relish a challenge."

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

"As long as you're not gonna try to keep up. I'd feel bad trying to explain to your next of kin how it is you died trying to go one for one with me."

But Brekker didn't look like an idiot. That was a good start.

[everymonstrousthing]

"I'm not drinking tonight," says Kaz, starting to replace things on the back bar. "I'm alone here until my girl gets back." Any other girl, he might have worried about, but he knows that Inej can more than look after herself in the dark.

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

"And who's your girl?" he asked easily, watching Brekker move around. He took in the rest of the place, noticing a very nice looking cane leaning against the back wall behind the bar. The top of it looked like it could do some damage, if swung by someone that knew what they were doing. Brekker looked like someone that, generally, knew what they were doing or knew how to fake it.

That made Bull curious.

[everymonstrousthing]

"Her name's Inej," says Kaz, meticulously reassembling his backbar, occasionally looking at Bull. "We knew each other back in Ketterdam."

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

He finally picked up his drink to try it; he almost choked when he swallowed. Perfect. He took another slow drink from the glass, appreciating the burn on the way down.

Everything here was neat, meticulously kept, and apparently it was Brekker that kept it that way.

"I'm the Iron Bull, formerly of Thedas."

[everymonstrousthing]

"Kaz Brekker, Ketterdam in Kerch," says Kaz, and he doesn't offer his hand. "That's an interesting name."

[shok_ebasit_hissra]

"I chose it when I started working as a mercenary. I like the article at the front. Makes me sound like I'm not even a person, just a mindless weapon, an implement of destruction. It works for me."

Bull took another drink. He had to bring Krem here, see if they could find something that could be the equivilant of maraas-lok.

[assassinwithahairpin]

Billy didn't like all this hubbub around the city, but to his benefit, he and Goodnight still had their guns. He'd had to purchase more bullets, but that was fine. Worth it, for the sense of security that game with carrying a pistol on his hip, like it belonged there. And nobody was about to stop him, either.

He ducked into the quiet bar, the dog just at his heel. They'd been out running, but things had gotten a little too hectic, and Billy was willing to let things calm a bit before he headed back to the apartment.

[everymonstrousthing]

Kaz looks up when the door opens, raising an eyebrow when Billy Rocks' familiar face walks in. He takes note of the dog at his heels.

"How is it out there?" he asks.

[assassinwithahairpin]

It hadn't been conscious, Billy realized, but he was oddly comforted to find himself in the presence of Kaz Brekker. The boy was solid, at least; he'd proved himself such the last time they'd spoken.

"A mess and a half," Billy said with a shrug. He approached the bar, looking over the array of bottles, and the tattoo visible on Kaz's arm. "We've dealt with worse scrapes, but this is definitely one of the stranger ones."

[everymonstrousthing]

"You're telling me," he says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Give me thugs any day. What'll you have to drink?"

[assassinwithahairpin]

"Thugs, cheats, and a bar fight. Whiskey, please," Billy said, the same as he'd ordered last time. He'd pay this time, even if Kaz made some token protest. He sat at the bar, and the dog sat at his feet. "And water for the dog, if you've got a bowl for it."

[everymonstrousthing]

Wordlessly, Kaz pours the measure and sets it on the bar in front of Billy before he turns, disappearing into the back of the bar before he reappears with a bowl that he sets down in front of Billy, too.

"Are your people safe?"

[assassinwithahairpin]

Billy put the bowl down beneath him, careful not to slosh the water onto the floor. Mercy Beau was patient, and relatively dainty, for being a relatively big dog.

Billy nodded when he straightened back up. He turned the glass in his fingers. "Yours?"

[everymonstrousthing]

"I'd pity anything, human or otherwise, that ran into Inej in the dark," says Kaz, and his smile definitely has an edge of pride to it. "Helvar, too."

[assassinwithahairpin]

Billy chuckled and nodded a little. He didn't know any of Kaz's compatriots, as far as he knew, but people who would be in the presence of this boy likely had to have their wits about them.

"Either way, let's hope this business all blows over quickly. I don't appreciate it messing with my routine."

[everymonstrousthing]

"This place has been dead for days," says Kaz, his face dispassionate as he takes in the empty bar. "No matter, though. It'll pick up. Business always does."

[assassinwithahairpin]

"I'm surprised," he said a bit honestly. He was surprised by a lot of things about Kaz Brekker, but at the moment, there was just one thing in particular that was particularly surprising. "There seem to be quite a few bars and those sorts off things. But you seem to do comfortably enough."

[everymonstrousthing]

"Profit's a God, of sorts," says Kaz, with a sharp grin. "I like to pay worship to him daily." He wipes at the back bar, his hands still fastidiously gloved. "i find a way."