OPEN POST 2020.

[legalized]

【my ❝CALL ME OUT❞ post】
get my ass in gear.

♛ here is my muselist. ♛ post "calling" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line! ♛ can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/explicit/whatever tickles your fancy! ♛ feel free to make up a scenario at the start, or wait to see where things go. meme code.

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[ketterdamn]

[ Of course she'd noticed. She's the wraith—not much gets past her to begin with. And certainly not something that seems even obvious to a person who doesn't speak the same language. This does have him frowning a bit more. Frowning, not pouting.

Definitely not pouting. ]

Are you encouraging him? [ If he sounds scandalized, it's because he is.

Not that Inej doesn't deserve to be told she's beautiful and radiant by every person in existence. Just. It rankles coming from this pretty boy. ]

[wraithes]

[ oh, the frown is deepning, and inej's expression is edging into incredulity, her arms crossing loosely over her chest as she looks up at him, eyebrows arching further upward.

some part of her should probably be annoyed. inej can have anyone flirt with her as she pleases, thank you very much. but the overwhelming feeling that seems to have taken hold is hilarity, because it very much appears that kaz brekker is jealous of some nameless ravkan boy in a bookshop who asked inej for dinner.

she supposes she could tell kaz all of that, but instead: ]

We're getting married next week.

[ blithely. ]

Did you not get the invitation?

[ketterdamn]

[ She's joking, naturally, though he's failing to see what about this is funny. This Ravkan boy doesn't know her at all, probably hasn't even gotten her name. And here he is, flirting.

There's also the matter of him being in the same room as the shopkeep attempts to make a pass and that just won't stand.

(Because of course he fails to see how they could be mistaken as only friends and not anything else). ]

Don't be ridiculous. [ Says the man being ridiculous. ]

[wraithes]

[ inej has gotten pretty good at telling when kaz is upset, but will get over it, and upset, and determined to stay that way. initially, she had thought it was the former, but as he's clearly still sour after her obvious joke, she's beginning to fear it's the latter.

so she opens her mouth, but pauses, scanning kaz's features once more. saints, he's actually upset by this. and for a tenuous moment, it almost looks like inej is going to hum in agreement and understand his frustration and irritation

. . . but no, he's still being a moron regardless of whether he's upset or not. ]

Because if you did lose the invitation, I could have another one sent.

[ mildly, as she takes the book on kerch ship building that kaz had picked up, to add it to the pile that they're surely going to buy. ]

It may not make it in time, though, so I guess you're just going to have to ride with me to the ceremony.

[ketterdamn]

[ There's a part of him that recognizes he shouldn't be so upset. Who is this guy anyway? A random stranger with a good looking face. Relatively harmless as well, if he's read him right.

That doesn't stop the flare of annoyance that goes through him at the mere idea that he's looking in Inej's direction. ]

I hope he's been nice. [ And he somehow manages to say that in the most scathing way possible. As with most things Kaz, there's also a veiled threat—should the shopkeep not be on his absolute best behavior.

Then again, he's tempted to threaten him now for even looking. Except this is Ravka and he doesn't know the language well enough to come across as properly terrifying. Also maybe he shouldn't waste his effort on a guy selling antique books. ]

[wraithes]

[ she rolls her eyes to the ceiling at the comment, asking a silent prayer to the saints for patience and love. because kaz brekker is seemingly determined to test her nerve, today. ]

You are being ridiculous.

[ informatively. as if he didn't know that. and she considers leaving at that, before she adds: ]

Jealous of a shopkeeper's son.

[ HONESTLY. ]

He's said nothing inappropriate. [ as indicated by the fact that his hands are still attached to his body. ] He said hello, and asked if I wanted a guide this evening to tour the city. And my taste in books.

[ketterdamn]

[ How is he being ridiculous? Kaz pouts (definitely pouts) at this, brow furrowing. She said it so matter of fact, too. ]

I'm not jealous. [ Being wary of strange men making passes at Inej is not jealousy. It's... well, it's protective, right? He glances towards the blonde, expression still dark, and properly gets a look at him. Something about him is reminiscent of Wylan; all fine bones and a sort of aristocratic nose. Easily breakable.

Some of his severity lightens, at least, when Inej explains how the conversation went. Nothing inappropriate—which, he now begins to feel the initial tugs of sheepishness—he should've known. Inej wouldn't have stood for any nonsense. ]

And? [ Is he asking for whether there was more or her elaboration on her answers? Someone is cranky and needs a nap. ]

[wraithes]

I told him I would meet him at the hotel at seven for dinner, what do you think?

[ with a huff of exasperation -- not annoyed, really, but incredulous that he's making such a big deal out of quite literally nothing.

however, by now, the shopkeeper has noticed that they're talking (probably) about him, given kaz's glaring and inej's tone, and the shopkeeper asks is everything alright? in ravkan, which catches inej's attention. and she glances over, waving a hand dismissively, and responds (in ravkan): ]

Nothing is wrong, I am dating an idiot.

[ and once that is done, without bothering to see the shopkeeper's reaction, inej turns back to kaz, and switches to kerch, unimpressed: ]

I told him I am already claimed.

[ -- okay, so that came out a little flat, but he really is being a moron!!! ]

[ketterdamn]

[ He opens his mouth to retort and then closes it, saying nothing. Her incredulity is enough to make him think that maybe, just maybe, he's making this out to be more than it is. After all, it's not like Inej would actually invite some random person over.

More importantly: she wouldn't have gone on this trip with him to begin with. Nor shared a bed or any of the information about the slavers.

For fuck's sake, Brekker, he thinks to himself. She'd silently asked him to hold her just this morning. Why was he folding himself into knots over this? ]

...did you call me something rude. [ He asks, after blowing out a sigh. ]

[wraithes]

No.

[ evenly, turning toward the counter. she neatly stacks the books they're going to buy in front of the (now sheepish and nervous) shopkeeper. she's not properly annoyed . . . or, well, maybe she is.

though, while she waits for the total to be tabulated, she adds: ]

I called you an idiot. Which isn't rude, but the truth.

[ and for the shopkeep's benefit, because kaz was so fixated on their conversation earlier, inej switches to ravkan: ]

My companion can't understand a word you're saying, so feel free to be honest. He is half as smart as he looks.

[ the shopkeeper wisely elects to remain silent, instead just putting the books into a canvas bag with a sheepish smile. ]

[ketterdamn]

[ Ah. She's annoyed.

It serves him right, for being such a bitch about the whole thing. After all, he could've just asked what was said to start with, instead of getting bent out of shape. He has residual aggravation leftover though, so he scowls when she says she called him an idiot.

That's definitely rude!!!

The scowl lightens into a frown at least, while the books are rung up. Kaz pays the tab without any further bad manners, especially since the shopkeep seems penitent for his crimes. He might be a little relieved as they make their way back out onto the street. ]

I'm not an idiot. [ He says finally, verging on petulant. ]

[wraithes]

[ she offers the shopkeeper an apology in ravkan and a slight bow of her head on the way out. and honestly, being out on the street does feel much better. it's more open, and inej is about to suggest that they just go find something to eat when kaz picks a particular hill to die on.

it's honestly not very often that inej ghafa is annoyed. she prefers to move through life without such feelings, and there's not really much worth being mad over that can't be meditated on and forgotten about the next day.

unfortunately for kaz brekker, the one person that seems to routinely be able to make her annoyed is . . . well, kaz brekker. ]

This is the part where you apologize.

[ a bit flatly, as she crosses her arms over her chest, looking up at him. and, just in case he thought she was going to apologize for calling him an idiot, she adds: ]

For being an idiot.

[ HONESTLY. ]

[ketterdamn]

[ Thankfully—for both of them—the one person he's gotten attuned to over the years is Inej. Normally, it's quite easy to read her expression and get an idea of what she's thinking. It's made for a great partnership on all of their schemes, both of them able to convey something complex in a single look.

The other thing to be glad for is that despite his nearly astounding ability to be the most stubborn person to walk this earth, he's...gotten better. At knowing when he probably shouldn't push or snap back.

So he takes one good look at Inej once they've stepped out of the shop and sees nothing but warning signs. He bites his tongue on whatever smart remark he'd been tempted to say. Too many times in the past he's just let the words come, disregarding the fact that she had been annoyed or angry. That had also been the time he'd been desperately trying to convince himself he didn't have feelings for her, which had turned out to be the biggest lie he's ever told.

The smart remark is swallowed and he takes a second to sigh out the aggravation he'd (unfairly) held towards the shopkeeper. Once he lets it go, he returns to the thought of Inej being able to handle herself, which she clearly has done on almost every occasion, and feels the chagrin set in. ]

Sorry, I— [ He what, was looking out for her? All the good that did here. That mutes his defensiveness some more and he ends up repeating himself. ] Sorry.

[wraithes]

[ it's clear that inej is gearing up for a fight. she already has the argument laid out in her head. how many times has she gotten herself out of bad situations without anyone else's help. how many times had she defended herself without relying on anyone else. she had refused food in order to slip out of her own shackles, to fit through an air vent, to escape van eck. a shopkeeper who thought she was cute was nothing in comparison to everything she had done, on her own.

but then kaz surprises her, and . . . apologizes. and it's not graceful, and inej can tell he bit something back. swallowed down some line of defense that probably would have infuriated her more. but all the same, the apology does wonders in mollifying her frustration, and the tension eases out of her shoulders almost immediately.

she's not alone, though, here. and she honestly hadn't thought to include kaz in the conversation because it was harmless. and it's still harmless, but no one knows kaz better than inej. and inej probably should have foreseen him being annoyed. or, at minimum, frustrated. especially because he doesn't know the language.

not that that excuses his possessive stupidity, but it does cause her to step forward and reach up to take his face in her hands, narrowing her eyes. ]

I am here with you.

[ evenly. ]

Because I want to be. And because there is no one else that I would rather be here with.

[ and she shakes his head, just a little. to make him pay attention, and also to maybe knock some sense into him. ]

And because I expect you to know that I would remove someone's hands if they disrespected me. Shevrati.

[ and she lets go on the suli word, exasperated. ]

For someone so brilliant, you are so unobservant that I still have no idea how you are alive. I was looking at no one else but you.

[ketterdamn]

[ The tension goes out of her shoulders but he doesn't quite feel relieved. It could be that he's unused to apologizing, the bitten back words still sitting on his tongue. The part of him that's grown up in the Barrel wants to let them go. Apologizing is weakness and the streets didn't care if you said you were sorry. It made you pay for it in blood instead.

Inej is asking for none of those things. And she deserves something that isn't half-assed or just him being defensive about his stupid decisions.

Some of his tension does lift when she puts her hands on his face, her touch immediately welcome. Her words simply reinforce what he'd thought in the aftermath, sticking like nettles. But he knows she's right—he'd admitted as much to himself. So he unclenches his jaw and forces the remaining annoyance down, settling on a few key words.

One being that she definitely would've done something if the shopkeep had gotten fresh. And the other: ] As I recall, there's been a certain wraith clipped to my shadow. That might have something to do with it.

[wraithes]

[ the comment prompts a roll of her eyes, because kaz places far too much trust in her to constantly watch his back. he doesn't even bother looking up (or, at least, not that she could see) when inej is on the rooftops, being his eyes when he can't see. it's lazy, in her professional opinion. especially when she isn't always in ketterdam to protect him.

still. that's not really the point. the point is: ]

I am your shadow.

[ pointedly, as she adjusts the bag of books over her shoulder, crossing her arms again.

but semantics aside, kaz has always been bad at . . . well, telling the truth in a straight-forward manner. he hadn't meant to be possessive. he was probably just being protective. and those two are very different things.

so, after a pause: ]

You should ask Specht what happened to the last man who was inappropriate to me, in this port.

[ and she reaches out to adjust the collar of his coat. it's an affectionate gesture, but: ]

He'll reassure you that I don't need a man to defend my honor.

[ketterdamn]

[ Okay, yes, she basically is his shadow. Especially at this point. After she'd left, he had to get used to scanning the rooftops again, looking for figures he would normally leave to her. That isn't to say he had been totally unaware with her around—he would look up every now again. Though that was usually to get his bearings on where he thought she would be and not so much looking for other people.

His focus always seemed to narrow with her around. Like right now, he's only somewhat aware of the people passing them by where they'd paused off to the side to get their words out. ]

I know you don't. You've got a hundred knives and the exact angle to break someone's wrist. [ He'd taught her the latter and given her the resources to get good with the former. Why was he ever worried? The rational part of him wants to laugh it off but there's still a small curl of annoyance that the shopkeep had even said anything. Even with how benign it had been. ]

Though now I want to know what you did. [ He says, holding out his hand tentatively, seeing if she wanted to take it. ]

[wraithes]

[ she considers him for a moment, almost pointing out that she doesn't have a hundred knives. she carries six, thank you very much!! but her lips twitch slightly, betraying that she's long-since forgiven his stupidity, and she takes his hand, intertwining their fingers. ]

He was inappropriate. And -- what did you say earlier, the phrase -- "older than the dirt."

[ mildly; she won't go into detail what he said, but it certainly wasn't appropriate!! and definitely old enough to be inej's father, which made it even more inappropriate.

and she bumps shoulders with him, as they begin to walk further into town. ]

I slipped away down an alleyway to get behind him. Dislocated his kneecaps from behind and caught him by his dominate wrist to snap it. I then asked if his mother knew he was soliciting sexual favors from teenagers on the coast.

[ and inej shrugs her shoulders. ]

He was crying for said mother, so I never got my answer. But I think he's learned his lesson.

[ketterdamn]

[ It's a relief when she takes his hand, though the twitch of her lips certainly says she's more amused by his comments than she is still holding onto her annoyance.

Of course, he frowns when she starts explaining how it all started, feeling revulsion on her behalf. It's never great to have someone make crass remarks but somehow it's worse when that someone is old enough to be one's father. Those are the kind of men he'd be happy to drop off a bridge; he's done it once and would do it again.

He feels a small swell of pride though, as she describes what she'd done. Dislocating a man's kneecaps is certain to hurt. As well as a broken wrist—he wouldn't be grabbing anyone inappropriately with that hand for at least six months. If it ever healed properly. ]

He deserved much worse. [ But he knows Inej. She wouldn't take the lethal route unless she absolutely had to. And that was the main difference between them; Kaz was not nearly as forgiving. He had no interest in seeing if someone would change their tune, usually. ] Satisfying, though.

[wraithes]

[ there's a hum of agreement at he deserved much worse, but indeed, inej doesn't kill unless strictly necessary. she has no interest in adding more sins to an already hefty ledger. ]

His wallet paid the bar tab that night.

[ with a slight grin to herself, squeezing kaz's fingers. ]

The crew was grateful.

[ketterdamn]

At least he did something useful. [ Kaz says around a grin. He can imagine how grateful her crew would've been—they're an affectionate lot when they get some alcohol in them. They never drank too much when sailing, but he'd caught them with some drinks a few times. Every time he had been pulled into the circle of their stories and laughter. ]

What next, Captain?

[wraithes]

[ inej avoids drink and the like, and inej is fairly certain the crew's lack of drinking on board is more out of respect to her than of a need to avoid liquor while sailing. she also never participated in the actual drinking when they went out, but had been bothered more than once into showing cheap card tricks to the table.

basic "magic" always wooed drunk men, for some reason.

at any rate, kaz's question is more important, and speaking of magic: ]

Well, we should decide what show we want to see tonight.

[ thoughtfully. ]

There's a few quasi-permanent shows run by my people, who choose to stay rather than travel. [there's no judgment or mystery in her tone; the suli have a rough existence, in ravka, and you learn to survive where you can. ] One is reported as being more reputable than the other. It's a magic show, with acrobatics. So I'm sure someone will disappear, at some point. And plenty of card tricks.

[ how thrilling!!! but as she speaks, she glances up toward kaz, one corner of her mouth tugging upward:]

We can go as long as you promise to not ruin the show.

[ "magic tricks" are really just code for "sleight of hand thievery," so inej is wholly prepared to kick him under the table if some child asks how did they do that and kaz ruins years of card magic in two seconds. ]

[ketterdamn]

[ Hearing about her people is always interesting. He knows so little but had never really brought them up in the past, worried she would be upset by it. After all, she hadn't known where her parents were up until recently.

Maybe now he'll start asking more. ]

I'm not going to ruin the show. [ Though most certainly he'll understand the card tricks without much trouble. Maybe he'll see one he hasn't done. ] I've never made a person disappear before.

[ Not strictly true. He has, albeit involving more death and the hiding of a body than anything dealing with a magic show. ]

[wraithes]

[ well, inej will take that promise to heart, though she can already see kaz offering quiet commentary about amateur hour during breaks in the program. she supposes that's different than ruining the surprise, because inej (now) will see the tricks, too. ]

I was usually the one to disappear.

[ ruefully; it's something of an irony, now that inej is frequently hiding in plain sight, silent as the grave. but that's a life long since gone, and so inej nudges his arm with her shoulder lightly. ]

I'll tell you how they do it if you can't figure it out.

[ketterdamn]

You still disappear. [ He bumps her shoulder gently, smiling a bit. Maybe she'd honed those skills from the trick. It would make sense. ]

What else did you do? I know you mentioned the high wire. [ And with how her balance was on rooftops– almost unnatural– it made it easy to believe she'd grown up with that thin rope under her feet. ]