[ The words have been kicking around in his head for a couple days. Or perhaps, a couple years. He can't bring himself to hate Per Haskell, not after the old man gave him that first chance. Kaz has more than paid him back, considering how full he kept the Dregs' coffers, but there will always be that memory of Haskell saying he thought this scrawny kid could amount to something.
Still, there are some choice words he'd like to say to him, to all of them. They've always been carefully tucked behind his teeth, knowing the time would come when he'd get to say his piece.
And this is it.
He reviews it all as he picks his way over the rooftops, remembering Inej's warnings about the slippery footing on a few of the spots. Part of him wonders if he should turn back and ask her to come. It would make this whole plan easier knowing her knives were there, that she was watching his back.
But he knows what that would look like to the Dregs, to Per Haskell: weakness. And if he needed them to buy into what he was going to say, they needed to see him as he was on his own.
Swinging himself into his bedroom window, he stops to change, splashing some water on his face and making sure not a hair was out of place. Maybe it was nonsensical, considering what he was anticipating, but he'd learned presentation mattered. Once cleaned up, he steps out of his room and towards the staircase, listening intently to the sounds of the raucous downstairs. Above the noise, he can make out Haskell's particular crowing, laughter and cheers following in its wake. ]
Old man. [ And that's how it all starts, Haskell giving him exactly what he needed: an audience. He knew the old man couldn't resist, always wanting to humble Kaz or strip away some of his prideful attitude. So he let him have what he wanted and turned it into something else. A demonstration. A proving. A hard truth.
When he's done, he's gotten what he's come for: the Dregs under new leadership. He's also gotten what he expected, which is a fairly thorough beating. He'd known he could fight through what was thrown at him and now he's dealing with the consequences of the decision. Everything hurt in various ways, especially his leg, which felt like it was on fire. After he gets more settled with Anika and Pim and Roeder, he makes his way back up the stairs, knowing who he's likely to meet on the way.
She shows up on the third story landing, probably having come in from her room, a small but strong arm sliding around his waist. Part of him wants to shrug it off, just in case anyone is watching, but he knows they aren't. Too much cleanup and no one is brazen enough to bother with him after such a showing. So he lets her help him into his room, leaning against the desk with a low hiss once the door is closed behind them. ]
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Date: 2021-04-25 08:31 pm (UTC)Still, there are some choice words he'd like to say to him, to all of them. They've always been carefully tucked behind his teeth, knowing the time would come when he'd get to say his piece.
And this is it.
He reviews it all as he picks his way over the rooftops, remembering Inej's warnings about the slippery footing on a few of the spots. Part of him wonders if he should turn back and ask her to come. It would make this whole plan easier knowing her knives were there, that she was watching his back.
But he knows what that would look like to the Dregs, to Per Haskell: weakness. And if he needed them to buy into what he was going to say, they needed to see him as he was on his own.
Swinging himself into his bedroom window, he stops to change, splashing some water on his face and making sure not a hair was out of place. Maybe it was nonsensical, considering what he was anticipating, but he'd learned presentation mattered. Once cleaned up, he steps out of his room and towards the staircase, listening intently to the sounds of the raucous downstairs. Above the noise, he can make out Haskell's particular crowing, laughter and cheers following in its wake. ]
Old man. [ And that's how it all starts, Haskell giving him exactly what he needed: an audience. He knew the old man couldn't resist, always wanting to humble Kaz or strip away some of his prideful attitude. So he let him have what he wanted and turned it into something else. A demonstration. A proving. A hard truth.
When he's done, he's gotten what he's come for: the Dregs under new leadership. He's also gotten what he expected, which is a fairly thorough beating. He'd known he could fight through what was thrown at him and now he's dealing with the consequences of the decision. Everything hurt in various ways, especially his leg, which felt like it was on fire. After he gets more settled with Anika and Pim and Roeder, he makes his way back up the stairs, knowing who he's likely to meet on the way.
She shows up on the third story landing, probably having come in from her room, a small but strong arm sliding around his waist. Part of him wants to shrug it off, just in case anyone is watching, but he knows they aren't. Too much cleanup and no one is brazen enough to bother with him after such a showing. So he lets her help him into his room, leaning against the desk with a low hiss once the door is closed behind them. ]
Shouldn't have expected you'd stay clear of this.