Autumn Open Post

[callmeles]

Autumn Open Post As we know, I love my AUs and PSLs! I love exploring worlds and discovering how little changes can tumble and create big changes. My characters are top-leveled but feel free to add your own and let me know if there's someone you'd like! ♥

C

Comments

tfln cont @noreasonneeded

[withoutanet]

[ cont. from here ]

It's roughly five minutes later before Inej slips into Kaz's office by her usual means. Although she wouldn't admit it out loud, she was a little excited about going on a little heist with Kaz. She knows she should balk at it, at least her younger self would have but now? After everything she's been through and how much Kaz has taught her... it wasn't the worst thing they have done.

And now, she can say she enjoys it.

"Are you going to tell me what we're planning on stealing?"

[noreasonneeded]

There's something oddly comforting to the man who's built a fortress around himself to have Inej slip through his office window with ease. A part of him delights both at her talent, but also that she feels comfortable enough to do so without preamble. There's no polite door knocking between them, not any longer. Not that Kaz has ever been polite, but he's always respected boundaries. They both know what it's like to have those crossed, and they've both slowly erased and reworked the ones between them as the years have passed. It's unspoken, and he'd likely shut it down if it ever was given a voice, but it's there all the same.

He's up and his back is to her, washing his hands in his water basin and offering his usual, "Hello, Inej," even before she speaks. Her question draws a slight smirk to his face. Inej is still that pious Wraith, but she's come around to putting Ketterdam's society in its place and pulled down some pegs. Finishing wiping his hands dry, he turns to face her as he's tugging on his gloves.

"A painting called The Waves of Time. It depicts the historical moment when the Council of Tides officially laid claim to Ketterdam and buried the passage between Kerch and Shu Han beneath water. The only painting ever done by this particular artist, who grew famous working with charcoal and pencil. It's about to make its way out of Kerch this evening, but I think it should remain here. For the sake of history and national pride, of course." There's a playful glint to his gaze that says he's lying through his teeth on that last part.

[withoutanet]

Inej watches him and lets her mouth curl up when he greets her without her even saying a word. He always knows when she's there no matter how silent she is when she enters. It's nice and sometimes, she wonders if there will ever be a time when she enters without him knowing. She doubts it.

"Kaz," she says with a little grin.

She listens as he talks about this painting and nods. "And a painting like that should stay in Kerch soil naturally," she says, understanding perfectly the lie for what it was. "How guarded is the ship it's on?"

[noreasonneeded]

"Exactly. It would be unpatriotic to let it leave." He smirks as the lie is accepted, but what he says isn't untrue, either.

Turning over a piece of paper on his desk, Kaz begins to sketch the blueprints on it for her. He's not a bad artist in this respect. Kaz can draw straight lines and he understands dimensions, he'd just be utterly out of luck trying to draw a creative picture. He just sticks with mug shots and heist drawings. He labels where the guards would be, along with the crew and the holding area. His tongue pokes out a little as he works, concentrating to get it just right before sliding it over for her to see. He taps his pen on one end of it.

"I think our best bet would be to come from this angle, there's already enough traffic from the street market, and there's the cargo crates that can be used for cover. I can be on the ground keeping watch and providing a distraction while you get in."

[withoutanet]

"Saints forbid," she says with a little grin. She didn't truly think that was entirely the reason, she was sure that Kaz either had a buyer in mind or wanted to keep it for himself. Either way, who was she to argue when stealing it would be as fun as she anticipated?

She walks over and watches him sketch it out then takes a better look when he slides it over to her.

Inej nods in agreement as she listens and studies the plans. "I assume by that you mean for me to get in and pick it up before anyone knows?" She didn't have a problem with it, she simply wanted to know what was expected. "How big is this piece?"

Sorry for the lag and short replies, life's been hectic and I've been sick.

[noreasonneeded]

"Exactly," he replies with a crisp nod on what he means. "It's not terribly large, all things considered." Not like the painting hanging in his office. He holds his hands out to show a measurement that shouldn't be too unwieldy. "I can provide a tube for you to place it in if rolling it up works best. Just put the paint side outward." Otherwise, the ink will compress. "If we run into any trouble I'll get on board and help, but otherwise, I'll ensure nobody comes near the ship while you're on it." She's much stealthier than he is, he's better suited for distractions. "If that works, we can head out when you're ready."