Kaz Brekker Imagines

Alone

Kaz Brekker is alone. He's waiting in one of the shadowy alcoves of a street corner, ready for the events ahead to unfold. This isn't the first time that he's found himself in a dimly lit nook or cranny- there are far too many in the Barrel for even his mind to remember each one. Kaz is fairly certain that he's spent more time skulking in the alleys of Ketterdam than indoors, although that wouldn't surprise anyone who's had the misfortune of hearing his name. Dirtyhands wouldn't turn down a job. Dirtyhands wouldn't pass up the risk of bloodying his knuckles for a cushy indoor occupation.

Kaz sees a group of three or four thugs heading down a street opposite him and smiles. It's a cold look, more an animalistic baring of teeth than anything that could remotely resemble happiness. Once the thugs have disappeared down the cobblestoned avenue, he withdraws himself from the inky shadow and follows them. Even though Kaz treads directly in the center of the road, where anyone and everyone is parley to his journey, he doesn't think that anyone actually sees him. It appears that Inej is not the only one able to play Wraith.

Kaz follows the thugs, footsteps barely making a noise as they lift from the twisted stones and ruts of the road. He pauses a few seconds by a row of street vendors, as if he's just another mercher or pigeon that's strayed too far from the more comfortable areas near the University, then continues on his way. By now, the thugs have vanished into a nearby alley, and judging by the way passersby avidly avoid eye contact with anyone or anything inside, they've found themselves a victim.

Kaz turns and heads directly towards the alley. He pauses by the mouth, tucking his cane away inside his long coat so its enamel doesn't shine, toothlike, and reveal his identity. From what he can see inside the alley, the thugs are whaling on a girl about Kaz's age. Or, they should have been whaling on her, except that the girl has taken all of them on easily and they lie panting by her feet.

One of Kaz's eyebrows raises almost imperceptibly. This isn't what he'd anticipated- but, no matter, he can continue on as planned. Kaz strides into the alley, past the retreating forms of the thugs, to come to a stop by the girl. "Well, I'd planned to offer up some help, but it appears you don't entirely need that." The girl lets out a half-laugh, inspecting her knuckles for blood that is likely not her own. "My fists are good enough, thank you. Did you hire the thugs or did you just happen upon me?"

Kaz makes a scoffing noise in the back of his throat. "Of course I didn't hire the thugs. You think every criminal in the Barrel has a motive?" He definitely hired the thugs. How else would he know when and how to meet this girl, the one who's currently on the run from about half of the Shu military? Coincidences don't exist in Ketterdam. Everything that happens to you, good and bad, has been planned by someone else.

The girl shrugs, although Kaz can tell by the wariness in her shoulders that she doesn't believe him. Good- Kaz wouldn't look to her as a potential investment if she was a fool. "If you're truly here to help, which I doubt, then what do you want? I haven't got all day." Kaz forces a neutral expression. "Then I suppose it's a good thing that it's night instead. I'm here to offer you a job, Y/N." The girl's eyes clear. "Ah. That's why you're here."

Kaz spreads his hands. "Word travels fast in the canals. Do you want to have this conversation here or somewhere a little more secure?" Y/N matches his tone. "It's the Barrel. Nothing's secure. All the same, I'll go. Where are you taking me?" Kaz shrugs. "I'm not taking you anywhere. There's a building down two streets and three over. They call it the Slat. We'll talk there." Y/N opens her mouth to question him on how exactly she's supposed to get there, but when she looks back at Kaz, he's gone and she is alone in the alley once more.

Y/N only waits a moment more before heading back out into the streets. Kaz follows her from a distance, just far enough that he doesn't lose her in the crowds. Y/N walks purposefully, as if she's been in the city her entire life. She strides past vendors and salesmen until she's in an empty stretch of the roads, then casually turns her head to the side. She speaks as if to herself, but Kaz hears every word. "You know, Brekker, I'm going to your building. You might as well stop following me."