All of them sat around the gambling parlour of the club amongst tables covered in crimson cloths, flocked with the repeating patterns of crows in flight, surrounded by black lacquered walls.
Matthias sat on a single chair to the side of the rest of the group with his legs and arms restrained by thickly tied rope.
Another boy, just a year older than Violet herself, sat at one of the card tables aimlessly doodling on some paper. He had wild, russet curls and gentle features, a stark difference to most their age this far deep in the Barrel.
She had been the one sent out to collect him and the boy had found her rather unnerving given she barely spoke a word the whole time; he knew who she was, of course, as she had been there a few times when Kaz had met with him - and her sweet demeanor and ribbons in her hair held some sort of image within the streets.
Kaz stood partially leant back against a table pressed against the wall in a way that allowed him to have view of everyone in the room.
Violet sat up on the edge of one of the card tables with her legs dangling over the edge. The others were dotted around the same side of the room on various chairs or stood leant against a wall, listening to Kaz explain the real plan that had been rolling around his brain for the last twenty four hours - the proposition that had been brought to their doorstep and the detrimental risk it involved, only sweetened by the high deal of Kruge promised.
Violet had heard most of it the night before and so listened in and out with her fingers absently running through her dark hair in a slow, repetitive motion. Her ribbons sat neatly placed across her lap.
As Matthias took in the new information with a fixed glower on his face, she continued swinging her legs back and forth idly while watching him with a stony look.
And then when Kaz finished talking, it wasn't a surprise what the Fjerdans immediate response was.
"No."
"Believe me when I say this, Helvar, I know getting knocked out and waking up in strange surroundings isn't the friendliest way to start a partnership, but you didn't give us many options - so try to open your mind to the possibilities."
"You could have come to me on your knees and my answer would be the same." He sneered, his accent rounding his words.
"You do understand I can have you back at Hellgate in a matter of hours? Once poor Muzzen is in the infirmary, the switch will be easy." Kaz bragged with a dark glint in his eye.
"Do it. I can't wait to tell the warden your ridiculous plans."
Violet's eyes flickered between him and her brother.
"What makes you think you'll be going back without a tongue?"
"Kaz-" Nina protested.
"Do what you want." Matthias said blankly.
"Muzzen is better company," Violet said quietly, still running her fingers through her hair. Personally, she was in favor of the switch, job or no job. Not to mention the sensation of her fingers against her hair had calmed her enough for her to say a word, finally.
Nina rolled her eyes and fixed Kaz with a look. "I told you."
"Don't pretend you know me, witch," Matthias snarled, refusing to even look in poor Nina's direction.
Everyone in the room seemed to shift at the silence after, uncomfortable.
Violet continued glaring across at the man.
Jesper crossed his arms. "Without him there's no job. We can't break into the Ice Court blind."
Matthias gave a small huff of a laugh. "You can't break into the Ice Court at all."
YOU ARE READING
RIBBONS • SIX OF CROWS
Fanfiction'It is very difficult to make ones way in this city without being wicked at one time or another, when the cities way is so wicked to begin with.' Or in which: Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason - but his little sister was the closest thing to it.
