Dregs Reunion

Part One- Inej

Inej was not certain of whether Nina was serious or not when she had suggested- rather enthusiastically- that all the Dregs that had gone on their little 'mission', minus Matthias, of course, meet up for a reunion. She was not certain if Jesper was serious when he said that he and Wylan could make it. She was not certain if her parents, whom she found a good month after searching relentlessly, were serious when they said that she should go. She was not certain if she was serious when she agreed to take a break from performing with her family and helping other Suli girls for the three-day reunion.

What she was certain of was that when Kaz did not reply, it meant he was not coming. He was Dirtyhands, after all, a notorious thief, lockpick, and Dreg.

Kaz Brekker was not one for something as frivolous as a reunion.

Definitely not.

And yet, she still found herself hoping, wondering...

Snap out of it, Inej, she chided herself. It's Kaz Brekker. He isn't coming. A reunion is not his scene, especially not when he has work to do for the Dregs.

And Kaz Brekker indeed it was who she saw walking into the designated meeting spot, Wylan's mansion, limping and smirking, gloves on, looking as much like the thief he was as he always had.

"Kaz!" said Jesper. "You actually came."

"As it seems," Kaz replied, voice raspy as ever, "the Dregs had time for me to take three days off to meet with some old accomplices."

"Accomplices," Inej repeated. She knew that it was just Kaz being... Kaz, but it stung all the same. An Investment, he had once called her. A valuable investment. She had wondered what she was to him now several times, and supposed that now, at least, she knew.

"Yes," said Kaz. "Accomplices."

"Well," said Nina, clapping her hands excitedly, "we're all incredibly glad you could make it."

"Matthias wouldn't be."

Nina shrugged. "He's here reminding us that it was a terrible idea to even invite you in spirit."

Kaz cracked a smile. "No, he isn't. His ghost won't associate with our ghosts, remember?"

Wylan chuckled slightly. "Jesper is having me teach him flute."

"And piano," said Jesper brightly.

Wylan glared. "I don't know piano."

Jesper shrugged, unfazed. "You know the basics."

Wylan made some nonsensical noise, unable to dispute.

"Well," Kaz rasped, "I don't expect we're just sitting here the entire time, are we?"

"I would certainly hope not. It's been too long since I've really done anything," said Inej.

Kaz looked at her for the first time, and his lips quirked up in a smile. "I'd like to see if the best spider in the Barrel is still the best spider in the Barrel."

Inej scoffed. "Of course I am."

"Stop flirting, you two," said Nina. "Matthias's ghost is internally puking because it's so disgusting to him. And of course we're not just sitting here the entire time. You'll be happy to know that I got us a job."

"You," said Kaz. "You got us a job."

"Yes," she said, voice bright.

"How much does it pay?"