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it's a beautiful day in fjerda, and you are a horrible thief
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Sirens wail in the distance as the heavy night wind stumbles over the crooked rooftops of Ketterdam, and the Dregs - their ranks swelled with young eager hands, many of whom have been brought along on this little standoff for the spectacle - press around as Kaz Brekker leaves the Exchange through the eastern arch, shouting and cheering - they didn't have a good angle to see Kaz's meeting with the Black Tips' lieutenant, Geels, but they could hear it just fine. The way Kaz played Geels. The way she blackmailed the very guard Geels bribed - the way the second guard somehow never came into play (and they don't need any prompting to credit their Wraith for that; it's always her to thank, when enemies fall before you even see them). (The idle way she revealed Big Bol's treachery, too, but - that hangs in the background uneasily, something none of them want to think on too deeply, not with victory spreading its wings over them.)

They plead for details from Kaz of course, giving her just enough space to avoid crowding her - though they can be pretty easily redirected, given the high nervous energy still coursing through them. 

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(The silent threat of Inej's presence likely only helps - only Kaz could point her out, but anyone who runs with her often enough learns to recognize the cold sweat, the shiver down their spine that means she's watching their backs - when she lets them get an inkling she's there, at least.)

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Her cane (an affectation these days, but still a useful one) clicks sharply against the cobblestones as she walks.

"Leverage, children, that's what it's all about. Leverage and hard work. And speaking of which, there are plenty of pigeons waiting to be plucked. Hop to."

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They'd much rather be celebrating, crowing about their accomplishments tonight - getting deep in their cups (and deeper into retelling the story about tonight until it grows taller and crazier and wilder). 

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"Figure we've got some time for a good drink and a few quick hands, boss."

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"It'll be a long night, Jesper. Are you taking responsibility?"

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"Uhhh... Not sure I'm good at that part, boss."

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Smirk. "I thought not."

"Still, I suppose a small measure of celebration might be tolerated. Since you ask so politely."

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"You going to come along to supervise?"

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"I have other business to see to yet."

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"Sure you're okay leaving us with no one taking responsibility?"

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"Just don't burn the club down."

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"If we did that, where would we drink?"

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"There's that legendary intellect. Keep that in mind."

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"I will, I will." He raises a hand in a lazy salute. "See you later, boss."

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"Later, Jes."

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And he heads off with the others. 

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And Inej falls in closer beside Kaz.

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"Good work tonight."

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She pulls her mask down, lets just enough light flash on her as she walks that Kaz can see her smile. "You too," she says. "Though I feel a bit mean, not giving Jesper a heads up..." She and Kaz had been the only ones in on Big Bol's treachery - and the work they'd done to counter Geels' own tricks. Jesper had been... Pretty upset, when Big Bol got shot by the guard Geels had thought he'd successfully bribed. 

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"It was necessary. Keeping things close makes keeping the secret easier."

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"Didn't say I objected. Getting ahead in the Barrel is a mean business." Shrug. "I'll make it up to him later."

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"If he's not incapacitated by a hangover."

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"I can bide my time."

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"Ambush him with a good time?"

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Shrug. "Inspiration will come to me."

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