open/closed ][ I should not be left to my own devices

[bealufull]

Who: Kaz Brekker & open
When: March
Where: Cadens & Horizon
What: catch all for post event stress, open posts in comments
Warnings: violence, bar fights, the damage of such fights, gambling, likely excessive drinking, talk of body horror, vicious mockery including taunting others about weight and looks





𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥

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[bealufull]

"So the rich stay rich. Yeah, I'm aware of people doing things like that back home as well," he mutters, rolling his eyes, watching he hands more than her face though as she attempts to make the coin roll like it's meant to. He thinks though of his thoughts on magic of late and what it means as he takes a breath and reaches out for her hand.

He tenses and, if she lets him, uses a gloved hand to steady her own and adjust her fingers a certain way. It's such an simple gesture but there's already a cold sweat on his skin just in making the gesture, hidden by his jacket, and a bit of a wide eyed wildness to his look as he raises his gaze.

He considers that though, giving a shake of his head. "I haven't met them, no, but I'll work on making an introduction and seeing what might be worked out. I know a couple of people that are splendid performers, if they're interested and then I'll go from there. I'm used to working in entertainment, but I keep being reminded a new start here isn't a bad thing."

[theidlemaiden]

A bit of a nervous giggle that comes out more like a grimace settles on her face at the statement. It's no secret to those back home the family she comes from; if her hair isn't enough of a tell, the last name is a dead giveaway. Being in Abraxas means that no one else knows or cares, but she's still acutely aware about the privilege she comes from. She reaches for something to say but then sees Kaz stretch out his hand, effectively stopping any thought from forming.

There's no hesitation on Hilda's part however. She allows him take her hand and lets her fingers become malleable. The coin, with his help, actually makes it across her knuckles. A triumphant smile breaks across her features but something hitches in it when she meets Kaz's wide-eyed gaze. Had she done something wrong? She folds the hesitation underneath her excitement at being able to accomplish the thing she had set out to do once before withdrawing her hand all while keeping a steady eye on him.

"Tell him that I sent you along! Not that he's prickly or anything, but it's always nice knowing that you both know someone else, right?" She also makes a mental note to let Alucard know that Kaz might come calling. What Kaz says about fresh starts begs the next question though. "Does that mean you've thought about other things you'd do here that you wouldn't do at home?"

[bealufull]

It is such a small thing but it feels like a major triumph for him. He's rarely had moments where contact were out of kindness, or with a tenderness, that didn't involve those he was close to. The kind that comes with a fight and punches thrown is something else entirely.

Even as she withdraws her hand, he gives a nod that is as much for himself as for her. It softens his expression as well. "I think you'll pick it up well if you keep practicing," he says, again a kindness to his words he's not used to but like so much, it's trying things out and seeing what comes of them.

"I will tell him that, and I appreciate your help."

If he's finally going to act instead of moping without actual moping, having introductions and names to start with is a good thing. Though that questions gives him pause as does so many talks about their lives before and what they've lost here. For most its people. Not so much for Kaz.

"Some of what I did before doesn't feel right here. Starting over again though without the same reputation I've had though has been interesting."

Harder. He knows he means harder but he's not admitting that. Especially when those you care about remind you that you can be anyone else, and you're not sure you want to be.

"I never thought about starting over without everything but then I suppose most haven't."

[theidlemaiden]

"Ugh, practice," she says it with an eye roll, but delight from having accomplished it once still bubbling over take the form of a grin. "To be honest, I don't know how much of that I'll be doing. It's a little too much like school."

Except it isn't. As truthful as that statement is, Hilda is already moving her hand in an attempt to try again. Perhaps it's because it's a mostly mindless thing that doesn't take that much effort on her part. Or maybe she's encouraged by the kindness and soft quality that nudged into his otherwise intense features.

She tries to add up what little she knows about Kaz. A gambling club on its own doesn't imply wrong doing, but it could very well bring about a less than ideal reputation if someone looked down on that sort of thing. Maybe that's what he means. Hilda lets out a brief little noise of agreement. "I definitely haven't." Or rather, she has. But any time she's entertained the thought of anything else than what she's convinced herself she is, she's smothered it.

This isn't about her though. An encouraging smile flutters to her lips, "But I think starting somewhere doesn't hurt. And if you don't like it, you have the freedom to do something else here. I'm sure they don't call this the Free Cities for nothing."