#therooftopsofketterdam

Contrary to popular belief, there was a kitchen in the Slat. It was small, and often used more for storage than cooking-- but it did exist. Nina was fairly certain she was the only person that used it; though usually it wasn't to fold pelmeni at four in the morning.

Occasionally she heard people coming in the front door, and the dull thudding as they banged the constant Kerch mud off their boots, before going upstairs. They were background noise, and the almost comforting reminder that someone was always awake here.

Tossing another dumpling into the bowl, Nina picked up the next small round of soft, white dough, and flattened it slightly with her thumbs.

It was muscle memory, something she could do in her sleep. A childhood holdover from the orphanage, where there were too many mouths to feed-- and if you didn't help, you didn't eat.

Flatten the round. Add a spoonful of filling. Fold in half, and half again. Pinch it closed and toss it in the bowl.

Kaz wakes from the old nightmare with a sharp intake of breath through his teeth. He's been close to death before, he knows what it feels like.

It can't have him yet, though. He's not finished.

He must have been very close this time, though, because he wakes up confused, takes several moments to understand his surroundings. He feels air on his skin--his chest is bandaged, wrapped up, but not completely covered. There is a blanket over his stomach, but his arms and hands aren't covered--except for another bandage over his left wrist.

And he's not alone. Inej is there, but he can't let his thoughts linger on her, or what her presence means. He closes his eyes again, taking a deep breath to steady himself--the pain in his chest causes the breath to hitch.

He hasn't entirely pieced together what happened. It was sudden. He was jumped. Hit in the head first. Quite hard. It explains the confusion and the headache, at least. He remembers being shot in the chest, although he doesn't know what happened to his wrist. Perhaps when he fell...

There is a rage, too, that burns quietly under the mental fog. He'd been betrayed somehow, taken by surprise, but he can't piece the details back together.

"I admit, I haven't done it to this extent..." Some of these wounds were far deeper than anything he'd ever received. Wylan drew back for a second as Inej winced, his own expression mirroring hers as if he could also feel every swab of alcohol against flesh. He would have called for Nina's assistance, but she was currently battling her own demons in the form of Jurda parem withdrawals — he could hardly expect her to somehow put that to the side and focus on something that required a steady hand and a sound mind...

"I figured I was the next best thing after Nina," Lips curved, the image of Jesper making a mad dash from the room to throw up far more amusing than it needed to be. At least Inej could muster up a smile; that was definitely better than seeing her writhe in pain.

@therooftopsofketterdam​ : "What happened to you after we were... taken?" (for Harij)

Harij’s gaze drops from his sister’s for a moment at the question. It’s not an easy thing to talk about, though he’s gotten more used to it since he’d regained his freedom. It’s easier too talking to Inej-- his big sister, his protector for so long-- even if he hasn’t seen her in years. 

bruises and bruising || accepting

@therooftopsofketterdam said: “I like the new look. It suits you.” Inej quipped as she silently landed in the space between the window sill and his desk. "Will you tell me what happened?"

Kaz had been inspecting the damage when he heard her voice. "Pekka Rollins happened," he stated, the anger and revenge in his voice making it gravelly. It was the most explanation that he'd give any of them, more than he'd even give Jesper. "Our plan is still on."

{♚ x details about ocs! || Accepting x}

🐉 DRAGON — what is your oc's favorite mythical creature?

Answered here 💜

🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's questionable traits /habits?

Gullible: A lot of the time he'll take anything and everything at complete face value. He was taught early on in life not to ask questions, and it's definitely something that carried over to later on in life to the point he'll simply believe what someone says. Impulsive: Matt oftentimes acts without really thinking. It doesn't happen quite as often when he's out doing things for his grandfather, because he knows he has to stay sharp and think his actions through then, but in day-to-day life? He'll act, then realize he's done something stupid, then tries to minimize the consequences as best he can. Subservient: Similar to above, Matt was also taught from the moment he could talk not to disobey. Disobedience was met with disappointment, and disappointment is far worse than physical punishment could ever be. So he'll do absolutely everything in a bid to please the people he cares for, even if it comes at an incredibly high cost (like his own mental health, or happiness).

🍰 SHORTCAKE — what is/are your oc's favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)?

Send me 🗣️ for incorrect quotes of your muse and mine