Cold blood, cold hearts

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He was so done with this bloody cold. Winter was absolutely not his thing. It got in his clothes, his leg and above all, in his head. It seemed to cloud his judgement, his ability to plan things ahead. His talk with Athena didn't go as planned at all and he felt most uncomfortable in large cities like this. Sure, it came with lots of oppertunities, but it also came with lots of people. People he didn't know, people he couldn't keep tabs on. But then again, this was just the normal world, he couldn't know everything about anyone. And there was the problem, because Kaz wanted to know everything and everyone. He was no knowledge seeker, nor was he an amibitious person seeking to climb higher on the ladder, well maybe a little, not it was just plain paranoia and greed that drove him from street to street, breaking into houses, blackmailing and bribing people, you name it. Kaz, of course, saw no problem with that, he only saw his riches grow and his problems lower. Although, he thought so. Because in the back of his head he knew he couldn't sit down and have a little rest without looking over each shoulder twice and checking three times if his drink wasn't poisoned.
And today wasn't his best of days. The cold terrorized the streets and seemed to haunt him everywhere he went. He had pulled up the collar of his coat to hide his neck from the wind, making his tattoos invisible. Kruge was flying somewhere above him, circling around, watching his every move. Kaz' eyes were pinned to the ground while he tried to make his way throught the streets. The profit of being handicapped was that people made way for you, sometimes pitied you. Kaz only gave cold smiles in return. The young man turned around a rather tight corner, leading into the more entertaining district of the city. That was, if he didn't bump into someone and almost lost his balance. Kaz cursed under his breath before looking up. ''My apologies, I should look where I go next time.'' He said humbly with a faint smile. Always be nice to strangers, oh wait, wasn't it the other way around?

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The cold krept in his bones and corrupted him, making it a tad harder to think clearly. Sure, sometimes cold cleared up your mind, but in this weather, all Kaz could really think about was to get warm again. A tavern must be nearby, maybe he could warmp up a bit before he continued his travels. Though, the fact that he now had bumped into someone, made that journey a little longer and Kaz didn't really want to stay and chat. He straightened his coat and made sure his feet were steady on the ground, not wanting to lose his balance again. It only told him how stiff he was and how desperately he wanted to warm up near a fire.
So, Kaz being Kaz, smiled shortly at her, meaning the smile already faded before someone could really percept it, and he already wanted to move forward. But then she asked how he was. What did she expect him to say? He could be rude and call her out for not watching where she was going, but then again, neither had he. Or he could just shrug it off and get going, like his inital plan had been and still was. ''Nothing to worry about here.'' He said rather quick, leaning a bit on his cane as he started to feel his leg aching. ''But, if you don't mind, I rather go somewhere warm.'' He then quickly followed up, setting a step forward in hopes the woman would get out of his way. ''So goodday, miss.'' Damn woman, move. Kaz didn't have all day and if he kept standing here, he would probably freeze to death. And that wasn't exactly his deathwish. In fact, he rather stayed alive for a little while longer.

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As soon as the woman not moving out of his way, Kaz realized something was wrong. Was he supposed to know her? Had he robbed her before? No, he would've remembered that. He always made notes where he had been and what he'd done. A sloppy thief would rob the same place twice, Kaz wouldn't. So, what was her deal? The young man narrowed his eyes slightly, examining the woman in front of him. She was much older than him, not looking like the most friendliest person in your nieghbourhood and above all, her eyes seemed to look straight through him. Kaz didn't like this one bit. He bit on the ring in his lip, trying to contain his paranoia and instead forced on an irritated and bored. There was no way in hell he was going with her. ''Am I supposed to know you?'' He just blatantly asked, raising an eyebrow while it was his turn now to stay where he was. No matter if she would sweettalk him, or even bribe him, Kaz knew that the moment he would set a foot inthe direction she was going, he wouldn't get out of there so easily. ''Besides, I have different plans than just walking around this cold city.'' He added, trying to find a way out of this conversation. And for some reason Kaz knew that money wouldn't solve that puzzle.

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Kaz liked to look at women, but that was probably it. He knew very well he could never get intimate as long as his fears controlled him. But he somehow always managed to fuck things up as soon as he opened his mouth. Today seemed no different as the woman in front of him didn't move out of his way or introduced herself. Kaz got the feeling he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. That feeling only grew stronger when she opened the side of her coat and he saw the star glimmering in the winter sun. Well fuck. His facial expression didn't change one bit, there was no hint of fear or notice of shock. Kaz simply stared a few moments at the emblem, aknowledged it and looked back at the woman, seemingly not caring at all. He was in deep shit, but made sure she wouldn't know. Besides, the locks of jails weren't the hardest ones to pick.
Kaz nodded. ''Sure. My apologies for my stubbornness.''He started while he stepped aside so she could show him the way. ''It's just that you never really know what people want from you these days.'' His eyes were focussed on the street in front of him, the street he had just walked away from. It was still fresh in his mind, he knew the alleys that were connected to different streets, but this wasn't the best way to escape. The streets were narrow and any small inconvenience could get him caught if he wanted to run. ''Is it okay if I ask for your name, miss..?''If today was going to be a day where he was going to get caught, he at least wanted to know her name so he could add it to the evergrowing list of people he didn't want to cross paths with again.