Re: Dreams are Lies [Kaz]

zo feb 25, 2018 9:51 pm

Kaz Elias Brekker

Don't get attached.

❝
''I'm glad we understand each other.'' He said before letting go and rising to his feet. This would be a deal of a lifetime. Quite literally. And he would profit of it, maybe even so much, he could stop going out on his own. But it was a bad thing for a thief to soley rely on others. He had to stay sharp and focussed, with Zanna at his side things would go easier, but that didn't mean he could drop his guard. She was no replacement of him and he had to remember that.
How rich would this city be? He heard about the sol priests and the huge cathedral that was in the city center, but until now, he hadn't encountered either of those. He had seen the cathedral rising above the narrow houses and alleyways, but hadn't been near it. Maybe it was for the best. Kaz had no beliefs or religion. If there had to be a god that created this universe where they lived in now, it was greed. And Kaz would make sure greed bowed to him instead of the other way around. Lightly leaning on his cane, he soaked up the sun, glad to notice that Sunfall was much warmer than the cold D'auvignon or Brightwater Keep. Spring couldn't come soon enough.
His eyes reverted back to Zanna, who made her way to the couple. She moved silently, almost unnoticable for someone who didn't know where to look. It was magnificent. Kaz narrow his eyes a little as the sun shone in his face. Before he even knew it, Zanna was back on her way to him. It had gone so smooth, so unnoticable. Kaz smiled while he grabbed her hand and let the money slip in the pocket of his coat. ''You're a natural.'' Was all he said before they started walking to the different direction the family was standing. He didn't say anything else, not in these surroundings, and kept on walking until they reached a lesser busy district of the city. After a few minutes, Kaz stopped a fairly hidden door and grabbed a key to open it. ''After you, little spider.'' He said, inviting her in. It was a simple room that looked like no one really lived there. Kaz had no intention to make it his home, since he would only use it to rest and move on. The desk was messy, a few papers and books littering the wood. The windows at the other side of the room showed a canal which was mostly empty. Not a lot of boats passed, and that was maybe for the best. In the corner was a bed, which didn't look like it had been slept on recently. Kaz pulled off his coat, showing his arms which were even more littered with thattoos than the rest of his body. Kaz sat down, looking at the young girl. ''Before you wre on the streets, before those few weeks, what happened?'' He asked with some concern in his voice while he filled a glass with water. His eyes went back to Zanna, his brow raised. He was honestly interested, plus, he wanted to know how scarred she was, how bad the damage and how much he had to do to fix it.

--

ma feb 26, 2018 6:56 pm

Zuzana Bryant

"I'm glad we understand each other." Kaz said before rising to his feet. They made a deal, one that would change Zanna's life from now on. For better or for worse, for she was only eight years old; no one knew what would happen in one year, let alone in five or ten. She knew that both of them would be better of together for now. She could help him with his job and in the meantime the young girl would learn whatever she needed to learn to survive on the streets. One reason a lot of people on the streets were criminals was because of one easy fact; they had no choice. It was killing or be killed. It was a hard life but one that was full of experiences. One that was a great way of living for the adventurous.

Kaz kept an eye on her and even though he maintained a calm impression, his looks could warn others. Though he seemed to know how and when to look away as to keep attention from the young girl. It was quite an easy one, she could do it without needing to much patience. The couple was easily distracted and didn't seem to notice anything other then themselves. It was as if she was stealing from the blind. That was another thing, people were blind for their surroundings unless they needed to see. Most didn't know they needed to keep their eyes and ears open.

Making her way back to Kaz, a soft smile had found its way on her lips. It had been fun at the same time as needed. Money was needed to survive and she wished to survive. Kaz of course had better pockets to keep the money in, her catch. Which was why she gave it to him without a word being said by her. The young man took her hand, which made them appear like a family even more. "You're a natural." Was all he said before he started to walk into a different direction. One that seemed to be one of the more quite parts of the city. In the less busy district of the city, they were at; Kaz had apparantly his rented room. Its door was hidden and the calm streets didn't seem to attract too much people. He opened his locked door, before motioning her inside the room. "After you, little spider." Kaz said, inviting her inside. The room was simple, it had no personal touch. Except from all the papers and book littering a wooden desktop. Windows on the other side of the room showed lifeless canals, most boats didn't pass those. In the corner was Kaz's bed, one that didn't seem to be used recently. All in all; the room was not that interesting, it was more a place to sleep then anything else. Kaz pulled of his coat, showing more tattoos on his arms, which made the girl gasp. They were scary but beautyful at the same time. He sat down while the girl let her dark eyes sweep through the room, checking for possible dangers. "Before you were on the streets, before those few weeks, what happened?" He asked, concern coloring his voice. His eyes searched her face, with eyebrows raised. Zanna shrugged, it was not important what had happened, it was a difficult story to explain. Especially since she didn't want to share too much with someone. "Parents died." She calmly stated. Which was true, both had died in a relatively short period of time.

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends

wo feb 28, 2018 9:20 pm

Kaz Elias Brekker

Don't get attached.

❝
It felt good to stretch his leg again. He hadn't been on the streets long, but everytime he sat down, his leg made sure to tell him it was done for the day. But Kaz mostly ingored the feeling and kept going. No one got far if they never exeeded their limits. While he poured himself a glass of water, he looked at Zanna, trying to find a difference in her pattern. Would she be uncomfortable with his question, if she would look away or maybe avoid it. It would say a lot about people. Sure, Kaz would avoid it or simply answer with a void, empty answer that wouldn't say much about him, but when you were a thief who was always on the run, it was best to not leave any information behind. Kaz didn't travel because he liked it, he travelled because if he stayed too long in one place, he would get caught, and the thought about him hanging for the crimes he committed, wasn't one he liked to think about.
He sipped from his drink and smiled. ''Good answer.'' He said, putting down the glass and refilling it, pushing it towards Zanna as an invitation for her to drink. ''Never let people know too much about you. You are a thief, a fugitive, any information about you known to someone is information too much.'' He continued, leaning back in his chair, having noticed her look at his tattoos. She could stare all she wanted, he didn't care. ''Only tell people what you want them to know. Make them pity you, make them fear you, anything that is useful in the situation.'' He crossed his arms on his chest, his eyes not leaving hers. ''So I ask again. Picture me as someone who you want to rob.'' Kaz didn't honestly know how that would be possible, but he trusted on Zanna having a bright mind that she probably could imagine something. ''What happened before the weeks you were on the street?''

--

do maa 01, 2018 1:58 pm

Zuzana Bryant

It had been a long few weeks. Every night and day spent on the streets felt like ages. There was a reason why people living on the streets looked and acted older than they were. While the young girl was thirsty as well as hungry her body was used to the hardships of those last few weeks. Living with an older lady, one who could have easily been her grandmother; had been just fine. Still the girl hadn't felt like staying, the woman had been nice but there had been a lack of warmth. She tired to easy, could not keep up with one as young as she was. When she had heard her speak about an orphanage with one of her old lady friends, Zanna had left the house. She wouldn't put up with strangers. Besides, her experiences within her own family weren't that great.

"Good answer." Kaz said, while he sipped his drink and smiled. It had been a short answer without detail, void of emotion in a way. It was not his problem; her past. It was hers and hers alone. He put the empty glass down while refilling it and pushed it in front of her afterwards. It was an invitation for her to drink and sooth her thirst. The young girl sipped slowly on some of the refreshing water while looking the young man in the eye. She hadn't figured out any escape routes, but at the same time she didn't feel the need to remain overly cautious, while cautious she would always remain. He wouldn't kill or hurt her. Not without reason. "Never let people know too much about you. You are a thief, a fugative, any information about you known by someone is information to much." He explained, while leaning back in his chair, the girl had took her own seat on the bed while nodding slowly. She swallowed the remainder of the water before; curiously looking at the tattoos on his arms. Would those dark drawings hold any meaning to him? It would surely make him stand out.

"Only tell people what you want them to know. Make them pity you, make them fear you, anything that is useful in the situation." He stated, while crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking the younger and smaller girl in the eye. "So I ask you again. Picture me as someone you want to rob." She cocked one of her eyebrows while staring at him. He was not victim material at all. He had that vibe around him that made people think at least twice before trying that. "What happened before the weeks you were on the streets?" He asked, this time the girl didn't anwer the same as she had before. "Lived with my aunt", She calmly stated, if an old lady was an aunt that is. She drove the lie right at home, looking as calm as she had done while stating the truth. It wss true that she did not wish to give any information even when one seemed to be trustworthy.

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends

do maa 01, 2018 9:26 pm

I was aetheist before I realised I am God

Her answer didn't satishfy him. The smile that had almost been tugging on his lips, had vanished. He wasn't disappointed, how much he even wanted to be, she was still a child. Children could learn and they could learn fast, he just needed the patience. And Kaz had all the time in the world. As a thief, it was always waiting for the right moment to strike, to make the deal, if you went in hastely, you could blow it, he had learned that over time. Now, he kept is imaptience locked up in a place even he couldn't reach anymore. He had overthrown it, disowned it and casted out. His eyes scanned the girl on the bed, the girl who drank the last bits of water from the glass. Zanna. It didn't sound right, there was more behind it. He had seen her look at his body, at the tattoos. ''You can ask about them.'' He simply noted, knowning very well it may be an uncommon sight to see someone like this.

With a little effort Kaz got up from his chair, walking towards the spot he hung his coat and grabbing the small sack of coins. It felt wonderful holding them, a reminder of a job well done. Kaz smiled faintly, while he had his back turned towards Zanna. ''You're not very convicing.'' He said a bit coldly, silently counting the coins in his hand. ''What happened to this 'aunt'?'' He put the coins back in the small pocket and turned around, his eyes almost immediately fixing on Zanna. ''There is always a truth in a lie, how small it may be.'' He continued, limping towards her. In his hand, he held two golden coins, he stretched his hand out towards her so she could grab them, but before she could, he withdrew the coins. ''The truth. Name included.'' His words were strict, demanding. No soft tone, no promised warmth. He reminded himself again that she was an investment, and who would keep an investment when they were untrustworthy?

tag: name here
notes here if u want

BY MITZI

do maa 01, 2018 10:14 pm

Zuzana Bryant

The tiny smile that had tugged at the older man's face disappeared; as fast as snow would for the warming sun. Fast. Apparantly he did not like her answer and while it was a lie, it still held some truth. The neighbor had been like an aunt to her. Family, and while she had not been welcome any longer; she missed her. The woman was the only other person that had given her love; aside from her mother. Her father had not really hated her, but he had most certainly not loved her either. Kaz even though he wasn't entirely happy with the answer did not seem to be disappointed. Something the young and tired girl would not have been able to handle. She knew that her aunt would have put her in an orphanage, since she was to old to care for her and keep up with a child her age. When she had noticed that, Zanna had ran away. The truth was, the possibility of living in an orphanage scared her. She prefered being on her own any time above that. She was scared others wouldn't understand her gift even though it was not meant to be harmful amongst the facts that shebhad to call strangers family. She could feel his eyes scan her, look her over thoughtfully while she still was holding the glass and finishing the glass of water. She herself carefully took in the tattoos he had. Though she did not ask him about it. It made him stand out, to be easily recognized, as did that cane of his. Both things could be used against him, people would remember him. "You can ask about them." He simply noted, after which the girl's brown eyes met his. She shrugged, Zanna would ask about it another time. For now she was to tired to act like the young girl she was. Besides that she had to think about giving the appropriate answers to give on his questions.

With some effort the young man stood up from his chair. He walked towards the spot where he had hung his coat, before grabbing a small sack of coins. Zanna followed his movements with her eyes, though she did not move herself. Other then moving the empty glass in her tiny, slender hands. He still had his back turned towards her when he spoke coldly. All the previous warmed was gone. It made Zanna greatly uncomfortable. "You're not very convincing." Zanna sighed, she was no well practioned liar. She was still a little girl and a scared and tired one at that. "What happened to this 'aunt'?" He asked while putting some coins he had been counting back into the small pocket. He swiftly turned around, looking the silent girl in the eyes. Instead of anxiety her deep brown eyes showed turmoil. Never had anyone asked for the truth and for her to explain it. "There is always a truth in a lie, how small it may be." He continued, while limping towards her. He really had something wrong with one of his legs. It was no act, true and real pain. Zanna knew about pain, she had experienced it herself; but not like he had. In his hand were two golden coins, he stretched it out for her to take. Though the girl made no move to take it, not that she could have. For he suddenly withdrew them. "The truth. Name included." His voice was strict, no warmth. Only a clear command. He demanded to know the truth. But what was the truth and how much of the truth. The small girl nodded slowly before turning her eyed away from him, clearly uncomfortable. "I always called her aunt. She was a neighbor and cared for me when my parents were busy. Then my mom died during childbirth and my little brother was stillborn. Dad got drunk all the time and he got killed in a pub fight. The woman I call aunt could not take care of me anymore and tried to get me into an orphanage. I ran away." Haar stem was zacht en vermoeid. Toch waren de woorden duidelijk. "I think dad called her Annabeth." She explained, after which she pulled her knees up and pulled them closer to her body with her arms. Tears pricked in her eyes but she was to stubborn to let them fall. To cry.

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends

do maa 01, 2018 11:11 pm

I was aetheist before I realised I am God

He had seen how tired she was and even though he would wanted to say she could rest, this was also an oppertunity for him. Tired people gave in more easily, they let things slip quicker. It was an advantage Kaz would take with open arms. But somewhere, in the back of his head, a small voice reminded him that Zanna was still a child, that she was too young to be exploited. But hadn't he been too young when he had massacred his entire village and got lost at sea? No, define too young. Everyone else was different, everyone had their own limits and Kaz always made sure to get passed them, to try and see the person from behind. He liked to see them exposed, to see them bare. When people were at their most vunerable spot, they were the most innocent. Kaz made sure that would never happen to him.
The girl told him everything, she just blurted it out. Was it his stance or the tone of his words that made her tip over? Or was it, in the end, her exhaustion? Kaz didn't like to guess, but it was probably a mix of those three. Her history was short, that was easy when you were this young, but still full of hurt. Kaz couldn't recognize himself in her story, but he could recognize the actions she took. He nodded, but he still wasn't satisfied. ''Why would I want to know the name of that woman?'' He reacted harshly, looking down on her. Maybe he was too hard on her, she was a child. But another voice kept pushing. ''It is your name I asked for. Zanna is just as much your name as mine is Kaz.'' In every lie was a truth, something he reminded himself of everyday. And today was no exception.

tag: name here
notes here if u want

BY MITZI

zo maa 11, 2018 7:02 pm

Zuzana Bryant

The young girl was plain out exhausted. If he would just stop asking her questions, she would gladly fall asleep. The long days on the street had wearied her; it was just a matter of time before she would have fallen ill. Her exhaustion mixed with her slight fear for the change of character that Kaz had, made her spill the beans. She told her story as short as possible without to much detail. It was not his job to know about her history, she still fel the need to be able to disappear when danger knocked on her door. Though somewhere the young girl trusted him. Even though he would probably have a lot of plans, plans that could exploit her; she knew that he somewhere had a bit of a softer place for her. Something that could grow if nutured right. He nodded, but didn't seem satisfied with all the answers. Zanna looked at him, almost ready to burst into tears. She was tired, and young. Just a child, just eight years and the world was harsh. While she didn't really mind stealing from some citizens, it still wasn't something she was totally proud of. "Why would I want to know the name of that woman?" Kaz told her harshly, the young girl looked at him with transculent tears in the corners of her eyes. "It is your name I asked for. Zanna isj ust as much your name as mine is Kaz." He pushed her, for in every lie was a truth; hidden below the surface. Her arms still held her knees close to her small body, she looked weak; innocent. Young. Dark brown eyes searched his face silently. "Zuzana" She whispered, tiredly.

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends

do maa 15, 2018 9:50 pm

I was aetheist before I realised I am God

Zuzana. Beautiful, soft, delicate. A perfect, innocent name for a beautiful, innocent girl. Now he only had to trust that this was indeed her real name, but seeing her there, trembling with her arms around her knees and almost to tears, Kaz knew he hit a soft spot. A good spot. A weakness he could exploit if he ever wanted to. Somewhere, his mind screamed he should care for this scared girl, comfort her and show here he wasn't all a monster. But he held back, breaking eye contact. His gloved hand only forming into a fist, withdrawing from the situation and instead limping towards the window. He put his hands on his back and looked outside. Like this, with the sun hitting the water, it was serene and calm, but underneath that silent water could be anything. A surface never showed its true potential.

Kaz cleared his throat, unsure of what his voice would sound like if he just spoke out in the open. ''If you want, you can rest.'' The man straightened his back, not looking at the girl on the bed but instead thinking of what the hell he had done now. At first glance this was an oppertunity of a lifetime, but the fact that his was a longterm investment, made it hard. He never really had been teacher material and this could either be his rise up, or his utter and complete downfall.

tag: name here
notes here if u want

BY MITZI

ma apr 02, 2018 9:30 pm

Zuzana Bryant

After the trembling young child had answered him, he broke any form of eyecontact they had. There was no softness and warmth in his actions towards her that followed. He didn't approach her and calm the insecure and young girl down. Instead he formed a fist with one of his gloved hands, before he withdrew from the situation at hand. The man limped towards the window while the girl kept her dark brown eyes on him. Tears still spilled over her cheeks, without a sound. Zanna had learned to cry silently whenever she felt the need. To ask for nothing and try to keep her head up even if the situation was dire. Kaz put his hands behind his back while gazing across the silent waters, before he cleared his throat. "If you want, you can rest." He spoke out in the silent. While he broke the silence with his voice, Zanna only nodded tiredly. Unsure how to proceed with the situation. A child her age missed any experience. While in later years she could be dangerous if trained right. Growing up on the streets, made place for certain skills. None of those were legal. Kaz straightened his back, not noticing the girl's silent answer. Which made her speak up tiredly. Okay," It sounded as unsure as she felt. Her voice soft and warm, but also tired. Zanna could do with a good sleep. Without nightmares and dangers lurking around the corners. Kaz could without a doubt be dangerous. Hopefully just not towards her. Zanna tried to find a comfortable position before closing her eyes. She mobed her hand to wipe away and evidence from the tears. Even though she was sure Kaz would somehow know that she had cried. "Kaz?" The child whispered, opening her eyes wearily. "Don't you sleep?" She questioned him. Even though she knew that she had been without sleep for days before. It wasn't an experience she would recommend.

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends

zo apr 08, 2018 7:46 pm

I was aetheist before I realised I am God

The way she looked, as he could see out of the corners of his eyes, was so fragile and so scared. He couldn't comfort her, not even if he wanted to. Kaz had no soft words to say to ease her pain or to take away her worries. He never had had that person in his life himself, so how could he know what to say? No, instead he stayed where he was, staring out of the window, letting his thoughts flow like the waves that passed by. If he wasn't so scared of the water, he might have found it soothing, or maybe calming in a way. But he found his comfort elsewhere. It was in the kick he felt when he managed to outwit someone. He felt calm when he could hold his gold, when he counted it and when it lay in his hand, shining in the sun as if it could melt into pure liquid any moment. But he could not find comfort in other people. No, they only pushed him more away, only raising hatred and jealousy.
Zanna was an exeption to that rule, but that didn't mean he was going to act all different around her. Why would he? She knew how living on the streets was like, so she should know not everything was what it seemed. Kaz would only try his best to make her realize that even more.

Her soft words got him out of his sea of thoughts. Ironically, he was enjoying the moment. The thief turned his head to look over his shoulder, it was enough to look at the little girl on the bed. Had she noticed? Was it that obvious? He didn't care, it was none of her business anyway. Kaz shrugged. ''I do.''< He confirmed, turning around so he could look her fully in the eye, walking over to the desk. ''I just don't feel the need to.'' Wrong, he thought as he sat down in the chair, he wouldn't mind a little rest now, but not with the current situation. ''Worry about yourself, not me.'' It felt like he was demanding something he couldn't actually demand. Yet he did, because he could always make the impossible possible. Or so he thought.

tag: name here
notes here if u want

BY MITZI

ma apr 30, 2018 2:43 pm

Zuzana Bryant

No matter how smart Zanna was, she still remained a child. That meant that she needed someone to look out for her and care for her, but that someone would not be found easily. The world that she was living in, was proven to be a dangerous one and when it came to it; one had to care for themselves first and foremost. Zanna had not yet mastered any masks, which mwant that the fragile look upon her face was not unnoticed. As the young child expected, Kaz did not try to calm her down. Her fears were hers to carry, her pain was hers to live with. Besides that, one only learned how to be compassionate, if one had met compassionate people before. Kaz stayed where he was, staring out of the window, gazing at the waters below. Zanna always loved watching the water splash against the edges from the canals. It was the one thing Zanna had grown fond of while living in Sunfall the one thing that always remained the same in her short life.

Zanna was tired and happy that he allowed her to sleep in a warm bed for once. That he cared enough for her rest to give up this small comfort and though he gave no comfort in words but his actions did comfort her a little. Knowing that she would not have been able to survive much longer on the streets all alone. Of course Kaz was dangerous, every man on the streets was; but he was the safest option for her. Zanna understood how important a good night's rest was and that understanding made her ask her next question even though she had closed her eyes to go to sleep in the warm bed. She could feel his eyes on her, though she did not open them and sighed softly, tiredly. "I do." He comfirmed, before turning around. Her dark brown eyes opened when she heard his last movement and she held his gaze with her teary eyes. Though it was clear that she would not cry again, for she was to tired and comfortable. Besides that no one should look a given horse in the mouth. Zanna knew she needed it, to be able to function. "I just don't feel the need to." He said after he walked over towards the desk and sat down in the chair. Zanna knew he was lying, everyone on the streets felt the need to sleep whenever they could. "Worry about yourself, not me." He demanded, the young girl nodded only before closing her eyes again. She could feel a headache coming with all the sleepless nights she did have that week. A yawn fell over her lips before she whispered her answer. "You're lying." Kaz was lying and she wasn't sure if she could put herself first. For she needed his help to keep herself safe...

Innocence is like polished armor;
it adorns and defends