#DYN. ┊ TBD. ( THREEBREATHS )

[thiefofcrows]

     Kaz made the same observation as he entered, letting his eyes scan the man before him as he approached. It was obvious by his attire that he had a great deal of money — and the way he wore it, moved in it, the way he held himself and even the choices he made in how to put it all together ... it was instantly clear to Kaz that Isen had always had money.

       He'd never gone hungry, never had to be careful and deliberate about spending, lest he end up on the street. He had always wanted for nothing. Of course, Kaz already knew that from the information he'd gathered on the man, but even without that ... he could see it written all over him.

       So, when Isen made the concious choice to use Kaz's first name instead of leading with his last, it didn't surprise him in the least. The fact that he'd initiated this meeting in the first place told him that Isen at least understood that Kaz was dangerous, not to be underestimated. Regardless, Isen did not see him as an equal and Kaz wasn't about to bow his head and submit. He saw the slight for what it was and he would rise to meet it in kind.

        ❝Isen,❞ Kaz rasped once he came to a stop opposite him. His right brow arched slightly higher than the left and his lips curved in a smirk that was almost unsettling. As if he knew Isen were just about to step into a trap. He wasn't interested in small talk, but ... despite Isen's apparent inclination to take Kaz seriously enough to try not to underestimate him, he still managed it anyway.

He stood with his cane placed in front of him, leather clad hands resting atop the ghastly crows head.

        ❝Likewise. I hope my punishment for Raito didn't start us off on the wrong foot. He drew first blood and trespassed — I gave him the chance to walk away unscathed, but he didn't heed the warning. I couldn't let that slide, I'm sure you understand.❞ Kaz already knew that Isen likely didn't care and, if he was as intelligent as he suspected, he'd long-since cut Raito loose because of it. Isen knew the rules and, while Kaz believed most of the old rules from Per Haskell's time were useless and naive, there were still some he utilized. Even so, he was always prepared for someone to disregard them all.

@thiefofcrows

Only a fool would believe Per Haskell was anything but a figurehead, an old man teetering on the edge of his grave. Not that Haskell had been worth a second thought even in his prime. No, The Dregs had only become a threat very recently, under the command of someone else.

Kaz Brekker was quickly making a name for himself in this city. A skilled thief and respectable fighter, with an affinity for scrounging up leverage against any unlucky soul who crossed his path, Kaz was not to be underestimated. As long as he could take a breath, Kaz was a threat.

It was a miracle that Raito's idiocy hadn't brought his wrath down on Isen, and his ex-henchman ought to count his blessings that Isen hadn't finished the job.

Raito was far from Isen's biggest issue right now. Another, often defiant henchman had been causing problems ever since he abandoned the Blades. Nakoudo Sakasha. He had directly challenged Isen's position, and Isen had responded in kind. Bloody and bruised, Isen had allowed him to limp out the door. Ever since then, Nakoudo had been annoyingly persistent with his little vendetta.

Perhaps, should Kaz offer some assistance, this problem could benefit them both.

He checked his watch. Kaz wasn't late, but Isen had come to this warehouse a few minutes early. The buildings on this street belonged to neither Dregs nor Blades. Just as Isen would not accept an invitation into a lion's den, he was sure Kaz wouldn't, either. If the message had truly been passed on, it shouldn't be much longer.

The door opened and he heard the sound of a wooden cane tapping with every other step. Isen turned to face Kaz. He was dressed in an expensive suit of solid black, with a heavy overcoat. Isen was dressed the opposite, an off-white suit with no tie, the top two buttons of his shirt undone. It was an...interesting contrast.

Kaz seemed to be young only in years. There were heavy dark circles beneath his eyes, the lines of his face aging him far beyond seventeen. He was as tall as Isen and thin, his gait uneven. But knowing Kaz's reputation, that didn't seem to be much of a hinderance.

"I appreciate you meeting me here, Kaz," Isen said at last. He did not extend his hand to shake. "It is nice to finally put a face to a name."