#Thank you for the ask friendo nintendo!!!

[milkcartoncatkid]

Welcome To Sharkie’s Blog!

Hi there! You can call me Sharkie or Shark!

I’m an agender lesbian and am taken by @mrs-silly! I go by he/they.

My lovely icon was made by @gh0styyicons, thank you so much friendo! <3

SEALIFE SYSTEM SIGNOFF EMOJIS(note: shark doest use signoff emojis becuz he’s the host and fronts the most)

Shark - 🦈✨🎧 Star - ⭐️🍭���� Arc - 🌀💥💫 Knight - ⚔️🛡️💜 V - 💜🧸🍿 X - 💥🍭⛓️ Tako - 🐙🖌️🩷 Gala - 💫⚔️💞 Morpho - 🦋🧡🗡️

Here’s my tag list so far, I’ll update as I add new tags!

Vent Tag: “shark’s blood”

Random Tag: “sharkie’s empty brain”

Favorite characters / f/o Tag: “sharkie’s f/o’s”

My absolute favorite things ever: “sharkie tbh creature”

Rambles/long text post Tag: “sharkie rambles”

Anything related to the Waddle Dees (from Kirby) Tag: “waddleposting”

”WHAT THE FUCK” Tag: “sharkie screams”

posts abt/asks from my friends <3 Tag: “sharkie’s friends <3”

Agere/Petre Tag: “shark pup”

System Tag: “sealife system”

Spongebob Tag: “spongeposts”

Witchcraft related Tag: “shark’s witchcraft”

Here are my interests!

Kirby (my favorite Kirby game is Star Allies)

Sharks (favorite types are nursing sharks, shortfin makos, and basking sharks)

Project Sekai (fav unit is WxS)

Vocaloid/Utau/Synth V/Fanloid (overall favorite is the vocaloid Otomachi Una)

Splatoon (fav idol is Marie and Frye)

Billie Bust Up (i think Fanto is very cool dude)

Murder Drones (my favorite characters are Uzi and Doll)

Nintendo’s Mii series (i’m a chronic Tomodachi Life player)

Cookie Run: Kingdom (my favorite cookie is Strawberry Crepe)

E-sekai/Idol EN (i am a devoted follower of rin penrose and yuko yurei)

Spongebob (i’ve loved the show all my life, and so far have only seen the game cosmic shake BUT i will be researching other games like bfbb)

TAWOG (i kin gumball orz)

HELLO YES I CRIED OVER NIMONA YOUR HONOR

Arcane (jinx is cool and relatable)

Crystals, tarot, witchcraft etc (been since i was like. really young)

It’s not very active BUT I do have a writing blog: @magolorstometrackers

I also have an art blog!: @shaaarkieee

I’m an age regressor and identify as alterhuman, I’m a Baku. I’m also (apparently) the host of a system.

I’m also autistic, and that probably has something to do with my involvement in the tword community.

I have a YouTube channel!! it’s @/shaaarkieee (My pfp is a low quality bandana dee who looks pissed off lmao)

Here are my top 5 favorite songs so as to show you my music taste!

Welcome To The Internet - Bo Burnham

I’ve Had Enough of You - Billie Bust Up

Cosmospice - PinocchioP

Vs Marx - Man On The Internet

Meta Knight Theme - Kirby Star Allies

That’s all I can really think of to add to this… uh…. my head is so empty right now help

[wild-houseplant]

7, 21, 33

Henlo anon, my delightful friend :D :D :D :D I am very late with this I'm sorry! Hopefully the answers will make up for my tardiness! Taken from this prompt list. Hope you're having a gorgeous day, you super cool mystery bean! I'll stick these under the cut, because it's fair to assume I may rabbit on a tad. I presume these are for Rhodri and Zevran but feel free to let me know if you'd meant for Tank and any/all of the Kirkwall polycule!

7. Would they build a pillow fort together just because?

They absolutely would, BUT! I do believe Zevran would have to expand a little on the 'just because' reasoning and emphasise that said fort need only be large enough for them to crawl into.

Otherwise Rhodri would miss the whimsy of it and start planning for a cushioned fortress, racking her brains for how to make squashy scaffolding, and it would probably be about the size of a mid-SES family home.

Like 100% it'd be the wickedest and most badass pillow fort you ever did see if that happened. But if Zevran's in a Fast and Ridiculous mood, which he can be from time to time (especially, Rhodri has noticed, when it's about to rain or it's a full moon), then this fort needs to be built today, sans building code regulations and supports. It will collapse on them as soon as they're in there, damn it, and they're going to like it. With that made clear to her, an intrigued Rhodri gives the Yes Dear nod and they set to work.

21. Who would get into a fight to defend the other's honor? Who tends to the other's wounds?

Oh, both of these are Rhodri's job. She defends both of their honour and patches both of their wounds. Zevran doesn't care for the inequality would rather be able to defend her honour when she's present, but doing that would make her lose face and it'd undermine her position as the head of her family. It'd be nothing less than humiliating for her, and she'd be very hurt by the gesture, his good intentions notwithstanding. That'd be way worse than any insult someone could throw at either of them, so Zevvo ends up swallowing it and letting her handle the matter whenever she's there to do it. If it's just him on his own and someone insults her, though, then he breaks both their arms at the elbow.

Also, Rhod handles the injuries because mage. Zip zap, and your internal organs are back in place. Good stuff.

33. Who's the better cook?

Oh, Zevvo. No question. In fact, I imagine he likes to cook; it's something he enjoyed doing in Antiva. The low-level recruits didn't have access to the freshest ingredients, so he had to get creative to find ways to make them taste really good-- and he succeeded. I like to picture him occasionally whipping up something he used to enjoy cooking/eating during those days, or to try recreating a beloved dish from a street vendor.

And, well. Rhodri isn't super big on receiving gifts or favours or kind deeds from him in general, because "it's not his job to do that," BUT. She'll accept things from him if it's something they can enjoy together, because to her mind, it's for him first and foremost and any benefit to her is purely immaterial. She's a fool but what can you do.

With that in mind, Rhodri has a very, very soft spot for Zevran's cooking. He's fun to watch cooking, fun to listen to. He often sings while he cooks, and he'll get her to dance with him when nothing needs his immediate attention. He's excited, he's concentrating, and so very at ease with himself the entire time, and it fills her heart fit to bursting to see it.

And look. The food's great. Made with love and a proper amount of spices (read: lots). And for some reason, he always overcooks, and she gets a helping of her own Every. Single. Time. She loves it. Waxes lyrical about it, and then finds fifty different ways to show her gratitude that he shared his food with her. Then Zevran's heart is fit to bursting. I think those memories, over time, make the kitchen one of his favourite places to be. Enough that they probably spend less time in the living room or office and just bum around in the kitchen (until the staff shoo them out, anyway). So easy to please, god bless them. A stack of pancakes and it's bliss on a stick for the rest of the day.

[sirthisisa-wendys]

WENDYYYYYYY! You called me BESTO FRIENDO! I MIGHT JUST CRY 😭😭😭😭

Thanks for answering my questions!

I was thinking about buying the switch when I went to the USA, but I ended up buying the PS4. Nintendo is not very popular here 🥺😢. But I totally want to play animal crossing and brear

I added the books you told me to my list! So, even though it will take a while, I'll read them!

♠️V♠️

P.s: I will definitely be asking you some more!

V! 

I am so happy to answer any questions you have! Truly, you were one of the first anons I’d ever had, and your courage to write me touched my heart because you’re so sweeeeeettt ❤️✨❤️✨

OMG you didn’t have to add the books to your list but I am so honored that you did. I really hope you enjoy them! (And even if you don’t, the fact that you added them to your list still means a lot to me). 

I seriously love hearing from you. 

Sending you so much light and love for your day (P.S. I’m working on your request and hope to have it out by tonight or tomorrow because it’s so GOOD 😤). 

LOVE YOU, BESTO FRIENDO!

[dregstrash]

gilded crowns (pt. 7)

A/N: Wowzers it’s been a solid minute since the last update of this fic. In this chapter you’ll get a little bit more backstory into Prince Kaz and it was fun exploring how he broke his leg in this one. Thank you for reading!

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 || Part 5 || Part 6 ||

[This story is officially on Ao3! Here is the link to the current chapter and the first chapter]

Description: Prince Kaz of Ketterdam has been subject of much mystery and speculation, but that doesn’t stop his brother, King Jordie, to arrange a marriage to Princess Inej of Suli. Neither party are happy with the arrangement. Kaz has other ideas and if he can drive Inej away, he can get back to the plans that’ll silence the demons that plague his dreams. Of course, what happens when she proves to be as stubborn as he is?

Tagging: @birdsanskullboats @lavehl @hysteriaas @definitely-not-procrastinating @fromferfer @lupine-teddy @ifangirlninja @spell-cleaver @s-artsnstuff @locksandbobbypins @friendo-nintendo @thatonefangirl-mrc @readmeaway @looking-for-wisdom @terrywho-cartoons @mykitchenisonfire151 @ysitsohardtofindaname @timeinhereyes @stormwitch-zoya @spvcexpeachvs @ridiculouslydaintydeath 

Kaz didn’t like to be wrong. Part of the reason is because it happens so rarely, and the other part was because that’s what led him to be the crippled prince of Ketterdam. 

If he had just been more careful, or if that thief had just decided to take his purse and run then maybe his life might have turned out differently. But as it happens, it was one mistake. One baffling moment of following a lone figure with a scar down his cheek down an alley. In that moment, he had only seen the face of his parents murderer and the dark beast that snapped in Kaz’s nightmares roared to life. 

Not knowing exactly what he was going to do when he caught up to the man, Kaz had taken pursuit, leaving the inattentive guard who had been assigned to him while his brother met with some of the commoners. 

He had kept his feet as silent as he could, and just as the man in question had turned a corner, a group of four teenage boys emerged from a hidden spot and cornered him.

At the time they looked like stone giants that had been granted life. Their bodies wiry, dirty, and built to inflict pain. Kaz replayed the memory like it had just happened, everything about that day was seared into his mind. The way the leader of the pack had two of his teeth missing and hair that was cropped close to his head. His hands were rough as they ripped at Kaz’s cloak. 

He could imagine the fear that made his blood run cold as they surrounded him. He remembered how the smaller one with the knife had pointed out the royal seal and his comrades had leapt at that knowledge like the savage beasts they were.

He could feel the way his body had bounced off the hard bricked wall of the alley and the taunts that were thrown at him like stones to a condemned man.

“You’re parents deserved that death.”

“They did nothing but take from boys like us.”

“What did the royal family ever do for us?”

His clothes were ripped apart and it wasn’t until he felt a fist connect with his face that Kaz suddenly felt the bile rip free from his stomach. He threw up right then and there and the group of boys just laughed. 

“The piss-prince has a weak stomach.” 

“Makes sense don’t it. A weak bitch through and through.”

“Can’t even fight back, can ya, Your Highness.”

Kaz had shut his eyes, feeling every bruise forming from every kick to his side. A small part of him wanted to pretend to die-- to give up until they grew tired and left him alone. He was still a young boy at the time. A young boy who woke up in the middle of the night with cold sweat running down his back as he tried to blink away images of his parents. A boy who had started to imagine the press of his father’s bloated flesh against his whenever his brother touched him. He was weak, and scared, and utterly vulnerable. 

But something cold twisted in his mind right then. Something familiar and sharp split his mind and had him curl his fist around a broken bottle within his reach. He recognized the feeling. It was the same feeling he had when he first saw the man standing over his father’s body-- it was the feeling that drove him to not survive, but to take down whoever he could with his own destruction.

Before he had given it anymore thought, Kaz had swiped at the legs of the closest boy to him. The sharp edges of glass tearing through flesh. His screams were a sweet symphony, and gave Kaz enough energy to lift himself off the floor to face his other three attackers.

It was foolish to truly believe that this would be a fight he could win. For a couple of minutes, Kaz had hoped that maybe he could do it. He could defend himself. He could be strong, if not for his family, at least for himself. But he didn’t notice that one of the other boys had grabbed a metal pipe. He didn’t fully register the angle of which the larger boy was swinging. 

The next thing Kaz knew he was flat on the ground his leg in a terrifying angle and the four boys limping far far away from the alley, the leader looking back only to spit in his face. It wouldn’t be long before his brother and their guards would find him. His brother’s face screwed up with worry and anger. His questions demanding the identity of the culprits, and the reason why Kaz had wandered.

It was because I thought I saw our parents’ killers, Jordie. I wanted to find him and make him hurt like he made them hurt. I thought I could catch him. I thought I could defend myself. I made a mistake.

The answers Jordie wanted were trapped in his mind, rattling to be set free, but Kaz kept the lock on his mouth. He just asked for the doctor and tried to tell Jordie that he had wandered too far and had taken a fall. By far the worst lie he’s ever told, but Jordie had no choice but to let Kaz lie to him. Kaz was adamant about keeping his own secret mistake, and it provided an ample enough story to tell the general public. 

The weeks after the incident led to the arduous process of gaining as much strength in his broken leg as he could. He used all the residual pain and the thump of his new cane as reminders of why he can’t afford anymore mistakes. 

Careless mistakes like the one he made by following that man in the alley was going to be his last one. 

Or at least he hoped.

Because as he tore his castle cloak off his body and walked as his leg allowed through the dark passageways that would lead him to town, he could hear his heart in his ears as the last words of Pim’s missive flashed through his mind.

“Some problems by the Kaelish Prince. Sharpshooter is in trouble. Need assistance.”

Kaz littered the dark hall with little bits of royal insignia’s and donned on the role of Dirtyhands. If his crew followed protocol there would be a horse waiting for him right outside the guard gate. That’s if they remembered to bribe the guards. 

He felt his shadow grow heavier as he got closer to the entrance. 

“Jesper’s in trouble, isn’t he?” Inej asked.

Her voice came from somewhere to his right, and although it was too dark to see he nodded.

“We need to move fast.” Kaz rumbled. His mind already jumping to all the things he would find at the Kaelish Prince. “I don’t think Jesper’s identity has been blown yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Priority is to get him out, and hopefully get some information. The less bodies the better.”

Inej suddenly gripped Kaz’s sleeve, stopping him just in front of the door, and gave him a stern look. 

“I’m not killing anyone for you, Brekker. I’m making that clear right now. I’ll help get Jesper out, and I’ll keep to our deal. But I’m not spilling blood just because it suits you.”

A flicker of annoyance went through Kaz, but he had no time to fully argue the point. “I’m not asking you to kill for me, Wraith.” The nickname slipped out of his mouth unbidden. It was a secret name that he had thought of when she snuck up on him for the fifth time in her first week of living in Ketterdam. And he plowed ahead hoping she hadn’t noticed, “I’m asking that when it comes down to it, kill for yourself. The men you’ll find in those parts of the Barrel will not hesitate to grab someone like you. I don’t know what it’s like in Suli, but in Ketterdam you’re either the knife or the dead. And I wouldn’t want to see you being the latter.”

Inej’s jaw tightened, but she let go of his sleeve, “I told you sending Jesper was a mistake.”

That’s when she walked ahead of him and pushed the door open bringing in a cold breeze. 

Kaz barely registered the chill, still focused on the fact that in such a dire situation Inej had the nerve to tell him “I told you so.”

[carbootsoul]

14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21 for ac asks!!! :)

!! hello!! thank you for sending an ask also i’m sorry we can’t hang out in ac i didn’t realize i needed nintendo online :( sometimes when i’m playing i see that you are also playing tho and i’m like! friendo

14. who are your dreamies?

raddle (who i already have!), lily, henry (my little brother is obsessed with him..), raymond because he looks like every dapper butch ever and i NEED that representation in my town, and then julia and sherb and dom! (my brother will kill me if we don’t have a jock villager and dom is just so cuteee). lol i spent a night scrolling through all the villagers and i love frogs and sheep a lot. 

15. favorite furniture item?

i love all of the laundry line items! i just think they’re so cute :) also the portable radio you get at the beginning of the game makes me really happy. 

16. favorite clothing item / outfit?

i kept seeing the octagon glasses in playthroughs and i want them SO BADLY but i’ve only had the able sisters for a day and it wasn’t in stock then :(

17. favorite museum room?

the butterfly room is so nice to be in! and the lighting in the general bug room is beautiful like the dappled light through the trees? they rly hit the spot there..

20. favorite fish?

goldfish because their bowls are so cute, although i haven’t caught one yet (here’s hoping) and sea butterflies!

21. favorite bug?

bees! and moths

[beastieclub]

17 Questions & Tag 17 people

i was tagged by @antisocial-author

nickname: zaya, dumbass, idiot, dodo, Hey Can You Stop That Please

zodiac sign: aquarius (you are legally allowed to kill me for being an aquarius i promise)

height: 5′5... BUT im 5′6 in the right boots.

hogwarts house: huffing puff

favorite artists/bands: nothing but thieves, brockhampton, kilo kish, gorillaz, hippo campus, ...nirvana, foster the people, cage the elephant

last thing i googled: the vvitch

song stuck in my head: Michael by Civilian 

following: 414

followers: 453 holy shit i didnt realize

amount of sleep i get: god i have no idea

lucky number(s): i?? idk. i hate numbers dude. they’re so smug and indefinite. fuck YOU for having RULES that i dont UNDERSTAND

dream job(s): while i want to create a game or be a showrunner, i’d honestly always dreamed of being a musician. i dont have any musical talent though SO

what i’m wearing: local natives t-shirt and these SICKASS sweatpants that have a shark on them but also there is a hole in the crotch

favorite song(s): dont just ask me to pick one bro. i guess my anthem is ‘Sorry’ by nothing but thieves- it’s not my favorite song lyrically, but i feel that song deep

instrument(s): used to play drums, trying to learn guitar, and i THINK i can sing but i know i sound like a dead cat being stepped on repeatedly

random facts about me:

-i don’t have blood anymore just red bull

-i’m REALLY bad at responding and it’s nothing personal i promise i’m just a really scatterbrained person who should probably be on adderall rn but yknow. lack tha funds.

-i work at a haunted house. if you know me i do not shut up about the haunted house (sorry)

-i LOVE hiking. washington state is literally the best place to hike. so many mountain trails and if it’s foggy out? even better

-huge huge HUGE greek mythology buff. gigantic. i will also not shut up about greek mythology. like did you know that achilles h

-not to be weepy i guess but idk how i’d be here without my support system. i miss a lot of people and i want to do better by a lot of people, i’m just figuring out how. but thank you to everyone that can read this by being in my life for so long <3 i know i havent made it very easy

aesthetic(s): ocean, fog over pine trees, rainy shores, mountains, large waves, octopi, iridescent scales, greek columns, greek ruins, blues and greys

i tag:

@armyskunk

@pompurinz

@idiot-asmr

@bloodm4ge

@markwing-davey

@phantomtrickster

@mutatedfish

@scripturientjester

@friendo-nintendo

@greyywall

@desyll

@goeatwormss

and anyone else who’d like to! you also don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.

[chananderlandersalamander]

cartoon badlands ask meme: olive them

Leave some for the rest of ‘em will ya? Well, I really (REALLY) like cartoons and I doubt I’ll get any more asks, so lets do this (I already did 1).

- A cartoon you like but nobody else seems to: I’m reaching here, but there were parts of fanboy and chum-chum that were fucking hilarious to me at the time (the principal flying down the hallway comes to mind)

- A cartoon you don’t like but everybody else seems to: I just cant get into Star VS The Forces of Evil. Tried to, just couldn’t go with it. Perhaps I’ll try again someday.

- A cartoon you wish would be forgotten: the Power-puff girls reboot. Just, why?

- The worst cartoon you’ve ever seen, and why?: if i had to choose it would be teen titans go, just because it strays so far from the original in a not good way.

- The worst moment you’ve ever seen happen in a cartoon: I still get tears in my eyes from watching Iroh’s story in the Baa-Sing-Se stories episode. It’s just so damn sad. Not sure if that’s what the question is about but w/e.

- The worst thing you’ve ever seen happen to a cartoon that ruined it: Gravity Falls ending after season two. Kidding. I really can’t think of a cartoon I’ve watched that I would deem ‘ruined’ by a single event, although introducing the dog in Fairly Odd Parents damn near killed the show.

- A cancelled/forgotten cartoon you would bring back to television: Generator Rex died off pretty fast, I liked that cartoon quite a bit. Very unlikely to come back though.

- An animated character you remember but nobody else seems to:

This blog is for Jet Fusion fans ONLY.

- An animated character you hate the most, and why? I hate Ronaldo from Steven Universe. He seems so unwilling to learn from his mistakes and is in general just annoying. Anytime he appears on screen my brain just thinks “Here we fucking go.”

- A non-animated property you would like to see as a cartoon: Not sure if this counts for the question, but an animated Nintendo cartoon would make me go ballistic. Don’t care about the IP, it could be splatoon, mario, zelda, etc. If you can’t tell, I’m not into many non-animated properties. Maybe an Artemis Fowl short series? That’s all I got, friendo.

- A trope or trend in animation that you dislike: Romances that are built up way too quickly tend to get on my nerves (here’s looking at you, jashi -_-).

- A currently airing cartoon that you know is going to be forgotten about in the future: I am going to forget about that Ben 10 reboot as soon as I finish this post, actually.

- The best episode of a cartoon you really like: I LOVE Mr. Greg. Greg and Pearl are probably my two favorite SU characters (apart from Lapis, but if you’ve followed me for any amount of time you definitely knew that already) and I just love the musical theme of the episode, and the character development they both go through. Isn’t it up for some award? It certainly has my vote.

- The worst episode of a cartoon you really like: My mind likes to blur on things like this, I can’t think of a single episode of a cartoon that i didn’t like, but I wasn’t a fan of the most recent story arc on Young Justice. Hope the revival does the series more justice.

- A cartoon you feel deserves more recognition than it gets: Back at the Barnyard was absolutely hilarious and i think I’ve only seen like two posts go around on it. One of the very few stupid-humor type cartoons I can stand.

- A cartoon you feel deserves less recognition than what it gets: I used Teen Titans Go! in an answer already, but if everyone ignored it and it died off I wouldn’t exactly feel pitiful.

- The worst idea you can think of for an animated series: if Alpha and Omega gets a cartoon series please let me know so that I may go into seclusion until the Second Coming.

- At what point did you realize a cartoon, any cartoon was starting to get bad? If I absolutely had to choose, I’m not a huge fan of some of what Dragonball Super has done. There were definitely times where i had to skip some arcs to get to the good stuff (Thank the lord Gohan is relevant again and not off studying somewhere).

- An experience with a cartoon you thought you were going to like but turned you away from it: I thought that the How to Train Your Dragon series looked good and I watched a few episodes. I liked the plot, but after a bit I got kinda turned off from it, and I can’t really explain why. Perhaps I will pick it up again sometime.

- Something you would like to see more than anything in a cartoon: I would love some more detailed and realistic fighting scenes please! Both avatar series were great with this and it’s the only thing I say Steven Universe is currently lacking. The Stevonnie training episode is probably my second favorite next to Mr. Greg for this very reason.

- What do you feel makes a cartoon forgettable?: A lack of meaningful character development will/should kill a cartoon off in little time. Kills my interest in a show, that’s for sure.

That’s all I got. Feel free to patronize me in the comments/reblogs, or bring other cartoons to my attention and I can give my opinion on those!

[dregstrash]

gilded crowns (pt. 6)

A/N: Me? Updating my fics? Unbelievable. But here’s part 6! Thanks for reading as always! 

Part 1  ||  Part 2  ||  Part 3  ||  Part 4  ||  Part 5

Description: Prince Kaz of Ketterdam has been subject of much mystery and speculation, but that doesn’t stop his brother, King Jordie, to arrange a marriage to Princess Inej of Suli. Neither party are happy with the arrangement. Kaz has other ideas and if he can drive Inej away, he can get back to the plans that’ll silence the demons that plague his dreams. Of course, what happens when she proves to be as stubborn as he is?

Tagging: @birdskullsandboats @lavehl @hysteriaas @definitely-not-procrastianting @fromferfer @lupine-teddy @ifangirlninja @spell-cleaver @s-artsnstuff @locksandbobbypins @friendo-nintendo @thatonefangirl-mrc @readmeaway @looking-for-wisdom @terrywho-cartoons @mykitchenisonfire151 @ysitsohardtofindaname @timeinhereyes @stormwitch-zoya @spvcexpeachvs 

- 

“Do my eyes deceive me or is this a wedding invitation?” Jesper’s brassy voice trampled any thoughts that Kaz was mulling over, and he didn’t hesitate to shoot his friend a glare. Jesper wore his grin much like his clothes, haphazardly and entirely too open. He held out a cream colored piece of parchment that had been sent out a week ago. 

The Zemeni didn’t have a monarchy, but they still had a council and was governed by the general public. Both Jordie and Kaz had to learn about the different types of governance throughout the world, and had to know the corresponding terms that belonged to each. So while the Zemeni didn’t have a king, they did have chancellors, and Jesper happened to be the son of the High Chancellor herself. 

The first time Kaz had seen the lanky boy, he had been twelve and Jesper’s mother had just been elected. Her and her husband had decided to take a tour around the neighboring kingdoms to assure no changes would be done with their treaties. At first, Kaz had been unsure about the boy who seemed to smile and talk far too much. He was a system of movements that seemed independent of one another, and while it was intriguing. Kaz also found it incredibly annoying. It wasn’t until he, Jordie, and Jesper took a trip to the armory that Kaz had decided to befriend the Zemeni boy. He did beat Jordie in a shooting contest, and any chance to knock his brother’s ego off its high horse was a good starting point to any friendship.

“You’re early.” Kaz stated as he watched his friend make himself at home in his study by pouring himself a drink and flopping down on his couch.

“Mother has some other business to discuss with your brother.” Jesper shrugged and taking a long drink, “And Da decided that he finally had time to examine the farming techniques of the Kerch or whatever.”

“Your mother still lets your dad run Jurda farms? Isn’t that slumming a little?”

“It’s not so much as letting him, as giving him a break from council meetings. He’s always hated the attention.”

“A trait that you don’t share, apparently.” 

Jesper threw Kaz a wink, “Would be a shame to put these good looks to waste, don’t you think?”

“Why don’t you save it for someone who actually cares.” Kaz shot back. 

Jesper just chuckled, and Kaz logged the reaction as a confirmation to Jesper’s changing feelings. He’s always known that Jesper had harbored some feelings towards him, but Kaz had never done anything about it. Besides the fact that he had always seen Jesper as a brother, Kaz wasn’t built for the kind of relationship that his friend was craving. The night he broke his leg was plenty of proof of that. Kaz had always thanked whatever saints were present that someone else had shown up at the right time to divert the affection. 

“Speaking of someone who actually cares.” Jesper drawled while also getting up from his horizontal position to sit. He threw his legs out and tapped his glass with nervous fingers. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen a shy, anxious, chemist running around, would you?”

Kaz rolled his eyes, “I’m not Wylan’s keeper. And you know better to ask me that.”

“Yeah, well, I figured I could hit two birds with one stone, I get to know about Wylan and also transition to the real reason I’m here.”

Kaz had a clue as to what Jesper wanted, but he still said, “Spit it out.”

“The Princess of Suli.” Jesper said his smirk reaching his eyes, “Do tell me all those sordid details.”

“It’s an arranged marriage, Jesper. How sordid can it be?”

“You forget I know the princess, dear Kazzie,” Jesper intentionally said the nickname that should have ended with Jordie, “And she’s not just beautiful, but accomplished, smart, determined, kind--”

“I know.” Kaz didn’t need the rundown. He notices Inej too much as it is, he didn’t need the comprehensive list. “But this is all just a means to an end.”

“I’m glad that all these years haven’t taken the cryptic out of you. Any chance you’re going to elaborate?”

Kaz hesitated as he weighed the cost of telling Jesper his plans. Nikolai had sent him a missive two days ago saying that they were close to uncovering the Dime Lions. Thus far, they’ve only given him the name of the gang leader: Pekka Rollins. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

It was enough for Kaz to find out that he used to be a stonemason on the small nation of the Wandering Isle. He had moved to Kerch almost twelve years ago. He ran gambling halls and whorehouses and leased his thugs out to powerful men. This could include the person who had ordered the assassination of his parents. 

He’d need more information though. It wasn’t enough to rely on a king who sometimes moonlights as a privateer. He needed an ear on the ground, and as Kaz looked at Jesper, an idea came to him. 

“You still play the tables, don’t you?” Kaz said casually. 

Jesper scratched a spot behind his ear, suddenly sheepish, “Um...sometimes.” 

“By sometimes you mean you try not to get caught?” 

“My parents have made it clear that if they catch even one card in my hand, I’d be shipped to the Shu for university, so no I don’t get caught.” Jesper said his glass was empty but he rolled it in between his palms.

“How about a job then?” Kaz said slowly. 

“A job?”

“Yes. One where you get some credit every night, and you get to play in some of the best gambling halls Ketterdam has to offer?” 

Jesper’s eyebrows raised in shock. And he couldn’t blame his reaction. He knew that his friend had gotten into his fair share of trouble over nights of endless “just one more hand”s, but he couldn’t think about that now. Jesper wasn’t going to change unless he wanted to, so it seemed like a wasted opportunity to not use that to his advantage. 

“Let me get this straight,” Jesper got up from the couch and started to pace, “You’re offering to give me money so I can play cards up and down the gambling district?”

“I’m offering to give you money, so you can play and listen to conversations and tell me what you hear.”

If he had looked shocked before, it didn’t hold a candle to the expression he had on now.

Kaz got up from behind his desk and moved to the drink cart, “I’m getting close, Jes. I’m getting close to figuring out who had ordered my parents’ death. And I need someone to get me information. I can’t trust anyone at the Crow Club and I don’t trust any of the guards to not tell my brother about this. Jordie can’t know. Will you do it?”

He turned around to face Jesper, and he saw him sift through the risks. It wasn’t just the playing in less-than-reputable gambling houses, Jesper would also be risking his parents finding out or that someone might recognize him, or losing to the wrong people. But then again, Jesper always had a taste of the wild and dangerous, it had benefitted Kaz on more than one occasion. And he felt Jesper’s agreement even when he said, “What do I get out of it, Prince Kazzie?”

“Besides my silence regarding the trouble you got into the last time you were in the Crow Club? I’ll tell you where Wylan is.” 

Mischief danced in his gray eyes, “I can always trust you to deliver the vinegar before the honey, can’t I? Okay, fine. I’ll do it.”

Kaz nodded once, “Start tonight. I need anything you can find out about the Dime Lions and Pekka Rollins, but don’t be stupid about it.”

“When have I ever?” 

“I’m serious, Jes.”

“Don’t tell me you’re actually worried about me?” There was that smirk again.

“I’m worried about the excuses I’d have to make to your parents and my brother if you’re taken hostage or dead in a ditch. So be careful, Jesper. I’ll have Anika and Pim escort you. Meet them at the Crow Club.” 

“Nothing says safe better than bouncers.” Jesper rolled his eyes and began making his way to the door, but Kaz noted the tension in his shoulders, the danger of this assignment settling into his spine.

Kaz went back to his desk, his drink in hand, while Jesper raised an eyebrow at him.

Kaz sighed, “Wylan’s hiding out in the music hall. I suggest you hurry. His father thinks he’s at university right now.”

-

As soon as Jesper eagerly left his study to go bother someone else, Kaz waited a few more minutes before saying, “I can feel your questions burning a hole through that wall, Princess. Speak your mind.”

He sat back in his chair as he heard the secret door open off to his left and Inej materialized in front of him with a stony expression on her face.

“How did you know I was there?”

Kaz shrugged. Call it a sixth sense or intuition, but Kaz had always been finely attuned to the feeling of being watched, and since Inej walked through this world like a spirit, he had to more or less rely on that. 

“You sent Jesper out to a gambling hall.” Inej stated, her eyes as sharp as the dagger sheathed at her waist. She was dressed in dark trousers and a tunic today. An attire made for battle than a palace. 

“I sent him out to several.” 

“And you know about the scandal he had caused because of his taste for cards?” 

Kaz did know about that. He was the one who had bailed him out. With the added benefit of Jesper owing him a favor. 

“Is there a point to his inquiry?” Kaz said instead.

“You sent him out to find information for you even at the risk of ruining his reputation and the reputation of his country?”

“Jesper doesn’t need my help in ruining his reputation. He does it fine by himself.”

Inej studied Kaz for a long while. Her rich brown eyes, analyzing his face as if there was some secret there that she longed to pull out. He stayed perfectly still under her scrutiny. He wouldn’t be intimidated by her. He wouldn’t let her infuriating righteousness distract him from his goal. 

“How long have you been looking for your parents’ muderer?”

There it is. He knew that the question had to come eventually, especially since she seemed to have heard his entire conversation with Jesper. 

“Since the day I had found my parents dead.” Kaz said simply. The rest of the story was on the tip of his tongue, but he held back. Those memories had already plagued his nights, he didn’t need that darkness to seep into his days either. 

“Why don’t you want your brother to know you’re still looking for them?” 

“Because he’d tell me to give it up. Jordie has always been the better man, so he was able to let it go. To move on. I won’t. I can’t.”

Inej was silent again, but he noticed a shift in her eyes. They went from scrutinizing to sympathetic and he hated the comfort he found there.

“Revenge is a dagger that you hold over your own heart, prince.” Inej said.

“I have no interest to hear your Suli proverbs, princess.” Kaz snapped. “If you have nothing else to berate me for, or if you insist on lecturing me on a pain you don’t understand than I invite you to leave.”

Inej’s jaw ticked, and the sympathy in her eyes disappeared. She stalked closer to his desk, and Kaz felt his own anger spark with hers. 

“You will never know anything about my pain, prince. I had to suffer a kidnapping, two years in hiding with a circus, and no way to contact my parents. You have no right to say anything about my pain.”

Kaz knew the story. The princess of Suli had been taken, but no ransomed place. They said that slavers were responsible for it. His brother had tightened their security when the news had reached them. And the rumors were rampant about the fate of the princess. Some had said that she had died. Or that she was sold to a pleasure house on the shores of Shu. Or that she still lived. It had come to a great relief when she had turned up back to her home, dirtied, half-starved, but alive. 

His parents had been dead for two years, and he had been floating on his own delusions to really have time to put out his own conjectures. While Inej studied him, Kaz took his time reading the emotions behind her eyes. There was annoyance, disdain, and more importantly anger. Anger was understandable. Anger was easy. Anger still meant that she cared. And that was worth everything.

“Tell me, princess, given the chance, if you could look at those slavers in the eye as you drive that knife into their hearts. Would you do it?” 

Her hesitation was all the answer he needed. 

“Revenge may be my undoing, but not before I take down the demon that created me.” Inej didn’t say anything, and Kaz felt something else move between them. Something other than contempt and disdain. It came close to understanding, maybe that’s why he offered something to her. “You have certain skills I can use, Princess. Skills that’ll bring our engagement and my goals closer to the end. If you help me, I can help you.” 

They hung suspended in silence. Caught in a battle of wills that neither was used to losing. 

Eventually, Inej took a step back. Her face suddenly unreadable.

“Can you guarantee that you can find them? The slavers that took me?”

“No.” Kaz said bluntly. “I can’t guarantee them, but you seem the type to still have hope in the impossible. Now, what do you say, dear fiancee? Help me, help you?”