#( CH DYN; BARRELCROW ┊ The sun was out for once and for a moment Kaz was sure that there was magic in this world. ┊KAZ & INEJ GRISHA AU. )

[esotericdescent]

@barrelcrow | starter from Inej - sun summoner grisha au

   It was nearing a month since Inej had opted to leave the followers of Sankta Alina. After the battle in the fold, as a part of the Sun Saint's use of the third amplifier, her power had seemingly bled out of her entirely and spread to bless those who were still alive and fighting along side her. Inej had been one of the few and, to say it had been an overwhelming experience to feel the same power that had inhabited a Saint would've been an understatement.

   Learning how to control and utilize her powers properly at the Little Palace had been the path Sankta Alina had walked herself, so Inej firmly believed that was what she ought to do as well—despite the protests of the group. She'd tried to convince them, but the words of The Apparat were far too ingrained into their minds and their beliefs. She couldn't force them see sense; she did notice not all of them dismissed her intentions so readily and she hoped that eventually they would follow in Inej's footsteps. Sankta Alina was not there to teach them and those who too had gained her power had no knowledge of how to control it either.

   The thing Inej hadn't expected was to have one who had been rumored for quite some time to have been close by the Darkling's side as one of her mentors. Several people refused to be trained by him, insisting that his intentions were along the same lines as the Darkling himself, or that he was secretly a part of those who called the Darkling the Starless Saint, who were rumored to think he deserved to be among the rest of them. While she'd initially been wary of him,—her reasoning likely clear enough with the large, scrawling sun tattoo that'd nearly encompassed her entire right arm—she did not refuse. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but ... Inej thought she could see in his eyes how much it hurt him to be spoken about in such a way.

   Originally, she'd been surprised that he was a combat instructor, given the cane and the limp—but Inej learned quickly that these things did not hinder his skill and proficiency. It was admirable and impressive and it was clear she had a great deal to learn from him. Inej made fast friends with Nina Zenik and learned that she and Kaz were close, like a brother and sister would be. Antagonistic, no doubt, but she could see the fierce care they held for one another underneath. She had asked Nina about him, and she'd told her some things, but ... she'd encouraged her to speak to him instead. Inej did not appreciate the look she'd given her along with the suggestion and she'd given Nina a playful jab with her elbow.

   She'd decided to seek him out on a day when she didn't have combat training with him—and she was pleasantly surprised to have found him in the library. It was quiet and peaceful and, maybe before she'd been encouraged to actually talk to Kaz, she'd done some of her own reading; however, much to her disappointment, Inej found very little. She spotted him easily enough, seated in a thick chair with a book in his lap, his expression intense and focused as it always seemed to be. She approached him silently, her movement purely instinct. She didn't have to think about being silent, she just was.

   ❝Kaz,❞ Inej began—and, with a tiny spark of delight, she realized she'd startled him. She tried very hard not to smile and averted her gaze downward, hands clasped behind her back. ❝I was hoping we could talk.❞

#barrelcrow #( IC; INEJ. ) #( T; THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FOLD. ) #( V; THE BLESSING OF SANKT ALINA ┊ GRISHA AU. ) #( THREAD 02. ┊ KAZ & INEJ; SEEKING TRUTHS. ) #( CH DYN; BARRELCROW ┊ The sun was out for once and for a moment Kaz was sure that there was magic in this world. ┊KAZ & INEJ GRISHA AU. ) #smtimes I get lengthy i'm sorry sdjfhf #I figure u already know this but u definitely don't have to match length <3 #I'm EXCITED abt this verse tho!!!!