#azelle talking

[azelle-intermisson]

in honor of dungeon meshi anime coming out i wanted to post one of my favorite laios moments i love this freak so much

#azelle talking #boy with no problems #another favorite of mine is “the really cool monster i thought up” #dungeon meshi #laios touden

[keithsandwich]

Warning: Astrological rant on some of the new princes below

Enabled by @lorei-writes and @yarnnerdally

Disclaimer: I'm talking about the symbolisms of sun signs as something absolute because they're fictional characters. Real human beings are more complex than this and you are not your sun sign alone. Also notice that assuming the sun signs were intentionally chosen for the characters, it means they carry it somehow - in their personalities, and/or stories, and/or symbols.

1 - Matthias

Laws is a subject that belongs to the upper spheres. There is a hierarchy of planets -- the ones that deal with more physical, day-to-day subjects, and the ones that take care of some deeper stuff, such as philosophy, religion, and... Laws.

In Astrology, you have Jupiter to create the laws, and Saturn to apply them.

Saturn is inexorable. It does what needs to be done, and it punishes who needs to be punished. It doesn't matter if the person is a peasant or a king. This is why this quote of Matthias sounds VERY Saturnine to me. Like death, laws should befall everyone (ideally at least).

Another thing about Saturn is that it is cold and dry, and rules invernal signs -- Capricorn and Aquarius. Naturally, it rules over cold, dry and snowy places too, like, you know, Achroite. Another sign Saturn finds joy in by Exaltation is Libra -- symbolized by escales, and again, Achroite's crest.

Now, Mercury-ruled Virgo... Owl is a mercurial animal, so points on that. Virgo is a very dutiful sign that needs to bring order to chaos too, but it's still a Mutable sign of Mercury, which means skepticism.

Even wearing the clothes of an Earth sign, Mercury is always Mercury, and Mercury will never admit there's only one truth. There are countless truths, countless paths, countless overcomes spinning incessantly inside its head. And Mutable signs deal with the world changing around them, being Virgo the one that have to face one of the most crucial changes there is: Summer becoming Autumn. This is why Virgo is constantly anxious. They know harsher times approach, and they have to save provisions to go through it.

Basically, Virgo thinks way too much, acts more towards organization and taking care of the tiniest, littlest details, and being Mercury one of the lowest spheres, its realm is practical and realistic. I don't see much space to believe in something with an almost religious fervour, like Matthias apparently does with laws (btw Mercury is VERY opposite to Jupiter). Soulmates? Even less.

Methinks Matthias seems more like a Libra. Saturn in the realm of Venus, that carries something idealistic in itself (although less than Jupiter) and dreams of love.

2. Azel

*sighs*

Where shall I start? As I said above, Mercury can be seem as the opposite of Jupiter. While Mercury is realistic, skeptical, detail-oriented, etc., Jupiter is idealistic, a huge believer, that focus on the big picture and can't mind the details.

Ultimately, Jupiter is about faith. And Jupiter manifests in two signs: Sagittarius and Pisces. Here I'm gonna focus on Sagittarius.

Sagittarius, like Virgo, is Mutable -- a double-bodied sign represented by a centaur, half man, half horse. Half benevolent, optimistic, lenient, wise. A man that looks to the stars seeking the truth and is guided by his ideals and faith. But also half ruthless, harsh, proud, imprudent. A belligerent and self-indulgent beast that looks at its own ambitions. I feel that some tend to remember Sagittarius only for its adventurous spirit and good mood, but this sign IS double-bodied and originally feared for its brutal nature.

Oh, and Sagittarius is brutally honest as well. Always beware when you ask their opinions if you're not ready for certain answers.

Well, other than this, Sagittarius is the eternal search for the truth beyond mundane matters. And it involves religions and gods and divination and mystical, esoteric stuff, and all that jazz. Sagittarius is also the foreigner and either the new horizons it opens OR the "mysteries" it beholds. Sagittarius can be seen in the... ahn... "Arabian Nights" Days trope (sorry).

So you have Azel, the God prince, with his horse unicorn crest, his mystical motifs, his "arabian nights" days kingdom, his two-faced personality, AND HE'S NOT A SAGITTARIUS.

And there's no Sagittarius prince*, really, I don't understand why he couldn't be one and have his birthday like, one month later. But okay.

So, he's a Scorpio. A F I X E D, very stable sign of Mars that is related to everything that punctures, cuts, penetrates the skin and poison. Scorpio hides itself behind a shell and hates being exposed/vulnerable. It means they can hide their true nature, but there's a difference between being reserved and two-faced. It's also a sign that does search for hidden meanings, but not out of belief or faith. It's a more strategic sign, and belligerent too, but not in a straight, plain sighted way. It's a nocturnal sign, it acts when no one is looking. Funny thing too, the Moon (Tanzanite's symbol) is not in a good place when in Scorpio.

I can see one thing or two in what I know so far or speculate about Azel, but when it comes to symbols and themes, I still think Sagittarius would fit him better.

.

I won't talk about Kagari because he's the one I know less about, I just think it's funny that he's so fiery when Aquarius is cold by nature.

.

*It can be argued that Gilbert is a Sagittarius because many sources will tell you Sun enters Capricorn 12/22, but this is not 100% precise. Depending on the year, Sun can perfectly be in Capricorn in 12/21. And looking at Gilbert's demeanour and symbols, Obsidian and all, to me he's a Capricorn through and through. Ofc I can be wrong, this post is all about me being wrong in my assumptions lol But since him being a Capricorn is a real possibility, I'm sticking to it.

#beware of bad english too #and let me say that I KNOW the game most likely consider other things more than astro logy #it's just that i could see connections better with other princes #than i do with matthias and azel #so far at least #to me their themes were so very connected to some signs #but let's see their routes #a virgo man dreaming about finding a soulmate and daydreaming when talking with you baffles me #but anyways

[solacedeer]

mutuals be honest will i survive this

#we were talking about azel #i was talking about azel #thye kepr talking like that wasn’t the nastiest read

[thal-ent]

Trick or treat >:3

Giving you treats 🍬🍬🍬🍭🍭🍭🧁🍬🍬🧁🍭🍭🍭🍬 :>

#thal talk #ask #azeler #happy halloween <3

[kudzucataclysm]

last week was arkady family thoughts today is the….uuuh royal martian family(????) thoughts

#talking and blathering #aka frank oz and azel MFJDJSJ

[falling-camellias]

All fanservice should now only be done by Shirahama Kamome and Ryoko Kui and Kaoru Mori. That is all

#Obligatory read dungeon meshi and otoyomegatari right now!! #and otoyomegatari doesn’t actually have a lot of fanservice but I am talking about the scene azel strips to rescue a horse. Ough

[argetstars]

someone to talk to

Days after their conversation, he still runs through it in his head. 

It seems they both began this journey for different reasons—he was motivated by love, infatuation as his brother would no doubt call it—and she simply went where the winds called her. There’s more to it than that, he now knows, and what a strange thing to reconcile the boisterous, gentle girl of his childhood with the concerned woman before him. 

Azelle sighs and rubs at his eyes. The words on the page are beginning to swim; he takes it as a warning not to overwork himself. Proving his worth as a soldier in Sigurd’s army isn’t measured in how quickly he can read a book, even if he acts that way. Young mage stands and emerges from his tent. Eyes squint as they adjust to the sudden sunlight Just how long had he been buried in his books? 

He keeps his head down while wandering among the camp. Not a soul has so much as blinked cruelly in his direction. Either they know the truth about his parentage and don’t care, or they have no idea and still decide to treat him kindly. Regardless, old wounds make him hesitant to engage in unprovoked conversation. 

Except with her. 

He finds her, eventually, and she’s mercifully alone. “Afternoon, Taliltiu,” he says softly. “Are you feeling better today?” 

> @sunsinger

#thread: someone to talk to #muse: azelle #support: talitiu #forgive me for still not knowing how the heck i want to organize/format this blog #i'm still baby at indie rip

[sbnkalny]

Do that so i kept them but somehow i also NEED a shower so can we start to inflate your weather Balloon. slowly open the gate, Azel! now i control mankind's Future!

#QUOTE #DAY 5 #You must be a way that she's become accustomed to spending time with them. i love talking to them but the Save was before that so i kept THE #i gots to find their target #and the emperor. Open the gate #Azel! now I dissolve.

[eruverse]

Some of my inspo for designing Kazakhstan lol

Dude turned out to be a quiet guy also bc... these are all quiet dudes

#character talk #Otabek is the only one (1) good thing from YOI #AZEL MY LOVE HUHUUUHUHU #He's prob Kyrgyz and not Kazakh tho #oh and that Kazakh influencer I named him after. lol

[dark-frosted-heart]

I'm avoiding last names because I'm less certain about spelling. And as usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this

Azel

Beast Point #1 - Those mystical eyes…they’re truly god-like. Be careful not to get mesmerized by them!

Beast Point #2 - The beautiful Pegasus-like garment is said to be the symbol of a living god whose followers are found throughout the continent.

Rio: Hm…somehow those accessories adorning Prince Azel’s body remind me of this one jerk’s face.

Sariel: I’ve heard that a majority of those accessories were gifted by Prince Silvio. Is he a follower?

Matthias

Beast Point #1 - They say that even this composed and stern face can relax at times. I wonder when?

Beast Point #2 - That coat looks very warm. I wonder if the embroidery on the hem is an owl feather motif?

Sariel: Our princes who studied abroad at Acroite’s royal school seem to be close to him.

Rio: I’ve heard that he’s particularly close with Prince Jin and Prince Clavis. I wonder what they talk about?

Kagari

Beast Point #1 - What a fashionable hairstyle. He must be skillful with his fingers like a cat. I won’t lose to him!

Beast Pont #2 - The bell around his neck is like a pet cat’s. Or is it him that has a desire to be kept as a pet?

Rio: They sound like good friends, but every time he meets Prince Keith, he points a sword a thin without question.

Sariel: I heard that if you give him dorayaki, he’ll sheath his sword.

#ikepri #ikemen prince #ikepri jp #new prince trio #ikepri translations #might delete if we gets version from a better translator

[azelle-intermisson]

i need a furry boyfriend so i can put a pic of his fursona in a heart locket

#azelle talking #this post was inspired by a conversation with a friend :) #also he has to be fat #sorry i dont make the rules

[caffedrine]

My notes and thoughts on Matias from Nokto’s Sequel

We meet Matias in Benitoite when Emma has lost an earring at a party. He is the lucky guy to find it - and we learn another family rule - he mentions that it’s a rule in his family that he would have searched forever for her in order to return her belongings.

When they talk, he first introduces himself as the representative for the Royal Family of Achroite, the same title that every other character so far has used. But then he stops himself, says it would be weird to continue on this conversation without Emma knowing who he really is, and introduces himself as the First Prince of Achroite and gives his full name. He could have pulled a Gilbert and kept his name/title on the down-low, but chose to be forthright in information about himself - which seems to be a theme for his character.

When Emma asks about his country, he immediately talks about their timber exports, which Rhodolite imports a decent amount. I think this is a narration fail for Emma - it gives the readers a sense of how Achroite fits into the world, but it makes Emma sound like she hasn’t bothered to research the basics.

Matias is also really forthcoming about the 3-country alliance. It gave me a sense that he’s an ‘all cards on the table’ kind of guy. He’s forthright about it being a thing - and he’s not ashamed of it, or sly at all. It’s around here that I’m getting the sense that he’s being portrayed as the opposite to Nokto/Silvio. Matias is very free about sharing information.

He then throws back in Emma’s face Rhodolite’s alliance and secret meetings with Gilbert, and this becomes accusatory. And, of course, Emma can’t really respond to that.

It does tell them that there’s a spy in the Rhodolite government, since Gilbert’s Act3 meeting was a big secret.

Later, when the Benitoite nobles start to spread gossip about Nokto being a cursed twin and the cause of the various misfortunes happening, Matias immediately comes to Nokto’s defense, pointing out that spreading unsubstantiated rumors in Benitoite opens them to being sued for slander.

At the end, we see Matias meet up with Azel and Kagari, (in a mysterious place, so not necessarily Benitoite) and they rate how Nokto performed - poorly in Matias (and the other two’s) opinion, since Nokto used diplomacy, decency, and mutual respect to solve the problems rather than locking up everyone in a holding cell and unleashing the full extent of the law on them.

He’s also the one who ⭐️cares⭐️, and brought back souvenirs for Azel and Kagari from a Benitoite auction house. Neither are impressed.

It seems like he goes into delulu land when he’s relaxed around friends (?), and starts talking about giving his wife a souvenir just like the one he gave away, fantasizing his wife decorating their home with it. Kagari has to ask if Matias has been married this entire time, and Azel explains that it’s just his imaginary wife.

Bonus - Azel referring to Kagari as the God of Dorayaki.

#ikemen prince #ikepri #matias asbrink

[clavissionary-position]

Full Translation of Azel's LINE Chat

Ikepri's official LINE account here Kagari's chat ✦ Matias' chat Azel's keyword: ちゃりん (*clink of coins*)

*Accuracy is not guaranteed italics = Rude Azel

> *clink of coins*

Thank you for making an offering to God. How may I help you?

Choices 1) Would you like to go on a date together? 2) Would you like to tour Tanzanite's attractions together?

> Would you like to go on a date together?

I humbly refuse. I don't sell myself too readily as a matter of principle.

Oh, but there would be room for consideration if you were to sign a promissory note. It would be you selling your body to me, though. How about it?

Choices 1) I'll sign it 2) Please have mercy

> I'll sign it

Are you stupid?

My apologies, that text just now was sent by mistake. So a date, was it? I shall happily oblige. I'll draft up a promissory note to send over, so please wait without making any attempts to stiff me.

Oh, and don't worry; I already know your whereabouts even without you divulging it. I am God, after all. While we're at it, I'll go ahead and throw in a free oracle as a bonus.

[voiced clip] "Something good will happen if you stay with me all day today." On what basis...? There's no such thing. Take a guess.

> Please have mercy

It was a mercy that I didn't just ignore you.

Ah, what I mean is, you are a devout follower of mine… In which case, fine, very well; I don't mind going out with you just this once.

I don't know what it is you expect of me, and I don't wish to know, but I also hate the thought of being needlessly hounded any more than this.

[voiced clip] Of course I'm not planning anything. For I am a benevolent god. What are you saying—that I'm going to force a bill on you after? I would never!

> Would you like to tour Tanzanite's attractions together?

Why me?

Aren't you confusing me for some kind of handy local guide or something? There's no way I'd resort to doing menial work on my day off, no matter how greedy they say I am, but I'll at least humor you.

Choices 1) I want to go see your statue in the market 2) I want to go to your most-recommended spot

> I want to go see your statue in the market

...Not another word.

Can you even comprehend the abject horror that grips me whenever I walk through the market—you can't, can you?

Your payment just now was mere compensation money. Come to the temple right this instant and make an offering. Then we'll talk.

[voiced clip] Wait... I don't get myself. Why am I calling you over here for no reason?

> I want to go to your most-recommended spot

Do NOT come here. You're a pain.

My temple is my paradise. No prying eyes from the public, and I can spend my time in self-indulgence.

Then again, if you were to come by with worship money, I wouldn't exactly turn you away. But we'd pass the time as I see fit.

[voiced clip] I limit myself to doing nothing on my days off. I try not to think too much, and I don't meet with anyone either. You're just special.

-------- Notes

The Nice Azel chat segments end with him saying "If you have any further concerns, I'll gladly hear them out. For a fee." The Rude Azel segments end with "Is there anything else? You're such a tiresome follower."

This is the word he uses when he talks about selling himself, if you want some different interpretations:

(from Jisho.org)

I'm relieved he seems to be a tsundere. And I refuse to believe he doesn't walk around his temple completely naked when he's alone. It's his Mancave of Wonders 😭 He really feels like Silvio Part Deux (affectionate) but his theatricality seems very Clavis (affectionate).

Disclaimer + Sources

I'm not a translator. I just throw lines into various different translators and dictionaries and make a lot of guesses in-between. Take everything with a huge grain of salt.

I use Capcut's auto-caption feature to extract subs for the voice clips.

Sources for specific phrases: (if you care about that sort of thing)

Please wait | Stiffing payment | There's no such thing | Have a guess | At least humor you | Can or can't

#azel radwan #ikemen prince #ikepri azel #ikepri spoilers #ikepri jp spoilers #ikepri translation folder

[atlabeth]

i’m your gal — jesper fahey

summary: two durasts in the barrel, one a sharpshooter and one a gunsmith. blackmail’s really the only answer, isn’t it?

a/n: blackmail is love in the barrel i guess. also fun fact: i started this before i even started six of crows because i guess i think i don’t need to know the source material that i write fic for anymore but now ive read both soc and ck so im good

wc: 3.7k

warning(s): fem!reader, blackmail obviously. guns, talks of death, constant threats, questionable romantic tactics. kaz hates everything

You were roused from an unpleasant bout of sleep by knocking—slamming, rather—against your door. You frowned as you rubbed your eyes and stood up from your chair.

You had to stop falling asleep at your desk, you thought sourly as you walked through the narrow hallway to your “front door”. When you opened it, you weren’t surprised by what you saw.

“Fahey,” you said flatly. “I assume you’re here—”

“For my gun,” he said, pushing past you to get inside. “Yes, that would be right. Shoddy service that it took you all this time to get here.”

You scowled as you shut the door and followed him. “My hours haven’t even started, azel. You’re lucky I’ve even let you in—I should charge you double the kruge for your nerve.”

“Yeah, but you can’t deny your handsomest customer.” He winked at you, and you rolled your eyes as you pushed open the door to your office. At least he had the decency to wait for that.

“My most annoying customer,” you corrected. “Tell me, do you get your nerve from Novyi Zem or the Wandering Isle?” 

“Neither,” he said, his hand resting on his holster as he, per course, refused to take a seat. “It’s all homegrown by yours truly.” 

“How lovely,” you said wryly. You took a seat at your pathetic excuse of a desk and stared at him. “Do you have the rest of my money?” 

“As if I would walk in here without all my payment,” Jesper said. He pulled out a few wads of bundled up kruge, and you raised an eyebrow as you took them. You pulled the bands off and began to count, not bothering to look up at him as you spoke. 

“How much of this did you gamble away before today?” you asked. “If it’s honestly all here, then you’ll have surprised me, Fahey.” 

Jesper pressed a hand to his heart. “You wound me. Of course it’s all there.” 

“Forgive me for my assumptions,” you said wryly. “Your reputation just precedes you.”

“These guns are more important than my life,” said Jesper, and you couldn’t tell whether or not he was joking. “The money’s all there.”

You finished counting—it really was all there, though the differing amounts of wear and grime on the bills showed he had in fact won some of it back—and you chuckled. “Congratulations. You’ve managed not to be a thief for one day.” 

“That wounds me further,” Jesper commented, and he crossed his arms. “Now, I’d like to see my pistols, new and old. It’s been very difficult living without them these past few weeks.” 

“My work doesn’t come cheap, Fahey,” you said as you knelt down, “and it doesn’t come quick either.” 

You pulled your knife out of its sheath and pried up the floorboard from underneath the spot your chair usually was, then turned the lock back and forth until your safe opened. You pulled out the guns and set them on your desk, standing back up as you shut the safe with the heel of your boot. 

“Well,” you said, “what do you think?” 

You could have sworn he went a little teary-eyed, and you couldn’t help but smile.

When Jesper Fahey, sharpshooter for the Dregs and well-known for his ability to gamble away his life’s savings in a night, nearly toppled your door from his amount of knocking, you had half a mind to turn him away. But his Fabrikator-made, Zemeni revolvers were almost as beautiful as him, and when he offered to pay you a whole lot of kruge to make an exact replica, you could hardly turn it down. 

He carried twin revolvers everywhere he went, but apparently, during a heist gone wrong, one of the twins was fatally wounded. Jesper himself was a Durast, but he told you he wasn’t nearly skilled enough to bring it back to life. Word had spread of your abilities—a little more than you’d have liked, if you were being honest—and he found his way to your door. It took a lot of convincing to get him to leave the other with you so you could make a true replica, and you could tell every step taken without them at his side hurt. 

He picked up the pistol you’d made. He held it up to the light, knocked his knuckles against it, looked at it from every angle possible, then held up his other one and looked at it in comparison from every angle possible. Jesper spun out the barrel, clicked it back in, and did the same thing a few more times until he looked at you and grinned. 

“She’s beautiful,” Jesper whispered, and he tucked them into his holsters. A weight visibly lifted off his shoulders, and the electric energy that always buzzed around him seemed to dissipate some. “How do you do it? How did you get it exactly the same? Even the pearls— the damn sheen is the same.” 

You shrugged. “It’s my job. I’m good at it.” 

He shook his head. “I could kiss you right now. You’re incredible.” 

“You’re pretty, Fahey, but you’re annoying.” You smiled. “Let’s stick to business.” 

“How are you not indentured by now?” he asked incredulously. “Surely some merch has gotten their claws in you.” 

“I told you,” you said with a slight smile, “I’m good at my job. And my job includes staying independent.” 

“Surely everyone knows you’re Grisha by now,” said Jesper. 

You shrugged. “No one can prove anything. And if you say a word,” you looked at his guns, “I’ll give them a slow death.” 

Jesper’s eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.” 

You offered another pleasant smile. “Get out of my office, Fahey.” 

“Pleasure doing business with you,” called Jesper as he walked out, a hand held up in parting as he left you with a wink.

You just huffed a laugh and shook your head. One credit to Ketterdam was that you were never bored. 

-

“Kaz,” Jesper begged, “please.”

“Absolutely not,” he stated. “We don’t have the resources.”

“She is the resources!” he exclaimed. “She’s a Durast, and she makes the best weapons I’ve ever seen. Besides, she doesn’t have to be part of your circle—she’ll do fine as a plain old Dreg, or even just a supplier.”

“You’re a Durast,” Kaz said coldly. “Can you not do exactly what she does?”

“No,” Jesper insisted, “nobody can. She makes a living off of selling her Grisha weapons because they’re unmatched by anyone else’s.”

“I’m aware,” he said. “I’ve been keeping tabs on her ever since she sold her first weapon in the Barrel. She hasn’t encroached on our territory, so I’ve let her be.” 

“So you know everything she can do,” Jesper said. “Even more reason to hire her.” 

“I don’t see why you don’t just improve your abilities.”

“I don’t know, Kaz,” he said, making a mockery of his words, “I might just be trying to avoid earning an indenture.”

“She’s not indentured,” Kaz pointed out. 

“Because nobody knows that they’re Grisha weapons, not for sure, besides me.”

“I know,” said Kaz. 

“You know everything,” Jesper grumbled. “And any other person in the Barrel who has experience with Fabrikator weapons, I suppose, but that’s not the point.” Jesper’s eyes glistened. “There are a whole lot of suspicions floating around. And that’s how we get her.”

“…You’re suggesting we blackmail her,” Kaz said, and he leaned back in his chair. 

“I wouldn’t put it like that,” Jesper said, “but, uh—yes.” He cleared his throat. “We would be blackmailing her.”

“Go on,” he said. 

“It’s pretty simple,” Jesper shrugged. “She works for us for a reduced rate, we promise not to throw her to the wolves. You get to keep most of your kruge, she gets to keep her life and most of her independence, and we get the best weapons on this side of the True Sea for the Dregs.”

“Interesting.” Kaz glanced down at his papers then back at Jesper. “Anything else?”

His eyes glinted. “I saw Pekka Rollins outside her building the other day. I’ve heard through some circles that he secretly commissioned a few weapons from her—my bet is that he was testing her goods, and now he wants her permanently on his side.”

Kaz’s jaw clenched. Thank the Saints for his grudge, because it would make this a lot easier. 

“Talk to Inej and Nina. See if they know anything I don’t.” Highly unlikely, Jesper wanted to say, seeing as Dirtyhands knew everything that went on in the Barrel, but he nodded. “If you’re lucky, we’ll pay her a visit tonight.”

“You’re actually agreeing with me,” Jesper marveled. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”

Kaz scowled. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“I would never.” Jesper grinned, already starting to back towards the door. “You’d better prepare for a midnight escapade.”

He didn’t wait for a response—likely that he wouldn’t get one anyway—and shut the door with a sigh behind him. Jesper practically flew down the stairs, never so thankful for the rarity that was both Nina and Inej idling. They were sat at the bar together conversing, and without much care for it all, Jesper slid in next to them. 

“What an entrance,” remarked Inej. 

“I know how to make them,” he said, “but we tragically don’t have time to talk about my greatness. What do you two know about the gunsmith near the Exchange?” 

“Above the bakery?” Nina asked. Jesper nodded, and she grinned. “The Grisha Gunsmith. She’s playing a dangerous game.” 

Inej frowned. “How do you know?”

Jesper glanced at her. “You didn’t know?” 

“Of course I know.” Inej sounded almost offended. “I just wanted to know how you know.” 

“I can just sense it,” she said. “Maybe it’s a Heartrender thing.”

“It is not a Heartrender thing,” Jesper scoffed. “I know about her and I’m not a Heartrender.”

“I believe Nina,” Inej said, and Jesper groaned.

“You are all impossible, do you know that?”

Nina laughed and she held up a hand. “Alright. Yes, I know she’s Grisha, and we’re decently acquainted. Most of the Grisha in Ketterdam know each other—we pass things along, try and keep each other safe.” 

“So?” Jesper leaned forward. “Have you got anything?” 

“She was born in Ketterdam. Had a brief spout at the university before she dropped out, and then she decided to make a living in the Barrel.” She shrugged. “At least, that’s what she’s told me.” 

“That’s why she seems so familiar!” Jesper exclaimed. “We had a class together! I hardly remember what it was, but it’s not like it really matters now, but still—dropping out of university to recklessly sell weapons.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Truly a woman after my own heart.” He then turned to Inej. “What have you, Wraith?” 

“All of that is true,” Inej said, inclining her head. “She’s been making weapons since her university days, and she’s done freelance work for a lot of gangs over the years. The Razorgulls seem to favor her, but Pekka Rollins and his Dime Lions seem to like her too, especially as of late.” 

“Interesting, interesting.” Jesper nodded a few times. “Very interesting. At least I was right on the Rollins front.” 

“I’ve also seen her around West Stave doing work,” Inej said. Usually her lip curled when she spoke of the canal, but instead there was a glint in her eye. “She slips weapons to girls who need it most.”

Jesper nodded, and he held Inej’s gaze for a moment longer. “Admirable.”  

“Why are you so interested in this anyway?” Nina asked. “Seems a lot more trouble than it’s worth.” 

“I want her on our team,” he said. “She’s brilliant. I only have until tonight to convince Kaz this is a worthy investment, and I convince him by convincing you.”

“Then convince us, Fahey,” Nina said with a smile.

“Our dear Wraith.” He clasped his hands together in front of Inej and he saw the mirth spark in her eyes. “How would you feel if your knives could never break?”

“They don’t break in the first place,” she said.

“But if they did,” Jesper said, “she could fix them.”

“Couldn’t you just do it?” she asked.

Jesper groaned and pulled back. “Why does everyone think I can do what she does just because I’m a Fabrikator too?”

“…I have seen some of her weapons,” Nina said. “They’re near indestructible. I’ve heard she makes her bullets too.”

“She does,” Jesper said, giddy like a little kid as he pulled out one of his pistols and set it on the table. “This is Ace made, and it’s the best damn thing I’ve ever held. Doesn’t it look exactly like my old one?”

Nina studied it, reaching out a hand that was then receded with the look Jesper gave her. “Very much like it.”

Inej, rather, cocked an eyebrow. “‘Ace made’?”

“That’s what she goes by,” he said. “Y’know, ‘ace shooter’ and all?”

“Nobody calls her that in the Barrel,” Nina said, a grin forming as she crossed her arms. 

Jesper shrugged defensively. “I do. It’s catchier than the Grisha Gunsmith, and it doesn’t expose her.” 

Nina leaned forward, that glint in her eye that Jesper didn’t exactly like. “Your heart is beating pretty fast for talk about guns and catchy nicknames.”

“Ah,” Inej nodded, “that’s why you want her to join us so badly.”

“I want her to be on our side because she makes incredible weapons,” huffed Jesper, “and because I certainly don’t want her as an enemy.”

“And because you think she’s beautiful,” Nina cooed. 

“Which is not a crime,” Jesper defended. “So what? You flirt with anything that moves, Nina.”

She tipped her shoulder. “Fair.”

“I think getting her on our side is smart,” Inej said. “She deals a lot of quality weapons to a lot of gangs—funneling that straight to the Dregs would be of aid.” 

“Thank you, Inej,” Jesper said solemnly. “Kaz holds your opinion much higher than any of ours.” 

She glanced away, though the smallest smile curled on her lips. Nina grinned and nodded to Jesper. 

“Good luck with all this,” Nina said. “I hope the blackmail doesn’t ruin your relationship too much.” 

“This is the Barrel,” said Jesper. “Blackmail is practically flirting.” 

“Saints, Jesper,” Nina muttered. “It really isn’t.” 

-

Jesper had to admit, he did feel the slightest bit of guilt as he stood in front of your front door—rather, the door to the shoddy space you rented out above a bakery—Bastard of the Barrel next to him. Just this morning, you saved him from a fate worse than death and replicated his revolver with Fabrikator perfection he’d previously thought impossible. 

And now, he was thanking you by getting you stuck with the Dregs. 

Maybe blackmail didn’t pass as flirting, but it was just as common in the Barrel. It wasn’t something to make himself feel better, it was the truth—no matter how good you were, sooner or later, you would get caught up in a mess you couldn’t get out of. This was the smartest option.

Thankfully, he didn’t have time to revel in his thoughts for much longer as the door was opened, and you were remarkably poor at hiding your surprise. You looked a bit of a mess, and Jesper figured they were your rude awakening. You were still beautiful as ever, and he allowed a moment to take you in. 

“Gentlemen,” you said levelly, staring at both of them. Jesper couldn’t remember the last time he’d been referred to as a gentleman—the word was probably foreign to Kaz. “What brings you back—” you glared at Jesper— “to my door at this hour?” 

“A business offer.” Kaz looked every bit the intimidator and he wasn’t even trying. He was just standing there, gloved hands resting on the crow head of his cane, as he spoke with that coal rasp of a voice. “It would be smart to let us in.” 

Maybe you were better at hiding your surprise than Jesper thought, because your expression remained as still as your voice as you stepped aside and let them both in. Jesper noticed you locked the door behind them. He didn’t know what use you thought that would be, but he understood—petty comforts were still comforts. 

“Kaz Brekker,” you said, coming to a stop behind your desk. Your poster was a whole lot stiffer, tone much more restrained. “I never thought I would see you at my door. How’s your cane working for you?” 

“I don’t need a replacement,” he said. 

You hummed. “Good. I don’t much like crows.” 

“Pity,” said Kaz. Jesper swallowed, fingers tapping nervously on his revolvers. He spent so much time around Kaz, he almost forgot what it was like for those that weren’t used to him. The man was terrifying when you didn’t know he wouldn’t kill you. 

“Kvas?” you asked, holding the bottle up. Both of them shook their heads. You shrugged and poured a bit more in your glass.

“Remind you of home?” Jesper asked.

You huffed a laugh. “You could say that. Now, what do you two want?”

“Your service,” Kaz said. 

You raised an eyebrow. “You, or the Dregs?” 

“Both,” he answered. 

The gesture turned to a frown. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” 

“We want you to work with us,” Jesper translated. “We want you to be a Dreg.” 

Your eyes flashed with something he couldn’t fully place. “And where is this coming from, Fahey?” 

He shrugged. “We could use your skills.” 

“My skills have been around for a while,” you said. You pulled out your knife from its sheath, and Jesper’s skin felt very fragile all of a sudden. He was very thankful when you instead started twirling it between your fingers. “Your intimate knowledge of my skills has only been around since this morning.” 

“I’ve been aware of you since you first settled in the Barrel,” Kaz corrected, and he tapped his cane on the floor. “Since the moment you made your first payment on this wreck.”

“Of course,” you said wryly. “Did you know that I promised his guns a very slow death if he spread word of me?” 

“His guns will remain unharmed,” Kaz said. “I can’t have a sharpshooter without pistols. And I can’t have a gunsmith without hands.” 

Your burning gaze turned to Jesper. He almost took a step back from the force of it. 

“I’m not stupid, gentlemen,” you said after a moment of angry staring. “I hear what they say about me, about the rumored Grisha gunsmith. I’ve managed to avoid an indenture by equal parts smarts and luck, but I have backroads—I can leave Ketterdam, Kerch as a whole, overnight if I have to. You don’t get to this place without being able to disappear.”

“You’ll find the Dregs are quite organized,” said Kaz, “and quite experienced at bringing our competition down. In spite of backroads.”

“Ah,” you said flatly, staring at the wall as you continued to play with your blade. “This is a threat.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Jesper shrugged. “You work with us, nobody will have confirmation that you’re Grisha. And if anyone tries anything with you, you’ll be protected.”

“And if I don’t?” you asked lazily.

“You’ll end up indentured to some lecher or dead on the streets within a week,” Kaz said. 

Your lips twisted into a smile, which Jesper assumed was more of a facade than anything. “I love dealing with you Dregs. Straight to the point.”

“It’s a better deal than anyone else would give you,” Jesper said. 

“You come in here, threaten me and my business, and ask me to work for you for free?” You laughed sharply, stabbing the blade you’d been twirling across your fingers into the wood of your desk. “You’ve got some nerve, Dirtyhands.”

“It’s a simple choice,” he said, gloved fingers running down the head of his cane. “I assume you’re intelligent enough to make the right one.”

“And it’s not exactly for free,” Jesper added. “You’ll get a base rate from Per Haskell. And you can still take commissions from anybody so long as they’re allied with us.”

“So you’re telling me no more special orders for Mister Rollins,” you said wryly, eyes narrowed on Kaz.

Nothing in his expression changed, though the rasp of his voice became a bit rougher. “No. And I expect a detailed summary of all the work you’ve ever done for the Dime Lions.”

You huffed as you pulled the blade out. “I always thought I’d end up floating in the harbour or indentured to some councilman before I ended up working for the Bastard of the Barrel.”

“It’s not all bad,” said Jesper with a shrug. “We’re quite good company, if I say so myself.”

Your eyes trailed over to his forearm, his rolled up sleeve revealing the ink of the Dregs. “When do you mark me?”

“After you sign the contract,” Kaz said. 

“It’ll be extra protection,” Jesper said. “Another bonus. Much less likely to get nabbed off the street if you’ve got the Dregs on your arm.”

You stared at both of them for a good, long moment, hardened eyes narrowing in. Jesper could only guess at what was running through your mind at the moment. He knew he was thinking of how attractive you were when you looked like you wanted to drive that knife through both their hearts. 

“I’ll be paid enough that I won’t lose this place,” you finally said.

Kaz nodded.

“And I’ll still be able to make a living through commissions to those allied with the Dregs.”

“To your heart’s content,” Jesper confirmed. 

“I want you to do the tattoo,” you said, looking straight at Jesper. “You’re obviously the one that got me into this mess, so you might as well solidify it.” 

Jesper shifted uneasily. He hoped you would renege on your promise of a slow death. “Right.”

Again, you stared at them. And then you sighed heavily, plucked the knife off the table, and shoved it in its sheath. 

“I guess I’m your gal, then.” You threw back your glass of kvas, standing and offering a charming smile. “I hope you’ve got room for two Durasts, Mister Brekker. Otherwise, you’re the one that’ll be out on the street, pretty boy.”

Jesper’s eyes twinkled. “You think I’m pretty?”

“And far too annoying for your own good.”

He grinned. “You think I’m pretty.” 

And the slight upturn of your lips was worth Kaz’s incredulous scoffs. 

#jesper fahey x reader #jesper fahey x you #jesper fahey x y/n #six of crows x reader #six of crows fanfic #grishaverse x reader #jesper fahey fic #sadie writes

[kudzucataclysm]

what would everyone be doing if s!e was set in a modern day type situation?

while i cant answer for everyone, i CAN most definitely say that i do have a couple of modern aus so ive thought abt this a lot :D

desmond: regular new student at a fancy prep school who just moved to the city

francis: all around poor juvenile delinquent, doesnt kill but still robs and beats people up for money

carmine: con man, still the owner of a bowling alley that dez and francis get a regular part time job at. hes more along the lines of grunkle stan actually than a hardened criminal but he still has a verrrryyy shady military background

maya: still very much wealthy and teaches at dez’s school as an alumnus- her prosthetics and hearing aids arent so high tech tho ofc and she isnt as uuuh whats the word…maybe “fatally ambitious” fits

friday and thursday: active military or police officers which is hilarious cuz i dont think thurs needs any more liberty to kill whoever he wants as a job 😭

vincent: local drug dealer still lol

carson: another teacher at dez’s school in a very intense rivalry with maya. still kinda lowkey insane but everyone gives her a pass cuz the majority of the right side of her body is paralyzed

azelfafage: hard to pin down but hes actually very Present and Tries But Not Really as a parent in this Suburban Dad au i have vv’ he still gets around, has a ton of kids. NO IDEA what he does for work tho

but yeah these guys in a contemporary setting is usually fun to think about- itd be a weird inner city setting with just funny shit going on i think :D

unrelated but have the image that inspired suburban dad azelfafage

#kudzu responds #kudzu friends 🌿 #oc talk #azel as an active parent would just. Exist #like hes not involved with his kids lives at all but still has attachment to them

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Spoiler for Leon's act 3 :

* Leon talking about the new 3 kingdoms and the new 3 princes

1- Tanzanite, Or as I like to call it: Tanzania 👌🏻🤓

2- Achroite, cast : Matthias Hot springs 👌🏻🤓

3- Kogyoku, living their own fifteenth century 👌🏻🤓

Bro Azel was hidding the fact that he's a "My Little Pony" fan

#ikemen prince #ikeprince leon #leon dompteur #ikemen prince leon act 3 #ikemen prince act 3 spoilers #Oriental clothes+Semi-exposed waist+ country surrounded by desert+the name Radwan=trying to adopt some Arabic touch #Yeah I'm arab as well #Oh yes my favourite nickname #Mathias Hot springs 🤣🤣