[ Not a moment passes and Matthias is not reminded they are no higher than a stain at the bottom of a barrel, tricksters and thieves. And yet, finding Inej and making her kidnapper pay took no thought. Somewhere out on the ice where they stood together and did insane things together did mistrust get pulled from him, thread by thread. He does not love them, no. But they've become his. Separation would cost them blood. Having even one person missing strains all the other bonds, like a body without one of its limbs. All stumbling, scrabbling, because Inej was the net they could trust. ]
[ Even Jesper, who is loud and blusters and hides that he's frightened. There's no soothing balm in Matthias' hands, he doubts the bread or the company will provide much, where it involves the snare of guilt. But better here than not at all. ]
For you.
[ He hands it over as he sits, glancing at the cards. ]
no subject
[ Even Jesper, who is loud and blusters and hides that he's frightened. There's no soothing balm in Matthias' hands, he doubts the bread or the company will provide much, where it involves the snare of guilt. But better here than not at all. ]
For you.
[ He hands it over as he sits, glancing at the cards. ]
Are you practicing shuffling?