I walk in half way through a conversation as I hear Jesper say "Nina may be about to burst into song" while tipping himself back in his chair. I kick his cocaine making him wobble "why is Nina going to sing?" I ask and she beams at me, the most alive I've seen her sis the Ice Court, "Kuwei thinks he can create an antidote" my eyes go wide and I break into a smile "that's amazing" I say.

The Shu boy is scribbling in his note book and mutters "to put this knowledge in the hands of one nation-" speaking to no one in particular, I grab another chair and place it beside Jesper, he grabs my hand and traces circles. He does that when he is nervous. Kuwei looks up to us suddenly "my father bought this drug into the world. I know enough to try to render it useless" I admire this boys courage even if it takes a different shape then the rest of us.

Genya's name is mentioned and so is David, making my heart ping with hurt. Ever since I left I haven't thought about them once, I feel guilty. I should write to them. I will write to them.

Later that day Rotty comes over to our island and looks slightly pale. I help him out of the boat, the others surrounding us "a man showed up to the university" he glances at the sharpshooter "Jesper, he claims to be your father" we all turn to him then and Jesper has gone pale. This just got a lot more complicated....

——-

I break off from the group and head to a pub in the Barrell, I have a different dress on (media). I have chosen this as my place to gather information. I work here 3 times a week as a barmaid. Probably the most degrading thing I have ever done and I used to work in the army. "Hey gorgeous" one of the usuals, a man with greying hair and a scraggly beard. I flash him my most charming smile as I walk behind the bar, clutching my cloth "what would you like Thomas?" I ask friendly, even if he does make my skin crawl.

"I'll have an ale love" he says eying my chest making my feel ill. I turn away from him and fill a tankard up and slide it over to him before setting to work. Bustling around a busy tavern is a great way to learn information and it keeps me from thinking about Inej and what she must be going through.

Through the noise I hear someone snapping their fingers, I turn and see my boss signalling for me. Nodding my head I place my tray down, giving the customers a smile before heading out back with my boss. He is a old white haired guy that always smells of salt and has greasy hands.

Once inside his office I choose to stay standing as he makes his way around the desk. "I have been meaning to speak with you Maddy" he starts, I play my character, a small, nervous lady barley able to handle herself. I play with my hands, looking down "about what sir?" I ask softly, I look up again and he is looking at me with softer eyes.

"You have been wonderful these past few weeks Maddy, really but" he trails off, gesturing like I am supposed to know what that means. I frown and he sighs "but the men are too interested in you" he comes back over, tracing a hand over his desk. "I don't like people wanting my things" I make a little laugh "you can't control what people want" a smile dances on his ugly face "yeah well I can control what you want" my heart starts racing as he steps closer "what is it you want Maddy?" He asks.

He is close enough now he brushes a strand of my hair from my face, I wince. Gotta make it look convincing. "Enough money to get home to my parents sir" I say quietly, I told him I was from Ravka (which technically isn't a lie) and that I left to find work but now I want to go home. My boss smiles and racks his eyes over my body making me shiver "what if I asked you to stay?" He asks taking my hand in his, I want nothing more than to yank it away but I don't instead I force myself to blush "what are you asking me?" I ask and he smirks "stay, be with me and I promise you won't have to work again" I let my smile falter and I step back.

"I can not so Mr Grando I promised my parents I would come home" I say and he frowns, "but I want you to stay here" I shake my head laughing awkwardly "we can not get what we want sir" this doesn't seem to please him because I am suddenly pinned against a wall, the smell of salt filling my senses "I don't like the word no" he says baring his teeth at me, how am I going to get out of this without blowing my cover?

I clench my fist ready to get him off me when I hear the door creak and someone say "well you better get used to it" my boss stands up straight and turns. There stands Kaz, my knight in shining armour. My boss starts rubbing his hands together "I don't know what you think you are seeing right now mister but this is an argument between my misses and I" I want to throw up. Kaz steps fully into the room, he nods subtly to me and I know what he wants me to do.

"Actually she isn't your misses" he says and my boss laughs "oh yeah?" Kaz sighs and holds up his left hand and flashes a wedding band "because we are" my boss looks at me in shock, just in time really because I have just gotten my ring on. I hold my hand up with a cocky grin, it's a flashy diamond i always keep in my pocket just in case. My boss goes red and I push him away from me, he stumbles away and falls into a chair.

Kaz offers me his arm and I take it, we stop in the door way and he turns "don't touch my investments again" as we leave the Tavern I pull away from him and start laughing "investment really?" I ask and he shrugs "I guess that's what you are" this makes me hesitate. I shrug as well "better then nothing I guess"