𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 — biscuits and blueprints

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 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐎 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 bestowed upon the goat by Jesper — had been torn from his arms and forced to say their farewells; whilst Aleksa was sad to see the furry little thing go, she still had her feathery friend that could be heard cawing from the gutter of the bar.

 Jesper had not taken their parting all too well; the snivelling sharpshooter had tears glistening in his eyes as he handed Milo over to a perfectly nice barmaid, one who had actually given Aleksa her third drink on the house with rosy cheeks and a flirtatious grin.

 Jesper, the absolute softy, had lovingly crafted the goat a necklace made of string and a single bullet, he had cooed at the thing as he placed it around Milo's neck, very much aware of the way Kaz had rolled his eyes and ushered him to hurry up.

 Inej had offered the goat a small scratch on the nose, and Aleksa had given him a short kiss on the forehead, scratching behind his ears one last time, dutifully ignoring the words Kaz spouted; something along the lines of 'you know those things carry a lot of bacteria', Aleksa's response had been just as expected, 'that's only an issue for you, if you were planning on kissing me, pretty boy.'

 Kaz had clamped his mouth shut with narrowed eyes.

 They had all come together after the prolonged goodbye to discuss their little heist; Kaz had gathered as much information as he could by eavesdropping and loitering. He had taken a seat, leaning his cane against the bar, "All right. Royal Archives heist. Here's the game plan. There are watchmen on guard around the clock so we want to get in as quickly and as quietly as possible. That means the hardware stays in the holster, Jesper." Kaz finished, offering Jesper a pointed look.

 The sharpshooter had folded his arms, groaning to himself, "Fine."

 "Inej, the dome on the roof is directly above the repository where the blueprints to the Little Place are kept."

 Inej nodded once, "Got it. That's my way in."

 "I'll head out and set a trail of phosphorus within the hour, that will lead you straight to the target. The repository is secured at all times behind a two-part lock mechanism. So you have to leave the way you came."

 "Aleksa," Kas spoke, his attention lingering on her whilst she leaned her head into the palm of her hand, eyelashes fluttering. There were some times that he truly believed she didn't even realise what she was doing. He blinked, "You'll join Inej on the roof and keep a lookout, it'll be dark and you can see..." He leaned closer, his breath tickling her neck even despite the space he made sure to keep between them, "Move the shadows if need be."

 She watched him closely as he pulled back, her skin still numb where the warmth of his breath had caressed her. Aleksa couldn't quite tell whether it was Kaz, or the prospect of manipulating the shadows that made her skin alight with flames. Perhaps both.

 She offered a wink, "Keep an eye out for darling Inej, of course."

 Kaz struggled to remove his gaze from her, yet forced it to land upon Jesper all the same, "Two hours after sunset is when you'll go in, Jesper. You need to blend in."

 Jesper wore an assured grin, nodding to himself as he thought of the fun ways he'd secure a guard's outfit, "Easy."

 "Good." Kaz leaned back on the barstool, his hand smoothing over the bump of his knee. The stress of the Fold and his perusing around the shoddy village in the bitter cold had made it throb.

 Without a word, the sound of a glass sliding towards him broke him out of his reverie. The sour and familiar scent of cherry wafted forth, and as he looked to his side Aleksa lifted her own glass and tilted it towards him, before taking a sip.

 He brought the glass to his mouth, hoping the warmth of alcohol and blindingly sour yet sweet cherry would distract him from the ache in his leg... Yet as he swallowed, he was only made all the more aware that his own tongue smelt like the summoner beside him. He wasn't sure which was more distracting.

 A wave of displeasure had hit him as he cocked his head, observing the multitude of bubbling glasses that had accumulated before Aleksa; from the bartender to patrons filled with lust, more than a dozen people had offered the summoner a drink, or even left a few coins beside her hand.

''Ave one on me' they'd crone, all pink and flustered.

 Now, Aleksa had absolutely no interest in any of them, it was something that all of the crows knew well; Aleksa never messed around when it came to a heist, they all relied on that. But even so, watching as both men and women left drinks by her side and scuttled away giggling or blushing... it made a sneer pull his lips to the ground.

 He swallowed a final gulp of his drink and plucked the cherry from the bottom of his glass, holding it by the stem.

 The only thing that made the churning of discomfort in his stomach fade was the smile Aleksa gifted him when she pinched the little crimson berry from his hand.

 "Come on." He spoke, voice hard once more.

 Aleksa frowned, a woeful glance thrown to her undisturbed drinks, "Me?"

 "Yes, you. We're setting the phosphorus." And with that, he snatched the crow-headed cane back into his gloved hands, fingers tightening around it as he made for the exit.

 Aleksa's brows curled together as she watched him go; sure Kaz Brekker wasn't specifically known as a conversationalist, but even so, she was certain he'd specifically stated that he would be the one to set the phosphorus, and not her. Either way, Aleksa slowly slid her arms into the coat she had tossed over the back of her stool.

 Inej leaned over, a half-eaten biscuit dangling between her fingers, "I thought he was setting it, not you?"

 "Well, you know Kaz... About as charming as a rock." Aleksa sighed, though she delighted in the laugh Inej had blurted out at the same time as Jespers hoot. She threw a final, longing look towards the alcohol she had to leave behind, a finger pointed towards her flock, "Don't you dare waste those."

 Aleksa had taken back what she had said back on the train; it was absolutely not the worst day of her life, and she would have done anything to ingrain the memory of Kaz Brekker dressed in his silly little costume into her mind for the rest of time. From the garish outfit to the blue cloak and beret that sat crookedly on his head.

 She had snorted the moment he had stepped out of the carriage; "Oh, pretty boy, you've never looked better."

 Kaz remained as stony as ever, his lips set in a tight line as she stared down at her with disdain, "Don't."

 "I'm serious! You look very handsome."

 But from the way her voice rose higher than the sky itself, Kaz could tell that she most certainly was not being serious. The gaudy colours that fluttered around his body made a frown grow as he wished desperately to be back in his sharply cut suit that was nothing but ink-black with fine lines.

 Aleksa leaned back against the carriage, ignoring the way the door handle dug into her back. Her head tilted to the side, a strand of hair falling before her glinting eyes, "I'm surprised you didn't make me do this."

 "I don't make you do anything" Kaz muttered, his voice too hard for her to hear. His eyes met her own and he held an arm out. The cobalt cloak caught the crook of his elbow and he rose a brow, "I thought blue wasn't your colour?"

 "Oh, sweetheart, every colour is my colour," She cooed and Kaz rolled his eyes, "But I'm flattered that you thought of me, now off you go, I'd like to see what other wonders this outfit does for you."

 "The sudden urge to hit you with my cane is astounding," Kaz responded as he turned his back on her and began limping towards the Royal Archives.

 "I'm far too pretty for that!"

 "Keep telling yourself that."

 A crooked smile glossed Aleksa's lips as she huffed a short laugh; and to her utter misfortune, that hideous blue cloak he wore covered the very view she had wished to see. She'd have to tell Inej that her Saints really weren't real.

 The summoner bid her time waiting for her Bastard by hopping back inside the carriage and picking up whatever book she could find; luckily for her, Ravken and Kerch were not the only languages she spoke; the book was written in Shu and the pages were all intricately painted with gold and emerald leaves, small pink flowers that were labelled as cherry blossoms dotting the corners.

 She had only gotten a few pages in when out of the open door of the carriage did she hear the familiar and uneven steps of her darling Kaz. His flashy cloak stood out against the greying sky that faded as the day grew later.

 By the crooked tilt of his lips, all had gone well.

 Aleksa hopped out of the carriage, tossed the book onto the seat she'd been occupying and easily landed on her heavy boots, "So?"

 Kaz nodded, "Time for the heist."

 Aleksa almost squealed.

 The view from the rooftop was utter darkness; the sky had settled from a moody and dull grey to a tainted orange, until the moon finally began to crawl up the sky as russet bled to blue and then finally to black.

 There was a lack of stars glinting in the sky, and each of the crows were thankful. The cool air of the winter night brushed through the thin sleeves of Aleksa's shirt; she had shed her coat, for if the need to follow Inej into the Archives arrived, she'd be able to move far easier.

 Speaking of the Wraith, she had already begun to carefully lower herself through the glass dome and towards the dark confines of the Archives. Aleksa knew there was nobody better for such a task for Inej was just as skilled as she was silent... But even so, knowing her friend was delving into a secure building alone didn't settle her well.

 Aleksa had been crouched, leaning over the opening that Inej had slipped herself through and threw glances towards the knot in the rope every few moments just to make sure her dear Wraith didn't plummet at a moment's notice.

 A harsh and cold wind drifted by causing a shiver to wrack Aleksa's spine. She really hoped they could pull this damn heist off without a hitch, for without those blueprints, they had no way inside the Palace or a means to navigate it.

 Aleksa sniffed, her nose becoming numb and red from the biting chill in the air, but nonetheless, she held her hands out. Her fingers wiggled and called out to the shadows. The darkness that surrounded her moved like wild wolves crawling from heavy thrush. Tendrils of billowing darkness wrapped around her fingers and it looked as though she had blackened veins.

 The familiar warmth that alighted her skin whenever she dipped into her abilities soothed her. Her numb nose regained its feeling, as did her poor toes. She peered into the dome once more upon watching the rope move. Inej had landed.

 She watched Inej carefully, seeing through the darkness with absolute ease. The Wraith moved like a snake that slivered through thick grass. Each movement was careful, smooth and graceful. Calculated.

 Inej followed the trail Kaz had left for her and paused before an old set of drawers, within moments she had slipped the blueprints from their confines and laid them against the ground. A spritz of perfume was used to bleed the ink from the blueprints onto the spare piece of parchment Inej had carried with her. They had exactly what they needed, now it was just time for the Wraith to make her swift exit.

 Inej placed everything away, leaving no trace behind. Their plans were secured in the bag on her back, and the original was in the very place she had pinched them from. It looked as though she had never set foot in the place.

 Then, just as both Inej and Aleksa had let out breaths of relief, a noise sounded out. The voice of a guard who was heading in the very direction Inej was hiding. Aleksa needed no words from the Wraith, and within a second the knot in the rope had been loosened and the summoner had gathered every inch of twine in her arms, swiftly placing it to the side before settling on her stomach once more.

 The roof sent chills through to her skin, but she needed to lay low and keep a close eye on the Wraith. A short bout of fear struck Aleksa's heat but it was easily brushed away. The girls had accomplished many smaller heists together, without Kaz or Jesper in sight, and she knew well enough not to underestimate Inej.

 Aleksa's fingers jostled and despite the light that had permeated through the room Inej had been stranded in, the corners grew darker. To the outside eye, or in such a case, the guard's eyes, nobody could possibly hide in such a small sliver of darkness. Had the shadows not been fuelled by Aleksa's abilities, they would have given Inej away instantaneously.

 But as Inej slipped her way around a cluttered desk and shrouded herself in the darkness that Aleksa had created; she was completely out of view. There was no need for the Wraith to withdraw a knife or twirl as though she were on a tightrope; she knew the safety of the shadows well, and she trusted Aleksa to keep her sheltered.

 The guard continued to make his rounds, a small lantern flickering in his grip; it'd never be enough to split through the darkness that Aleksa had carefully weaved around Inej, and once the guard had finally left the area, completely none the wiser to the Wraith that had stood mere inches away, Aleksa lowered her guise of shadows.

 Inej's face slowly slipped into view as the shadows tumbled away from her like raging ocean waves. She looked up at Aleksa and nodded just once before she crept forth once more.

 Aleksa watched Inej curl her hands around the gate that separated her from her escape; she tugged once, and then a second time. Each time the gate merely jolted, refusing to budge and free the Wraith.

 A whistle split through the air, and as Aleksa cocked her head, their beloved sharpshooter came into view, standing on the balcony overlooking where Inej had been trapped; he told the Wraith to move as his hand gripped at the handle of his pistol.

 Aleksa, however, didn't stick around to watch. The Shadow Summoner knew she could do no more for either of the two and with each other, they would be just fine. She gathered the rope into her arms and kept herself in a low crouch as she skirted along the edge of the roof.

 She soon found the perfect place to tie the rope. A tight knot kept the twine in place, and after tugging to ensure she wouldn't plummet to her untimely death and ruin her wondrous face, Aleksa curled her hands around the cord and began to lower herself towards the ground.

 The shadows below her twisted and rippled, and as she flicked her pinkies out; they curled upwards and crawled the length of the building until she was utterly swarmed. Aleksa was shrouded from view, under a cloak of unfathomable darkness as she climbed lower and lower to the ground.

 She managed to keep her landing silent, heavy boots slipping quietly onto the rain-slicked stone and once she was certain nobody would see her, she flicked her wrists and the shadows retreated, leaving her in the open with a rope dangling before her.

 She stared upwards where she had twisted the knot into place; and with a swift movement of her hand cutting through the air, her shadows crept up the walls. The coffee-coloured stone disappeared from view, the intricate carvings that decorated the buildings were lost from sight and once the shadows had trailed their way to the knot, she sliced the air once more.

 The bundle of rope came crashing down like a wilting, coiling snake. It landed in her awaiting arms. She stumbled from the force yet righted herself swiftly. A gleeful grin tugged at her lips as she finally allowed the shadows to rest.

 Aleksa was the first to find Kaz. He stood in the open, a mere silhouette of sharp and tailored lines; she'd have recognised him anywhere... Likely because of his silly hat.

 He heard her hurried steps, and Kaz tipped his head in her direction; a silent question.

 "They'll be here soon." Aleksa breathed, still coiling the rope around her arms. Her exhale came out as a puff of white, trailing towards the moon that hung high as their spotlight; a perfect limelight for their secured victory.

 "With the blueprints?"

 She gave him a pointed look, a single brow climbing her forehead, "Obviously."

 Kaz finally turned his head to her fully, he needn't ask the question from the way her skin positively gleamed under the moonlight, or the way her eyes shone like sunlight-streaked icicles, yet his mouth parted all the same, "Did you need to call the shadows?"

 She plucked a strand of hair from in front of her face, admiring its shine. Everything looked healthier, and fuller after the use of one's powers, "I did. Only shortly."

 His gaze remained fixated on her glowing cheekbones and the way the chill of the winter night had brought a burst of rose to them, and his throat bobbed as she looked up, catching his stare, "Good."

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DATE: 07-10-2022

:･ﾟ★ Naur writing this little heist was actually so fun. Aleksa and Inej are such a good pairing for getting into places... and Kaz is very clearly whipped to the BONE. I genuinely cannot wait to write the Ice Court heist, which, in case you didn't know... I'm only writing season one of the netflix show... as sort of a prologue, and then we'll move straight to the soc duology with flashbacks of what happens inbetween ;)

 N e way, luv u, hope you enjoyed!

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as to allow me to see what you all enjoyed most!), please give me a follow, and please do NOT leave comments telling me to update; they'll be ignored and you'll be muted, much love <3