Avoidance

It was the first time Renzly had ever bothered to knock on her door. Kezrin was willing to allow her a bit of leeway in return and let the rogue inside.

“You’ve packed up,” Renzly noted quietly. She set a small bag by the door.

“I’m movin’. I’m not gonna stay here anymore.”

“Where ya goin’?”

“I got a job. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

“Fair ’nuff.” Renzly took her favorite perch on the edge of the now empty desk. “I just wanted… ta say… well… ” She sighed. “Ya hear from Myzzi?”

“Yeah. She’s fine. Gonna meet up with her soon.”

“Oh. Good, I guess. Ya gonna be careful, right? Keep a low profile?”

“Don’t worry. Gonna be doin’ office work, mostly. I ain’t gonna get you in trouble.”

“It’s ‘bout keepin’ you safe as well!”

“Yeah, safe from people like you!”

“Fine. I was hired ta kill ya. But I didn’t. Doesn’t that mean anythin’?” There was faint pleading note to the question.

“Yeah? And what if I couldn’t do all your translatin’? Would ya have killed me, then?” Kezrin shook her head. “You’re just.. just like Waxworth, only carin’ ‘bout what good I can do for you.”

“Oh, yeah?” Renzly shot back. “Well, that’s the way of the world, Kez. People look out for themselves first. They can try and hide it with all sorts of fancy talk, but in the end, it’s always the truth. It’s kill or be killed.”

Kezrin flinched at her words, hugging her arms against her chest. “I don’t want… to be a killer, Renzly. I don’t want to be like you.”

She paced a few times around the room. “I can’t take this anymore! I don’t want this ta be the kind of life Myzzi comes ta… living in the slums, always watchin’ over our shoulder, worried ‘bout how ta… how ta… hide bodies.” She shook her head. “I have ta protect her from gettin’ hurt.”

Renzly looked at her skeptically. “You’re gonna to protect her from bein’ hurt. Right. I get it.” She shook her head. “Fine. Do whatever ya think is good for her. I’ve done my best ta make sure they’re lookin’ in the wrong places,” she offered. “So ya know.”

Kezrin nodded slowly, raising a hand to her temple. “Thanks, I guess.”

“Still gettin’ headaches?”

“Every now and then. I’ll manage.”

“Could just be stress.”

“Maybe. Everything’s been so messed up lately. I sorta wish I could just forget everything that’s happened and just… be happy again.”

“Everything? Ya weren’t ever happy? At all?”

“No. In fact…” Kezrin looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry, Renzly, but I’d rather ya not come around anymore.”

“Waddaya mean, not come around?”

“I don’t want ya near Myzzi. I don’t want her to have anythin’ ta do with any of this. And I ain’t doin’ any more work for you.”

“Ya know I could turn you in, still.”

“But ya ain’t,” Kezrin pointed out. “‘Cause it would get you in hot water, too. Said so yourself.”

“I could figure out a way ‘round that, trust me,” Renzly warned her.

She looked up. “But I also got your box, remember?”

Renzly jerked as if hit, fingers automatically moving to her daggers, though she didn’t draw. “Where is it?”

“Someplace safe.” Kezrin took a breath. “So I’m proposin’ a new deal. I’ll keep keepin’ it safe, and ya stay out of Myzzi’s… and my… lives.” Kezrin’s voice shook, but she didn’t back down from Renzly’s hard stare.

“And what if I need it back? That’s my box, ya know.”

“If ya really need it, I’m sure ya can find a way ta contact me withou’ endangerin’ Myzzi.”

“I see.” There was a pause as Renzly considered the offer. “You’re not really good at makin’ deals, ya know,” she finally conceded.

“Good thing I’m not runnin’ the family business, then.”

“Oh, right… almost forgot.” Renzly moved the bag she’d brought to the desk. “You, ah, left these behind the last time I saw ya.” She set out the items: a few candles, a book, the comb for Myzzi. “I hope ya still want them.”

Kezrin picked up the pink and white candle. She stared at the thoughtfully before holding it out to Renzly. “Here. This one was for ya. Merry Late Winter’s Veil.”

“Even though ya don’t want me ‘round anymore?” Renzly asked, surprised.

“I bought it for ya, you’re gonna take it.”

She shoved the candle into Renzly’s hands. They stood silently; Kezrin wasn’t sure there was anything else to say. At last, Renzly nodded to the door.

“Right… see ya ‘round I guess. Or not.”

“Goodbye, Ren.”

“Bye, Goldie.”

Renzly slipped out the door, and Kezrin bolted it shut.