#and Inej knows what she wants and deserves Kaz at his best

[kazscrows]

Can you believe that Inej imagined Kaz Brekker saying “I want you” then decided not to hope for that, because hope is dangerous, but then barely a day later it literally happened.

[evellynssocbrainrot]

An Important Notice

Almost every time I read a fanfic or see what people say on Tumblr and Pinterest, Inej is perceived as this perfect angel with no flaws and Kaz is the one who needs fixing.

This is really annoying.

Listen, people, Inej is amazing, don't get me wrong. She's one of the best characters in all of literature and I look up to her as a role model, but she's not perfect. She is not a saint or an angel, she's a human. Even she can be stubborn and arrogant from time to time. Let's not forget how she doubted Wylan's demo ability at the beginning of SOC. Her line, "I will have you without your armor, Kaz Brekker, or I will not have you at all," is iconic and I understand the meaning, but it's still a bit hypocritical when you think about it. She's telling Kaz to make himself vulnerable but it's not like she's that open about her own vulnerabilities either.

As for Kaz, the poor baby is almost always painted in the wrong light. He's the one with all the flaws, the one who doesn't deserve anything but misery, and the one who needs fixing. Even if he's just a character, I feel bad and think perhaps sometimes the Grishaverse fandom isn't fair to him. In the books, Kaz told Wylan how he shouldn't feel ashamed of his disability, VERBALLY said that he wanted to give himself up for the Crows, and didn't allow Jesper to use Parem even though it was a very efficient way to gain the victory. He even gave Nina Matthias's share of the kruge despite having the option to take it for himself.

And for Inej, the sweetheart did as much as he could. 😭

He was dead set on saving her at the beginning of CK and stopped at nothing until she was with him again. And his line, "I would have come for you, and if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you." He said he would crawl, CRAWL!! Fucking crawl to her, and knowing Kaz, he so would if he had to. And then he liquidated all, not some, all of his assets, every single cent, he gave it all up for her. To fully free her from the Menagerie. In the end, he bought her a ship, found her parents, and even went as far as taking off his gloves and holding her hand for a long time IN PUBLIC!!!! At the harbour where anyone could see. In fact, he's the reason why she's where she is in the first place. He got her out, gave her a knife, and made her dangerous. He gave her the freedom to grace the rooftops in the dead of night and haunt the streets. He gave her the option to leave if she wanted. HE LOVED HER TO THE POINT WHERE HE LET HER GO BECAUSE HER HAPPINESS AND DESIRES MATTER MORE TO HIM THAN HIS OWN!!!

He's not that bad okay. I know he's very flawed and traumatized, but he's got a very big heart, he just doesn't show it. He gave Jesper a place to go, provided Wylan with protection, and allowed Nina and Matthias to reunite. He formed the plans for the Ice Court and ended Van Eck and Pekka Rollins while doing his best to ensure that the Crows would stay alive. But still, he's the only one who has to fix himself. Some fans still think that he isn't worthy of Inej. Meanwhile, Inej is the perfect, flawless angel. I thought people didn't like a Mary Sue. And Inej isn't a Mary Sue, she has flaws, she has weak points, and she has things that she needs to work through as well.

For those of you who read all this, thank you for sparing some time.

[ninallthatjazz]

I am rewatching Shadow and Bone and I have so many thoughts about the Kanej wound dressing scene in S2E3 dkwbjdorbr it's one of the best scenes in the show imo.

The hesitant way Kaz enters the room, like he knows exactly that it will be hard for him to see Inej hurt and, more importantly, angry at him. He looks at the floor for a second to gather his courage before he speaks.

Mirroring Kaz in the first episode, Inej senses his presence before he makes himself known. She goes still for a second, staring straight ahead, before resuming what she is doing.

The trembling in Inej's voice on the line "you are gambling with our lives" because she is so furious and hurt and can just not understand why Kaz is not his usual level-headed, cold-hearted, calculated self. Kaz can be cruel and detached, but she knows how to work with that, she knows him. This is uncharted territory, and it terrifies her, especially because she will be right back where she started if this goes wrong.

Kaz immediately turning away when Inej starts to take off her blouse (despite the layers she wears underneath). I am wondering if it's more for her sake or if he doesn't trust himself to keep his desire for her locked away in the dark corner of his heart where he usually keeps it buried.

Kaz fighting to get out the words "Pekka Rollins killed my brother", breathing heavily like speaking those words are enough to make him drown.

Inej looking at him with fire in her eyes and saying in the most eerily calm voice "then we destroy him". He gave her a reason, and this is all she needed to trust in him and fight by his side.

Kaz looking up at those words like he can't believe that he heard correctly, like he has to make sure the hope growing in him is grounded in reality.

The resolve in his eyes when he starts walking towards her, hand shaking when he silently asks her to give him the cloth so he can clean her wound.

Inej's stunned look at his face, trying to read the situation. Is Kaz Brekker trying to take care of me? In a situation that requires touch?

Her little gasp when the cloth makes contact with her skin. I don't think pain is the cause.

Kaz trying so hard, but still clenching his jaw like he is biting steel, breathing fast, feeling the water rise.

The look they share after "was there no one to protect you?" saying that no, they were both alone then. But they are not alone any longer.

Inej's little arched brow and casual tone when she asks "do I have one?" (a tell). She wants to know if he sees her, her, who tried to be invisible most of the time. Him immediately giving an answer.

Her asking him to be vulnerable with her in return. "what's yours?" whispered in the intimite air between them.

Kaz trying desperately to keep his armor on by deflecting with the limp. Immediately losing it when she keeps looking at him (looking at his mouth) telling her what she wants to know, he would tell her everything, if she just keeps looking at him like that..

Inej understanding even without him saying it (I want you), leaning into him.

I could rewatch this another 100 times and I would still find new things. Freddy and Amita deserve all the awards for this incredibly nuanced performance.

[starlightandmagic]

You know I’ll let it slide eventually but I’m here to rant just a little more.

I will accept NOTHING but an aroace Tolya and the writers can fight me about it, erasing that is just beyond disrespectful and I will choose to interpret that little odd look as platonic admiration and nothing more, but!

If they wanted an unrequited love triangle for Kanej just to add a little more drama (as if those two needed it tbh) Jesper was right fucking there! Jesper with his gigantic crush on Kaz, with his unwavering loyalty to him even when he’s being treated rather cruelly by Kaz, and his feelings of inadequacy, of not being enough, and his misplaced sporadic jealousy of Inej that he then feels so guilty about because she’s his best friend but still he wishes Kaz would look at him the way he looks at her and treat him the way he treats her, and his little talk with Inej about how they both deserve better than Kaz but they still can’t help their feelings for him. How he slowly gets over his crush on Kaz by falling for Wylan, how Wylan sometimes worries that Jesper will never look at him the way he looks at Kaz, but Jesper feels so much more with him, how he learns what real love and admiration is like when he’s with Wylan until eventually his feelings for Kaz just cease to exist and he just sees him as Kaz always saw him. A brother.

Like we already had the perfect unrequited angsty love triangle in canon, they could’ve worked with that, there is absolutely zero need to force another one!

[wh0refornikolailantsov]

Prompt: "I know you love him, and I will not ask you to change. I only ask... is there any part of you that could love me too?"

Song: "As It Was" - Hozier

For Inej x Reader please!!

hehehehe

A Place For Me - Inej Ghafa

Content Warnings: Canon Complaint Threat And Violence. Mentions Of Feeling Second Best, Insecurities, Being Enough Or Not Enough. Discussions Of Unrequited Love. Not Beta/ Proof Read.

Watching her, it's like watching the sunrise. She is this bright light that brings everything around her into this abundance of colour. Inej is nothing short of pure sunlight, she is where your days begin and end. She is where every single one of your thoughts begin and end. From the day you two met, you were reduced to a creature that wanted to be in her presence. Or at least that is how you have described it, at length to Wylan.

Wylan nods, wiping some soot unintentionally across his brow. "You love her," Wylan says, reaching across the table for a vial of something. It's not an observation, just a simple statement, one he has made many a time.

Your smile is doleful, but there isn't a shred of remorse in your chest, nothing could bring you to regret your feelings for her. They had never been intentional, but they were not unwanted, you would not choose to feel any other way about her even if you could. She deserved to be loved, endlessly, devotedly, unconditionally. She deserved depths of love that she had not seen in years. Depths of love that Inej wasn't sure she would ever see again.

"That's not news Wylan," you remind him. Wylan chuckles, a small controlled burst of light rising up from what he is mixing.

"Okay, not that," he mumbles to himself before looking back at you. "You are looking for answers in me," Wylan looks away before finishing, "when I am not the one who can give them to you."

"Says the boy fawning over the sharpshooter," you say a little too quickly.

Wylan bites down on his lower lip, and his tone is somewhat sarcastic as he replies, "I am not digging in the wrong cemetery."

"I am not digging," you argue.

"Then why is this the same conversation we have had eight time?" Wylan asks.

"Because what else do I do with my feelings, bury them like Kaz?"

"Now we are getting somewhere," Wylan says.

"No, bringing up Brekker is not progress."

"Isn't it? Isn't that really why you and I are walking these circles? I think this whole thing has everything to do with Brekker."

Wylan's words are swimming around your mind and they're almost drowning out the soft sounds of Inej's whispering. You watch her steps, seeing how she moves but doesn't make a sound, every step like she is walking that tight rope, like she is preforming for a crowd and yet no one but herself. She doesn't work with a net, she is endlessly graceful and boundlessly powerful in her capabilities, but by the Saints she has you falling every time, every height is endless, every edge a precipice, every single step a fall risk. You fall every time.

But she is in love with him. You know that. Of course you know that. You cannot see Inej in every shade of light and not notice. Kaz Brekker captured a heart long before he had the power to realise it, long before he could even question if he deserved it. Kaz Brekker had caught the only thing in Ketterdam worth a damn. You knew it, he knew it. She knew you knew it too. She knows that you're smart enough to be able to see it, even if she tries to keep it away, even if she tries to make it not true. He is a weakness she never intended to have. He is a heart she never wanted to want for, to reach after, to desire. But against all her logic and all her wants, all her best intentions, Kaz Brekker had saved her, and she wanted to save him in return. One minute he made her blush and the next he made her want to commit murder, but nothing seemed to make her feelings for him falter. Kaz Brekker, The Bastard Of The Barrel, a man you could never envy for any other reason, but for this one the green inside you glowing, filling every part of you. You have never wanted for anything that was not yours, except maybe this, except maybe her. She could never be yours, she could never be anyone's, and you would never want her to be. She belongs to no one but herself and her Saints and you would make sure you did everything in your power to keep that true for as long as you draw breath.

"It's so quiet," Inej whispers, but her voice doesn't carry on the wind, even the air daren't carry her words too far from her. Even the air is selfish in wanting to keep her close.

"I am in love with you," you say, matching her quietness but not bothering to disguise your words, not playing with your tone, if Inej was anyone else her footing would have slipped, but she is Inej Ghafa. So all of the unsteadiness stays within her walls.

"You..." Inej pauses. "What?"

"I know you love him, and I will not ask you to change. I only ask... is there any part of you that could love me too?" You say.

Maybe she had known, a part of her had known, she supposes, in the way a person knows things that they never really have the time to shine the light on. But to you Inej is all light, all the time, and you'd never entertained the idea that she might know, so you find your own words surprising but you suppose inevitable.

Inej looks at you and it is not unlike her memories are falling around the two of you like parade feathers.

"I love that one," you tell her, offering her a slice of toast across the table.

"That what?" she asks, taking it without a second thought.

"That smile," you grin to yourself, "the one like the world doesn't weigh you down, the one that feels like it belongs to a different lifetime."

She blinks. "I..."

"Maybe a star," Inej says, looking at the sky. You follow her gaze upward.

"Any particular one?" you ask her, charting out the constellations in your mind.

"I don't know, what star would you have me name myself after?" she asks, as if this game was something just the two of you were sharing, as if Jesper and Nina weren't a few steps away complaining about the bitter night air.

"Well if you were to take on a name of a star in this fancy new life of yours where you're someone entirely new, would you wear different colours?" you ask. Inej laughs, tracing a hand over her clothing like she is dusting off armour.

"I don't think I could," she admits. You point out a star and offer up it's name to her as a gift with a wicked smile. She stares at the star, rolling it's name over her tongue, she likes it, but she doesn't understand how you could choose a name for her so quickly, with such confidence. "Why?"

"It's the star of freedom," you tell her, and as you see the star reflecting back in Inej's eyes, you know you're right.

You hear the tap of Kaz's cane on the stones and you reach out to Inej who is stood in her memories, like a gallery she had been awaiting a walk through for some time. "Inej?"

"I do not think-,"

"If you're about to say anything about Inej's skillset not being suitable, you certainly do not," you snap back. Kaz glowers at you, and you know his concern for her safety isn't to be dismissed, even if he will deny that is what it is. But this isn't about that. Inej can do this, Inej was born to do this, and you will not let the barrel rat let her think any less of herself.

"We won't have time for a net or any type of precaution," Kaz says through gritted teeth.

"I don't work with a net," Inej says. She looks at you, searching for the smallest amount of doubt, but you show none.

"Inej can do this Brekker, if you have any doubts then you clearly do not understand your crew."

"I understand my investments perfectly, otherwise I would not undertake them," Kaz says, getting more irritated by you by the moment.

"Then let her do this," you say, "she's Inej Ghafa, have you seen a single thing she cannot do?"

"This whole time," she says, blinking back into the moment.

"Kaz is waiting," you say.

"This whole time?" It's a question now, and the question cannot go unanswered.

"Yes," you tell her, "this whole time." She doesn't know what next to say and you barely give her the chance. "Kaz is waiting."

"He can wait a moment more," she says, "he said he didn't need me, remember."

"And he is a fool," you say, "I don't think he has ever needed you more."

"And you?"

"I can wait, I am very good at waiting."

[aoibhinnslater04]

SOC x ACOTAR

Chapter 4: Nothing left to lose

Ok, so I know I'm late but I had exams, a severe hangover and work, so this took a bit and isn't my best work.

Don't hate me!! :)

Word count: 1408

Trigger warnings, kidnapping, grief, mind control

Inej leaned against Jesper with her eyes closed, her mind whirring. She knew they had to get out, knew Kaz wouldn’t accept the insult of a negotiation where he was at a disadvantage, and knew they had to escape. Now.

Kaz didn’t know of their abilities, he would do something stupid that would end up with them being in a hell of a lot more danger than they were in now, and would likely drag Wylan, Nina and Matthias into this mess too. 

Inej had been trying to come up with a plan for ages now, since she woke up, but she kept remembering the disturbing and violating feeling of Rhysand’s power over her. At least at the menagerie she had some semblance of control of her body, but this? This was a whole new level of being out of control. It was like he had stripped her naked. She didn’t know how much he had seen of her memories, but either way it was too much. No one knew as much as he did now, and that was just as disturbing a thought as the power that achieved it. Even Nina, her best friend, who had helped her through her worst moments, calmed her heart when she awoke from panicked nightmares and held her while she cried, didn’t know all her thoughts like he did now.

Jesper shifted slightly, and she looked up at him. She knew he likely felt just as violated, as well as betrayed. He had told her all about his new friend Cassian on their way to Vassa’s, and she felt a slight pang of sympathy. Her friend had such a good heart, and he didn’t deserve this. But she sat up, and tried to push every thought out of her head, and turn her mind towards escape. 

“We have to get out of here”, she said, her voice still shaking slightly. “Kaz doesn’t know what these people are capable of, so any kind of retaliation isn’t going to work. And they'll likely take it out on us, then.”

“Cassian won’t let them hurt us”, Jesper interjected.

“Jesper, Cassian is the one who told them how to find us and helped them take us! He’s not your friend. He’s not someone we can count on! Sitting here, we’re prey. We’ve been prey long enough.”

She softened slightly at the sadness in his eyes, and took his hand.

“Let’s get out of here so we can become the predators again.”

~~~~~

Jesper glanced back as the tortured scream echoed down the hall, and he grabbed Inej’s hand again to tug her along with him as he ran faster. Not that the Wraith was slow, but she didn’t have the long legs he did, and by the sounds of it, they needed to be out of here like an hour ago, and neither of them wanted to test the limits of Rhysand’s powers, especially when they were this close to freedom. And whatever had caused that scream, he knew they were running out of time.

Suddenly, he stopped short. He felt a tug in the corner of his mind, the smallest part of him that he had allowed himself to search for their weapons with his Durast abilities, pulling him towards a room down another hall. He pulled Inej, despite her furious, whispered protests before opening the door of a small office, one with the most beautiful view over a fast-moving river. He shook his head slightly to stop himself from getting distracted, and grabbed the two pistols and pouch of bullets from the desk. He pulled open a bag beside them to discover Inej’s collection of knives. He goes to pass them to her, but notices her staring at an obsidian hilted knife, protected by a dark scabbard with silver runes. “We can take that too”, he told her, grabbing it and turning back to the door, ready to rush out again, until he hears loud yells nearby. They weren’t going to make it. Their escape had been discovered.

He didn’t hear Inej move until her hand was grabbing his once more. This time, he could feel it shaking. Inej wasn’t one to show fear, so this scared him almost more than the threat of the angry mob coming towards them. But her voice was strong as she whispered, “the window. We’re directly over the river, we can both swim, and we’re desperate. If he gets his clutches in our minds again, we’ll never be able to leave.”

He looked at her, and saw the determined look in her dark eyes. So he squeezed her hand. And pulled the trigger. And glass showered all over them.

~~~~~

Cassian heard glass shatter down one of the many halls and ran down to Azriel’s office, where the prisoner’s weapons were currently being stored. He pulled open the door just quickly enough to see Inej leap gracefully from the windowsill, and to see Jesper make a vulgar gesture towards him before following the Wraith. He ran to the window, and saw them being pulled with the tide in a direction he knew led to the Harbour. Oh shit. Rhys had just lost his leverage.

~

The Inner Circle were all sitting in their living room, a stunned silence hanging over them all. Even Feyre had stopped sobbing, only the occasional tear trickling down her pale face. They had gone so quickly from being in control to being left with less than before, with Nyx missing as well as the prisoners. Rhys stood up, his face going from the picture of devastation to uncontrolled rage, and Cassian almost shivered, like the room had changed temperature. 

“The Dregs have no idea who they’re messing with. They thought we were dangerous before? They haven’t seen anything”, he snarled, the promise of violent death clear in his voice. “We have nothing left to lose. Game on.”

The pained silence that followed their nodding was only broken by Azriel’s gloomy tone.”I still can’t believe they took Truth-Teller.”

~~~~~

Nina ran to the deck of the boat she was travelling on when she heard the cries of “man overboard!” She had been travelling with this crew for weeks now, between her journey to Ravka, her quest for Zoya and the journey back, and while she would never exchange her life with the Crows for a life at sea, she had grown fond of them, so she wanted to help however she could. However, when she reached the surface, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the new level of light, she saw Jesper and Inej in front of her, shivering and pale. She blinked again as though the light was deceiving her, showing her who she wanted to see when they landed, but no, Inej and Jesper were really there. 

Nina squealed and ran towards them, throwing her arms around them and nearly knocking them to the floor. She thought maybe Jesper was dripping sea water onto her face as she felt coldness fall down her rosy cheeks, but realised she was crying as they gripped her tightly back, as if they were scared to let go. She had been so worried when Kaz had told her they were missing, presumably captured by this mysterious Rhysand, and she had convinced the crew to stop at a dodgy island marketplace on their way back to Ketterdam to pick up supplies for Wylan. But here they were, whole and safe in front of her. 

She released them, but kept gripping Inej’s hand tightly, as though the Wraith would float away on the breeze, and she turned to Jesper, saying “I have some spare towels in my room. Follow me.”

Nina kept glancing worriedly back at the pair behind her, looking so pale and scared. When they got to her cabin, she threw them a towel each, before collapsing on her bed and saying “spill”. Her face fell more and more with each word they spoke, pressing tightly against one another as if they were the only thing they could be sure of. Which, Nina supposed, was probably pretty accurate based on what she had just heard. She had never heard of any Grisha having the powers Rhysand was supposed to have, unless they were on jurda parem, although it didn’t sound like that was the case. And now they were after the Crows? Oh no, this wasn’t going to end well at all….

[rose-sophia-isabella-rogers]

A Tale of Stolen Hearts: Chapter XIII - No Matter What Will Happen, My Heart Beats for You

Chapter Summary: What fate will the King decide for you?

Pairing: Aleksander Kirigan/Reader, Wylan Hendriks/Jesper Fahey

Characters: Aleksander Kirigan, Reader, Zoya Nazyalensky, Tolya Yul-Bataar, Kaz Brekker, Wylan Hendriks, Nina Zenik, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey

Word Count: 3838

A/N: moi tsar – my ruler, king sankta – saint Inspired by prompts: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089577824/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089533269/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089577829/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089533253/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089550803/ The last scene in this chapter contains plot from the 5 episode of season 2.

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or removed):

@budugu

@intothesoul

@mizelophsun11

@pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

@zeeader

You are finally brought to the Throne Room in the Grand Palace. Your hands are bound, obviously, and spread apart. The whole chamber is filled with people, both Grisha and otkazat'sya. You even notice some familiar faces. You'd wave at them if you could.

King Alexander is sitting on his throne with his wife Tatiana next to him. You can see their sons, Vasily and Nikolai standing behind them. Only Nikolai, the youngest son, is not sending daggers at you with his eyes. He's looking at you more with curiosity. You stare back at them all calmly, bravely.

'You know why you are here,' King's voice silences all whispers. 'You are accused of treason, murder of a member of the royal family, my nephew, Pyotr Landsov. To escape punishment, you faked your own death and lived in hiding. But the justice finally caught up with you. The First Army caught you-'

'After I saved their asses,' you put in. You swear you can hear Tatiana's snicker masked with a cough.

'Do not interrupt your King!' Alexander III booms.

'I just think people here should know all the facts, before you convict me, you know?' you ask. 'Like, for example, what happened that day?'

'Nothing you have to say would justify such crime,' the King says, glaring at you. You raise your chin and give him a challenging look.

'How about this?' you ask. 'Your darling nephew tried to force himself on me.'

Some people gasp. The Queen stops glaring at you. Nikolay's eyes go wide. King freezes at those words.

'Oh, you haven't heard the best part yet,' you say, looking around at the gathered people. 'He said it's a normal thing in his party. That he "tests" all women in there this way.'

Your eyes find a girl you remember seeing that day. She looks down. You notice her fists clenching.

'No one ever said about such thing before,' the King dismisses you. You bark a humourless laugh.

'How could they?' you ask. 'Most likely instead of getting help or having this put to stop, they would be thrown out of the army… or worse. Or the usual thing would happen. They would be told it was their fault. Because that's how it usually goes. Rape victims are blamed for what happened, instead of getting help. What I did was a crime, I don't deny that. But he at least suffered for a short time. His victims may still be traumatised because of what happened. I still have nightmares about what he almost did. Because the rape doesn't end for the victim when their abuser is done with them. They have to live with the memory of that forever.'

'Show some respect to the dead!' the King booms.

'He showed me none when he was alive,' you spat with venom but then your look softens. 'I don't say he deserved what I did to him. I didn't mean for that to happen. But fear of what he tried to do caused me to lose control of my abilities for a moment. And that was enough for a disaster to happen. I'm sorry I've caused you and your family grief. Yes, I ran that day. I've been running for most of my life. But I'm done with that today. I'll take consequences for my actions. Just remember, before giving me my punishment, I'm not the only one to blame for what happened.'

You can hear whispers in the room. You face the emperor bravely. He's almost steaming with rage.

'There's only one possible punishment for what you did,' the King says. 'And it's death!'

'Moi tsar, if I may…' you hear a familiar voice. The King almost sighs, you can hear it.

'General Kirigan,' he says, nodding his head, but it's clear he's not happy. Kirigan steps out from the crowd and joins you. You don't look at each other, not wanting the gathered to know about your relationship. It could cause you more harm.

'I don't claim what Miss [L/N] did wasn't wrong or justified,' Kirigan starts. 'But she's right that we should take the circumstances into consideration as well. And like she said, she didn't intend to kill him. It was… more of a self-defence. Could she control her abilities more? Maybe. But let's not forget she didn't train in the Little Palace, she was self-taught. Control of emotions is hard to accomplish by yourself. That said, I don't believe she deserves to be executed for what she did.'

'Why do you defend her so much, General?' the King asks, tilting his head to the side. 'You barely know her. You spent what? Weeks together?'

'I know her enough,' Kirigan says. 'She's impetuous and daring, a little too bold and way too fearless.'

You shrug. That sounds about right.

'And most importantly… she's not a murderer,' Kirigan says and points at the Grisha. 'On the contrary, she's a hero. All of those people are alive right now… because of her. She's the one who risked her life and destroyed the device meant to doom all Grisha. Fjerdans were about to use it in the battle we had two days later. We would lose very quickly if it had happened. We were close to losing anyway. And we didn't because of her. If we're talking today about her actions, let's not forget about those as well. Because, quite possibly, we all are alive here today thanks to her.'

Silence fills the room. The King looks around the room. He doesn't like some stares he gets. Because Kirigan is right. You did save Ravka. For most you are a Saint. Killing you now and after you revealed you did it because you had been almost raped… would just make you more of a martyr for the people.

'Very well,' the King finally says. 'General Kirigan is right. We can't forget how you helped save Ravka… for which we are grateful. However, it does not absolve you of your crimes. Hereby, you are banished from Ravka. You have a month to settle your matters and a day to leave Os Alta. If you are found on Ravkan territory after that… death awaits you.'

Banishment. Better than death but… you still can't have what you really want.

'Thank you for your mercy, moi tsar,' you say, bowing your head. You almost vomit saying those words. The King waves his hands. You are taken out of the Throne Room. Only outside you will be freed from your bonds. While you're leaving, you cast a glance behind your back. Your eyes meet Kirigan. The sadness in his eyes is as deep as the one in yours.

*

A month has passed. You were preparing to leave the Ravka. That requires a trip through the Fold. The King truly was cruel. But hey, you came back from the dead, so what are a few Volcras to you, right?

On the day you are about to set out to the Fold, Kirigan arrives to bid you goodbye. You welcome him in your (for a few more minutes) apartment with a smile.

'How are things in Os Alta?' you ask. He takes off his coat and puts it on your armchair.

'Half of the kingdom wants you dead,' he sighs.

'Wow, a month ago it was the whole kingdom,' you say and grin. 'Things are looking up!'

'Please, stop joking about it,' Kirigan says, glaring at you. You shrug.

'You know it's my defence mechanism,' you say. But you allow your walls to drop. Kirigan looks at you softly, seeing how vulnerable and scared you are.

'At least you are alive,' he says, walking toward you. You send him a weak smile. He takes your hands in his.

'Thanks to you,' you say. 'I didn't get to say it then, so let me now. Thank you. If it weren't for what you said, I'd…'

'I promised you, remember?' he asks. 'That I'd fight for you.'

You can feel tears in your eyes. You try to blink them away. Kirigan notices it and lets you go. You walk away and busy yourself with gathering your things, while also drying your eyes.

'What are you going to do now?' Kirigan asks after a moment.

'I'm heading to Ketterdam,' you answer. 'Sounds like a good place for me. Then… I'll see. Maybe I'll move to a different town. Maybe I'll travel. Maybe I'll spend there the rest of my life, however long or short it would be.'

'You are a powerful Grisha,' Kirigan says. 'If you use your powers often and master them, who knows? Maybe you could be immortal. Or nearly immortal.'

'No, no, no,' you quickly say, turning to him. 'I don't want to become immortal! Who'd want to live with themselves for that long?'

Kirigan barks a laugh. You grin at him. Then you look at your things.

'Right,' you say. 'I think that's about it.'

'Let me help you,' Kirigan says and walks to you. Together you take your things outside. There you pack it to carriage your sister got for you. Or rather your luggage. You're going to ride on Hector. Elizabeth claims he's grown fond of you. You just think she wants to get rid of him, because he doesn't listen to anyone.

'Right, time for me,' you sigh and turn to Kirigan. 'You know, my life really took a turn from a year ago.'

'I know,' Kirigan says, taking your hand in his and then pulls you to himself suddenly. 'You thought you were insatiable but then you met me.'

'You think too highly of yourself,' you say, raising your eyebrows. Kirigan smirks.

'Am I not everything you wanted?' he teases you.

'I wanted a little less arrogance,' you answer. Kirigan laughs. You grin. But then your smile becomes sadder.

'I've missed that laugh,' you say. 'And I'm going to miss it again.'

'I know,' Kirigan says quietly, his eyes filled with sadness as well. 'I wish… I wish you told me about your plan. Then I…'

'What?' you ask. 'You'd come with me?'

'Maybe,' Kirigan answers, shrugging. 'We will never know, because you robbed me of that choice.'

You bite your lip. You shake your head.

'I was really considering it, you know,' you say. 'Telling you of my plan and asking you to run away with me. But… I couldn't do that to you. Because I know how hard you work to keep all Grisha safe. If you had run with me… all of that would have been for nothing.'

'So, that's a "no" to considering allowing me to go with you now?' Kirigan asks. You smile sadly.

'You would hate it, Kirigan,' you say. 'And maybe hate me again after some time.'

'I don't think I could,' Kirigan says after a moment. 'Hate you again. There's no coming back to how things were between us. And… call me "Aleksander".'

You smile. He smiles back and cups your face.

'One day… you will be able to return,' he says. 'I promise.'

'Or maybe one day the war will be over and you will be able to come to me,' you say. Aleksander chuckles humourlessly.

'After all that time?' he asks. 'I doubt it.'

'Never lose hope,' you say. Aleksander nods. He leans to you, closing his eyes. You close your eyes and answer the coming kiss.

'I still hate your lips on mine,' you whisper and he chuckles. 'I will miss it so much.'

'Never lose hope,' Aleksander says your words back to you. You roll your eyes and pull away. But you cup his cheek.

'I love you,' you say, causing him to smile. 'Remember that. Nothing will change that. I will always love you.'

'And you remember, that no matter what, my heart is yours,' Aleksander says. 'It beats for you. Only for you.'

You smile. How you wish you could have more time… Alas, the rich and powerful just love to make people like you miserable.

'Time to go,' you whisper and move away from Aleksander. You mount Hector and look at Aleksander. He grabs your hand for a moment longer.

'Farewell… Aleksander,' you say, trying not to fall apart.

'Not "farewell",' he says, shaking his head. 'It's: see you next time.'

'See you next time, then,' you laugh. Aleksander forces a smile. He takes a step back.

'May Saints be with you,' you say.

'I only want one Saint to be with me,' Aleksander says. You roll your eyes.

'Oh, you will not let me live this one down,' you say. Aleksander smirks.

'Not likely,' he says and his look softens. 'Be careful.'

'You as well,' you say, forcing a smile. You look at the driver of your carriage and nod. It's time to set off. You wink one last time at Aleksander and make your horse turn around. Then your smile falls and tears well in your eyes. You cry as you ride away from Caryeva, your life… and the one you love. This time, you don't turn back. It would be too painful.

*

'So, what exactly are we waiting for?' Tolya Yul-Bataar asks.

'For information about the Neshyenyer,' Kaz Brekker answers. 'And if my contact, who's also the best thief I know, agrees, she will also help us if it would be required to steal it.'

Zoya freezes. She frowns, as she connects the information from Kaz. She. Best thief. Here in Ketterdam.

'Saints,' Zoya sighs. 'Do not tell me…'

Before anyone can ask her what she means, Kaz straightens up, seeins someone behind Zoya and Tolya. They turn and Zoya curses under her breath.

You walk into the building and look around. Locating Kaz, you head toward him, smiling.

'That was fast,' he comments once you're close.

'Please, I'm the fan of that theft,' you say. 'I just needed to check a few details.'

Your eyes fall on Zoya and you stop talking. She looks at you with a smirk.

'From all the people I expected to see here, you're far on that list,' you say.

'Long time no see, [Y/N],' Zoya says. 'It's been years.'

'It's the moment you say you didn't miss me, right?' you ask.

'Well, maybe a little bit,' Zoya admits. You grin at her.

'I take it you know each other,' Kaz says. Ah, yes. He hates to be ignored.

'We've spent a few weeks together,' you say. 'But now back to business. What I found out is for all of you?'

'Yes,' Zoya confirms. You nod.

'So, as you probably know the Neshyenyer at Ahmrat Jen is fake,' you say. 'It's been stolen by a thief known as The Disciple. My personal hero, but about it later. He had a penchant for stealing Saint-related relics while on jobs.'

'So he's a thief and a collector?' Wylan Hendriks asks.

'And retired,' you add. 'But he has since put a few pieces of his collection on the black market.'

'So, to get to him, we go to his fence,' Tolya says.

'Ohval Saran,' you say, nodding. 'She has a tea shop in Bhez Ju. To speak with her, we have to order yellow chrysanthemum tea, off-menu. That's all I know. The rest is up to you.'

'Wouldn't you want to help?' Kaz asks. 'We may need to steal it, worst case scenario. Think about it, stealing from the Disciple.'

'Mm, don't tempt me, Kaz,' you say, smiling.

'We could use your skills,' Tolya says. 'It's really important. Prince Nikolay will pay any price.'

'Prince Nikolay?' you ask, your smile fading. 'This is who you are getting the sword for?'

'We are getting it for Alina Starkov, but on Prince Nikolay's orders,' Wylan answers. You frown.

'Why would Alina Starkov need it?' you ask.

'To destroy the Darlking's indestructible army of shadow monsters,' Tolya answers. Zoya, who for the past few minutes has been trying to get them all to stop talking, hides her face in her hand. She misses the way your body freezes.

'The Darkling… he's alive?' you ask.

'And kicking,' Tolya confirms, nodding. 'He won't stop at nothing to get what he wants.'

It costs you everything to calm your heart. You didn't want to believe the news. That Aleksander has expanded the Fold. That he died. That he gave his heart to Sun Summoner for her to reject him. But now you hear that all of that is true. Well, you're still not sure about the last one.

'I don't want gold,' you say after a moment of silence, during which everyone in the team has been watching you. 'I want something else.'

'Name it,' Tolya says. 'Prince Nikolay is a man of his word.'

'I want my banishment from Ravka revoked,' you say. Nina Zenik's eyes go wide when it clicks for her.

'Hold on,' she says. 'You're a thief, your name is [Y/N] and you were banished from Ravka? You're her, aren't you?'

'Sankta [Y/N],' Tolya says in awe, connecting the dots as well. You grimace.

'Please, don't call me that,' you say.

'But you are, aren't you?' Tolya asks. 'You stole the device that threatened all Grisha from Fjerdans. And then killed almost all of them during the battle.'

'You also told the King some nasty words during your trial,' Nina says and chuckles. 'I wasn't there at the time, but someone told me all about it. I was your number one fan from that day, I swear.'

'Why were you trailed and banished from Ravka?' Wylan asks. Silence falls around your group. You look at Wylan, your face blank.

'I killed the King's nephew,' you answer, causing him to flinch. 'In self-defence. He tried to force himself on me. It was a… an instinct. I didn't control my abilities as a Heartrender at the time.'

Wylan nods slowly, a bit unsure. You look at Zoya and Tolya.

'So?' you ask. 'Can you guarantee me I will be welcomed back in Ravka after I help you?'

'Like I said, Prince Nikolai is a man of his word,' Tolya says seriously, nodding. You shrug.

'Great,' you say and look at Kaz. 'Consider me convinced, then.'

'Good,' Kaz says but then something behind you distracts him. You turn and see his two friends walking down the stairs – Inej Ghafa and Jesper Fahey. Kaz walks to talk (or rather argue) with Inej. Jesper notices you and grins. He walks to you.

'[Y/N], are you coming with us?' he asks.

'Yes, I'm promised I can go back to Ravka if we succeed,' you answer. Behind you Tolya and Nina walk away together, talking about something.

'Already bored with our beautiful Ketterdam?' Jesper asks, smirking. You smile slightly. You can feel Zoya's eyes on you. You shake your head.

'I simply have something to come back to,' you answer. You feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn your head and see Zoya. She points with her head to her right, letting you know she wants to speak with you in private. You nod and follow her to the side.

'Don't do it, [Y/N],' she says quietly. 'He's not worth it.'

'Don't do what?' you ask. Zoya scoffs and crosses her arms.

'I know you want to come back to Ravka to see him,' she says. 'You love him, don't you? I saw the way you looked at him when you were taken away from the Throne Room that day. And how he looked at you.'

You stare at Zoya silently. You don't know what to say to that. You know she had feelings for him, too.

'He's not the man he wanted us to believe he is,' she says softly. 'Anyway, you spent only a few weeks with him. You can't risk everything for such short acquaintance.'

'I didn't spend only a few weeks with him,' you say, raising your chin. Zoya frowns at you. Her mouth parts when the realisation dawns on her.

'Every time he was leaving the Little Palace and was gone longer than he should… he was crossing the Fold to see you,' she guesses. You nod and smile sadly at the memories of seeing Aleksander during the past few years. But it falls quickly.

'He stopped at some point, though,' you say. 'Around the time the rumours about the Sun Summoner started.'

Zoya stares at you silently. She can understand your pain of being casted away, because she felt it when Alina showed up. And earlier when she was travelling to Fjerda with you.

'I don't think he really loves her,' she says. 'When I saw them together… it was like he was trying to make her like him. Around you he was more natural.'

'Thank you for saying that, Zoya,' you say with a small smile. 'Did you… Did you two during those years…?'

'Yes, but I always thought it was more to keep up an appearance,' Zoya answers and sighs. 'Maybe you really stole his heart. But he's still not worth it, [Y/N]. What he did… and what he wants to do…'

'Deep down, do you still care about him?' you ask. Zoya flinches. She sighs and nods.

'He was the first person that made me feel loved,' you say, looking at her pleadingly. 'If there's a chance I can get through to him, save him… I have to take it. Or just see him one last time.'

'What if you don't?' Zoya challenges you. 'What if we have to kill him?'

You bite your lips. What would you do? Would you let them? Or would you protect Aleksander?

'I don't know,' you answer honestly. 'I really don't know, Zoya.'

Zoya stares at you. She sighs after a moment.

'Fine,' she says. 'I'll help you save him. Or convince others to let you do that. If anyone can actually stop him, it's you.'

'Thank you!' you say and surprise her with a hug.

'We're still not friends,' she says and pulls away. You smirk and wink at her.

'Tell yourself that,' you say. Zoya rolls her eyes but smiles slightly.

'Pack what you need and meet us here,' she says.

'Already packed,' you say, shrugging. 'Ever since I faked my own death, I have the essentials packed. You know, in case I need to run.'

'Alright, just this time, please, don't bring assassins with you,' Zoya says and heads toward the rest.

'Don't worry, every assassin in Ketterdam now knows better than to go after me,' you say, grinning. Jasper laughs.

'Oh, I remember that,' he says. 'It was both hilarious and terrifying.'

'I don't want to know,' Zoya sighs. 'What about the ones in Shu-Han?'

'Well, it's my first time going there, so no one wants me dead there,' you answer.

'Yet,' Zoya says grimly. 'They will want the moment they meet you.'

You stick out your tongue at her. She scoffs and shakes her head. You look at your team and smile. Maybe together you will manage to get that sword. And save Aleksander from his own stupidity.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts! Reblog, like and comment if you could.

This can also be found on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47256868/chapters/120506770

[shieldagentnatasharomanoff]

So it's my birthday and that means it's also the two year anniversary of me coming onto Tumblr :D it's been a blast and as this is what I did yesterday I want to shout out some of the wonderful people I met and friends I made on the way.

@supremestrangeness whose a brilliant writer and always seems to know how to carry a story endlessly yes...anding my silly whims and ideas. Nat loves the eldritch mess (in all his forms) and I am incredibly glad and ever greatful for your friendship!!

@cherryfinolahobbes anyone who says OC's shouldn't be part of fandoms should go and check out this blog right here. I don't think I've ever seen a muse woven through a fandom with so much care. The mun is just as wonderful, ever patient and happy to listen to my antics while go tackling house hold tasks. I wish we would chat more. I need to make more time for that!! (Also she's got brilliant recepies and food tips, honestly how can you not love that?)

@strxngemxgick I know this muse and mum haven't been around for a while. But they are such an infinitely wonderful and talented person. They've sparked my joy for artistic language and long form posts when there's a partner that matches the enthusiasm and length. I got to explore a softer side and more tragic stories with Nat in all our writing ant it is truly delightful. I hope they will one day decide to come back but even outside of Tumblr the mun is always considerate and so supportive. I'm always happy when they have a minute to chat.

@prplhawk As a fellow country person I am so happy you go along with all the silly AU ideas with a snap of the finger. The mun is amazing and such a flexible writer they catch their muse from silly moments to full fledged angst blood and gore. I miss you!!!! Let's write more crazy AU things!!!

@resignedworkaholics I've literally known nothing about James Bond when I met this lovely Q. And somehow a whole new spy world AU was born. I love the adorable sillyness of these two so much and I'm truly happy we get to write these stories. I know you've got tons going on. But I hope you're well and know you can reach out at anytime.

@ssolessurvivor If you ever need a friend. Logan is the one to call. Again. An amazing OC built and laced into so many worlds with a flexibility that still makes my head spin. I'm having so much fun with this wonderful little flirty friendship thing we have created and I can't wait for you to come back. I hope your wedding goes amazingly and you have the best honeymoon!!!

@seesbetterfromadistance My very first writing partner on this platform. Then he forgot about me XD but that's fine. Part of a very big platform and coming back after a while. I adore your Clint and the way you capture him so effortlessly! The mun is also amazingly talented in his craft and I love it when you share all your fotographs in an excited spam even though I can't always answer simultaneously. I hope that whatever is happening you keep that joy alive :) I don't think I've ever met a person this excited about a cactus in bloom and I am so glad you took me along for the ride (because I was very excited about that cactus then too!!!) I wish you well and hope you return for more writing shenanigans sometime :)

@smertzimy I miss our found fur family. Especially with these two tragic characters. They deserve all the love (and pets) they can get. Watching Eurovision this year has been a blast with the great commentary provided XD and I hope that it will be just as great next year. The mun always finds the greatest memes and pictures and the icons are on point!! I hope you have the grandest time and we find more of it to write again.

@esotericdescent / @thiefofcrows Is absolutely amazing! Please go check out his multimuse if you are even remotely interested in the eldritch and supernatural. But on top of that he is my Main Kaz Brekker (yes I write Inej Ghada on a different blog but this is my blog and my birthday and I get to shout about how much I love whomever I want for as much as I want here.) He is incredibly talented and I adore plotting with him. I am a massive Crows / Literature fan / overall nerd and this mun gets to suffer through it all and meets it with the greatest enthusiasm. I love the stories we built and the complexity I get to write without ever having to think twice if 'its alright to write this' because fuck yes it is!!! Thank you for your friendship and support of all the fun ideas and picture spams you get :)

------------------------------------

Regardless of this up there. Thank you if you've stuck around, written, discussed, interacted and lived with me through another crazy year. The world isn't any easier but I know there are safe spaces and people to escape too. Be kind to each other and have a great day. I'm certainly planning on enjoying today to it's fullest (as I try with other days even if it isn't always easy)

[eerna]

one of the reasons i like kaz so much is that hes a dick but hes like. someone who 100% DESERVES to act like one yknow. if i went through what he did i would be worse and no pretty girl with long eyelashes could make me question if there is magic in the world bye

NOOO ANON DON'T BECOME THE BASTARD OF THE BARREL THAT'S EXACTLY THE LINE OF THINKING THAT LED TO DIRTYHANDS

Also I’ve seen other people talk about it but with the inej and tolya thing hinted at at the end of s2 istg if the show decides to make kaz decide to heal and work on his issues out of jealousy bc of a love triangle and not because he genuinely wants to be better for inej and himself like he does in the books I will be so mad

For some reason I don't mind it. Maybe because I can't imagine Inej loving anyone but Kaz, but then I remember how in CK she says "what am I supposed to do, marry a regular guy and then spend my nights sharpening my knives??" bc technically Tolya is the perfect solution for that. He is kind and emotionally mature and poetic but also a wicked warrior. He's perfect for her, the best of both worlds. BUT IT IS SO HILARIOUS LIKE WHY EVEN GO THAT ROUTE WE ALL KNOW THEY WOULD NEVER SEPARATE KANEJ SO WHY

Yeah I think the main problem I have with kaz’s attitude in the show is just it feels like it’s about the wrong things a lot of the time esp in s1 and also the fact that like you said he’s like a different brand of jerk than book kaz is. There’s also the problem that in the show we don’t have any development or buildup or banter in kanej’s relationship so the arguments between them just feel kind of frustrating. In general I have a hard time taking show kaz seriously when he’s only ever brooding and quiet when in the books he was actually interesting and funny to read about lol.

Yup :(((( Inej storms out of their conversations like 78% of the time and he always hangs back looking regretful and broody. It's annoying

[suseagull04]

2023 Character Wrapped

Thanks for tagging me, @welcometololaland!

Rules: share your top 9 characters of 2023

In no particular order:

1. Regina Mills (OUAT)

I relate to her so much in some ways, she has magic, she banters so well, and her redemption arc is ON. POINT. No matter how far I stray from this fandom, Regina will always have my heart.

2. Henry Fox Mountchristen-Windsor (RWRB) My heart goes out to him SO MUCH, and like Regina, he feels things deeply. Plus, he wants to be a writer! What more could I ask for?

3. Alex Claremont-Díaz (RWRB) half of the greatness that is firstprince, plus he speaks Spanish! And as much as I relate to Henry's quiet suffering, Alex's chaos is relatable too

4. Robin Hood (OUAT)

5. Wylan Van Eck and Jesper Fahey (Shadow and Bone show/Six of Crows) I love these two, especially Wylan. They both go through so much and learn so much from each other, it's amazing!

6. Rebecca Welton (Ted Lasso) another very relatable character for me

7. Nina Zenik and Matthias Helvar (Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows) love these two, especially in the books! I'm so upset that we don't get to see the best part of their story (assuming they changed the end)

8. Inej Ghafa and Kaz Brekker (Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows- though definitely the former for the latter character) Inej might deserve better in general, but Kaz definitely has his moments, especially in the show!

9. Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) she's just so fun and quirky and strong!

I'm cheating a lot, I know, but I had to have all six of the Crows, and it spiraled from there...

Tagging @read-and-write- @heybuddy-drabbles @believingispowerfulmagic @daisymae-12 @everwitch-magiks @zwiazdziarka @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @inexplicablymine @kiwiana-writes @raysletters

[caveatscriptor]

S.A.B. S2: Episode 6

MVP of this episode: Baghra. She had the best exit too.

Poison scene: why wasn’t everyone having nightmares?? I really wish they were all freaking out, but no. We only get Kaz on the suffering wheel again. (Nitpicky: the butterfly eating was so stupid to me)

“She thought I was one of my fathers abominations.” “She was wrong.” “She was right. Have you not been paying attention?” Baghra is truly one of the best adapted characters. During this whole episode she’s completely unapologetic. And don’t start me on her death. “Know that I loved you and it wasn’t enough.” “Stupid boy” the broken swan falls from her hand. Again, one of the best shots, and the parallels. It’s just 👌 She went out like a badass and still helped Alina.

Sankta Neyar is actually a great secondary character. Her monologue “He’s not my weakness, two worlds make a universe.” It’s beautiful and some of the best writing. At first I thought her and her husband were an older Inej and Kaz combo, but once we knew she was a saint, it’s very much an Alina and Mal combo. But, still. Very interesting storyline. Oh! And the fight scene looked so good! Thank you. Whoever directed this episode. Great skills.

“You are too old to be a terrible durast.” I also love that she’s the one who inspires Jesper. Btw Tolya’s diplomatic skills are so good.

“She’s setting herself up for heartbreak.” “We fight for what matters the most.” “Right, Ravka.” Zoya my fave, stop😭😭😭

Thank you show, for Mal and Alina getting together AFTER the connection between her and the darkling is severed. It’s such a nice moment, and they deserve it 😌

And now we talk about the ship that keeps wrecking me. The whole poison gas thing, Inej’s hallucination… I know I wanted a nightmare (it would’ve been great if she saw Tante Heleen, just saying), but that whole scene…

“For once don’t disappear, just stay.” Him, removing her daggers and then his gloves. Which immediately reminded me of “I will have you without your armor or not at all” 😭😭😭

“May I?” “Yes” he’s just holding her waist!!! I’m a wreck. These two, this season, I just can’t.

[gellavonhamster]

shadow and bone s2 (ugh)

In a few words: script bad, cast good, I have Opinions and you will hear them (but maybe don’t read this if you genuinely loved this season, I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade)

In more than few words:

the bad:

taking so many books and stuffing them all into eight episodes was decidedly not a good idea. It’s rushed. It also ruins all hopes for a more or less book-accurate Crows storyline that the Helnik part of s1 had me harbouring, because so much of Crooked Kingdom has already been used

it is not enough to reproduce a moment from the books on screen if the context which made that moment powerful in the books is lost. An example would be “Goodbye, Aleksander” - no one knows his name in the books, it’s the final moment of humanity allowed the man behind the villain, but there’s nothing surprising about this address in the show - but there were many such cases

I realize that some levity is needed and the books aren’t completely serious either, but some of the funny ha ha stuff felt so unnecessary... like when that one follower of the Darkling says something like “uh-oh” when she notices a grenade is about to explode next to her. MCU disease

there was something off about Kanej this season. I don’t think he pushed her away that much in the books. This is slipping into the more stereotypical “you’re better off without me!!” territory, which is not really what they were in the books

why the hell is Heleen dead? Inej should be the one to destroy her - it’s her nemesis, the Pekka Rollins to her Kaz, she deserves that

also, why the hell was Dunyasha replaced with some random creepy guy? I don’t even like Dunyasha, but I enjoy the dark twin thing she and Inej had. It felt important

speaking of the characters I don’t even like that still deserved better treatment, all of the Darkling’s scenes were so boring to me this season. Boring ass cliché villain lines... it’s like this was made for TV and they needed some parts when the audience can go to the bathroom

Jesper and Wylan = big cringe :( those slutty bisexuals can never remember who they sleep with, amirite

do NOT like Tolya apparently developing a crush on Inej, he’s as aroace in the books as it can get in a universe where such terms haven’t been invented yet. They better do NOT erase that

the good:

the cast continues to be perfect. They’re taking the mediocre script they’re saddled with and making it better with their skills, chemistry, and charm. I love everyone in this bar

Nikolai! I’m trying to remember why I was unsure about this casting at first and can’t, but in any case, I was wrong - he was very good. Properly charming and annoying, with a touch of the boy king and a touch of the Too-Clever Fox, just the way it should be

the small interactions between the Crows like Jesper hugging Inej or Nina and Kaz having to pretend to be a couple made me happy

Jesper’s poison-induced hallucination might’ve been predictable, but I loved seeing him and his mom together, loved Aditi in general

the BEE!!! Yeah, that was some good foreshadowing

Genya and David were one of the best things about this season, I love them so much

the mixed bag:

I was really glad I saw spoilers about David’s death in advance because otherwise I might’ve punched the screen, but then I watched the last two episodes and... no one warned me the body wasn’t found? Come on, it’s fantasy, if the body wasn’t found, it usually means something. A Twitter mutual of mine suggested the Darkling might come back in David’s body, which I would not like to happen, but otherwise I am pretty excited about the possibility of some kind of Came Back Wrong (or - dare I hope - even a happy ending?..). Of course, he dies at a later point in the books, but the showrunners have admitted that what they’re making is essentially fanfiction, and saving the character expected to die is a very fanfiction thing to do. The problem is, their fic hasn’t been particularly good so far. Still, I am very curious about how this is gonna turn out

I am one of the few people who think TGT had a good and appropriate ending, but show!Alina is different enough from book!Alina for me to believe the changed ending works well. Show!Alina has definitely suffered, but she’s still seen less death and pain than book!Alina (no execution of Ana Kuya; no death of Botkin either, as far as I recall; no Harshaw; no Fedyor dying; Marie’s death is less brutal and doesn’t happen in front of her eyes, etc.), she didn’t spend as much time underground, she wasn’t as manipulated by the Apparat in addition to the Darkling. She’s also much more ambitious and eager to be a leader. It makes sense for book!Alina to want a quiet life where no one would bother her anymore, but it also makes sense for show!Alina to take an active part in reforming Ravka. And it also makes sense for Mal to want to find out to what extent his feelings for Alina were real and what was just amplifier stuff, to find his own path now that there is no predestination for him. I do believe Malina will be endgame in the show as well, because the showrunners are planning to adapt the Nikolai duology too, which means Zoyalai and Zoya as the queen, but I have no idea how it all is going to happen

it looks like we’re going to see dark!Alina, which could be interesting! Alas, I don’t trust the writers of this show to make a good job of it

not gonna lie, the idea that Sturmhond is a title one can pass on like Dread Pirate Roberts in The Princess Bride is funny af

I saw a tweet pointing out that it makes sense for Inej to “train” on  Sturmhond’s ship before captaining her own ship later, and on the one hand, I agree, but on the other hand, how are they going to bring her back for the Ice Court Heist if she’s already at sea

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Daughter of the Rain and Snow

Concept: Around ten years after the events of Crooked Kingdom, 25-year-old Captain Inej Ghafa frees Maya Olsen from a pleasure house in Ketterdam. Maya is looking for revenge against the man who put her in her position, a man who she knows nothing about except his name: Kaz Brekker.

Tags: @wraith--2 @lunarthecorvus @just2bubbly @real-fragments7 @cartoon-clifford @origami-butterfly @lady-a-stuff @thelibraryofalexandriastillburns @inej-ghafa-deserves-the-world @thatdelusionalnerd

If anyone wants to be added let me know :)

Content Warnings: in more general terms I want to remind people to be aware of the nature of Kaz and Inej's experiences and relationship since even if I'm not directly addressing these things they tend to be implicit in any writing about them, but specifically to this chapter there's ptsd references, anxiety, violence references, blood, wounds, and fear of losing loved ones

Note: Oh my goodness we only have the epilogue left to go... this is insane I can't believe we've reached the end

AO3 link: Daughter of the Rain and Snow - Chapter 145 - She_posts_nerdy_stuff - Six of Crows Series - Leigh Bardugo [Archive of Our Own]

Chapter 144 - Kaz

At least the Crow Club was back in working order. Beyond that things weren’t looking at their best. Kaz knew from Anika and Pim’s reports that the damage was mostly repaired and they’d reopened the closed wing a few months ago, but he also knew from the income reports Yara had been sending him  that they’d taken a hit. Her projections looked sunnier for next month, but Kaz wasn’t feeling particularly confident. There was a nervous energy about the Slat when he walked in, still as rowdy as it usually was in these early hours of the morning but with a slightly frantic edge. Kaz had known his extended absence would take a toll, but he’d tried to keep in control of what he could. 

“I assume there are rumours going round about -”

“Your mysterious disappearance? Yeah,” said Anika, “We’re treading water trynna cover up for you being missing,”

“Anyone get wise?”

“To the fact you weren’t here or to what you were actually up to?”

Kaz shot her an unamused glare. Clearly he needed to stop telling Anika up to 50% of the truth, because she was getting too good at picking up what the rest of it was. 

“I don’t think so,” she said, “Not with any proof you weren’t around. Few people here and there are convinced you’re dead,”

That didn’t particularly surprise him.

“Any attempts at territory grabs since you last wrote?”

“Liddies are still riled up, but nothing new except a pretty hollow looking threat from Black Tips,”

Kaz sighed. They weren’t staying in Ketterdam for long, he’d have to get through work quickly and make a few choice appearances if he could spare the time.

As far as Kaz and Inej knew, the plan was for them to drop in on Jesper and Wylan for the afternoon, then go to the house overnight whilst Nina stayed on the Geldstradt. They didn’t have the space to have her at the house by the harbour - especially when Alyssa was staying with them too - and anyway she would only be kept up all night by Sadja. But apparently Jesper and Wylan had other plans, as soon as they were through the door it was all but a demand they at least stay there the first night. They’d even set up a room for Alyssa upstairs, so she was close if Inej or Sadja needed her.

“How are you feeling?” Kaz had asked, watching Inej’s hand find the railing on the porch of the Hendriks house.

“I’m fine,”

Kaz shook his head, looking down at Sadja.

“Once you can talk I’m going to teach you to shout at your Mama every time she says that,” he told her, gently readjusting the sling in hopes of helping her settle.

Nina laughed.

Sadja had done well on the boat, Kaz thought, for a stubborn two month old who had never travelled further than the Grand Palace until a couple of weeks ago, but she hadn’t slept well last night and still didn’t seem to be interested in sleeping now.

“Kaz, really,” said Inej, shaking her head, “I’m okay. I’m just tired,”

Kaz nodded, but he and Nina had shared a brief glance. Inej rang the doorbell and Sadja immediately jutted out her bottom lip in indignation; for a moment Kaz thought she was going to cry but she settled again, still looking a little grumpy. He readjusted his cane so that he could remain balanced whilst he offered her his finger, and once she’d acknowledged it he gently rubbed his hand up and down her tiny tummy.

“Do you not like doorbells, Sadja?”

“I think it’s quite normal for babies not to like loud noises, Kaz,” said Nina, peering over the sling, “You’re okay, aren’t you Sadja? You’re a brave little muffin,”

“Brave little muffin?” asked Kaz.

“Hey, that is just about the highest compliment I’ve ever given anyone,”

“Well, you are brave aren’t you Sadja? You’re just like your Mama,”

She wriggled a little in the sling, as though she was trying to look up at him properly, and smiled. Kaz glowed. 

The door had barely been opened when they were met by the practically shouted words:

“Where’s my niece?”

“Well, hello to you too, Jesper,” said Inej, sharing his soft laugh.

She leaned into the arm he offered and he kissed her on the cheek, ushering her over the doorstep. Kaz followed, nodding at Jesper.

“Saints, I’ve missed you,” said Jesper, hugging Inej again.

“Oh, I’ve missed you too,”

Nina cleared her throat, glaring teasingly at Jesper. He threw an arm around her shoulders.

“I’ve missed you too, darling, obviously. And I guess I missed you Kaz,”

“Always with the compliments,”

Where’s Wylan?” asked Inej.

“Couldn’t get out of a meeting,” Jesper replied, shaking his head, “He won’t be long. Now, where’s this little Sadja you’ve been withholding from me?”

“Withholding-? She’s only been alive two months - and you were in Novyi Zem for one and a half of them,”

“Withholding,” Jesper repeated

Inej laughed. Kaz gently scooped Sadja out of her sling and into his arms, rocking her for a moment before he passed her to Inej so Jesper could lean over and greet her. He looked like he was about to burst with glee.

“Oh my goodness, you two she’s so beautiful. Aren’t you? Yes you are, yes you are,”

Jesper looked up at Kaz and Inej, grinning.

“She’s wonderful,”

“She most certainly is,” Kaz smiled, pushing the door to behind him before they walked together towards the living room, “It’s good to see you, Jes,”

“You too. And honestly you with a baby is quite possibly both the funniest and cutest thing I have ever seen, so thank you for that,”

Nina snorted. Kaz glared at them both. 

“And how are you?” Jesper had asked Inej, as they sat on the sofa together.

It was about twenty minutes later and Wylan had just got back, all apologies for being late and overjoyed to see them all again. He was now sitting in between Inej and Kiada with Sadja in his arms, smiling.

“Well, I haven’t slept in about two months,” Inej smiled, leaning her head onto Jesper’s shoulder, “But other than that I’m doing pretty well. How are you? - How was Novyi Zem?”

“I’m good, we’re all pretty good at the minute, actually. And Novyi Zem was lovely, good to see my Da, and everyone did a very good job,” he squeezed Aimee’s hand lightly, from where she was perching on the arm of the sofa next to him, “There were a few moments where we thought we’d have to come home early - that was always in the plan as an option, if anyone needed it - but we ended up staying the whole time,”

“How’s Colm?” asked Nina, leaning forwards to pick her coffee up from the table.

The conversation floated on, and Kaz had drifted in and out of paying attention to it as he kept his eyes on Sadja. She started wriggling uncomfortably and Wylan passed her back to Inej, then a moment passed before she started crying. 

“Is she alright?” asked Kaz.

“She’s just hungry,” said Inej, looking at Kaz in a way that meant calm down, she’s a baby, she’s going to cry, you do not need to worry as she stood up and gently rocked Sadja against her chest, whispering to her in Suli, “I’ll take her upstairs,”

At some point, Kaz wasn’t exactly sure how long it had been, it was only him, Nina, and Jesper still sitting in the living room. Focus had switched freely: the trip to Novyi Zem - two weeks with Colm followed by a month and a half through in Weddle and Shriftport, then another two weeks with Colm - Kiada had struggled with the boat, Aimee had struggled on the farm, Kiada has struggled in Weddle; news on the Ravkans and their new little prince and princess, twins about three months older than Sadja; Clemmie Boscht had started renting an apartment in the city and came to the house to share roast dinner with the family once a month; updates on something Kaz had forgotten to pay attention to as he was wondering how long Inej and Sadja had been gone and if he should go upstairs to find them. Now Nina was asking about wedding plans - the original date should have been last month, but it hadn’t been set in stone when Kaz and Inej first went to Ravka so Jesper and Wylan had decided to postpone and visit Jesper’s father instead of him coming out to them. 

“Doesn’t matter,” Jesper was saying, “Nothing will ever make up for the fact that Kaz Brekker got married before I did,”

Nina flopped against the back cushions of the sofa.

“Yeah, it’s a real blow to the ego isn’t it?”

“Aren’t you two just the height of comedy?” said Kaz drily.

“To be fair, Jes,” Nina added, “I think we were all surprised you weren’t the first to get married. I mean how long had you two known each other before you moved in, two months?”

“No, well I really only joke,” said Jesper, glancing briefly at the door and lowering his voice, “Wylan told me ages ago he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get married, after everything with his parents he just kinda… lost faith in it,”

Jesper had told Kaz about it at the time. It was years ago, around the time of the Van Eck trial, and Wylan was having an unsurprisingly bad time of it. He said he’d burst into tears and told Jesper that it had been evil of him to trap him in a relationship that would never go anywhere, and that he could leave if he wanted to and Wylan would understand. Apparently Jesper had stared at him for almost a full minute, and then said:

“Wy, you’re seventeen,”

“Well, clearly,” Kaz had said, “You handled that well,”

“I helped him afterwards!” Jepser had cried defensively, “That was just my first thought,”

Now Kaz sat behind his desk at the Slat, flicking through the endless pile of papers laying in wait and watching the hands move on his timepiece. Almost five bells. He wanted to be back by six.

Sadja had woken up not long before three bells, screaming loud enough to bring the entire house down. Kaz fumbled in the dark, searching for his cane, before Inej turned on the gas lights and handed it to him, smiling and shaking her head. They sat next to each other on the side of the mattress as Sadja nursed, and for about half an hour afterwards Kaz was still rocking her slowly whilst Inej lowered the lights and lay back down. Sadja seemed on the verge of settling back to sleep and Kaz stood to return her to the cradle next to the bed, only for her to immediately start wailing again.

“Well I hope you’re not still hungry,” he said softly in Suli, giving her a gente bounce “I think Mama’s asleep,”

She flailed one of her tiny fists into the air and it whacked lightly against Kaz’s chest.

“Not bad form,” he told her, “But you need more strength behind it if you want to do real damage. We’ll work on that when you’re older. What can we do to help you sleep now though, hm?”

Sadja wriggled in his arm and Kaz moved to sit on one of the armchairs so he could set down his cane and support her more comfortably. 

“I don’t have anything new to read to you,” he said, “But I could tell you a story if you’d like,”

There was a pause broken only by Sadja’s impatient cries, before Inej’s soft voice came from the darkness on the other side of the room:

“You know the whole idea of us using one language each with her whilst she's still learning kind of depends on you speaking to her in Kerch, right?”

Kaz looked up.

“Inej? I thought you were asleep,”

“Kaz, if you think anyone could fall asleep through this then I have serious concerns about your hearing. And, again, you’re supposed to speak in Kerch,”

“I’m still not convinced that’s going to work,” he replied, “Isn’t she just going to hear us using both with each other anyway?”

Inej groaned.

“It’s three in the morning, Kaz, can we talk about this later?”

He laughed softly, nodding though he wasn’t sure if she’d see in the dark. He’d known that he needed to go to the Slat - the last word from Anika and Pim had been concerningly vague -  but he could stay here a little while yet, couldn’t he? What harm would it do, just to stay here for a little longer? He sighed.

“You need to go, don’t you?”

He didn’t know how she did that.

“It can wait until tomorrow,”

“You can’t,” said Inej, quietly, “Go on. I’ll get her settled, just don’t be long, okay?”

“Never,”

He really needed to stop watching the clock, or he wouldn’t get anything done and have to bully himself into staying longer. It was a good while past five bells when he left, ignoring the shouts for attention that followed him from the crowd. The Hendriks house was mostly still sleeping, though Wylan was unsurprisingly up and in the kitchen making coffee by the time Kaz arrived at six bells. Inej was awake but she was still upstairs, not long dressed and part way through brushing her hair when Kaz knocked softly on the door. She opened it slowly, pressing a finger to her lips as he slipped inside.

“Sadja’s asleep,”

Kaz stood over the cradle for a moment, watching her. She really was perfect. Inej appeared next to him, her arm slipping around his waist once he’d nodded confirmation. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“She already looks like you,” she whispered.

Kaz shook his head.

“She’s beautiful. That’s all you,”

Inej shook her head then, her hand finding his and slipping beneath the rim so her fingers brushed his wrist. Kaz’s heart leapt, thinking of holding her on the floor almost a year ago, a knife in her gut and her blood soaking over both of them. He swallowed and she felt him tense, starting to pull away to give him space. His fingers tightened over hers, holding her to him. 

“We’ve not…” she hesitated, “We’ve not talked about a plan for where to live. For what to do next,”

Kaz had been avoiding the conversation, because he didn’t actually know what he was going to say. But it was a year ago when he couldn’t tell her everything he’d thought he should be able to say by now - 

Their happiness, together. In Kerch, in Ravka, they could move to the permafrost in Fjerda for all he cared. He would carve a life for her in the face of a mountain, if that was what she wanted.

- and so much had changed since then. He should be able to tell her that now. And he did.

Inej turned and leaned her face up towards his, glowing in the soft dancing light of dawn leaking through the window, her dark eyes shimmering. She lifted a hand up to cup his cheek, and slowly they leaned into each other. Their foreheads pressed against each other, Kaz’s hand slipped down Inej’s back, and their lips met in the warmth of spring and joy and a family that for so long Kaz had convinced himself he didn’t want, because he never thought he’d be able to find it. 

The entire world was golden.

[thiefofcrows]

@therooftopsofketterdam | CONT. from here.

   Kaz’s gaze snapped to the gentle brush of her fingers against his cane, their hands mere inches from touching. He knew what the gesture was supposed to convey — comfort, reassurance. A way to indicate that she would’ve laid her hand atop his own had he not made it abundantly apparent that touching was outside the range of his boundaries. His own capabilities.

   His eyes remained locked on her lingering touch … unbridled thoughts and desires surged through him with an unwelcome intensity. Kaz thought about reaching out to brush gloved fingers over her bare ones, he thought about taking that hand and pulling her close, holding it against his chest as he gazed down at her, imagined the warmth of her so close while the frigid cold seeped into his bones.

   But then Inej was speaking and Kaz managed to tear his gaze from her hand to meet her rich brown eyes. While his frustration had initially gotten the better of him, he’d had no intention of doing any of this alone, he couldn’t. He knew he needed Inej, Jesper, Wylan and Nina, but he despised the fact that he struggled to keep his own demons in check. All of them already had an inkling that there was something deeply personal about his thirst for vengeance against Pekka Rollins — it was all tied to weaknesses he could not afford, that he could not show. They depended on him and it was his responsibility to ensure all of them found their way out one way or another.

  I will not go back alive. Her words struck him like a blow — Kaz knew this already, she’d made it abundantly clear without outwardly speaking the words, but it was something else entirely to hear her say it out loud. I would rather die than let her take you. That was his raw truth, despite the fact that he couldn’t allow it to be — instead, the truth would have to be that he would rather slit Heleen’s throat himself than let her take away Inej’s freedom, Inej’s life.

   Either way, allowing himself to say such things out loud filled him to the brim with an underlining sense of panic… how had Kaz somehow let someone, anyone, have such a deep impact on him? Despite the dangers, despite the shame of not knowing if he could ever best his greatest weakness … despite the fact that, as he was now, Inej was more than anything he deserved.

  But he wanted her anyway.

       He offered a nod in response to her suggestion and began walking, trusting her to fall into step beside him. ❝I’ve told you before, Inej — I won't let that happen. You can choose not to take me at my word all you want, but it doesn’t change what’s true. Part of the negotiated deal was Heleen leaving you alone from the very beginning. I wouldn’t have made any kind of deal with her otherwise — no deal is worth throwing away your freedom, Inej. It never has been.❞

[lehdenlaulu]

Okay, the liveblog continues: Ep. 4

Oh don't brood Mal, there's clearly nothing going on with Alina and Nikolai. Unless you're brooding about her ambitions, in which case... Bro.

Poor darling. Also shut up Baghra.

...yeaaah. Let's just say that I'm never, ever a fan of the 'I just want you and a Normal Life and I don't like it that you have other interests and goals' trope.

Not that I don't appreciate that some drama is introduced, things were a bit too harmonious to be narratively interesting, you know?

But still... Alina, baby, you don't need to apologize or placate him.

Oh look, a cartoonishly evil prince. Yay.

Also, I'm not sure if I should be impressed by Vladim's name or not because while it is a real albeit rare name, I can't help thinking the writers just couldn't spell 'Vadim' correctly and just assumed there's an 'l' in there. But maybe that's just me and my infamous Name Nitpickery.

Now that I'm on a roll with the complaints, I'm still kinda baffled at Kirigan's whole thing. I don't understand his plans or motivations because from the way the show has unfolded it honestly appears like was reasonably chill if somewhat schemey for a long time and then just totally flipped and decided to become a cartoon villain. I understand Baghra's motivations even less. But maybe that's the point?

Aww, those were some very loud and clear 'I love yous' from Kaz in his language. Freddy is totally running away with this season, eh?

Oh David.

...Yeah, Nina's cunning but I did not for a second believe she could have blindsided Kaz.

Yeah, Kaz is absolutely scarier than Kirigan. Shadow monsters or not.

And Mal can't catch a break, huh? To be fair, though, this is kinda consequences of his own actions.

Vasily is a creep but he has charisma and presence I feel Nikolai should have as well, even if of a different flavor. I'm not at all sure that's the case, but the jury's still out.

Not sure I'm entirely buying Jesper and Wylan this fast but they're cute so eh.

Oh Kaz.

Ah, I did wonder at how different the brothers look. Well played. And it's definitely better when he's not putting on the act.

Okay, they are really cute friends. I'm absolutely pro Alina having good friends.

Bye, Vasily.

Ah, so Nadia wasn't a Tidemaker, then. I wonder where I got that idea.

I wish I could have been impressed with that confrontation but Kirigan is such a cartoon villain now him and Alina trading barbs and dramatic declarations just feels kinda silly. And am I wrong for having the idea that in the books there was still some spark between them at this point? This feels entirely one-sided. Which is a pity, honestly, there was so much potential with Jessie and Ben in these roles.

Ep. 5

Hah, six of crows, one being imprisoned. Well played.

Ben's doing his best with what he's given, though, absolutely.

Ah, so that's the deal with the gloves.

I really love the Crows, okay.

And I like that Nina and Zoya get to interact.

David and Genya though. 😭

Why is everyone so keen to trust Baghra, though? Has Alina not spilled the beans? 🤨

Okay, I do like it that while they're blessedly not teenagers, they're still damaged and young and not that good at this relationship stuff.

Oh Genya. 😭

Aww, I love that Inej is praying with Tolya even if it's not her faith.

Oh Zoya. She's really been though it too, hasn't she?

These two keep making me weep. 😭 They deserve everything.

*replays the scene for seven times in a row*

I bet that's hell and a half go gif though with the lighting. *sigh*

I love Tolya. Can I have one?

Nina and Kaz pretending to be married is not something I knew I needed. 😂

That's big though. Even if he had to do it.

Oh honey.

I love that Inej knew to flinch back. She gets it.

Ahh, that's the line. I know that line. I bet Ben insisted on it.

This is basically just fanservice but I'll take it.

Yeah. I mean, these kinds of differences don't solve themselves with time and patience. Someone will always have to make sacrifices. *sigh* Not saying she should go back for seconds with Shadow Boy, but... you know?

Oh, this is getting interesting. *Daredevil flashbacks*

Ooh, that's the second F-bomb this season. Nice.

Okay, they would have been a good arranged marriage. I'm a little bit inclined to ship it a tiny bit now.

Poor Kolya. There will be a bearer for your ring yet.

Zoya baby, you do not make a very good Crow.

Huh, I think I know what this means.

Ep. 6.

I still think it's a little foolish to trust Baghra so unconditionally, but eh.

They're holding haaaannnds. 🥺

Jesper backstory yeeeeess.

Yeah I still think the Morozova thing is stupid. The name, I mean. It makes sense for her to be Morozova but not any of her male kin.

Poor baby.

I think I see where this is going. I've seen enough book spoilers.

Poor Inej. I mean, I'm a little bummed they had her hallucinate a romance scene when the boys had family-related visions. But eh, fanservice.

...yeah, thought so. It's a biiiit convenient, but there ya go I guess. *sigh*

Okay, who's the choreographer? Because this is genuinely some good shit.

All of this? And it's only the sixth episode?? Huh.

Stop making me cry, show. 😭

Oh Jesper. 😭

Oh Inej baby don't get all Darkling on us now.

Honestly, I wish I could care. Archie and Jessie are doing a great job. But... meh. Maybe it's because I know how it ends already, even if I didn't know any book spoilers.

(Also if they do some bloody pregnancy trope I'll fucking riot.)

Frankly, it's a little difficult to care about anything that is going on in Alina's story, except Genya and David, especially when the Crow side is firing on all cylinders so to speak. The mashup worked better last season, now the difference is getting obvious. Alina's story feels more and more like a fairytale in comparison, and within the same show it's a weird whiplash.

Ep. 7

I guess Tidemakers don't have green keftas after all, that's just Kirigan's little cult and their fancy velvet. Boo.

Not the bloody meadow. I'm sorry but enough is enough.

This, though? This I approve. Ben and Archie are always fire together.

Come on, Alina, stop breaking poor Nikolai's heart by giving him back his things.

Aww, you boys have come a long way.

Theeeeey. 🥺

Nikolai I love you but master strategist you are not if Kirigan's dumb teen posse can outsmart you this easily.

Oh David.

Kolya, honey, this is why you do reconnaissance and don't jump to conclusions. Time was on your side here. 🤦‍♀️

Honestly, this is all so silly if you think about it for even a second.

Hi baby, just what we needed to bring some sense into this mess.

Well, someone's clearly trained his troops some strategy and tactical maneuvering at least.

Finally a smart idea.

Tolya don't you dare get killed. You're too sexy to die.

Alas, poor Dominik. You were always doomed.

And you two don't you DARE.

No David noooooooooo-

Well, one episode to go. Let's see if this is the end of Alina's story.

Ep. 8

Oh Kaz. 🥺

Please someone find David and save him please.

Huh, I didn't expect that would actually happen. I don't expect it to stick, though. Mal, I mean. Doesn't fit the fairytale.

Yeah, didn't think so.

No. 😭😭😭

If anyone deserved a happily ever after it was them. 😭😭😭

I wish the whole Darkling thing hadn't been so anticlimactic and sort of pointless, apparently. Oh well.

Well, I'm glad they want it to be choice, not destiny. Destiny is overrated.

Come on boy, you can do it.

Guess not. :p

Well done. You'll get there.

Awww, I like this. And Kolya found a new bearer for his compass. :D

Tolyaaa, I support your endeavors but I think she's pretty much spoken for. She deserves some of that, though, you're right. 🤭

Okay, Nikolai does wear the coat better, though. Might have suited Inej the best, honestly. It's her color.

Proud of you my boy.

Oh, it's this creep.

Oh well then. I wondered what twist we'd face next.

Bet you could, Zoya, bet you could.

Well, that's one way to start your reign.

And that's certainly one way to react to just using the bloody Shadow Cut, Alina.

More conclusive thoughts tomorrow night, but overall I was actually still very impressed and happy to be back in this world. I hope we'll get more. And no offense to Paddy but if Shadow Boy decides to make another comeback, I hope it'll be Ben playing him, as frankly underutilized as he was this season.

Anyway, now some sleep.

[thisisdes]

I’m supossed to be doing homework, but instead I’m watching season 2 of Shadow and Bone. Since my dear sister hasn’t started it yet (and I have no one else to talk about it) I’m gonna put my reactions here :) hope you enjoy it

*this will contain spoilers*

Resume of episode 1, 2 and 3 because i decided to do this way too late

- Alina really looks like she needs weeks of sleep

- No matter in what episode, all of Kaz’s memories break me a little more

- I’m happy that Tantee is dead but... Inej deserved to make her pay

- Something that I adore that the show does its when Inej is being quite and you can only hear the movement of the knifes

- THERE’S ONLY ONE BEEEEEEED!!!!

- I’ve only read SoC and CK and I don’t want to read the main trilogy just because I’m loving Mal SO MUCH and all I’ve heard about book Mal is ugh

- The zemeni people it’s incredible, how they perceived grisha’s power and how they protect Alina *cheff kiss*

- Also Mal going back to pay for what the soldier broke... he’s amazing

- I understand Kaz’s point about telling the truth to Sturmhund... but i was hoping he would’ve keep his word

- Inej and Nina ARE the best duo

- The whole thing about Jesper not remembering Wylan it’s something I didn’t know I needed. Like... the potential??? That’s fanfic material right there

- And also then he remering him in the middle of a gunfire???

- The taxidermist (if that was his name... sorry if not) gave me vibes of that creepy guy in the Charlie’s angels movie

- Alina: don’t kill the amplifier

- Also Alina: *kills the amplifier*

- Yeah... I would’ve also punch Nikolai in that case...

- Genya and David are part of my world and they should not suffer

- And yes, Genya had her face desfigured and thats enough pain for her already (without counting everything in the past)

- Mathias in hellgate was sad more than painfull

- But the look when he saw Nina...

- And the dreams he had before!!!

- Honestly i don’t remeber in what order all happened, i just know that things happened

Now E4. Let’s begin

- Wow, Alina and Nikolai look so in love *sarcastic*

- I swear, if anything happen to my dear precious boy Mal...

- Why does Kaz looks so good while is all blody?? It’s not fair

- Inej helping the women scape ❤️ I just know this is where she finds her purpose

- Wylan and Jesper. I just love them. They’re cute and deserve all the happiness.

- Also Nina. I love her. She almost caught me.

- “I didn’t know if you were-” “I’m fine” akhdajskja I’m weak

- Back to the main trama (is it the main trama? there are too much tramas), i only know Vasily for... 5 minutes has he been in the show? I don’t know, hate him.

- On the other hand, I love Nikolai

- I kinda shipp Nikolai and Alina??? but at the same time i love their dinamic as platonic friendship???

- Oh, good. He’s dead.

- GO BAGHRA, GO!! GO GENYA, GO!!

- Kaz telling Pekka that his mistake was to love someone... and then being rude with Inej so she leaves him... there’s only one way I can read that

- that end ... without words

Ok, its 2 am in Chile, I haven’t finish my homework due tomorrow, so maybe I’ll finish later??? Or maybe I’ll delete this later, who knows.

Btw, I’m not a native english speaker, so if there’s any mistake please tell me and I’ll fix it