#feydor kaminsky

[writerslittlelibrary]

"What, are you?"

masterlist

summary: when your abilities show themselves during a viscous Drüskelle attack, General Kirigan has you immediately transferred to the Little Palace for protection

pairing: Aleksander Kirigan x sun summoner reader

warnings: canon level violence, mention of blood

genre: angst, fluff

words: 2683

a/n: I watched the show Shadow & Bone a few years age, and I was absolutely obsessed. recently I picked up the books, and I cannot express how upset I am that they’ve cancelled the series. It literally had so much potential :(

also, I apologise for literally falling off of the face of the earth these past two months. I was depressed at first, and when I felt a little better me and my mom went on a two week vacation to Ireland, and this week I was at a figure skating camp, so I didn’t really get to writing lol. anyhow, I’m feeling better, and I am planning on writing more fics and hopefully do a flufftober week or something :)

You do not have my permission to repost, copy or translate my work

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The war in Ravka had been raging on for as long as you could remember. It had taken your parent’s lives, and very likely their parent’s lives as well. Now it was your turn to take your place in the army and fight in the war. 

You had never possessed much physical strength. Ever since you were a child, you were weak and fragile. It had pushed the caretakers at the orphanage to give you other tasks. 

They wanted you to posses as many skills as possible, to ensure you would have a future, even if you wouldn’t be able to fight in the war. As you got older, you seemed to develop a true talent in drawing. Your drawings were detailed and realistic, and so the caretakers pressed to ensure you would continue developing that talent. 

When you became of age, you were send to join the first army as a mapmaker. 

Currently you were stationed at a camp just next to the fold. There were several skiffs being readied to enter the fold, but after running a little detour, you found out you were not scheduled to go on any of them. 

At the moment, you were sitting with a Squaller. You had met her years ago, when both of you were just little girls. A boy had been bullying you, and she had thrown him across the field. Ever since, you had been friends. When she would return to the Little Palace, you would write to her, and when you were stationed at an encampment, she would request to be sent to the same place.

As you were laughing at something Zoya had said, you heard yelling coming from a few tents away from you. You figured it was just another soldier fight, but Zoya knew better as she stood, pulling you up with her when she seemingly spotted something that frightened her.

She pushed you behind her, grabbing your hand and she made a run to the edge of the encampment, towards the forest.

You could hear shouting behind you, and the noises of a fight reached your ears. This was not a friendly soldier fight. Too many people had been involved for that. Before you could reach the forest, you could feel two arms wrapping around you from behind, pulling you away from Zoya. 

She screamed, reaching out for you before someone took her out from behind. 

The language the man spoke was foreign, and it didn’t take you long to realise they were Fjerdans. They must’ve dressed up as soldiers so they could infiltrate the tents and eliminate the Grisha. 

You fought against the man holding you down, kicking him in the stomach and managing to punch him in the face. 

He struggled, falling backwards. You didn’t hesitate to run away from him, spotting Zoya on the ground, the Drüskelle on top of her. He had a knife in his hand, undoubtedly planning on slicing Zoya’s throat. 

You ran over quickly, jumping on the man’s back in order to get him off of her. Zoya struggled for a bit, surprised by your return before regaining her composure, raising her arms to blast the man backwards. She made her way over to you, grabbing you hand once more before she was pierced by an arrow. A Drüskelle stood behind her, a few feet away, holding a bow. 

Zoya fell to the ground, and the Fjerdan you had managed to push to the ground was now behind you again, restraining you as the other one walked over to Zoya.

He grabbed her hair, pulling her to her knees, with her head pulled backwards. He mumbled a few words in Fjerdan, something about salvation of the witches before he pressed his knife to her throat. 

You screamed, fighting against the Drüskelle holding you as they prepared to slit Zoya’s throat. 

The moment the Drüskelle drew blood, you screamed. An anger releasing inside you that you didn’t know you were holding. Your view went black, a bright light shining through the blackness before you felt your body giving out. You could faintly hear screaming, and you could make out Zoya’s voice as she held you head in her lap. 

After that, everything went black. 

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

When your vision returned, you could make out you were in a tent. You saw Zoya’s face first, looking concerned as she wiped a wet cloth over your forehead. It appeared you were burning up, yet the cool cloth felt as though it had burned you.

You groaned, moving away from her touch and shielding your eyes. The light was too bright, even though the tent was fairly dark. 

“She’s awake,” you heard Zoya say to another person in the room, who hummed thoughtfully before dismissing her.

“Thank you, Zoya. You may leave,” you heard a male voice command. 

You saw Zoya shaking her head, holding one hand on your arm as her head was turned to the other presence. 

“Please, General. She’s confused and scared as is. Allow me stay, please,” Zoya said, and you don’t think you’ve ever heard her use the word ‘please’, let alone use it multiple times in the same sentence.

“Very well,” the male voice commanded, and you could hear large footsteps cross the tent towards where you were lying down.

You groaned, grabbing onto Zoya as you pulled yourself into a sitting position, noticing you were indeed in the tent of the Black General. You breath caught in your throat at the sight of him, and your eyes fell to two Heartrenders standing guard at the entrance of the tent.

“You’ve made quite the show, miss…?” the General trailed off, looking at you expectedly. 

“y/l/n, y/n y/l/n,” you said quietly, turning your gaze to fall on Zoya, who had moved to sit next to you on the cot you were previously laying on. 

Your head felt heavy, and your hands felt clammy. 

“Miss y/l/n, tell me, what are you?” the General asked, leaning against a desk placed in the tent. 

You looked at him confused, thinking about what he could possibly mean. 

“A mapmaker, sir,” you told him, turning to look at Zoya. You couldn’t read her expression, so you turned back to the General, who looked slightly offended. 

“Don’t fool me,” he started. “What are you,” he stated firmly.

“I don’t know what you mean,” you admitted honestly, not wanting to upset him.

He looked at you for a moment, determining whether you were lying before speaking again.

“Were you tested as a child?” he asked, to which you nodded. 

“What was the result?” 

“I wasn’t Grisha,” you said, a hint of pain in your voice. You had always wanted to be Grisha. To be in a place where you belong, amongst people who were like you. Instead, you were just normal, with no place where you belonged.

“Your little display of power this morning suggests otherwise, miss y/l/n,” the General spoke.

You looked at him confused. 

“I don’t understand what you mean,” you told him honestly.

“You singhandly managed to scare all of the Drüskelle away, yet you claim to have no knowledge of what you were doing?” 

“I’m sorry, sir, I truly don’t,” you replied, flinching slightly when the General pushed himself off the desk, closing the distance between you. 

“Hold out your arm,” he stated. 

You did as he said, extending your arm towards him while pulling up your sleeve, knowing what he wanted. 

“You say you were tested as a child?” the General asked in confirmation, noting the way you nodded, almost disappointed. “Were you injured during the testing?” he asked you, seeing your face contort in confusion. 

“I don’t recall… does that matter?” you asked, looking up at him as he stood before you. 

“It is the whole point of the test,” he said, taking ahold of your arm and bringing his sharp ring towards it. Gently, he pressed the talon in your arm, and you gasped at the slight sting before a warm beam of light shot from your arm.

You eyes widened, and the moment he let your arm fall back you grasped it, looking at the cut in disbelief. 

“You are very much Grisha, miss y/l/n,” the General said, motioning towards the Heartrenders at the entrance of the tent. 

You couldn’t find any words, turning to Zoya who just looked as bewildered as you. 

“I’m Grisha…” you whispered quietly, looking at Zoya. 

Before she could say anything, the General had returned to your side, gently grasping your upper arm and pulling you up. 

“We’ll have to work quickly. The Drüskelle are already on alert after the attack, and word of your discovery will spread fast,” the General said, handing you a red Kefta, urging you to put it on. “You’ll travel in my coach,” he spoke, before handing you to the two Heartrenders. 

You looked towards Zoya, who stood and asked the General if she could accompany you. 

He shook his head, insisting that she was still needed at the camp. 

Before you knew it, you were being dragged outside and towards the Darkling’s coach. Two Oprichniki stand at the doors, opening them upon seeing your arrival. You didn’t resist, taking the hand one of the Oprichniki offered to help you step inside. 

Once you settled into the coach, the two Heartrenders followed, sitting across from you. The doors were closed, and the two Oprichniki moved to the front, no doubt riding on horses beside the coach. 

You were silent for the first part of the journey, admiring the detailed embroidery on the red Kefta adorning your body. 

“It’s bulletproof,” said the man across from you suddenly. You looked up, meeting his kind smile and realising they had been watching you. “It is why the General wanted you to wear it,” he finished.

You nodded, allowing your hand to fall to your lap. 

“I’m Feydor, and this is Ivan,” the Heartrender introduced himself, motioning towards his partner beside him. He carried a stern look on his face, turning to look outside instead. 

You nodded in reply, turning to look outside in thought. 

“Where are we going?” you asked, turning back to Feydor. He smiled.

“The Little Palace, of course,” he said. 

You nodded once more, settling your gaze outside again. “Why the hurry?” 

“By now, every Drüskelle and Shu assassin will have heard what happened at the camp. What you did. We need to make sure you are behind safe walls when they come for you,” Feydor explained, and you nodded once more.

“I don’t even know what I did,” you then said, earning the look of both Feydor and Ivan. 

“You saved us,” Feydor started. “Your light killed two Drüskelle, and scared the rest away. The disguised themselves as First army to kill Grisha. Without you, they would have succeeded.” 

You looked at him surprised, not expecting that reply to come from his mouth. You could not remember a single thing that happened at the camp, let alone the Drüskelle attack. 

After the conversation died down, you turned to look outside once more. You felt your eyes drooping, exhausting settling into your bones as the world outside passed you in a blur.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and an Oprichniki opened the coach door. 

“There’s a fallen tree on the road, we’re moving it now,” he stated, closing the door again. Ivan looked uneasy, glancing out the little window. Feydor did the same, studying the other window until there was shouting. 

Immediately, Ivan and Feydor got up, both heading out the doors.

“Stay here, get down, and don’t move,” Feydor said, pushing a blade of Grisha steel into your hands before abandoning the coach. 

You did as he said, crouching down onto the floor of the coach, pressing your knees against your chest. You could hear screaming outside and multiple guns firing. When it stilled for a moment, you thought it was over, until the glass of the coach broke and a smoke bomb was thrown inside.

You coughed, pushing the door of the coach open and stumbling outside, falling to your knees as you tried to catch your breath. 

You heaved, clutching the Girsha steel knife in your hand when you looked up, barely registering the boots of a figure marching towards you, grabbing your hair and dragging you away. 

You fought, struggling against his hold as he pressed his knife to your throat, pressing harshly. You felt a trickle of blood stream down you neck, and you grabbed the knife in you hand as tightly as you could before stabbing it backwards, hitting the person in the stomach. 

His hold on you faltered enough for you to push him away, running away from him, into the forest. 

You ran for as long as your feet could take you, registering the fighting still happening behind you. When you stopped for only a second to catch your breath, you were tackled to the ground, a figure laying on top of you.

His held his knife high above his head, muttering a prayer of kinds before preparing to bring it down.

You could faintly hear a horse in the background, and you closed your eyes tightly, figuring this was it. You heard a yell, but you didn’t feel the sharp pain of a knife digging into your skin. Instead, when you opened your eyes. You could see the man on top of you, slowly falling in two. 

You turn your head, seeing the Darkling standing there beside a group of other Oprichniki. You realised he had cut the man on top of you in half. 

When he fell, you pushed him off of you, moving away from the body, and catching your breath. 

The General walked over to you, extending his arm, which you gratefully took as he helped you up. He studied the cut on your throat.

“Are you alright?” he questioned. 

You nodded, moving your hand to rub the sore spot on your throat. 

“You’ll ride with me,” he stated, walking over to his horse, leaving no room for argument. 

You followed him, standing beside him as he mounted his horse, extending his hand to help pull you up. You allowed him, settling in the saddle as he took off in a gallop. 

He held onto you firmly, ensuring you wouldn’t fall at the movement of the horse. 

With you were riding multiple Oprichniki guards, and you spotted Ivan and Feydor both riding on a horse themselves. They must’ve won the fight in the woods. 

After riding for nearly half a day, the group stopped at an abandoned barn. The Oprichniki secured it, while the General dismounted the horse, extending his arm to help you off as well. When the Oprichniki secured the barn, the group moved inside. 

The horses were giving water and something to eat, while a small group of Oprichniki went outside to hunt for dinner. 

You settled on the ground, close by the fire that Ivan had made. Once the sun had set, the temperature had dropped significantly, and you could say with certainty you were freezing.

You pulled the dirty Kefta around you a little tighter, hoping to conserve some warmth. The General seated himself beside you, reaching out a gentle hand to touch the cut on your neck. You winced slightly at the sting, and General Kirigan retreated his hand to retrieve a small, black cloth from his pocket. 

Gently, he wiped the blood away from you neck and face, making sure to avoid pressing to harshly. 

Once he retreated his hand, you gave him a small smile. 

“Thank you,” you said in a quiet voice, and he nodded. 

“Once you’re in the palace you’ll be able to clean up properly. The cut isn’t too deep, but in your weakened state it is enough to stir some worry,” he explained, tucking the small cloth back into his pocket. 

You nodded once again, moving to lay down, using you arm to support your head. The palace. That is where you were headed, after all…

Permanent tags: @marvelnatasha12346 @lesbionion @daddipantherr @darkstar225 @saraaahsstuff @marvelwomenarehot0 @screechcat @iheartjohansson @tia-thesimp @swaqcenix @karmasgxrl @marvel-lous3000 @hor1zond1ar1es @lorsstar1st @superlegend216 @ravensinthedaylight

[cozy-possum]

i just have to say that i love your grisha headcanons, especially the one about different types of grisha + body horror <3 do you have any more headcanons or ideas like that?? i'd love to hear them! it's such an underutilised idea around powered beings!!!

AA thank you!!! I was surprised more people haven't though about it!

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OG Post (Here)

I have a couple other ideas;

Heartrenders controlling a volcra (Here)

Volcra kill because they remember the want (Here read tags as well)

Specifically with the body horror aspect I would love to see it more casually brought up, I know I went extreme in the original post( and ended up going extreme here too)

Tailors who's skin is warm and soft always, their beauty a little too blinding, they never keep a steady appearance as they appeal to what the viewer wants most, in order to gain their trust. Sometimes that backfires, someone wants to see scars, or fangs, or a monster, and what Grisha to better satisfy that then one that can be what they need. They can make wounds or hide them, they can create scars, they can give someone who wants to hurt, to see others hurting what they want and no one has to suffer, do they?

Squallers who offer comfort through the constant feeling of a warm breeze surrounding someone, the soft sound of wind through chimes or leaves. They can control music just as much, crafting songs and sounds from instruments that never existed in the first place. They become sirens, pulling people in, deafening them with sounds before they even realize they can't hear beyond the wind whistling in their ears.

Tidemakers who's body's move fluidly, their ability to dance, their flexibility is unmatched, they move like water and most feel refreshed after they talk to them. They can bend and twist their bodies so easy, it's muscle memory to show others, to force the bones to bend and break under the pressure from them and their water. Some spend too much time with it, they become similar to a deep sea creature, unblinking and adapted in ways others could never live with.

Inferni who are always the perfect temperature, who can keep a group calm, lowing their body temperatures so they're forced to settle, they can take heat as easily as they can bestow it. The can keep the others comforted, complacent on missions with only each other for comfort; heat fills the space, heat can be the phantom memories of those gone. If there is a death on the field, often an Inferni will keep the bodies warm, to not spook others. They mimic the body heat of someone next to you, a phantom partner or lover in all the wrong ways.

Heartrenders who can manipulate the chemicals and neurotransmitters in a persons brain, even if they don't know what they're doing, people always feeling happier around them, feeling calm, feeling safe. Too much of a good thing is equal to bad. They become addicted like anything else, they become desperate, even the heartrender cannot control it, and often they succumb to those they subdued if not kept safely away from others, or if they use their powers sparingly.

Fabirkators that can breathe life into inanimate things. They create toys, things to comfort young Grisha, to comfort anyone who has lost something. If they focus, if they bargain and find help in other grisha, they can bring a loved one back for a moment, they can twist and warp the corpses before burial, to give comfort to those grieving, to take from those already dead. They often forget, creating things from nothing can lead to viewing everything as a tool. How can things be combined, how can they be taken apart. Fabrikators who pull at flesh a little too easily, after all it's only components, and those that volunteer, well they never have a reason to fear their friend who made their teddy bears dance when they were scared.

Amplifiers that find themselves connected to Grisha in ways they cannot explain. They can sense pain, fear, happiness, they can sometimes sense before the Grisha know themsevles, the whispers of power from under small fingers. They push too much into some, exhausting their power when they pull back, leaving material for the Fabrikators to take apart. Whispers of Grisha killing their own is what the Amplifiers bring. They find the ability to comfort, showing Grisha that their powers are not to be feared, that they can stop too much power leaking out. Small hands reaching for them, crying out for parents who cannot stay, the amplifiers find themselves drowning in both grisha power and human emotions no heartrender can hope to break the bond of.

Sun Summoners, Lightbringers, who always shine. They excel in anything they try, learning, power control, it comes easy to them because praise, love is light. Grisha find themselves blinded, the way sunlight is too warm, the way light trickles into the cracks. Even those that hate find themselves warmed and drawn into the light, moths to a flame. They can blind as easily as they comfort, creating blisters and welts, sunburns and heatstroke, photosensitivity can burn into someone's eyes and brain and leaving them with a body that jerks beyond their command.

Shadow Summoners, Shadowbringers, that keep those that are forgotten. They pull those that are lesser, Grisha who can't keep up with the training, grisha who's powers do not follow the strict pathways they army wants. They take those that slip through the cracks. They spends hours training in pitch black until themselves and the grisha no longer need their sight to kill. They use the shadows to move around, creating shapes and monsters, creatures and enemies not only to scare but to protect each other. They take the absence of light and create the world within it. They plunge anyone who goes against them in the lack of, sensory deprivation at it's strongest. They either slowly let the senses come back or flood them with the removal of shadow all at once, neither are survivable

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[z1m1nys0ldat]

Shadow & Bone - S2

What I wanted to happen:

Kaz Brekker picking a lock 

Feydor showing of more of his heartrending abilities 

Feydor + Ivan reuniting 

Fivan (in general) 

Wesper (in general) 

Who I wanted to see:

Feydor Kaminsky 

Genya Safin 

Ivan

Kaz Rietveld (young Kaz)

Jordie Rietveld 

Favourite moments:

Jesper admitting to liking Wylan  

Kaz buries Pekka’s son 

David & Genya - “You don’t need fixing” 

Kaz fighting the Dregs 

The Crow’s flashbacks/hallucinations 

Baghra’s death

The Crows fight with The Disciple 

Genya finding David’s plans for a ring 

Inej & Kaz in the chapel saying their goodbyes 

Good things:

The sets were beautiful; Novyi Zem was so vibrant and full of life. The architecture and fabrics shown were so detailed, the streets honestly felt so full of life. I loved seeing more of Ketterdam and Kerch, it made it feel even more real. The darkness and grittiness of the streets was so clear and really added to the atmosphere of those scenes.  Shu Han was simply a work of art. The merchant’s tables and their wares were so intriguing and realistic, and the alter (if that’s what it’s called) where Zoya and Tolya paid their respects to the deceased was so beautiful. 

The costuming continues to impress me! The intricate details of each characters outfits really added to their realness and authenticity.  The Kefta’s were absolutely beautiful, as always! The details in each of them was amazing - I loved how Kirigan’s Kefta began to feature Alina’s gold throughout the season. 

The casting was fabulous! Jack was incredible as Wylan, despite not having red hair he really embodied Wylan for me.  I thought Patrick did an incredible job as Nikolai and really sold the performance. 

Some of the acting was absolutely incredible!  Freddy Carter really channeled Kaz Brekker this season, and not only that but he really channeled Dirtyhands. There were so many scenes where his performance gave me chills! His ability to really become his character is superb! The mannerisms, the posture, the facial expressions, the voice, everything just screamed Kaz - Dirtyhands - Brekker.    Ben Barnes continued to amaze me! His performance as Kirigan is honestly incredible. His ability to channel Aleksander’s vulnerabilities, manipulations, ambitions and cruelties all at once is something I will never not be in awe of. Kirigan’s pain and rage is so beautifully acted out this season and I found myself on the edge of my seat every time he was on screen! Amita Suman - Just Amita Suman! My God was she incredible! Not a single scene went by that she didn’t dominate. Her interactions with Mogen were so chilling and so harrowing. I wouldn’t be suprised if there was an Oscar with her name on it in the future.  

Matthias’ religion.  I loved how they showed Matthias relationship with his religion and how he is trying to reconcile wanting Nina while still believing in his God.    The fact that he refused to fight the wolves as they were sacred and important to his culture and his God, and then later calling out for Nina (A Grisha) and trying to get to her as he is dragged out of the ring is such an interesting dichotomy and I’m looking forward to how they might take this further. 

The transitions the season were insane: Kaz in The Disciples room -> Kaz in the river 

Bad things. 

Some of the acting left things to be desired.  There were a few characters whose acting was not at the level as everyone else’s, and I found this quite distracting and it did take away from my ability to suspend-my-disbelief a bit. An example of this was with some of the background Grisha characters, such as Fruszi. 

Some of the scenes could have gone further.  The scene where Kaz tells Pekka he buried his son was incredibly acted in the show and I did love it, however in the book the scene was much longer and there was no mention or motive of having Pekka confess to Heleen and the Constable’s murders or him releasing Inej. The focus is more on Kaz’s anger and revenge, he is much more insistent in the book that Pekka says Jordie’s name; however once he gives up the information about where Pekka’s son is after he begs and Pekka runs off, Kaz reveals that he had never even seen his son and his motive was simply to have Pekka seen running out of town with his medics in tow at the same time that the plague was appearing at his establishments. Kaz is far crueler in the books, mocking Pekka and saying how the sound of his son crying for him was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. I feel like in the show Kaz rolled over and gave in much easier and far quicker, whereas in the book the exchange lasted far longer.  

Inej should have gotten her own ship at the end instead of joining Sturmhond’s crew. 

I would have loved to have seen my two favourite characters come back - Ivan & Feydor Kaminsky. 

Overall 

I really enjoyed it! It was fun and dramatic and had some really cool action scenes. I think it followed the first season pretty damn well, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they might do with a season 3.  There was some bumps in the road along the way, things I wasn’t so keen on but isn’t that always the way... 

It’s definitely not an accurate and verbatim adaptation of the books but it is without a doubt an impressive and enjoyable one. 

[saintzoya]

Shadow & Bone as John Mulaney bits 4/?

[genyasafinsmissingeye]

Stan the grishaverse because it’s one of the few mainstream fantasys that have (good) LGBTQ+ repersentation, and lot’s of it. In the grishaverse, if I’m correct, there’s about eight canon queer characters: Ivan and Feydor (practically canon in the books, but only comfirmed in the TV show) Tamar, Nadia, Jesper, Wylan, Nina and Hanne.

And it was so normal too! Nobody gave a fuck. Unmatched.

[amsgrey]

Warmth In the Cold

Original OC x Aleksander Morozova

Warnings: bad writing lol

Snow days at the Little Palace were Natalia's favourite days. She would forget all duties and snatch Genya away from her tasks to force her to walk in the snow with her. Her husband, General Kirigan, never understood her fascination with the freezing weather. To Natalia it was the only time she could excuse not doing her duties.

As Princessa of Ravka, twin to Crown Prince Vasily, she was expected to be around the Grand Palace and attend all her mothers many tea and lunch parties with all the other noble women of Os Alta. Up until a few years ago Natalia lived away from the capital for “safety”, when she returned on her 18th, she was married to the General of the Second Army as a means of controlling him. Not that it worked, the two only acted married when at fetes or balls. The general still left for weeks to travel around Ravka for the war effort, being married to the princess didn’t change a thing.

Although the two slept in the same bed at night, whenever Natalia woke in the morning, Aleksander was gone, left for meetings and war strategies. Natalia refused to let herself get lonely, she became fast friends with Genya and spent most of her time in the Little Palace with her.

The Little palace was filled with so much more life and happiness than the grand palace, especially on snow days. When the sky opened and dumped inches of snow around the palace, Natalia and Genya would make their way to the training courtyard with most of the other Grisha and play in the snow with Botkin.

Today Feydor had been excused from his duties for the morning and he joined them in the courtyard as they watched the other younger grisha play in the snow. Natalia loved watching the younger grisha snow fight, it was almost as if they werent being trained to fight and kill for a war their king had inherited.

Natalias husband’s was away at the northern boarder with Fjerda, rallying troops and what ever else he was required to do. Natalia had grown used to the quietness around their shared chamber, the only noise coming from the guards quarters down the hall.

Botkin had wrangled the grisha around him to start a loose training lesson in the deep snow, he had the inferni clear the snow in a loose circle, allowing for grisha to spar without tripping over the snow. The three friends watched the sparring from across the courtyard. Beside her, Natalia could hear Genya mumbling about the cold.

A heartrender in a rich red kefta won his spar with the much smaller and scuriner tide maker than himself. The Corporalki around the courtyard cheered, making mocking comments amoungs themselves.

Natalia turned to Genya, “How can he celebrate beating a child half his size?”

A few of the grisha in the sparring circle turned to look at her, most of them despised her existence.

“Pick your next opponent!” Botkin roared, completely ignoring the whispers and frowns on the faces around him.

“Anyone?” The heartrender asked.

“Anyone!” Botkin replied, gesturing around him to the circle of Grisha.

“Lady Kirigan.”

Immediately the circle broke to make a path to where Natalia was standing, whispers went through the grisha.

Feydor turned to the lower ranking corporalki, just as he began to say something, Natalia interrupted.

“Are you sure?” She called to the man in front of her.

“Are you?”

Genya grabbed her arm, “Don’t even think about it Natalia, its not worth it.”

Natalia ignored her, she had been training with Botkin ever since she moved to the little palace, and before that when she grew up out of Os Alta she learned from her “dance instructor”.

Botkin seemed extremely pleased with the sparring match, he didn’t intervene or even attempt to change anyones mind, he knew Natalia could hold her own. The only disadvantage she had was she wore no Kefta, a way of showing her rank as a ‘rumored’ nongrisha.

Natalia gently closed her hands into a fist, holding them up before her and moving to face side on to the heartrender. Now that she was closer to him, she recognized him as Anatole, the heartrender that had been spending the last few weeks talking about how stupid and useless she was. Rumours didn’t usually get to Natalia, she was princess everyone in the country had an opinion on her without ever meeting her. But Anatole spread such foul language she had begun to grow irritated of his persistent lies. Anatole was at least a foot taller than she was, but he also had a massive tell of when he would swing a punch. He would always shift the heel of his left foot outwards in the slightest way when he was about to throw a punch, all Natalia ahead to do was dodge him until he grew tired of throwing punches then use his own weight against him to take him down.

A few minutes into the spar, Anatole grew angrier and sloppier because he couldn’t land a blow against the graceful princessa. Eventually, he dropped his arms in exhaustion, and Natalia moved close enough to land a sharp kick to the side of his knee, forcing them to buckle and making him land harshly on the ground. Natalia smiled, “Thank you for the practice, Corporalki.” She turned from the man, heading back to Genya to head inside and laugh about the mans arrogance.

She got a few steps away when she felt all the breath leave her lungs. Immediately she reached her hands to her neck in shock, suffocating against her will. Natalia could hear Genya shouting to her and she fell to her knees, on the snow under her, red drops stained the half melted snow. Natalia was all too aware of the warm blood that was spilling out of her nose and onto the snow, the intense burning in her chest as her body screamed for breath.

From all around her, the Grisha had started erupting, “Stop Him!” Many shouted, Feydor had advanced from the other side of the courtyard and was shouting, “Stand down, stand down now!”

Natlia fell forward as her body began to give up, Genya was at her side all of a sudden hugging her to her chest as her head swam. Corporalki had swarmed around the two, “Healer!” Someone shouted.

Feydors face was appearing above Natalia next to Genya, he reached out and placed a hand on her chest, she knew he was willing her to breath, trying to get her to fight for herself but in the moments she had been starved of her own will to breath she had forgotten how to draw in air. The sky above her and Genyas face shifted out of focus and Natalia slipped into the cold darkness of unconsciousness.

Genya and Feydor had felt Natalia’s body go limp, Genya had panicky tried to wake her friend, while Feydor quickly forced her lungs to inhale, willing her heart to beat. A Healer was ushered through the crowd to help Feydor. Then Natalia was being gathered in Feydors arms and rushed to her chambers to keep healing her. It took three healers to get Natalia's heart and lungs working for themselves, the eldest most experienced grisha healer had ensured Genya and Feydor, Natalia would wake in a few days, but her mind and body still needed to rest. In the meantime, news was sent to the Grand Palace and to General Kirigan, who happened to be on his way back from the north and forced his party to ride through the night when the news reached them. Although her husband was quick to respond to the news, Natalias parents and brother a stones throw away in the Grand Palace didnt react quickly at all. In fact, they didnt bother to come and check on her, instead relying on servants to pass on her condition.

General Kirigan arrived not two days after he received the news. Although the married couple would refuse to admit it to one another, they did truly care about the other. Aleksander left his party and horse at the gates into the palace grounds, himself and Ivan quickly walked the grounds to the Little palace and through the corridors to The Darklings chambers. At every doors entrance there were two guards, they let the general through with no issue. Aleksander was glad to see they had stepped up the security.

Walking through the doors into his and his wife’s shared chamber, he noted first Feydor and GEnya sitting close to the bed looking stressed and exhausted. Looking past them, he spotted his wife. She was slightly propped up against a plethora of soft pillows. Genya has brushed her hair off her face and from across the room, Aleksander could see how pale and clammy she looked, like all the blood had drained from her once rosy cheeks. Aleksander walked further into the room, Feydor and Genya jumped to their feet to greet him. Genya and the two heartrenders knew the general well enough that he let his guard down ever so slightly around them, they were all friends with Natalia and in extension himself.

“What happened?” He demanded, “Is she okay?”

The only news he had received on the way to Os Alta was that his wife had been attacked and she was ill.

Feydor and Genya shared a look, stuttering over their words to explain themselves clearly.

Ivan walked towards Natalia, he looked from her sleeping figure to Feydor and Genya, “A heartrender?” He asked incredulously.

Aleksander looked shocked, just the look of his frown sent the explanation spilling from Genyas lips. She didn’t fail to mention that the heartrender who had attacked Natalia was the same who had been speaking ill of her for weeks. Genya explained the whole thing, how fast it all happened but also how slow it felt watching Feydor trying to make Natalia breathe again.

“He stopped her heart?” Ivan asked when Genya had finished.

Feydor nodded, “He only stopped when Zoya sent him flying into a wall.”

Aleksander walked over to his wife’s side, the three grisha moving to allow him through. He gently soothed his hand over her hair, she was so still and pale Aleksader was confronted with the fact he might have been seeing her dead if not for Zoya and Feydor.

“Where is this Heartrender now?” Aleksander demanded, whoever he thought he was, trying to hurt his wife, he would pay the ultimate price.

“In the cells.”

Natalia breathed in a deep breath as she forced herself to open her eyes. Her shared chambers were cast in the soft glow of the evening sun and the fireplace in the right of the room. In front of the bed, the doors to the war council room were slightly ajar. Natalia could hear her husband and Ivan speaking with other Grisha Second Army Corporalki. Natalia couldn’t hear them from where she was, but she didn’t really care to. On the side table to her left there was a small glass of water. Natalia tried to reach out for it, but her hand shook so badly the glass slipped and landed with a thud on the hardwood floors. The talking in the other room ceased, then Aleksander was opening the door, a frown on his face.

Natalia looked up at him, “Sorry,” she said sheepishly.

Aleksanders frown fell, he entered the room, gently shutting the door behind him. “It’s okay,” he said, he walked over to her side of the bed, picking up the glass and putting it on the far side of the side table before waking to the water pitcher across the room and pouring her a new glass. Aleksander returned and sat on the edge of the bed, he gently held the glass to Natalias lips and helped her drink it.

“Thank you,” she sighed, relaxing back into the pillows behind her.

The light from outside the windows has started to get darker, the fire's orange glow casted over Aleksanders face as he watched his wife.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

Natalia sighed, “Tired.”

There was a pause between the two.

“How was your trip?” Natalia asked quietly.

Aleksander quietly chuckled, “That's what your asking?”

Natalia looked away, “I thought you weren’t coming back for another few weeks.”

“Things were wrapped up early,” Her husband turned to face the window where the sky hard turned dark, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you.”

Natalia reached out for her husband, she forced her weak muscles to grab Aleksanders hand, “I shouldn’t have fought him,” she sighed trying to get comfortable in bed but being unable to make her tired body comfortable, “It was foolish.”

“He shouldn’t have attacked you,” Aleksanders eyes darkened, “He wont be a problem anymore.”

“My husband, the hero,” Natalia poked her husband playfully.

“You gave Feydor and Genya one hell of a fright,” Aleksander laughed.

“Oh,” Natalia tried to sit forward, Aleksander snaked hus hand around her back and helped her sit forward, holding her close to his own body to support her. “Oops.”

The general laughed, he could see in Natalia’s eyes she was growing more and more exhausted. “Do you want to lie down?”

“Only if you join me,” Natalia responded, gesturing to his side of thier large shared bed. Aleksander smiled, he gently supported his wife with one arm while moving the pillows behind her so that she could lie down. Natalia watched him walk around the bed and put out the candles and lanterns around the room. He walked back to his side of their bed and took off his embroidered Kefta and boots then peeled the covers off the bed to join his wife. Natalia smiled, gently scooting her tired body to lie her head on her husbands chest.

“Thank you,” Natalia sighed, she felt safe with her husband, for the first time in a while she felt the warm feeling of love again for her husband. She could almost forget they were in a forced loveless marriage.

“Goodnight,” Aleksander whispered, gently soothing Natalia's hair as she fell asleep.

[meenyminymoes-blog]

Masterlist

Aleksander: We call that a traumatic event.

Aleksander, turning to Genya: Not a "bruh moment."

Aleksander, turning to Ivan: Not a "major L."

Aleksander, turning to Fedyor: And definitely not an "OOF lmao."

[neyderiya]

[confusedbookworm]

The Little Palace would have nights where they would build blanket forts with the young children and tell stories. Aleksander would use his shadows to act out some of the stories. Other times Feydor got Ivan to act them out with him.

[zoya-nazyalantsov]

new ship alert 🚨

fedyor x ivan nation how we feelin!?!?!?

via julian kostov on instagram

heartrender husbands <3

[play-exy-be-sexy]

i’m rewatching shadow and bone for the third time and THE SECUAL TENSION BETWEEN IVAN AND FEDYOR IS SO OBVIOUS. LIKE LITERALLY THEYVE BEEN IN TWO SCENES AND THE LITTLE GLANCES AND TALKING AMONGST THEM SELVES AJJAJQIJANA. THEYRE IN LOVE YOUR HONOR

[newfangledsoul]

I really love the addition of this relationship, and the fact that they introduce the relationship like this, because it makes Ivan a much more sympathetic character. You can see how much he has to lose and how easy it would be for him to lose it. It makes his staunch defense of The Darkling (no matter what atrocities Aleksander commits) make much more sense.

[cozy-possum]

"Grisha who control the elements are controlled natural disasters waiting to be pointed to the target" IM FERAL OVER THIS DESCRIPTION its so *chefs kiss*, I'm absolutely obsessed.

Personally, I'd be throwing hands with any Inferni making everything all muggy and humid; I live in New Zealand, so I live in 80%+ humidity every day and its the worst 😭😭 i LOVE the concept of the Tidemakers essentially being able to become puppeteers, though – how terrifying would it be to be forced to move against your will, especially in a battle situation??

I know you've mentioned before how Tidemakers could feel "clammy" or Inferni having burnt hands or how Sun Summoners don't have a shadow; how else do you think this body horror take on Grisha talents could impact them physically? I think the physical implications are just SO interesting and really add to the perspectives of other nations (and maybe even non-Grisha Ravkans) to be looking at Grisha as dangerous, abominations, something to be fearful of.

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I'm glad you like it! I was particularly proud of it haha

Oh man I've escaped previous heat/humidity and do not want to go back lol

Yes, being moved against your will, or being unable to move when you hit a certain range that the tidemaker can control! That would be terrifying!!! Thinking you're on a scouting mission and suddenly you think you can hear voices, so you rush forward, and there's a group, the lost patrol, but they're froze to the spot, screaming for you to run back, instead you find yourself walking towards them, a strange sound of waves in your ears. You don't cry, no matter how much you want to, they don't want to waste the water for tears.

I think it would be really interesting if what they controlled didn't effect them or hinder them, that their science automatically compensated for it. And going of the fact Grisha are supposed to be 'rare' it would be a cool like 'natural protection' for them, and possibly another tool for people to find them before their powers develop, a way to hunt them if you go darker. The closer it gets to their powers showing, the more automatic processes their body does.

Also the more they use their powers the more visual it becomes. Shadow summoners who's limbs blacken, and seem to vanish into smoke in certain light. Sun Summoners who slowly go blind from their own light, burning from the inside out and collapsing like a dying star. Tidemakers who slowly drown themselves, every manipulation of water fills there lungs drop by drop, or the opposite, they pull water from their very being. Squallers who pull air from themselves, slowly suffocating, or they fill themselves up with so much they combust, they dissolve into the air itself. Inferni who have burns creeping up their hands, who cough and breathe out ash and smoke, their bodies being burned from the inside out, after all that's all oxygenation is

Tidemakers who never get wet or damp, even in the rain, not because they're moving it, but because the water knows not to effect them. Like how some birds have oil in thier feathers that makes them hydrophobic. They can hold their breathe for too long, the water dividing itself into oxygen for them to breathe. One of the ways to check if a child might be a squaller is to hold them underwater, of course, not many abide this old superstition. The can handle slightly hotter or colder temperatures as the water in their bodies adjusts. Tidemakers that can direct small bits of water, when it's raining the runoff never seems to dampen their feet or the area they stand.

Inferni that are never uncomfortable in any temperature their body naturally adjusting, they're immune to certain chemicals/combinations because of the combustion particles. They can gain bursts of strength, their bodies manipulating them as they would flame from the world around them. Depending on what specific particles it is they can manipulate (Would other Inferni be better at different particles/combinations?? That would be very interesting) they can breathe in highly toxic areas like nothing is wrong. They can track or recognize places and soldiers by particles, they can tell where things have come from if they've been exposed to certain particles from certain areas. They can effect the temperature of those around them, especially with strong emotions. Those that make an Inferni anger or someone that causes lust/ a crush are often the source of a sweltering gaze and prickling heat, sometimes when their gaze is averted, something close by will combust/light on fire/heat up. Inferni who give off steam when they become emotional.

Squallers that never seem to slow in movements, the wind pulling and pushing their bodies for them, keeping them moving, keeping them out of danger even if their body can't or shouldn't be moving. Like when a strong gust of wind moves you. They can handle low oxygen environments like mountains or caves easier than most. They can alter air pressure around objects to make them heavier or lighter to an extent. The wind seems to influence their emotions, or the other way around, most aren't sure and no one want to anger a Squaller enough to find out.

Sun Summoners who move faster, are stronger in the sunlight, seemingly full of energy when in the lights path. They can see in the dark because they produce a natural light that encompasses themselves, the more power they have the more others can see it. When they become angry or too excited, or just too many strong emotions it will blind others from their reactions. They never seem to get sunburned, or sun stroke. They become effected by the season more easily, the lack of sunlight causing them distress if they're lacking in a strong family

Shadow Summoners who can see in the dark, who don't recognise that there isn't a light source. They can move the shadows to hide them. They often move silently when in darkness. The changes in season are usually when they're stronger, they don't seem effected by the shorter days or longer nights. They can travel better and night, they can stay in darkness for days at a time, so different methods of torture must be used for them. They suffer from light sensitivity often struggling to be out during the highest points of the day or they hide from flames and other light sources.

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[psycloclo]

[saintzoya]

Your heart is pounding. Is it for him? For the enemy?

[qvnthesia]

Heard you watched shadow and bone do you ship darklina or Malina? I really love your fics so I would love your insight on their characters(alina especially)

Yes, I have watched 'Shadow and Bone' and I ship Darklina *chaos* Oooh! Another character insight, let's get this bread! (note — I'm going to analyse these characters from the SHOW and not the books)

ALINA STARKOV, THE SUN SUMMONER

When I first watched S&B, my first impression of her was courageous yet hesitant, because I had actually never imagined Alina in my head at all.

Thanks to her life at the orphanage, Alina's grown accustomed to the fact that she can't make it. She hesitates for every important action she takes and is a bit naive about the real world. Not going to blame her, she got orphaned, I wouldn't wish those circumstances upon anyone.

I don't like how she always relied on Mal. Like, I get loneliness cripples you, I get it, totally do, loneliness makes you lost in your own head. It makes you desperate for the company you enjoy to stay. But, I don't know, I just didn't like her dependence upon a man who cared about her when her name came up and not as one of his top priorities. Yes, the Darkling wanted Alina's power, but at least he cared for her, gave her the best of facilities at the Little Palace and made sure she was safe.

As the series progresses, Alina learns about her power and becomes more confident in herself. She escapes the Darkling's clutches on foot and finds allies in the Crows and even Zoya. At the end of the series, she's sure of herself and she takes it upon herself to bring down the Fold and end the Darkling's tyranny once and for all. Can't wait to see her in Season 2! (JESSIE'S SUCH AN AMAZING INDIVIDUAL 😭💖)

ALEKSANDER MOROZOVA, THE DARKLING

(let's just ignore the Kirigan thing)

Before I start off, I'd just like to take a minute to LOOK AT HIM because I cannot understand why all the villains are so attractive. I have no idea, it's like the allure of darkness, maybe we're just too tired of being good and want to blow some things up—getting back to the point, yes, this guy. I saw him turn around in that damn tent of his and I stopped breathing (still alive).

I would just like to take a minute to appreciate how bloody fucking good of an actor Ben Barnes is. He's really captured the Darkling's allure (exactly how I imagined him when I read the first book) and it's all there in his eyes and his expression. He's very subtle, charming and dangerously manipulative. Leigh Bardugo captured the theme of manipulation so well in the first book and it's been so clearly depicted in the show (THE BLUE IRIS) and I love it.

Aleksander's cunning. He's calculated, he's got his allies and his support (not enough beyond the Fold, but definitely a lot in Ravka). Overall, he's at the top position. He can overthrow the bloody Tsar but he doesn't dare because he's not THAT powerful enough as he actually projects himself to be. He's a lonely fella, and he needs an equal as his company, which is Alina.

Now, whatever this guy is, IN THE SHOW, I'm certain he truly loved Alina, even if he had bad intentions. He really loved her and she DID love him back but she chose goodness over him, ergo, Mal over him. That's the only human factor about him, otherwise, he's hot—HE'S PURE EVIL, focus more on that, or we're all going to die.

MALYEN ORETSEV, THE TRACKER

This guy's good, he's like Captain America, he's fucking righteous, kicks ass damn fine and he does seem to be the perfect choice for Alina in romantic terms. But I'm going to clear with you — Alina doesn't deserve him, not after the way he kept on treating her.

It's pretty clear she has feelings for him and he completely disregards that in all of his masculine braggadocio and it's absolutely infuriating. He says he knows Alina the best so why the hell didn't he realize that the girl likes him? God, the amount of gaslighting, it's outrageous!

But, he's like the ONLY support for Alina that's there. And I feel she's going to need him, they're both going to need each other after everything that's going to come. He's going to fight for her and beside her and I honestly can't wait to see that!

KAZ BREKKER, BASTARD OF THE BARREL

Again, why are all the bad guys so attractive? Dude, stop. Freddy's done such an amazing job playing Kaz. His dark clothes, the haphephobia (fear of being touched), it's right there in his eyes and that's why he keeps his hands to himself unless it comes down to punches.

You can see that calculating sparkle in his eyes, he's always watching, observing (damn good at that) and his mastermind skills prove why he's the best choice for leading the Crows. He's a bit cold, but deep down, he cares for his comrades AND I LOVE HIM.

INEJ GHAFA, THE WRAITH

Best spy in Ketterdam, here she comes!! I love her character so much. Her backstory, being trapped in that damn brothel making her the mature adventurer of the Crows. She's also agile and lightfooted and that's so much of a contrast with her overall attitude with strangers. She also has knives so you best better be careful because she's damn good with them.

I like how she's rather superstitious with all of her beliefs about the Sun Summoner. It shows how hopeful she is of a brighter future where she wouldn't have to live being shrouded by darkness and just be herself out in the open. I also like Kanej, yes, very much, no debate, and certainly no follow-up questions.

JESPER FAHEY, THE SHARPSHOOTER WITH A GAMBLING PROBLEM

He spins twin pearl revolvers in his hands and shot a couple of Volcras from riding in a rickety train, I don't need to say anything else. Except that I can't wait to see him become a Grisha in the show *screaaaaaaams* AND I WANT MILO BACK, I DON'T CARE, WE NEED A REUNION

ZOYA NAZYALENSKY, COMPETITIVE GRISHA SQUALLER

I really like her character development, it's quite obvious in the show. She hates Alina at first because Alina's favoured by the Darkling more than she is. But she's good at heart, that's why she decides to join Alina and becomes allies with her. I seriously want to see more of them, they'd make incredibly wonderful combatants together.

I like how she's so bold and courageous in the show and isn't afraid to give someone a piece of her mind, be it good or bad.

GENYA SAFIN, THE BEAUTIFUL TAILOR & DAVID KOSTYK, THE BOOKISH DURAST

I love Daisy's portrayal of Genya. She's captured the character's beauty and it's like a mask for hiding her pain from such horrible treatment by the King. She's loyal to the Darkling, but she's certainly more loyal to Alina. She's truly a wonderful friend and confidant and I hope for a wonderful future for her where she feels protected and the boss of her own life. Marriage with David doesn't sound so bad either, does it? Because I'm going down with this ship.

I love David, he's bookish and he throws a book at Jesper. A book! And he's so polite!

NINA ZENIK, GRISHA HEARTRENDER & MATTHIAS HELVAR, FJERDAN drüskelle

We have an enemies-to-lovers pair here! Bold Nina and a bit innocent and blindly loyal Matthias. However, they both believe in good and aren't afraid of putting their lives at risk to save the people that they love. When the time comes for both of them to join the Crows, I feel that both of them will serve as a voice of reason, especially Matthias and make some of the Crows more grounded. Obviously, both will be of immense help, with Nina's powers and Matthias' fighting skills.

IVAN AND FEYDOR, RESIDENTIAL HEARTRENDER COUPLE

Let's be clear — grumpy and sunshine, the only couple with the power to topple everyone else. But the Shadow and Sun conflict does threaten their foundations, so, oops?

Anyways, that was my character and a bit of actor-acting insight on Shadow and Bone. Thank you for reading my fics and for all of your love and support <33 It means a lot, considering I'm in a terrible unproductive writer's block T~T

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and watch the show again. Take careo of yeselves and goodbye!! *runs*